Great Wisconsin bought fireworks at the party we went to last night in Orono. About 20 minutes of some really big explosions means I don't have to fight the crowds at any of the local public shows tonight. The show last night was as good or maybe better than most I've seen. The guys even tried to sync it to music which partially worked. The boys are at the Twins game today and I'm doing a bunch of nothing.
The most expensive angry birds ever. We got these at the Delano 4th weekend celebration in Delano MN. Those carni folk know how to get you to buy $20 worth of stupid games for a $1 worth of plush toys. Yes, that's about $80 worth of angry birds right there.
The kids got one final swim in up north last night as we celebrated Grandpa's 74th birthday. Back in Wayzata where the heat index is 105 right now. This is Washington DC weather.
Check out Dylan's straight left arm, club pointing at the target, full shoulder turn, feet planted and eye on the ball. He has some golf potential. Look out Jr. Modean.
Only one fish this morning but we had a good time jumping off the pontoon boat anyway. Not sure where all the fish are in this lake, it is damn cold so they may be hanging out on shore somewhere. This is Sam in mid tuck for his canon ball. The judges gave him a 8.5.
The ice went out just in time for a little fishing. Sam caught a nice little bass and Finn caught a couple of crappie. Not to many other bites on the lines. Dylan and Mae were shut out. Grandpa had his hands full with all those leeches and worms. God bless him.
Glad my dad and spouse like to fish because I don't want anything to do with those slimy aquatic creatures.
Dinner at Grand View were we stayed a couple summers ago. One of the oldest resorts in the area.
The day started out rainy and cool but almost got to 70. The lake produced considerable shrinkage but the sun came on strong in the afternoon for a while. Tonight it will dip to the low 40's but tomorrow, sunny and 75. I love this brisk northern Minnesota weather. Off to dinner at Grand View in a half hour.
It's totally silent up here. I forget how quiet nature can be.
I started using my new waterproof digital camera today and had some fun in the pool. I will see what I can get tomorrow in Gull Lake.
The Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. My first Tull concert after over 40 years of touring. Good times.
A good cat was put to sleep today. Norm was 19 years old and was losing a lot of weight due to some growth in his mouth that was also bleeding from time to time. It was a hard day for Nicole but she bravely went and held him at the vet as they helped him fall asleep. I had my issues with Norm as he aged but I will miss him. I'm sure I will become cantankerous if I ever get that old as well. Rest in peace Norm the Cat.
The boys got their annual summer buzz cuts today. They have such great big blond hair that I hate to see it go but it will be back soon enough and the shaved look works for summer. Easy to find any ticks and showers go much faster. Wish I could grow it back like them.
Nicole went all out on the team cake this year. 10 little birds for 10 little sluggers.
According to my new Sony Dash Internet enabled alarm clock, the heat index is 110. The Dash is a new toy that I got for $70 on Woot. It was originally marketed at $229 I believe but is just barely worth $70. It does a lot of things I will never use, like steam Netflix but does some cool stuff like show me weather and traffic.
We finished off a nice weekend with some flag plantings in our very own cemetery. We have a bunch of veterans buried behind the house so we made sure they all had fresh flags in honor of their service.
After a visit to the pool this morning, we hit a couple hundred balls at the batting cage to stay tuned for the big playoff weekend next week. They were both getting the bat on the ball and getting some good rips in. Its been a nice and relaxing weekend so far.
The boys are nice and spooked by the Oldtown ghost tour. They should sleep well tonight.
I still like the colder months a little more but pool season is nice. The big opening was today and we had great weather for splashing around. The water was surprisingly warm I guess from the last few days in the 80's. We are hanging around town this holiday weekend and are heading down to old town for dinner and a touristy ghost tour. Sam caught a piece of a ghost tour last week when were out wit marsh and Carolyn and wanted to do a full one. It might be fun.
We spent the morning at the Joint Services Air Show at Andrews Air Force Base today with Marsh and Carolyn. The boys do love the planes and really enjoyed a flight simulator. They each left with a new model plane courtesy of Grandpa.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157626658348537/
At the University of Maryland early for a ACS regional meeting. Home of Jim Henson.
Sam went 4 for 4 with a double and triple and Dylan went 3 for 3. They both played heads up defense and got game balls. The team lost 11-10 but this was may have been the best team game they've played, even over the wins.
We ventured down a few blocks and visited the candy shop in old town after dinner. The boys, Nicole and Grandma do like candy.
Dinner at Jackson 20 with the boys and Linda.
Shot with my Hipstamatic for iPhone
Lens: Buckhorst H1
Flash: Off
Film: Blanko
I'm still scoring the games when we are the home team and this was my favorite. I'm usually circling the 1B or 2B or recoding a K but this was the first HR I ever had to circle and it was all Sam. BTW, Orioles won 11-4.
And a game ball for Sam's first career home run. It was an amazing poke into left center and some quick feet around the base pads. Dylan also had a good night at the plate with two singles and a couple sacrifice RBI's.
No strike outs for either of them.
Sam also took a line shot that bounced on the lip of the infield to the head but he did stop it. We need to watch him a little tonight.
Modean, the new Irish Open champ. I didn't play well but we had fun.
Table #4 in the 7 table science adventure.
The boys getting ready to do some science experiments today at ACS.
The boys had camera's during our quick trip last weekend so I have even more photo's to sort through. I should be able to get the Appomattox pictures up tonight and the Monticello pictures up later in the week. The boys had a tough ball game last night, losing 10-2 to the Phillies. Sam was 2 for 3 with a couple singles and Dylan was 1-3 with a much needed single up the middle. The whole team was a little off with very few hits all the way around. Sam and Dylan both had some nice defensive plays and showed that they learned something at baseball camp last week.
We had a real nice little overnight getaway to southern Virginia on Saturday and Sunday as a end to the Spring Break weekend. Appomattox Court House was nice with a very well done tour, The Boar's Head Inn was a good choice with dinner and breakfast in the dining room both being fantastic. It was also great to see the new visitors center at Monticello and see the house in a really engaging way with the Children and Families tour. It's back to work now and a full baseball schedule for the next 6 weeks or so. The baseball camp the boys attended last week was only so-so and it will be interesting to see if they made any improvements in tonights game. I would not send them back to the camp. I will have a bunch of pictures of the trip up this week sometime.
Had a great family tour of the house with just one other family. The eight of us got a hands on, sitting on the floor from a fantastic tour guide. If you're coming here with kids, do the family tour.
