Have You Ever Seen A Cuter Monkey?

Don't We All Wish for a View Like This?

This is the view from Kathi and David's new house, don't you think we need to have a cookout?

World Series

The Red Sox won. I can go to bed at a decent hour and Andy can watch Prison Break. All is right in the World.

Dinner @ the Gigstead's

Well after all the deliberations about the weather I think Sunday was a much nicer day, at least at our house, don't know about EPCOT.

But, everything happens for a reason and having our lasagna dinner on Sunday meant we not only got to see Andy, Nikki and Riley but Chris also joined us. So we had a big family dinner. Had lasagna (well it was a lasagna dinner), garlic bread, salad and brownies for dessert. Riley enjoyed it all. He actually started with some chex mix and cheerios just to tide him over.

Riley also learned how to climb up on the fireplace hearth, not a good thing because of course everything around that area is hard and pointy just waiting for a little boy's head to come crashing down. He was so proud of himself we all had to laugh and smile at him so it is hard to make him realize he shouldn't be doing this.

We had a really good time. Riley kept us all amused. We could tell he has gotten taller because he is able to reach things now that he couldn't before. The pictures on top of the CD holder are no longer safe but Riley is learning what "no" means. Not much fun for him but will make our life easier.

Riley also had his one year check-up this week. He got six shots, they bothered Nikki (and would have bothered me if I had been there) more then Riley. He is weighing in at 21 pounds and has the start of a lucky belly. Don't think he will rival Andy's lucky belly because Andy had a much earlier start on his.

Food and Wine Festival

After studying and analyzing the weather maps, Dan and I determined today was the best day for a trip the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT. Mum and Dad had left the decision to us. Called Mum and we decided we would meet them at 0845 just outside of the EPCOT parking and Mum would switch into our car, can you believe that it is $11.00 now to park, it was $.50 when we came the first time.

We left the house right at 0800, traffic was heavier than I thought it would be and we seemed to hit more red than green lights. We pulled up behind Mum and Dad at 0844, right on time. Just as Dan and Mum were switching cars it started to sprinkle (hard), I couldn't believe it after all our careful deliberations on the weather, but by the time we parked it had stopped and we only felt a couple of drops for the rest of the day.

There weren't any lines to go in, walked right through the turnstile, well everyone except Dan who had some problems, but he overcame them. Got our picture taken and off we went.

Wandered for a bit, Pin Shop and MouseGears then it was up to the Land for our morning snack. Spent some time there just talking and enjoying the company. Then we walked over to Test Track to look at the new GM Cars. There were some beautiful ones, most out of our price range but it was fun to look.

Made a stop by the Chill Station but they didn't have Dan's favorite - watermelon soda. Had all the nasty tasting ones but no watermelon.

By this time the World Showcase was open. First we went to Peru, they had a great display with a large picture of Machu Picchu and we all decided we wanted to go there, especially when Dan told us we didn't have to hike up the Andes to get there. Then we talked to Marleny Callanaupa Quillahuaman (she gave us her business card), who is from Peru and spins alpaca and sheep wool into yarn. I have never felt anything as soft as the alpaca wool. She also had some samples of the textiles she weaves from the yarn and they were beautiful.

Continued around the World Showcase and I was the first to get something - goat cheese quiche - in France. It was very good but not what I was looking for. The first year we went to the Food Festival they had something with goat cheese that I really liked and they have never had it again but I try what they have with goat cheese each year, hoping.

Next was the lamb chop w/caramelized onion and the macadamia nut and chocolate bar in Australia. Dan had the lamb chop (almost had to bring the bone home for him to chew on later, it was that good) and we all tried the cookie bar, it was great.

When we got to the American Pavilion we went to the Pearville Fair. Learn how to tell if a pear is ripe and did you know there are over 300 varieties of pears? Neither did we, but now we do.

Poland was next, Dad and Dan tried the Okocim beer, well Dan had a sip of Dad's because Turkey was just up ahead and Dan wanted the Efes beer. This is the only time he gets it, can't buy it in the states. We also had some of the Authentic (Disney's description) Pistachio Baklava.

Our last stop was Ireland for a potato pancake, one of Dan's favorites although it wasn't as good as the ones we had at Andy and Nikki's wedding reception.

Forgot, that wasn't quite our last stop, we got popcorn just before leaving the World Showcase. Made our way to the Park entrance and picked up our picture and we headed out. If it hadn't been so humid Dan and I would have gone to MGM but it was, so we were on our way. Well once we found the car. Dad had the right row but the rest of us thought we were up one row. Always listen to you father!

It was a good trip to the park, hope we get some more good weekends because we really enjoy spending time at Disney.

Stopped at WalMart on 535 to do our weekend shopping. Got the fixings for lasagna for dinner with Andy, Nikki and Riley tomorrow. Then we took the fast way home, Osceola Parkway and the Turnpike.

For all of you looking at the picture and thinking what is wrong. The hand, wand and stars are gone fro Spaceship Earth, wasn't until I was looking at the picture that I noticed.

Where in the World is Tammy

Tammy has been on busy girl lately. Right now she is on a trip to Virginia with Dennis and the kids to see Kim before she takes off for parts unknown. They left yesterday and when I talked to them they were making good time. About 30 miles south of South of the Border, one of those landmarks that everyone knows. So that just left them North Carolina and a little bit of Virginia. I'm sure at least the drivers will be very tired today.

