Here we go a-paddling

By ben  |  2011/08/07 20:09 Posted in Adventures, Kayaking  |  Comments Off on Here we go a-paddling

Eliana turned eight months old today. To learn what she’s been up to, and also to read updates from previous months, check out this page. You can sign up to receive the updates via e-mail as well.

A big thanks to my parents, who watched Eliana this afternoon so that Jenelle and I could go kayaking. We don’t recall going out last summer, and this summer will be over before we know it, so we took advantage of a beautiful day. We drove a few miles east to Lake Michigan and paddled north near Carthage College. After 20-25 minutes, we turned around and headed back to where we started. We got back in the car just as it started to rain. Lucky us. Here’s a video and a couple of photos:


Baby’s First Company Picnic

By ben  |  2011/08/06 15:20 Posted in Eliana  |  Comments Off on Baby’s First Company Picnic


Even though it was pretty hot, Eliana did great at the company picnic today. She was very patient while we pushed her around in the stroller, got our food and drinks, and found a place to sit under the tent. As we finished our meals, which included a huge variety of food as it does every year, Jenelle fed Eliana, who really enjoyed the pre-made pouch of carrot, apple, and parsnip. She was very content after that, and she smiled at all of my work buddies, including my manager.

The funniest moment was when Jenelle gave Eliana a taste of her strawberry popsicle. We should have predicted it, but Eliana grabbed on to the cold treat and wouldn’t let go. Thankfully, she didn’t get that much on her dress. A little SHOUT will take care of it in no time. 🙂

I’m looking forward to next year, when Eliana might be old enough to play and win some of the midway games.

Hitting the Links

By ben  |  2011/08/05 19:16 Posted in Competitions, Family Gatherings  |  Comments Off on Hitting the Links


Last Sunday, I joined Dad and my brother, Andrew, for nine holes of golf at Johnson Park. To make things more competitive, we set up the following handicap system:
1) Dad gets one stroke per hole.
2) I get one stroke on par 3 holes, two strokes on par 4s, and three strokes on par 5s.
A great time was had by all, even though it was a tad on the hot side. Here is how things turned out:

Keep on Cookin’

By ben  |  2011/08/04 20:54 Posted in Eliana  |  Comments Off on Keep on Cookin’

Frequent visitors may have noticed that I’ve posted something here every day since July 23. I don’t have anything to post today — except this ADORABLE shot of Eliana with her play kitchen. Jenelle took this while I was at work. Good one, sweetie!

Awesome Family, Plumber Edition

By ben  |  2011/08/03 13:55 Posted in Around the House, Family Gatherings  |  Comments Off on Awesome Family, Plumber Edition


Let’s hear it for my dad! He’s one of these guys who will do what it takes to get things done. In the past week, two of the three toilets in our house developed issues. The flush valve got stuck on one of them, and the fill valve starting leaking on the other. Thanks to about $20 worth of parts and a few hours of elbow grease, we once again have three operational facilities. The new fill valve on the downstairs toilet is both faster and quieter than the old one, that I’m wondering if it would be good to replace the other two noisy ones.

Grandpa Milt, my dad’s dad, who had an amazing work ethic, once said, “If you have a job to do, you do it.” My dad has clearly inherited that, and it is a blessing that he uses his skills and expertise to give me and my family some much needed help.

Weathering the Storm

By ben  |  2011/08/02 22:47 Posted in Around the House, Eliana  |  Comments Off on Weathering the Storm

A thunderstorm early this evening generated a “downburst” near I-94 and highway 50. This led to the tornado sirens sounding. We spent about ten minutes in the basement before realizing the storm was far enough south that it wouldn’t threaten us.

When another big storm hit earlier this summer (on June 8), we pulled Eliana out of her crib just after her usual bedtime, and the three of us gathered in the basement. I am sharing two videos from that night. The first is the three of us hanging out in the basement, and the second is some of the lightning outside our window, which Jenelle recorded after the worst of the storm was past us.

Awesome Family, North Racine Edition

By ben  |  2011/08/01 21:53 Posted in Family Gatherings  |  Comments Off on Awesome Family, North Racine Edition

This post is about my cousin Rachel, who turned ten years old last month.

She is a pretty amazing cousin. She is very smart for her age, and I think she understands way more than most people realize. She also has a variety of interests. She won a multi-school spelling bee a few months ago, and her butterfly photo is in the second round of the Journal Times photo contest.

I was also impressed when she drew this picture of the three of us at a recent family gathering.

It’s also great that she loves to spend time with all the little ones in the family — Ella, Lily, Kellan, and Eliana. I am also blessed to be Rachel’s godfather.

Thanks for being such a wonderful cousin, Rachel! Stay awesome!

Awesome Family, Minnesota Edition

By ben  |  2011/07/31 21:01 Posted in Family Gatherings  |  Comments (1)

This post is written with a big THANKS to my sister-in-law, Holly, who takes amazing photographs of us every time she comes to visit. We got this great shot yesterday afternoon:

I’ve already ordered a couple of 8x10s and some note cards.

Holly can take great photos of you and your family as well. Check out Lily Bella Photography for more information.

It’s been a wonderful weekend. Between the Italian Festival, swimming at Grandma & Grandpa’s place, nine holes of golf, we had lots of fun with Mom, Dad, Andrew, Holly, Ella, Lily, and Kellan.

Just Keep Floating

By ben  |  2011/07/30 16:23 Posted in Eliana  |  Comments Off on Just Keep Floating

Eliana’s bumblebee swimsuit is still a bit big on her, but she enjoyed time in the pool with Bubba (aka GrandTom, aka Grandpa) yesterday afternoon.

Laughter is Contagious

By ben  |  2011/07/29 08:14 Posted in Eliana  |  Comments (1)

Here’s the proof: