pages from my COOKBOOK

New Blog

I'm in the process of moving this blog, so please excuse any mess. The new address is:

http://www.christymckenna.net/blog/

There are two slideshows of our Paris trip on the new blog.

Gettysburg

We took Jack and Owen to Gettysburg over the weekend (Fiona got to party with G'mom and Jippy). The boys (and we) LOVED Gettysburg.

We had reserved a licensed guide from the visitors center and it worth so much more than the $60 fee....he spent over 2 1/2 hours with us. He drove our car for us (he knows all the shortcuts) and gave a running commentary the whole time. We stopped at various points to get out and walk the battlefield and see some landmarks.

Jack and Owen listened to every word he said, asked -- and ANSWERED -- questions, and contributed their own opinions and theories about the battle. Our guide was a retired high school history teacher and about halfway through he said that Jack and Owen could have easily passed his 11th grade history exam. He asked if we had early dinner reservations--he said he was having so much fun guiding us and was it OK if he ran overtime.

We got a good overview of the battle and it really makes a difference in understanding the battle to be able to see the landscape.

(above: Jack and Owen learning about Napoleon cannons and Parrot cannons, rifling and ammunition.)

(above: Jack & Owen next to "Sallie," the 11th PA's mascot. Apparently, Sallie wouldn't leave the field after a number of her unit was killed. When the rest of the unit returned three days later to bury the bodies, Sallie was still there. People leave dog biscuits on Sallie's memorial.)

(above: Jack and Owen both got Union army forage caps and weapons. They spent a lot of time running around the woods fighting battles. Owen built Fort Sumter in our hotel room out of pillows and was STILL fighting a battle after Jack, Kevin and I were alseep.)

(above: Soldiers from a confederate Maryland unit demonstrate how to load and operate cannons.)

Baseball Playoffs

Jack's on one of the township's post-season baseball all-star teams. They've been competing the past few weeks in a big tournament. The tournament is down to four teams and the playoffs start Monday night. The good news is that Jack's team made the semi-finals. The bad news is that they have to play the OTHER Solebury team.

Jack has been playing first base and made some amazing catches during the tournament (although if you look at the photos carefully, you'll see that he often plays with his eyes closed. We're not quite sure how he does that.)

Unfortunately, after leading his team with triples and doubles during the season, he's been in a bit of a hitting slump. He's had some RBIs and singles, but has yet to really blast one out there. Maybe tomorrow is his night? ... It would be very "Jack-like" to save his best for the big show ...

I pulled out a few photos of him at his position. You can see them here.

Spongebob Can Make One Do Strange Things....

I found Jack and Owen snuggled up (can you say "Bizzar-0 Photo"?) while watching Spongebob. I can't remember the last time they touched without fighting!

A sign that Jack watches too much ESPN?

The other day, Jack's knees were FILTHY!! I asked what had happened and he told me that it was "man sweat."

Fiona the FisherGirl

Kevin and the boys planned a trip to the secret fishing spot this morning, so last night Kevin and Fiona had to go out to get worms. Of course they ended up with unplanned purchases, and Fiona came home with her first, very own fishing pole (Barbie pink, UGH).

She spent about 45 minutes last night with the weight on the line, very seriously practicing her casting and reeling in.  I think she's ready.

By the way, the fishing trip this morning lasted about 15 minutes due to the 40 degree weather, mushy worms and windy conditions.

Here's Fiona catching a "weally big one" (she's got a bit of a Daffy Duck accent lately, to go with her Brooklynese).

Not doing so great, am I?

I know this really isn't a newsy "post" but at least, here's a new scrapbook page.

Journaling reads:
After renovating the LES last year, NHS decided the hallways needed some decoration. Two local artists were commissioned to work on the murals. The 2nd grade hall features a map of the world. Each class had a continent and the students contributed their drawings, which the artists duplicated for the mural. Jack's version of an Egyptian bird was selected!!

One More....

Long time no post....

Hopefully, I can get back to blogging soon. In the meantime, I'm going to take the lazy way out and put up a few scrapbook pages that cover some of the past few months (as well as some done recently of older photos--see, I'm behind on everything!!)

 

More pages...

Last couple of pages for now....

Two boys, one meet...TWO wins!

Move over Ciasulli brothers! Move over Peppelmans, Kemmerers, Haegeles, & Jastrzebskis! There is a new wrestling brother powerhouse in Pennsylvania!

