A vote for Kent is a vote for ...

Okay, you fill in the blank. I know you are all creative so make a comment about it.

Yes, Kent has finally taken a bite out of the politcal bug and he is running for city council. The primary is May 8th, so tell anyone you know that lives on the west side to vote for Kent on May 8.

Kent's official photo.

Lighten up, Francis

Alumni....activate!

Last weekend was full of silliness and catching up. As noted by Lori, Mike Stapel was in town visting Athens with Jed, Aaron, Rita, and Roy. Jake Smith and John Sarver popped in for an appearance as well.

Mike recently completed 8 years of service work for the US Gov, working for the Army. Which sends my mind into visions of the classic Bill Murry movie "Stripes", in which the follies of military life are comically rendered.

General Barnicke: Where have you been soldier?
John Winger: Training, sir.
Soldiers: Training, sir.
General Barnicke: What kind of training?
John Winger: Army training, sir.
Soldiers: Army training, sir.
General Barnicke: Are you telling me that you men finished your training on your own?
John Winger: That's a fact, Jack.
Soldiers: That's a fact, Jack.

Cracks me up.

I am tempted to include goofy movie quotes in all of my blog entries. Jeffo quoted "The Princess Bride" and "Star Wars" not to long ago and in a galaxy far, far away....

Some movies are darn funny and worth quoting frequently. I am dating myself when stating that the following movies make me laugh: Fletch, Caddyshack, History of the World and On Golden Pond.

Visitors...

I have to post about the past weekend. Mike Stapel has returned from afar and came to A-town with his merry band of pranksters. (i.e. the Kleins, Roy, Jed, Sarver even made an apearance) Mike has spent the past 8 years in the Army and lucky for him (and us ((U.S.)) he was an accountant or something like that. He spent time in Germany and Kuwait and maybe elsewhere, but needless to say, he was back in the states and needed some special attention from good friends (or weird friends ala Rita). When I say attention, I really mean harassment, because when you get in a room with Stapel, Aaron, Roy and Jed, no one and nothing is safe.
Of course I'll throw in some pictures too. Here's Mike at the Mexican restaurant with his new friends.

Aaron and Rita.

Roy, Aaron, Rita, Kent and I went to the women's OU Bball game. While Roy and I where off getting tickets and refreshments, Aaron signed Roy up for a halftime shoot out. It was a race to see who could make the most layups, Roy or this other dude. Well, Roy lost, but he looked marvelous out there. And he got a free t shirt.

Winter sky

Hello.

Winter is not so bad when the sun shines. Lori and I enjoy the blue sky and sun...especially if it is 2 degrees Farhenheit outside.

We are excited about the upcoming weekend, for we have friends coming into town to visit. I am sure that we will have some stories...



The photo above was taken on my way home from work. The shot below is of the sky, as seen from our house. I was intrigued by the subtle color changes as well as the "puffy texture" of the clouds. Lori liked the top image because it appears that the snow from the field and clouds in the sky converge and become one.

Winter in Athens 2007

Hello to all! (Kent here)


Here are a few shots I snapped of the snow this winter.


Ohio University's at night


Dairy Lane Road fence


An old barn, not far from where I work.

First Birthday

Hazel's first piece of chocolate cake!

Hmmmm... I think I'll play with it for awhile....

and a awhile longer...

Finally a bite. mmmmmmm.

I went to Hazel's first birthday party on Sunday. This is a photo story of her eating cake. She mushed most of it around for a few minutes before finally taking a bite. I think she enjoyed playing with it more than eating it. As a true Wiese-Stephens, I'm sure she'll learn the ways of the sweet tooth before long.

Stroud's Run

Kent and I went for a hike at Stroud's today. We did the hike that goes from one end of the campground to the other. It's nice because you climb up to the ridge at the beginning (that gets you warmed up) and then you walk along the ridge for about a mile and then it's down again. There is a great overlook of the lake, too.
Group photo.

Pretty creek shot on the hike. Can you see us?

Along the way...


Strouds Run is a State Park about 5 miles from our house. It's not well kept up due to cuts in the state budget, but it suits us in southeast Ohio. There are plenty of hiking trails, a beach, boat dock, and campsite, among other amenities.

In the summer, I love riding my bike out there, going for a swim, and then riding back the long way, which involves a little off roadin' on my bike. It was a great workout when I was training for the triathlon. Now the lake is frozen, so I don't recommend the swim.