First Day of School

I have always liked the first day of school. The anticipation of a new semester and learning lots of new things, buying piles of new books, the fresh pens and notebook paper, and (in the old days) unused crayons and pencils with full erasers. In the tradition of first days of school everywhere, I present the first-day-of-school photos. It was Braden's first day of not having classes to go to in about 19 years. It was also my first day as an instructor with my own course to teach (history of higher ed). I'm happy to report that all went well. To Braden's mortification, I also threatened to have our parents scan and send me photos of our first days as children... it looks like he will be spared. This year.

First day of class as an un-student.

First day as an official instructor with my own course.

Final Horse Show Weekend

This is the third and final installment of the horse show series from Summer 2006. We ended where we started, back at the Cayuga County Fairgrounds in Weedsport, NY. Saturday it lightly rained or poured all day. Sunday the weather was great, but the footing was slop from the day before. The conditions added to the debate over which was worse: showing in 95-degree heat and sun, or showing in 75-degree rain. The jury is still out. Braden came on Sunday and took some pictures, while simultaneously trying to stay away from the horses (to whom he is allergic, it turns out). Ariel and I had a pretty successful weekend, and showed improvement from the beginning of the summer. We wound up with reserve champion for the weekend in both of our divisions. And it turns out I can braid a pretty mean mane. (If you look closely at the first photo, I think you can see the 33 little braids... it only took me an hour and a half.)

A quick shot after all our classes were done on Sunday.

Going over cross-rails.

More cross-rails. What is that face the judge is making?

Ariel and I waiting for a class to start.

Cantering through the mud...

Trotting along in the mud...

Wisconsin Wedding Weekend!

We made another quick trip to Wisconsin for the wedding of Braden's friends Drew & Amber. It was quite reminiscent of ours (same church, pastor, reception location), and we had a great time. We also got to visit with our parents, siblings, and relatives, and ate a ton of great food (capped off by Kabul's and Babcock ice cream at the Union). We also went road bike shopping for Braden, with the help of our dads and Andrew, the excellent manager at Budget Bike. Our new purchase/family member arrives later this week... pictures of Braden in the biking outfit are surely forthcoming.

When we got back, Braden was feeling kind of sick...

So he slept on the dog.

Now I think Braden's getting annoyed at me for playing around with the camera in the low light. But this one was worth it, no?

Apparently when you're married long enough, your gestures become increasingly similar.

Braden's parents at the reception. (Note Quivey's Grove wedding planner extraordinnaire Mary Lou in the background.)

Drew & Amber's first dance

Happy 13th birthday to my "little" sister! It seems like just yesterday you were sucking on Coke cans in your car seat...

Self portrait of the three of us... taken a while ago on some hot night, judging by the sheen on our faces.

Relatives vs. Mountains

I just thought I would share some pictures my dad and brother sent of their recent bike trip through Montana, British Columbia, and Alberta. They joined my uncles Paul and Bruce and my cousin Brian for the six-day, 450 mile ride. They apparently had a great time, and it looks like it!

Gorgeous scenery...

According to Dad, the guys became known on the trip as that "Wisconsin family peleton." (Back: Uncle Paul, Uncle Bruce, Cousin Brian, Brother Josh; Front: Dad)

Dad and Josh

More beautiful landscape

Wildlife and baby wildlife...