I'm asked a lot in my line of work, what type of camera someone should get. Now I have a great helper tool! NPR, National Public Radio has just done an article on this very subject: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106441414&ft=1&f=1019
You can also listen to the program as it aired.

Todd & Toni seem to be have a good time in Chicago and the Great Lakes area. Sent this picture of Scotty after graduation.

July Already

I haven't had a chance to post for a while. Between work and Elin being out of school early, I've been keeping busy.

We found out today that Scotty will graduate from Sailor School tomorrow! He is doing basic at Naval Station Great Lakes, just outside Chicago. Todd and Toni got there late last night to attend his graduation, but didn't know until today if he would actually pass. Other than having problems with swimming, allergies and not being able to eat enough, he has done well. Todd is suppose to send pictures of the graduation tomorrow if he gets a chance. As soon as I get them, I'll post.

Mel is doing great. We have had 3 appointments with the prosthesis people, and as soon as the insurance OK's a knee he will have his new leg.

Todd is in Lake County this week. Left yesterday at 0:dark thirty and doesn't know when he will be back, however it will be in a day or two. He is working at a courthouse with no air conditioning and the temps have been in the 90's.

Can't think of anything else right now, so will close

Well, May went by so fast that I couldn't keep up. Between April illness in Elin & I, Mel's accident and work, it just zoomed by.

By the end of May, we were ready for vacation. Elin got out of school on the 20th of May, school being closed 15 days early. We left for Bullards Beach in Bandon Oregon on the 28th. "Great fun was had by all".

The yurts were interesting, seems to have lots of wasted space because they are round and the beds are square. But, with the weather in the 60's and overcast it was nice to have the heater for the damp. Guy, Todd's brother reserved 6 yurts, for Saturday - Monday, I decided that only gave us one day on the beach, so reserved one for an extra night, so we arrived on Friday, along with Guy & Tammi, and Linda, Zach & Amber. We were able to get one for Linda and Kids Friday night. Todd, Elin & I shared one night with Mel & Dorene. On Saturday afternoon, Susan, Calib and 5 kids showed up to take their place in the group. We had a lot of fun playing. Elin had Audry & Tessa, who are younger, to play with, along with the older cousins, Zach, Devon, Darian, & Jordyan.

Todd, Elin & I decided to take an extra night on Monday and were able to move to a different yurt for Monday night.Susan & Tessa

Guy, Tammi, Zach & Amber

Jordyan

Ellen & Michael have been visiting this week. It has been great fun. We toured Breedlove Guitar Company and Deschutes Brewery. I've also driven them around to different stores and groceries. Lots of family dinners with Todd, Toni and Scott, and great food from Mike.

I take them to the airline tomorrow, so have taken the day off.

Elin made it off to out door school camp yesterday. It came down to her turning in a bunch of homework to at 7:30 in the morning for her to board the bus. She celebrated with a dance when they loaded her suitcase on the bus.

Saturday Elin had a double header here in town and Ellen and Mike got a chance to go for a few minutes. The movie below is what they got to see of her up to bat.

From jokes.com: http://www.jokes.com/funny/driving/honest-bumper-stickers

-- All men are idiots, and I married their king.
-- Your kid may be an honors student, but you're still an idiot.
-- I brake for no apparent reason.
-- Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
-- Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
-- I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian.
-- Women who seek to be equal to men lack ambition.
-- Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle drugs.
-- I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.
-- Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off NOW.
-- Give me ambiguity or give me something else.
-- Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.
-- Puritanism: the haunting fear that someone somewhere may be happy.
-- Consciousness cuts into my napping.
-- Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
-- There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.
-- Keep honking. I'm reloading.

First Game of Season

Elin played for the Thunder team on Saturday at their second in a double header in LaPine. Both Prineville teams were suppose to play, but due to a mix up, Elin's team the Force, didn't have any team to play after we drove down. Its just short of 70 mile one way drive. I took mom's van and rode with a class mate of Elin's on the Thunder team, so we stayed for both games and Elin was able to roster into the second game. The movie is a little slow, but worth the wait to the end.

Thunder lost their first game about 20 to 5 or there abouts. The second game they won 15 to 3.
The second game was a great deal more fun to watch!

Monday and Wednesday of this week, Force plays Thunder here in town. Then we have a home game on the following Monday and a road game to Madras on Wednesday the 29. I have soccer registration and Ellin & Mike will be here. She then has a double header on May 2nd in town. Should be a fun week!