June 18, 2007
We did it again. John was running in the Hy-Vee Triathlon in Des Moines, so he came a day early and we all got together at our house this time.
John placed 15th out of 44 athletes in the 50-54 age group, but as far as I'm concerned, he placed 15th out of several million old dudes, since those 44 are already at the top of the general population. Glad I'm not competitive. It's hard work.
Here are some crappy little cameraphone videos. They're still kind of fun. Left-click will make it play in your browser which gives you a blank stare for a minute. It's faster to Right-click and Save As, then play with QuickTime.
August 12, 2006
My sibs and and I don't all get together very often, so it's an event when it happens. John was in town to run the Big Creek Triathlon. (He did 2:34, 4th in the over-50 group. Way to go, John!) Bob and Jayne offered to have us over for a pool party, and it all came together from there. Our dear cousin, Dick, who recently moved to Des Moines from Seattle, was there, too.
John, Cindy, Don with Bob in front.
Here's the group shot:
Back row: John and Susan Severs, Dick Swanson, Krystal Frizell w/son, Tyler, Jon Cheely, Jayne Severs, Mindy and David Severs, Cindy Severs
Seated: Tracey Donovan w/daughter, Macy Severs, Don Severs, Alicia Cheely w/son, Cayen (sp?), Samantha and Katie Severs (Mindy and David's girls)
Seated in front: Tate Severs, Brennan Cheely, Caden Frizell, Quinn Severs
Quinn and I went to see John start his race Sunday morning. His boys, David and Scott, were there with their families:
May 16, 2005
Went to my nephew's graduation in Kirksville, MO over the weekend. He's a stellar guy, summa cum laude degree in accounting heading right into graduate work on a scholarship. My sister, Cindy, also graduated the same weekend with a degree in social work, so it was a big deal. It was also great to see her two daughters. The commencement was outside in the football stadium and the weather was sunny and windy. Nothing like being on a college campus in the springtime.
July 15, 2004
Went to the Pella Tulip Festival last April. Couldn't e-mail these large pics to my sister-in-law, Emily, so we're trying this.
July 5, 2004
These are old pics from last December. My brother, John, came to see his new nephew, Tate. And I had just gotten a camera phone.
Nov 16, 2002
2 years ago, we had Quinn's 5th birthday party at Chuck E Cheese's and I swore we'd never return. The alternative, though, was to have Quinn and his friends tearing up my house. And hey, it's his party, and Chuck E Cheese's is a kid's paradise, so I relented and we had a great time. Quinn scored big with presents and no one cried.
Oct 31, 2002
Halloween. Ninja. He's a good Ninja, though, not one of the evil ones.
June 16, 2002
Tracey, Quinn and I went to the Sunday night band concert at the Capitol. Gorgeous summer evening.
June 2, 2002. Quinn's first piano recital. He played "The Lobster" from memory.
May 10, 2002. Quinn's been taking dance classes for about a year. He danced in 2 numbers along with 10 or so little girls dressed as yellow chicks. He was great, just out there having fun.
November 16, 2001
Quinn is 6 today! He's reading books all by himself, taking tap and piano (during school, whew) and we just started reading Harry Potter. We're going to see the movie this afternoon (if I can get tickets). Every day after school, he likes to wrestle. As soon as we get in the door, before dinner. Anyway, here's his latest pic. The photographer asked him to show his pretty teeth.
August 23, 2001
Today was Quinn's first day of school. It was not a big transition for him, since he went to daycare at Cowles all summer and went to Montessori preschool last year. But it was still a milestone, so we took pictures and everything.
May, 2001. This photo was taken at his graduation from Montessori preschool. He announced that he wanted to be a cowboy when he grows up. Click to enlarge.
August 15, 2001
Quinn and I camped at the Ledges. It was a one-night test in preparation for the Big Trip out west coming up. We originally had planned to rent an RV, but it was crazy expensive so now Q and I are going to camp in our 1998 Town and Country LXi minivan. Cozy, but great for two guys.
Yesterday, it was raining all day, but we went anyway. We rode the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad. It was very beautiful in the misty rain that was coming down that afternoon. Then, we drove to Ledges State Park and enjoyed a quiet evening setting up camp and having dinner. The rain stopped and the next morning was glorious. I love camping and hardly ever do it, so with some extra time off between teaching gigs, I decided to make time for it. I've had a lot of fun outfitting our little RV with a TVCR, frig and air mattress. I finally found one I like, that pumps up and deflates fast, has a built-in pillow and is usable in the water, too. Woohoo.
For the Big Trip Out West, we'll leave Aug 28, camp for 8 nights at Royal Gorge, Durango, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon North Rim. We'll ride the scenic trains at Royal Gorge and Durango. After Grand Canyon, we'll drive to Phoenix to visit my great aunt, Ruth Beauchamp, 91. She hasn't met Quinn yet so that will be fun. Then, we'll go to Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon and stay in a hotel. Then, we'll drive to Tucson and visit my uncle, Bob Swanson, and his wife, Judy. Finally, we'll camp all the way home. There'll be great scenery to drive through, especially between Flagstaff and Albuquerque. Quinn will probably watch a lot of videos in the van.
I just had to post this pic of my brother, John Severs, with my son at Mondo's restaurant in West Des Moines. My dad invited us all out to eat, for no particular reason, as I remember, and this was one of the last occasions where we all got together with my dad. I think it was September, 1999 or so.
