Dress Up and Dance!

Here we are in southern IL for KCs wedding last weekend.  What a blast!

 Mark and Diane

 Jim and Ruth

 Ken and Kathy

 Dan's PC Homecoming gang!

Dan and Shania  :)

Gearing up for harvest

 Barn cat

Last Sunday I was all ready to do a 100 kilometers (62 miles) at the annual "Bike Psychos" ride when it started to rain...so I opted for the 50 mile ride instead!  

 The remnents of Hurricane Isaac brought us 2.2 inches of rain this weekend.  All together we've received over 6 inches of rain since mid-August.

Here is Tom's "new" 2588 Case IH combine (2007).

It took a few cuss words to figure out the high tech monitor and gadgets.

 He entered in the names of his different farms.

 Tom said this picture contains his favorite option. 

Dan is riding my folding bike for work.  It folds into a small bundle and fits in the trunk!  Tom and Dan say it makes me look like I belong in the circus. I drive to the outskirts of Normal and ride the rest of the way on bike trails.  It is a blast!

 Working hard...

 Hardly working...

 After nearly 3 months since Tom's motorcycle accident he is back to normal!  And guess what, when he rides his motorcycle he wears a helmet!!

Dan and Shadow












 Public Service Announcement:  When I turned 50 last year my doctor encouraged me to get a colonoscopy.  I politely ignored her request.  Two months later a friend (who also ignored her doctor's advice) was diagnosed with colon cancer, had to undergo treatment for much of last year and, luckily, is doing well today. At my annual physical this year I heeded her advice and got the colonoscopy. The test revealed 2 polyps, one of which had the potential to become cancerous over time. People complain about the preparation process...just look at it as a way to lose a few quick pounds!  The heavy sedation was very relaxing. So if your doctor has been after you to take this test, do it!   

Hard to Impress

It poured down rain the other day!  I sent this picture to Tom Skilling at WGN and he showed it on the 9 o'clock news! Click on the picture for a close up of the rain!

The storm was impressive.  But when all was said and done (see next picture) it only amounted to 2/10ths of an inch.

After my grand promises to Tom and Dan of bicycle trails, bakeries, beer, brats, cheese, and Swiss-styled architecture, we were on our way to America's Little Switzerland in New Glarus, Wisconsin.






The first thing Dan saw upon arrival in New Glarus was this roadside attraction to which he observed, "Nothing says Switzerland like miniature golf."

Next it was time for a bike ride on the Badger State Trail.  When I asked how everyone was doing on the ride Tom explained, "Well, I'm going uphill, into a headwind with a flat tire and a broken leg."

I was the only smart one who donned a brain bucket.

Stewart Tunnel was 1200 feet long. We walked through in darkness the first time. On the way back Dan lit the way with his iphone and we rode.  At one point Tom almost ran into the wall because he said it's really hard to ride a bike in the dark.

New Glarus Brewery serves up crazy good beer with names like Totally Naked, Two Women, and Fat Squirrel. Last stop was a college visit for Dan to U Wisconsin/Madison. 

Fun with the Family on the Farm!

Kayaking 

Climbing on the son-in-law throne.

Chillin' on the porch while the lamb and turkey do their thing on the grill.  So enjoyable to visit and relax on the porch, watch the kids play, and smell the delicious meats cooking!

Lexi joined the party on the son-in-law throne!

Come on, doggie, jump!

At last! Dinnertime!

Chowing down

I asked him to smile and say "cheese." This is what I got!

Solving the world's problems well into the night on the front porch!  :)

Summer Vacation in the Empire State

The first picture is from the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Crossing the George Washington Bridge.

NY style pepperoni pizza!  I was supposed to share it with Tom but that was a very difficult task.  He should have gotten his own.

The Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays. They got rained out in the bottom of the 7th.

Washington Square in Greenwich Village.

A hipster's fixie.

Cookout  

Making sundaes.


Cousins

Kylie's swim meet

Blake at the meet

Kylie took Auntie Barb for an awesome bike ride in Briarcliff Manor, NY

Kylie, Blake, Grandma and Grandpa, Teri, and Dan

George and sista-in-law, Carol
 

Teri and Tom

Charlie preparing dessert - a brick of 70% dark chocolate!