We're playing catch-up

Give me a big, fat 'F' for my recent blogging efforts, but we've been pretty busy. We've had out-of-town guests and a squatter for at least 10 of the past 14 days. I like visitors, and frankly would take more if people want to crash here, but it leaves little time for blogging.
So, time to catch up. But before I start, I'm reminded of something somebody told me recently: "You know, that blog. Sometimes I start reading and wonder: When is he going to be done? Some of the blogs go on forever. I just stop reading."
It's a shame people are so passive these days. 
Anyway, seeing as I've probably already lost that person, let's get into it. To the update!
Trucks. Water. Crowds.
Since I last posted, we had family in town to help boost attendance at the "first-annual" Stillwater Fire Muster, organized by my Dad, who for the first time I can remember held a clipboard and had to worry about being on time because police escorts don't dilly dally when they close intersections. He pulled it off without a hitch. As it turned out, he didn't need family to fill empty spots in the park because a healthy crowd of a few hundred people showed up to watch 10 or 12 antique, retired fire trucks pump river water and blast it into the air on a steamy summer afternoon. We had a good time. It was a success for many reasons. Next year's muster already is on our calendar. It should be on yours. 

The trucks lined the street near the levee in Lowell Park.

That's Dad, in case you didn't recognize him with a clipboard. Those other guys own fire trucks and were nice enough to take orders from somebody doing this for the first time. 

Elise, who as you can see doesn't just give smiles away for nothing, didn't know quite what to think of the fire engines, but did point to them and say "truck." Oh, and my red shirt? I was assigned muster staff duties -- I'm still not sure what my actual duties were -- and proved to be the least knowledgeable person in a "staff" shirt. Everything went fine until I started having flashbacks to my days working for the Bull's Eye.

A post-muster nap.

Hot in the heat
So the muster was good fun, but Anni and I dropped the ball that day. Elise had slept unusual hours and was a bit sluggish for part of the day. We didn't think much of it -- until later that day when we (OK, Anni) realized that Elise was roastin'. We checked her temperature and the thermometer hit 101 degrees with no sign of stopping. Yikes. She kicked whatever bug she had after a good night's sleep and a day home from school.
He's back

One of our recent visitors has been my brother, Bryan, who's in town from Vegas. Elise had not seen him since Christmas, but they reconnected pretty quick. Of course, he leaves soon and somehow has once again avoided diaper duty.

She seems chipper, right? Funny, because this photo was taken right about the time her temperature was climbing past 101. Go figure.

Fireworks, no photos

Last weekend we celebrated July 4th by having family and friends over to our house. Good times, but Anni and I decided we need to add an element of excitement to next year's gathering. She suggested three-legged races or a pinata. I think we're doing both unless I come up with something better. Please, send suggestions.
I would have posted a photo of Elise on July 4th, or even a picture of her with our friends Petra and Lee, who were visiting from New York for the weekend, but as the weekend ended I realized that I had taken no photos.
Free, but busy
This weekend is the first since before Memorial Day that we had nothing scheduled -- thankfully. Time to relax, pick backyard raspberries with our pint-sized berry addict and enjoy a summer weekend.