Jack and Owen has their first VARSITY matches as brothers this weekend (Jack wrestled varsity last year.) Both of them won a match! (Owen won his JV match, but lost his varsity match.) They both wrestled great.

Maybe Kevin could write short match summaries and I"ll post them (hint hint hint). One of the highlights was when Owen threw his sprawl-mixer combo (a move he only learned Thursday night!). Jack had to fight back from a couple points down to win in the third period.  The rest of the photos are here.

Visit to Santa

Fiona had her first "real" visit with Santa (Jack & Owen are experts). She was very chatty and wasn't afraid at all. She told Santa that she was a "good ga-wurl" and she wanted a "tiny baby" for her present. We usually go visit Santa at Howell Farm in New Jersey, one of our favorite places anywhere. If there's snow, Santa comes up the lane in a sleigh, otherwise two of the horses, Barney & Mac, pull Santa in the carriage and then he sits in the sleigh to visit with the kids. A few more photos of our visit are here.

New House

I took some photos of the new house last week when I was there for the inspections. Some of them are not so great, but at least you can get an idea of what it looks like. Photos are here.

Fashionable Fiona

THIS is the outfit Fiona picked out HERSELF to wear to school. She originally had on the pants and shirt. However, she's very very fond of her new nightgown and threw a temper tantrum when we took it off. So, I offered to let her wear a dress. She seemed to think that was a good idea, but insisted on keeping her other clothes on as well. Instead of her regular school shoes, she wanted to wear "Pink Crockies" (on the wrong feet) and to top it off, added her Christmas hat and her doll, Lulu, clipped onto her dress. Vogue magazine, here she comes.

Trick or Treat

Fiona warmed up her scary face before trick or treating.

Owen was Dracula, Jack was Lord Darkskull (a zombie) and Fiona was Princess Nemo (after wanting to be Nemo, she changed her mind at the last minute and kept telling us she was going to be a princess, so we told her she was Princess Nemo).

They all really enjoyed trick or treating this year and you can see more photos of the evening here.

Football & Halloween

Owen's class held their Halloween party on Friday, including a parade around the parking lot with the rest of the classes as well as lots of treats in their classroom. Owen is the scary Dracula toward the left.

Jack's last football game was today. They won, to finish 5-3 in their inaugural season. Jack played better every game, had a couple of nice tackles today and FINALLY got a chance to play some offense and got to run with the ball .... wrestling practice starts Friday. Stay tuned.

Pumpkin Patch 2006

Annual trek to the pumpkin patch took place Sunday, including pony ride, tot train, bluegrass bands and hot dogs. Photos are here.

Fiona's Pretty Dress

Fiona got this dress for her 2nd birthday from Aunt Jo & Uncle Kevan. She was very pleased with it and likes to twirl. She kept trying to put her hair bow on her doll and thought that was very funny.

Fiona's Bedroom Quilt

I've been meaning to post this for a while. Ghana asked a wonderful lady in our church, Gert, to make this quilt wall hanging for Fiona. I found the quilt hanger with the same little girl.

Saturday Sports

For the photos below:

#1 -- Jack actually took down the guy who's carrying the ball. See the little legs with gold socks back there? That's Jack. He tackled the guy, held on, and slowed him down enough for another Solebury player to come help finish bringing him down.  Post tackle, Jack had to lay on the ground for a minute and then limped off to the sidelines.

#2 -- This is proof that Jack actually had his hands on the ball this season! The photo's so blurry 'cause I think I was so surprised. The Solebury kickoff returner bobbled the ball and dropped it and Jack had the presence of mind to grab it and run. He only made it two or three yards this time, but, believe it or not, the same thing happened on another kickoff and Jack gained almost 10 yards, giving them position for a touchdown run on the next play.

#3 -- Another don't-forget-how-tiny-Jack-is photograph. Most of those boys are fifth graders who weight 15-20 pounds more than Jack. In physics, momentum equals mass times velocity. Jack is quick, but I don't think he'll ever be able to generate enough velocity to make up for a guy whose mass is 25-30% more than his. But, Jack just grabs hold and hangs on, and eventually the guy comes down or one of Jack's teammates comes over to help. The guy Jack's about to slap hands with is the one he tackled in photo #1.

