Merry Christmas

Here are the kids visiting Santa in downtown Indy.

Have a Merry Christmas. Also....even though this is a picture of Santa....please remember the real reason for the season!

God Bless.

Charles

December 7, 2005

Miscellaneous PIctures

(Left - Chase definitely enjoys dressing up like a cowboy and also likes his homemade bow/arrow.)

Below - Chase (on left) and his fellow Cub Scouts learn about electricity













Kids at the Indpls Symphony

and

Kids seeing Santa

November 30, 2005

SOUTH AMERICA TRIP. Mom, Dad, Greg, Debbie, John and Charles took a trip to Argentina recently. The reason was to visit Mom's "roots." So we flew into Buenos Aires on Nov 11. We spent time sight-seeing in BsAs and also spent a day in a "suburb" - Lomas de Zamora where my Mom was born and raised. She moved away after graduating from High School in 1945. Obviously things had changed! We were able to spend a lot of time at the manse/church where she grew up which was really cool! She told lots of stories which was fun. Perhaps in another entry I will tell more of the history...but for now I wanted to get some pictures up! The boys left on November 15th around 10pm to return to the US. Mom and Debbie continued on to Iguacu Fall and then on to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to spend a few days with Hugh and Joanne.

Mom dancing the Tango on the streets of San Telmo

Mom at the Lomas Athletic Club







Fresh Produce in Montevideo, Uruguay.




















My grandfather (My Mom's Dad) pastored a church in Buenos Aires. But THIS is a picture of the church my GREAT-grandfather pastored in Montevideo, Uruguay.














Mom in the sanctuary of the Methodist church in Lomas de Zamora where my grandfather served as pastor for more than 30 years.














Greg, Debbie, Mom and me in the courtyard of the church. The manse is just to the right of this picture.















Greg, Mom, me, Dad in front of the manse.










My Mom sitting at the original organ in the sanctuary (below).

November 3, 2005

Well, I know it has been awhile! Sorry. I know you visit here everyday waiting for the latest update!

Here are some interesting tidbits:

1. We got to see Alex's band perform in the RCA Dome. We sat way up high and it was neat to see the formations! They got 8th out of 32 bands. The weekend of Nov 10th are the Grand Nationals in which they will compete.
2. It is going to be 75 tomorrow so I am going to ride the motorcycle. Out firm is having a Community Service day so I will be planting flower bulbs downtown.
3. I spent $297 last night at the grocery store and it all fit into one cart. As they say in Texas..."Damn!"
4. Kids are all fine. Stinkers sometimes but fine.
5. Ellen is good too!

Here are some pics from Halloween. Pay particular attention to Nate's smile.

October 10, 2005

You know, I worked in I.T. for 16 years and technology frustrates me a lot. I just entered a bunch of data and the Netscape crapped out on me and I lost everything. Geeeesh!

Anyway, as I was saying...I went to my high school 25th reunion this past Fridat night. You can see more here. We all had a lot of fun! It was an informal gathering as opposed to one of those "hotel-and-sit-down-dinner" things. I think this was a fun way to do it. We had a tour of the school which was really entertaining! Then we attended about 1/2 of the football game and then headed to the Bourbon Barrel. I don't know how many people were there from our class....maybe 30 or so. I saw people I hadn't seen in years and it was really fun. I thought most people looked great. One interesting comment from the subsequent emails which are flying around is that it really doesn't seem to matter what "group" you hung out with in high school...because now we all talk and get along fine. Cool.

In other developments:

• I wonder if I had one of these instead of my 2003 Super Glide if Ellen might ride more with me. Hmmm!?
• The 9 week grading period ends this Friday. Should be interesting around our house!!
• We leave for Boston next week for Carl's wedding.
• Next month I go to Argentina for 5 or 6 days. More on that later.
  

