Barron of Blog » friends http://mike.shannonandmike.net Wife, Kids, and the Pursuit of Happiness Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:01:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Cooking with the Beckman Boys http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/11/28/cooking-with-the-beckman-boys/ http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/11/28/cooking-with-the-beckman-boys/#comments Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:09:57 +0000 Mike B. http://mike.shannonandmike.net/?p=6617 Love the aprons:

]]> http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/11/28/cooking-with-the-beckman-boys/feed/ 0 Encounter with a Wheel Bug http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/10/24/encounter-with-a-wheel-bug/ http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/10/24/encounter-with-a-wheel-bug/#comments Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:56:24 +0000 Mike B. http://mike.shannonandmike.net/?p=6542 Alternate title: "How to unknowingly expose your kids to a potentially dangerous bug and live to tell the tale."

This past weekend we went to pumpkin fest - it was a gorgeous, perfect day to spend sliding down a hay slide and playing in some corn pits. Near the end of the afternoon we came upon a large bug which the kids loved to (carefully) play with and investigate:
A wheel bug hanging onto the edge of a finger The wheel bug slowly crawls from hand to hand Letting a wheel bug climb up Sam's arm Libby posing with a wheel bug on her sleeve

We did not know at the time, but that bug was a Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus):

The [wheel] bug plunges its beak into its victim, pinning its prey with its front legs. It then injects enzymes into the victim, paralyzing it and dissolving its insides, and proceeds to drain all of the victim's bodily fluids. The bite of a wheel bug is painful and may take months to heal (sometimes leaving a small scar), so caution is highly advised when handling them.

Yikes! Guess we won't be handling these bugs in the future (at least not with kids :) ).

]]> http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/10/24/encounter-with-a-wheel-bug/feed/ 0 Perfect Girls Day http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/10/16/perfect-girls-day/ http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/10/16/perfect-girls-day/#comments Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:43:23 +0000 Mike B. http://mike.shannonandmike.net/?p=6498 I currently have six girls (most from our neighborhood) playing a constantly evolving game of "Barbie" in our house. At times they are pretending to be at the beach, other times it sounds like they are negotiating a delicate middle east peace treaty (you and Libby can share this horse, until Madeline is done with her boots, then she can give them to Grace):

I am greatly enjoying the whole experience - makes me feel like the dad in "Cheaper by the Dozen". Wish we could support a nice half dozen kids of our own (if only they come out talking, sleeping through the night, and potty trained :) .

]]> http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/10/16/perfect-girls-day/feed/ 0 Table for Four at Scholar’s Inn http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/10/07/table-of-four-at-scholars-inn/ http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/10/07/table-of-four-at-scholars-inn/#comments Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:00:43 +0000 Mike B. http://mike.shannonandmike.net/?p=6464 The past weekend we went to IU to watch Jon Stewart perform (and to celebrate Tim and my birthdays). We grabbed a bite to eat before the show at the Scholar's Inn - it was delicious:
Mmm, mmm, tasty scallops! Get that man some fish to eat, he looks angry! Lovely petite steak there, lassie! Meh - looks like pretty good pork.

]]> http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/10/07/table-of-four-at-scholars-inn/feed/ 0 Splash Park Fun http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/09/28/splash-park-fun/ http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/09/28/splash-park-fun/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:00:24 +0000 Mike B. http://mike.shannonandmike.net/?p=6445 Libby with her friends Delaney and Emme:

]]> http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/09/28/splash-park-fun/feed/ 0 Epic Trip to Chicago http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/09/12/epic-trip-to-chicago/ http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/09/12/epic-trip-to-chicago/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 20:15:35 +0000 Mike B. http://mike.shannonandmike.net/?p=6382 Here are the pictures, as promised, from our Chicago weekend. A very special thanks to the Hunt and Glynn families for meeting us at Two Toots! Wish we could have spent more time visiting than we did.

On to the pictures!
The perfect spot to watch the air show (in the shade) Libby and Henry goofing off Cooper's reaction every time he sees or hears a plane in the sky Libby approves of the pilot's acrobatic skills Watching the air show - those planes were LOUD! We were caught in a rainstorm, so all of us ducked into the lobby of the Rain Forest Cafe for a spell Shannon, Libby, Henry, and Emily enjoying walking in the city next to the "L" Trying to take a family picture in the reflection of the "bean" Love this picture - reminds me of that post-WWII picture in Times Square Shannon and Cooper in front of the "Bean" (he was in a better mood than he looks in this picture) Cooper in a reflecting pool at Millenium park Henry and Libby fascinated by the inside of the 'bean' Tim and Henry on our big train ride out to the suburbs The Beckman boys on a train The kids enjoying the smooth train ride Libby and Cooper riding a pony Cooper, Libby, Henry, and Sam in front of Two Toots! Getting the "wiggles" out before the long car ride home. Thanks Hunt family!

