Pre-Vacation

Well, getting ready for the annual trip upstate so Mom, Dad, and the three boys can get a little closer. What do we have planned:

- A day trip to Bethel, CT to hang out with the Sage-Robison's for BBQ and Pool
- Up to Andes, NY for a couple of days to hang out at the in laws weekend house
- A quick trip to Lake George to Story Town aka The Great Escape ( a boyhood tradition of mine, which is being passed down to the next generation)
- On the way back to Andes a quick trip to Albany to visit Great Grandma Betty and some Orchard Pizza
- Clam bake at the Andes Hotel
- On the way back a stop at the Dutchess County Fair with the Chang's

An adventure awaits us...

Dad goes a little "too short" and gets compliments from everyone except the person that matters-- The Wife

Single A by the Ocean @ConeyIsland

The family cut short their day at the beach for an evening out in Coney Island-- Rides, Nathan's, and commencing with a Cyclones game against the Oneonta Tigers.

Number Three Son finally hit the golden "height" of riding by himself. As the Jaju would say-- "He is quite chuffed with himself."

In the wake of Tony Benarzard gettin the axe the Met's organization is taking an unusual approach to scouting and player development. They are now starting at the T-ball level. Unfortunately we didn't come away with any contracts or signing bonuses.

Summertime... Empty Park?

Two Years

It's been two years in the house and I like to think I avoided the second year blues. Here are a few upsides and downsides

Upside

- The greatest wife and kids a guy could ask for... (still topping my list after almost 11 years)
- Alexandra's Crusade to neuter every feral cat on the block!
- A great house in good condition (we managed to insulate the 3rd floor)
- Great Tenants Come and Go... Eduoard, Emily, Oliver and William are moving to NJ and Katy and Kaleb are moving in...
- Creative Lease Options... Our rider for Tory continues to work for all involved.
- Lots of space and we have not filled it up anymore in the last year.
- A brand spankin' new kitchen that still looks great.
- Mice decided not to Winter Vacation at the house..
- Mosquitos aren't a factor this year
- No air conditioning in our bedroom, but who cares this summer with no heat waves.

Downside
- Cat Poop... That cat is going on vacation
- Ryan throwing toys down the toilet... "Gone"


So at the end of the day only one cat and Ryan's habit of flushing toys down the toilet have encroached on my happiness. Living on Rugby Road!

Happy Brithday Alexander Jack!

Son No.2 turns 4 today. The boy opened his presents nice and early. Mom, Dad, and his brothers got him:

- Clone Trooper Helmet
- Clone Trooper Costume
- Power Rangers RPM Ranger Series Green Morpher
- Power Rangers RPM "Silly Gun Thingy"

Alexander impressed me because he actually shared the toys with his brothers. After breakfast the official treat of Alexander was enjoyed by All--

Ledge of Death!

Ryan decided to climb out on this 15 inch ledge. You can't tell by the picture but three is a 10 foot drop. Joe and I made a mad dash across the sand to get to Ryan. He thought is was pretty funny. Luckily the only damage was me stubbing my toe after jumping the railing.

The hole Dylan and I dug at the Beach

almost a month later the hole is still there...

Iranian hostage Dylan

Bandito Dylan

Dylan having some fun at a Mexican reastaurant in the Slope. Think he ate something?

The little (only) swimmers

The easy way - More Mini Golf

On the links... Is it summer yet?

Another non-summer like day. The beach club is pretty empty and it is a hair below 70 and breezy. Alexander and Ryan are taking in a round of mini golf.

Last day of soccer-- Record W- 4 L- 3 Ties- 2

Extended Coverage of the Boston Series

Cause it is imperative that we blow this out of proportion.

Seagulls waiting for dinner

I jumped into the frigid pool after a day up north with the Yonkers Maguires (John, Hannah, and Anne). We headed back to Brooklyn to pick up Mom and off to the Silver Gull. The pool was cold, the ocean not so much, but the kiddy pool was actually warm :). This is a picture of us trying to feed the gulls in front of the cabana.

Blowing in the Insulation

We decided to fifnish up the insulation on the third floor so it was cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This is the crawl space that is at either end of our bedroom. 4 feet wide and 4 feet high. One day we will figure out what to do with this space. Walk in closet, space for dresser, etc.

They insulated the walls



Then they laid down a think coat of snow. They did this in the attic as well. The pictures weren't as great.






Since it was the third floor they had to blow the insulation in from the inside. Lots of patching and repainting. The clean up took about a day and about 95% of it was done by the wife. While the insulation costs a pretty penny, we ended up getting about 25% back from National Grid. We also might qualify for more if our heating bill goes down significantly.

Aviator Sports Renaisance Fair

A free event usually lowers the quality, but this is pretty impressive.

Community Policing (Ditmas and Coney Island Avenue)

The corner of CIA and Ditmas. The day laborers that hang out every morning are getting a pep talk from the "Policia". After the cops left they disbursed with smiles on their faces. Wonder what was so funny?

Pre-Tween Mosh pit

The culprit-- Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue. No one was hurt.. just a big blur....

Rugby Road Boys

Stuy Town Playground

Back to the Silver Gull

Happy Anniversary!

The Elliptical has arrived!

Coney Island High

Warm Weather = Garbage

Whatchamacalit!

The evil twin brother of the Whatchamacallit!

Post Game Icy

Dylan's team lost 0-4, but the team is really off to a good start. Sunday was a different story.. they won 2-1. Dylan's first team win!

Sun and Golf... For the kids

JaJou took Dylan and Alexander to play golf at the Brooklyn Golf Center. Ryan would be attending also but he fell asleep. Never wake a sleeping child.

Dylan and Dad at Nationals park

Nationals Park vs. Phillies

Panda Sleep