September 21, 2005

Things are going well. This past weekend was the Heartwalk in Indy. It was a beautiful day and about 4,500 people showed up to walk! This year we set up a little tent and table and sold "GOT HEART ?" wristbands. All profit goes to the AHA for "Team Alex." I think we sold over 100 wristbands and we still have plenty left if you are interested! It looks like Alex raised more than she did last year! Perhaps close to $14,500! Looks like she will be #1 or #2 again this year.

Alex got to cut the ribbon to begin the Walk. She was also interviewed by the Indpls Star newpaper and an article appeared on Sunday! Well, as soon as the walk started, Alex and Ellen to drive to Ohio for a marching band competition. The performed twice and didn't arrive home until after 1:00 a.m.!! Alex seems to enjoy marching band. I will get some pics soon.

The boys are fine. Both are doing well in school and keeping busy with sports, school, and church. Ellen and I are busy at work and volunteer stuff. But all in all life is pretty good. How about you??

Here is an interesting concept. I really wonder which family members read this blog...if any. So here is what I propose: It is 4pm on Wednesday September 21, 2005. Whatever "family member" emails me and tells me they read this part of the blog will receive in the mail $5 of McDonald's gift certificates. Sorry, non-family members are not eligible for this contest. So, you know my email...let me know and you can "have it your way"...no that's Burger King...you can "think outside the Bun"....no....you're Eatin Good in the Neighborhood...no...you can have two-all-beef-patties-special sauce-lettuce-cheese-pickles-onions-on a sesame-seed-bun!!!

Well, take care of yourself and have a GREAT day.

Wednesday September 14, 2005

Sorry I haven't updated lately. Here are some pics from John re: Ophelia Prep. You can track the storm here: Ophelia. Keep John and Michelle in your prayers for sure!

OTHER: Alex had an unexpected trip to Riley Hospital Monday. She has been feeling "pressure" in her chest which has been quite disturbing. They checked her all out and determined they think it is scar-tissue that is causing the discomfort. That's good new/bad news......good news that it isn't something worse.....bad news because Alex would really like them to do something to take it away! Alex continues to march in the band at Center Grove HS. It is challenging from an endurance standpoint.

Nate is adjusting well to school we think. His grades are good and he continues to enjoy travel soccer. Saturday I was at the fields from noon - 5pm. Then Sunday he had an "away" game ... but still in Indy.

Chase is also good. He makes us laugh as do all the kids!

We try to have lots of laughs and make life fun. So far so good.....most of the time.

The Heartwalk is this Saturday. Alex has done well on fund-raising...I think she will beat last year's total and will end up around $14,000. Ellen and Alex leave immediately after the Walk and drive to Ohio for a marching band competition. The other kids are taking the school busses and Alex will join them in Ohio. SHould be fun! The boys and I will go to soccer, etc!

That's all for now. Keep in touch!!!

Tuesday August 30

SOCCER CHAMPS

Nate's U-12 Travel Soccer team won a tournament this weekend. This is the first time one of Nate's teams has ever won a tournament...so it was VERY exciting. Nate is in the back row (Number 12). They played 4 games over the weekend and won 3 and tied 1. Nate played some pretty good games as a defender and mid-fielder. He got stung by a bee right before the tourney and had a swollen ankle...but played well anyway. (Click on the picture for a larger version)

Minnow Races !!

Here's a fun activity for people of all ages: MINNOW RACES. I suppose the SPCA might have a problem with this because in our situation the minnows bite the big one the next day. But here's how it works. You buy several 10' sections of cheap plastic guttering and put end caps on both ends so they hold water. Fill gutters with water. Purchase a bunch of minnows and bring them home. Every person involved selects a minnow and puts the little fella in their own Dixie Cup to keep track of their very own minnow. Be sure to pick a nice name for your minnow like: Speedy, Jaws, Margarita, or something else.

We then set up a white board with a single-elimination bracket chart like the NCAA Final Four. Start out with two people who will race their fish. They stand at one end of the gutters and pour their fish into separate gutters. They then try to coax their fish to the other end of the gutter. Let the Cheering begin! You can coax your fish by tapping the outside of the gutter, but can't put your hands or fingers or anything else inside the gutter or in the water. We actually drew a "START" and "FINISH" line with permanent marker before filling the gutter with water. We put these lines about 2-3" inside each end of the gutter.

