"Finally!" Bekah says. Our beach vacation comes to pass – and it was a dandy. We spent it in Surf City, NC (Topsail Island) with Tennessee family.

Fun times at the Hartford Fair! (Our county fair.)

We spent a weekend in Chicago visiting friends and attending Matt Larsen's wedding; and then I headed to Bloomington, IL for a Conference (work-related) while Bekah and the kids stayed in Chicago for the week.

We had a fun day celebrating Robert's birthday. We went to a couple backpacking stores across Ohio (The Outdoor Source & Appalachian Outfitters) for Robert to pick out a new ultralight backpack. He's the new proud owner of the Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone – which will double as Bekah's new pack! (It's not a trick – it fit her well and she loves it.)

We had a great time at the Taylor-Kettenring wedding and exploring the Harpers Ferry area. Here are the festivities in pictures! Lots of family and friends of Michael and Karin were present. (Here are some pictures that Karin uploaded from their Honeymoon.)

We're headed to Michael (Mokey) and Karin's wedding today – in Harpers Ferry, WV. Should be fun!

We had a very nice Mother's Day with our Moms!

Bekah launched her everyday-life blog called the kids and I. Check it out!

Backpacking with Brad and Steve in Red River Gorge - part of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky. (No pictures yet.)

Nick and I went backpacking in the AEP ReClaimation Lands (southern Ohio).