Here's for you, Steve:

Jon and I took Cloey for a walk around campus late in the afternoon. It was a beautiful day.







Here's one of Lauren from a few weeks ago.

Elementary Strings Program

Jon and Lauren had a string program this afternoon.

There are sitting together on the left, second row in.

Thanks, Grandpa Don!

More from Steve

Helsinki Cathedral in Senate Square on Feb. 13th:



Downtown Helsinki:

The golden arches are everywhere.....


can you spot them?


how about here?



Anyone notice they have less snow than Marquette? Steve said they have less than 1 in. on the ground in places.

Steve's Purchase at the Lidl (Market)

Steve's purchase at the market. Kinda cool, hey?

UP 200 Finish

An exciting finish!!!!!
A


Lauren and I went down to see the UP 200 winner. Congratulations Ed Stielstra of Nature's Kennel, McMillan, MI!

Lauren in front of the winning sled. 2nd place dogs being loaded into truck.

Kaleidoscope 2008

Yesterday we went to Kaleidoscope, an educational activity day at the Superior Dome for kids. Here are the kids flying the kites they helped make:

UP 200 Sled Dog Race

Lauren and I ventured into the cold, cold, night down to the start of the annual UP 200 Sled Dog Race. Kind of a tradition for us. It was 8 degrees but felt like 20 below. It was just frigid. We could only watch 5. Then we picked up pizzas and went home to hibernate.

Jon stayed home and walked the dog. He got so excited that he could see the dippers in the night sky, he brought out the telescope he got from Santa and went in the backyard to star gaze. I told him I would go when it was 85 degrees and I was hot as hell. Not tonight!

More Photos from Steve

Here are some pics Steve shot while walking around Helsinki last night:

notice the rails and overhead track







looks like an outdoor icerink







Some are blurry but I think they still are cool. Really shows the city at night. Good work Steve!

Happy Valentines Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The kids celebrated Valentine's Day with parties at school:

Jon's class went sledding at Harlow Park:

After, they came back for icecream sundaes:

Here is Jon's class along with his teacher, Mrs. Miller. She is a superb teacher:

Lauren's class watched a film in their classroom during their party:

They exchanged valentines, had lots of goodies, and gave valentines to their teacher Mr. Schwarck. He is also an excellent teacher and the kids all love him. He was Jon's teacher last year.

Jon made a valentine for Cloey (our dog.)

Hope your day was full of love and kisses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All About Jon!

This post is going to all be about Jon!

Here he is doing his favorite hobby:



Will he be as good as Grandpa Don someday?

He made a box for his valentines:



Jon received all OUTSTANDING on his report card!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



He also took a Scholastic Reading Inventory test and scored above the 500-800 end of the year target range. I told him he was done learning for the year :)

Jon also want to be a chef. He has a small cookbook collection, recipe box and cooking utencils. Send him a recipe. He would be thrilled.

More photos from Steve:

The entrance to the museum. I thought it was a church.

Steve's Study Abroad in Helsinki

Steve is currently in Helsinki, Finland on a study abroad experience. So far, he has settled in at the apartment he shares with two other exchange students, one from Turkey and one from Sweden. Here are some pics:

For anyone that wants to drop him a line, his email is sshirkey@nmu.edu and his mailing address is:


Steven Shirkey

Junailijankuja 5 B 65

00520 Helsinki, Finland


Steve and a few friends took a day trip over the Baltic Sea to Tallin, Estonia. Apparently, the exchange rate is much better over there. Here are some pics:

He also went to the Helsinki Museum:

More to come later!