It's what we call a montage

I've taken more photos in the last week than in the last year. And, similar to last year, I'm posting a photo montage to speed you through my VACATION. My wonderful, too-short VACATION.

You'll have to add your own music to make it a true montage. I recommend a little Van Morrison but Billy Joel is always a good choice, too.

Thing is, looking at these photos, it's really not that exciting (with the exception of the shark attack). But today's conversation summed it up: "It's like God said 'here's Heaven,' and then he saw us and said 'WHACK! Get back to Oshkosh! Git!'"

Sigh.

Newport Aquarium, Tuesday: Dave gets eaten by sharks. Says word that's best left untyped. Erin watches from across the tunnel and half-smiles. "That should make for some good blogging," she thinks.

Newport on the River, Tuesday: "Let's pose like tourists."




Mom's house, Wednesday: Meant to last through the long Midwestern winter, Dave hands Mom a 7-by-7-foot crossword puzzle. Mom stares in amazement and annoyance.



Mom's house, Wednesday night: Not to be outdone by a 7-foot crossword puzzle, Mom brings up Stepdad Bernie's latest find: a 4-foot Santa that sings and dances. Grandparents refuse to take sides over which is better: a 4-foot Christmas decoration or a 7-foot crossword puzzle.

Grand Rapids, Ohio; Thursday: Mom, Dave and Erin go shopping. Find ceramics to paint, books to read, and a metal, randomly placed horse statue. Erin embarrasses herself by forgetting the adjective "well done" and instead using "just do it all the way" when ordering food.



The Bombshelter, Thursday: Good pizza. Bad football.




Oxford, Ohio; Friday: Nephew likes the dog (pictured) from afar, and Dave blatantly ignores the warning sign from the Equine folks.



Middle of Nowhere, Ohio; Saturday: Dave's parents moved to a place that takes "rural" to a 2007 meaning. That is, they're literally miles from Target. Oh, the humanity.