Those were the days...

This is the view from just outside the back of the hotel

In Montalcino, we had the chance to taste some more Brunello wines. The wines were OK (I decided I'm not a huge fan of Sangiovese-based wines), but the setting... a 13th century fort overlooking the town and Tuscan countryside was great.

I have a lot of memories of this table, at Grandma Bernhardt's in Tomah. This is a classic moment from our summer trip there.

Kuro neko sign

This was the first time we tried to put Annabelle down on grass with bare legs, and she did not think it was all that great an experience -- she immediately tried to pick all exposed skin up off the grass, leading to poses like this (and accompanying shrieking!).

Christian shot a big bear after the bear had carried off a 400 # pig up by Hwy 131 hill. (Per Marten Beek)

In about 1875, Christian was hurt in a barn raising. Lumber hit him in the back and crushed his back. They carried him home and he sat the remaining 15 years of his life in a wheelchair.

We had our first trip to the emergency room today -- Annabelle stopped using her left arm this morning, and while we have no idea how she pulled it off, it turned out she had a dislocated elbow. (Technically, she had a nursemaid's elbow.) After a quick reduction of the dislocation, she was good as new!

Bogus Basin, with an inversion in the valley.

Milo Augustus Purdy, a lifetime resident of Monroe County, was born on November 1, 1892. He was one of five children of John James and Mary Elizabeth (Oakley) Purdy.

Notice the sand on the shins....

Reflections in water at the Oracle

Christian shot a big bear after the bear had carried off a 400 # pig up by Hwy 131 hill. (Per Marten Beek)

In about 1875, Christian was hurt in a barn raising. Lumber hit him in the back and crushed his back. They carried him home and he sat the remaining 15 years of his life in a wheelchair.

We took a boat out to one of the islands to a high end dinner, at the Hotel Cipriani - supposedly one of the "best" restaurants in Venice. It was definitely the most unimpressive dinner of that scale that we've had. Maybe I'm just a silly country boy from Idaho, but Charlie Trotter's in Chicago and Mortimer's in Boise kicks its ass. I would describe it for my Zagat vote as "Old world snootiness meets mediocre treatment of good, local ingredients". By the way - this is a photo as we were on the boat to the restaurant - not the restaurant itself. The sunset trip on the private hotel teak boat was definitely the best part of that meal.

This version of the pic has been edited with Picnik.

(The drool makes this picture all the better, in my opinion!)

This is what happens when you ask Ellie where her fingers are.

Godson with his mom

For those of you who know any sign language, you'll know what Annabelle is demanding from Shannon.

Spin spin spin... Chomp