GPoD: 9.11.2006

"Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?"
"I see a grumpy little goblin staring at me."

GPoD: 9.9.2006

Ah, the simple pleasures of life: sitting outside on the grass with a sippy cup full of juice listening to live music--and all this on a beautiful summer day. Today Graham went to his first pig pickin'. As part of my duties as a reserve chaplain at Pope AFB, I was asked to put together a kickoff event for the singles ministry. The brilliant idea I came up with was a North Carolina style shindig, including live bluegrass music, standup comedy, and a slow roasted, whole pig. Everything went off without a hitch. The music was supplied by a band from Raleigh called Kickin' Grass, and they were fantastic. The comedy was first-rate. And the food . . . ah, the food. I drove down to Pope last night and got a room in the Q's. Then, at 0200 (that's 2am for you civilians) I fired up the grill and hefted the 120 lb. pig onto the rack (I had some help with that maneuver). The old gal slow-cooked away for twelve hours over a bed of charcoal and hickory wood, only to be finished off with an apple vinegar barbeque sauce. By 1500 (that's 3pm) the meat was falling off the bone and I could restrain the eager hordes of pig pickers no longer. Some serious arterial damage followed. Graham insisted on a taste, little carnivore that he is, and the goldfish crackers soon lost all appeal.

GPoD: 9.7.06

Graham has developed himself a knack for crawling into awkward positions whence he cannot easily extract himself. Case in point is the fireplace hearth. Oh, it's easy enough to crawl up onto it. But getting down again, that's another story. Usually he sits there for a few minutes examining possible routes of descent, and then wisely concludes that he needs some help to make it safely down. Here's him letting us know that a helping hand would be much appreciated.

Demotivators

Sarah Sours is right: this really is the funniest website ever--or at least right up there. Here's one of my favorites:

GPoD: 9.5.2006

I'm 13 months old. Check out my new trick!

Laufvergnügen

As you can see, we're not quite walking yet. But an evening with Isaac Miraldi (eight months Graham's senior, and thus highly mobile on his own two feet) last night has convinced our little fellow to redouble his efforts at walking. It won't be long now....

Fahrvergnügen

Here is our new ride. We bought it on Saturday from a wholesaler in Tinton Falls, NJ. That's right: New Jersey. Sarah has been pining for a VW Passat wagon to serve as her mommymobile ever since Graham came into existence. We found a great deal this last week, and I flew up to take possession on Saturday. It was a long ride home, but I certainly put the car through its paces as we sloshed through the remains of Tropical Storm Ernesto. I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.

Welcome to the World, Baby Estrella!

Our dear friends Erika and Reggie Estrella became the proud parents of Gabriel Scott Estrella yesterday at 4:13 pm. He weighs 6'5" and is 20 1/2 " long. Welcome to the world, little Gabriel! We are so excited to meet you!

GPoD: 9.2.2006

Graham helped me with laundry yesterday.

GPoD: 9.1.2006

Graham has been feeling pretty crummy the last few days--low fever, a light rash, and a general malaise. He was in to see the doctor yesterday, and all this was described as a virus, most likely. He seems to be on the mend--today was the first day in a while he felt ready to consent to be photographed. He's not his sweet chipper self, though. Hang in there, buddy.