Trip to the Shriner's - Revisited

Your astute webmaster (who hasn't been very sharp lately) was informed tonight that pictures from the YD family's trip to the Shriner's Hospital in Minneapolis were never posted online.

Oops!

This trip occurred while our camera was lost (it still is, for that matter), so the photos had to be transferred from one camera to another. It's a simple process these days, but still a bit time consuming.

So, without any more delay. Here is our trip to the Shriner's (in pictures):

We rented a van - and the girls loved its built-in DVD.

We got in late, but still had time to eat at an outdoor cafe.

Wendy checked Lauren's flexibility as part of her exam.

Olivia, Emily and Julia apparently didn't get enough driving in on the way up to Minneapolis.

Who's more menacing? Emily or Boba Fett?

The girls loved the St. Paul skyline and compared it to Omaha's.

Thanks A Lot, Buddy

Any guesses as to how much it'll cost to fix this?

That black cloud that's been following Dad around lately (bike crash, sleeping problems, etc.) finally let rain pour down on him this morning.

He was driving to work normally enough, when the guy in front of him decided to slow down, then stop, then put his 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser in reverse.

Realizing (too late) that this monster of a vehicle was about to crush the front end of his new (really used, but it looked new) 2002 Kia Spectra, Dad laid on the horn. It was a sound that only served to warn the neighbors of the impending crash.

As you can see from these pictures, the damage was fairly substantial. Fortunately, Dad was not hurt and the nice gentleman driving the Land Cruiser (note the change in tone) will be having his insurance pick up the tab for the repair and a rental car. Oh, and he will be paying a little fine to go along with his inability to drive like the rest of us.

Not A Picture of Mom

Mom said not to put her picture online. So here is a picture of Veronica, with someone she likes to spend a lot of time with - especially when she is eating.

At the Dinner Table

Lauren (left) and Emily at the dinner table.

Olivia (left), Veronica and Julia pose during dinner.

Lauren (right) smiles while Veronica goes crazy.

Veronica Hits The Nine-Month Mark

Compare Julia (left) to Veronica, who is wearing the same outfit.

Veronica turned nine months old today and it's been awhile since we've provided a progress report. So here is where things stand, as of June 19, 2006:

She says "da" and "dad," but not "ma" or "mom."

She can wave "bye-bye" and "hi."

She has stood in place for as long as six seconds.

She prefers table food over baby food.

She does not like to go to bed at night.

She only nurses when nothing else is going on in the room.

Her favorite baby food is sweet potatoes and turkey.

She enjoys the swimming pool and being outside.

A Night at the Pool

Emily ignores the "6 and Under" sign on the baby pool to hang out with Veronica.

We've been spending quite a bit of time at the pool this summer, particularly at night after Dad comes home. The water has been a bit on the cool side, but with air temperatures being in the 80s, it hasn't been that uncomfortable.

Veronica is a "pool rat" who doesn't seem to mind the water no matter what it feels like. She's also proving to be quite popular with other pool-goers, who tend to fuss over her and want to hold her.

Thursday night, the girls had the added treat of hosting their cousins, Emily and Virginia, at the pool. They warmed up to the water with an outing in the baby pool, then moved to the big pool later on. As you can see from the picture below, they had a great time.

Below: (clockwise from top) Lauren, Emily W., Emily K. and Virginia enjoy the big pool.

South Team Wins One for 'Little Lo Lo'

Lauren was recognized as the Honorary Captain for the South team before the game.

She was involved in everything from pre-game warm-ups to the coin toss (which she won by calling "tails").

Sitting on the bench the entire game was "long," she said, but a lot of fun.

Defender Amy Turner, who played for Lincoln Pius X, poses with Lauren after the game.

In addition to receiving an engraved medal, Lauren also took home a very nice trophy and a captain's arm band.

Bike Racing in Downtown Omaha

Emily was serious about her first USCF race, the Junior Women's 10-13 State Championship Criterium.

Sunday was a big day for Emily and Lauren. Dad invited all the girls to participate in the kids races at the Dave Babcook Memorial Stage Race in Downtown Omaha. Initially, all four of the older girls took him up on the invitation. But ultimately, only Lauren and Emily participated.

Emily actually got a taste of some big-time bike racing. Dad registered her for the Jr. Women's division (ages 10-13), of which there were two competitors - Emily and Marie Brackenbury. Emily has a Team Kaos jersey, which she wore, along with her black shorts that say "Cutie" on the butt. (We're pretty sure no one else had a sponsor with the name "Cutie" involved.)

Emily's race was three laps of a half-mile course. Riding on a single-speed bike against Marie (who was on a mountain bike), Emily found her biggest challenge to be the hill going up from the start/finish line. But she made it every time and finished second. She also won a gift certificate from Bike Masters, as well as the silver medal for the 2006 state championship.

Lauren also exceeded our expectations. Lined up to race 100 yards, she flew through the finish line (in third place) and kept going. And going. Right up the big hill. Over one block. Down a 25 mph downhill and into the 150-degree turn to the finish. We couldn't believe it. Even Uncle Neil tried to chase her down to tell her she had already finished. But instead, she kept on riding and got a big round of applause as she crossed the finish line - again.