Fair Frenzy

This summer we went to three county fairs in 4 weeks! That was approaching the number of fairs REO Speedwagon probably went to this year. That's Henry piloting his first helicopter at the Loudon County Fair.

Sliding into home at the Arlington County Fair.

Fairs are a great diversion for big kids (like us) and little kids (like we've got). Every fair had animals and arts and crafts. At the Montgomery County Fair there was a 500-pound wheel of cheese. So cheesy!
"Outta' the way, ma'am. I'm en route to an emergency."
CHIPS circa 2007
This isn't the first time Henry has climbed a wall. But it's the first time he climbed one that was MEANT to be climbed.
Me and Loretta were there too. Enjoying the funnel cakes and the carnies. Hopefully Tricia will post her photos from the fair we went to together. There was a teen Christian play there that was SO BAD and earnest that Trish was transfixed by it. Like a car accident you can't help but gawk at. I had to physically pull her away.

And just in case you weren't entirely clear on how the fire-truck ride operates...

Cooling Off Inner City Style

I don't know what it's like where you live...but DC has had a bunch of 100+ degree days. (Al Gore may be onto something people.)

On the very hottest day of the summer, the Metro DC Police held their National Night Out celebration and opened the hydrant at the top of our street! We had no idea it was in the plans. Henry, Loretta and I just happened to see a torrent of water coming down our street. We followed it to its source and saw that the Police had done it and closed off the street so children could play. And boy did they!

Henry really thought he had died and gone to heaven. Woo-hoo!
Then Papa joined in on the act.
And many of our friends and neighbors.

That blues band you hear jamming in the background are all D.C. Police musicians. And they gave out popsicles, ice cream, balloons, and prizes. Hell, I ain't afraid to say it...Yay Police!

Good Times

Hug Time.
Snooze Time.
Drool Time. Story Time.
Party Time. Muffin Time.
Swing Time.

More Snooze Time.
Box Time.
Mama Time.
Papa Time.

Dog Days of Summer Hi y'all! Welcome back to our lil' ol' blog!

It's mid-August already??!! D'oh! How'd that happen? We've been having a fun and active summer. Lots of adventures and craziness. And that's usually before lunch. Todd has Mondays off now, so he gets TWO WHOLE DAYS OFF A WEEK! And it only took him working 6 days a week for 4 years!

Having that day off means we've been traveling a bit more and doing some road trips. We were in Philly a couple of weeks back. Everyone in my immediate family met there to celebrate Richie and Gabriella's good news. (see more pix on Tricia's Live Journal, link is at right)

Todd on a Philly Playground. He's king of the world! (Henry and Nico think it's funny, but my dad is unimpressed. Click to enlarge.)
The grandpeeps and the lil' bo peeps. (Cora and Loretta) Hanging with Uncle Richie.
Tricia and Tim looking super-model fierce. Work it, girls!

Nonno and his brunette beauties.

Cousin cuties.

Cousin cuties, the sequel.

Deep ThoughtsSadie: "Henry, do you ever feel, I don't know...wisftul for our childhood?"

Henry: "No. Mostly I feel wistful for snack time."

Loretta: "So help me God, if that toddler comes by here and tries to grab my monkey again, I will END him."

photos courtesy of Peter J. Orvetti

Finalmente! This is a photo we've all been waiting a long time to see...

Check out the bling, y'all! Richie and Gabriella got engaged!!!

He took his good ole time, but damn the boy did it right. This was the idyllic setting -- Gabriella's most special place in the world, a Fantasy Island-like resort in the Phillipines called El Nido. At night, under a full moon, and with a ring that contained her grandmother's diamond, Richie popped the question. And oddly enough, she said YES! Gabriella calling folks with the good news.
Richie doing the same. The way Richie announced the news to us was wonderful. Everyone in our family received a postcard from Richie with a cute photo of the two of them and a headline that read, "Finalmente!" (Spanish for finally) On the back he wrote, "By the time you receive this postcard I will have asked Gabriella to marry me. Let's hope she says yes." Of course, we all screamed and wept happy tears. And wept some more. Then more screaming. Gabriella has been a part of our family for many years now, but it still bowled us over to hear the happy news.
I dunno. There's just something about Gabriella that makes me think she'll fit in perfectly with our family.
This is what Gabriella's family in the Phillipines cooked for a party.

And in this way, our two families are exactly alike.

Richie and Gabriella with her parents.

Richie and a slithery friend enjoying a floating market outside Bangkok.

Some exotic treats.
A sign in Bangkok. She can't figure out why she doesn't get more American business.
Catching some Z's on the 24-hour journey home.

The happy betrothed couple.

Holding Down The Fort

While I was away, my folks came to visit to help Todd with the youngins. They kept the Nonnos plenty busy.

Here's the Nonnos on the train at Wheaton Regional Park.

And enjoying the merry-go-round. Nonno accompanies Henry's ballad.Nonna loves her two little ones equally. Loretta AND Beaker.

Beaker's hair is tasty!
Enjoying the National Arboretum.
I knew my parents would enjoy the National Arboretum, but I had no idea how much. There were 440 acres and we never left the herb garden! My parents were shouting to one another, "Vieja! Veni! There's 12 kinds of basil here! Do you know how much pesto I could make out of this?!" "Viejo! Mira esta planta! Why can't we grow rosamaria like this at home?! Smell this pepper plant!" And so on, and so on. It was like taking me to the People Magazine Museum if there were one. (wait...is there?)
My father teaching the next generation to have a green thumb.
(it skips a generation, you know)
When we got into the car after leaving the Arboretum, I got a whiff of air that was decidely fragrant. I said, "Pa. You didn't take any PLANTS from the Arboretum, did you? You're not allowed to do that."
"Oh no. No no. No way."
When we got home, he put ALL HIS CUTTINGS into this Coke bottle. Nice centerpiece, huh? I made him empty his pockets and he laughed and put DOZENS of seeds, and tiny plants onto the table. I am expecting a knock on our door from the National Park Police any moment now.
Side by side chubby cheeks!

"I love you Nonno."