For Whom the Bell's Toll

Key West Trip

2006-03-08T14:07:00.000-06:00

Well, Lisa and I made a trip to Key West in Feb.! We went there for a wedding of a friend of ours, Teresa, she was the one that introduced Lisa and I. It was a really fun time!! Key West is definitely an adult trip, mostly bars, restaurants, shops and beaches. Lucas had the opprotunity to stay with Grandma Stubbendick for the week. Needless to say we missed him very much.

The highlight of the trip was our excursion to the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson of the coast off Key West about 70 miles and 60 miles from Cuba. It is a National Park and a Fort on an island in the middle of the Gulf. It was built in 1820 prior to the civil war to protect the waterway from pirates and invading countries. It was never used! :-) It was amazing never the less. We also had the opprotunity to snorkel while around the island and that was very fun even if we couldn't feel our fingers after we got it because the water was so cold and a storm moved in!

The picture was taken from atop the Fort walls as the storm approached, pretty cool huh? It was also scary because we had a 2 1/2 hour boat ride back to civilization!

The next picture is Lisa standing on the moat wall after we got soaked by the rain

Finally here is a picture from a website, from the air looking down on Fort Jefferson.

I also thought I would throw in one picture of Lucas. He had his Baby Mullet cut off this weekend for his first haircut. He did very well and looks sooo much older now!

Our First Post

2006-02-19T11:34:00.000-06:00

Nate was here today to help me "BLOG":) This is so exciting!! especially for the "computer challenged" like us!! Don't have anything too interesting to put in, but will add a little something.

Mike and I have both had the cold and crud...We think it has something to do with our below zero wind chill out here in the "boonies"!

We babysat Mike and Allie's boys yesterday from 7-9...needless to say we are a little tired, but loved most of the minutes:)

We may have sold our house, but haven't signed any papers stating that fact. If we do...we are looking for lodging...anywhere, anyplace, etc... We may have one house in mind and will have to remodel "big time", but might be kind of fun????? Might just move in with the kids...one week here...one week there...then we will all be crazy!!!!

Well, take care! Hope our summer plans for the mountains works out...think it would be fun!!

All are invited!!!

2006-02-12T15:28:00.000-06:00

Well, I hope everyone has got their invitations and has had a chance to come and check out the site. If you already have a blog of your own and would like to post it here just shoot me an email with the link and I will gladly add it. I really think this will be a great way for us to keep in touch and a fun way to communicate. I hope you all enjoy it. With Grandma and Grandpa Bell online now this could be a fun way for them to see what is going on with everyone as well. Feel free to post pics, opinions on politics, funny happenings, things you want to get rid of, really anything at all. If you have any questions, email me and let me know as well. We look forward to lots of communication!!!

Nate

Hello from Arizona

2006-02-07T20:53:00.000-06:00

I'm not too familiar with blogs, but always willing to learn something new. I don't really have much time to write alot (Jon's waiting (im)patiently for me to help with something!!) Gotta go right now, I'll do more later.
Cindy

Well, it has been a rough month for the Bell's

2006-02-07T10:26:00.000-06:00

Since January 1st Lisa has had pink eye twice and Luke is currently getting over a sinus infection. I have been fortunate and have not had any major health issues other than a near broken finger playing Basketball.

The Winter has been mild so far, crossing my fingers, it looks like it might change on us soon though. Just in time for Lisa and I to take a trip to Key West! We are going to Key West because a friend of ours, Tree, is getting married down there and Lisa is in the wedding, oh the things we have to do for our friends.:-)

I have brewed a lot of beer and wine already this year and plan to brew one more before our trip if I can get it in. It is my Imperial Stormtropper Stout, this one will age for several months before it is ready to drink but it should be fantastic when it is done, just in time for next winter to warm the belly. I am also making 3 wines for us and Mom and Dad. Needless to say we will be set on wine for a few years to come. If you get some time go out and check Brad and my website www.brewbums.com. Business is going good, we should be able to retire soon. :-)

Lucas is now nearly 28 lbs and getting taller by the day. He is a laugh a minute and probably would be committed in many cultures due to his uncontrollable, unprovoked smiling and laughter. He is a getting a mischievous eye to him as well, definitely from his Mom. Ha!

Hope all is well with everyone, later.
Nate

Holiday Times

2005-12-27T13:29:00.000-06:00

Well, it has been a great holiday month so far. Lisa, Luke and I started the month digging ourselves out of drifts near 20ft in our area. It was one of the biggest snow storms this area has ever seen. It was quite the site. We then made trip down to Kansas City to see some of our really good friends. We had a great time and toured the Boulevard Brewery. It is a must stop if you make it down there, the are adding 500,000 barrell capacity within the next year so it will be even better the next time we visit I am sure. We also learned that two of our friends in KC will be expecting babies in the upcoming year and look forward to hearing all about it.

Christmas was fun and busy celebrating here in Broken Bow as well as Syracuse with Lisa's family. Lisa and I got everything we wanted and Luke got more than he needed from the grandparents and santa, I am starting to see a distrubing trend of spoiling going on. Lisa and I are going to a good friends wedding in Rapid City on the 30th, it could be a lot of fun with a lot of my Fraternity brothers in attendance.

I brewed one last batch of beer for the year on Christmas Eve, it went off without any hitches, maybe a little low on the gravity but took off none-the-less. It is a Cherry wood smoked Hefewiezen. This is the second time I have done this one as the last time I did it it went all over the floor in my garage because of a leak in my kegerator. I toned down the smoked malt because the last one was a little to smokey, it should be ready in the next week or so. I post my comments then. I did recieve some great gifts with regards to brewing and can't wait to put them to use.

Well have a great New Year and I will talk with you then.
Nate

First Post

2005-12-01T13:51:00.000-06:00

Alright, this is my first post and we will see if we can keep this up to date. I imagine Lisa will post many a goings on with our son and I am sure some pictures. I will also post occasionally of what is going or not going on in our life. We look forward to the throngs of people that will visit this blog.