Betting the Ponies

Written By: Dan

Pictures: Click Here

We are back in Barrington a week after Annie's marathon.  This time the event is the Arlington Racetrack.  We're betting the Ponies!  I've done this one other time (my bachelor party).  This was Annie's first time.  We did the track right, 1920's style.  Dressed nice with big hats.   We forgot to mention to Annie that everyone doesn't dress like that.... As a matter of fact there is no dress code for some parts of the track.  She quickly learned.  The weather was great, the races were exciting.  We even made a few bucks.  Not as much as we would have thought, but we weren't betting big either.  At one point the lady at the counter told me that if I could predect the right order, and made a bet as such, I could win thousands.  I did that twice. I won about $30.......  After a few beers I found that lady ...... this time she stressed "you COULD win thousands."  Go figure.

We'll I didn't leave a wealthy man, but we had a rich time.  Betting the ponies is a great time.

Our Anniversary

Written By: Dan

One year after we said "I Do" the day started the say with Annie's RollerBlading Marathon (see post below, July, 25, 2010).  Shortly after noon, we headed back.  We decided to cut our drive short by stopping in Ann Arbor for the night.  That gave us enough time to get a nice dinner for our Anniversary.  We started with Bellini's on the patio of Palio (it reminded us of having Bellinis at Harry's Bar in Venice during our honeymoon), followed by another great pasta dinner. It was a perfect way to end the weekend.   Just like our anniversary weekend, the last year of our life has happened quickly (but been fun) - great friends, great family, great wife (and a great dog back at home).   I couldn't ask for a better life.

Annie Blades a Marathon

Written By: Dan
Pictures: click Here

What a weekend!  Friday morning we dropped off Hobee to spend the weekend peeing on his favorite girl, Vanessa.  After work Annie and I headed to Grand Rapids to hang out with Charlie and Mary.  We had a blast.  The cooks cooked us up a great meal (turkey burgers, a home made salad, and grilled veggies).  After dinner we played Beer Pong and Euchre until we crashed out.  After another great breakfast meal we headed to Chicago. 

The purpose of the short drive to Chicagoland was Annie's In-Line Skate Marathon.  Annie has been training for weeks.  She did a great job.  We did a great job to prep: We scouted the track the day before,we  ate a good pasta dinner (with Penny and Erin), watched a marathon (Jersey Shore marathon on MTV) and got a good night's sleep.



 
The next morning Erin made us breakfast (what awesome friends do we have -we owe a few couples some pretty impressive meals after these last few days). We then headed to the meet.  Annie dressed to blade, and Erin in I in custom made (by Erin) "You Roll, Girl" tee shirts.

The marathon was held at the AT&T complex in Hoffman Estates, up the road from the Himmelspach residence.  It was a great venue.  It held sponsors, runners, bikers, spectators, and a mess of nervous rollerbladers (Annie being one).  After the race started we realized how fast this marathon was.  Some of the serious bladers skated by in a perfect line to start their SECOND lap before we could blink.  Annie was not far behind.   Annie has been training for weeks, and put up even better speeds than expected.  After a little more than an hour she was done, tired, and proud.  She was great. We celebrated by taking her out to breakfast.  We had already eaten once, but when you finish at 10:30 you don't have many choices for a celebration venue.

Joe Power's Wedding

Written By: Dan
View Pictures Here

Yesterday was a day we thought would come a long time ago.  We've been waiting for this day since Jeff told everyone they were engaged (about a year before they actually were engaged.)  Yesterday Joe and Kate got married.   It was a great day.  The ceremony took place at St. Joe's school across the street (where Joe and I spent most of our time together from 3rd grade on).  After the ceremony we drove to the farm to park, and walk across the street to the Power's residence for the reception.   People traveled from all over the world to get here (people from New Zealand, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Australia, and the UP) - I'm pretty sure I traveled the shortest distance.



The reception was such a blast.  Great beer (home brewed by Mr. Powers, and Kegs brought in from Houghton - KBC beer - and one of the best red's I've ever tasted).  They had a great band called Trilogy which played until 1am.  The party didn't end there.  As a matter of fact the bonfire only got started at 1.

Joe and Kate are a great couple.  They are a perfect rebuttal for those who say long distance relationships don't work.  They spent a great deal of time separated by half of the world, but still managed to stay together.

4th of July Week

Written By: Hobee
Pictures: Here

This is my favorite week of the summer (maybe year).  After the Upland Hill's Farm 50 year reunion we packed up Rick's truck and headed up to Roger City.  The annual Hoban invasion of Roger City started with Bowling, followed by the Roger City Fireworks.  For the next 4 days we partied hard.  Fireworks, beer drinking, parties on the beach, swimming, wine drinking, mod vies on the beach, and a trip to Macinaw Island highlighted the trip.

On Wednesday we packed up the truck again and headed to Empire for some relaxation.  We swam, we golfed, and we slept.  It was a great time.  Rick even joined us Sunday night.  Events on this part of our journey were much more laid back, and we needed it after partying hard for 5 days in Roger City.

I also learned I'm not the most agile dog in the world.  I fell of the doc 4 times, the embakement over the water twice, and off the bed once as well.  I'm giving up the dream to be on the ESPN dog show competitions.

It was sad to return home Sunday, but the week was time well spent.  I spent an entire week playing with Bella (Aunt Donna's Westie), swam every day, played on multiple beaches, and falling down.  I slept for 2 days straight after we returned.  Not even getting up when Julia and Rick came over the next day.    Like I said before, one of the best weeks of the year.