What I did on my summer vacation..........

This is the second time in something like 15 years that I've taken a "real vacation".
Two years ago, and again this year I went to my uncle's home with my boys and mom,
(Dad couldn't coordinate his days off with mine, but we're hoping for next year!).

Again this year, my aunt and uncle along with their son (my cousin) were able to come up from Texas. This year though, Blair had a traveling companion of his own:his fiancée. (she really is a terrific gal. he's one lucky guy!)

It was great seeing family again, after a long hiatus.
Another reason we were going down was to bring back a riding lawn tractor my uncle was giving to my mom.

The trip down wasn't too bad, as it's only about a four-and-a-half drive, and there's ALWAYS something interesting to see.

I've enjoyed going to my uncle's, as it's out in the country, but doesn't feel like it's in the country.
Sure, he's got his own fishing pond, and a butt-load of acres, but this is no farm house.
He's worked long and hard to accomplish what he has, and I'm proud to have him as my "wealthy uncle".

The best part of the trip is just seeing everyone again.
Until two years ago, I hadn't seen my Texan relatives in about 18 years, and only a few years less for my Missouri clan.
To see how my cousins have grown is just mind blowing, (my uncle's wife pointed out one evening after dinner, that I held the distinction of being the "eldest cousin". I'm not sure how I feel about that!).

And now that the youngest of all of the cousins is getting married, it just seems like yesterday I saw this little bugger in diapers. Well, in actuality, the last time I'd seen him he was in them.

I look forward to the future, being able to reconnect to family, and watching the family grow.

OCC Invades North Iowa

Today, I took the boys up to see a creation of the boys from "American Chopper" and got some shots .

The Teutuls were hired to create a chopper that runs on E85.
This creation is touring North Iowa promoting the use of the ethanol blended fuel.

It seems that an episode of "American Chopper" this fall will showcase the build of this bike.
For more info on the bike, click here.

and so it continues........

Maybe it's just the season, but I'm feeling more and more lonely.

I try so hard to actually get out and do things (I wanted to go to a few local bands over the past week, but just didn't make it), but I've never been good at going places by myself, let alone introducing myself to new people.

I think I've got this preconceived notion that being 38, I have to ACT 38, whatever the hell that means.
I realize that my maturity level is about what it was about 10 years ago. I just don't feel I've grown up any.