The fish will (hopefully) swim toward the other end. The minnows then go back into their owner's cups. Winner eventually goes on to next round. Loser gets flushed....I mean put out to stud. Since this is single elimnination, any loser is permanently out of the competition. Eventually you end up with one Grand Champion...who ultimately meets the same fate as all the other losers.

This is pretty good, clean, cheap fun. Let me know if you have questions.

Thursday August 25

KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL

Well, the second week of school is in full swing! Alex continues Marching Band...although future participation is somewhat in the air due to endurance issues. I think a decision will be made soon. Not sure if she can perform some other function in the Marching Band besides actually marching.
Nate likes the public middle school so far I think. Travel soccer is active again with practice 2 nights a week and games on the weekends. Chase is in Drama Club at school (one afternoon a week) and will probably tak piano again. No soccer this Fall.

Wednesday Aug 17

Well, no one reads this so this is turning out to be more of a diary than anything. All 3 kids are in school now and seem to be fine. Chase is in his familiar environment and doing fine. Nate is doing great so far. He has met some new friends and is okay. Alex is doing fine too. She is having consistent heart issues which is extremely frustrating for her. I am taking her to Riley Friday for an appointment. Need to mow the grass tonight and fix dinner. Chase is coming to my office after school because we still don't have after-school care figured out. I think we are getting close though. Unfortunately, it doesn't work for Nate to be in charge and Chase be there too...so we are having to hire someone to be with Chase from 3:30-5 most days. Whatever!

Things are just busy as usual...we'll keep you posted!

Adios.

Wednesday August 10

Would you like to comment?

Okay, so you would like to comment on some of these riveting entries in the Miller Indiana Blog. It is really quite simple now that I have fixed a few things on this site.

Near the bottom of any entry on which you would like to comment it will say something like "0 comments." When you click on this area, a new window will pop-up. In this new window you will see a box that says "LEAVE YOUR COMMENT." Type in your comment. Just below this area you will see a place to click next to the word "Anonymous." Do this and then below that click LOGIN AND PUBLISH. You may now close the poo-up window and you will be returned to the BLOG.

Please note that it may take a minute for your comment to appear in the BLOG.

I hope this helps. If it doesn't work this way please let me know!

Monday Aug 8

Well, we had a nice weekend. Summer break is quickly coming to an end so we are cramming some more fun stuff in these last few days. For instance, Sunday afternoon we checked off one of the things on the kid's summer list: take Molly to the creek. We walk from our house down to the creek and we all get in and walk up and down the creek a ways and let Molly romp in the water. It was a lot of fun and definitely a family tradition the kids will remember.

Saturday we participated in a cul-de-sac garage sale. We put out some stuff and made about $50. The remainder went to Goodwill. Nice to clear some stuff out....our garage is still packed for some reason. We celebrated by buying steaks and grilling out Sat night. We had enough leftover to feed us dinner on Sunday too! I made some osrt of quesadilla thing...I filled large flour tortillas with steak, refried beans, tomatoes, onions, cheese and folded the tortilla in half. Then I lightly buttered both sides and grilled them outside (on a griddle placed on the grill). They got golden brown and tasted great. We put sour cream and guacamole on them once they were on the plate. I'd like to add some green chiles to spice it up a little.

There is usually a four-square game every night (or what we used to call circle ball). It is fun because the kids are getting old enough now to have a pretty good game. Sometimes we also play cornhole which is fun. Here is what cornhole is.

Alex is back at marching band this week from 9-5. She has been having arrythmias lately which has been troublesome for her. We hope they go away....but we are not sure what is going on. She is really frustrated...which is understandable. She is a real trooper.

I have some meetings this week. I am really trying to slow down at church....right now I lead the Mission committee, lead the Major Gifts committee, and on the nominating committee, and am on the personnel committee. And there's the band too. By 12/31/05 I hope to be down to one committee and the band. I'd like to help some more at Cub Scouts this year and maybe marching band.

