Random Pics (part1)

Salute to Belle

For every cute picture of Matthew we have on our hard drive, we've got like 5 of Belle. She's great and she should probably have her own blog but she likes to lead a private life.

Matthew in a Clothes Hamper and Other Photos

The other day Matthew put his blanket into an empty hamper. I was pretty bored so I figured I'd chuck him in there and see what happened. He really didn't mind so I took a couple pictures. I like the second one where he's looking down at Belle like "what are you doing out there?".

We also went to a picnic today for all the local Korean adoptive families and it was a pretty nice get together. Of course Matthew was kind of ticked off the whole time. Either he doesn't like Koreans or the outdoors but more likely he just didn't like all the attention; an unofficial analysis pegged him as the cutest kid there.

Oh, and the last one is Matty eating chips and salsa.

This is Ron Jeremy

In response to blog follower jccmflorida (aka Jessica, my sister in law)'s comments .... while I do agree I share many traits with the imminent adult film star Ron Jeremy, such as our widespread popularity and love for dogs, it should be noted that Jeremy generally has a more conventional mustache while my current concoction really is more of on original creation. Although I reason to believe Johnny Depp stole my idea.

PS - Jess, thank you, I have been looking pretty skinny these days.

More Rocking Out .... In Rockport

Don't Jodi and Matthew look great in these pics?

Very Nice Day in Rockport, MA

As everyone (especially Denise) knows, we have been having some pretty hot weather up here for the past month. So it's been nice to cool off for the past couple days. We knew we had some lousy weather coming in for this weekend, but today was really nice and sunny, so we took the opportunity to head to the oceanside town of Rockport which is a very charming little town about an hour north of Boston.

Rockport is your typical town replete with gift shops, ice cream places and crappy restaurants, however it has some real high points which we routinely take advantage of:

1. Tucks Candy, which makes the best salt water taffy (in my opinion). At Tucks, not only can you watch the salt water taffy being pulled, but you can choose your own flavors when you make up a box. Today I loaded up on my usual half-box of peanut butter flavored taffy and then at the end found out they have a new flavor "chocolate peanut butter" ... needless to say, I had to start over. Fun fact: Jodi never eats salt water taffy.

2. Rockport might be the penny candy capital of the world because besides the taffy you can get regular penny candy at like 2-3 other stores, which of course I did.

3. Continuing on the family theme; like many NE seaside towns, they sell fudge. And like many NE seaside people, Jodi buys fudge.

4. The rest of the shops are the usual tourist traps however there are a couple nice toy stores and one really nice pewter store which has some kick ass pewter stuff, if you're into that sort of thing (which I am).

5. Rockport is an artist's colony so the place is filled with galleries, many of which offer terrific original art, if you're into that sort of thing (which I am, but can't afford).

Other highlights .... we stopped off at a clam shack in Gloucester and had a really amazing lunch of the usual fried clams and shrimp. Matthew ate his first Fish n' Chips and reported, "mmmmmm". And on the 1 hour car ride home, Jodi slept like a baby and Matthew (who is a baby) stayed up and BS'ed with me the entire time.

Enjoy the pics - BTW, we didn't take pictures with Johnny Depp - that's just me and my awesome new mustache/beard combo.

Have a nice weekend.

Michigan Table+Chairs Arrive.... I Blog About it One Week Later

So we have a lot of good friends from our time at Michigan and we still keep in touch with a lot of them .... Dave, Ted, Bry, Big Bri, Paulette, you guys are all great. But it was Jodi's buddy Tara (who graduated from Washington University) who came through with the first great Michigan present for little Matthew. As you can see, this thing looks great, houses Matthew and his cars with ease and is solidly made and beautifully painted and detailed. A really nice gift - thanks very much to Tara and Jeff.

ps- I would note that this wasn't the only thing Tara has sent for Matthew in the past few months.