Milestones

Two exciting things at work in the past week:

1. Our research project just reached our 100,000th participant mark!
That's right, 100,000 DNA samples. When the project started in 2000, 100,000 was the ultimate goal. However, because time and experience have shown that 100,000 is not the end, we're still collecting. Who is lucky number 100,000? One of my co-workers.

2. I have over 100 controlled documents!
One of my many jobs (the one I was hired for) is to create and maintain all of the written, official company documents. When I started, there was nothing formal. Now, 2 years later, I have 105 documents. Most of them are work procedures, but I also have policies, operations stuff (like timesheets and purchasing), and a full safety program. I wrote most of the 105. I hope that my others see this as a big accomplishment in organization and efficiency and not as an amazing achievement in red tape!

Happy Fourth of July!

We had a Loertscher (extended) family reunion this weekend. There are 300+ descendants of Aaron's Grandma and Grandpa Loertscher, although only 80-100 came this year. It's been here at Mom and Dad's, which has been great because we can sleep in our own beds, but not so great because there are a few people that don't understand that the 'do not enter' sign on the baby gate that signals our territory truly means 'do not enter.' I have been with Aaron now for 6 summers, but this is the first time I have come to the whole reunion start to finish. I have had so much fun. And the fireworks from Memorial Hill last night were the best I've seen. It was an all-around fantastic Fourth!

Zeke speaks

Zeke said his first words about a month ago: yeah (and yes), kitty cat, and cheese. He now has said several more words on occasion but nothing consistent. This video is Zeke talking about the cat. If you need a translation, he says something like 'cat...cat...cat...kitty cat!' It was a lucky moment. I meant to video Zeke playing with the kitty. But he decided to talk about her instead. :D

The Tablecloth Incident

I left Zeke at the table, finishing his bedtime snack, while I got him some milk. As I poured the milk, I heard him laughing to himself. When I returned to the table, this is what I found...

Luckily I managed to save the pitcher of water, the salt and pepper shakers, and the napkins from hitting the floor. I did have to pick up the Cheerios though.

PS Happy Canada Day!