That's all for now. Keep in touch.

Thursday August 4, 2005

Hello again! Things keep hoppin' along here in Central Indiana.

Alex skipped Marching Band today to go to Riley Hospital because she was having some arrythmias. They did an EKG, bloodwork and put her on a monitor. Of course, her heart didn't act up while she was there! She returned to Marching Band in the afternoon. This week they practice from 8-6. Next week it is 9-5 I think.

Nate is exhuasted after Soccer Camp which runs 9-12 this week. It is consistently in the mid-90s here so it is a real workout on the field! Chase has it easy and has been swimming every day this week I think!!!

We are having a little garage sale this Saturday. We are only doing it because some neighbors are too. We aren;t very organized...but we'll get as much out as we can. Supposed to be nice weather.

That's all for now. Later!

Tuesday August 2nd

Well, we certainly had an interestiong weekend!

I bought a paint scraper this past week with the intention of scraping off some of the old wood on our storage barn and repainting it soon. So, Saturday morning I started to scrape and noticed a rotten piece of wood on one od the barn doors (not THAT barn door!!). Well, I removed the pffending piece of wood and found that I could put my hand entirely through the barn door causing a massive hole into the barn.

Well, being the incredibly smart dude that I am, I went to my files and found the company that originally built the barn and proceeded to find out how I could purchase 2 new barn doors and install them.

But No !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They don't make replacement doors so you have to BUILD YOUR OWN doors! Now this might not seem like a big deal to some of you, but I have never built and installed barn doors before. So, I did a little "Reverse Engineering" and figured out what I needed and bought the materials. (My barn looks something like this):

My old barn doors were attached with a "piano hinge" and I decided to modify that to look like the hinges in the picture. I also modified the look on the front because I didn't have a nice radial saw to make cool angles....I was using a curcular saw.

Nate was a big helper and learned a few things in the process....not the least of which was to wear shoes when doing work like this. A board fell on his toes!

The bottom line is that when Nate and I were done hanging the doors they actually closed and look great. I also repainted the barn with a little help from Nate and Chase. I only need to finish painting the front doors and the trim and the barn will be done! Yee-ha. So, my entire weekend was pretty devoted to those darn barn doors!!

Ellen and Alex were supposed to get back from Mexico around 7:30pm Saturday night. I kept getting updates from people and the last I heard was that their plane was not to land in Indy until aroun 2am Sunday morning. By the time they arrived at our house it was 3:30am!! They had a great time and did some very good work. We boys were thrilled to have them home though.

This week Alex is in Marching Band from 8-6. Nate is at soccer camp from 9-noon. And Chase is hanging out with some neighbors. Work continues to go well. Soon school will be starting up and things will get hectic.

Be sure to check out Alex's Heartwalk website...she is over $3000 already. Her goal is $15,000. You can check it out at Alex's Heartwalk Website.

That's all for now....hope you enjoy reading this.

Friday, July 29, 2005

Does anyone ever read this?

Just curious. If you do read this then leave a comment so I know you are there.

All is well here. Haven't heard from Ellen in several days. I assume everything is fine. They are probably just busy and haven't had time to make it to the internet cafe to check email. They are scheduled to come home tomorrow evening. The boys and I are ready for them to get home.

Actuallly, things have been running very smoothly this week. The boys have been behaving and we have had some fun. I don't know exactly what we did each evening but it was fun...one night I had a church meeting, we played outside a lot (kickball, 4-square, H-O-R-S-E, etc...) Last night I mowed while they played. At bedtime we have a campout in my room and read books.

I rode the Harley to work today because Fridays during the summer is "jeans day." Also, there are a bunch of bikers coming thru town today on a cross-country trip. It is the Kyle Petty (NASCAR driver) / Chik-fil-a Charity Ride. See :

Petty Charity Ride Website

They are stopping in Greenwood right by our house around 3pm today. I imagine there will be tons of people there since there will be several big name NASCAR drivers on their motorcycles making their way to NC.

