Being a Statistic

After enjoying the sunny weekend, hanging out with Diana and Sierra, relaxing in the pool, and getting back in the Idaho groove, I plan to go on Monday and start "signing up for unemployment" now that I am physically back in the state. Yes - I am going to do my part to bring the unemployment rate in Idaho down even lower.

North to Alaska !!!

Not me, but Kyle. After having a nice day with Kyle on Friday, and after Diana got home from work, we got Kyle all packed and then all of four of us headed to the airport so that Kyle could catch his evening flight to Anchorage Alaska, via Seattle. He and his Auntie Linda and a few others head out this weekend out of Anchorage for a weeks long excursion of floating the river fishing and doing some river dip netting down in Kenai. If only I would have planned it better, so that I could have went with him. At least I wouldn't have had to drive.

We Are Back In Idaho

After 4 days of driving, Sierra and I got into Boise around 5pm Thursday afternoon. Since Diana was working during this time, Sierra and I decided to swing by her job and say hello before coming to Nampa.

After getting home to Nampa (taking the back roads), and being greeted by Kyle, we unloaded the van of the cedar hope chest, antique chair, and all of the other things that came with us across the United States, and then settled into a nice reunion evening. As Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz, "There's No Place Like Home".

Last Day

We woke up in Wyoming on Thursday and headed back to Idaho. It was a great drive but seemed to last longer than the previous day, even though in reality it was a shorter day. Driving through the western part of Wyoming and then Utah was ok and the sights were awesome. I enjoyed seeing all of the wind farms and really hope that this alternative energy source catches on and becomes a normal thing to see more of, even in Idaho.

5 states in 2 days.

We left Indiana on Tuesday, spent the night in Iowa, and then on Wednesday we were on the road for about 14 hours, until we stopped for the night in Laramie Wyoming. Sierra was a great co-pilot and an awesome traveler for such a long day.

Of course, she did say and do some things that really made the trip that much more enjoyable.



I am so glad that she drove back to Idaho with me. We truly made some memories.

On the road again ..........

Sierra and I headed west early Monday morning. Our first stop was back in Huntington Indiana to visit with my best friend Jerry and for Sierra to see Jerry and Jill and their sons; Chandler and Conner. The visit was great, as always, and it was good to be around them all and to once again validate that Life Is Good.

The Three Musketeers

We couldn't leave without first getting a picture of Mom, Tammy, and I.

Our "Last Supper" Sunday

On Sunday July 13th, we had our "Last Supper" in Pennsylvania up at Tammy and Lance's. The kids enjoyed the pool and riding 4 wheelers and the grown ups enjoyed watching them and talking. Cousin Patty came by to wish Sierra and I a good return trip home.

Here is Sierra showing her stuff on one of the 4 wheelers.



Since Sierra and I were leaving early the next day, I wanted to get a picture of the Hughes Family and of all the kids together, one last time. Here is the result.

Front to back: Levi, Loryn, Luke, Tammy, and Lance



Luke, Levi, Loryn, and Sierra

Do they know something that we don't?

Taken outside of Adventure Video in Philipsburg, PA yesterday.

This proves that they have a very strict return policy.

Another Career Revelation

Today was a rainy, dreary, and muggy day and so my sister and I took all 4 kids and went bowling at the local new bowling lanes. We all had a really fun time playing the two games and enjoyed the new facility and its high tech functionality and perks. Needless to say, my average of two games was only 119 and so I can remove Professional Bowler off of the career list. I should have had the automatic bumper railings programmed to come up for my player as well.

Walter Ray Williams Jr. won't have to worry about me taking over his spot as one of the most famous bowlers. We would starve if that was my only source of income based on my ability. Ha, Ha.

All-Star update

My nephew's All-Star baseball team lost last night thus, was eliminated from the 9 and 10 year olds championship series. Regardless, I am proud of Levi for always giving 110% every single game, in spite of what the score board displayed. Sierra and I are very proud of him and glad that we were able to see him in action.

Home of the World's Largest Hamburger Challenges

A friend and I went to the famous Denny's Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield, PA last night. The food and drinks were good and the conversations were GREAT. We didn't take the 2 lb. burger challenge but a couple people did. Here is what that 2 pound burger looks like and someone who couldn't eat it all.




Denny's also holds the Guiness Book of World Record for the largest hamburger. Here is a picture of the record burger made by the Liegey family who are the owners of the pub.

All Star game - RAINED OUT

The Four Leaf Clover 9- and 10- year-old Little League All-Stars took the winner's bracket title on Saturday with a 10-1 victory over my nephew Levi's Philipsburg-Osceola All Star baseball team.

Philipsburg-Osceola hosted Curwensville this evening but the game was stopped in the 2nd inning due to the heavy rains and flooding in-field. The game will resume tomorrow with only a 40 percent chance of rain.
LET'S GO - P.O !!!!!!!

Loryn's 8th B-day

Yesterday (July 6th), my niece turned 8 years old, and where has the time gone? She wanted a birthday/pool party for her special day. Here she is with Sierra and brother Luke (sunning on the crab), before the party started.

Happy 4th of July !!!

Sierra, mom, and I just got back from the fireman's parade and also the 4th of July bash up at my brother in law's parents. We are now taking a break and then will go next door to mom's neighbors house for some more festivities.

Hoping you all have a fun and safe day and GOD BLESS THE USA!!!

Another Game Update

Tonight Levi's PO All Star team and us fans traveled to Curwensville and it was a real nail biter. The game went the full 6 innings and PO beat the Curwensville All Stars, 6 to 5. The winning continues for PO and Sierra and I enjoyed watching them. Next game is here in Chester Hill on Saturday.

The "Aunt Bubbles"

Here is my sister Tammy, or as Sierra and Kyle call her, "Aunt Bubbles" and Sierra.

All Star Nephew

On Sunday, Sierra and I got to see my nephew Levi, age 9, in action during his first Philipsburg Osceola (PO) All Star baseball game. It was an intense and exciting game. In this series they have a 10 run rule and Levi's team was ahead by 9 with Levi up to bat with no outs. Levi got a ground hit, ran to first base, and the kid that was on 3rd base was able to come in to homeplate to score the winning run. The final score was 22 to 12. All the boys were stoked to have won their first All Star game and it was so nice to be able to see it happen in person. The games continue tonight and so we will see if the winning continues. Regardless, Sierra and I will be there supporting the team.