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Japan Family Trip - Part II: Exploring the Shrines and Wilds of Nikko

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We had originally planned on taking the bullet train down from Tokyo to Kyoto for a day or two. While being epically fast, it was a bit spendy for the four of us.  After talking to Brooke's coworker we settled on a two day trip to Nikko and its World Heritage Sites to break up our week in Tokyo. This turned out to be an amazing decision. The town is teaming with beauty from ancient shrines to epic waterfalls and some of the best meals we had on our trip. Kyoto didn't seem all that appealing to me when I started researching which location to go to. I too am glad we chose to head north to Nikko.  When we booked our Tobu Nikko Spacia X tickets I upgraded to the premium seats thinking that we'd be sitting facing one another. Instead we ended up with 4 individual seats, two in the first two rows and two in the last two rows. It turned out just fine with the kids sitting in front of us in two groups. Meadow and I were seated at the front of the car. Once in awhile we'd pas...
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Meadow's 13th Birthday Party

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We woke up to down pouring rain.  Once the rain had slowed down, Theo and I walked over to the Kingfield Farmers Market. Theo picked another Bundt cake as his treat. I have never seen it so dead.  I got some rhubarb to make jam and Israeli bagels that I wasn't expecting to be long. On our walk home we also picked up some free pots and a Minecraft book.  Both of our vacuums have bit the dust. I was trying to hold out until Black Friday to buy another one when I saw there was deals thanks to Prime Day. Theo said he's never seen me this excited before, not even my birthday.  I used up all of my gift cards I'd earned from Medica. Yeah, I know, it's weird. Walking for two years got us a vacuum. I had vacuumed in the morning with our old vacuum and then again with our new one. Ew. Usually I'm the one stressing out before guests come over but this time it was Scott.  We both have blind spots for different parts of the house I guess. We originally thought we'd have her ...
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Meadow @ 13 Years

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Father's Day and Grandpa Birthdays Up at the Cottage

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This summer we were making sure to get up to the cottage as often as we could. Even when I had a shoot out of state before Father's Day. While Scott was still in Illinois, the kids and I drove to the cottage. Scott would be flying in to Rhinelander and we'd pick him up there.  My dad suggested we go out for breakfast before picking him up. We dried out R&T's "not so" Dinkey Diner. I wish I could have went to their old location but this was a nice restaurant. They had games and a play area for little kids.  I thought we'd just pick up Scott at the entrance when my dad said we should park and go in. I didn't think in 2026 that you could still meet people at the gate.  I flew into Rhinelander since I didn't want to miss Father's Day up at the cottage. To my surprise, Mr. Mike, Brooke and Theo met me in the tiny terminal. On the way back we checked out my new billboard for the Three Lakes Area visitors bureau. As we drove closer I laughed out loud...
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Work Trip: Carlinville, Illinois and a St Louis Walk on the Hill

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Every few shoots for my main client I end up somewhere I'd never heard of before. This time it was Blackburn College in quaint Carlinville, Illiniois. Apparently famous for it's chili factory and its parlor. The family friendly chili parlor faces the town square, meanwhile the Anchor Inn faces the street behind it where the chili is also served alongside beers and rail drinks.  I was informed the chili comes with a kick and that was no lie. Knowing this fact I went with the chili mac and I'd do it again. Even though Carlinville is much closer to St Louis, the Anchor is definitely a Cubs bar.
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A Weekend of Bike Rides

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With the kids finishing up school we had to treat them to Sushi Train. They picked the downtown location, which meant a family bike ride.  Theo asked why we don't go to this location anymore. The other location is more convenient but we agreed to go the one downtown this time.  I swear we did in fact eat sushi. We seem to always miss strawberry picking season. This year I was determined to go. Afton Apple was the first place I found that was open for the season.  One of their old fields that they were ready to retire was producing a lot of fruit this year. 
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Tree Year 4

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2023
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Work Trip: Evanston, Illinois

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For my fifth shoot in about 2 weeks, I went down to Evanston in the Chicago suburbs. Having not been to Evanston in 30 plus years, I explored the quite urban suburb.  My guide from Northwestern's admissions department suggested I stop by Habibi In . I was not disappointed. But this was probably enough food for a family of four. I did not realize that Evanston was just another Chicago neighborhood at heart. Northwestern University actually predates the incorporation of Evanston as it's own independent city.
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