The homestretch.

Our last night in the great Northwest we headed to Seattle. Jay had a fork but I had a fork and a hammer.
Katie's family doesn't like using plates so they just dumped the food on the table. A few hours later we were in Ohio and greeted with a delicious breakfast before we left for Jersey.
We stopped an hour east of Pittspuke, in a small town, Liogonier. We had lunch in this gazebo.
I used to frequent this ice cream stand: Krauses.
The next day we stopped for a visit to Gettysburg.


Princeton was our next stop. Katie getting directions from cousin Julie.
The reason for the trip: A good friends wedding. I was honored to be the best man.
Bryan (groom) and I.
Katie and I.
The rehearsal dinner. Chicken Marsala, Chicken Parmesan and Tilapia.
This guy needed some calming.

Katie (black and white) had no problem checking out the festivities.

The Smalley's are a crazy bunch. I've never seen a family enjoy dancing so much.
Mom and I enjoying a dance.
On the way home we grabbed a bite to eat at Quaker Steak and Lube home of the best wings in America. No really, they are.
Next day we got together with dad and Cheryl. We wouldn't be home without Szalay's corn and a cookout.
Hiking in the Cuyohoga Valley N.P.

After our hike we went to Winkin' Lizard in Peninsula for lunch.


Kate's and I's first Monday night dinner. Ribs, Grandma's Onion Salad, and less than 15 min. with each family member. Bummer.
Home now. Kate's getting through work after a wild flight and marathon at the airport. No bags yet. Time to catch up.

Birthdays, picnics, hikes and reunions

Waiting for Katie to arrive left me with these two on some nights. This is Emma and Charlie. Emma is about a year old and Charlie 14. They about tore me in half on walks.
I am now a pro at ironing.

The Wheeler men and I went out for a morning of golf. It was Katies dad and I against the younger two. They are both better than Jay and I but only beat us by one stroke. We had to have a put off cause we were tied at the end of our 9 holes.

SSSSSSSSSSHHHHEEEEEEEE's HHHHHHHEEEEERRRRRRRRRREEEE!!!!!!!!

At Kate's requests; A wienie roast on the beach. A tradition.

Uncle Kevin and Emma.

Sunday, Katie and I stole some time away and went to Boulevard Park in Bellingham. A small coffee shop in the park on the water, Woods coffee, is where we caught up on being away from each other for two weeks and enjoyed a muffin and drinks.

Sunday afternoon: Grandpa Unruh's birthday.

Family photo.

"Blue Steele" and Katie's version of something.

Still Sunday afternoon: Peter's graduation party.

Yesterday, Monday we headed to Larabee State Park South of Bellingham for a stroll that turned into a bouldering adventure.

We made our own trail along these rocks.

Jay was too scared of falling so he held on like this the whole way.

Katie had too much fun on the rocks. She cried the whole way back to the car cause we had to leave.

Starfish.