New Digs

So, we were over at the Austin's house, and the girls were going at it over their Wii, so I jettisoned everyone (TIME TO GO HOME. NOW!). On the way out, I made the aside comment: "You know, we have four chiefs around here, and no indians." Karen said that I should name a blog that. And so I did. :) It seems to fit... at least for right now.

ONE Camp Picture

I'll have to post these as I find them on Facebook, or people get around to sending them to me. Because, even though we bought a camera for Megan, no one in my family took pictures at girls camp!

(I think this was on skit night. Megan was a diva, from what I heard...)

In Which We Get Another Visit

This time it was an old college friend of Russell's -- Jonathan Green -- and his family. We figured out that we haven't seen them in about 3 years; the last time was when we were stopping in Michigan and popped by for a visit while he was teaching at Michigan State.

Anyway, they were on their way back to Arkansas (in Fayetteville) and stopped by for a rest-stop.

The adults chatted -- about Germany, teaching and children's lit (Rose is a writer) -- and the kids played. Well, their boys built stuff with our blocks (visitors love our blocks!

The four of them had a grand time, and Alison and Kristen were a bit sad to say goodbye to their "new friends". Thankfully current friends came over soon after they all left, so it was all good.

It's always good to see friends, anyway.

Summer Adventure #1 (Bradley Fair)

Ever since we moved here, we've heard of the summer evening Jazz concerts they hold out at Bradley Fair, an upscale strip mall on the east side of town. We'd never gone... it always seemed like a good idea, but never happened.

We decided it was about time to go. So, Russell came and picked me up after yoga and we headed out, getting to the area about a half-hour after the concert started... we parked on the far side of the far (on the other side of the "lake"), and walked around. We could hear the music... but I wasn't expecting what I saw:

They just didn't sound like five white guys. That's all.

Anyway. I also didn't get the name of the band (though I did catch that they were from Austin, TX). Maybe next time we'll actually get there soon enough to get seats in the "concert area" (as opposed to crashing in the cracks) and find out these things.

We stopped by Marble Slab (not as good as Cold Stone), and picked up ice cream (since it was a bloody hot 95 degrees...yes it was 8 p.m.) and crashed at the fountain in the center of the square to eat it


(or in Kristen's case, watch it quickly melt).

The best part was splashing, though.

We didn't stay until the end... the girls were cranky (too hot!) and tired (too late!) and wanted to go home (turned out that Alison was suffering from heat stroke or a migraine... she ended up throwing up into a cup on the way home!). So, we did.

It's something to keep in mind as they get older, though, because it looks like it could be a lot of fun (and good music).

Movies by Megan

Sorry it's sideways...


And Megan filmed me in the tornado booth at the Exploration place. Kind of gives you a feel for what it's like.

In Which We Get a Visit

Our friends from Arkansas, the Berthelsons, whom we haven't seen in 4 years (since right before we moved to Illinois), emailed a while ago saying that they'd be in our neck of the woods, and asking if they could drop by and spend a day with us.

Of course we said yes.

They arrived on Monday night (catching us off-guard; we weren't expecting them until Tuesday. Good thing we picked up!), and we stayed up chatting for a while. Then on Tuesday, we had a GRAND day.

We took them to the river to see the Keeper (we got to see the flames on -- they usually only run at night, but they were working on them, and we have to admit that they're much better at night. They're too hot!) and the gargoyle -- which was tricky to get to since the river was high. Then we spent a couple hours at Exploration Place, where we all had a grand time, and spent about an hour in the castle room. (Even 16-year-old Adam had a grand time!) After lunch at Bertelli's (yummy, yummy pizza), we crashed at home for a while to chat and play and stay out of the really hot heat. Then, when Russell got back, we went up to the Y to go swimming (you know it's hot when you can hit the pool at 4:30 p.m. and it feels good) and climb the rock wall. After dinner, the kids played Killer Bunnies and Munchkins and the grownups talked and we all stayed up WAY too late, but that's what having people over is for. Right?

We were sad to say goodbye, but it was great to see them again. And we need to be more motivated to head to New Mexico to see them at their place. Soon.

Saying Goodbye

So, we decided that having two cats was just too much. And that Cider's just not happy, even with a friend. So, when our old friends, the Berthelsons (who stopped by for a visit on their way back home... more on that later), offered to take Cider back to their house in New Mexico, where they have lots of animals for Cider to chase (and hunt and kill) and a half-acre to roam around on, and no neighbors to complain... well, we couldn't pass up the chance.

And so, we did some research, found out what will help Cider on the 10 hour drive (it's really that close?! We need to go visit them!) , and got everything set for her to go this morning. We talked to the girls, and we all decided (more or less), that we think a dog is a better way to go for our family (it'll come when called, interact with us and be active, but not scratch or bite... hopefully, and so on)

Except we forgot one thing:

Alison.

Alison who doesn't like change. Alison who is more attached to the animals than we bargained for. She cried for quite a while... and the only thing that really distracted her was checking out a bunch of books on dogs.

Then again, who's to say that she won't have a similar reaction when we give up Blackberry...

Two Cats?

We picked up a new kitten on Friday, a black cat that we're calling Blackberry. We've thought for a while that Cider might want a friend, so when the Humane Society had a really good deal on the adoption fee, we picked one up. For now, they've got a cautious truce between them... they don't dislike each other (though Cider does tend to hiss quite a bit; she's being more territorial than I thought she would), but they don't really like each other either. We're crossing our fingers that they work it out.

BBQing in the Summer

Our friends, and back-door neighbors, the Headley's had a BBQ party yesterday afternoon. It was perfect weather -- not too hot, not too windy -- and we had a great time

eating,

talking,

and playing.


I don't think any of my kids were in that last picture, so here's a bonus one of Alison:

Who Done It?

We hosted a Murder Mystery Party (for grownups) last Friday night. It was loads and loads of fun... we haven't done one of these since we left Utah!

Everyone beforehand... we had mixed success with costumes (and Russell wouldn't stop talking!):


Karen did get a picture of Russell and me, though.

Russell took some pictures while we were playing, though I probably should remind him that taking pictures while people are eating or talking really isn't all that flattering.


Anyway, a grand time was had by all (and most of us even pegged the murderer, even though Russell was the only one to get it entirely correct; we'll have to do it again sometime.

Summer Splash (and Saying Goodbye)

For playgroup, we had a farewell party for the Smiths. We had lots of yummy food, and then (even though it was a little cool), the kids went outside to play in the sprinklers and pool. I had forgotten to bring swimsuits, but that didn't stop the girls!

Alison found someone to mooch a suit off of, but she really didn't get very wet.




Kristen found a dress-up leotard to swim in (I regret not getting a picture of her in the pool with her dress pulled up around her middle), and Caitlyn just went for it in her clothes.

Megan is missing because she had had a bike accident the day before and was a bit too sore to go running around...

Anyway: we did manage to get pictures with Abby

and Sara before they left...

It was fun (both the party, and having them here)!

It's June

Which means fireflies are out!

Summertime Fun

My friend Corinne is doing the summertime challenge like last year.

And since we had so much fun doing it last year, I thought we could do it again.

So, places and things we want to try (aiming for the Road Trip option):

1. There's this park south of town (can't remember the name) with a lake and playgrounds and such. I've been meaning to get down there for three years!
2. The splash park by the south Y
3. Something in Dallas, since we're going down there over the 4th
4. Something in Salina, since Megan has a dr's appointment there
5. a concert out at Bradley Fair (they have a free concert series in June)

That's a decent list. Any suggestions about Dallas?