Road Trip to Illinois

Last weekend we took a road trip to Elizabeth, Illinois. Paul Eshelman, a long time potter in that area, asked Jeff to participate in the Twenty Dirty Hands Tour. It was a self guided tour of pottery studios and kiln locations. We traveled there as a family and stayed at the home of Paul and Laurel Eshelman. It was very fun! They live in a small town of 600 people and their home and studio are just a block away from each other. We enjoyed exploring the town on foot, especially the Historic Fort and reinactment happening there, the local library, and the town park. We had yummy meals and warm cozy beds. Jeff and I got to explore Galena a bit and see the other potters studios on the tour for a few hours. The sun was shining all weekend even in the fall cold. It was an enjoyable trip together!

Busy busy busy

The Rottmans are busy these days! If you hadn't already heard, we have switched a a few roles around here for a bit. Jeff is now Mr. Mom and Gretchen is the bacon getter. The kids are loving being home with Dad. I am pretty confident that lots of wrestling and boy stuff is happening around here. Seems like Maris is keeping up with 'the boys' quite well. She has started to walk and it will only be days till she and Elem are chasing each other around the house. Meanwhile, I am off to work full time with a few days at Excel Charter, where I have been the last 7 years, and now a few days at Cross Creek Charter. I still spend an afternoon for a few hours supervising students at Calvin College as well. We are enjoying settling into Fall! I am enjoying dinner with our little family each night when I come home to a 'wonderful smelling' meal cooking by Chef Jeff. We are doing well. Please don't think we have forgotten you .... we think of you always! Hope to see you all soon. (: