Goal!

Connor scored his first soccer goal this week. He was so excited, and we were so proud of him! It took him awhile, but he's warming up to soccer. Maybe he's just finally ready.

Here's a shot from last month of Dylan playing for his team, the Orange Mangos. Sadly, his soccer season is prematurely over because he blew out his knee on the tramp last Saturday. We've got an appointment with the bone and joint doc on Wednesday. Hopefully it's not too serious, although I am concerned because it's not getting any better after several days.

He's pretty bummed to be a nine-year-old boy sidelined in the middle of summer.

Smooth Cruisin'

Here's Brad on the Lewis and Clark Riverboat, where Rift plays once a month for the Rock 101/Bud Light Smooth Cruise. Great shot.

After the Rain

Connor splashing after the rain.

I'm baaaack

I'm back from a highlight of my year - a visit with Rachel!

Six days in the White Mountains of Arizona was really nice. I even liked the cool, rainy weather.

I got to see Darius, Josie and meet baby Benno, who is such a sweetie, except for the not sleeping part.

Her sister and nephews were there (Taylor, LeShea, Hunter)...

and her parents, too.

While it was great to be able to take a trip, it was also good to get home. I've never been away from my boys so long, so I missed them a lot.

What a special trip! Whenever I'm around them, they always make me feel like part of the family, and I love them dearly.

Mwa!

Happy Birthday, Leah

Cookin' up some fun on Leah's first birthday!

Song of the Moment

Here's my song of the moment, "I Wanna Live in a Dream (In My Record Machine)" by Oasis (natch). It's been on repeat a lot lately.

It starts out kinda slow, but picks up around the one minute mark. I just love the chord progression and the melodic bass line. The band never released this song; they recorded it, but it never showed up on an album or b-side.

Take 4 and a half minutes and enjoy a great song on me.

Go West!

Ever since Connor learned about the Badlands and Medora in kindergarten this year, he's wanted badly to go see them. A couple weeks ago, he got his wish.

Here's a shot of the new, improved Burning Hills Ampitheater that houses the Medora Musical. Much better than the log benches I sat on thirty years ago when my family came to Medora. The show was very good.

The singing!

The dancing!

The best part of the show was the featured act of the month, Brothers From Different Mothers. Hilarious!

Medora has the biggest and best kids' playground I've ever seen.

Bull riding outside a cafe where we ate delicious breakfast both mornings.

Trouble on the mini golf links.

On our tour of Theodore Roosevelt National Park we saw wild horses...

...and two herds of bison.

On the way home we took the Enchanted Highway from I-94 down to Regent.

The kids loved the seven giant sculptures.

I hope they remember this trip and the fun times we had.

Happy Independence Day