I'm considering moving famille.org to a different web-hosting company.  Right now the entire domain is hosted by Yahoo, which is convenient (if not a bit embarrassing) because then my famille.org e-mail is in the same web interface as my Yahoo mail. 

But there are support issues with Movable Type, for instance this version of Movable Type (the software that runs the blog) is very old, and Yahoo doesn't seem to want to upgrade it.  Instead, their users get constant upgrade reminders (which we can do nothing about), which interfere with running the blog.  Further, features like remembering commenters (so that their comments don't have to be approved every time) and properly dealing with SPAM comments just don't work.  

Worse yet, Yahoo charges a real premium for their hosting, which is fine for some folks with the services they offer, but not for me.

So when I was at Oscon, I talked to the guy who wrote Movable Type blog, and he pointed me to a few hosting companies that (1) charge  a lot less than Yahoo, and (2) actually support the blog product.

This is more of an FYI for my readers.  The blog itself will move easily to the new site, when we make the move.  The pictures section is going to be a different matter.  There's no way to migrate Gallery 2 from one site to another, I just have to download all the pictures and upload them again.  That's going to take time, and also all the links will change.  I also might just start over  with new pics. 

Well that's the latest news.  I'll keep you posted.  

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 06:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Even before Ike churns through the midwest, we are getting hit by a fairly substantial storm from the west that is flooding most of Chicago. 

We're OK for now.  We took about an inch of water in the basement, but it was a fairly small section of floor and I was able to bail us out with the shop-vac.   For now, we're holding dry.  The street outside our house, however, is now known as Lake Trumbull, part of a chain of lakes including Lake Lee and Lake St. Louis.  I just moved our cars to high ground, a few blocks away.

Now, we've just got to prepare for the after-effects of Ike.  Gustav dumped three inches of rain in six hours on Chicago.  We're hoping for the best, my shop-vac is ready :)

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 06:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Tonight, Justin joined us downstairs while we were preparing the family room for some finishing projects. 

He explained to us that "Ethan autographed me".   

Tomorrow is Justin's last day of Summer School. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 07:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last Sunday, we (Aaron and Mike) went to the Lincolnwood (IL) summer carnival.  I must say it was a bit of a disappointment this year... the rides are getting kind of weary, they don't have much to ride, and the games are just getting ridiculously expensive. 

That said, for the short time we were there, Aaron took two rides, we ate lunch, played a couple games, and then left.  

If that narrative hasn't piqued your interest yet, here are pictures. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 07:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last month was Aaron's fifth grade graduation.  The school district doesn't actually call it a "graduation", they feel it's "inappropriate" to graduate fifth graders, so they call it a "reception".  But he did complete five years of education at Middleton Elementary School, and he's now officially a Junior High School student. 

Pics of the "reception", which looked oddly like a graduation ceremony, are here.

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 10:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 06:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Just a quick post - family update:  Aaron is now riding a bike! 

I, like my father before me, have spent many hours behind Aaron, holding his bike steady and running while he pedals down the sidewalk.  But this week, something clicked and he took off on his own.   

We are of course all very proud of Aaron, and I'm sure we'll soon never see him again  

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 07:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Aaron's award winning band performed last week at McCracken Middle School.  Aaron is First Seat Trombone; in most of the videos below you will see him somewhat in the center, either beside or behind the tuba player (depending on the perspective of the video).  These videos are Microsoft format; you have to have a compatible Microsoft AVI player installed in order to view them. 

In the first clip, Aaron's band does warm-ups.  Aaron is pretty clear in the center of the movie clip, just look for the trombone.

In the second clip, keep looking in the center but the angle is a bit wider, so you have to look strait back from the music stand sitting in front of the girl in the white dress at the end.  You'll see Aaron's trombone, then eventually Aaron. 

In the third clip, there are fewer band members and you'll see him pretty clearly behind / beside the tuba player. 

In the fourth clip,  all of the band members are back, so it'll be harder to see him.  But just keep your eyes peeled.

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 04:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last year I reported to you that Aaron won the Sudler Cup Award from the John Philip Sousa Foundation for his work on the school band.  Now we have another award winner in the house.
Ethan has won the Students' Outstanding Artists Recognition (SOAR) award for his artwork.  This is basically an award by the Village of Skokie Fine Arts Commission, and his artwork will be on display at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts throughout the month of March.

