Graceland

Yes, that's right...check it off the list of places to visit before we die...



Steph and I (and Jack and Ruby) visited the Kings mansion while we were in Memphis, TN. Steph obviously is a huge Elvis fan, and I have to admit, I was a little curious about Graceland and how it actually was, so we both paid our $30 and got to do a one time tour through the ground floor of the mansion.


Elvis' grave

It was, by today's standards, a pretty cool house. You could tell it was obviously all decked out in that hideous yellow/green shag carpet from the 60's and 70's, but once you got past that, it still had the feel of 'The King'.



The grounds were amazing. Seriously! His car collection and his two planes were also part of the tour, as was his actual gravesite.

Here are some pictures from that tour:

Arkansas Road Trip

I had a work trip planned a long time ago to Alabama. As the date drew nearer, we decided that we would use some of the miles we were saving for our UK trip to get Steph and the kids out there and make the short trip to Arkansas to see her grandparents and cousins who I have never met, and she hadn't seen in 10 years!


Welcome to Hampton, Arkansas

What a trip! It is a different world down there for sure. I had previously lived in Alabama for a year, so was familiar with the south, but Steph's family live in deepest darkest Arkansas.

Yes, I know, you are all expecting a duelling banjos joke right about now, but aside from the place looking like the movie Deliverance, it was nothing like what I expected. I had traveled through Arkansas a few times and it was always a bit sketchy, but there is something about southern hospitality that you just can't beat.

Banjo at the ready!

Steph's family were awesome, and I had a great time. We met her grandparents, cousins, and their extended family, too. We took over 700 photos while were down there and just enjoyed the heck out of it. They all got a kick out of Jack, and he was into everything, and Ruby just chilled out the whole time.


Steph's grandfather

Great trip. Can't wait to get back.


Jack and his GREAT-grandfather


Steph's grand mother and grandfather

Emma and Darren Come to Stay

We had a great time when "Auty Em & Uncle Darren" came to stay with us at the end of April.

They were here for 10 days and, aside from taking off for a couple of days to do some sightseeing along the coast, they hung out with us and the kids the whole time.


Em and Ruby


The only shot I had of Darren...damn

New Boat!

We have a new boat!!

Yes, the old one was getting repaired and refurbished as quickly as possible, but at the end of the day, with three kids occupying most of my time there was no way it was going to get done for the summer!

So, I sold it and got a new one. This one is a 1976 Reinell with 120 hp and it in great condition. I didn't want anything too new, and couldn't afford anything too expensive, so I decided to go for something practical.


Parked down at Newport Bay on the Wilamette

This will pull two skiiers out of the water, and will give us days of 'cheap' fun out on the river this summer. My goal is to try to have Naomi learn how to waterski, and get Jack out on a inner tube. It also is a nice incentive for having bigger, group BBQs if you have a boat that is ready to roll.


It looks sweet in the water

Now all I need is the boat name to be added. Pro Nostrum Liberi. For the kids.



Wicked!

European Terror Alert

An update on European terror alerts.

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." Londoners have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists themselves have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was during the great fire of 1666.

Also, the French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Surrender" and "Collaborate." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.

It's not only the English and French that are on a heightened level of alert. Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."

The Germans also increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbour" and "Lose."

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual, and the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy

Easter 2007

Easter this year was great. I think having kids makes it all the more fun...otherwise it is just a regular Sunday morning.



Nim got up first and immediately wanted to start finding Easter Eggs. We told her she had to wait for her brother, and then, right on cue, he appeared ready to roll. Unlike his mother (!!) he always wakes up in a good mood, and doesn't require a gallon of coffee to get going.


Nim was here this easter


Yes, even satan celebrates easter!


Some kids were not as interested...

Then the festivities began. You can see from the video that the kids had a great time hunting for eggs. It was really nice to have them all here for the holiday.


Part One


Part Two

Ruby Looking Sooooo Big!

These pictures her look so big.

Pizza Box Protest

So check this story out (and the video clip).

This video is about a protest to the following story.

In Ohio, they have now started putting the pictures of dads who are behind in their child support payments on pizza boxes in towns.

Yes, that's right...no matter what the reason, if you are behind, you could end up on a pizza box. Imagine that kid in school the next day, when his/her friends ordered a pizza the night before and see their dad on the box. Unbelievable!!! This is ridiculous.

They dont' put child molesters on there. Or criminals. Or Murderers. But dads go on.

One other point of note in this story. Of the 380 folks who were behind in their child support...63 of them were women. Guess how many women are appearing on the pizza boxes? Yep, you guessed it. None.

Click here to see the video.