They will be heading back on Monday but with two vehicles, getting the jeep from Kim to bring home. Will probably be a bit longer of a ride coming back.

Then next weekend is drill weekend for Dennis so Tammy will be hanging around to watch the kids while he does that.

No rest for the weary. Someday Tammy may get a weekend off and we might see her again.

They Made It.

Just so everyone knows, Kathi, David and kitties have made it to Hawaii. They got really good news - a house that they can move into this week. David will be able to ride his bike to work and they are right on the water. What more can the ask for?

We are waiting for pictures!

Where Were You Thirty Years Ago

Well Dan and I would be making our way to Annapolis City Hall in a few hours where we would be saying our vows. How can it seem like yesterday, yet also seem like we have been married forever.

We sure have had a good life and I wouldn't change a thing.

So how do you spend your 30th anniversary, I think we are going to take it easy and watch the NASCAR race and if I can stand it the Red Sox's, maybe throw in a football game or two. Pretty exciting people aren't we.

Pumpkin Patch

We had such a good time today. Started by picking up Andy, Nikki and Riley and headed to the pumpkin patch. We weren't sure what the weather was going to do, I was just hoping for no torrential downpours. The clouds didn't bother me because the colors would be better in the pictures.

The pumpkin patch was on Curry Ford at Primrose. Not a huge place but a nice little area set up with a wagon, hay bales and scarecrows. Riley had a problem getting his footing to begin with because the ground was kind of uneven but he got it under control soon enough.

Started on the wagon for pictures and Riley found some pumpkins that were just his size that he played with. Then we spent some time just following him around. He tried to pick up a couple of the bigger pumpkins but that was a no go. Then the leaves that were all over caught his eye and he had quite a collection by the time we were ready to leave.

Looked around for a pumpkin for Nikki so she can make a pumpkin pie and we found a small one for Riley so he can carry it around the house.

Decided it was time for lunch and headed over to Waterford Lakes to the Macaroni Grill. We all enjoyed our meals and Riley really liked it because he got a little bit of everything. There was anything that he didn't like. He tried the chicken, broccoli, asparagus, lasagna, penne, and of course the bread. The best part was the lemon slice we gave him. He really didn't like it but because we would laugh at the face he was making he would keep putting it in his mouth, causing the face, making us laugh, and he would put it in his mouth again. He also had the waitress wrapped around his little finger.

After lunch, went to Party City to look for a costume for Riley. What a mad house, everyone had the same idea. We found his a really cute one but you will have to wait until Halloween to see him in it.

Then it across the street to the scrapbook store, another hopping place. Now I know why I shop during the week.

Time to head home and everyone in the back seat took a nap for most of the ride home. It was a very busy and fun day.

This time blogger put in the extra spaces for me.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

What a great time we had. Hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, can never beat that. Mum made a new pasta salad that was great, Riley thought so too.

After dinner the cake was brought out. High School Musical was the theme for the cake and the rest of the party was Hannah Montana. The cake was delicious and we had our choice of ice cream or cool whip or both to go with it.

Present opening time was next and pretty much followed the Hannah Montana theme except for the 12 year Precious Moments to add to her collection and the Full House DVD set that she was very excited about.

After all the festivities there was alot of running around and the only one to get sick was poor Luke, he just couldn't handle the excitement.

Once again a good time was had by all and we can't wait for the next party.

I don't understand blogger, I have put in lines between the paragraphs but it isn't recognizing them. To bad because it is so much easier to read with some white space.

You Say It's Your Birthday!!!

Okay, she is a bit older than one but most of us can remember just where we were when she was born. Kim obviously had the best seat in the house. Grampa, Gramma, Tammy, Chris, Andy and I were in the hills of Tenn trying to find a place where we has signal strength to call Kim back and hear the announcement of the birth.

I will have more to add after the bbq and cake tomorrow night.

Who's Birthday Is It?

What a great day it turned out to be. The sun was shining, not to hot, just right for a first birthday.

Riley was very excited to see everyone, he just loves people and all the attention. Did some exploring around the house. Looked at all the presents, cake and balloons. Then it was time for some lunch which Sami fed to him. Once his belly was full moved on to the party stuff.

Play a game of bingo with Breann as the caller, she did an excellent job. Even if at first she was trying to give Cole an edge by checking out his card and looking for the animal to give him a bingo, but we caught on to that and made her shuffle the cards and pull from the bottom of the stack. Still ended up with 3 winners. Lots of fun.

Then on to the cake, of which we had plenty. Riley really enjoyed having his own little cake and being able to just dig in and that is what he did. He didn't eat very much of it but it certainly was a mess when he was done, or at least when I deemed he was done and time to get cleaned up.

It was then time to cut the big cake and as always Publix made a great cake. Also had some other goodies to eat. Lil smokies, meatballs, bread, chips and dip, and a veggie tray. Most everything seemed to disappear in a blink of the eye.

Time to burn off some of the excess energy, so out to the pool we went. Tom, Jason, Sami, Cole, Breann, Nikki, and Riley all went swimming and had a great time. The water was beautiful and the sun was warm. Very pleasant until the sun dropped down and was in our eyes.

Tammy, Cheri, Jeannie, and I were sitting there thinking we were feeling splashing from the pool when it really had started to sprinkle, so we heading into the house for another round of bingo and to play with some of Riley's new toys.

It was getting late and everyone was getting tired, so we called it a day. And what a great day it was.