This past weekend, Poppy came down and we celebrated his birthday in person (a few weeks late). Instead of a cake, we got him a chocolate pecan pie from Best Pie. At the same time, we got ourselves a chocolate cream pie. Yum!
Alison and Sarah were outdoors all day on Saturday with Girl Scout activities. Their troop participated in Bowie Stream Clean-Up Day; they helped clean Millstream in our section of town. After that, they met other troops at the park to celebrate the Juliette Low birthday bash.
That night, Grandpa came over to babysit Sarah and Nicholas. He said he couldn't guarantee that there would be any chocolate cream pie left when we got back. Poppy, David, and Alison went to the Verizon Center to see the Devils face off against the Capitals. Alison wore her Capitals jersey, David wore his white "away" Devils jersey, and Poppy wore his red/black "home" Devils jersey. It was an exciting back-and-forth game, and it was tied 3-3 at the end of regulation and overtime. The Devils won in the shootout.
On Sunday, David took Poppy on a steam engine trip on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. The weather was great, the skies were clear, and the trees had some great fall colors. Check out the trip pictures here.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Trip to Chicago
Last week, we all went to Chicago to visit David's brother Bryan and his wife Anne and also to see Alison's cousin Erin, her husband Tim, and their baby Dorothy. On Wednesday, we took Sarah out of school a little early and drove to the New Carrollton train station, took the MARC train to BWI, and then flew to Chicago. Bryan met us at the airport, and we took the bus to their place, and then collapsed from all the travel.
On Thursday, we took the bus to the Lincoln Park Zoo and met Erin and Dorothy (Tim was in rehearsals for his new show). We saw lions and giraffes and had plenty of fun at the sea otters. Nicholas really liked playing with his second cousin. On the way back to Bryan and Anne's, we went out of our way to stop at Dat Donuts. We purchased three extra large donuts (two glazed, one chocolate frosted) to go, had Chicago deep-dish pizza delivered, and then watched the SNL Election special with some friends of Anne and Bryan.
On Friday, we went to the Museum of Science and Industry. They had a "green" Smart Home built on site which we toured. We also checked out the train exhibit (David's favorite), the kids play area (Sarah and Nicholas's favorite), and the baby chicks being born (awww). After the museum, we walked to Lake Michigan and watched Sarah climb up and down the rocks. On the way back, we got off the bus a stop or two early and walked by Barack Obama's house. He lives just a few blocks from Bryan and Anne, and was their state senator before he became a U.S. senator. There are barricades on all the sidewalks near his house, and Chicago police and Secret Service on all the corners. That night, we played Guitar Hero and Sarah helped Anne make a delicious dinner of pasta and beer bread, with cookies for dessert.
On Saturday, we took the subway to Chinatown for dim sum for brunch. Erin and Dorothy tried to meet us, but we hadn't realized it was China National Day and the streets were blocked off for a parade, and thus there was no parking for them. We were sad we didn't get to see them again, but still stuffed ourselves at the restaurant. We packed for home, and then saw some cool public art sculptures in downtown on the way to the train station.
The Amtrak train bound for D.C. was supposed to leave about 7PM, but we were delayed about an hour waiting for another train's passengers to arrive from Wisconsin. We finally left, and then ate a late dinner in the dining car. The family bedroom in the sleeper car had two bunk beds, and Sarah and Ali slept on the top level, and David kept Nicholas from falling out one of the lower beds. The kids didn't want to go to sleep, and Ali didn't sleep all that well, but it still felt much more pleasant than flying. By morning, we were into central PA, and had breakfast in the dining car. There was some nice fall color in the hills, and David especially enjoyed seeing some of his favorite trainspotting locations from the train (such as Harpers Ferry and Point of Rocks). The train arrived in D.C. only a half-hour late, and then we took Metro back to our car to drive home.
On Thursday, we took the bus to the Lincoln Park Zoo and met Erin and Dorothy (Tim was in rehearsals for his new show). We saw lions and giraffes and had plenty of fun at the sea otters. Nicholas really liked playing with his second cousin. On the way back to Bryan and Anne's, we went out of our way to stop at Dat Donuts. We purchased three extra large donuts (two glazed, one chocolate frosted) to go, had Chicago deep-dish pizza delivered, and then watched the SNL Election special with some friends of Anne and Bryan.
On Friday, we went to the Museum of Science and Industry. They had a "green" Smart Home built on site which we toured. We also checked out the train exhibit (David's favorite), the kids play area (Sarah and Nicholas's favorite), and the baby chicks being born (awww). After the museum, we walked to Lake Michigan and watched Sarah climb up and down the rocks. On the way back, we got off the bus a stop or two early and walked by Barack Obama's house. He lives just a few blocks from Bryan and Anne, and was their state senator before he became a U.S. senator. There are barricades on all the sidewalks near his house, and Chicago police and Secret Service on all the corners. That night, we played Guitar Hero and Sarah helped Anne make a delicious dinner of pasta and beer bread, with cookies for dessert.
On Saturday, we took the subway to Chinatown for dim sum for brunch. Erin and Dorothy tried to meet us, but we hadn't realized it was China National Day and the streets were blocked off for a parade, and thus there was no parking for them. We were sad we didn't get to see them again, but still stuffed ourselves at the restaurant. We packed for home, and then saw some cool public art sculptures in downtown on the way to the train station.
