Labor Day in Chicago



































Over Labor Day weekend, we went to Chicago to go to Patrick and Polina's wedding - so we made a fun weekend out of it! We had a blast walking around Millenium Park, going to the Art Institute (I saw a Monet! My life is complete!), and catching a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. It was also great fun b/c we got to hang out with Danny and Jon Annis, two of our great pals from Michigan Tech! Mr. Annis has been in Madegascar for 3 years, so it was definitely great to see that guy. As you can see from above, there was lots to see! Doesn't everyone look snazzy for the wedding?!

All the Kids


Zen, Karma, and Indy all hanging out before Ernesto came through.

Dear B&B,


I love my yellow dog toy and I carry it around in my mouth as much as possible. Thanks for giving it to myself and my sister. Squeeky furry things please us greatly. The octopus is also great fun and reminds me of Karma's delicious ears. We can't wait to share these with our puppy neighbors, Sadie and Snoopy. Rrrrrrr!!!

Love and Poops, Zen

Perfect Saturday Beach Day



We buckled down and bought an umbrella this past Saturday (you can see the technicolor rainbowbrella in the background corner!). In Ahrensish, that means that Jeff will spend more than 30 minutes at the beach. It was the most perfect beautiful day - calm water, full sun, light breeze, and the clearest water ever! Notice how pleased we are! I was up to my neck and could see my toes wiggle (yes-that is the technical test of water clarity happiness!). I'm posting these pics now to remind myself that despite days like today where everyone is in total chaos mode trying to determine things like, "Should I wait in line for 1 hour to fill up gas tanks? Is putting up shutters worth it? Do I want to go to the store for water or beer? Do I start eating everything out of the freezer tonight? Is driving 20 miles to work worth it for only 3 hours of work even though no one will be paying attention to anything except the National Hurricane Center website?" that those beach days are AWESOME. What's also weird about today is that I had a dream last night that today was a snow day! Anyway, we're prepared - no worries.

Sibiri temenen, an tarra kogojidakan ka tulonke ni reposer soro. Ne be hakili nin don kan sisan barisa sanfinye fitini be na sooni o la n be don waati min a be ban, kogojida don be na tuguni. Inafo, bee fenw be se k'a dilan sanfinyeba kofe barisa waati bee si b'a yere dilan. C'est comme ca! Photow comme ca be n ka hakili lafiya. Si seko ke dilan, tinye te?

3 Weekends Ago...



Donald came to visit! I couldn't post this picture for some reason then so this is the second try. The boys were hanging out on the patio before we said our goodbyes.
Thanks for a good time D-Spreads!

Ernesto Goes East!



Looks like Ernesto is coming more east to lovely South Florida. We're probably going to spend tonight and tomorrow preparing and work at home through Wednesday (at least that's the thought per this latest NOAA update). Hopefully, it will stay a Category 1 and/or move out into the Ocean more so it doesn't affect the Tyndells in the Carolinas! And we all thought the hurricane season was being good to us....

Rediscovery




These are some fun pics I just re-discovered from the Ahrens' kid clan. The top is, of course, Mom and Dad A, then Kaitlyn and Matthew in Delaware, and then Rebecca and Emma in Hotlanta. Isn't everyone so in their element!?

Pretty Much the Cutest Puppy


Aaron and Shelley recently added this one to their little family - he's WAY too cute for his own good. Indy we love you!

Ahrens': It's Debby, Not Debbie!



Contrary to what Jeff may say, Debby is not going to ruin anyone's weekend. It's pretty funny to us that so many storms this season have names of those in the Ahrens' family. Hooray for this one staying out in the ocean.
THE BABY SQUIRREL LIVES!
I called the animal hospital today and seems that SHE'S doing just fine.

Lax Weekends



Snoopy Sullivan, our neighbor puppy, has been staying with us this weekend along with his sister, Sadie, and finally accomplished what Karma and Zen haven't been able to - he killed the flamingo - and very quickly at that! Jeff was like, "what is he doing?" I was like, "Beth has told me about this - he is going to get the squeeker out." So he did. Very impressive.
Puppy Power! We haven't done much this weekend - just relaxing. I didn't post anything last weekend, but Donald was here - after much drama of course. He missed two flights, his car broke down, and finally rented a car and drove down to meet us at the Dave Matthews Concert. It was an awesome show actually. I saw them 6 years ago and they sounded better than ever. Anyway, we just hung out, grilled out when D-Spreads was here. Also got a new pretty pot for our favorite tropical plant, the ponytail! Jeff and I LOVE these little plants! Hmmm...for some reason, it's not letting me post the Donald/Jeff picture and the ponytail picture. WEAK. I'll try again later though.

Rocky of the Yard


We found this baby squirrel in the yard yesterday. I ended up taking it to an animal rehabilitation hospital today after much mulling over of options. They told me that he was fine, just dehydrated. Too cute!

Good Times in Carolina - The Trip 2!


Here's the gorgeous view from last weekend's trip to Murrell's Inlet, SC. It was so good seeing all the CU girls and families (Olivia and Matt, Laura and Matt and Haleymonster and Little Ana, Chad and Allision all came!)! Yes--families b/c sweet Laura brought the two girls!We mostly sat around catching up but did manage to play outside, have some dinner, and do some typical coastal SC activities--including maze mania and some putt-putt. By the way, I WON MAZE MANIA! YESSSsssss! There were nice marshes (not swamps, Matt Griffin!) all around. We even had time to throw a sneak attack of a lingerie party for Allison. Haley enjoyed the packaging. Miss you all already!

Reason #836 to Come Visit Us in Florida

Ok--we definitely expanded upon the home improvements over the weekend (thanks to Target's 75% off summer sale). We just got it all put together last night. So...there's lot of room for relaxing when visitors come! hint...hint...

Jeff's Grill


I gave wife approval to get a grill this past weekend as well. Here's the proud owner!

Daouda b'a fe furano bilibiliba o la n ko, "a be se k'a san" weekend temenen. A b'a fe kosebe barisa sisan a be se ka sogo tobi ka dun cama cama.

Sod: Before and After





We did it! We've been talking about it for months, but we finally sodded the backyard! Thankfully, our good friends, Aaron and Shelley, came over and helped out a ton so the job got done FAST. The whole project started when I came home last Monday from work and I looked outside only to see the weeds missing from the backyard (I say weeds b/c no real grass existed out there).
Jeff had ripped up the yard and said, "We're sodding Saturday." Ok...so we're sodding. Tuesday I came home and he had huge holes all over the backyard--making sure no missing irrigation heads weren't missing. He said, "If we're sodding, better make sure this is done right." Ok...so we're digging up the ENTIRE irrigation system just to make sure.

Alright, to be fair, he really was doing a great job. I'm just trying to make the story better. So we spent the week prepping the backyard and our other friends, Wayne and Danielle, came over to rip up the last few patches before the big day. Last Saturday, the truck showed up and delivered FIVE pallets. By the end of the day, we were all covered in our lovely loam and no, I did not plan those black spots so nicely and stratigically placed on my shirt. It just happened. Anyway, it looks great and we're pretty excited about being able to enjoy the backyard now!