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Libby, Reese, and Caleb (such a sport) as princesses Cooper and Calvin cooling off The ladies shooting the breeze in the air conditioning

]]> http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/08/06/college-friends-bbq/feed/ 0 Water Park Party http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/08/03/water-park-party/ http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/08/03/water-park-party/#comments Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:12:08 +0000 Mike B. http://mike.shannonandmike.net/?p=6242 When I was unloading the camera from our recent trip I found quite a few pictures that I had meant to post but forgot about. Here are some pictures from the birthday party for Caleb, a son of college friends, which took place in a local water park:
Libby loving the water Cooper, who is usually all about the water park, looks unsure The birthday boy and his family

]]> http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/08/03/water-park-party/feed/ 0 Lake House Fun! http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/07/23/lake-house-fun/ http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/07/23/lake-house-fun/#comments Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:01:33 +0000 Mike B. http://mike.shannonandmike.net/?p=6223 Right before the long July 4th holiday weekend we received a call from our good friends Tim and Emily to come join them at their parent's lake house. It was such a wonderful trip for all of us; we are so thankful for fun friends and last-minute surprises!
Cooper sleeping with his life jacket in Shannon's arms Libby, Henry, and Sam at the kid's table Eating a scruptious dinner on the deck Me taking Libby out on a kayak Waving to boat parade Crazy "manager's special" donuts I found. Yes, those are gummy worms on the donuts. Sitting on the shoulders of giants Watching fireworks from the dock

]]> http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/07/23/lake-house-fun/feed/ 0 Friday Night Lights http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/07/18/friday-night-lights/ http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/07/18/friday-night-lights/#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 03:23:48 +0000 Mike B. http://mike.shannonandmike.net/?p=6205 The final "Friday Night Lights" episode aired this past weekend. To celebrate we went over to Tim and Emily's house after putting our kids to sleep. We even dressed for the event:

Good times, good times.

]]> http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/07/18/friday-night-lights/feed/ 2 Rodney & Larry’s Wedding http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/07/01/rodney-larrys-wedding/ http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/07/01/rodney-larrys-wedding/#comments Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:02:41 +0000 Mike B. http://mike.shannonandmike.net/?p=6137 As mentioned before, we went down to Bloomington a couple weeks ago for a wedding and rocked out. Here are just a few of the pictures from that weekend:
The wedding party in Kilroy's Shaun, Me, Jeff, Andy Brent, Heather, Shannon, and Caroline The dancing begins!

]]> http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/07/01/rodney-larrys-wedding/feed/ 0 Dinner with the Beckmans http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/06/29/dinner-with-the-beckmans/ http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/06/29/dinner-with-the-beckmans/#comments Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:00:12 +0000 Mike B. http://mike.shannonandmike.net/?p=6127 On a recent trip down to Bloomington for a good friend's wedding we were able to try out a fantastic restaurant called Farm. It was fresh, flavorful, and scrumptious! Here we are with our dishes:
Tim with his fried fish Emily with her fancy pizza Shannon with her fancy burger Me with my hunk o' delicious meat

]]> http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/06/29/dinner-with-the-beckmans/feed/ 0 Looking for a Cat? http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/06/16/looking-for-a-cat/ http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/06/16/looking-for-a-cat/#comments Fri, 17 Jun 2011 02:48:16 +0000 Mike B. http://mike.shannonandmike.net/?p=6096 Got this e-mail from a long-time friend and thought I would pass it on:

Hi friends,

I am writing to see whether you know anyone who is considering adopting a cat (or two). Many of you know that two cats currently live with me and have done for about four years since we adopted them from a no-kill agency in Utah. They are currently with me in Chicago. However, since I do an extensive amount of traveling they spend a lot of time alone in my apartment with just a sitter to check in on them. While I love seeing them when I'm in Chicago, it would be a much better situation for them if I can find them a better home. They would be great with kids or in any environment with people present more often, for instance with a senior.

They are just over four years old. Lynx is a grey female (spayed) tabby who specializes in lap-sitting and Samson is a black and white male (neutered) who does less lap-sitting, although he still considers it a hobby, but prefers to ask to be petted while walking back and forth. They are good together, but can be separated for a better home situation. They are both very friendly with all people they've encountered. However, Lynx is not a big fan of other animals. Samson would probably be fine with other animals, although it's hard to tell since Lynx is around to egg him on.

I'm happy to bring these little guys to their new home after everyone has met. I'd also be happy to help pay for expenses. I just really want to find them a home with people present more of the time.

Please feel free to forward to any friends who may be interested.

I hope you're doing well. Sincerely,

Josh

Samson Lynx

If you would like to get in touch with Josh please e-mail me: mike @ shannon and mike . net (remove the spaces in my e-mail address before sending).

]]> http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/06/16/looking-for-a-cat/feed/ 0 Cooper, Libby, Henry, and Sam http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/06/06/cooper-libby-henry-and-sam/ http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/06/06/cooper-libby-henry-and-sam/#comments Mon, 06 Jun 2011 04:41:16 +0000 Mike B. http://mike.shannonandmike.net/?p=6071 A group shot before Libby's Talent Show night (video will probably be posted at some point):

]]> http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/06/06/cooper-libby-henry-and-sam/feed/ 0 Reading with Tim http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/04/27/reading-with-tim/ http://mike.shannonandmike.net/2011/04/27/reading-with-tim/#comments Thu, 28 Apr 2011 03:45:44 +0000 Mike B. http://mike.shannonandmike.net/?p=5978 Libby just loves our friend Tim (and of course his two sons Henry and Sam), especially when it's story time!

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