Tubing

After surviving the fireworks, Jack was ready to tackle the world. With promises that Papa wouldn't drive fast, we enjoyed a 2-minute tube ride.

4th Of July

We celebrated the 4th of July in Okoboji and got to see fireworks up close on the lake. Jack's favorite ones were "the quiet ones." Bryan convinced him to come out from under the blanket where he was hiding to watch the fireworks, but had to promise to keep his ears covered.

Bill Turns 60

Papa Bill turned 60 on June 28 and we all celebrated with a party at Okoboji. Naturally, it rained and all the guests rushed under the deck. But with waterskiing flamingoes, great food and good company, Bill makes 60 look young.

Griffin's Birthday Pep Talk

"Seriously, they sent you? What kind of amateurs do they think they're dealing with? Well, I guess we'll just have to work with what we've got."

"Come on, guys, huddle up. Here's how this is going to go down. Papa doesn't know you're here, and he's not exactly fond of you...thinks you're tacky. Can you be cool or are we going to have a problem."

"All right, I think we're going to get along just fine. Just do your job and stay out of trouble."

Put Me in, Coach

Jack enjoyed his first experience with organized sports when he participated in the YMCA t-ball league. He wasn't great at waiting for his turn at bat, and really didn't like playng in the outfield, but hit a couple of home runs (the other teams weren't great at fielding either) and got a feel for teamwork. His favorite part of the whole deal: snack time.

Ode to Red Velvet Cake, or The Reversal of Fortune

As inspired by events occuring immediately following Grandpa Tom's birthday party...

Roses are red,
So's red velvet cake.
And oh what a mess
throwing up it did make.

It looked like "The Exorcist"
But red -- not green soup,
And stained Jack's white jersey
With red, sticky goop.

My car smells so bad,
The car seat stinks too.
But we had Billy Mayes help
With scoops of Oxyclean -- two.

The jersey was cleaned,
the car's been aired out.
But when Jack next wants red cake,
"NO!" we'll all shout.

There are photos for the morbidly curious. Had we not just eaten said red velvet birthday cake, it might have been more scary to look in the rear view mirror and see what appeared to be blood pouring out of Jack's mouth. He's fine; a bath with lots of lavender lotion and a toothbrush with lots of minty paste fixed his issues. I think, though, that it will be a while before any member of our immediate family finds red velvet cake appealing againg. I guess that's good news for our waistlines.