Future Olympians!

For those who doubt that television affects children's behavior, you have to see this (note what's on TV):

Gram's Tomato Box

Done! I finally finished Gram's new tomato box today. For good or for bad, I (Tom) designed it myself. It was also my first experience with doweling. Doweling jigs are not all they're cracked up to be (but drill presses are), and I now see why the woodworking hobby has moved on to the biscuit joint.

Here's a look:

Pajama Party

Tonight we had a pajama party between bathtime and betime. The boys were in good spirits.



Matthew Alasdair is getting quite big these days! He's as long as Peter is from knee to head.

2008 Air Show

Here are some photos from last month's Air Show at Andrews Air Force base just south of Washington, D.C. (in Maryland). The air show itself was very loud, and the boys took note.


But they had a great time going on board a helicopter, a CH-53E, I believe.


They especially liked seeing "Andrew Camden's airplane", a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion. Andy was disappointed to learn that Andrew Camden wasn't there.


We spent most of the airshow at the picnic pavilion where Tom's friend from ONI, Tim Nelick, was running a great BBQ operation. The pavilion was right at the end of the runway, so the Blue Angels flew immediately overhead. We had a great view, and a great day.



(Click to see a good shot of Andy and Ian holding their ears from the nose of the Blue Angels.)

Going Green

Today in Sunday School, Andy's group was invited to draw Joseph's Coat of Many Colors. As further evidence that Andy's love for the color green is approaching an obsession, I present the following:


But as he explained, there are different shades of green! (A coat of many shades of one color does not a coat of many colors make.)

Opening Day

Ian took his first swing (pun intended) at little league baseball yesterday. He is playing a very basic version of t-ball called Blast Ball, which is designed for 3 and 4 year olds. It involves one base, and a gang of preschoolers in the field who run and tackle each other for the ball. It's very entertaining. Ian has actually proved to be quite the hitter, and is enjoying being part of his team, the Bears.

Andy has now graduated from Blast Ball and is now playing full fledged t-ball with the kindergarten set. His team, the Legends, is learning to play positions in the field and run all the bases.

Ludovicos Visit, Meet Matthew Alasdair

Carrie and her family were able to come up for a quick trip this weekend to meet Matthew Alasdair Brown. They brought supper with them for everyone, so we enjoyed a good meal around the table. After supper Dad and Tom played some bagpipes, and Andy demonstrated his [usual routine] on the piano.

The children played for an impressively long time on the porch without any, um, disturbances or need for supervision. After that we tuned in for some baseball and Star Wars, while Dad called out the Red Sox play-by-play off his computer.


Carrie and Mom enjoyed conversation in the living room:


Elizabeth seemed especially taken with her newest cousin, and did an excellent job holding him: