Welcome to our blog

Kris, it's nice to put a face to your name. Welcome to the blog! We look forward to seeing your posts/comments. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well.

As promised

So, as promised, I'm posting a picture of Kris that you all wanted. She says to tell everyone Merry Christmas...maybe she'll leave a comment here.

In the background you can see one of her paintings in-progress. I'm still figuring out the flash modes on this camera and how to not make people look like ghosts.

Here's a finished one.

Another finished painting.

More Chirstmas Pictures

These pictures come from the camera of Uncle Rich, who, evidently is "bloger-challenged". Enjoy!!

Browntown Christmas

By all accounts Christmas in Browntown was a HUGE success! Starting with dinner at Uncle Rich & Aunt Ginger's with Tim, Terry, Kara and Ritchie on 12/22. It is always fun watching the little ones so excited about Christmas, and Little Ritchie & Kara certainly lived up to the expectation. The arrival of Win & Emma on 12/23 signaled the start of Christmas in Browntown, maybe next year Andrew will be able to join us live, instead via cell phone which would make the holiday season PERFECT! We were able to share Christmas morning with Auntie Char & Uncle Keith and Grammy. The day started with the traditional Creamed Chipped Beef & Biscuits followed by the main event (Prize opening). The day continued with a wonderful dinner and much groaning. Phone calls with Andrew to check in on the ATL crew.

The day after and the festivities just kept on rolling. Uncle Rich & Aunt Ginger arrived for a day of visiting and of course another meal. This one in the form of a Christmas Brunch. More phone calls to/from the ATL to keep Andrew in the loop. An unexpected visit from an old Arlington High School friend, Mike Natrella and the day was complete! It was great catching up after not seeing Mike for some 15 yrs +/-. After Win departed for North Baltimore (we're still waiting for pictures), Emma, Mom and I settled in for a Post-Christmas movie & popcorn. Exciting by any standard!

Since Mom and I will be leaving for the ATL on Thursday, today (Tuesday) will be spent taking the tree down. By the way, I did make the anual trek to the dump and yes, there were already two discarded Christmas trees there. Emma leaves for home tonight (with Rachel in tow) and Mom and I follow on Thursday. Andrew, we're heading your way! Looking forward to a family dinner in the ATL on New Year's Eve with everyone + the extended ATL family of Jarrett, Rachel and Campbell. Until then, enjoy the few pictures here. More will follow from the next leg of this holiday trip.

Merry Christmas !!

Andrew, because you could not be with us, Win and I decided you would enjoy seeing some of the feast that was Christmas Dinner. Of particular interest (to us at least) was Auntie Char's dessert. We did think of you as we (I) shoveled it in. See you in a few days.

Atlanta Elvis Sighting!

Well, I got my first taste of the famed Redskins bar here in Atlanta. Commonly known as the "Bucket Cafe", no one was able to tell me why they call it a bucket. At anyrate, watching the Redskins with Andrew & Emma, at their favorite Redskins bar (they won by the way) AND our host at the bar being an Elvis impersonator (who knew Elvis was a Redskin fan???), WHAT could be better than all of that???? It was quite a scene I can assure you all. Just about every flavor of Redskin fan was represented. The crowd which was a respectable 30 - 40 people had a wonderful time. We had Mr. Negativity, Mr. I will wear EVERY Redskin piece of paraphanallia I own, Mr. Redskin Fan Lawyer (sorry your car got broken into), and assorted other fans that (I must say I was impressed) knew EVERY word of the Redskin fight song, even the verses that most DON'T know! They of course sang it out loud and proud after each score (sometimes twice). All in all it was a great experience. Since Mom and I will be Atlanta a little longer than we had planned, it turns out we'll be here for the final Redskin game on New Year's Day when they play the dreaded Philadelphia Eagles. Mom can get a first hand look at the assemblage of fans. Don't forget to wear your hoggette nose sweety! Sadly I didn't bring my camera which is probably a good thing, since "low profile" was the mode of the day. Too much fun just sitting and watching. I'm pretty sure flash bulbs would have been frowned upon by an outsider. More to follow as the holidays roll in. Looking forward to being with everyone!!

News From Browntown

News from Browntown is that it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas and it is COLD!! The snow has a pretty hard crust on it and with the temps. it doesn't look like it will melt before Christmas so ... we will most likely have a White Christmas!

Grammy and I went to the Cassada Bassoon Ensemble recital yesterday at the Presbyterian Church. It was very nice but the real hit of the day was meeting "little" Kenneth - the newest Cassada! He is cute as pie, fat and contented and a BIG baby - a real tons o' fun. Very social, grinning and reaching for anybody and everybody - he is much like his mother and looks like his daddy. Grammy and I have been invited to the Cassadas for the Dec. 23 Bassoon Christmas again this year and we plan to go along with Emma. It was really nice last year to get us in the spirit with the great music!

Anyway, Grammy and I had a nice day yesterday - went to church, went to Cracker Barrel for lunch afterward, a brief Christmas shopping trip to kill time before the concert and then the concert. It was a nice day and I still got some exam review work done in the evening.

Speaking of... tonight I have my final in Management and Wednesday night is the final in Prof. Communications and then I am done for the semester. Next semester is Math for Liberal Arts (LFCC course) and another Communications course. Although it is only two courses, since one is math I have to really focus.