On Monday the 17th, we attended the award reception, where basically 3,000 people stood in a room intended to accomodate 300, and the mayor.  Really though, we are very proud.  

Pictures are HERE... The second picture (DCS01485) is a close-up of Ethan's award-winning art, DCS01488 is Ethan standing next to his award-winning art, and 1489 through 1493 are group pictures of Ethan's fellow award-winners with the Mayor of Skokie, standing at the far left of the picture.   

I guarantee you'll love the pictures, and I'm sure you're as proud of Ethan as we are! :) 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 07:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

It's been almost a month ago now, which tells you how busy we've been lately at the Humphries-Dolnick household.  But in February, we all went to Monster Jam at the Allstate Arena.  The kids always love it and we all come home smelling like complex hydrocarbons. 

The best part (for you) - I know you've all been dying to get some pictures of the kids since last December, so the pictures are HERE. 

Enjoy! 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 08:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

No Disney World New Year's, or watching Navy Pier fireworks from a suite at the Swisshotel.  This year, we're going to plant ourselves firmly in front of the new 42" Plasma and watch it all in living color in our family room.

We've got a nice Ice Wine to ring in the new year, and a half dozen cheeses and meats to snack on until the ball drops.  Then, we'll probably just go to bed and sleep late on Tuesday.

We here at FAMILLE.ORG hope that you and your family have a safe, happy, and profitable new year. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 08:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

As promised, today I spent some time doing an activity with the kids... we made Hanukkah cookies.  These were basically store-bought cookies so no presumptuous "made from scratch" here... just a good time mixing, baking, frosting, and painting them.  Pictures are HERE.  Give an hour or so from now (5:30 PM CST) for the upload to complete.

Speaking of pictures, you can review all of the Hanukkah 2007 pictures HERE.

So as the sun is setting now, Hanukkah 2007 has come to an end, and we now will have to muddle through another Chicago winter and look forward to Pesach, when the snow melts and we start to come out of hibernation.   

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 05:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Hanukkah Day 8 has begun.  I had grand plans to do some Hanukkah activities with the kids, but both Aaron and I caught a stomach flu.  And then Justin nearly caught the kitchen on fire.  But flammable cheesy noodles aside, we still lit candles (maybe it will get rid of the smell?) and had the kids open their remaining presents. 

Tomorrow is still Hanukkah and if I can stay out of the bathroom long enough, I think I'll try some activities with the kids again.  Meanwhile, here are some pictures to look at. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 04:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Boy, we've got some catching up to do, gift-wise.  The carrot-and-stick of clean-up your room to get presents works fine for Aaron, but isn't working out so well for Ethan and Justin.  They made great progress earlier this week, but now they aren't budging. 

I know some of you out there (Mom) are waiting to see the presents you ordered them, so we let them open a couple tonight.  

Also, we got some very odd Soda Pop from UPS today.  I assume this is the package that my brother promised was on the way.  The applesauce, chocolate, and jelly donut flavored sodas sound like fun, but I'm not too sure about drinking Potato-flavored soda.  Eh, whatever, I've eaten in some pretty weird places, I'll try anything once.

Once again, you know the drill - the pictures are here if you want 'em.  

One more night to go :( 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 09:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today, Aaron when on his second Orienteering expedition.  A little off-topic, I know, but he's very excited about this new activity and has acheived some level of accomplishment in it - his second outing and he's an Intermediate Orienteer, according to the local Chicago chapter of the club that tracks these things. 

Orienteering is about finding your way around the forest.  Spelunking, basically.  With a map.  You meet a lot of military people because it's a skill they drill into you in the military.  I think it's good for him to get some exposure to that sort of attitude and mentality.

Anyway, right... Hanukkah.  Day 6.  We lit candles.  There was no party, and we ate turkey sandwiches for dinner then most of us (except me, who's writing this now at 9 PM) went to bed due to the afformentioned Orienteering outing tuckering us out.   Pictures are here, see you tomorrow.

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 08:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I love this part.

LATKES!

Tonight was the big Dolnick family Channukah party.  Candles, dreidles, presents, and of course lots and lots of Latkes.  We also hooked up the PS3 to the HDTV for the first time today, and that kept Aaron busy with his older cousin for several hours.  The picture on this T.V. is amazing.  Marla got me some Blu-Ray movies, so we can see pure end-to-end Hi Def movies now.  Absolutely stunning.  It's pretty hard to take pictures of T.V. pictures, so the out-of-town readers will just have to come over to our house sometime to experience it.  Or buy your own :).

