Kentucky...

Straight from Boston I went to Kentucky for work for the ATO congress. Mandy and I were there the whole time and Rob came in for a few days.

We mostly manned our booth and answered questions...

and also played a LOT of WII!! We were giving away a WII in a raffle so we had one at our booth. My arm was seriously sore after just the first day. I also created quite a few Miis that looked JUST like a few of the guys there.

When we weren't at our booth we found other things to do...for example:

When in Lousiville go to the Louisville Slugger Museum

ATO rented out the museum and had ballpark food throughout the whole place.

We also happened to go to the museum on the day the Red Sox traded Manny to the Dodgers.

Louisville Slugger creates bats for the World Series teams each year...here is Boston's set from last year.

The fake ballpark had the pitcher in Red Sox gear...Mandy and I couldn't resist.

We hit some balls in the batting cages, went on a tour of the factory, and watched the speed of actual professional pitches...it was a fun time.

When not at the museum, our booth, or working we spent the rest of the time on 4th Street

Mandy and I with two of the ATO consultants

the BUCKET our drink came in

some dancing with Rick, one of the ATO consultants

us with ATO #2- Arnie

some bull riding...

Mandy and the Oklahoma State guys

and then the Oklahoma State guy...

glad this guy is getting paid for security!

Then it was time for the final banquet. But before the banquet Justin took us to a cool bar on the top floor of one of the other hotels. The bar was amazing...the hotel...

pretty impressive as well (really could they not make them a new sign?!)

however the BEST part about the bar was our mulleted frienddon't worry...we took a few pics (you may need to click on them for the big pic to get the full experience)and one more...why not?!

Then the banquet started...All of the girls in the room (all 5 of us) received roses from the ATO guys while the ATO choir sang us a song...it was pretty funny. and the staff plus GreekBill afterward in the suite

And a few pics of Mandy and I keep in mind we did not have cameras this whole time...we were good at hyjacking others!
we don't know what she is doing either!

In the meantime...

These conventions provide the Daily show with more material than they will even know what to do with...here are two of my favs they have come out with so far:

1. The billboard just outside of the Twin Cities airport:


2. Video one of what will be MANY MANY to come!!!

Time with the Shermans in Boston

Going back to me being very behind in our blog means to catch up I return to July 21-29...I know...I know!!

I went to Boston to watch the Sherman kids (for those of you who don't know Harry and Joelle they are the kiddos I nannied for in Boston) while their parents went to a wedding in London. As always we had a blast. It is so fun because they are so grown up now. Harry had hockey camp each day but Joelle was off. She had just returned from her first overnight camp experience so we packed the days with fun "girlie" stuff then the 3 of us hung out at night. I have NO idea how I didn't take many pics while there...but I do have a few to give you an idea of the time there.

Joelle holding Oscar in the car on the way to the kennel...you may notice, those of you with a keen eye, that we are in fact in a Mini Cooper convertible LOVE IT!!Joelle had done a lot of canoeing at her camp so we decided to put her skills to use, luckily we got a gorgeous day out since we had seen a LOT of rain! (This is Joelle and her friend Raquel)We canoed along the Charles River up in the Newton area, it was very peaceful.The self shot on the river!

We then spent the weekend on the Cape where Jill joined us and Sara and Jeff joined us post return flight from London. We had a blast in the water (yes I went in the ocean) until Harry and Joelle saw a HUGE jellyfish...then we were all done. :) I don't have any Cape pics which is a bummer. Jill and I squeezed in a 10 mile run as well...why not?!

Monday after returning from the Cape Jill and I took the kids to the Sox game. We had the Sherman's seats which you can see are SWEET!! I will add a few more pics when I get them from Jill as she took most of them. This game ended up being one of Manny's last games in a Red Sox uniform as he was traded later that week (more to come on that) but I did see his last home run at Fenway!

Me and the kiddosDice-K started out pitchingPAPIEllsbury...my favorite!Manny coming home from his last homerun at Fenway

Then came the food...

Joelle made the marks on the wall with ONE piece of the popcorn we were eating...needless to say we couldn't eat anymore!

the girls at the end of the game (Jill, Joelle, Laurie)

Finally this video is of Youk and his funny little butt wiggle he does before each hit

Finally some updates...

Hey there faithful blog readers...I am sorry for the lack of new blogs lately it has been a crazy month or so full of travel, work, more work, and as you'll see some fun activities here and there. I will start today with a new blog post each day coming full circle to my last post Remembering Bridget as we just returned from her memorial this past weekend.

Bridget

Remembering Bridget Slotemaker

Many of you know about our friend Bridget and her struggle with cancer and the birth of their amazing baby girl...I am sad to say that Bridget passed away last night. I don't think anyone can put it more eloquently than Bridget's husband Steve (see below) please keep him, Gracie and Chloe in your thoughts and prayers as this will be a very difficult time for all of them.

