Try this!

I have a challenge for you.  I've had this link on my computer for quite a while and Marina enjoys using it to help her learn her states.  Well, it's quite obvious that I don't know my states as well as I should!  Take a try and see how you do.  Tonight I scored 96% (48/50 states correct), Average Error was 5 miles and my time was 277 seconds.  Beat me!  :O)

www.jimspages.com/States.htm

Kristen

Grampa finally breaks his silence...

Matt & Diana - Marcus Zeus 8 lbs. - 6 oz. February 6

Eric & Vicki - Krystina Nichol - 7 lbs. - 7 oz. February 10

The New Addition

 Well everyone, we have a new addition to the family. We went out and purchased a new 2009 VW CC Luxury Sedan. We’re very excited to have traded in the Mazda after it had just rolled 100k and were looking forward to many years of fun in the new car. Here are some pictures to commemorate the experience. We’ve already had some minor problems with the vehicle. We’re having a hard time hooking up the ipod and I accidentally broke the internal trunk release this morning. We’ve since got that fixed and we found out that we need a separate cord for the ipod connection. Otherwise, we’ve been playing with the new radio and navigation system. It’s got a 4 cylinder 2.0 L turbo charged engine that definitely has some pickup. It also has heated seats, a 6 CD indash changer, and a host of other features that make the car very safe and fun to drive. We’re looking forward to showing it off someday, but I doubt it’ll be making the long trips any time soon.

My dad had a CT scan on Monday and we’re just waiting to hear the results back and when they’re going to schedule his surgery. I’ll keep everyone posted.

Congrats to Matthew on the opening of his new restaurant. Keep the employees happy and meet the customers unmet desires! Do that and you’ll be very successful.

Take care and we’ll talk soon!

Bryan

Congratulations Matt!!!

We saw the Plain Dealer article, so I guess that makes your new restaurant and position official.  Hearty congratulations!  I'm sure it feels good to have achieved a long-term career goal.  Now, tell us more about the new place.  I see it's in a very old and historic building.  How many seats?  What's the theme and menu?  Will there be daily specials or a set menu?  Who's making the pastries?  :)

You mentioned that this could be the first of many others with the same or similar themes that you might have responsibility for in the future.  Will they all be in Ohio or in other states as well?  Most importantly, when are you going to bring one to Battle Creek?  We are in DESPERATE need of good restaurants here!!

I'll be toasting you with my after dinner drink tonight....

Cheers! 

Chuck

More and less....

More rain...

...less hair.

A few blog changes...

Hey guys,

I went ahead and switched this blog over to the updated editor, so you will notice a few changes the next time you post.  I've updated my personal blog and really like the new version, so I decided to do it here, too.  The biggest changes I've noticed so far is the picture uploading process and the toolbar for new posts.  Play with it, have fun with it and ask questions if you have them.  I may not have an answer for you, but I'll try!  :O)

And just for fun, check out this picture of our afternoon fun yesterday.  It's looking like we'll be repeating this today, as well!  This kid LOVES any kind of water!  He's so funny! 

We miss you guys!
Love,
Kristen

Hee Haw

Last evening, Stephanie and the leadership team presented awards at their annual banquet for team service to the plant. As part of the awards ceremony, the leadership team did a little production based on the show Hee Haw. While some of the humor may be lost on you, I thought you'd appreciate a clip of Stephanie on stage. Here's a still shot of her at the podium giving her award.

My dad has his consult with the surgeon. He's not convinced that it's an aneurysm and he wants dad to have a CT scan on Monday. The worst case is him having part of his aorta removed and replaced with a tube. Otherwise they intend to improve circulation to the legs.
I'll keep everyone informed on the proceedings.

