June Already

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The biggest news these days is Charlotte's first word: doggie. She makes lots of word-like sounds, but that is the first definite word she has said. It's an appropriate word, since dogs are one of her favorite things and she excitedly points out every one she sees. Even though she can't talk, she's getting pretty good at communicating what she wants. For example, when we put her in her crib, at night or sometimes at nap, she'll point to the door and indicate, "you leave now." Meanwhile, Audrey gets more articulate all the time. She makes up very interesting little stories or skits. The best ones are when she doesn't think anybody can hear. Tonight Audrey "read" her own version of "Harry the Dirty Dog" to Charlotte and me as I was putting them to bed.

Carol is busy executing her first commission for hand-painted children's furniture. She's painting a table and chairs for another mom from the preschool (they lost out on the set at the auction). This set has a transportation theme (planes, trains, and automobiles). From the sketches I can tell it's going to be great. We'll post photos when it is finished in a couple of weeks.

I continue to ride my bike to work every day (8 miles each way). I had a perfect record in May, which was Bike to Work Month (I was a team captain). I also just rode my third century (100-mile ride) of the season on Saturday. I'm in just about the best cycling shape I've ever been in. I've felt very good on the last two centuries, both all the way through the ride and afterwards as well. It makes me very happy to feel this strong. This coming Saturday is Tour de Blast, an 84-mile ride up to the closest visitor center to Mt. St. Helens. Then July 14 is the big one: Seattle to Portland (STP) - 200 miles in one day. I'm also taking an online certificate course in Bioinformatics from the University of Illinois, Chicago so reading and homework is taking up most of my spare time.

My parents got a last minute slot at Wapato Point Resort at Lake Chelan with some expiring timeshare points. Carol and I and the girls drove over on Friday night (June 8) and had a fun weekend. Then my parents came over Sunday and kept the girls and Carol and I drove home. We went straight to a movie, then out to dinner and a movie on Monday night, too, before the girls returned home on Tuesday. Wow, was that nice. We love those girls, but a little time off to be human and adult was a treat. Thanks, Mom & Dad!