#4 -- Fiona spent a lot of time during Jack's game sampling, and guarding, the team's snacks. She also plays with all the big kids like she's one of them. Last week, she "worked out" with the U14 boys soccer team that practices after Jack's practice. While we were waiting for Jack to finish up, I looked over, and Fiona was kicking the ball around as part of a group of five or six teenagers ... wait 'til she starts playing football!

#5-- After football, we had to rush Jack over for his travel team's soccer tournament. They won the game and Jack is starting to play more aggressively, although why he needs that tongue out all the time, I don't know. As I've said before, I guess if "tongue out" worked for Michael Jordan, it's OK for Jack. He also logged some sideline minutes this game after taking a kick to the "personal area."

Last photo is from Owen's flag game this week. Over the season, I've noticed that when Owen is standing on the line before the play, he keeps taking his mouthpiece out. It's become apparent that what he is doing is "trash talking" before the play.  With the number of tackles he's made, I guess it's working, although I question whether it's sportsmanship-like.

Football Again...Again...

Seems like the only time I have time to post is after the Saturday sports marathon. Owen had two games this week, Jack one. Owen played great.  Although he really loves being on the line and blocking, the coaches make them rotate positions, so he got to be fullback and scored his first touchdown.

Jack had a great game as well ... he gets credit for two important tackles and one "assist". His team is undefeated! I got photos of two of his tackles and put the last one in there to remind you how tiny he is compared to the others who are playing with and against him (he's number 16, the littly bitty boy on the left).

And Fiona, was ....mostly silly.

Football Again

Two soccer games and one football game today, but I only have photos of the football (I had a faculty meeting and missed both games.) Jack's travel team won again, so they're tied for the best record in their league (2-1).

The report is that Owen had to play double shifts on soccer (again) and excelled on defense. He also had a football game on Thursday. He got doubled teamed when he was playing tackle, but he was able to take on both blockers (along with some trash talking on the line) and when he was playing linebacker and defensive end he made three tackles in the backfield. He said he had a good time and he likes tackling better than carrying the ball, although he's pretty good at kicking the ball off.

The NHS Lightweight Football Lions are 2-0 and were in great form today. Jack's under a lot of pressure as cornerback, and it seems like he's covering an awful lot of real estate for such a tiny guy, but he does his best and stays aggressive. However, he's dying to get his hands on the ball on offense...maybe in another game. Here are a couple of photos from today (Jack is #16, doing his best to make the tackle):

It was just this kind of a day...

I think this photo of Fiona sums up our day...a little bit topsy turvy. But McKenna athletes went 4-0 and played well in all their games. A selection of the day's photos is here.

It all starts tomorrow....

OK. Here's the schedule for tomorrow:

8:00 Jack: Travel Soccer Game
9:00 Owen: Intramural Soccer Game
10:30 Owen: Flag Football Game
4:00 Jack: Tackle Football Game

What that schedule doesn't show is the early hour we must get up to force food into Jack before all his games, the tugging and pulling of various shin guards, hip pads, butt protectors, helmets and mouthguards, and the vigilance required to keep Fiona off the various fields during the games.

Jack's team held a rally bonfire tonight, complete with the team running through a banner. He was thrilled! Stay tuned for the full report tomorrow night, if I'm still coherent.

And they're off....

First day of school for Jack & Owen today (YEAH YEAH YEAH). Here are the obligatory first day photos (they weren't thrilled). Fiona had to get into the act as well, even though her first day was last week.

Fiona's First Day

Fiona's first day of school is today. She's moved up to the toddler room. She wore her favorite "Nemo" jeans and had a brand-new backpack (a birthday gift from her brothers).

First Soccer Tournament

Jack had his first U9 travel team soccer tournament this weekend. Six games in two days; his team finished second in their bracket. Jack hasn't played much with his team yet. A few of them were in soccer camp with him, but he couldn't go to the team soccer camp. In addition, Jack and one other boy are the only new team members and second graders. The team played great; they really show some excellent soccer skills and will only improve as they work together.

My soccer photo skills still need some work...it moves a lot faster and over much more ground than wrestling!!! So, out of all there photos I took, only a few are suitable for sharing. You can check them out here.

Jack & Owen's Big Adventure

Last Saturday, we put Jack and Owen on a plane to Missouri to visit Aunt Jo & Kevan. Fiona must have misunderstood the plan, because she kept trying to get on the plane with them.

Happy Birthday Fiona!

