Hello all. Made it into Helsinki for church today. Saw Mikko's parents. It is nice in Helsinki, they have enough English Speaking visitors that they have wireless headsets that they use for translation.

We played another game of Puerto Rico today. Lee won, L46-K43-M35. It was a good game. I had both the Hospice and the University, which was interesting. I don't know if I'd do it again, but it was nice to get everything populated.

Helsinki is having nice weather. I went to church today in Short Sleaves and no jacket. Everyone else was bundled up like it was winter. I figured the Finns would be out in speedos once it hit 60, but they were wrapped up good and tight. Lee says they have no tolerance because they are always wrapped up properly. I think that must be it.

-KJH
posted by Keith at 12:21 PM

 
Thanks for the gifts! Puerto Rico was fun. There is a lot to learn there. It will be fun seeing Keith, if he wakes up that is. Seems he's slept most the day!
posted by Lee at 6:37 AM

 
Played Puerto Rico. Melina won. Good fun. Finland is great. We had ice cream, outdoors, on the way to Lee's. London was awesome. Talk to everyone later.
-KJH
posted by Keith at 3:34 PM

 
Matilda and Owen participated in the Lauttasaari children's Olympics yesterday. Owen competed in the 50m dash (20 sec.), the ball throw (3m, 4m, 3m), and the long jump (86cm). Matilda competed in the 60m dash (12.5 sec.), the ball throw (6m, 7m, 6m), the long jump (238cm), and the 400m run (she finished 7th out of some 15+ kids). The 400m run left her feeling bad, she'd pushed herself too hard. I felt bad that as she approached the finish I'd yelled "Go, Matilda, go! Run harder!" She responded by running harder and finishing the race nicely, despite feeling too strained.

Each kid got a metal, a soda, and a chocolate bar for competing. Owen proudly displayed his Orange Fanta to anyone who'd look, while Matilda was so proud of her metal that she wanted to wear it to school today.

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Yesterday morning Owen drew a car on his hand and a fish on his arm. They were pretty good. I love how well he draws things. Melina looked back at things Matilda drew at 2, but they were just scribbles.

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We've had a lot of games lately, two last Sunday, one tomorrow, but the team needs a break. Our pitching is terrible! I've even pitched a few innings, which means we're in trouble. I wonder if Keith will make it here before the game.
posted by Lee at 1:45 PM

 
I forgot I'd had Spike as a name, which I did as a joke long ago. When I read the blog and don't plan on writing, I go to its webpage. It nicer to read there, especially since they changed this whole editing format. But I saw "Spike" on the new format and decided to change it.

On Wednesday I played in the worst game of baseball ever. It was a long, cold game. Our pitcher hurt his arm on the first few pitches (not warming up properly in the cold) and our catcher had to pitch. That left me to catch... The game went on forever, and I felt like I'd been beaten with baseball bats when it was over. Things were bad enough for us that I pitched our final inning. It was kind of funny watching them swat at my slowball. But, after 4 hours the finally ended and I'm trying to forget it. If only my legs would let me!

I have two coupons to Stockholm for 50€ per cabin which must be used before June 15th. If Keith is here until the 7th, when should we go? Give me a date so I can make the reservations now.

Timo, I'll let you know soon what baseball stuff we might need.
posted by Lee at 12:42 AM

 
Spike, why'd you change your name? I am excited about my Finland trip. I will be able to stay until at least the 7th of June. I got my second week of vacation right then. So it will be fun to see Mom and Shandra for a bit out there. I am home in Utah for a few days. I have a nice trip starting on Friday. I have an Atlanta overnight and will spend the night at Pauls. We are going to play a game of Settlers with another family I know. It is always fun when I can get together with friends while at work. I will miss these nice overnights when I upgrade to captain.

-KJH
posted by Keith at 4:06 PM

 
For the third year I'm playing baseball with the Urhot. We lost our first game 11-6 against the Vantaa Giants, but it was a good day anyway, what with the sun and warm weather (warmest 5th of May ever). The Giants are a good team to play since we match up pretty evenly against them. They are almost 100% expatriate Americans. Personally, I had a good game going 2-for-4, with one hit just missing being a home run. I also popped up to short, struck out swinging (first at-bat of the year) and got on base with an E6. The near home run was a bit disappointing since it ended up a long single. I turned the corner at first and slowed up to find out where the ball was, but the hesitation cost me. Instead of bouncing through the fence and becoming an ground rule double, it found a fence post and bounced staight back to the center fielder. Since I'd slowed up, making second was risky and I returned to first so I would not have made an out. We didn't have a first base coach out there, which would have let me run hard without worrying about the decision to go for two. (I was told later about where the landed, I was running and knew only that I'd hit it high and deep to center field.) Tony Jones, the opposing pitcher was impressed. He looked over at me with a nod and a smile.
posted by Lee at 4:23 AM

 
Yes Alicia delivered a baby girl at 8:51AM Pacific Daylight Time. That is GMT-7 hours.

It's name is something like Keithrina Wood, but I can't be 100% on that. It may be Sierra or something along those lines. I am going to see Cindy and Alicia and the baby tomorrow. Then Cindy and I are going to ditch Alicia and come into San Francisco for the day and Cindy will return that afternoon.

Talk to everyone later.
-KJH
posted by Keith at 8:01 PM

 
Keith, what baby are you talking about?

It looks like I will play baseball. We have our first game tomorrow. The weather is quite warm and I'm looking forward to it.
posted by Lee at 12:54 AM

 
I talked to Cindy and it sounds like they are inducing labor, so that means I am skipping out on Fairfield for now. I picked up a Philadelphia turn tomorrow, and then I go straight to San Francisco. I will meet Jason after his work at the hotel.

-KJH
posted by Keith at 10:42 PM

 
Well I am here in Charlotte. It sure is a nice overnight. I am at the Library across the street. My laptop was infected with that worm virus. I never open attachments so I guess it can just install on your computer anyway. If I connect to the internet my computer shuts down in 60 seconds.

I go to San Francisco tomorrow. That should be fun. I will get to see Cindy and Alicia and Jason out there, if all goes as planned. Of course planning to see Cindy almost ensures the baby coming. I wil talk to everyone later.

-KJH
posted by Keith at 1:12 PM