No, I am not in India anymore! (That's for you, Brian Ebbs!) But, I did stop traveling. In fact, I started a new job. Still at Kohler, but in our Engines business. Which means, I'm not in India. Not still and not again. And, I'm not in China or Europe or anywhere. Well actually, I am in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Exciting, I know! But it's much easier to sit in a hotel room and update the blog than it is to do at home. At home I should be doing work, or I just don't feel like being on my computer. In a hotel room, I usually don't mind. So, here goes!
But first, a couple of disclaimers. One... I am always tired. So the day I started this post and the day it posts are not likely the same. In fact, I feel asleep while the below pictures were loading, so it's now tomorrow. So definitely not the same day! And two... You're stuck with me talking about whatever pictures are on my phone because it's all I can remember! And the pictures may or may not be in order.
First up... we took a trip to Chicago! It was kind of last minute, and I was just antsy to go somewhere. I had told Abby and Nolan to plan a trip anywhere within driving distance, but they couldn't agree. So we weren't going to go anywhere. But then I planned Chicago stuff. Dave thought I was crazy, and he almost didn't go. But ultimately, we packed stuff in the car, had my mom watch the dog, and off we went!
One of our stops was the Tesla dealership. It's randomly located, and looks like any old neighborhood. But this was definitely for Nolan. We spent about 5 minutes there, but I did get this picture. Nolan was pretty excited, even though he's too cool to show it. For Nolan we also stopped at the Fashion Outlet, where he was shocked at the prices of the Gucci store. Buying Gucci has now become his life goal.
Next up, Max had a birthday! Happy Birthday Max! He hit double digits this year. Shockingly he let Ava stand next to him and also get a picture. Like every year, we were in Chicago at Dave's parents, soaking up the sun and the pool. Shortly after they took out the pool. What will we do now?!?
Random restaurant pic. Thy sky looked fake, and these two were getting along. Certainly two photogenic kids right here... and for the moment, they were actually getting along. With these two, they're either crazy loud playing, or crazy loud fighting. Never a happy medium!
Me... on a tractor! We had an Engines leadership day (I started a new job, at Kohler, in our Engines business, in May) in June. We had to do random events to score points. One of the events was driving this thing. It was fun, but I scored no points.
Campers! Both these kids went to Camp Minikani this summer and both loved it enough to sign up next year. For the same week. Over Ava's birthday. I'm now attempting to determine if Dave, Abby, Nolan and I can swing a European vacation when they're at camp. Hmmmm....
Part of our trip to Chicago... we saw Aladdin and loved it! Truly awesome, and glad I could take the kids.
Another part of the trip... a White Sox game! Look at that good lookin' family!
Awww...
This series of pictures just cracked me up. I love to see Abby happy and smiling. She was having so much fun behind Ava, and the pics of the two of them came out so nice. Even with their tongues out!
She's DYING!!! :)
Hola Familia!!
Another Chicago stop (I said I planned a lot!!) was Indoor Skydiving! Even I did it! (Dave couldn't because of his stroke/vertigo/dizzy issues.) it was a lot of fun. So crazy!
We also went to the Big 10 Museum. Nolan and Ava need to work on their Heisman pose.
Max has it down!
Also? I went to London for work! Besides a lot of meetings, we also explored the city. Who doesn't love a red telephone booth?
And, as Ava calls it, Ben Tower!
Shakespeare! Sr. Mary Helen would be so proud!
My team also came to visit me in Kohler. Four of us are in Kohler usually, three in Hattiesburg, MS, and one in Mexico.
Dave and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. We went to see the band Restless Heart. Who's that you ask? Yeah, we know. We're old and we like (some) old country music bands. At small local auditoriums. Which are connected to car museums.
Hello Empire!
Many months after London, I had a meeting for work at Lambeau field. Almost as cool, and the commute was easier!
Somewhere in there, Abby also grew up. And went to Homecoming as a sophomore. (No date though! Just a group of friends!) She HATES shopping so I bought her dress one day when I was out and about and... she liked it! She wore it! she's so funny. I don't know if she really liked it that much or if she just really hates shopping that much. I think she's beautiful, but I might be biased.
