Death Defying Squirrels

We have the bravest squirrels in our neighborhood. Or the craziest. We have recently seen them upside down, feeding off of our new bird feeder. It causes quite a commotion when they see us and try to run away.

Actually, we have yet to see an actual bird at this feeder. Maybe it's just a squirrel feeder. Hmmm. Gotta take that thing down.

Disneyland Trip

We just spent a week in SoCal with Karen's folks (Grammy and Grampy), uncle Dennis (Karen's brother), great aunt and uncle Dave and Patty (thanks for housing us!), and first cousins once removed Tyler and Ashley. Very Fun.

After a few days at the beaches (Newport, Laguna and Huntington), we did two days at Disneyland. It was my first time at Disneyland, being a Disney World kid growing up. Lot's of relaxing fun for everyone!

Our New Hog

Here's a picture of our new tandem bike and trailer combo. We have enjoyed two excursions so far: one to a dance performance in Oak Park, and one to the Oak Park Farmer's Market. The bike is a low-end tandem cruiser, but I've used my bike shop experience to get it running pretty well. Anna loves riding in her trailer and brings books along to read. It's a good life.

The Reason for the Silence

Ok, so I know the Castleman's blog has been pretty quiet, save the two great videos that Dayton recently posted. I thought I'd offer this explanation in the two minutes before we take off for California and Disneyland!!!!

Dayton has been finishing up grad school (which he graduated from on Sat., May 17th!!) and applying for a great job (which he got!!!!) as a sculpture teacher at Trinity Christian College just south of Chicago. (No moving involved!)

I have been in the process of auditioning for and waiting for feedback from my all time favorite dance company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Just two weeks ago the director told me that he wants to have me in the company!!!! Only downside is that they don't have an opening right now. He speculated that they may be able to take me on by the end of November which is great and gives us some time to figure out what needs to happen to move ourselves into these new working situations.

Anna is still her sweet, happy, wonderful self and is looking forward to meeting Mickey and all the Princesses so we've gotta run!!!!

The Natural?

Oak Park Farmer's Market

ANNA (hands)

I just about flipped out this morning when I saw this. I was working at home this morning, and Anna was drawing on the floor. She said "Look papa! I drew my hands!" We've been working on tracing her hands, and she's definitely getting good at it, but this is the best that I'd ever seen her write her name. It's very exciting.

Anna says: "Um, I made that by myself. OK? I wrote my name all by myself. It was on my Magna-doodle."