Sam's Birthday Party - Sam is turning 7 Here is the proof.

A Met's fan through and through....Happy Birthday Sam.


















Group photo of the party at Guthridge Park.

A visit from three skis & Summer baseball

Tracy, Riley and Jack


















Riley, Jack and Kate


This weekend we had a visit from my friend Tracy and her two children, Jack and Riley. Tracy and I went to UW together and have been friends since we were 18. That's 17 years of friendship and my the things we've seen and done together! Heart break, heart ache, turning 21, drinking, partying, studying, carousing, getting in trouble, staying up late, crying, living together, being neighbors, standing up in weddings, serving as godparents, drinking wine, going out to dinner/lunch, laughing, watching movies, eating ice cream, working, cleaning, walking, playing tennis, talking on the phone, visiting each other, sending email, turning 30, finding out about babies, you name it, we've done it all and probably seen it all :)

This was our first time together overnight those with all four of our chidren together. What a special time and a new course of memories to make. We don't see each other often, but we keep in touch often and we'll be friends until we are old and gray.

Riley and Kate played together fabulously. They really were self entertained, which is good, as having a one year old baby in a house that is not child proof, requires the attention of at least one adult :)

Here's some photos:

Erica's RA Update

Just returned from quarterly rheumatology appointment. First I want to commend Dr. Bagheri and Physician's Clinic of Iowa for always being on time for my appointments. The last four visits, I've had Kate and/or Sam with me, and the doctor is always on time, very much appreciated!

The good news is Dr. Bagheri may take me off the methotrexate at my next appointment, to see if I'm in a remission, or at least begin the tapering process. I've been on the methotrexate for two years this fall, since my horrible hospitalization and diagnosis time. I've always tested seronegative or negative for the RA factor. He explained, with his seronegative patients, he likes to try reducing and removing the medicine to see if the body is able to forget the illness, ie the medicine has suppressed the immune systems for this time period and it's likely to forget the RA. Pretty cool huh?

It's worth a try, definitely! I've only had one mild flare and some swelling in my wrist over the past year, but nothing since March, so at my October 21 appointment, he will assess and determine the next course. I'm pretty excited!!

The doc also reconfirmed the 12 pounds I've lost over the past four months. Whoohoo!!

Sam riding his bike part 2

That's my boy - riding his bike for the first time

One of Sam's goal's for this summer is learning to ride his bike. On Sunday, I decided it was time to take the training wheels off for good! They didn't work too well to begin with so off they went! We went up and down the cul de sac, with me holding the seat and running behind him, trying to get him to find his balance. Chris ran a few times too, but he's taller so it wasn't even more difficult for him. I was determined to go back and forth 100 times, I think we made it to 20 runs. Needless to say it was about 100 degrees, running it felt about 120!

We took yesterday off and tonight when I came home from work, I put the tennis shoes on. Sam put his knee pads and helmet on (always wear a helmet) and away we went. I didn't even barely hold onto him the first time, and he was pedaling and biking on his own. After five times, back and forth, he went to find Dad to show off his newest skill! Check out the video and you'll see...Today's the day! You can see a nice view of our cul de sac too! Hooray for Sam!

Michael Jackson

Okay, it's the end of an era, or the resurgence of the past, the passing of one of the world's most well known people. Whether a musical genius or a reclusive freak, the story intrigues and I follow the news quite closely and want to watch every minute of coverage. I had the leather purse with Thriller's MJ emblem on the side, I played four square with my friends in middle school and sang Beat it. Moving on through high school, I can remember driving the streets of New London in the back of a tricked out Jeep Wrangler listening to Black and White.

Crazy, Busy Weekend

The Earl family went on the road with the KCRG RV to visit some of Iowa's family friendly destinations. We traveled in the luxury of a 32 foot RV. One of our favorite visits was to Grinnell, a picture perfect little town with several shops, restaurants and a town square. Sam and Kate were greeted by several of the shopkeepers and owners with special treats and prizes and decorated a huge cupcake at Yumi's where we stopped for lunch. This is definitely a city we will return to spend some more time in. Other stops included Maytag Cheese Farm, Prairie Meadows race track, Tanger outlet malls and the Amana Chocolate Haus. Chocolate - yummy. We dipped marshmallows into chocolate and enjoyed an iced hot chocolate. The kids thought the chocolate gummy bears were delicious too.

Friday night we stayed at the Adventureland Inn and swam for hours in the pool which featured two six foot slides. Kate surprised us by jumping into the water fearlessly and resurfacing with a huge smile on her face. Sam braved the water slides after coaxing and bribery from mom and mastered the back float. Saturday morning we headed over to Adventureland Park, and enjoyed many of the rides and attractions. A family run business, in it's 35th year, this is definitely a must stop and visit for all Iowa families. Very beautiful and fun with something for all ages! The kids weren't up for the roller coasters, but we did enjoy a ride in the Ferris Wheel! A very productive weekend amidst the heat and sun, only I ended up with a slight sunburn on my shoulders. Lots, lots of fun on a busy weekend.