Chicago Pictures

It was a surprise to find out our hotel was on top of the Chicago Sun-Times bldg. We had to take the elevator to the 15th floor, get off and take a different elevator to our room on the 22nd floor.

We started off the week by hopping on the trolley for a ride down to Navy Pier.

Thank goodness Bubba Gumps was nearby -- we were all starving -- I love this place!

Here's where the trouble began...we rode the train to Wrigley Field...

And once inside....Cameron started up -- cheering for the Cubs! I told him the consequences would be difficult if he kept up the cheering -- no Cardinal fan would ever think of cheering for a Cub...eventually, he came around to my way of thinking :)

I made sure I kept an eye on the most important game going on....the Cards were in NY playing the Mets...

The next day we went to Shedd Aquarium...

On Wednesday we went to the matinee show of Wicked. I would recommend you see this if you are in Chicago (or NY of course). It was great! And I am not a big fan of the Wizard of Oz. So whether or not you are, I think you'll love it.

On Thursday we went to Indiana Dunes. It was a very cool day for the end of June...here's the Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan...

The kids really enjoyed playing in the dunes. It was nice seeing them playing so nicely with each other.

Until next time....

Chicago!

We are in Chicago this week on vacation. It has been a looonnng time since I have been in the city and I really had forgotton what a great, big city we have right here in the midwest. I haven't taken time to copy pictures from the camera to the computer, so more to come! I will say one thing, we went to Wrigley Field and Cameron may have some consequences to pay from that night when we get home. Never, never, will a Cardinal fan cheer for a Cub; that's just the way it is. I tried to explain it to him, but...

For those of you praying for my sister, I talked to her today and she sounded much better. Thanks for the prayers. We probably should pray that she doesn't over do it now.

Two "Happy Birthdays" This Week...

Happy Birthday wishes to Philip (Uncle Philip) & Alison -- we hope you both enjoy your days!!!! Belated Happy Birthday wishes to Brant and Shayna who celebrated last week! We are continuing to pray for my sister's speedy recovery from surgery last Friday.

All Star Saturday

Here's how it all began...



Kelsie, her teammates and coach before getting started...

Before the game...

Cameron doing his part to support his sister....

Oops, forgot to flip this one b4 uploading...

Kels started out patrolling left center field...all was going well...very well...

Kelsie led off the 2nd inning with a hit to right center...

Safely on at first....

Stole 2nd...wow, what a speed demon :)

After stealing 3rd...wow, what a speed demon :) she stole home! This isn't a good pic, but she's being welcomed back into the dugout after scoring...

THEN....the RAIN CAME! :( It down poured for about 2 minutes, but it was enough to end the game before Kelsie went to the mound to pitch. The game ended in a tie, after 3 innings. There was talk about rescheduling in 2 weeks, but we will have to wait and see. All in all, though, I think she had a good time; got a good hit, stole 3 bases, scored a run and had a nice throw to 2nd from center field to prevent a run from scoring...

And this....is what 2 drowned softball players look like! Kelsie says thanks to everyone for wishing her well in her game -- and for coming back to see how she did :) THANKS!

Things to Ponder while Watching Anthony Reyes Struggle

Will he become the first Cardinal to start the season 0-9 since 1995? Anthony Reyes could not make it out of the fifth tonight, allowing five runs on nine hits. 0-9, not pretty. Anyone know who started 0-9 in 1995? Meanwhile, 44 year old Jamie Moyer, yes, 44, is 7-5 for the Phillies. Hmmm. Kelsie or Cameron may have to save the Cardinal pitching staff this year.

All Star!

4 representatives from each team will be going to the FAAA All Star Game on Saturday. Kelsie was chosen by her teammates as 1 of the representatives from her team. Way to go, Kels! For those in STL, you are invited -- they will be playing at 1:00 pm on field #9 at the Weithaupt fields.

Picnic at SAFB

The kids got to come to work with me yesterday for the "A7" picnic. After cleaning out the snack cabinet and fridge with Elaine's girls :), Jenn was nice enough to take them all over to the picnic grounds while Elaine and I finished up some work. Here's how the day looked:



Hopefully Connie's cube isn't too trashed when she comes back to work :) I think there was only one spill and it was all over a MIPR I didn't want to review anyway! HAHA -- my friends from work will know what that means. :)

The girls came in 3rd place in the egg throwing contest -- egg throwing! Yes, I couldn't believe it myself! I won't even mention the watermelon eating contest -- it got ugly :)

It was a wet afternoon!

Total Chaos

No "chaos" tonight! Kelsie did a great job pitching tonight for her team, Total Chaos. Her pitching coach came to watch her and she had a great night -- 3 innings, no earned runs. Here are a few pictures:


Kelsie got some encouraging words from Meaghan.

Chris Carpenter Update

OAKLAND -- Chris Carpenter continued to move forward on Sunday in his rehabilitation from elbow surgery. Carpenter threw off a mound for the first time since the operation, firing 30 pitches in the bullpen at McAfee Coliseum.
"It was a nice first step," said Carpenter, who last threw off a mound on May 1, shortly before his operation. "Tomorrow, we'll see how it recovers, and hopefully do it again on Wednesday. I wasn't 100 percent firing it, but I let it go little bit."

Vacation Bible School

VBS started out great today -- I had 8 kids with me in the car -- exciting, and loud :) Thanks to North County Community Church for letting us use their decorations from their club last week -- here's a picture of the sanctuary:

Holiday World (Santa Claus, IN)

Thanks to my friend Connie for recommending Holiday World for a great family weekend vacation. It is in Santa Claus IN, about 3 1/2 hours from STL. We had a fun time with our friends the Klaus' & McRoberts'. Here are some pics...

At the end of the water park day -- the wagon came in handy for hauling more than just our swimming stuff :)

Kelsie and Hannah. I remember our first water park visit with the kids (Wisconsin Dells) -- Kelsie, Hannah and Alyssa were 3 years old - time really does go by so fast!

Ok, so the truth is...this was MY favorite part....FREE soda (& other soft drinks) in both the amusement park & the water park -- who could ask for more?!?!?!

The whole crew of kids: Randy, Jake, Danny, Cam, Andrew, Hannah, Kelsie, Sabrina & Alyssa.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Wishing 3 special fathers a wonderful Father's Day!

Wells is not "Well"

OUCH! How long will the Cardinals hang with Kip Wells? Here's a brief summary from last night. Final score: 17-8. Wells: 2-11; ERA: 6.93


The Cardinals had a productive night at the plate, but nothing like their I-70 rivals. The Royals scored 15 runs in the first four innings off Kip Wells, Randy Flores and Kelvin Jimenez. Chris Duncan hit a three-run homer and an RBI single, and Albert Pujols hit his 16th long ball of the season, but the bats couldn't keep pace.

My First Try at Adding Pictures....

Ok, here they are!!! My first "blog pictures"! These are from our trip to Ft. Lauderdale in the Spring with Mom & Dad Hand, Aunt Gena, Uncle Philip, Aunt Tricia, Uncle Kenny, Lauren, Alison, Tommy and Kelly. You will see it was a great trip!

I love watching Cam and Tommy play! They are so cute together.

Mets vs. Cardinals.....................................ALBERT!!!!

Poor Mookie! He was just trying to keep a low profile, but it had to happen! Once uncle Kenny spotted him and I started taking his picture, people flocked to him and he had to escape!

WRIGHT-OUS???? :) David Wright is a Met, so what do YOU think? :) Alison sure looks cute in the shirt, though!