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.

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is Dads 78th Birthday!!!!!

We had a nice little cook-out yeaterday to celebrate. Patrick, Shawn, and Kara all made it over with Mom and Dad. Dad's request was something real simple. So we had grilled hamburgers , turkey burgers, potatoe and macaroni salad.

The special Birthday Choir didn't show -up so we had to make do.

Of course we finished up with a delicious Birthday Cake. Jim and I stopped over to Mom and Dad's with Patrick earlier Sunday and saw some great Birthday cards. I also looked through Dads Get Well cards. There is a huge stack and they are really so special. Its nice to know Dad has so many great friends.

P.S Julie... just because you sent him more cards than anyone else that doesn't mean he loves you best. Dad told me "he loves us all the same" ... chuckle chuckle.

Happy Anniversary

Today is a special day for Mom and Dad and Dianne and Jay. They are celebrating their wedding anniversaries. Mom and Dad are celebrating 48 years and Dianne and Jay are celebrating 20 years. I can't believe it was twenty years ago that we were on the Puget Sound witnessing the beautiful wedding they celebrated. Dianne I still remember that beautiful ballerina pink sash on your antique dress. (Thats why I used pink text on your years) Congratulations to all of you and hope you celebrate many more happy years together.

Off topic....I am going to post a few pictures of Mom and Dads condo. They repainted many of the rooms and has a very nice South-Western flair. We really enjoyed staying there.... thanks mom and dad.

Some Early Shots from Winter Park Area

Our trip has been wonderful so far. The weather has been beautiful as has the scenery. We spent a day going up corona Pass and ate our packed lunch. We took a day trip to Leadville to look at some old Gold and Silver mines. Our trip to Rocky National Park was unforgetable with the close-up meetings to moose, elk, deer, sheep, and a funny little marmut. We took a chair up Winter Park and walked around the mountains a bit. Well these are just a few of the great day trips we have done. Here are a few pics.

Shots from The Art Show and Sami riding her bike

Sami's Birthday Party

Stan's Big Game

I forgot to mention earlier that Stan went to go play basketball with some friends in the afternoon. I got a pretty cool pic of stan taking on LeBron.

We're In Colorado

Its been such a busy day. Sorry I don't have time to tell all about our first day here but these pictures will tell a story. Having a great time.

Well we are all tired out and calling it a nght. Happy 4th of July all.