Aug 30, 2010

Woke up this morning at 4:30 with a sense of anxiety.   Kristi and Wemerson are both "dancing" around in my head.  Kristi will have thyroid surgery today to remove cancerous growths.  Wemerson will be at the US Embassy in Rio attempting to get a green card so he and his family can travel to the US.  My thoughts and prayers are with them, as I'm sure their levels of anxiety are MUCH more.

This photo is probably the last time they both were together.  It was labeled as Christmas 2004.

Our "fishy" cookie jars

We found this whimsical jar at the Heart of Ohio Antique Mall.  Ron saw it first and Carol agreed that it was just too cute to leave behind in Ohio.  So far "mellow yellow" sits empty but cute on the counter.

We had to post a photo of  "blue fish" cookie jar so it wouldn't get jealous and try to knock "mellow yellow" off the counter!!!  There are a few lonely cookies inside, so come on over, grab the red fin, open the jar and enjoy.

School is in session Aug 2010

Sammi is ready for school.  She is in the third grade and gets to go to the second floor this year .  She has a large backpack full of items that she carries, but grandma didn't have her hold it for this photo.  She meets the bus about 8:30am.

Rachel and Ashley were up EARLY to get ready for the first day.  They both know they can sleep in for another half hour and still be gorgeous and fed.  They have to be at bus by 7am.  There wasn't much sun for this photo.

Philly Cheese steak and more

Eric is picking up our sandwich order at Campo's, 214 Market Street, Philly,PA.  The place was packed even at 1pm and as we were leaving a group of 20 totally crowded the place.  Food was good but pricey, like most things on the east coast.

We have always seen the space behind us as a green area in the middle of Philly.  Evidently when the Declaration of Independence was signed, it was the location of the President's house.  They are starting to work reproducing this house.  It will be just to the east and a little north of the liberty bell building.  Those are not Mouseketeer ears on Ashley - they are mom's sunglasses.  Don't know why I keep getting those two in interesting overlaps???  Don't know what Rachel was "asking".

Liberty Bell in Philadelphia

Carol, Michelle (Ashley's friend), Ashley, Rachel, Eric and Sammi in front of the BELL.  We had to clear a security check point to get into the new building which is nicely laid out with lots of descriptive displays for those who need to read and be informed.  We charged thru pretty fast, as we actually went to Philly to get a Hertz rental car for Eric.  He goes to Arlington VA tomorrow.

Here is the bell with its 'famous' crack.  Had to take this fast, as a large line of folks was right behind me.  We don't know any of the people in the background, so don't ask!!

Independence Hall is outside and across the street to the South.  When we moved to Pennsylvania in 1971 thru 1973 we went to see the bell several times and it was displayed in the hall just behind the white door.  We didn't have to wait or even hunt for parking in the early 70's, but today is quite different.  Parking was $10 for the first hour.  We stayed 2 hrs and it cost $15.  We wanted to tour Indepence Hall but several tour tickets had been handed out and we would have had to wait for a 3pm tour -- it was about 12:30.  Decided to go someplace for a Philly cheesesteak for lunch.

This is a view of the south bell building front glass wall.  We were headed for Campo's to order a sandwich.  To the right is a large green space.

Cheer Practice

Carol went to the LONG cheer practice on Sunday.  Sammi is from 12 to 3 and Rachel does a double practice from 1 to 6!!  Grandma was able to lay down on the floor of the observation room which is on the second floor and overlooks the practice gym.  It does make for a long Sunday afternoon.  Ashley and Grandpa stayed at home. 

More Crabs!!

Here is a pretty crab eater with her first crab of the night.  Look at the poor little crab laying on its back, waiting to be pounded and stabbed for its yummy meat on the insides.

After demolishing 5 crabs Ashley piled up a lot of body parts.  Note the knife, which she used to whack the exoskeleton in half so she could get to the inards.  The lungs, intestines and excrement (which were not eaten, but did need to be removed to get to the good meat) were a little bit much for Grandpa but the rest attacked with gusto.  Ashley liked the crab meat dipped in melted butter.

Rachel had already eaten crab for lunch but she still put 5 or 6 away for dinner.  The reddish fingers in the air are mainly the Old Bay seasoning which is heavily used to bring out the flavor.  Rachel couldn't believe that Ron had never eaten fresh crab.  There is always a first even at his advanced age!! The corn was also excellent.  Even Ron agreed with that.

Ron and Carol are smiling, NOW.  The bill came soon after and the smile faded!!!  We would do it again, as it was a fun hour or more spent eating together.

Crab Club Fest!!

Grandma Carol was adamant that she was going to eat Maryland crabs, so we went to Captain Chris's crab shack just east of North East.  The place was packed on Saturday night at 6:30 so we waited along side this MGB spider for about 20 minutes before we got seated.

