July 2006 Newsletter

There are several show caves in the area to visit and an assortment of family activities. The biggest hit of the trip was Kentucky Down Under, an Australian wildlife park where we got to pet kangaroos and lorikeets, watch sheepdogs work and see an assortment of Australian wildlife. Peggy says kookaburra birds ooze menace in a way that can't be adequately captured on film.

The big attraction there is, of course, Mammoth Cave. Peggy's been interested in caves for several years, and Mammoth Cave was recommended by the guide at the last caving expedition she organized for Girl Scouts. It's the largest cave in the world, with many different tours including gorgeous formations, interesting history and two "wild caving" options. Audrey went caving for the first time, and loved it. She's anxious to wear a hard hat and get wet and filthy again.

We were only home from Kentucky for a few days before Rose headed off for Free Spirit, a new age spirituality festival near the Pennsylvania border. This is her third year to go, and she loves it. Peggy's friend Sabrina goes every year and Rose stays with her. Rose says it's like a cross between church camp and a Renaissance Festival.

Next she came home to start rehearsals for Hamlet, Revenge! a Shakespeare on the Green play. She's playing Voltemar, the ambassador to Norway. Performances will be in August and early September. She enjoys drama and does very well at it, although Shakespeare is quite a mouthful.

Right now, Rose is at Girl Scout camp for two weeks of windsurfing. This is the third year she's gone to a camp that included windsurfing, and she loves it. She'll be home this weekend with a new tan and new muscles.

Audrey was at Girl Scout camp for a week in June. She chose an adventure camp and had a great time canoeing, hiking, etc. She was disappointed that their rock climbing got rained out.

After camp, Audrey flew to Tulsa to visit all her grandparents. She stayed for nearly a month, and loved the undivided attentions of five different grandparents. She sewed with Grammy, went boating with Poppa, went on several excursions with Grandma Carol and Grandpa Edward and got to swim in a creek with Grandma Ginny. She came home tanned and happy.

Her next adventure is Insect Camp at the University. The entemology department offers one week beginner and advanced camps for 8-11 year olds, and she's finished with the first week and still loving it halfway through the second week. She's brought home an assortment of "pets" including a giant mealworm.

Benjamin spent three weeks at Gymkana camp at the University. He did three hours of gymnastics every morning and went swimming every afternoon. His favorite part was playing Yu-gi-oh cards with the other kids.

He's spending the rest of the summer at the nearby Lutheran school's day camp where he has weekly field trips, water play, hot lunch and a friend he met there last year. He and Audrey are rounding the summer out with regular trips to the pool in the evening.

Ed and Peggy are staying busy organizing the kid's schedules this summer and trying to make progress on the house and yard. We had the basement finished last summer and are still cleaning and organizing after that.

Ed's been very faithful to Weight Watchers and just got his FIFTY POUND magnet. We're so proud of him for sticking to a sensible diet and exercise plan and working off all that weight. Peggy's feeling a little guilty for not doing the same...

Peggy's been on a knitting kick this summer and has finished a vest for Ben and started a matching vest for Ed. She's also wrapping up UFO projects from previous knitting kicks: so far one scarf and one pillow top.

Ed and Peggy got their new wedding rings and they're gorgeous. This was our way to celebrate our twentieth wedding anniversary. The artist is a terrific guy and an example of how well the internet can work for a small businessman.