First year in Bloomington

Selections from this past year in Indiana: IU Campus, pumpkin carving, our first solo Thanksgiving, first snow, and doggie love, respectively.

Showalter "Fishtasm" Fountain

One of the many creeks running through campus

The creeks, of course, demand extensive wooden footbridges.

Jordan Hall: Lesley's lab is on the top floor, on the end (right near the tip of that pine tree). If you squint you can see her then-future-now-present self waving to her past self who took this picture last spring. Amazing, isn't it?

Tulips in spring

Dunn Wood in the fall.

We went to a small family farm and took a hay ride out to their pumpkin patch. This year, we're growing our own, as long as Hank / the rabbits / bugs don't devour them first.

Les, making me jealous with her public displays of pumpkin affection.

We hosted a carving party for our friends in the Biology department.

Now you can match pumpkin to carver. Top (left to right): Mark, Casey, Laura, Amy, Sherry, and Andy. Bottom (left to right): Rebecca, Sarah, Erik, Lesley, and Gwendolyn. Not pictured because he was taking the photo: Thomas.

Les stuffing the bird.

Stuffing shaker dance.

Mmmmm....

A snow angel for Kristin.

Of course our snowman was a Gunners fan. And those are Nilla Wafer eyes that for some reason the birds never ate.

A solemn goodbye to that first snowman.

Columbo is Houp's dog and Hank's unofficial brother. Jeez, aren't little brothers annoying?

And one of Katie and Allie -- still our favorite doggie sisters.

Long Lake

It's quickly approaching midsummer, and Les and I are suffering from Adirondack withdrawals. These are some photographs of Long Lake from the past two years. The really beautiful ones are the products of Lesley's fine camerawork; the rock monster picture was probably mine.

Buttermilk Falls

The boatdock.

Grease Fire!

Aforementioned rock monster!

Hank the Tank!

Hank is quite possibly the awesomest dog in the history of caninedom. We adopted him from the Bloomington Animal Shelter back in January. Then a robust 108 pounds, he's since slimmed down to a lean, mean 104. A half-lab, half-Newfoundland, Hank came pre-named (though we thought it fit him quite well) and slight heartworm-positive. He loves cuddling on the floor, slobbering over food, and pooping on other people's lawns. Even though he looks intimidating and has a terrifically deep bark, he also has the sweetest temperment we've ever seen in a dog.

Hank's a big fan of laying in the grass...

...eating snow...

...wintry hugs...

... and cuddling on the couch.

If you come visit, he'll gladly fishdive on your shoes, slobber on your clothes, and spoon with you on the living room floor.

Our New Place

Here are some photos of our new home in Bloomington:

from across the street

Living Room

Dining Room

Super Nook!

Kitchen

The Backyard

Lesley's Study -- notice the soothing yellow she chose

Erik's Study -- Les has donned this particular shade "Punch-you-in-the-face Green"

Guest Bedroom -- now occupied by a couple of flood refugees

Master Bedroom