holy cow! Mom, are you leaving early today? I guess the kids will be surprised when you get here.

VO: Your mail is by your shoes, everything else is in the closest drawer or cabinet.
Thanks for a great time in Williamsburg and environs. See you in September.

Turns out ginormous is a word and I was spelling it wrong.

Ok, so after retreating from the gianormous swarms of blood-thirsty mosquitoes in Yellowstone, Merel's family and I hiked up the west fork of the Hyalite Trail only to be caught by a thunderstorm. We got the tents up before the rain set in, and spent the rest of the evening playing cards. The next day we finished our way to the peak and all the way back down again. Pics of gianormous scenery to come.

Then Sunday we took a ride on a scenic passenger train through the mountains. Unfortunately, it was a bit of amateur hour on the train so it was less intriguing than anticipated, but I believe everyone was quite happy to be sitting that day. Pics of gianormous slag heap to come.

Slooooow Monday. Meow.

Mom, Franike left some clothes here too, so you can get them when you come by.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes from those who called me yesterday. Germanfest, and seeing WSU alumni was a lot of fun.

We're back in Williamsburg for a couple of days then we start heading back west. Great three days on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Last night and today were spent playing games with Josh and Leah, learned some fun new games.

Thanks for the dance Payton!
Checked in on the bees today. They are not giving up the honey willingly.

Mouse count, two.

Funny for so many reasons.

Sunny, working our way towards 100F and the power goes out. hrm.

rj: No, we will not be painting over that duck. It is an important artifact that makes our house a home. It is a reminder to those who recognize it of fresh beginnings, individuality and the importance of being yourself. Also, I can't reach that high.

Yes, we will be painting over the silver duck. That makes me kinda sad but it is 7 1/2 years later. Babies don't stay babies that long :(

you mean you own clothes that you don't paint in?

I will try to remember to bring my painting clothes this weekend.

I am out of town, so I hope the mice are piling up. No count until Friday.

It's working in Sam's group. It is temporary but something to get going.

Will you be painting over the silver duck?

Got turned around by mosquitoes, would you believe?

Taping is the best job, no paying attention required.

esSO: Updated mouse count please.

rso: Congrats! What's the new job?

all others: We really will be painting Sunday afternoon and
everyone's invited to help. Payton's room will be purple and
the office some sort of neutral. Much easier taping than a
kitchen and lots of praise to go along with it too!

Congrats Rita!

Best be quick. I start a new job Monday.

that means you're hired for payton's room and the office. when can you start?

After a lot of practice, I quit using tape. Does that mean I paint too much?

don't take the tape down. that way you won't have to tape the next time you paint.

Mouse count for yesterday was three.
Painted office and kitchen last night. Kitchen was DEFINITELY more time consuming. Taping is the worst of all jobs. There's no praise for tapers.

Off to Cleveland for a meeting.

All packed up for 3 days in the back-country.

Moved into 'new' office. Have yet to get key to 'new' office.

Wow! I'm impressed by the Jimmy Carter article.

I'm taking a break day VO and FTD are off to Busch Gardens today. I'm at Panera, only have a half hour on the internet so time is limited.

s

3 more mice with the buckets today. Traps still zero.

home. feeling much better. still can't capitalize.

Glad you made it back ok. We set up two more traps and caught 3 more mice. There are still only 1000 more to catch!

I will be starting my "new" job on Monday up at Steel Built Corporation. It should be, uh...different? Anyway, it was this or nothing, so here I go. At least I can carpool with Edgardo and have lunch with him.

Lauren and I got home about 8:30 last night and all lights out by about 9:15. We had a great time at the Schmitzes' house! A little sunburned but it was a fun weekend. Lauren and I agreed this morning it feels good to be back to our regular routine - for a couple days anyway.

Thank you again Schmitzes!

Her appendix story is probably way better than my exposed vein in my hand story. Hope she recovers quickly. Gotta get her party on.