Picnic with the Pops 2009

The Honor Guard

(and Peggy Welch chatting with Matthew Brumer off to the left)

A view to the Stage

Marcia, Bret & Tobin
Hannah & Matron-of-Honor Rose
Angela & Hannah

More Picnic with the Pops 2009

Greg enjoying a good time... (Sarah, who?)

Another great year for the Pops Picnic..

Angela with Matthew Brumer

Sarah, Angela & Melanie

Bret & MarciaHannah & Greg

Indy Getaway

Couldn't resist a picture of this! How bizarre!
As much as I love cats, I don't think I'll take any decorating ideas from this little shrine.

We had a fun getaway last night and today...met the family at Buca di Beppo's, walked around a bit after dinner, shopped with Carrie and Emily today, and then met up with Joe for lunch (well, David, Megan, and Evan did. I was attending meetings). We enjoyed getting together with you!

In Invitation

Anyone care to join us for dinner in downtown Indy tonight? David, Megan, and I will be coming in to town around 5:00 this afternoon. We'll be staying at the Westin (thanks to McGraw-Hill) so I can attend a Bias Review for the IDOE tomorrow. Comment, call, or email!

Summertime Fun

After years of rigging his old grill just to get it open and having heat in only one spot,
David finally has a nice, new grill!

Isn't this the funniest picture? We played volleyball at Steve and Robin's
...the older folks (only 4 of us) beat the kids (6 of them!) twice!

Hope all the dads have a memorable Father's Day!

SAN

If anyone planning to go to San Diego for Eric's graduation, please let me know. I am planning to reserve hotel room(s) and would like to know how many. Hampton Inn Airport/Sea World is probably where we will be staying. They have a shuttle to the MCRD for both family day and graduation and their rate would be $107/night plus whatever taxes, etc. They offer a "hot continental" breakfast (is this oatmeal?), heated pool, and airport shuttles. Graduation is August 14 (Friday) and family day is August 13. Eric cannot leave the base until after graduation.
They suggest not making flights until week 9 in case they get injured.
Especially since it is expensive to change flights.

NOBO on the Long Trail

This morning we decided to hike a few miles on the Long Trail heading north bound towards Canada. This was the easiest hike so far as the elevation changes were very gentle but we still had to trudge through running creek beds or muddy bogs due to yesterday's rain. For a short while we had an unexpected companion as a hikers dog joined us until his person caught up. We visited briefly and then they were off and out of sight. We met up with several more hikers today and enjoyed resting in one of the shelters along the trail and heading about everyone's adventures. One group of young men had come upon moose twice in the eleven days they have been hiking. Fortunately no one has had any encounters with bears along the way.

Long Trail - bound for Canada

This morning we decided to hike north bound on a portion of the Long Trail. The trail would have been the least demanding of all the hikes we have taken as the terrain had gentle elevation changes. Of course, it had rained all day yesterday so we walked in running stream beds or muddy bogs the entire time. For a short while we had an unexpected companion as a hikers dog joined us until his person showed up. We met several hikers today and enjoyed hearing their stories of adventures on the trail. One group of guys had come across moose on two seperate occasions. Thankfully no one has had any run ins with bears.

Bullwinkle

Monday -- got to see my first moose today and snapped a few pics before she got nervous -- this was on the way to Lake Placid to check out that area. Found an interesting area on the AT on top of White Mtn where the hikers stop and make towers of the rocks laying around in the area. Some of the hikers must be MIT grads with the layout of some of the towers, pretty neat area. Getting around 14 mile hikes daily on the AT where it seems every trail is going up. Weather is high low 70,s and in the 50,s at night. Will keep exploring Vermont for the month of June then onto New Hampshire and Maine. Barb started her a post that she keeps @ hiking-biking.blogspot.com should someone like to view this as she tries to keep daily reports.
enjoy reading what is happening with everyone else so keep up the post.

p.s. spoke with Wes and he says he mailed a bunch of info to Mom for her to post so hopefully will have more on his site. He made it to Virginia on Sunday and should blaze the 480 miles thru Virginia in 20 or so days he says. Matt caught back up with them and so the three are NOBO again.

Laura with Honors

We are now the proud parents of a 26year old MPP. Laura is now a University of Chicago Alum with a MPP- a Masters in Public Policy. She graduated with Honors which was a surprise to her and us- she didn't think her GPA was high enough. Today, she and her 7 best friends are throwing a party for themselves and their family and friends. Should be a lot of fun.
The reception after the hooding was a very nice affair with lots of food and champagne. Last night we went to a French restaurant in the uptown section of Chicago that Laura wanted to try and we all were able to enjoy it. Possibly more pictures to come of Mom and her bottle of wine.

The Trail Reports

New posts from the AT on http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=273050

Cool stuff.

Saturday Evening in Bloomington

Nick's

Tutu at Nick's

Tutu having fun at Nick's

Everyone having fun at Nick's

Following our introductory dance lesson at Panache, we met Tutu, Angela, Hannah, and Greg for a bite to eat. No Sink the Biz, but a fun time together!

Jenna's progress

Not shell shocked, just thinking about what she wants to order for lunch.


Gone are the days of Cryo-cuff, the Vascu Therm2 cools your knee and also has a hose for compression.



Extremely thirsty the next few days.

She'll start reducing the oxycodone intake tomorrow and keep up the exercises.
She went up and down the stairs today. She'll probably sleep in her bed tonight.

the summer of 2009

Thursday was departure day for the Summer of 2009 for me and Barb. We left Tampa loaded with months of supplies and the big bike for our trek. First stop on the agenda was hooking up with Wes and Stacy in Hot Springs Tn for some hiking on the AT for a couple days. Met up with them along with their hiking buddy Matt after a day of hiking in the rain. Rode back to the hotel with the windows down in the rain as they were a bit smelly.
There should be lots of post with everything going on this summer but will keep posted as the trip progresses.

Riders on the Storm

We have had a few days of nothing but rain. We are now in Hot Springs NC for the night staying with a man named Elmer. Ive sent my latest journals to Tutu so they should be there in a few days

Wes and Stacy

1st letter

I hope this comes out readable.

Eric

We got Eric's address today. There are a few rules to follow to keep him from getting in trouble.

1. plain white envelopes
2. no perfume or lipstick
3. only his address and yours on the outside of the envelope
4. no care packages or bulky letters. Bulky letters have to be opened in front of the DI to make sure there is no contraband-which is anything the Marines don't give them.
They are punished for violations.
For more info, see www.recruitparents.com or call me.

Recruit Williams, Eric M
2nd Bn. Golf Co. Plt. 2146
36001 Midway Ave.
San Diego, CA 92140-2121