The All In The Family Edition

Boy the way Glen Miller played...songs that made the Hit Parade...guys likes us we had it made...those were the days...
Time is my enemy
Hmmm...the tote board says that I haven't updated the TGIF in nearly 4 weeks. But since Ginny Grace has become mobile, my available time to sit at a keyboard has narrowed significantly. That's a good thing and a bad thing. It's a good thing because it means I'm watching after the baby, but a bad thing because several times a day I have thoughts running through my mind, pieces that I'd like to write down, ideas about a headline, or just the random, transom-crossing thought that is soon forgotten. So while I've not had a lot of time, it is important every so often to come out from behind the grassy knoll and remind you in the words of Samuel Clemens, that the rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated.
Up From Down Under
Some of the time in the last month was spent hosting our dear Aussie friend Lauren who made her way to us for about 2 weeks, splitting some of that time with others in the area- we found it very difficult to share her. We hadn't seen her in nearly 5 years. It seemed like yesterday. Her last visit to the States back in '01 I was lucky enough to have her stay with me at my apartment in Salt Lake and then drive her back to Denver afterward. The ride from Denver to SLC was great because I had Shelley, Lauren, Shannon and Rachel piled into my car. Now there's just nothing that beats having four gorgeous women with you on the open road- I dare you to find such a thing...in fact I "double dog" dare you!!! While she was with us, she was such a HUGE help with Ginny Grace- who took to her in a way she hadn't really with anyone not named 'mama' or 'dada'. In fact, Lauren became the first non-parental unit that Gracie gave kisses to. Of course as Lauren will attest, Gracie's "kisses" consist of a slobbery tongue coming at your face...but she means well! Lauren fed her a few times, rocked her, played with her and, to be fair, attempted a kidnapping we think...I'm pretty sure she was plotting ways to stow Gracie, Isaac, Ethan, AND Xavier in her carry on luggage back to Australia. Alas all parents have, as far as I know, retained custody of their respective children...though I'm thinking of checking Gracie's crib again now that I mention it, just to be safe. Later in the week we were joined by another long lost friend of ours, Barb, who came up from Michigan. She, Lauren, James, AJ and X all came up on a Friday evening and we had a nice time watching babies go nuts, puppies run around and me shovel in lots of yummy food James had made. It was a mini-hut festival (and I hereby give a shout out to all the other HoE reading this...come see us soon and you too can have your picture taken with Gracie!!!) Hey it's all I got...it's late and I'm sleepy.
It's Everybody's Birthday
Okay so maybe 'everybody' is a bit of hyperbole. But it sure seems like the first week or so of July sees a lot of birthdays. First there is Canada. Having her birthday on the 1st. Turning 139 might see like quite a long road...but then her neighbor to the south America turned 230...whew...now that's getting up there. Far below those staggering numbers, my father-in-law Gerry turned 60 on the 4th. We had a wonderful celebration at the marina and everyone had a great time...except me because I got seasick 5 minutes after I got on the boat, spent the rest of the day high on Gravol, and then woke up at 2am in the hotel with a pounding headache- nice! The 4th also happens to be the birthday of one of my closest friends in the world, Scott. I can't believe how long I've known the guy. I remember the day I met him, playing baseball near his house. The first thing he said to me was "hey, you've got a nice swing". Feeding my ego is the surest way to my heart!! Scott is more than a friend, he's a brother. As such we've yelled at each other, called each other names, refused to speak to one another...only to patch things up, forget whatever the heck we were fighting about in the first place and continue on like nothing ever happened. I did his paper route a couple of times for him when he was going away. He offered to come with me when I had to tell my parents about the police "arresting" us for playing football at one of the local schools. He was there for me when I had my heart broken a few times. I was there for him when he married Allison. He has beaten me countless times on the golf course- including by 2 strokes the last time I was back home. (jerk) I have taken my fair share from him at the poker table. (you know I OWN you at 7/27..just face facts) He's thrown a softball at me harder than anyone in my life when he played shortstop and I played first- together on any number of teams...always giving me that wry little Scott grin when he's heard the "POP" of my glove. He was the first one at the plate the night I hit my first out of the park home run in softball. He was the first one buying me shots at Friar Tucks on my 21st birtday. (oy!) Suffice it to say we've been to hell and back...and if heaven is a baseball diamond in a cornfield in Iowa...I know that when we both get there...he'll be toe the dirt at short, I'll be stumbling around at first, and at some point there'll be a whistling ball, a loud "POP" and a wry smile. I love you man! Also having birthdays were Alex and Beth, both wonderful people I know from school. Beth is a beautiful, funny, and very smart woman whom I just adore...and then there's Alex. No, Al...just kidding. You're every bit as smart and funny as Beth. And you're a beautiful woman too. No you're not. You're actually a charming young man who it is my pleasure to know and I love ya kid. Mazel Tov!
What Was He Thinking?
I watched nearly every match of the World Cup it seemed. Staying home with the baby, there was just nothing else on TV during the week. Sunday I watched the final between Italy and France. Though I'm by no means an avid soccer fan, I'd really immersed myself in the tournament. I'd become a big fan of the French team, especially Zinedine Zidane, the French captain. He was a magician with the ball, and since it was his last go with the French team I was hoping he'd go out in style... So I was stunned on Sunday when with about 10 minutes left he turned and launched himself into the chest of Matterazi, the Italian player, and sent him to the ground. It was one of those moments when you can't believe what your own eyes just say. It was Tyson biting Holyfield weird. What a shame for everyone involved.
Dr. Strangelove
The AP is reporting that the CIA is shutting down the unit in charge of hunting Osama Bin Laden (you remember him right?). Essentially the reason given is that resources could better be used elsewhere (I'm assuming for instance in tracking your phone calls to Miss Cleo) and also the belief that Bin Laden no longer represents a real threat to the US. So let me get this straight… The mastermind beyond the worst act of terrorism on American soil, who the President said he'd find "Dead or Alive" is not really a threat to America anymore. Nope. But what IS a threat? Gay Marriage, Flag Burning and the New York Times. So unless Bin Laden winds up being a gay, flag-burning reporter for the Grey Lady we can all sleep peaceful at night again!!! Whew... I feel so much better now. Or at least I did until North Korea fired off a couple of missiles. The world is an ever more frightening place, day by day.
And The Skies Opened
This weekend we (and by 'we' I mean 'Shelley') managed to build Gracie's sandbox. She and Shell have played in it a couple of times now and they both just have a blast. She's growing so tall it's scary...Gracie I mean- Shell's pretty much maxed out at 5'8 or so...at least I would assume. As Gracie has become more mobile the bumps and thumps have increased as well. She's knocked her head on just about everything...it's like having a 2-foot Larry Fine in the house. She's also taken to refusing the lie down to be changed, and keeps trying to sit up on her change table, which unfortunately led to a One-and-a-half gainer onto the carpet the other night. There were screams, tears, sobs, and lots of panic- but the Russian judge gave her a 6.0 !!!! Actually it was quite frightening and 'thank providence' she's ok. She must have a hard bean like her old man. Well that's most of the news...I think. Anyway time for some photos wouldn't you say?