Justin, the trooper kept up with his older cousins as long as he could, then he crawled behind Marla's back on the couch and fell asleep about 7:00 PM.   

Ethan played with Alyson for hours in the living room and his room.  He had made progress on the clean-up; I haven't been in there yet tonight but I'm sure he'll have a lot more work to do as he has a tendancy to take thing out and leave them on the floor.  

In any case, a fun time was had by all and now it's time to upload many, many pictures.  That link should work now, but the pictures won't actually be there for several hours.  

More tomorrow.  Good night. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 07:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We were a bit late lighting tonight, we had an event to attend prior to sundown.  But the show, as they say, goes on ... just as it has for 2000 years. 

Today Ethan and Justin actually  made progress on their room... I should post some "after" shots sometime (before shots are here).  Ethan, Justin, and Aaron all had one present, to all of them, from their cousins Renee, Seth, Shana, and Yakov.  So since they all got to open a present today, they opened that one together.  I don't know where they found it, but the kids actually got a "snoopy snow cone machine".  I had one of these when I was a kid.  I didn't know they still made them.  But there it is, in all it's glory. 

Mike got "Blazing Saddles" on BluRay (a new toy for the family - a PlayStation 3 and 42" Plasma HDTV...) so we know what I'll be doing tomorrow (setting up the TV and PS3...) 

The pictures are all HERE, enjoy.  Tomorrow is the party.

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 09:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Time to light the third candle.  I love Channukah, it's one of the few times per year I can spend a lot of time with my family.  We light candles, which adds a warm glow to the house, and then we sit around and talk - like humans - about our day, what we did, etc.  Then we sit down (together) for a big meal. 

Or sometimes, like tonight, hamburgers and hot dogs from Poochies. :)

OK, as promised, pictures:

Day 1 & 2

Day 3 (Today)

Also for those of you who want to know more about this huge mess of toys that the kids have, see here.  Aaron's room is actually much cleaner since he started cleaning up, and he earned one new present today (Star Wars Battlefront II).  Ethan and Justin are still testing the waters to see if we'll really withhold Hannukah presents from them.  Hey, when Marla's parents were kids, they got socks and school supplies for Hannukah.  Maybe we'll give them some. :) 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 09:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

OK a little background info is in order.  Two factors are affecting our Channukah this year:

1.  The house is literally over-run with toys.  The kids never throw (or give) away anything, and they don't put them away either.  Yeah, I know, I'm whining, but the point is - they've all three been given an ultimatum: throw (or give) away 80% of your toys, and put away the rest, or they don't get to open any.

2.  The crazy, cyclical financial services market conditions mean that this is a "down" year for Mike.   We're not going broke, or anything that rash, but we'll certainly be taking things a bit more "low key" this year. 

That means that we don't have our usual pile of gifts for the kids, and the small pile that has arrived from relatives will wait until they can do something besides sit and watch T.V. or play computer games.  

That said, we're still celebrating Channukah.  There's still the lights, the gelt, the dreidles, and the latkes.  We'll also be having our famous family get-together this Saturday.  

So here's what's happened so far: Evening 1 (first candle lighting), we didn't light.  Mainly because we cleaned up the living room for the event, then the kids tore it apart again (literally).  

Day 1 / Second candle lighting: We lit candles, and Aaron got enough of his room cleaned up to earn a present.  Since we haven't purchased them any yet, Aaron opened Nana's.  Pictures will be posted shortly and I'll post the link here.

Mike and Marla, who of course keep their room clean :), also opened a present from Nana.  Thanks, Nana!

Today is Day 2 (candle lighting 3), I'll post about it (and maybe get the pictures up) later tonight. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 01:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 08:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This last week, Aaron had his 5th Grade class 3-day trip to White Pines Ranch in Oregon, Illinois.  This is sort of a semi-working farm / ranch / outdoor education center that includes dorms, horseback riding, hiking, games, food, and other activities.

Aaron had a blast of course, and he took pictures... which have been uploaded here.

Enjoy! 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 06:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ah, the dog days of summer.  Now summer is over, and it's time to think about school and soccer and ice skating and going to curriculum nights, parent-teacher conferences, etc etc.