Home Again

The trip was GREAT!!!!!!!! Nice to be home, though, as it seems like we've been gone forever. Anyway, as promised, a little more about the trip. Three nights in the Big Apple meant three shows, at least for the girls. Two, only, for the guys. I couldn't go to Mama Mia because I had an appointment to have my fingernails pulled out so Chuck kept me company. As luck would have it, my session got cancelled so we went and had some beer and late night snacks at Emmett O'Lunney's. Still, we all had a great time, especially the shuttle ride to the airport this morning. The driver was quite an interesting character who provided an equally interesting ride. Not sure but I believe he may, possibly, have been trained by a Kamikazee. : )

Progress update....

This message is Murphy approved!

Our Dr.'s appointment went well yesterday. Everything is going great. we got ultrasound pics, pretty cool. Here are some pictures as requested......

The Last Hurrah

Well, we had a great day! Started with a ride on the subway and then went on to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Wall Street, Ground Zero, late lunch at Katz's Deli (America's oldest and seen in When Harry Met Sally), more subway, a stroll through Central Park and finished off with the girls seeing Mama Mia on Broadway and the guys heading back to Emmet O'Lundey's for a late snack after downloading all of today's pix. Wow! Tuesday mornings brings us back to reality and work on Wednesday; some to jobs and others to building walls, splitting wood, etc., etc. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!

Bad connection. Will post more tomorrow. (Maybe)

Speaking of Crazy...

Here's a sample of what I was talking about in the previous post when I said we thought New Orleans was a zoo. Some shots of Times Square yesterday, last night and today when they let out the confetti.

Got broom?

New York Ciy Sunday Walk-a-bout

Met up with C & C after the 9 am mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral and then headed out for a 4-hour walk around Manhattan. Lots of stuff to see including Empire State, Rockefeller Plaza, Radio City Music Hall (Yup, preparations were under way for the awards tonight. And we thought New Orleans was a zoo, HA!) Fnished the walk with Emmett O'Lunney's Irish Pub and it was just what the doctor ordered for a late lunch. YUMMO! Went to Times Square and to see Shrek on Broadway last night and Chicago tonight, just off Broadway. All in all, we're having a great time. Tomorrow it's off to see Lady Liberty and what ever else we can find. Although, from the photo below, you can see that we've already seen her. Funny, I thought she'd have been bigger....

We're back.....

...In the States that is. Just arriving New York harbor. Had a great time. Will post more later.

Love to all!

Charlie

We're back.....

...In the States that is. Just arriving New York harbor. Had a great time. Will post more later.

Love to all!

Charlie

How are the babes?

Diana and Vicki,

I've been thinking about you girls and would love an update on how the babies are doing. Have you had a recent appointment? How are their sizes? Can you see any resemblance on the ultrasounds yet? And how about some pictures of your growing bellies? (Really, is there anything more amazing than a pregnant belly picture???) Diana, how have your headaches been recently?

Anyway, I hope you are all doing well. Just wanted you to know that you're being thought of! Post an update if you're up for it. I'd love to see/hear how you're progressing!

Love,
Kristen

Caitlin's First Day (Year 2)

Caitlin began her second year of preschool this morning with an earlier than expected start. Mommy got up at 5:30 to get some work done. When she came to wake me at 6:30, she got suprised by a Caitlin lying wide awake in her bed. I took a shower while Stephanie entertained Caitlin. Then it was off to the tub for a bath. After the bath was a quick breakfast before picture time. We took some shots of Caitlin and headed to preschool for her first day.

Caitlin was right at home as soon as she entered the classroom. She quickly said a goodbye to Mom and ran right past Daddy on her way to the toys. After a quick wave goodbye, it was on to her day at preschool. When I picked her up at 11:00, she greeted me with a hug. As usual, she was not very informative on her activities of the day, but I later found out that she made a paper balloon with her name on it while in class.

It was Daddy's first day of class too. I am taking an exercise class this session. It's a core target class and I quickly found out how badly I fell out of shape over the summer. I will have a long haul to get back to some respectable shape, but the class does look fun.

Anyway, thanks for all the well wishes and inquiries about my Dad. He's just relaxing at home while he waits for his appointments. When we hear more, I'll be in touch. (In case anyone hasn't heard....my Dad has an aortic aneyurism that needs to be operated on. It's been there since his heart attack back in 2005 and only now has demonstrated any real threat.)



