Fall Walks

Our two or three weekly walks together now feature crunching leaves at out feet and a spectacular canopy of color to breath in. Not to mention great Halloween displays on every block.

First Fire

The chimney was cleaned, wood delivered and the temperature dropped. Doesn't look like the temp is going cooperate this coming week but we did get the first blaze going in October.

The Beaver

For reasons unknown, this beaver was acquired by Sam and his roommates from some sorority house last year. It was stolen back from them earlier this year and seems to have returned this week. I don't believe the saga the beaver is over.

Sea Cave Kayaking

We didn't actually go in the caves because the swells were rough and we would have been crushed against the rocks but it was fun.

Not Des Moines

Stepped on a plane Des Moines yesterday morning and stepped off in a totally different environment. La Jolla is our final stop on our cross country journey. We hiked down the cliffs to the Pacific and back up to have a questionable dinner in the village last night. Got some business and fun lined up the next few days.

Pizza Night

Grabbed some Za and met Robbie an Carolyn in Urbandale for dinner. The sisters just got back from a 7 day eastern Iowa adventure. A bonus for our Drake parents weekend trip.

Grays Lake

Many trips around the lake this morning. Crisp 45 degrees in Des Moines.

It’s the season

The spookiness is starting to show up in the neighborhood.

Throwing Squad

This is the track throwing team. The guy in the middle is Sam's golf buddy.

Holiday Bush

There is a bush not too far from home that get decorated as the seasons and holidays change. We passed it today on a walk and it's reflecting Fall but not Halloween yet. I don't know who decorates it but it changes often. Great day for walk btw, nice crisp Autumn weekend. First time we've had the ac off and windows open in months.

Milk Love

Media days get a little weird.

Too Cool

I think this is the guy sam golfs with.

Guard Kitty

The nieghbors cat loves to come over and lounge on our front walk. I hadn't seen him in a few weeks and figured the fox got him, but there he was last weekend.

Iowa Golf

Sam's been playing some golf this fall in Iowa. Getting some good pictures too. Look out for the corn on the left. Tough to hit out of the corn.

Bulldog

Sammy's 2022 football picture.

Target Dog

The game was a fantastic edition to a quick visit to Minnesota. It was great seeing my family and Adam while enjoying the state fair and crows concert. All and all good times and both of our flights were on time.

Section 110

Last minute ticket buy but it doesn't appear there's a bad seat in the house.

Minnesota United

Caught a soccer game at the super nice, brand new Loon stadium. They beat Houston 2-1 to boot.

Band at Work

Nearly 11,000 people tonight.

Missing Sammy

Just needed one more person in this photo from the concert.

Family

A big bunch of family backstage pre show.

Rainbow

Quick shower before the show.

Sound Check

The band getting ready for the show later in the day. Us, taking a break from all the food on sticks.

Big Paul

Three lumber jacks.

Swine Barn

First stop, the cavernous animal barns at the Minnesota State Fair.

Driver

The boys used to sit in the front of this car rental shuttle train and pretend they were driving many years ago. We made Dylan do it again on our visit to MSP this week.

Roomies

Sam, CJ, Sam

The Whole Clan

Ground Cover

I hated being on the ground for this but the picture turn out pretty good. My legs aren't as flexible as they used to be.

Couple Shot

It's been a while since we had a professional picture together. This one turn out ok.

Cousins

Displaying good behavior.

Togetherness

The photographer of the family shoot force a few images. Funny all the same.

Dawn of Rail

Nice picture from one of Nicole's early runs this week. We have been getting a break from oppressive summer heat the last couple weeks but I'm sure it will be back.

Milo

Milo got some extra attention during Nicole's visit to Santa Fe. I think this look is "so, you want to walk how far?"

Santa Fe

Nicole had a nice visit with Linda and Gil with what looks like some fantastic weather. I stayed home with Dylan but plan to join her next time.

Drop Off

Nicole helped Sam move to his new dorm for his sophomore year and left him there to spend some time in Santa Fe. They left VA at 6am Wednesday so she got a few more Sammy days than I did. He's back at football training now. Hope he's staying healthy.

Crafty

Craft projects before Sam returned to Des Moines.

Two Generations

The boys with Grandparents. The professional photos are coming in a few weeks.

Light Blue

Carolyn and Sam in similar shades of blue.

Tom Peterson Land Mine Shot

Uncle Tom loved these pictures back before cameras on cell phones. Hard to get 17 people in one shot but this one seems to have worked.

Photo Shoot

An early start after a long night of bowling. 9am photo shoot on lake Minnetonka. The professional photos will be ready in 6 weeks.

Glow Bowling

At Country Club lanes, a 1950's era bowling ally in Tonkin Bay.

Cousins

Aunt Rachel

The first reunion event Friday night. Great to see everyone in one place.

First Night

Visiting Mae at her hostess gig in Wayzata on Thursday night. Good time crank calling the restaurant with reservation requests using fictitious names.

Order of the Jedi

I've neglected this blog for a while now and have probably lost my last couple viewers but I just haven't taken many pictures these days.

It's been fun having the kids home but Sam has already returned to Des Moines for football camp so it feels like summer is fading fast. We will see him in Minnesota next week and then he will be back for four days after that but then it's full time football and school until thanksgiving.

Dylan is still working the kids camps that they were both doing before Sam left and buying vinyl albums with his new found wealth. Nicole and I are just workin away and trying to plan an anniversary getaway in the next few months.

Rachel sent me the picture above and represents either my Jedi indoctrination or Lutheran confirmation and the last time I went to church outside of a wedding or a funeral. Organized Religion never really stuck with me, even after being held back from my confirmation class graduation in the spring and forced to do special summer school make up learning.

They said I wasn't taking all that Jesus seriously. My hair looked good anyway.

The GOP Court

Nicole and Ashley stopped to show their displeasure at the court wing of the Republican Party during a run this week. Fences up to stop the majority of the population from taking the court back from the anti-democratic majority.

Charlottesville Tourney

Dylan joined some of his Mothers buddies in an open rugby tournament in Charlottesville on Saturday. He got to play against his old buddy Micheal from his Fort Hunt Warriors days. It was a great day for rugby.

Frankteenth

Nicole and I met some friends at the Fillmore Silver Spring for a fantastic Frank Turner show. It was nice to get out to concert during this long holiday weekend.

Open Meet

Sam threw at an open track meet hosted by Edison on Saturday. Open track meets have participants from 5 years old to 95 years old and one guy that ran all his events backwards. He didn't throw as far as he wanted but he was looking better with each throw.