They bring the crabs in a plastic dish washing basket.  Included were corn and melted butter.  It was all you can eat crab and corn for $16.95 per person or $1 per year for anyone under 16 with 6 year old and under  free.  The rest of the bunch made it through this tub with only some seconds on corn and butter.  An ice bucket with 5 bottles of domestic light beer cost $10 and other drinks were $1.  Sammi order chicken planks and Ron had the breaded deep fried shrimp.  However, Sammi really got into smashing and eating the crab claws.  The bodies were a little too much for her.  Note the plumber's butt below the red shirt in the background.  It is a lady!!  Also note the kraft paper table cloths that covered the picnic tables arranged in a sandy beach presentation.

Here she is giving the crab a bash!!

Lunar moth in Maryland

Went outside this morning while the "yard" light was still on and saw this moth attracted to the light.  Expected it to leave as soon as the sun rose, but the "bugger" was still there at noon.  Lighting was much better to take a photo.

Ice cream for wimps!

So they wanted an ice cream snack after lunch and this is what happened.  Grandpa can we please have a blanket???  I guess we will have to eat our desserts outside where it is much warmer!!

Triathalon, Bike and Run portions

We missed Eric in the swim and starting on the bike run.  Here he is, #83, pushing his bike to the staging area, as he had just finished using a mountain bike which is not recommended by anyone who does this race!!

He started the run with a water "back pack" but didn't like the sloshing feel, so gave it to Ashley as he ran past us.  The water behind him is where the swim portion was done.  They have already cleared the buoys and support boats so the boaters who normally use the marina could go out and enjoy their Sunday morning.

Here he comes at the end of the run portion.  Ashley (red), Avalon (blue green), Mom (White with blue sleeves and no head) and Jonathon (orange shirt, no head) were watching him chug his way to the finish line.

Ashley and Avalon joined him for the last 100 feet.  He was highlighted by the announcer as someone running in his own back yard as his address is North East which is where the event was held.  The spring in the girl's steps were a little bit higher than that of Eric!!  He made it.  Yeaahhhh.

Johnathon, Ashley, Avalon and Eric are leaving the race finish area and he is still standing and walking without too much difficulty.  We have him soaking in the hot tub now and again later to help with the muscle tiredness that should hit tomorrow. 

We all just finished a yummy piece of apple pie that Kelly had baked.  Sorry, no picture.

Come on out and watch next year!!!

Sprint Triathalon in North East MD Aug 15, 2010 SWIM

This is what we saw when we got to the race site at about 8am.  Eric had started the 750 meter swim portion at about 7:40 and they had groups lined up in the mass of people ahead who were going to go to the dock which was just behind the tall red flags to the left.  Different groups were "designated" with different colored swim caps.  The day was overcast and in low 80's.

This is not Eric's group in the water, cause we were too late for that, but they started at the two blue buoys and then did the swim portion.  Guy at left evidently wasn't fit to race, note the crutches!!

This was the exit for the swimmers.  It is normally where the kayaks and canoes were put in and out at this park.  The gals with the pink swim caps were the beginning of a group that had just finished.  You can see lots of heads and "motion" behind the yellow official kayak to the upper left.

Carol, Ashley and Avalon are with a group of swimmers who are waiting for their start times.  Note the different colored swim caps.  Carol had NOT just swatted Ashley, although this picture looks like she did!!

Camping at Ozark Outdoor Riverfront Resort, Leasburg, MO 8/6/2010

Gary and Pat's camper is to the left, Shelby and Kristi's is in the middle and the green tent is Eric and Kelly's.  Grandma Carol is bent over the pit fire and is probably watching the baked beans and the macaroni.  Gary's black Suburban is int the background with the two aluminum canoes on top.  They had camped on Thurs night and were going to stay Friday night.  Carol and Ron drove down for the day.

Gary, Eric, Sammi (back), Shelby and Kelly.  The campground was really starting to get VERY busy at 4pm on Friday.  We were just about ready to chow down after the kids had come in from the tube loop.

Eric, Kristi, Savana, Carol and Sammi.  Having a bite to eat.  Everyone was HUNGRY!!

Float Trip Aug 6, 2010

Ok, so the pictures are reversed.  This one is Sammi, Eric with yellow inflatable kayak and Ashley and Lee with blue inflatable kayak on the Merrimac River, Leasburg, MO.  They are exiting the area called the "tube loop".  They had put in at 12 noon and floated to the main take out at Bass or Base??  about 4pm with 2 canoes and the kayaks.  We took the canoes out but the kids still wanted to do the loop so Eric joined in and they had another 45 minutes in the water.

Here are Eric and Sammi in the yellow with Ashley in the blue kayak.

Lake Party July 31, 2010

Ashley and Savana try out the only "power boats" by our dock1!!

Kim, Alec, Ayden, Ava, and a little bit of Savana in the big tube with the infamous "hole".

Ayden and Lee.

Sammi had a blast.