Quick Trip to Asheville

My paternal grandmother (Chuck's mother for those of you in the know of my complex family tree) passed away this last week. I am in Asheville for the services. I am also meeting family for the first time. Saturday morning finds me in a condo catching-up on work and watching the Tour de France with my newly discovered uncle David.

Last night I was regaled by the story of my great-great uncle "Maul" (my best spelling of heavily accented Appalachian ole-world English pronunciation) who murdered a competing suitor, was sent to prison, escaped from prison and hid under his mother's porch while his father was out with a posse searching for his escaped convict son. Maul ended up moving across the state and starting a large family of his own with a woman who hadn't roused his blood lust. My grandfather Glen's response to the story, "Guess he needed killin."

My greatest sorrow on this trip is that this is my first time getting to know many of these relatives, and hearing these stories. I will post more about my grandmother, Bertie Sams, after the services this afternoon.

On the plus side her immune system is getting stronger

Poor Harper. Heat rash started last week. Followed by a UTI diagnosed Monday at urgent care. (Watching a little one get cath'ed is no 4th of July treat). And now she was diagnosed with Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease which is making its rounds at Montessori.

Antibiotics. Ibuprofen. Liquid diet.

Next week we get to decide if we want to subject our daughter to a very strongly recommended voiding cysto cystogram. Parents not happy. Harper not happy.

Lily is also strangely scared of our floor fan.

MidWest Trip

Harper and I triumphantly returned to Virgina from 10 days in the MidWest.

Activities included:
1) Custer Street fair
2) Diana at a gyrotonics class
3) Dinner with Alex and Lynn
4) Breakfast at Blind Faith Cafe
5) Driving the wrong route to New Paris
6) Time with Abuela, Grandpa, Towser, Stella Moo, and Nikki
7) Birds, fish, Susu, Great-grandparents, tornado, sleeping in bathtub
8) Susu nannying
9) North Manchester park
10) Excellent lunch at Kenomokopoko
11) Relaxing at great-grandmother McSpadden's
12) Fancy dinner out with Abuela and Grandpa Larry
13) Driving the correct route back to Chicago
14) Skokie Farmer's Market
15) Flying home

See the photos here: http://www.s9s.net/June2010MidWest/

Two Photo Galleries

First, is a photo gallery from dinner at Abby and Nina's house:

http://www.s9s.net/LateApril/








Second, is a photo gallery that includes Mother's Day and Camy's Graduation from Colorado College: http://www.s9s.net/Graduation/index.html

Harper and Nine: Mother's Day 2010