Mom & Pop went on vacation last week. First stop was Carnegie, PA where we had breakfast with Jane & Phil Evans (Mom & Pop's friends from Army days) Next was Ashland, PA where we explored a coal mine and went for a ride on a cute little steam train. From there we motored down to Strasburg, PA to the train museum. And we got to meet Thomas! Really!!!


After the excitement of meeting Thomas we continued on down to Maryland to Bill & Ann Hach's farm in Sparks. What a place that is!! Bill and his crew of Hondurans plus daughters Ashley and Claire have done a yeoman job of building and restoring the out buildings. A work still in progress. He is also removing all non native species of tree, bush & flower from the 20 acre property and replacing them with natives. The house has yet to be worked on and it is huge, 14 fireplaces. Young Bill was there too, visiting from Chicago where he now lives. We spent the night at their house in Baltimore and the next day went to the B&O R.R. Museum in town. Best R.R. museum we have ever seen. Another night at their house then a couple hour drive to their beachhouse in Avalon on the outer banks in Southern New Jersey. We were surprised that Tom, Dawn & Arden Lawler showed up. While there we took a short side trip to Cape May to see the lighthouse. Then after a sleepover we watched the U.S. tie Slovakia in the World Cup. At about noon we left for home.

Finally 48 inches tall

As parents we mark certain milestones in our children's lives as much for the freedom they give us as the accomplishments. Their first words which mark the end of guessing what the finger is pointing to . Their first steps which mark the end of lugging 30 extra pounds every where. And of course potty training and the end of dirty diapers.

As our children grow they mark different milestones for the freedom it gives them. Being able to cross the street alone, riding a bike. Sami made the most important milestone in her life this spring. She is 48 inches tall. Finally she can go on the water slide, ride the big scary rides at fairs and do everything her brother got to do last year. This past Friday, we went to a summer festival in St. Charles. Sami was giddy with excitement. She went on scary rides as much because she could as because she waneted to. Zero Gravity bested her. Being slammed against the wall of a spinning barrel was a bit much.

She has been begging to swimming at the indoor pool for months. We went today. She was not sure about the water slide at first and mom had to go down with her the first time. She soloed five times in a row after that. If a person can get this excited at being 48 inches tall I can only imagine the enthusiasm at being 16. She'll go out for a quick trip to Wal Mart and return 8 months later because we forgot to specify which Wal Mart and the one in Florida was too tempting.

Laid back Chris is enjoying his status as a black belt, though in a low key manner. His school put on a demonstration at the local movie theater on Saturday, then watched the Karate Kid movie. He showed off his form and some moves with his weapons - numchucks and short sticks. He is very confident performing in crowds. His teacher told me she is impressed at how confident he is. He was in two parades last month and showed off throughout the route. He has helped instruct lower belts and is learning to judge sparring. The boy down the street drops by at 8:00 in the morning so Chris can teach him.

Each day holds its own adventure as they learn more and more who they are.

Big Girl Bed

We got Evelyn a big girl bed yesterday! She amazed us by only getting out once, right after we put her to sleep. She didn't make a peep for 9 1/2 hrs! Nap time today was another story...after an hour and 15 mins, she caved and passed out on the floor in front of her doorway. :)

We'll see what tonight brings...

vacation here we come

It's been awhile since I posted anything, and alas, I can't sign myself on again, so this is Mom posing as Pop....

We're working feverishly to get squared away for our trip tomorrow morning. We're going first to Pittsburgh to visit Janie and Phil Evans, who were our friends and neighbors in Clarksville in 1964. Then we're heading to a couple of different steam train places in PA, hoping to ride or at least look around. On Tuesday we hope to get to Billy Hach's "farm", then on Wednesday to their house in Baltimore, and then we're heading further east to their beach house in New Jersey. Dawn and Tom and Arden are arriving there as well, and so we'll be staying there for a day or two to visit. Not sure when we will be leaving, and so we may or may not make it back in time for Sami's party. We'll keep in touch with D.J., because if we don't get back, then he may pick up Gram, who really wants to go.

Pop appreciates all the birthday cards he has received from all of you, but I'll let him tell you that himself. Now I'm getting back to work, packing, etc.

GO BLACKHAWKS
STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS 2010