South Dakota

If it didn't cost a whole dollar, this would've made an awesome gag gift. Besides seeing more stars than ever before when Joel stopped to pee at 4:30am, this is all we remember of the Badlands State.

Busy little bees

March was a five week month. So why not merge week número cinco with a spring break? Seems like everyone else gets one...
Sunday -- Rosie Thomas concert @ Schuba's with Vinnie & Kate
Monday -- Joel in holland overnight, Allie took bike/train to stay in Lake Forest with Alex
Tuesday -- vegetarian birthday dinner with the Vanderpoel's @ The Chicago Diner
Wednesday -- Rehoboth Christian School choir tour @ TCC in Palos Heights
Thursday -- live recording of NPR's"Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" in downtown Chicago
Friday -- drove through the night to Montana!

The Rural King

In the rare instance when Joel is not allowed to buy something, he is permitted to take a photo instead. No trip to Decatur is complete without a family field trip to the east side of town -- Dell's popcorn shop, Rural King farm store, and Krekel's (aka "Crusty's") Custard. This time we talked the rents into purchasing four feathery friends! We each got to name one: Rosie (Lindsay), Ollie (Joel), Hattie (Allie) and Stanley (mom). So far mom has gone in the garage on a daily basis to hold each little chick. And since Joel built a roof to their plastic bin home, all four are still there each day to greet her.

St. Paul's moves

We made the journey down to the Pride of the Prairie town for a very special event -- the grand opening kickoff Sunday of the new SPL church campus. We were very impressed with the progress made on the building, the huge turnout and the beautiful service. AND, the amazing choir!!

Green river

We learned our lesson: never take the El on St. patty's day in chicago. We made it down to the Chicago River to see if they could really turn that murky brown river bright green and it's true. We also walked 5 miles to two locations of a frozen keifer place where we have a gift card. They were both closed. So instead we celebrated in true Irish style with a frozen strawberry lemonade from McDonald's. (it was in the 80's!) One day that will never again be repeated...

feet, finally: talus

an interesting case -- a bone cyst that we filled with bone cement.  well, that they filled with bone cement...