Momma's Got a Brand New Ride

A LOT of catch-up photos

Assembling the new trampoline.

Scott showing off...

...and Tessa

...and Tyler.

Zack clapping - so cute!

Look closely on the left to see some of Tessa's princess dolls captured by the boys' Bionicles. Tessa is pretending to say "Oh no!"

Tara and the kids attempted to create homemade silly putty.

Tessa helping take down our tent after the ward campout. She was a great helper.

Tyler and Scott boxing at TDS Fest - my company's annual summer festival. They had a blast trying to knock each other over with those oversized boxing gloves; Scott could barely lift his.

Tyler was old enough this year to participate in TDS' "Take Your Child To Work" Day. It was great to have him learn about my job and what others do at TDS.

Last week, we took the kids to the county fair. After we took this funny photo, the kids pet and held puppies and little ducklings.

The three of them enjoyed this death-defying bumble bee ride.

Tyler drove the bumper car while Scott yelled out "Missed us!" then "We got you!"

The highlight at the fair was a classic ferris wheel ride after the sun went down.

We loved the view.

Tyler had fun at another cub scout day camp. I was able to be with him during that time.

Catching fireflies at dusk. Tessa won't touch them - she'll only the jar once they're safely secured.

We went to a park this weekend for a picnic and to see some fireworks over one of the Madison lakes. Tessa took this picture.

We found a nice small beach directly across from where the fireworks would be. As we waited for the sun to go down, the kids enjoyed playing in the sand.

The fireworks show was awesome, especially from across the water. The bright white building on the left third is the State Capitol. I took this picture with the shutter open for 4 seconds to capture a lot of the lights.

Here we are trying geocaching for the first time. We'll give you more details another time. In summary: a lot of walking through pretty hills, but we didn't find the treasure (ammo box).



Tara and I just received our copy of Book 7 and we are SO EXCITED to start reading it. Sad that it's the last one, but dying to find out how it all ends.

Summer Lovin, Havin a Blast.

Good Morning America concert in the park; John Mayer featuring Eric Clapton. They host these free concerts every Friday morning in the park across from my office.

Yankee Game. Too bad there wasn't a cameo from the Dancing CPA.

On my roof at the 4th of July BBQ.

Mom, cover your eyes. Lady and the Tramp influenced picture at Rockaway Beach, substituting a wheat thin for a noodle.

Coney Island Day. We did NOT go in the water that day. It was just too dirty down there.

My Polish friend, Karolina Wozniak.

Get that corn outta my face!!

Here's a shot of the entire crew that went down. It was an amazing day.



This was my contribution to entertaining the ninos.

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This is Cory Belliston, the fella interning with Miles. He's a cool chap and he made a lot of friends down there.



This is my amiga, Maria!

Long live the Athenians

Walking the streets in Greece. Beautiful shopping walkway near corinth(not too many of those in Greece because it is a very dry area) with many bouganvillas.


This is the archway to a city on a hill near Corinth (as in the Corinthians--who Paul preached to). Notice the lions (missing the heads) above the doorway. This location is mentioned in Homer's Iliad and Odessey.


Theater where one of the first known surgeons would operate in front of an audience. The acoustics were amazing. One could stand in the middle of the circle below and speak at regular speaking levels and be heard at the very top.


Grrrr. Sassy anyone.


Beaching at the Island of Mykonos. When we booked the trip we did not know that the island was a very "gay friendly" island. Also, we did not know that swim suits were optional.


Temple of Zeus in Athens. How in the world did they get these enormous columns standing up way back in the day?!


We wanted to get a good shot of the parthenon, but this lovely couple got right in front of the shot and ruined in for us. The nerve.


View of Athens from the top of the Acropolis.


Paying homage to the Korai (the women in the background bearing the weight of the building).


In front of Parliament in Athens. The guard put on a great show. Quite silly really.


Olympic village Athens. Too bad that they have kind of let it go.

Team Hermana in Helsinki

We were in Helsinki at 'Mid-Summer.' We made our way to the big festival on a island just off the coast. There was dancing, food and bonfires. We had to get the picture showing our true Scandinavian heritage.

My buddy and me.

Chaz break dancing at the festival.

Our excursion to another small fortress island off the coast of Helsinki.

This is my Finnish friend, Ami, who took us to church at the airport.

LONG LIVE TEAM HERMANA!!