Knoebels was kfun

I may have missed the ride down, but I made it in time for breakfast! I had to work so I lounged around town thinking I'd go down in the morning but I couldn't sleep so I left the house around 3:00am and was there around 5:00am or so.

We had a really good time this year. Jordan was able to, and did, ride more rides by himself. I'm pretty sure the bracelet cost was covered by noon as everything he saw in Kiddie Land, he went on. Next year he'll definitely be able to do almost any ride he wants to. Speaking of noon, we went back to the bus so we could all take a nap break. Well, Jordan napped anyway. Later that afternoon I went on some rides with Kiley and Joanna, mostly the Fandango. That's when "the boys" entered the picture and all of a sudden Uncle Drew's not good enough to ride with. Whatever girls, I see how it is. When we went back to the bus for dinner that night Ruthie asked where the girls were. I told her they met up with some boys and were alright. After the look she gave me I reassured her that since one of the boy's shirts said "Class of 2012" that made him a freshman and the girls were ok because they were with older boys. Haha, yeah, I got "that look" this time. After a Yuengling with Kenny, I was ready for bed as I'd now been up for 40 some hours.

The last day we were there the Skloosh got us all nice and wet in the morning and the Flume kept the fun going. Jordan loved the drops and went on it a couple times with Mommy and the girls while Codey and I pumped quarters into the water jets on the observation deck. A couple hours later and a few more rides on our Flyers it was time to go. As I always say about this trip, "I look forward to going, and I look forward to going home."

Welcome to the lake, memories made here

Ahh, the lake. Our once a year, real vacation. I love having nothing to do but wait for wine thirty. It's tough, but we all have to do our part. Give us swimming, boat rides, feeding the ducks, lakeside fires and we're happy campers. We keep saying we should do this, go here, do a winery tour, etc. but truthfully, once we're at the lake we really don't care to leave to do anything else.

It just so happened we were there on a weekend which a few of the neighbors had their grandchildren staying with them, so Jordan had plenty of kids to play with...especially Sarah. He was completely enamored with her. Luckily for her, there were other kids for Jordan to play with who were, thankfully, happy to play with him as well. Hopefully the neighbors will let us know when their grand kids will be up next year so we can sync plans. It was nice for everyone that it worked out that way but since we were all leaving on the same day I can only imagine the sighs of relief, number naps taken because it's finally quiet, and the toast at wine thirty that day. (You'll have to fill me in on that one, Aunt Vicki.)

With help from Uncle Ray, Jordan caught his first fish! And his second, third, you see where this is going. I can't wait to take him deep sea fishing, as much as he likes to fish he'll love that. Another first was his going on a kayak ride with Sarah...ooohhh, Jordy's got a girlfriend, Jordy's got a girlfriend!

As much as we hated to leave, we did. Again, we stopped for lunch on the way home and again we missed stopping at Cook's! After a busy vacation of playing, someone is always sleeping before we even get outside of Penn Yan and I don't have the heart to wake her him. Sitting here writing this now, I'm ready to go back. Thank you again, Aunt Vicki and Uncle Ray, for everything. Until next year...

Patio

Done.

Spending the Night: Take Three

Success! Jordy finally made it all night down at Nana's. I'm sure it helped that the other three kids were there as well. And true to what I've been told, we had no idea what to do all by ourselves...Not!

July 4th Party

This year's party was one of the best! I know I say that every year but it's true. It gets better each year, period. It's always a good time catching up with people you rarely get to see. The food was great, as always, and the company and conversation were second to none. The fireworks were truly excellent this year (except for the one that fell over on it's last two shots - oops!). I could tell from the displays and the reactions that I picked some winners, especially the 'triple shot' one. Almost everyone commented on that one (mental note: get more of those next year). Barring a few minor mishaps (which were interesting, to say the least) and even more ideas for improvement, I'd call it a success. Thanks to everyone who helped out and hope you had as much fun as we did. See you next year!

Only Three...Already

Are you sure you're only three, Jordy? You're growing up way too fast. Or maturing faster than we want you should. Mommy and I are really proud of you and love you very much. I say only when talking about my little man, but what I really mean is already. Happy Birthday buddy, hope you like your new big boy bed!

Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated with us. Funny that there were three of us on his third birthday...could there be four on his fourth? Stay tuned.

Spending the Night: Take Two

Ok, this time Lorraine was ready, but he didn't quite make it. Like clockwork, right around ten o'clock we got the call from Nana's. That's ok bud, we weren't sure what we were going to do with a night by ourselves anyway. Oh wait...

Ringling Bros. Circus

Today we took Jordan to the Ringling Bros. Circus at the Wachovia Arena. What a blast! It was the first time Lorraine had been to one too, so she was just as excited and in awe as he was. I could go on and on, but I'll condense it to this: tigers, elephants, and motorcycles in a cage! How can you lose? And let's not forget the dancing girls - loved the handlebar outfits, vroom, vroom! Little man got sleepy and wasn't feeling a hundred percent, so we left with about fifteen minutes to go. It was an excellent show that we'll definitely be going to again in the future.

Innocence...

Last night Lorraine and I were talking about burning a couple Disney movies to dvd. All of a sudden Jordan lets out a wail and starts crying. "What's wrong, Jordy?" she asks. "Daddy's gonna burn my movies!" (he's thinking "burn barrel"). A quick explanation and reassurance that I was not going to burn his movies and he was fine again. When you think about it, it kind of brings on a smile...and a tear.

Spending the Night: Take One

I don't know who was less ready, Jordan or Lorraine. OK, Lorraine was less ready, but he did make it to about ten o'clock before he wanted to come home.

Harlem Globetrotters vs Washington Generals

Bet you have no idea how this turns out. We went down and watched the Harlem Globetrotters yesterday. Yes, they won, I know you were wondering. All of Lorraine's immediate family was there and we all had nice seats right next to each other (thanks, Pipa). Too bad they couldn't get the sound worked out, it was hard to hear what they were saying most of the time. Jim Cole from WNEP 16 was the guest celebrity who got to play a little bit, making both free throws after he was fouled. All in all, it was a good time and I'm glad to have seen them once. Yeah once, that's enough.

Best/Worst part of the show? During a skit, a player took a purse from a lady in the audience which caused an exchange with the ref. When asked "Where did you get that purse?", he whispered and the ref repeated "From which white lady?". After a shrug and another whisper the ref said, "What do you mean they all look the same to you?". Funny in an ironic way kind of, but not really. Almost about as funny and ironic as "a black man stole a white lady's purse". See, I'm shocked and doubled over with laughter all at the same time </sarcasm>.

Super Bowl XLII Party

This year's Super Bowl Party was pretty fun. Lorraine and I borrowed a deep fryer and went to town making blooming onions, taquitos and hot wings. Again, there was more than enough food and the drinks were plentiful, so let's get to the game. It was played on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona between the (NFC) New York Giants (10-6) and the (AFC) New England Patriots (16-0). The Giants won 17-14 in what is sure to be considered the greatest upset in Super Bowl history. Another year, another Manning Super Bowl win; this time by Eli. Those boys sure know how to play. Jordin Sparks performed the National Anthem and halftime was performed by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. The best performance though was Alicia Keys in the pregame. Paula Abdul needs to give it up, that performance was "absolutely dreadful". See you at the next one.