Solemn remembrance of the events that happened 13 years ago.  I like you will never forget where I was and what I was doing that fateful day.  I remember driving home that day after work thinking that our country would never be the same.  I pray that lessons learned that horrible day have not been forgotten.

I have the final images from the river ride that I enjoyed last Sunday with Angie, Ben and the kids.  They were holding the Dragon Boat Races on the Mississippi near Miller Park on Sunday.  We happened by as this race of 10th grade kids as it was just getting started.  Fun to watch.

Some more of Angie’s daredevil antics on the jet ski.  She knows no fear when it come to excitement.  🙂

I remember the first time we took the kids to Adventure Land Park in Des Moines.  At first we rode all the safe rides and Angie had fun.  There was a small tame roller coaster that had three or four hills to it and a couple of sharp turns but nothing too bad.  It took a little convincing to get Angie on the ride but she finally did go.  She was probably 9 or 10 at the time.  We got the front car and I sat on the small bench and then she sat right in front of me between my knees so I could hold on to her.

As soon as the ride started she buried her head in her hands and bent over so she couldn’t see what was going to happen.  I thought Oh no, I can’t stop this ride and she is going to start screaming.  I kept talking and reassuring her but to no avail. When the ride was over I was worried that she would never trust me again.  She looked up at me with the biggest smile on her face and sparkling eyes and said, “Let’s go again Daddy!”  🙂

From then on we had a little daredevil.  We rode all the roller coasters in the park that day even the Tornado, which I found to be a little more violent than I wanted.  But not Angie, she wanted to ride it again and again.

This is Ben’s younger brother Nick.  He followed us around the river on this machine.  It is incredibly fast and maneuverable.  I think if I were attracted to the river I would have one of these as opposed to a full-sized boat.  They sure look like they would be a lot of fun.

On the health front some very good news.  My numbers have been low and consistent.  My Endocrinologist has told me that I only have to test 6 times a week (3 in the morning and 3 in the evening.)  I continue to lose weight at about 2 pounds a week and I am adapting to the smaller portions of food (although I’m not thrilled about them.)

The results of my Echo Cardiogram revealed no defect in the heart and no leakage so it is termed a “benign murmur” with no further testing or treatment needed.  🙂

So we will keep on with our diet and exercise regimen because it seems to be working and we’re getting good results.

I’m in Cedar Rapids all day getting some training on the ACA law.  Hope to capture some farm scenes on the way home.

That’s it for today.  I hope you enjoy your day.  Thanks for stopping by the blog and be careful.