I hope everyone is well and we'll talk to you all soon!!



Bryan

Lobster for Lunch

We are about 30 minutes from leaving Bah Hahbah and had another great day. Toured Acadia National Park this morning then Don and I had fresh lobster and local beer for lunch. We are now in the bar having a drink before getting ready for dinner. Weather is still perfect. Clear, sunny and in the 70s. Seas have been VERY calm. Looks like we are lucky with weather here just like at Michigan City.

Tomorrow we arrive in Canada with a leisurely pace from now on.

A good week with love to all!!

The Old Farts

Message for Caitlin

Hi Caitlin,

Tomorrow is the start of your preschool and we want to wish you well as you start your second year. We're sure that you will enjoy the learning, the activities and your classmates just like you did last year. We know you have been waiting a long time for school to start so tomorrow will be VERY exciting for you. Please ask Mommy and Daddy to take pictures and post them here so that we can share in your Big Day.

We are having fun on our cruise on the BIG ship in the BIG water. We are enjoying the ship and the interesting sites at each city where we stop. We are also enjoying sharing the fun with Aunt Pat and Uncle Don. We are probably having as much fun here as you will have on your first day of school! Grandma is especially excited because she did all the planning for our vacation and loves to cruise.

Enjoy your first day of school and we will look forward to seeing pictures of your big day.

We love you!

Grandma and Grandpa

New York and Newport

Its day 2 of the cruise and we are back aboard ship after spending the morning in Newport, RI. Yesterday we had an uneventful trip to the pier and were settled in long before departure. Great sights from the deck as we left NY harbor. I would show you a few but can't load picture on the Blackberry. Hopefully we can get to an internet cafe in one of the ports. We're too cheap to pay the rates on the ship.

Hope you are all enjoying the Labor Day holiday!

Love to all!!!

C, C, D and P

Happy Anniversary to You!!

Happy Anniversary Matt and Diana! We remember it as though it was yesterday, but a lot has happened in your lives since then. And by this time next year you will be celebrating with a special little reminder (or two) of what you set in motion six years ago.




Enjoy your special day. We will toast you at dinner tonight on the cruise ship!

Love,

Connie & Chuck (Mom & Dad too!)

Morning of Day 1 - Chinatown

Hello All,

Started our day with the free continental breakfast at the hotel and then off to take a walk around Chinatown. The Asian markets here are amazing and the stuff available is almost unbelievable. Can't see all that well but the one photo is the "live" seafood display; blue crab, lobsters, shrimp, all sorts of fish, frogs, shell fish and, pretty much, you name it. I bet Matt would love this place! Had fun watching the woman chasing the blue crab around with a set of tongs to grab them and put them back in the basket.
View of the Hotel from Main Street.Chang Jiang Market Outside and inside.

The lady on the right with the long jacket was the one chasing the crabs...

Love to all!!!
C,C,D & P

Happy Anniversary to You!

Happy Anniversary Mike and Kristen! How can 11 years have gone by so fast??? The good news is that you two look just like you did in 1998. Except now you travel in a much larger vehicle!


We hope that you enjoy your special day. Certainly the kids will want it to be special also and we're sure it will be! We will be thinking of you and will look forward to hearing all about it.

Congratulations from the Big Apple!

Love,

Mom & Dad

Phase one of world domination is complete!

Hello, just wanted to let everyone know that after months of waiting and anticipation, I got the news I was waiting for. I am going to be the Executive Chef of the companies new restaurant that will be opening in Hudson, OH. We should be open for business by mid November, cross your fingers, restaurants never open on schedule. I am very excited about this, not only to be running my own kitchen again, but the growth potential is huge. The company is planning on replicating this theme around Ohio and the surrounding areas. So if all goes well, I will be taking on a larger role with this concept.

On a different note, all is well with the little Jankowski. Progress on the house is going nicely. Should be painting the nursery in a few weeks.

Have a good weekend!


Matt