And there we are! I've missed talking about so much, but that at least covers the photos in my phone. There was a visit from THE Brian and Tammy Ebbs Family that I have to post about, as well as so many other events. Life gets so busy, and as the kids get older it's harder to know what to post (or not!). But it is nice to update every now and again. Even if it's after 8 months!
But first, a couple of disclaimers. One... I am always tired. So the day I started this post and the day it posts are not likely the same. In fact, I feel asleep while the below pictures were loading, so it's now tomorrow. So definitely not the same day! And two... You're stuck with me talking about whatever pictures are on my phone because it's all I can remember! And the pictures may or may not be in order.
First up... we took a trip to Chicago! It was kind of last minute, and I was just antsy to go somewhere. I had told Abby and Nolan to plan a trip anywhere within driving distance, but they couldn't agree. So we weren't going to go anywhere. But then I planned Chicago stuff. Dave thought I was crazy, and he almost didn't go. But ultimately, we packed stuff in the car, had my mom watch the dog, and off we went!
One of our stops was the Tesla dealership. It's randomly located, and looks like any old neighborhood. But this was definitely for Nolan. We spent about 5 minutes there, but I did get this picture. Nolan was pretty excited, even though he's too cool to show it. For Nolan we also stopped at the Fashion Outlet, where he was shocked at the prices of the Gucci store. Buying Gucci has now become his life goal.
Next up, Max had a birthday! Happy Birthday Max! He hit double digits this year. Shockingly he let Ava stand next to him and also get a picture. Like every year, we were in Chicago at Dave's parents, soaking up the sun and the pool. Shortly after they took out the pool. What will we do now?!?
Random restaurant pic. Thy sky looked fake, and these two were getting along. Certainly two photogenic kids right here... and for the moment, they were actually getting along. With these two, they're either crazy loud playing, or crazy loud fighting. Never a happy medium!
Me... on a tractor! We had an Engines leadership day (I started a new job, at Kohler, in our Engines business, in May) in June. We had to do random events to score points. One of the events was driving this thing. It was fun, but I scored no points.
Campers! Both these kids went to Camp Minikani this summer and both loved it enough to sign up next year. For the same week. Over Ava's birthday. I'm now attempting to determine if Dave, Abby, Nolan and I can swing a European vacation when they're at camp. Hmmmm....
Part of our trip to Chicago... we saw Aladdin and loved it! Truly awesome, and glad I could take the kids.
Another part of the trip... a White Sox game! Look at that good lookin' family!
Awww...
This series of pictures just cracked me up. I love to see Abby happy and smiling. She was having so much fun behind Ava, and the pics of the two of them came out so nice. Even with their tongues out!
Hola Familia!!
Another Chicago stop (I said I planned a lot!!) was Indoor Skydiving! Even I did it! (Dave couldn't because of his stroke/vertigo/dizzy issues.) it was a lot of fun. So crazy!
We also went to the Big 10 Museum. Nolan and Ava need to work on their Heisman pose.
Also? I went to London for work! Besides a lot of meetings, we also explored the city. Who doesn't love a red telephone booth?
Shakespeare! Sr. Mary Helen would be so proud!
Somewhere in there Max got a Bearded Dragon named Empire. It escaped for about a day and a half. And then was found. A bit nerve-wracking! Luckily, Abby and I were not home at the time. I'm not sure Abby would have spent the night there.
My team also came to visit me in Kohler. Four of us are in Kohler usually, three in Hattiesburg, MS, and one in Mexico.
Dave and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. We went to see the band Restless Heart. Who's that you ask? Yeah, we know. We're old and we like (some) old country music bands. At small local auditoriums. Which are connected to car museums.
Hello Empire!
Many months after London, I had a meeting for work at Lambeau field. Almost as cool, and the commute was easier!
Somewhere in there, Abby also grew up. And went to Homecoming as a sophomore. (No date though! Just a group of friends!) She HATES shopping so I bought her dress one day when I was out and about and... she liked it! She wore it! she's so funny. I don't know if she really liked it that much or if she just really hates shopping that much. I think she's beautiful, but I might be biased.