The Amtrak train bound for D.C. was supposed to leave about 7PM, but we were delayed about an hour waiting for another train's passengers to arrive from Wisconsin. We finally left, and then ate a late dinner in the dining car. The family bedroom in the sleeper car had two bunk beds, and Sarah and Ali slept on the top level, and David kept Nicholas from falling out one of the lower beds. The kids didn't want to go to sleep, and Ali didn't sleep all that well, but it still felt much more pleasant than flying. By morning, we were into central PA, and had breakfast in the dining car. There was some nice fall color in the hills, and David especially enjoyed seeing some of his favorite trainspotting locations from the train (such as Harpers Ferry and Point of Rocks). The train arrived in D.C. only a half-hour late, and then we took Metro back to our car to drive home.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Election Party '08
The Mockos are hosting their 4th Quadrennial(*) Presidential Election Night Party - and you're invited! The festivities officially start at 6:00pm, and will last until a winner is declared (or until 2 a.m.). We will have snacks, veggies, and drinks; the main course will be determined by polling, so please vote early and vote often. All you will need to bring to the party is an "I voted" sticker. RSVP below in the comments, or by e-mail to David or Alison. Hope you can make it; feel free to come and go whenever during the evening. David has already taken the following day off from work; he figures whether he's celebrating or mourning, either way he'll be in no shape to go to work the next day.
To make things a little more interesting, we will also be having a contest to guess the winner and correct number of electoral votes. If you need help coming up with a number, David is updating the current presidential odds. If you can't make it to the party, leave your guess in the comments. Closest to the actual final number wins a prize!
(*) - Technically, it's only the 3rd Quadrennial party, but David is counting a party from 1992. Among the lessons learned from previous parties: three words - dry...erase...board.
To make things a little more interesting, we will also be having a contest to guess the winner and correct number of electoral votes. If you need help coming up with a number, David is updating the current presidential odds. If you can't make it to the party, leave your guess in the comments. Closest to the actual final number wins a prize!
(*) - Technically, it's only the 3rd Quadrennial party, but David is counting a party from 1992. Among the lessons learned from previous parties: three words - dry...erase...board.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Busy kids
Sarah is busy again this fall. On Wednesday afternoons, she has Brownie Girl Scouts. Alison is again the troop leader - this time with 16 girls in the troop. Sarah loves to wear her Brownie shirt or her Brownie vest to school as often as she can. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, Sarah has soccer practice; David is the coach again this fall. Sarah has also started CCD on Thursday nights.
Nicholas is no longer the only "outside" kid at his day care; he's making friends with the new kids, and learning how to get up and down stairs by himself. He's also great at saying hi or saying bye.
Nicholas is no longer the only "outside" kid at his day care; he's making friends with the new kids, and learning how to get up and down stairs by himself. He's also great at saying hi or saying bye.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Presidential 2008 odds
For informational purposes only...
EVs = total Electoral College votes
UPDATE (10/13/2008):
UPDATE (10/23/2008):
| Wager | Rock Star/Amtrak Joe | Maverick/Caribou Barbie |
| Point Spread (EVs) | -61.5 | +61.5 |
| Over/Under (EVs) | 299.5 | 238.5 |
| Money line | -135 | +135 |
UPDATE (10/13/2008):
| Wager | Rock Star/Amtrak Joe | Maverick/Caribou Barbie |
| Point Spread (EVs) | -85.5 | +85.5 |
| Over/Under (EVs) | 311.5 | 226.5 |
| Money line | -143 | +143 |
UPDATE (10/23/2008):
| Wager | Rock Star/Amtrak Joe | Maverick/Caribou Barbie |
| Point Spread (EVs) | -105.5 | +105.5 |
| Over/Under (EVs) | 321.5 | 216.5 |
| Money line | -151 | +151 |
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
September 2008 weekends
September was so busy, there wasn't time to update all the things the family did. Over Labor Day weekend, we enjoyed the last few days at our outdoor pool - and on Labor Day we went to the church fair. The highlight there every year is the hay ride and the pony rides. A few days later, we went to our gym to the outdoor pool before it closed for the summer.
The following weekend (the 6th/7th), we went to Ocean Pines, MD to visit Grandma and Papa Bob. On Saturday, we mostly stayed inside as Tropical Storm Hanna made its way up the East Coast. It didn't rain much where we were, but it sure was windy. The next day was much nicer, and we went out on the boat on the bay.
The day that David got back from NJ after his Geneva trip, our street had a block party in the afternoon. They shut down the street a few houses down, and we met people who live in houses further down the street. They had three grills going and (of course) way too much food. Sarah made some new friends, and they had fun riding and running in the street. The highlight was a visit from a fire engine from the local volunteer fire company. Someone who lives on the street has a son who drives the engines there. The kids even got to ride around the block in it.
We went to the Washington Nationals new stadium on the 21st with Sharon and Dean. The Nationals lost, but the view was great. The food was pretty good too.
Lots of new pictures from September (and our August trip to NJ) are up on the kids picture page.
The following weekend (the 6th/7th), we went to Ocean Pines, MD to visit Grandma and Papa Bob. On Saturday, we mostly stayed inside as Tropical Storm Hanna made its way up the East Coast. It didn't rain much where we were, but it sure was windy. The next day was much nicer, and we went out on the boat on the bay.
The day that David got back from NJ after his Geneva trip, our street had a block party in the afternoon. They shut down the street a few houses down, and we met people who live in houses further down the street. They had three grills going and (of course) way too much food. Sarah made some new friends, and they had fun riding and running in the street. The highlight was a visit from a fire engine from the local volunteer fire company. Someone who lives on the street has a son who drives the engines there. The kids even got to ride around the block in it.
We went to the Washington Nationals new stadium on the 21st with Sharon and Dean. The Nationals lost, but the view was great. The food was pretty good too.
Lots of new pictures from September (and our August trip to NJ) are up on the kids picture page.
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