All our pictures from this summer are HERE.  You can see everything from Disney in June to the last pictures I just posted, from the first day of AYSO Soccer for Ethan and Aaron. 

Speaking of those AYSO pictures, I'm having a little server-side trouble uploading, and was only able to upload a few.  More will come later this week, so if you want to see them keep an eye open HERE.

The next big picture & blog event will be Hannukah 2007, although I'll post here (and at the family Picture Gallery) whenever something interesting comes up. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 04:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 06:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

First of, before we get to business... what's with all the Llamas around here?  :)

OK I knew someday this day would come.  My son, Aaron, is now in fifth grade and must be able to recite the Preamble of the US Constitution in order to move on to sixth grade.  When I was a kid, this was a requirement of 8th grade.  But in my day, we weren't learning algebra in fourth grade.  Whatever.

Anyway, so I knew this day would come.  My son wants to know how *I* memorized the constitution, or at least the preamble.  And what is the response of everyone who passed through Junior High School in the 1970's?  School House Rock, of course! To this day, I can recite the Preamble from memory, thanks to that famous video.  I'm sure thousands of people my age are the same boat. 

But what to do? the problem is, School House Rock is no longer on T.V. every Saturday morning between every cartoon, anymore.  So what's an over forty victim of fate to do?   Sing the song to my kids?  HAH!  Fat chance.  Now, it's YOUTUBE to the rescue!

In the next post, (one article up from this) you will find the actual youtube video of the School House Rock video that teaches the preamble.  I can't post it inline here because of a quirk with moveable type weblogs.  Those of you who remember, can sing along.  It brought a tear to my eye. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 06:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We went to watch the September 3rd Cubs game at the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field.  Unfortunately, the Cubs got blown out 11-3, mostly due to Carlos Zambrano giving up eight runs in three innings when the Cubs had been up 2-0.  On the positive side, we had dream seats: row one in Section 19, basically directly behind the plate three rows back from the brick.  We will probably never sit this clloase to the game again, but hopefully we will see a better game someday!

Pictures are HERE. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 05:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tomorrow (Friday) we're going to Union, Illinois to see the annual "A Day Out with Thomas" event.  This is at the Illinois Railway Museum, which features a huge number of running an non-running trains that you can tour, climb on, and ride on.  The highlight of the day is a ride on a train pulled by Thomas the Tank Engine.

We'll take pictures, as always, however Mike leaves for Zurich on Saturday so it might be late August before the pictures are posted.  I know you will be simply salivating for pictures, so here are some from last year, this year's will look almost exactly the same :).

BTW this will be my last post until I return from Zurich on August 29. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 08:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 09:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Aaron, Ethan, and Justin are all in Challenger British Soccer Camp this week, learning soccer from British pros and semi-pros.  Aaron is quite good at soccer and for him it's an opportunity to improve his skills before AYSO Soccer starts in the fall.  This year, not only will Mike be coaching Aaron's (U12) team, but Marla will be coaching Ethan's (U6) team. 

Unfortunately we don't have any pictures yet, and because of the wide angle of the soccer fields, it's unlikely  that we'll have any (but we'll try). 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 06:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We went to Arlington Park yesterday; this was an employer-paid event that included admission, a program, food, beverages, and a private tent for our company.  The kids had a great time, and pictures are HERE.

Next event: A Day Out with Thomas, in August.  More pictures to come! 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 08:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

So I'm catching up on some stuff that should have been done in late May / early June, if we hadn't hightailed it out of Illinois so fast after school ended.

Aaron is a member of the District 73.5 beginner band, and this band won the 2006 John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Cup award for excellence.   This award covers the full band, including the beginner band that Aaron belongs to, all the way up to the elite Symphonic band.

So in honor of this award, the band had a concert during the last week of May, and we recorded portions of it.  

Here is Aaron's band playing three selections of music [MP3].  This is an MP3 file, so you can download it but you'll need an MP3 Player to listen to it (hopefully your computer already has one).  If this works out well, I may post other MP3s from the concert.

BTW as I was writing this post, Aaron received a letter from Illinois Congressman Louis Lang congratulating him on his class's Sudler Cup achievement.  We, of course, are very proud.

