August 23, 2012: Augustino

Worst idea in the world: giving Augustino a party favor.  He sat on his doorstep all day blowing it at anyone who passed by.  He stopped me long enough to impart some of his wisdom on to me: "Mandy, you got to get a boyfriend.  I worry for you.  I will be your boyfriend, if you just let me."

Still thinking about it.

August 22, 2012: Busted

After having dinner with some of my new coworkers, I walked out to find my car completely blocked in by police officers.  There were a few people in the backs of the squad cars and some of the police officers were rummaging through the grass with their flashlights.   There were at least 5 squad cars on the street, and I sat blocked in for a while.  It gave me a good excuse to gawk.  Never a dull moment in the city!

August 21, 2012: A Killer Awaits

I was laying in bed at about 11:30 when I realized I never took a picture today.  Since I was too lazy to actually get out of bed, this is what I got.  The funny thing is that every night I stare at this vent in the ceiling.  I have an extremely overactive imagination, and I often scare myself by convincing myself that a serial killer is hiding in the vent, waiting until I fall asleep before he gets me.  I know, I am ridiculous.  I am also the girl who checks all the "murderer spots" when I get home: the shower, the two hall closets, under Katie's bed, in our bedroom closets, and behind the papasan chair.  Unfortunately I don't have a tall enough ladder to check the vents.

On a side note, I am venturing to guess that many more days will pass where I will realize I have forgotten to take a picture.  I am wondering now how many times you will see a picture similar to this one.  My guess is at least 12.  I promise I will get creative with the special effects or something :)

August 20, 2012: The Madness Begins

School starts in 15 days.  I got a job at a new school this fall, so I am feeling like a first year teacher all over again.  I am really pumped, but my stupid eye won't stop twitching.

August 19, 2012: VICTORY!

I never thought kickball could get me so worked up.  Our team was up 6-0 in the sixth inning.  At the top of the 7th inning we fell apart and let the other team score six runs.  We didn't score any other runs, so we went into extra innings.  We held the other team and scored two runs, getting a win!  It was the most nerve racking kickball game I have ever played.  Katie and I each caught an infield fly.  Paul caught about 17.  I think it was the awesome shades.

August 18, 2012: Air and Water Show

This show was AWESOME!  Six hours of fighter aircrafts, jets, F-4s, T-16 Texans, parachute teams, and the Blue Angels!  

August 17, 2012: Dangit

This is the moment when Kate realized she had completed a route completely unrelated to her cards. Nobody laughed at her, I swear :)

August 16, 2012: Elvis is Alive

I ran the "Elvis is Alive" 5k today with some friends.  A lot of people dressed in their best Elvis costumes, ran a nice course along the lakeshore, and enjoyed a free Elvis impersonator concert afterwards.  I was pretty impressed with my homemade costume.

August 15, 2012: Wind Theft

I finally got to see the windmills.  These things have been the talk of Ludington for the last year.  The controversy over them has literally torn Ludington apart.  People have protested, intense articles have been written, and friendships have even been strained because of the differing opinions.  Personally, I think they are incredible.  I don't understand how they can be so terrible.  According to one picketing woman, the windmills are going to steal all of the wind from the town.  Nobody will be able to dry their clothes on the line anymore.  Riiiiight....

August 14: One Badass Granddaddy

It didn't take long before Dad and Grandpa put me to work.  I was excited to be back on the farm and see if the city had robbed me of my farmgirl toughness.  I spent the morning picking up wood with Grandpa.  The first few piles, I tried to rush ahead of him and grab the big logs so he didn't strain himself picking them up.  I quickly realized that my 81 year old grandfather is still a stud.  In an arm strength competition, he easily dominates me, and he lets me know it.   

August 13, 2012: Pure Michigan

Meg, Kyle, and I walked the Ridgeline Trail at the Ludington State Park today.  I could stay here forever!  Meeting the rest of the family for Mancino's grinders by the river made the hike that much better.  We even got to see a bald eagle soar over the river and perch in a nearby tree.  Might not ever go back to Chicago!

August 12, 2012: It's a BOY!

I obviously didn't take this picture, but how can you compete with the picture that shows that you're going to have a little nephew!  Knowing his parents, he is going to be the most hysterical, nerdy little man.  I can't wait to meet the little guy!

August 11, 2012: Meteor Shower

Laying on the deck at midnight catching the meteor shower.

August 10, 2012: Best Parents Ever

I absolutely love my parents.  So glad I take after them!

August 9, 2012: Morning Hike

Mom, Dad, and I went on a mini vacation to Starved Rock National Park for a couple of days.  Dad and I went on a morning hike through some canyons.  While dad thought that watching some men catch fish was the highlight of the morning (shocking, I know), I thought this canyon was a bit neater.

August 8, 2012: Nap Time

We saw this statue at Starved Rock State Park.  Getting this shot was difficult because there was a 3" pool of water right under my butt.  I had to look relaxed while I was struggling to hold myself above the water.

August 7, 2012: USA. USA. USA.

Only the most patriotic fans have their own Olympic glasses.  Best dollar I ever spent.  

August 6, 2012: So Strong

I can't even remember why they decided to arm wrestle.  I just love Ryan's face in this picture!  You almost got him, Kate!

August 5, 2012: Harvest

Our first batch of peppers kept getting scorched by the sun.  They would begin to rot before they were even close enough to picking size.  We had spent the entire summer watching Augustino, our gardening pro neighbor, pick beans from his garden while our own plants were bare.  Imagine our excitement when we went out to the garden and came back with 5 green peppers, a single tomato, and 4 beans!  While we were high fiving each other and jumping with excitement, Aug stood there laughing and mocking us.  Good thing he's there to keep us humble.

August 4, 2012: Gol!!

Anytime the Chicago Fire scored a goal, fans rolled out this gigantic fire jersey, turned on the fog machine, and chanted some cheers, all while the cheer masters took their shirts off and waved them around their heads.   Who's the best? (FIRE!) Who? (FIRE!) Who? (FIRE!) Who?

August 3, 2012: Honky Tonk BBQ

You know that you have the best small group in the world when all of you decide a night out isn't complete without a very large platter of meat.  Yee haw!

August 2: Out of Control

It was a hot day, I will give him that.  But when my friend laid on the cement after playing a few matches of tennis, this imprint is what was formed.  If you look hard enough, you can see where he sweat around the letters on the back of his t-shirt.  Gross and Awesome.

August 1: Professional Sous Chef in the Making

This was my first time cutting a whole pineapple.  Thanks, google!  I feel pretty proud of myself.  Almost wanted to make this top part into a hat or something to commemorate this moment forever.  I guess loading this picture onto the interweb will have to suffice.

July 31, 2012: YOLO!

We spent the day at Six Flags with my roommate Katie's family.  At this point in the day, Jackson had spent all morning in the waterpark and on the kiddy rides.  He was a little spent!  Made me wish I could go back to the days where I could climb on dad's shoulders when I got tired.  Might try it this week when mom and dad come to visit.  Hey, like we taught Jackson... YOLO!!

July 30, 2012: Wrigley Field

My second Cubs game of the season.  They killed the Pirates, 14-4.  That means that out of the two games I have attended for the Cubs this year, they have won both.  Which is shocking considering I have been to over 20 Tigers games and only seen them win twice.  My dad once told me that if he ever became a Tigers' manager the first thing he would do is ban me from all games since I am terrible luck.  Is being a Cubs fan in my future?

Nope :)