Tonight I pretty much promised the boys we'd go to the driving range. I would have liked to have gone camping this weekend but with the Tulum trip rescheduled it didn't work out. Starting next week things start to gear up for school and the lazy days of summer will fade away. Nate has soccer camp M-F and Alex starts Marching Band again. Then school begins Aug 15th. Yikes!!! I wish the summer was longer for the kids! We will still go camping once or twice this summer/fall though. Ellen and I also hope to get away with 2 other couples on the motorcycle to go to Madison, IN on the Ohio River to spend the night. The terrain gets nice and rolling down there and it will be nice. However, our weekends tend to get booked quickly. Also, Alex has a big marching band committment! They perform at all Home Games and then also have these weekend competitions all over the place. I don't think we know yet what we are in for! Then Nate has his travel soccer games and practices. I am glad that Chase is still playing recreational soccer...he really enjoys that. Some of his buddies have moved up to "travel" but I think he is better suited in rec for a while. At least they aren't in dumb sports like hockey where the Dad has to go to 7am games and stand outside in the cold! Jeesh....who would ever let their kid do that !?!?!?

Speaking if High School....can you even imagine that by April Alex will be getting her "learner's permit" to drive. Y I K E S !!!!

Alright...my ramblings must end. I hope someone is reading this.!

Ciao.

Monday, July 25 2005

Well, I assume that Ellen and Alex made it to Tulum in good order. Haven't heard anything and may not for several days. There was a little internet-cafe in Tulum that she has used in the past. Hard to know if it is still there though.

The boys and I are getting along fine. Yesterday was VERY hot so we played in the sprinkler, spent some time inside and waited for the sun to set. We had dinner and then played four-square with the neighbors. We were all pretty tired by bedtime.

It is VERY hot here again today. I hope to take the boys to the Greenwood City Pool tonight at 6pm if at all possible. We haven't been there in a LONG time...maybe several years. They have a nice diving well which the boys will enjoy I'm sure.

I hope you are all doing well. Keep in touch!

Thursday, July 21

Well....we just got word that Ellen and Alex ARE going to leave for Mexico this Sunday at 10am. They have to be at the airport at 8am. There has been a lot of communication flying back and forth about whether this trip would go or not. It is a little bit oif an unusual circumstance because the Presbytery is calling the shots since they have organized this trip. Usually our individual church handles all these details and calls the shots.

I think they are going to get Malaria meds and Typhoid shots just to be safe. There is some concern about standing water and increased mosquito activity. Apparently Tulum was spared from the major damage that took place starting just a few miles north. The forecast is for rain though.....so they better take their galoshes and ponchos!

We are planning on going to the Indianapolis Symphony on the Prairie tomorrow night. A vocal group from Millikin is singing with the symphony. There will be other alums there and representatives from Decatur.I hope it is fun.

Tonight, Chase and I are scheduled to go to an Indianapolis Indians baseball game with people from my work. Thunderstorms are called for so we'll see. Nate has travel soccer practice tonight and Alex has some more Freshman Orientation at the High School. She spent 5 hours there this morning getting oriented. It is a HUGE school that can be confusing!

Nate is really irritated right now because I won't let him ride the neighbors new "pocket bike." These are motorized, miniature versions of a Japanese speed bike. He just called me at work and is really irritated because I won't let him ride. I am such an EVIL Dad!!!!!!!!!

Well....that's it for now. Keep in touch.

July 19, 2005

Well, the latest news about Tulum is that Ellen and Alex may get to leave this coming Saturday or Sunday if everything works out okay. The group leaders are still trying to figure out if the Mexdican infrastructure can handle this group coming down. INitial thoughts are that they might be able to make the trip since it is a week later! Needless to say, Alex is excited about the possibility.