Modeling Here I Come

Lauren and Gracie. I'm not sure which one was more in love.

Lauren feeding Gracie with the encouraging..."more yellow now Gracie...c'mon, now some green" It sounds really sexy in an Aussie accent!

How cute is THIS!!! I'm dying from the adorableness.

Lauren came with me to Gracie's 9 month check-up...

Gracie watching Chris Matthews "Hardball" with me. "Frankly, father, I find his arguments pedantic and his interview style obsequious." Okay, it sounds better in a 'Stewie Griffin' voice, but you KNOW that's what she's thinking.

Gracie meets a new puppy at Mommy's studio.

Best!Face!Ever!!.

Getting a sunburned tongue at Uncle Tim and Auntie Lesley's anniverary dinner.

Swinging with Uncle Tim.

Finding a pretty flower.

I'm over this stuff now Dada.

Barb and Ginny Grace.

Gracie tries to figure out why Gramps has a beard now.

Dada makes a new hairstyle for Gracie.

Smiling.

Answering the question, "Where's Dixie's piggies?".

I have an orange nose, but blue eyes.

Gracie's new sandbox.

Taking the sandbox for a test drive.

Nothing makes me happier than my little girl giving me kisses...she's just letting Dada know how special he is, how much she loves him, and how there's no one she loves more than him...

And then she kisses the dog...thanks...thanks a lot kid.
Ah well...I guess it still counts... Until next time, Cheers