Lots of stuff to catch up on since July. The trips to the Idaho and the UK went off without a hitch. Jacob started Kindergarten and Tae Kwon Do. Ashley is in a new class at preschool. Both are loving it. After 4 months, my couch finally arrived from Henredon. I will post a picture shortly.

The Kids and I recently went to to the new air and space museum for the umpteenth time. They never get tired of seeing the airplanes, helicopters and such. Luckily for us the crowds were minimal. It's a good cool place to let them get out and run around on unbearably hot summer days. The photo above was taken at the observation deck. It has a great view of Dulles Airport and is a great place to go to watch the planes land.

I experimented a bit this past week.... tried chutney for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. Don't know if this is the version I picked up is par for the course when it comes to the traditional stuff. Rhubarb with a kick. Had it on a pork tenderloin. Even though chutney is as English as fish and chips or crumpets, Helen is not to keen on things spicy. Hence it had not found its way on to our dinner table.

I realized today that Helen and I will be spending at least 28 hours in the air with the kids in the span of a month. 4 - 7 hour flights.

First to Newport Idaho at the end of July to visit my side of the family. It's about an hour north north east of Spokane and 20 miles due west of Sandpoint. We have been there once before. Prior to my parents relocating there a year ago, we had a family reunion at the Torgesen ranch. It is beautiful. Scenic mountain lakes and pine forests as far as the eye can see. Helen thinks its out in the boonies. I love it. I look forward to trouncing around the old growth forests around Priest Lake. Mom says well be there in time for "Timber Days". It involves Parades of Lumber jacks and Timber Trucks.... marching through town singing " I'm a lumberjack and I'm Ok"

Mom and Dad relocated there after Dads retirement from MO CO GO. They built a beautiful place with a great mountain view. I have yet to figure out if Dad included a bunker stocked w/all the necessities for apocalypse survival, like the rest of the folks in the region.

The second trip is to Jolly old England... Carlton to be exact. Its a village outside of Selby, where Helen grew up. Where's Selby you ask? It's 4 hours north of London. 20 miles south of York. Many say that it is out in the boonies for the UK. Most of the southerners I have met seem to think so. They make snide comments about mining coal, knitting sweaters and chasing sheep.

Sheesh... it's funny how you don't think you have aged much.... until you have seen a picture of yourself.

After a long day at School the sprogs are still wound up and ready to go. Dad on the other hand isn't. Helen is has another late shift tonight at Ralph's... I have got kid duty....

Sammy.... where were your gunners this year?

Jake has a ritual... wakes up at 6:30 AM to watch Bob the builder... drives his Mom nuts. Disturbing her in the mornings is a big No-No. She loves her sleep.

It's been a while since I last updated folks... should post some new pictures here in the next couple of days... stay tuned