Oh, I guess I should mention that Aaron plays Trombone. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 02:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you looked for the pictures yesterday, they might have still been uploading.  Everything is done now, and you can find them all at:

http://gallery.famille.org/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=1249&g2_fromNavId=xdd28d5ca 

This includes Disney, Dells, July 4th, and the car races.

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 02:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

On July 4th, we went to the Skokie fireworks show after returning from the Dells.  This is an annual event held at Niles West High School that includes music, food, games, and of course the fireworks show.  The pictures are HERE, and here's what you'll see:

• The kids running around on the Niles West athletic field during the concert. 
  
• A juggler
• Ethan in the Sack Race
• Aaron waiting for the sack race.  Somehow, he didn't get to participate.  Sigh.
• Ethan eating watermellon.  There was supposed to be a seed spitting contest, but he just ate the food.
• Justin eating watermellon too
• Ethan in the tug-o-war game
• Aaron in the tug-o-war game (he won!)
• Pictures of the Skokie dusk sky, just before the fireworks
• Aaron on top of the car, waiting to watch the fireworks
• The Fireworks 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 05:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Last night, we all went to Hartford Speedway Park in Hartford, MI (about 2 hours from Chicago) to watch stock car racing.  This is a half-mile dirt oval track that has Factory Stock, Mini Stock, UMP Late Model, UMP Modifieds, Mini Sprints, Enduros, and Quads.  We actually went to see a friend race in the Quads, which are like little one-cylinder two-stroke four-wheel ATVs.  A friend from work helped the driver rebuild his Quad, and he was there watching his friend race.  So we went, because it's a good opportunity for the kids to  (A) see REAL stock car racing, and (B) Meet the driver.

This is what NASCAR was 30 years ago - a bunch of guys just racing their hearts out on a dirt track  just for the thrill of it.  And we all had a great time, and came home at 2:00 AM covered in dirt. 

The pictures are HERE.

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This is the time of year where we haven't had any holidays, vacations, or other family events to use as an excuse to take pictures of the kids.  So just 'cause it's spring, here are some pics we took this week.  (Actually, this was a birthday party for our next door neighbors at the Skokie Exploratorium).

See The Latest Pics HERE 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 04:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I won't go into the whole Passover story, like I did for Purim.  However, I thought this was an interesting side note.

Most of us know the story about the Jews escaping from hard labor in Egypt.  Not enough time to rise the bread, so we eat Matzah, yadda yadda, and then the parting of the Red Sea.

What few know is that actually, it didn't go like things did in The Ten Commandments.  The Jews didn't arrive at the banks of the Red Sea and suddenly things just opened up for them.  In fact, at first, (the story tells us), nothing at all happened.  It wasn't until every Jew had completely immersed themselves before the miracle of the parting of the Sea occurred.  In fact, the story goes on to say that most had to go in far enough that they actually could not breathe until the sea was parted.

This was an extraordinary leap of faith.  No one knew for sure what to do next or what would happen, only that their God would see them through.  And only when things got as bad as they possibly could get (as with the faithful who dove in over their heads) did divine intervention save them.  

This story tells us a lot.  First, that faith - most importantly - is required for God's intervention.  Second, even when God was imposing his will in the form of miracles that saved the Nation of Israel, personal human choice was required to make those miracles happen.  Faith first, and choice second.  That's the way it has always been, even in the days of the Passover.

Happy Passover. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Long ago, there was a king named Ahaseurus, who ruled over the Persian Empire after the Persians defeated the Babylonians and released the Jews from their captivity.  Ahaseurus was generally a good king, although he sought council from an evil man named Haman.  Ahaseurus' wife, Vashti, refuses to meet with King Ahaseurus upon his request, and is shunned.  Ahaseurus then goes about selecting a new wife.

Hadassah, cousin of Mordecai, is selected and becomes Queen Esther.  Haman is outraged that the Jews in Persia will not bow to Ahaseurus, and he convinces Ahaseurus to kill all of the Jews via a lottery system (Hebrew: Pur).  Neither Haman or Ahaseurus know that Esther is Jewish.

Meanwhile, Mordecai became privy to a plot by two of Ahaseurus'  Eunoch guards to lay hands upon him, and overthrow him.  Mordecai tells Esther, who in turn tells King Ahaseurus on behalf of Mordecai.  King Ahaseurus arrests the eunochs, confronts them, and they confess.  King Ahaseurus makes a mental note to someday reward Mordecai.

