Our Family

We decided to go visit Lisa's cousin Jon in New York City before he moves to London this fall. The weather was pretty rotten (rain nearly all weekend and a cancelled flight home), but we had a great time none the less. As our tour guide, Jon showed us many sights around the city. He lives in a small apartment on Mulberry Street near Chinatown and Little Italy. He took us to his office building at One Liberty Plaza where we had an great view of Ellis Island, ground zero, etc. The highlight of the trip for Jonathan was attending a taping of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (with Lance Armstrong as guest). Lisa's favorite part was catching up with Jon, with the "intense" spectacle of Times Square a close second. We visited Ellis Island and the Guggenheim museum, saw a couple films (A Prairie Home Companion and An Inconvenient Truth), walked through Central Park, stumbled upon the annual gay pride parade, ate at several interesting places, and hoofed it around the city.

The last weekend of June, while Jonathan and Lisa were in New York City, the boys stayed with Grandma and Grandpa B in Troy. We're not sure if they even missed us. Activities included: a picnic at Mercy Bellbrook where Allison works, putt-putt, swimming, and (allegedly) ice cream after every meal.

Last week was a busy week for the boys...Tae Kwon Do for Elliot and VBS and Nature Camp (at the Chippewa Nature Center) for both. Here are some photos from Nature Camp:

Thanks to everyone who sponsored me in last weekends MS150. With my friend Eric from church, I rode from Grand Rapids to Holland and back (78 miles the first day and 72 the second). This was my 9th MS150 (1996-1998 and 2000 in TN and 2002-2006 in MI). As usual, I didn't do much training (a total of about 50 miles...not counting 10 miles every three days on the stationary bike). This was the first year I've done the Grand Rapids version (I usually do the Davisburg to Lansing ride in July). I think the Grand Rapids ride is a bit easier. It was also great weather...a little bit chilly in the mornings but overall quite comfortable. I think it was my best MS150 yet...a little bit sore afterwards but not too much. Eric and I seemed fairly well-matched as riders and rode together both days.

Here are some photos of Eli S. at 9 or 10 months.