Night at the Circus

On November 13th we went to opening night of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus at the United Center. Before the show everyone could go on the floor and meet some clowns and see some of the acts. As you can see by the smile, Alex enjoyed this part of the evening.





Bello is the lead clown and the star of the show. He is quite an impressive acrobat. Do you think that the kid catches him?




We were right in front of the tiger act. It was great! It was very cool watching the tigers snarl at the tamer.




We also really liked the elephants. There were lots of elephants. Unfortunately, I think I am very allergic to elephants. I am definately very allergic to the horses. Maybe the tigers? My eyes are swollen right now.




We had special seats that included being part of the circus. We all got Bello hats and rode on a train around the floor during the bellobration celebration. So much fun it shouldn't be legal.

Tom in Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish market

Tsukiji is where Bluefin Tuna is auctioned before it gets flown to your favorite sushi spot.
TASTY FISH

Dozin' with the Dinos

For our 23 Anniversary we spent the night at the Field Museum. The best part was going through the dinosaurs with flashlights and the lights out. Too cool!

We slept under these totem poles.

Family and Friends

In August it was time for Jen and Daz to return to Australia. They had become honorary family members by participating in our annual family Thanksgiving gathering. As can be seen below, many family members and friends gathered for a BBQ to say goodbye.

Jen and Daz,
Good Luck in Oz! We will miss you.

Baby Kiera

Baby Kiera in her yellow Bumbo

Visiting DC

Tom had to go to DC for an NIH grant review. He went early and got to meet the newest Hope. What a sweetie!



Elijah is getting big. He is very interested in trucks. All kinds of trucks. Dump trucks, rocks trucks, bulldozers, garbage trucks, and any other kind of trucks. He really knows his stuff.




Kiera loves her mobile, especially the Zebra as you can see here.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

We arrived at the South Rim around sunset on June 14. Picture at Mather Point.



We were amazed and delighted to discover that the endangered California Condors released near the Grand Canyon hang out near the South Rim Village. We saw quite a few. At one time there were only 23 left in the world. There are now about 300. 60 live in the Grand Canyon area.



The Condors have a wingspan of over 10 feet. We had one fly right over our heads. So close you could hear the wind rushing through its wings.



It was very hot and dry. Here we are at Hermits Rest. Everyone got tired and a little crabby.



We visited both the North and South Rims over six days. This picture is at desert view. The beginning of the Grand Canyon is in the background.



We really enjoyed the Grand Canyon. It is so big it is almost impossible to comprehend. You are looking down at mountains. We loved it so much that we managed to stop at the South Rim again on our way back to Las Vegas for our flight home for one last peek.



On the 5 hour drive between the South and North Rims of the the Grand Canyon we stopped to visit Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon that is as narrow as 3 feet and as deep as 200 feet. Flash flooding has carved unique curving walls. Sun light only reaches the bottom at noon. It was sooooo.... beautiful.



There was very little light so we needed to use a tripod. That came in handy for taking a group picture near the entrance to the canyon.