Mordecai has become despondant over the King's decree to kill the Jews.  He contacts Esther, and together they come up with a plan.  If Esther approaches King Ahaseurus to speak to him, and he refuses, Esther would be killed.  But she agrees that this is important enough to risk her own life in order to save the Jews.  So Esther first approaches King Ahaseurus to invite him and Haman to a dinner feast.  King Ahaseurus accepts, and Queen Esther lives.  

Meanwhile, King Ahaseurus has a sleepless night, and contemplates his fortunes.  During this time of reflection, he remembers that he owes Mordecai a favor, and summons Haman to tell him to reward him.  Haman is upset because at that very moment, he was contemplating asking the King to hang Mordecai, and in fact had already built a fifty-foot high gallow for just that purpose.  

During the meal, King Ahaseurus asks Queen Esther what is on her mind.  She reports that she is upset, because a bad man has convinced him to kill all of her relatives.  King Ahaseurus is surprised, and asks who this bad man is.  Esther responds that it is the Wicked Haman.  King Ahaseurus is outraged, and orders Haman seized and hung in Mordecai's gallow.  The Jewish people are saved, and Mordecai becomes a trusted advisor.  

Happy Purim.  Chag Simeach. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 07:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tonight is Monster Jam at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL.   This is another great event to take kids to, because behavior (good, bad, or otherwise) is of course optional. 

The kids will have their ear protection, of course, but we'll still all come home smelling like complex hydrocarbons.  Meanwhile, let them scream, yell, jump around, and act their ages.  I'll sit back, have some nachos and beer, and enjoy the show. 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We were living the life of luxury at midnight, and in such luxurious surroundings I couldn't bring myself to log in and post a happy new years message (actually, I left the laptop at home on purpose...)

Pictures from the Executive Suite at the Swissotel overlooking Navy Pier: http://gallery.famille.org/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=1183&g2_fromNavId=x52162e95 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 07:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sigh... last day.  We went out to dinner, special dinner night at Gulliver's.  Aaron ate two orders of chicken strips, Ethan had his usual chicken strips dinner, and Justin enjoyed a bowl of clam chowder (his new favorite).  Then we came home, lit candles, and opened the rest of the presents.  Next, we're all going to listen to Adam Sandler's Hanukkah Song :)

Pics here:http://gallery.famille.org/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=1145&g2_fromNavId=x9e9f6d9e

See you next year! 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 06:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Pics here: http://gallery.famille.org/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=1125&g2_fromNavId=xb44bc9d8

Bubbie will particularly like the third picture, or: http://gallery.famille.org/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=1133 

Adam Sandler's Chanukah Song: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chanukah_Song :)

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 09:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

LATKES! 

Lots of Latkes.  Marla's Latkes.  Excellent Latkes.  Tonight was Latke night!  I still have the taste of potato pancakes, apple sauce, sour cream, and of course jelly donuts in my mouth.   Marla's folks came over, we did a lot of singing and then of course presents were opened.  A good time was had by all.  

Find the pictures at:  http://gallery.famille.org/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=1102&g2_fromNavId=x629251af

There might even be pictures of Latkes there!  :) 

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 06:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ah, much better.  Less hectic, more resting.  That's what vacations (and Hanukkah) are all about! 

You'll notice that Justin in unwrapping a "Christmas" present here.  That's a gift from his daycare provider, Missy.  

I think that Justin is really starting to get into this stuff, singing along with us when we light candles and trying to say the blessings.  

So of course, you want the pics.  Here they are!  :  http://gallery.famille.org/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=1064&g2_fromNavId=xb025ca5b

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 07:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today reminds me just how crazy and hectic our lives are.  Day Four of Hanukkah was like the typical evening at the Humphries-Dolnick household:

•  Pick up Aaron from school at 3:00
• Aaron homework: 3:00 - 5:00 PM
• Skating lessons: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
• Dinner: 7:00 - 8:00 PM.  Pick up fast food, Marla lights candles as I'm serving up the food.
  
• During dinner: Open presents
• Eeyore to the Dog Park: 8:00 - 9:00 PM
• Put the kids to bed: 9:15 PM

So today we had the kids open my Mom's presents to the kids.  Pictures at: http://gallery.famille.org/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=1053&g2_fromNavId=xb8259f01

Posted by Michael Humphries-Dolnick at 08:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)