Andrew and Emma, take care of Dad in Atlanta. Win, be careful in the cold and snow driving all over the place for meetings and such.

I am so looking forward to the Holidays here in Browntown and in Atlanta!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Thought you guys might like to see the Christmas Tree on display at 991 Rupley. It is a 7' Douglas Fur. It smells really good!

Christmas Tree Photos

Ok, let's see those tree pics! I know you have some to share. Everybody, come on, it will be fun !!

Message to the Birthday Girl!!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Jaime Surfaces!!!

Below is the transcript of an email that I got from Jaime today. Be on the look-out for his posts. His email address is: jstrello@yahoo.com for those of you who don't have it.

Hello Da'

Took me a while to sit down and write but I am gratefull tho, that you invited me to blog in! We are all fine, I am glad yuor trip back was without trouble. My mom repeatdly ask me for how are you all and send her grettings. I am enjoying my time as best i can adn from time to time i'll be bloging in and putting some comments there!.This is a short letter but it is ok as you say to keep in touch and I'll be writing to Emma to know if she wants to visit chile with you we'll be like right to the spot to pick you up!

Sincererly,

Jaime

News From Browntown

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EMMA!!!

On this day of Thanks.....

By allaccounts it was a wonderful Thanksgiving! A hardy "Well Done" to Win for the success of hosting his first Thanksgiving in his apartment. The trip down for us (mom, grammy, cleo and myself) began late in the afternoon on Wednesday, an attempt to beat the snow storm that had mom doing her best "Nana" routine. As it turned out, we not only beat the snow, but traveled with it, thru it and along side of it for many miles/hours. Cleo, as expected, didn't notice. All in all, I was glad the next morning, not to have to make the drive. Since we had everyone together, we took the opportunity to turn the visit into a birthday celebration for Emmalee and mom. Complete with "My Little Pony" birthday cake. After a trip to the Barter Theatre (Miracle on 34th Street) for the ladies, and a trip to the Cine-mall for the guys ("Walk The Line") we all sat down for cake and ice cream. I hope you all enjoy the pictues, there are many more that will surface from time to time. I'm especially fond of the 4 laptops going at once. Since Andrew wanted it known that there were 5 laptops going, I'll own up that I did put mine down to take the picture. Happy Andrew??? As always, posts are encouraged and welcomed from all.

Fun on the "Set"

Way to go Andrew....you made Aunt June's day! I thought you would all get a chuckle out of Aunt June's visit to the Nancy Grace set while visiting CNN. This was from the tour she went on with the cousins from Maryland. Looks like a good time was had by all!

News From Browntown

I have just had a very interesting conversation with one of our IBEW members who is getting ready to go to Miss. to help build a "camp" for relief/construction workers. He is going with a Presbyterian organization that has been there since the hurricane hit. He is taking three weeks off from work to go and will be back home just in time for Christmas. His sister just got back after being there for a month doing the same work.

It is so nice to have such an unexpected, inspiring encounter that can restore faith in humanity.

So much of the time I feel like I should be wearing that T-shirt that says "I See Stupid People"...

If You Have An Hour To Spare....

At the risk of sounding like Im shamelessly plugging CNN, I would advise anyone who has a chance to watch the special CNN Presents "Inside The Secret State: An Inside Look At North Korea" at some point.....It's indredible, and worth the hour for sure. I watched it Saturday and got up angry at the folks in DC (as usual) Mom, you'll especially dig it I think....So yeah, check it out, so Win and Dad, go ahead and Tivo that bad boy......

Somebody was up late

News From Browntown

Hmmmm, what were you kids in Atlanta doing up at 3:36am this morning? That's right! even from THIS distance I can see what you're doing :)

News From Browntown

Just got through with my Group Presentation for my writing class. Not only did I have to do group work (I do not play well with others anyway much less from a "distance) we had to do a power point slide presentation - all from a distance! Interesting... anyway, only a couple more major papers and then on to final exams!

News From Browntown

News From Browntown

Clearly there is a need for guidance and assignment here if we are going to get this Turkey off the ground (yuk, yuk...).

Assignments:

Win
1. arrange for 20 or so pounds of cooked or partially cooked turkey (note: better have two 10 pounders than one 20 pounder) to be available on Thanksgiving Day by the time the fam arrives.
2. clean your bathroom
3. let me know how many dishes, utensils, serving and cooking items I need to bring to supplement what you have

Emma
1. bring sweet potato casserole
2. bring blanket and/or sleeping bag for o'nite at Win's
3. miscellaneous fill-in the blank

Andrew
1. Bring whatever cranberry sauce you want for yourself and enough for everyone else to have some too!
2. bring blanket and/or sleeping bag for o'nite at Win's
3. bring Inside Africa tapes ***** Very Important!!!

Grammy
1. bring carrot/raisin salad
2. bring pumpkin pie

Mom
1. bring mashed potatoes, broccoli, succotash, dressing,
2. other miscellaneous groceries

Dad
1. bring the van with us in it

Cleo
1. bring yourself

Any requests that need to be filled or any other suggestions at this point????

Harry Potter Mania!!!

Just wanted to let everyone know, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire opens tomorrow night at midnight. Audrey and I are going to a midnight show at Phipps Plaza. No, we are not wearing costumes. I guess the movie will have to suffice until the new book comes out, and that won't be for a while...