Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Separate Rooms

The new furniture for the boys bedrooms arrived yesterday and they are officially in separate rooms.  They spent almost 14 years sharing a bedroom but it was time to put them in bigger beds and give them a little more privacy.  The long history includes the first six months, when they had Victoria the night nanny with them most night in cribs, then toddler beds and then single beds.  They both seemed pretty happy with the new, much bigger and more comfortable mattresses but Dylan did say that he was going to miss being able to talk with Sam once we shut the door and turned the lights out.  I'm going to miss that aspect of them sharing a room as well.  

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Birthday Dinner

It has been a great weekend on the lake. Perfect weather for the big birthday dinner extravaganza.

Catching Air

And some of this.

Lake Day

Did a lot of this today.

8 bedrooms, 8 Baths

This house was designed for big birthday parties like this or one huge family. We took the boat to dinner last night and made it back ok in a pretty moonless and dark lake. The Stars were amazing but we couldn't see anything on the water. One more day then back to see the boys and Dylan's brace free teeth. He got them off yesterday.

Friday, August 26, 2016

Lake Gals

We have a nice pontoon boat with the house on the lake and we have explored a bunch of the lake but it's a big, multi-armed beast and we may not see the whole thing. Great weather.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Deep Creek

Three hour drive to western Maryland and a beautiful sunset. Nicole and I are here for Carrie's birthday and some fun on the lake. The boys are home with Aunt Elaine. Elaine was very nice to come down from Philly to watch the boys for us. I hope they don't bore her to death. They spend a lot of time plugged in.

Friday, August 19, 2016

Subtle Shift

The boys have been at camp all week and Nicole picked them up while I was on the train to Philly. I talked to them when they got in the car to head home and they told me a little about the week, including their desire to go back there for 2-3 weeks next year. I have not seen them much this month and I won't be home for a few more days to hang with them which is hard.

I will miss them terribly if they do camp for two or three weeks next year but it's a noticeable independence trend that is inevitable. They are finding freedom in doing things independently which is what we are trying to help them learn as they grow older. It struck me as I watched the clouds go by the window on the train that they've made a little more progress toward an independent life. I'm happy and frightened at the same time.

Sent from my iPad

Jury Duty

This week started with my first ever jury duty summons and subsequent two day trial. We the jury found the young man of felony fleeing police and endangering the public. He got 12 months in the slammer for fleeing the cops on a motorcycle at speeds of 149 MPH. This was the fifth time he was caught going over 100 MPH in the last two years and the only reason he was caught this time was because he wiped out on an off ramp and broke his femur bone in two. It wasn't real hard to convict him because two state trooper cars had video and the young man was wearing a Go Pro camera showing that he saw the troopers and the speed in which he was traveling. His lawyers argument was that he was driving safely because he used his turn signals while going 149 and his punishment was a broken leg. I realize the attorney didn't have much to work with but that's pathetic.

Anyway, it was a fascinating experience that I shouldn't have to repeat for at least three years.

Sent from my iPad

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Cayuga

Six campers, two counsellors and a counsellor in training. Sam and Dylan are taller than all of them. I hope they are having fun. It's been hot during the day and stormy at night.

Monday, August 15, 2016

Off Again

The boys are off again for 6 days at camp tockwogh on the eastern shore of Maryland. I don't get to see them much this month which kinda sucks but September is right around the corner. They are going to have a hot few days there. 100 plus heat indexes all week long. Lots of time on the water I would bet.

I have jury duty today for the first time ever. It's very quiet in the jury waiting room this morning. Lots of people silently hoping that they won't be picked.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Flag Clinic

We are doing a whole new flag league this year. Our friend Cory started a northern Virginia NFL franchise this year and held a clinic for about 75 players this morning. It was brutally hot but the boys got a workout in. The are off to camp tomorrow. It's gonna be a hot week on the Chesapeake.

Tuesday, August 09, 2016

Fish Slayer 2

Fish Slayer

Pretty Shots

I downloaded the photos from the boys phones and found some nice shots. He's one I worked on a little bit.

Saturday, August 06, 2016

Zippers

It looks like everyone did some zip lining yesterday in Juneau.

Ketchikan























There's the Wonder, first in line with the black hull.  I believe the cruisers are out fishing today.  They had a great time zip lining yesterday.  Can't wait to see them next week.

Friday, August 05, 2016

Port Cam























The Wonder is in port at Juneau and I grabbed this "port cam" image of the boat in the far distance there.  The back of the boat on the right is the Maasdam.  I think our cruisers are off to zip line today, at least a couple of them anyway.  Not sure all four of the cruisers are excited about it.  

Thursday, August 04, 2016

Dawes Glacier

Just spoke with the boys and they are having a great time. They saw this glacier yesterday and went kayaking in Skagway today. Off to Juneau tonight and zip lining tomorrow. Nicole is off to Tenne's service in California tomorrow, leaving me here looking for something to do.

Skagway


















The Wonder is tied up and I believe that Linda, Gil and the boys are kayaking.

Tracy Arm

Grandmas camera is not focusing real well but we are getting some pictures of the boys on board the Wonder. This was probably their first glacier.

Wednesday, August 03, 2016

Steaming North


The boys position this morning is where the red oval is and puts them in Alaskan waters.  A state I've never visited.  I'm kinda jealous.  They did manage to call us around 10:30 last night.  They got cell phone service while steaming by Prince Rupert Canada, indicated by that purple oval.  They said they are having fun and seeing all sorts of cool stuff.  I would imagine that the part of their route that takes them into those channels is pretty spectacular.  They should be in the Tracy Arm Fjord later today.

On another note, had dinner with Kumie, Donkey and Thom last night.  Good to see Kumebob, it had been 3 years.

Tuesday, August 02, 2016

Where's My Boat?


So, you can track Cruise Ships like airplanes.  I was wondering where the little guys and the Grandparents were this morning and found them in the near Port Hardy Canada.  They will hit the open ocean soon then back into the bays and channels with a stop at Tracey Arm Fjord in Alaska.  They are traveling at 18.2 knots and probably asleep.  I like this web site.


Monday, August 01, 2016

Bon Voyage

They are off from Vancouver. Looks like they are having fun. Miss them a ton but glad they are off on a great adventure.