August 30, 2010: My Shadow at the Beach, the Sequel

My little girl decided three years ago at the beach that she really liked her dad.  It was great, but she really wouldn't let me out of her sight.  This year, Skeeter let me out of his sight, but he definitely decided he liked being with his dad.  I wasn't complaining.  I burn easily anyway, so hanging out in the shade with the little guy was fine with me.

August 29, 2010: Corolla, NC

We only had a day between the Utah trip and our beach trip.  The photographer managed to dodge games the first night.

August 27, 2010: The Mustang Will Rise Again

There she sits, motionless but brimming with hot-rod potential, in my parents' garage.  Yes, mom and dad, I know I need to find a place to store it very soon.  Anybody who knows me knows I've been dreaming of fixing this thing up for more than half of my life.  Amazingly, she still fires right up with just a little bit of encouragement.  Someday it will look more like this:

This one is a '69; mine is a '70, but the body styles are for the most part identical.  Ford turned the mustang into a boat in '71.  1969 and 1970 are my favorite Mustang years.

August 26, 2010: The Weather is Better out West

We had a great day going to lunch with Grandma and Grandpa, stopping by a great store we don't have in Northern Virginia, Intermountain Farmers, running a few errands, and having some awesome dutch oven grub at home with my parents and my siblings' families.  It was 100 degrees at about 4 o'clock.  Just a few hours later, we were lounging in the back yard comfortably as grandpa played with grandkids on the lawn.  Try that in NoVA in August.

August 25, 2010: A Day at Pineview Dam

August 24, 2010: Park City II

L was adamant about not going on the Alpine Slide at Park City.  I finally prevailed in my forceful efforts to coerce the boy.

And he loved it.  Dang kid.  He was mad that I wouldn't buy him another ride.

August 23, 2010: A Quick Escape to Park City

This is Bubba at one of our favorite Mexican joints, the Baja Cantina, right after he stole half of the meat from my Pork Burrito.

August 22, 2010: Old School Kid Stuff

This is Baby C eating in a high chair that my siblings and I used when we were babies.  Yeah, my mom still has it.  She mentioned getting a new one.  I said no way.  The old one is too cool and it takes up less space anyway.  Now that my parents are the grandparents, it's funny to see my kids discovering all the "old" stuff that doesn't seem so old to me.  A perfect example: my 5-year old nephew ran up to me and asked if he could play with my old Star Wars toys.  With far more sarcasm in my voice than a 5-year old can understand, I dryly said, "no, I don't want you guys messing with my stuff."  I was actually serious, although I didn't intend to hold out.  When the little guy's lower lip popped out and began to quiver, I had to relent, "I'm just kidding, buddy, let's go check it out."