Friends

Crestview, our Austin neighborhood, is very akin to Mayberry. I haven’t met Barney Fife yet, but there is a Floyd the Barber.

Our local IGA and pharmacy have been there in the middle of our neighborhood for eons. You’d never know the existed if you didn’t live in this part of town (they’re not located on a major street). We have a fabulous Little Deli, and a civic-minded neighborhood group that really watches out for the ‘hood.

Last weekend was an Ice Cream Social. We missed it in ‘07, but this year we braved the 100º heat to meet people and be social. There were plenty of kind old folk who were fun to talk with, and lots of new families. We met neighbors from down the block, and the kids enjoyed the band.

If you have time, check out our Flickr account for more images.

The next day was a social of our own. We had the Hills and Thompsons over for a kiddie pool date and some refreshments. Good times all around – it was nice to meet new old friends.

The kids love their new sand and water table. Thanks Grandpa Joe and Grandma Karen S.

Sawyer is a pretty cool dude and played well with the kids.

Have a nice weekend, friends.

Holy crap, we’re leaving Texas.

Not for good, mind you – Austin still feels like vacation to this northerner. But we are hitting the road for a couple of fun trips.

SAN FRANCISCO – August 10-13

Stacey’s company is sending her to UXWeek – a top-end conference for User Experience leads. She’ll learn a lot, I’ll ride my bike to coffee shops and eat seafood.

Actually, we do get a couple days to play and hope to take in a ballgame that Sunday at a park we’ve never been to, and see my cousin and a couple of friends. Karen and Corky are watching the kids – an amazingly-nice thing for them to do.

TOUR DE MIDWEST – September 23-October 4

This is a big trip – kiddos included this time. We were going to drive, but realize how sucky that would be with two, 16-month-old toddlers in a car for a total of four days. This schedule is still being worked on, BTW.

09.22 - 09.25 Galena, IL for the Goeres Family Reunion
09.26 Stopover in South Bend, IN to see the Bell family
09.27 Stopover in St. Joe, MI to see the Finnigans
09.28 - 09.30 Ashley Family time in Allegan, MI and Kalamazoo, MI (look at this sweet house my sister is buying – but don’t make fun of the bushes)
10.01 - 10.04 Doyle Family time and friends in Chicago, IL

For the last few days we rented a condo close to Comiskey Park. I’m not a man to upset the baseball Gods, so let’s just say I hope the White Sox are still playing at that time of year. The condo is big, has a great party deck on the third floor and overlooks the city (best view from the Southside, natch).

Hope to see y’all soon enough!

The Doyles and Thompsons rode our bikes down to Auditorium Shores for Austin’s fireworks. Great display, wonderfully accompanied by the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

Lloyd and Kirsten Thompson made a Ravinia-worthy spread of delectable treats and we trailered the booze. It was wonderful to hear comments about the “good ones” – all in all, a fun time.

We set up camp away from the main group, but still heard the symphony loud and clear. Riding your bike down is the best idea ever.

Stealie enjoyed a good toss around grounds. I’ve had this frisbee since the early 80’s.

Our good friends, the Thompsons enjoying the day.

Yours truly with Mrs. Yours Truly. We enjoyed the ride down - it was surprisingly pleasant temperature wise.

I took about 10 images of the fireworks. Here’s one that actually turned out OK. Perhaps next year Katie and PJ can see these sights.

Hey friends.

Our boy Danny Sullivan asked Stalelife to create a poster for him. We don’t usually take on personal projects, but Dan is a stand-up guy and even helped us with discounted tickets for our recent outing to Comiskey.

So here are the posters he requested. Which should he print and bring to the games this weekend? Respond below so we can help him figure it out.

They are just versions of one another, but I like the second one – the font face is more full and easier to see from a distance.