super (hot) summer day

title says it all. nevertheless, cooking burgers on the grill as soon as ben gets home from connie's. with bball and softball done, lots of time to do stuff. terri going to an author's presentation at garrison keillor's book store later. yesterday, there was golf and tennis. ben had football. looking forward, next week, to going out to LA to see terri's mom and family. even julie will be there from georgia.

Hagia Sophia Pictures

reverse order: sitting outside after going in; the old christian mosaic uncovered; ben pondering;

terri in front of wishing hole; external view

Summer Ball Pictures

Emma's softball team between games at Tricounty Qualifying Tournament
Ben's team at first playoff game where they won 22-4.

Ben and Emma both making rare appearances playing third base.

summer ball wrapping up and other stuff

emma's team lost two games in this weekend's state tournament (one really close) so softball is over. yesterday, terri took 6 of the girls to the movies and all but one were talking about how they miss it already.

ben's bball team, on the other hand, surprisingly (and decisively) won their first round playoff game last night, 22-4. advance to second round tomorrow (thursday) night over at como park. should be interesting.

had a little world cup party at the house on sunday--most of us happy to see spain win, not only because they played better but b/c we had done spanish snacks for the event.

today's schedule includes drums, tennis and art for emma; bass and football for ben. doug is planning to go to license bureau to renew his driver's license (which has to be done by friday for birthday deadline reasons).

p.s. the instanbul pics are coming slowly but more will be on the way. thanks for your patience.

More Istanbul Pics

Galata Tower (we went up the first day for the great views)

Ben, Terri and Emma at Topkapi Palace (Bosphorus in back)

Emma at a village on the Asian side of Bosphorus.

Doug and Murat in front of posters advertising Doug's talk.

Walking on beach along the Black Sea

Fancy Fish Dinner after Day Cruise.

first turkey shots

first day on our own, in front of Blue Mosque

Summer Palace we went to with Sinan

Ben on Bosphorous Cruise, Bridge to Asia in Background

holiday weekend update

the technology took a bit of figuring out, so we haven't gotten the turkey pics up yet; in the meantime, terri and emma found a good price on plane tix and decided to take a last-minute holiday weekend trip out to LA to see the swartz family. doug and ben played golf this morning, and spent some time at the ball field seeing if ben might have a few pitches up his sleeve if needed in the upcoming playoffs (they begin the tuesday after next; he played short stop a few innings this last week and did well). the old ball team hasn't had a great summer (2-7 right now) but a lot of close games, everyone in the playoffs, and a couple of key kids supposed to be back next week. other big news for the week was the start of summer music lessons--emma's doing her usual drums, and ben started bass lessons (one of his birthday presents).