A Day in the Life: August 2007

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Trying to get just one

Uncle Peter and Aunt Emily's new digs

A couple of weekends ago, we went to visit my bother, Peter and Emily and Toby in Ann Arbor. They live in a new home, a co-housing develpment which is really pretty cool. There is a main building that houses a kitchen, dining room, play room, tv room, reading room and a guest bedroom (where Val and Drew slept.) Emily usually has meals here on busy weeknights (someone cooks four nights a week) and says they have been wonderful (lots of ethnicities). The people were all very nice, Val played basketball with a few while Drew and Nora played with kids (but mainly their favorite kid, Toby) There was even a concert one night that the kids loved. We spent a lot of time here, there is a play structure, kids toys everywhere and trails that lead through wildflowers to ponds. Perfect for young ones. I think they made a great decision to move there, Emily is already very involved and Peter, well, he deals well (he is very busy starting a new tech business).

You can see the condo's in the background. They are environ friendly.

Peter gave us a tour of the Ann Arbor campus. This was Drew on the stairs of the library, funny huh?

Toby being silly.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Lake Lemon

I think Val and I spent almost every day one summer at Lake Lemon near Bloomingtion. We went down a couple weeks ago and nothing had changed, besides the company which made it even more fun. We went on one of the prettiest days of the summer and found our old secret spot undisturbed. We had the place to ourselves.

Yes, Nora is on a big girl swing at 20 months. She had the coordination and determination of a three year old!

Drew and I jumped in and swam way out. The bottom was full of slimy plants and a dead fish floated by. Now that is real swimming.

Don and Sue's High Sierra Pics

Ok, I am really pushing the envelop on my technical skills here. These are some of Don and Sues pics and they were great but probably too hard to see.

More High Sierra

Drew opening on of his presents at his birthday party (more pics of his party to come)

The 'ora' girls.

Don, Mitch, Emoney and Sarah, chillin' main stage waiting for Paige (of Phish)

Kids and I doing the same

Mitch after his late night performance.

the dragon in one of the parade, there is an elaborate parade everyday at High Sierra

girls taking the parade in

Drew was part of a drum circle one morning in the kid zone.

Sue and Stephanie in the swimming hole.

Drew took long, three hour naps in wagons and pool side.

High Sierra, take two

Sue and Nora are good buddies now.

So, about a month has gone by and I'm going to try again. We are still riding the High Sierra wave, as my friend Sacco said, "the feeling lingers". We had the best time reconnecting with some of our best friends in the world. Dancing, camping and just hanging out with our buddies was theraputic. It was hard with the kids but worth it. Watching Nora sit in Sue's lap or Drew rough house with Eric confirmed this. The days were long, hot and dirty and the nights were long, cool and music filled. Highlights included swimming at the pool, going to the watering hole and hanging out with Val and everyone else late night, while the kids slept back at camp under Eric and Sarah's watchful eyes. Watching our buddy Mitch play both at the Shady Grove stage and late night was awesome, he just keeps getting better(and maintains a very humble attitude). Nora and Isadora (MB and Sacco's daughter) are not even two weeks apart and are ADORABLE together although they already were acting like sisters, grabbing for the same stuff...Drew and Izzy also loved being with each other, they made quite the connection. The High Sierra web site described the festival as being "a great family vacation" I couldn't agree more.