Kara and Michaels New Home

Well Jim and I got safely home tonight after a very busy and tiring week-end of driving with Kara to her new home in South Carolina. I know you are all anxious to see pictures of her new place so I will skip the chatter for tonight (I'm exhausted anyway) and share some pictures of their new place. It is a very charming place with lots of character. I am sure they will be very happy there.....Calvin too. By the way notice all the beautiful artwork created by Michael. I just love the picture he painted of the two of them while waiting for Kara to move down. It is above the mantle in the living room.

A Night At The Track

Jim and I went to Presque Isle Downs tonight to check out the new race track. We actually didn't go to bet on the races although it looked fun but instead I toted along our camera to try to get some nice action shots. After a few races we had hoped to go to the Clubhouse restaurant and lounge for a good burger. The races were fun to watch and I actually got a few nice pictures before the storms came blew in pelting hard rain and lots of thunder and lightning . We headed to the Clubhouse only to find that they were not taking any more seating for the night. Oh well. It was still a fun night.

Back Yard Projects

Well this summer has been flying by so quickly. Its well into the first week of August....school will be starting soon for our nieces and nephews. A couple big firsts this Fall for our families...Sami will be starting kindergarten, Travis will be starting college, Skyler will be attending a new school and someone will actually not be attending school this Fall for the first time in about 17 years. Thats right Kara will be finishing college this Summer. Her last final is a week from this Thursday. Hip-hip-horray.

One big project we have been working on this summer is our back yard. We hired Shawn to put a nice patio in for us. Which led to Jim wanting a nice awning to cover it. Funny how this just keeps rolling along. Then we decided it would be so nice to have the grill off the enclosed porch so we hired Shawn again to expand the patio to include an area for the grill. Which led to Jims most recent project a roof over the grill. This will allow him to grill in all kinds of inclimate weather. I am sure Alison and Robin realize even though its rare we sometimes get rainy - snowny -sleet and any other weather condition that may typically cause one to cancel their grilling plans.

Here are a few pics today showing off Jims new awning. Please don't make the mistake and call it a roof. Awning = no permit required. Adding a roof=permit and reassessment of taxes. I'm sure you can imagine how nervous Jim is that someone won't understand its just an awning. lol

Jim's Awning Project

I'll post a picture of the finshed patio and awnings in a couple days. Just waiting for a nice sunny day. Or..... better yet... come on over and join us for a drink or something yummy.

Don't worry there was a small reward that Jim was able to enjoy after he finished his project. He took the MG out for a nice ride.

What a Beauty

Shawn Scores an In The Park Home Run

Another exciting night of Erie Big Ball. Although Shawn's team lost there was plenty of excitement tonight. Jack the teams vetern and inductee to the Big Ball Hall of Fame was back on the pitcher mound tonight. Shawn played short and made countless great plays. Shawn not only was a force to reckon with on the big "D" he also led the team on offense capping his times up at bat in the last inning and pounding a line drive to the fence making a home run and RBI.

Shawn Digging Deep

A Couple Pretty Fans

Give Me Some "D"

Excitement Over Shawn's Home Run

Tough Loss But Always Good Sports

John Came For Dinner

We had a very nice visit from Uncle John for dinner. He came to Erie this morning and is staying at mom and dads tonight and heading back to Emporium tomorrow. Mom, Dad and John went down to the dock today to look around. It was a beautiful day here with a slight breeze.

Joing in the dinner festivities was Shawn and Amanda, and Kara. We enjoyed chicken shish-ka-bob with lots of great grilled vegetables. We also served fresh local corn on the cob and a casserole dish of zucchini, fresh sliced tomatoes, and mozzarella.

For dessert we had a yummy lemon meringue pie with white chocolate curls on top . Delish!!!!

Big Ball

Shawn has been playing on a Big Ball team this year. Jim and I went to his game last night and had a fun time watching. Unfortunately the team he plays on lost but Shawn played very well making a couple runs and did a great job pitching for the team. This is Shawn's first time playing ball since little league but he does a great job at short and pitcher none the less. They pitch far different than his little leaque games. They throw underhand and try to get it very high and drop on the plate. Very tricky but he is doing really well learning the tricks and struck out quite a few players last night.

As you can see when he is batting here the ball is much larger than a standard baseball. Also no one wears a glove.

Today mom and I went to Presque Isle for PI Days. It was a great day for the beach, hot temps just right to jump in the cool lake water. However, we were not in the water... but walking around with Misha looking at craft show. I did manage to come across a few special creatures who wanted there picture taken.

Wonderful Night to Attend a Concert

Mom called tonight when I got home from work and invited me to meet her and the Monahan clan at Fronteer Park for an outdoor concert. A local group Ischsbaha, which is a roots-oriented Celtic folk band enterained the nice size crowd. The music was light and fun and you could tell the group appealed to the very young and those always young at heart with there catchy and often funny verses.
Molly and Brandon are in town visiting from Eastern PA with their two little ones Adam and Sarah. They are both so adorable. Little Adam could have spent all night I bet running around the playground. Sarah stayed very content while being cuddled with mom or dad and her little dolly tucked under her arm.


Val and her three are also in town from Youngstown for a couple days. Kara, Maggie and Patrick are growing up and appear to be getting ready to sprout past mom very shortly. The last time I saw your three Mike and Val was a 4th of July fireworks at Mercyhurst about 4 years ago. Your girls are growing up so fast and are both so beautiful. I was lucky enough to catch Kara resting on the ground for a beautiful picture. Maggie is just as beautiful but I unfortunetly didn't get a shot this time.