Monday, July 18

Well...Ellen and Alex remain in Greenwood! As you ready reports about Hurricane Emily, you will see that the eye of the hurricance came ashore in Tulum which is exactly where they were to be staying. We have a sister church in Tulum and they were headed there to put on Vacation Bible School. Please keep all these people in your prayers!! (For some pics, check out: http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/ts/080304tropicalweathe/im:/050718/480/gfx18807182057;_ylt=AuaVrIUHG1ZK1jav.Vrna9gTO7gF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5bGcyMWMzBHNlYwNzc25hdg--?sp=-1&lsp=8000

Also http://stormcarib.com/

I think that the group (of 20) will try to do some local mission (in Indpls) work instead.

UPDATE: Now the group "may" go to Tulum starting this Sat 7/23) ??

This weekend was fairly uneventful. We have had quite a bit of rain lately. Alex is trying to get her HeartWalk letters out the door!! Just the usual stuff!!!

Wednesday July 13

Well, yesterday was certainly interesting. Nate and Alex were home alone during the day and I got a call from Nate telling me he didn't feel good. So I went home and he subsequently threw up ... alot! Then he said he felt better so I went back to work. Then at 4 he called again and was throwing up....so back I went again. Then he got a really bad migraine. He sometimes gets headaches (he takes a daily migraine med) but this was one of those where he has to be in a dark room with no noise, etc. He was writhing in pain so we gave him some more meds (nasal spray) which helped him after an hour or so. But, the side effects are dizziness and sleeplessness.....so it was a lONG night. I just called home and he is still not awake (10am).

Chase returns today from church camp (www.camppyoca.org). It will be great to have him back again!

Alex is starting to send out her Heartwalk letters. Her goal is $15,000!!!!!!! You can track her progress online here.

Alex and Ellen leave for Mexico (mission trip) on Sunday for a week. We will certainly miss them !!!

Tuesday July 12

Well, I am home for a little while right now because Nate's stomach is pretty upset. This little "bug" has been going around recently.

We are getting the effects of Hurrican Dennis. 100% chance of rain today!!!

Chase returns from church camp tomorrow. Ellen and Alex leave Sunday for Mexico. Lots going on here it seems like.

July 10, 2005

We had a very nice time camping at Shades this weekend. We arrived around 5pm, set up camp and enjoyed some burgers over the camp fire. Saturday we got up and left for canoeing around 9am. By 10 we were in our canoes and heading down the Sugar Creek. The water was a little low (due to lack of rain) but it was still fun. We took a sack lunch and at on the banks of the creek. We ended up around 2:30 and caught the bus back to our car. We were all pretty tired, so hung out by the campsite and eventually prepared dinner. That night we took a walk and sat by the fire playing games. Sunday we had breakfast and broke camp because Chase had to get to his Summer Camp and Alex had a meeting as well.

It was a fund weekend....now back to the grind!

Thursday July 7

Hey there! Played golf this morning with a potential client and 2 other folks. I shot a 93...which is very good for me! I was hitting them well. Perhaps I will play more than 4 times like I did last year!

Ellen and the kids come home today and then tomorrow we leave for camping. Will be hectic getting ready but will be fun. Supposed to be really nice weather!

Wednesday July 6

Well....here we go trying a BLOG. I hope you (family) will have time to visit from time to time to learn how we are. I also hope I will keep it up-to-date!

Ellen and the kids are in Wisconsin until tomorrow. I stayed behind to work. We had our neighborhood party on July 2nd and it was fun. I still have some cleaning up to do before Ellen and the kids get home.

Last night I had a church meeting...I am now on the Personnel committee. I am transitioning off of Missions and am trying to slow down my involvement in other things as well. I can see myself being involved in Alex's marching band .... many parents are volunteers.

Tonight is another church meeting (annual Nominating Committee). I will also be picking up the house and getting the camping stuff ready. We are going camping this weekend at Shades Park. This is near Turkey Run and the kids really like it (we all do!) We may try to go canoeing if the water is running okay. We also tend to go on several hikes on some really nice trails where you might have to walk thru a stream, up some ladders, in crevasses, etc. Really neat!

Anyway, that's all for now. Keep in touch and I will try to add pics as we go along here.

Charles

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