Pictures from J.B.'s

Fun at J.B.'s House

Christmas Eve in Paoli

Even More Christmas Eve Fun

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Happy Birthday to you!!

Another year older. Hope your day is stupendous!

26 YEARS AGO TODAY....

....Matt Bowen, Kerri Barker, and I had a bit too much to drink (yes, do the math...I was 12)
oh, yeah, and....
...DAVID AND KAREN GOT HITCHED!!
Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!

Good News from Cleveland

After a full morning of tests and two visits with Dr. Lorber, Megan received GREAT news. He told her that at this point, she has no limitations. In fact, he said that if she wanted to compete in any sport at any level, he would give her the "go ahead"; she was that free! She feels much better hearing that from him.

She started the morning with an echocardiogram in his office, continued with a stress echo in the new addition to the Clinic (Tutu and Lisa will know where that is), and ended with an EKG and more extensive follow-up with the doctor. Tomorrow she will pick up a heart monitor and wear that for 24 hours, but once those results are evaluated, she won't need to see the doctor again for 6 months to a year. Dr. Lorber is truly an exceptional doctor - he makes you feel like you are his only patient, has a sense of humor, and recognizes that your time is important. He even called us this evening at 8:30 just to make sure we understood some of the details about the monitor. I don't know too many doctors that would take the time to do that! We have been so blessed to have Megan in his care.

Before leaving the hospital, we took some donations to the Ronald McDonald Family Room and they were SO appreciative! Even as I was filling out the donation form, the volunteer on duty was putting some of the things out - candy in the welcome basket and taking the kitchen items to that area. She said the donation couldn't have come at a better time; they were low on everything. The room was full with waiting families and it brought back memories of that long day we spent waiting. How thankful we were to have such a friendly and welcoming place! This afternoon we visited the Westside Market (an historic building and marketplace in downtown Cleveland). It was filled with fresh fruit and vegetable stalls, seafood and meat shops, all sorts of ethnic food booths, and bakery counters. Those of you who like to cook would have loved it! After that, we had lunch at an Irish pub and then napped for the rest of the afternoon. Our late night and very early morning finally caught up with us. Tomorrow Megan and I plan to do a little Christmas shopping before David has his appointment in the afternoon. This evening the temperature really dropped and we can certainly tell we're by the lake!

I'll post again tomorrow if we get any news about David.

Speaking of Music...

Today someone told me about the neatest Website and I just had to share. Perhaps you've already discovered this, but just in case you haven't, check out www.pandora.com. It is known as "Internet radio" and is a great source for discovering new tunes/bands/artists and playing YOUR kind of music (on your computer) commercial-free. I have really enjoyed the "holiday listening" section...you can choose from such genres as: classical Christmas, jazz Christmas, blues Christmas, etc., all in addition to every other type of music you can think of. Rather than try to explain it, just give it a try and explore a bit. I promise - you will become addicted.

Christmas Wish

Hey, family! 

So I'm supposed to be studying for finals and writing papers and such, which means I'm actually spending a lot of time dreaming about the upcoming three-week holiday. 

Remember how much fun we had that year we sang the IU Fight Song each time someone opened an IU gift? We've got so many talented musicians in the family (and even if we didn't this would be a lot of fun), what if we managed to arrange a bit of carol signing Christmas Eve? No matter where we end up celebrating there's bound to be a piano, and with a little bit of extra planning maybe some accompanying instruments as well. 

Whaddya say? 

Thanksgiving weekend in Bloomington...

"The Law" shows up at Kady Lynn for some boot-scootin' fun
Jerry Abrams shows Jenna some Texas two-step on the dance floor!

...while Carrie goes it alone with the watermelon crawl...

The Joe Foster family find some of Santa's reindeer at City Hall

Tutu and Sheri enjoy the Tuba Santas on the Plaza

Happy Turkey Day 2008

Carrie took mashed potato duty...
Hannah & Mitch hang out

So does David and Joe

where is Carrie???

R.I.P.

Sparky
1992-2008
Rest in Peace (I know I will!)

Happy Birthday, Jenna!!

Hope your birthday is CATALICIOUS!

A fun day at Build a Bear and Disney Store

Katherine's prize creation...
Kyle and Kung Fu Panda

Disney Store galore....

Sunday in Paoli

Megan took a break from working on an English paper this afternoon to go with Evan to his grandparents' house. Megan was fascinated with the miniature donkeys on their "farm."

Election Day 2008

Tuesday was an exciting day here in Chicago. In the morning, some friends and I went over to Shererville to Get Out the Vote. We canvassed and knocked on doors, packed lunches for volunteers at polling places and had a really fun time.


Elise, Meredith, Christine, Leslie and I in the parking lot of the volunteer headquarters in Shererville.

Then, it was back to Chicago to get ready for the Election Night Party at Christine's parents' house in the South Loop. We relaxed for awhile, watched the first returns and ate dinner before heading out to join the crowd at Grant Park. The line, when we got there at 8:15 or so, stretched from Congress south six or so blocks to Roosevelt, and then East all the way past Lake Shore Drive. For awhile, we were horribly afraid we might not get in, despite having tickets. But then another entrance opened up, security was relaxed slightly, and the line started moving very quickly and we were inside in time to mill about for awhile before hearing that Virginia was called for Barack Obama, and, therefore, the race.




Jeremy, me, Saba, Meg, Angie, Elise and Leslie at the rally in Grant Park.




Obama is projected to win!!





Welcoming our next president to the stage!





The next first family of the United States!! And the giant crowd, of course...


The entire city seems exuberant this morning. Valois, a Hyde Park hangout and breakfast favorite, offered free breakfast to everyone this morning. Newspapers are difficult to come by. And soon I'll live just a few blocks away from the president! How cool is that?