From Steve:

Do not fear, for I am with you. -- Isaiah 41:10.
Today we were informed by doctors that Bridget had an infection in her port, an enlarged right half of her heart, decreased kidney function, and decreased liver function. The next step would be to take out her port and fight the infection with antibiotics. The ICU doctors requested that the surgical oncologist remove the port. This surgical oncologist is the same doctor who fixed Bridget's hernia a little over a year ago and also who removed her gall bladder and informed us of Bridget's stage IV cancer. Bridget adores the surgical oncologist. The surgical oncologist took a while to arrive at the hospital. When she did, and after she reviewed Bridget's most recent CT Scans, she asked that family be gathered.
The bottom line was that removing the port would be fruitless, in the doctor's opinion. The status of Bridget's cancer had worsened over the past couple of weeks. The cancer in her liver and lungs had not abated with the medication. Since delivering Chloe, Bridget's cancer has been on a rampage. Bridget's life, in the doctor's opinion, was being supported by medical intervention alone. Bridget was clear with the family prior to her being diagnosed, and continuing through her struggles with cancer, that she did not want her life maintained in the state that she was in. Bridget was eager for the spoils of Heaven and fought the cancer willingly out of her love for Grace, Chloe, and the rest of her family. As a result of the inevitable course, my love for my wife, her desire to be with her Savior, and her desire to die a death without pain or protraction, the choice was made to terminate all medical intervention. Within a couple of hours Heaven had another angel.
Bridget died at 10:30 PM on August 12th, 2008.
We are so thankful that God placed her in our lives. Bridget is the most beautiful person I have ever known and I, Grace, and Chloe will forever long her presence.
Love,
Steve, Grace, and Chloe

Mile High Music Festival

Denver decided to host one killer music festival...the Mile High Music Festival

I bought tickets for Day 2 of the festival for Sam for our anniversary when I thought Stephen Kellogg (more to come) was performing on day 2...then he switched to day 1 so I was bummed...BUT I ended up getting 2 free tickets to Day 1 so, off we went...

Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers-

Those of you that have heard me talk about the SK6ers know that I LOVE this band!! We discovered them by accident while living in LA. We went to see Pat McGee Band in Hollywood and the SK6ers opened for them and totally stole the show...since then I have been a HUGE fan.

Stephen Kellogg...kicking off the festival
joined by the Sixers...

and for those of you that have not heard of them or ever seen them...here are a few videos:

4th of July

Milwaukee

My Old Man

See You Later See You Soon

The Rest of Day 1-

Out of both days Josh Ritter was definitely the next best show. He and his band were having so much fun on the stage.

They are quite the characters!

Joel and Sam (Bri, Helen and I were there too...but no pics of us) Sam's favorite show of the day was Spoon...I liked them because they were one of the shows under a tent since it was 96 degrees out!! HOT HOT HOT

Bring on Day 2-

After learning from day one Dan knew to hydrate before the concerts started...we dropped him and his Razor scooter off at the convenience store as we made our way through traffic. This pic is of him in Brea's rear view mirror!

Me and Brea (so jealous of her hat!!)

One view of the blazing hot sun!!

Day 2 brought another round of great artists: One Republic, Colbie Calliet, O.A.R, Flogging Molly, Black Crowes, and the tool you see above John Mayer. He came out in these sweet shades...ok maybe not so sweet! And this little one was along for his first DMB show

DAN
Brittni, Josh (and baby Griffin for his first concert rockin' in mom's belly!!)
Sam loves those shades!

Brea got this shot as we left...it was a fun couple of days!

Speaking of fun...here are a few folks we found entertaining over the two days: the ridiculous PDA couple
this outfit...but don't miss the dance moves below (just tilt your head sideways)
Hannah Montana chairs...REALLY?!

and this girl in purple...really feeling the music...really NOT knowing the words!!

Stapleton Dems Kickoff BBQ

We kicked off the Stapleton Dems with a big BBQ sponsored by Terrance Carroll of our house district. We had over 200 people show up so we were pretty excited about it.

sign in table
Terrance welcoming everyone
the Obama crew
and former Mayor Wellington Webb
and how could I pass up the cool clouds?!

and an amazing sunset

Book Club and other book info...

My book club this month read The History of Love by Nicole Krauss which I thought was good and fun to read since it was told from two very different perspectives...so if any of you are looking for a book I'd recommend it. Speaking of which, those of you that are looking for books friends are reading or others I have read/rated should try out Goodreads as I don't usually post my books on here but thought it'd be a good intro to the site for anyone interested. Sam and I are always looking for good book recommendations so send them our way!!

Making Aprons

Brooke, Clare and I went to the Fancy Tiger for a fun apron making class. We had our ever patient teacher Claudia to show us how to make them, but would still probably be hard pressed between the 3 of us to remember all of the steps! It was super fun though and they turned out really well!!

my first sewing machine...which I battled...the second one worked much better!!
Clare sewing away
Brooke and I with our finished products