Kari's tomatoes are coming along...

 

Yes I am dusting off the fan...

 

Josh throwing strikes at Camp Wooden Acres

Josh took off for a 6 week overnight camping trip in Michigan at Camp Wooden Acres. Most of the time he was out hiking and camping with the group, but here he is throwing strikes at a near by alley.

Coach Jones

Coach Jones (middle) is a retired metal shop teacher from Simeon HS who stopped by our football mini-camp to say hello. I hope to get to know him some more since he is a very wise man. He held a bunch of running back records at Morgan Park HS back in the 1950's and also played college football at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Coach Davidson and one of my lineman stand to the right and left of Coach Jones.

Summer Heat

It's hot! Too Hott! Stay in the AC if you can, or hit a water park to cool off like this one at 55th and Shields on the south side. 

Accordion Serenade of Grandma Lakota

Jim busted out the oldies and goodies! Click here for more reunion pics.

This is just HALF of the family!

This group makes up the Mueller and Bebar families. The Lakotas and Pluths were up next. The photographer stitched the 2 pics together to make one giant group photo. I will post it soon. Click here for more reunion pics.

Lakota Family Reunion Golf Outing

Lakota Family Reunion Golf Outing at Wedgewood in Joliet. We played best ball and because Kari and I were a bit late in teeing up we actually did not get a chance to visit with all of the other golfers on hand. The course was in great shape and the weather was perfect.
See more pics at http://www.erikari.info/lakota/golf/

Hot fun Summer in the City!

Temps got up to around 100 degrees and this fire plug on 69th and Carpenter was opened up to cool down. I was tempted to join them but had to get to football practice at Simeon HS.

Noooooo more Gatorade!

Ben is overwhlemed with grief when the fruit punch flavored Gatorade runs out. It is simply too much for him to take so he flops on the ground in a bit of a tantrum. Meanwhile Sofie says just try some water from the garden hose! See more pics of us chilling out in the back yard and in the kiddie pool on a very, very, hot Sunday afternoon.

Rescued puppy Pitt Bull named Rosie

 

Boo trying out for the Broncos

Coach Dewalt's son...

Bastille Day BBQ with Lisa and David

Lisa and David had a fun Bastille Day BBQ at their place near China Town. The grilled vegtables were delicious, as was the green bean salad. Everything that was cooked was done so on the grill. See more pics here.

Sammy Sosa Hits 61 and 62 in 1998

Yup... I had the honor of witnessing Sammy Sosa's 61st and 62nd homeruns during the 1998 season. Of course McGuire had hit 61 about a week earlier, but it was exciting to say the least. Were they juicing? Back then we had no clue... we were just loving baseball in Chicago. The Cubs won that game with a Mark Grace walk-off homerun in the 10th inning! I came across this ticket stub while finally cleaning out my black file cabinet, something I promised my wife I would do 2 months ago!

Trey and Bebe

Little Roland (Trey) has a sense that his team lost the game... even tho no one keeps score at their age. He had some good cuts and tuff collison with a teammate going for a ground ball. The temperature at 9am was already in the 90s... summer in the city! Loyola Park Field House in Rogers Park is about a block my from old place on Estes Ave during my Northwestern days. See a few more pics here.

Old Skool at Wrigley!

Check out the vintage transistor radio this old-timer was using to track the game's play-by-play! Classic! He and his wife were from Normal, IL and his wife was even scoring the game. Of course the Cubs lost yet again. 6-3 to the smoking hot NY Mets. After a 45 minute rain delay some knuckle head streaked the field toward 2nd base. I thought he was going to strip off his clothes but security pounced on him quickly. Sadly I missed the photo opp!

Just after another Cub loss...

 

Summer Recipies... these are the keepers!

Shrimp Salad from Cooking Light magazine.

Turkey Fajita Burgers... Best in town!

Mini-Camp at Simeon HS

 

9 Holes at Caldwell

 

Mellissa and Makaila on July 4th

2 of Mike's lady's. Actually the little one is the niece of the bigger one. We were at a July 4th BBQ on the south west side of the city. The neighbors were literally lighting off quarter sticks of dynamite as well as a variety of other fireworks. See more pics here!

Rib Eye Steaks for July 4!

 

Big Ben is Walking!

Click here to see pics from the Edgebrook 4th of July Parade!

Ed and I put the smack down in Euchre

Laurie and Kari had no chance against Ed and I in Euchre. We beat them handidly, and looking forward to the rematch.

PINS cast members at the Balliwick Theater

Kari and I went to see a production at the Balliwick Theater that my friend Jesse is performing in. Interesting story about a HS wrestler who comes out of the closet. Nice theater and a well done performance. Read more here.

Kari makes her 1st cake from Scratch!

Me and Kola!

 

A visit to Thuy, Ken, and baby Alex in Rockford

See more pics at: http://www.erikari.info/friends/thuy-ken/