SUPERBOWL CHAMPS!

The Buffalo Bills did in fact win Super Bowl XXV!

Our Gettysburg Trip

Gettysburg 2012

By JT Pilaf

 The trip started out okay but turned into a hairy experience half-way in.   Pounding rain rain greeted us and the wipers couldn't even keep up.  

 Sandra suggested I pull over as others had decided to do, but I was so excited about getting to our destination that I just couldn't allow myself to stop.

 We arrived at Gifford Pinchot SP in Lewisberry, PA to the hot sun and friendly flutterbies.

 It was a beautiful day on Monday so we ate a hearty breakfast and headed to Gettysburg.

 We immediately got tickets to the movie, cyclorama and museum.   Zach loves taking his time absorbing everything.

 After spending some time at the visitor center we grabbed some lunch at the Lincoln Diner where Zach ordered us a "Booth" to sit down in.   He's been waiting for over a year to do that.  We then set out to look for Grampa's brick.

 Found it!  Yahoo!  On the west side of the David Wills House, the third slant in, all the way to the bottom about ten feet from the building.

 After searching for 2 hours and asking everyone in town, we thought it time for an ice cream.  What better place to go than the Cannonball Malt Shop where a the old school house building took a hit on day 1.  The teachers then sent the kids home.  Unckie, is that protocal when under attack?

 

 Gettysburg is incredible.  We really appreciated the park.

 Here's Emma at one of many NY monuments.

 Here's the very first memorial dedicated to Strong Vincent a year after his death in 1864 by his men.

 

 The kids enjoyed exploring.

 Here's a sharpshooter's wall in Devil's Den looking at Little Round Top.  A famous photograph was taken of a dead soldier in front of this wall after the troops hhad left.   The soldier was placed here on the ground for dramatic efffect... like that was needed after the three day battle.

 Sandra tried to sneak up on me in Devil's Den... actually she was freaked out by the fact that the confederates were fighting gunfire from the north and rattlesnakes at the same time.

 We really enjoyed the two days we spent exploring Gettysburg and really appreciated what the battle meant.  It makes you humble.

 I think a lil' bit more can be made out of this.

 In November of 1863, President Lincoln would make a two minute address to the 20,000-30,000 in attendence after following keynote speaker Edward Everett who had just finished his two hour speach.  After there was little response when he finished he thought his speech was a failure.

 The bodies are buried by state.  Some unknowns ended up in different states or on the wrong fighting side.

 I wonder what the soldiers were thinking when they saw this in the evening...

Baptism-palooza

The ladies of the hour, looking angelic!

 

The whole gang! (minus the kids that were swimming)





Gram with her kids (no family resemblence there, huh?)

 

Gram with the grandkids





 

Gram with the great grandkids!



   

Refreshing after a long morning in church







Such technique! But did he stretch beforehand?

Thank you all so much for coming to Baptism-palooza 2012. It was wonderful to see you and have you be part of the twins' day.  We had a great time -- aren't the pictures evidence of that? Mark your calendars now for NMLEBWHAPA (no major life event but we're having a party anyway) 2013!

Andy's Big Day

A Sunday Blob
by JT Pilaf

Sunday was a busy, busy day.  Emma had to sing at confirmation Sunday and church didn't let out until 12:45.  After Sandra and Emma changed into something more baseball appropriate we headed off to Rochester to see Andy pettite pitch.  We arrived at 2:06 and the stadium was packed.  There was also still a line at least 100 yards long at the ticket booth.  We got nervous but...

 got tickets anyway.  We were not let down.  What a day!  Andy looked great.

 He was seen talking in between innngs to a few of the younger guys.

 Sandra and the kids couldn't believe how big the middle infielder was.

 Emma got so excited when the cotton candy man came around.

 We had great seats right along the wall.

 We just love sitting together talking about the day watching things go on around us.

 Emma got to meet two of the players.

 And they had a kidszone so even Zach could blow off some energy.

 Sandra just loves me taking her out.

Ummmmmm... I have a confession.  We didn't make it in to the Yankees/ Red Sox game and we didn't get to see Andy pitch.  

Lost 1/2 our post-will try again!

THE REST OF THE STORY----

This is one of the 2 planes on exhibit not to mention the barn full of classic cars. You'd have loved them, Uncle Gar.

Despite all the glitz and overkill it was somehow touching and emotion. Maybe that was just for me, the motorcycle momma. Remind me to show you my pink magnifying mirror compact with the Kings likeness on it. A girl needs her souvenirs.

We spent as many nights on Beale St as we possibly could. The music was amazing and the ribs. well they are another whole blog. We encountered Ms Zena and she was such a friendly person. She even posed for this picture and it only cost us $15(ask us to see the original with a bonafide SWAK).She makes Auntie  look a bit washed out.  MS Zena did have cosmetics that could have fixed that but they were pricey and looked, umm, a bit used.

Last but not least, the famous Peabody Hotel ducks complete with the "Duck Master." Apparently being a duck master is a very prestigious job , or so we were told , by the duck master, of course. They were cute and Auntie enjoyed her front row seat while Unkie headed for the nearest bar muttering under his breath, "I ain't watching no darn ducks,when there is beer and music to be had."

 In closing, we had a unique and wonderful trip and are amazed that we survived another 10 days and 1500 miles together in a compact car with no cruise control. Unkie does try to do his thing for the enviroment. Auntie just dreams of her next bike ride.