Holtza-Christmas 2011

A Christmas Memory Blob

By JT

 It started with a New York Yankee waffle-iron and ended with 75% of us feeling a little warm and fuzzy after downing the bottle of Chocolate-Killa from "Italilly".

 Zach waited patiently for his turn to chug from the communal bottle.

 My mom couldn't wait.  She had her oown stash and just would not share.  Austin, being the perfect gentleman, looked away and did not judge.

 It was great see Gram... hopefully someone will pick her up again next year.  Love that sentimental gal.

 It seems that these two were plotting something.

Merry Christmas everyone!  What a day.

Ken-West and Kenmore Middle Share the Stage

A Christmas Video Blob

Emma got to share the stage with Ken-West's orchestra for some holiday fun.  She's on the right hand side 4 chairs in; she's hard to see.  It was a fun night and they played some pretty good Christmas music.  Emma plays second fiddle for Kenmore Middle, not bad for a 6th grader.

Not so much breaking news.......anymore

As many of you know our blog serves many purposes. This morning as I was snug in my bed after a late night out (9:00pm), mother awakened me to the screetch the Elk's Lodge is on FIRE! As the Koch family was first to break the news on facebook, I thought I would follow up with some pictures. The twin city landmark was built in 1921 and served millions of fish fries.
It was set to be demolished today. What will go into this vacant lot? KDHRC franchise?

UB and Turkey Bowl 2011

A Turkey Weekend Blob

by

JT Pilaf

 Here's a few pics from our second to last UB game taken last weekend.  Mike and Sharon were in town and we had a good time showing them a college football game.  Thank goodness UB played well and won the game against the Akron Zips.

 Touchdown Bulls!!!  One of many on the afternoon.

 Turkey Bowl 2011, beautiful weather and we won the game in a defensive, wind impeding struggle 2-1.  I only threw two interceptions this year.  Hard to believe, but true.

Pretty decent crew for this year's game.  As you can see, Zach is just about as big as everyone else now.

Our Weekend Trip in Allegany

A Pictoral Blob

by

JT Pilaf

 Even though the weather forecast looked omninous, we forged ahead to beautiful Allegany at the peak of the fall leaves.

 When we're there in the summer Bridal Falls does not flow like this.

 I was fortunate that I had a beer on me so I could keep my streak alive; drinking at waterfalls.

 It got cooler at night so my friend and I made a blazing fire.

 Ahhhhhh.... that's nice.

 Emma didn't think so.

 The next day we went for a hike and Emma found a salamander.

 We don't hike all that far from our site... don't wanna get lost.

Then we went letterboxing... there it is Sandra.  We found it.

We had a great time camping even though it was rainy, chilly, windy, etc...  Sandra was a trooper letting me have my fall fun.

Holtzapalooza 2011

A Flip Video

by

JT Pilaf

Our Trip To The ADK

The ADK

A Photo Blog by JT Pilaf

We had a wonderful time this year in the Adirondacks.  The weather was beautiful, minus the one day we rented a pontoon boat for the day and the kids had a great time swimming and spending time on the beach.

 Zach loved canoeing all week.

 I just liked laying around.

 The kids enjoyed being pulled around on the jet ski.

 And Sandra and I enjoyed watching the sun go down.

 We had a nice setup on our own private beach.

 We enjoyed the pontoon for the short time that it was overcast.

 The kids loved hiking and going to Buttermilk Falls.

 We enjoyed the wildlife...

 and the scenery..

 We went letter boxing and saw interesting things.

 We went searching one early morning for a moose that "always" comes to Devil's Pond.

 Even though it was gorgeous there.

 We never saw the moose that day.

 We enjoyed each other...

 enjoyed playing on the beach...

 building sandcastles...

 and we enjoyed thinking that our site neighbor was Sam Elliott.  Seriously if you closed your eyes it was his voice.  Eery.

 Zach and I canoed up the river to the waterfalls one morning.

 We had fires every night to enjoy pie iron sandwiches "squishies" and S'mores.

 We had fun at the Adirondack Museum.

We really enjoyed ourselves this year and can't wait to go back.

06/18 What a dream!

What a fabulous day it turned out to be!  The day was filled with great food, great fun, lots of laughs, the best that family and friends have to offer! 

Each great event starts with a tail gate party and this would be no different!  Tailgating started at 10AM! 

My sister started the morning with a shot of alcohol laced whipped cream! 

GG sys" Can I get a cup of coffee? oh and rye toast please!

It was off the Millard Fillmore Home, for the ceremony! 
Ms Caroline looked beautiful in her signature summer frock!

Our beautiful bride, our handsome groom and his best man!

After the ceremony we were all treated to a tour of this historical home!  Then it was off to Richardsons cottage to celebrate!

The "greeter" showed us the way to the festivities!

Uncle Gary reminds us that each activity should include a good and thorough stretch before you begin!

As you can see, the wearing of the color coded bandanna was our team uniform. 

Our distinguished panel of Judges!

The first place winners!  The Purple Patooties! 

Some teams were a little less gracious with not coming in First place.

We all knew that the eventual home of the purple dice would be on the malibu!

And the fitting end of the day was a tower of donuts! 
As I have always said, some days in this journey of ours, are better than others, and this day, this day in particular, rates right up there, with the best of days, the best of times!

Thank you K, E, J and CJ!  You threw one heck of a party!