Eight thousand, fifty-three days (and still counting...)

That's approximately how long I've been married to my childhood sweetheart and best friend. We celebrated 22 years recently by heading north to Pittsburgh to catch a NATS game in impressive PNC Park. (He's wined and dined me at some of the best restaurants in resorts around. Enjoying a baseball game together for our anniversary was just as wonderful.)
Before the game, we had lunch on top of Mount Washington, took a ride on the Duquesne Incline, built in 1877 and still running, and walked around the city a bit.

(This Segway Tour along the Alleghany River was too funny not to snap a picture of.)

Heinz Field
My happy husband watching warm-ups and waiting for autographs.

We met precious few NATS fans up there. Funny how there is instant camaraderie with these folks when you're in the enemy's camp.

We had fantastic seats right behind the NATS dugout.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have the Perogies Race. We told the people in front of us that in DC we have the Presidents Race. He turned to his wife and said, "They have the Presidents Race and we have the Perogies Race. What does that say about us?"

We happened to be there on Fireworks Night - a very impressive fireworks show at the end of the game over the Ohio River which you can see from your seat in the stadium.
It was a wonderful weekend. There's nowhere else I would have rather been than with you, my friend. Actually, considering that I've known you since I was, *gulp*, thirteen it's really more like 11,315 days that you've been my best friend. (Wow! We're old, dear.)
Happy Anniversary!!

: This post is dedicated to fellow diehard NATS fans, young Andrew T. and Dre & Becca K. :

At the Park with the Brewers

The Brewer kids were very willing subjects for Janelle recently. We met them at the park and Janelle did a photo shoot with them. A few of the 500 shots she took are here on her blog.Yep, these are four of the cutest kids you will ever meet - no question. Caleb started out a little timid, but became quick friends with Janelle, although he was having trouble with her name. "Caleb, her name is Janelle. Can you say Janelle?" "Nun?" Ya, sure, ok you can call her Nun if you want to.
Listen pal, with that adorable face you can do whatever you want as far as I'm concerned. (Dave and Jen - don't ask me to babysit for you unless you don't mind me undoing all of your hard work.)
Nun?

Happy Father's Day

Meet my dad, Norman Bridge Keller, Jr., born in 1922 in Pasadena, California. A Civil Engineer by trade, he met my mother on a blind date. Secluded in his room, studying very hard for school, he refused his roommate's prompting to come out to the living room to "meet this girl." After giving in to his friend's insistence, he left his desk, walked toward the living room, turned the corner and saw her. In that moment he says, "I saw my future." (What a romantic!) They married and had 4 girls, of whom I was the baby. Due to his career, they had opportunity to travel worldwide together. Quite unexpectedly, as these things are, my mother had a severe stroke in 1991 which left her almost completely paralyzed. Dad lovingly and meticulously cared for her in their home for 9 1/2 years around the clock until her death in 2000. Their family physician was certain the only reason she lived as long as she did was due to Dad's thorough and watchful care. He loved his bride. Dad, thank you for your example of sacrificial love not only for your children, but for your wife. Thank you for providing a loving and nurturing home, but thank you most of all for your fervent love for your Savior. I love you, Daddy.

You know it's summertime when...

You spend the day at the Antietam Recreation Center
The Rope Swing

The Zip Line



The Carousel
The Rope Bridge



The Wild West Show




The Petting Farm

The River Slide. This very old, very loud tractor runs the very homemade River Slide.

(click on this picture. You've gotta see their expressions!)

This is nothing like the Log Ride at King's Dominion. When this thing hits the water it feels like you've hit concrete.
Then the very old, very loud tractor pulls the car back up the hill.
Of course Evelyn was content to spend the rest of the afternoon in the pool.
"Mom! Watch me do a handstand!"
Yep, summer's here!

8R Tapestry Class

Since the 8th grade Tapestry class met at our house I was able to get a lot of pictures throughout the year. Janelle and Libby did an excellent job putting this slideshow together for the class. While they had lectures twice a week, the more interesting activites to capture are here in the slideshow. Some of the things you'll see are painting Egyptian god facsimiles, carving soap sculptures, measuring Noah's Ark, playing Ancient History Jeopardy against the other classes, writing Hebrew Scrolls, making Hammentaschen for Purim, playing Bible Pictionary (girls against the boys - girls won!), re-enacting a Greek Tragedy, making stained glass pieces, and of course playing Ultimate Frisbee. To the 8R class, it's been a joy having you in our home. Can't wait until September!