Miles O'Fun

1710 Miles O'Fun provided by Ruby the Rainier and driver, Lori Koester...

1st stop - Effingham, for a Friday, June 27th wedding. My good friend Shelby finally married her man Kurt. It was a beautiful wedding and reception. Luckily, the reception was held at the KC Hall where the Pillers/Stevenson crew could meet up with me and hang out for a few before we all headed to St. Louis to melt at the Cards game on Saturday.

2nd stop - the melting pot, Busch Stadium on Saturday. At least the Cardinals had the decency to win for us wilting fans!

3rd stop - back to Carbondale for Jensin's 18th birthday on Sunday! I cooked biscuits and gravy and hashbrowns for breakfast. Then, Baleigh and I packed up for Kendallville, had birthday cake, and headed for the interstate. Dan, Kaid, Jensin, and Roger cooked out and played outdoor games before Jensin and Roger headed back to Effingham.

4th stop - to Kendallville Sunday night for our annual "One Room Schoolhouse" fun! Baleigh loves the camp and being spoiled by her Aunt Lou and Uncle Bob. Speaking of poor Uncle Bob, he was kind enough to take Baleigh fishing Monday evening, and on her first (and only) cast...she launched the entire rod and reel into the lake!! Bob spent the next 3 hours trying to untangle that mess...and alas, he saved all fishing gear AND found a catfish on the hook of this long ago cast of the wild child. I would have a picture of Baleigh and the catfish, but the silly kid refused to touch the fish :(

5th stop - Wednesday, July 1st - back home to Cdale for a few hours sleep before the next launch.

6th stop - Thursday morning - Holiday World! The Koester 5 made the trip to Santa Claus, IN, for the first time. The kids had all been before and they always rave about how much fun it is, so Dan and I decided we better try it - and had a blast! There is much fun to be had at that there park! The Voyage roller coaster is awesome and the water slides are all fun! It was a little chilly for July 2nd though, and next time, we will be going when it's a bit warmer.

7th stop -home - to rest!

There you go, folks. 1710 miles o'fun. Good times and safe travels. :)

Since then, we have...

* finished "The Hill" landscaping project...

12 Tons of ROCK!! Not the greatest picture, will try again. This just doesn't do it justice.

*Baleigh made the All-Star softball team. I will be coaching the best 10-yr-old softballers in Carbondale for the next 3 weeks. We will practice this week, travel to Herrin next week, and Duquoin the following week to compete against the best in Sounthern Illinois. If we win either tournament, we head to South Carolina or Florida for Nationals. Hmm...we'll see.

*Kaid finished driver ed class and will get his permit July 22nd.

*Football camp is a-going on this week.

*Got an estimate for an inground pool.

*And last but not least, Puppa Sade spent some time at the Vet! After worrying, calling the vet on Friday, more worry over the weekend, bringing her to the vet on Monday, more worry, paying $200 for tests to be run, and finally, getting good news that they couldn't find anything...I've decided that maybe, just maybe, this is a little trend and ploy by my smartie-pants dog!! All of sudden, I remember that last year, after returning from Kendallville, she was sick, and hmmm....couldn't find a real reason. I think she is a big faker, pouter, baby-butt that doesn't like it WHEN MOMMY LEAVES HER! Could this be?? I mean, this dog couldn't walk, wouldn't eat, drink, potty...anything. As soon as I brought her home from the vet, it was a miracle, completely healed. Well anyway, LouAnne says, next year, we are bringin' that Puppa Sade with us to Kendallville :)

From the archives, the girls were pretty in pink with Jensin wearing Dan's old "goggles" (we called them) and Baleigh wearing Jensin's glasses in the kitchen at Slate Creek. Remember the green stripes??