To celebrate her birthday, Fiona went to see The Wiggles in "concert" (Kevin & I think they lip synched).  She really seemed to enjoy it and went wild dancing when they played "Wave Your Arms Like Henry."

Back from vacation....

Links for the photos are below and I'll try to add commentary this weekend.

Photos:

Belize 01 Crooked Tree Village

Belize 02 Tikal (Guatemala)

Belize 03 Caves Branch River

Belize 04 St. Margaret's Village

Belize 05 Snorkeling & Fishing

Belize 06 Horseback Riding

Belize 07 Jaquar Reef

Great Day at the Beach

We went out to Long Island to stay with Uncle Fred and Aunt Mary Jane and play in their snazzy new boat. We took the boat over to Fire Island and spent a WONDERFUL day at the beach. We had to DRAG Jack and Owen out of the surf, and once Fiona decided that the ocean was OK...she was a little water bug too. We got a great chance to visit with the rest of the LI family and the only downside to the weekend is that Kevin came down with a stomach bug...the rest of the beach photos are here.

Owen's B'day Camping Trip

Here are some photos from Owen's birthday camping trip. We had a very wet campout.  Rain, HARD rain, all night Friday night, all morning Saturday, all evening Saturday and Saturday night (it started raining just at the end of dinner, and we had to have "raw" s'mores).

We managed a couple of swims in the lake, and a trip to a stocked pond for trout fishing. Jack also caught a small, large-mouth bass in the lake.

Despite the leaky tent, we had a lot of fun and Owen's invited everyone along on his birthday camping trip next year. More photos are here.

Owen is SIX

Owen was six on Sunday and we had a great party at Granmom & DadDad's (or Ghana and Jip, as Fiona calls them.) We spent the weekend on Owen's annual birthday campout, and then went to Grandmom & DadDad's for dinner (spaghetti) and ice cream cake...and of course, presents.  Photos are here.

Backyard Creek

Fiona had a big milestone a few weeks ago...she got to have her first "creek swim." She played in the creek with Jack and Owen and even got to hold a frog. The rest of the photos are here.

Soccer Camp 2006

Jack had soccer camp last week. Of course, we had a heat/humidity wave, and of course, he went 200% all the time...oh yeah, he also had FOOTBALL camp last week (soccer 9-1, football 5-8). Soccer photos are here.

Congratulations Becca & Adam

Quick post...We had a wonderful time at the engagement party for Rebecca and Adam today. We were so grateful to be part of the "family" to help celebrate. I quickly put up photos from the party, but please remember that these are straight out of the camera, not retouched or cropped (before I print them, I'll "photoshop" them).

Also, they're low resolution versions (and a bit pixelated), so don't print them. If you want a print, just let me know and I"ll either send you a high resolution version, or just add it to my next print order.

Also, I feel I must say something about this picture of Rebecca and Adam...the bit of a road sign that you see in the upper right corner is purely by accident and not the photographer's opinion of Adam. I think he's wonderful and so glad that Rebecca met him!. See the rest of the photos here.

From the front page of today's Home Fields section....

Some 4th of July Photos....

Click on the photos below for a larger, clearer version (I have no idea why these pixelated so badly, but if you click on it, the larger version is fine.)

Getting Caught Up...

Edited to add: here's link to an album of some more of the photos. More albums to follow.

I'm had some computer chaos the past few weeks, and am only just now getting caught up on getting some photos off the camera.  So here's a quick selection (no full albums of these events, yet, but I'll have them up soon). In order, Owen's kindergarten graduation, Fiona's first trip to Howell Farm, the Phillies v Yankees, Zoo Camp and finally, Fiona's new big girl bed (she's the little dark spot up by the pillows!) Click on any photo for a larger version.

THIS is what happens....

...when you try to get a photo of all three of them together.

THIS is how happy Jack is when he plays baseball ....

THIS is how great Owen's swing is.....

and THIS is where you can find more photos!

More photos....

The rest of the photos from Monday night's baseball game are here.

Baseball Season is Winding Down....

The last game for Owen's T-ball team is tomorrow and Jack has just two games left. His team had a rain-out make-up game Monday. Here are a couple quick photos and I'll try to post more tomorrow.

(NOTE: There are no photos of Owen because he spends the entire time Jack is playing running around the playground, leading a pack of other little kids in adventures. Also, you'll notice Miss Fiona had a change of clothes from her treasured Nemo shirt into a borrowed shirt 'cause she spilled her drink all over herself; of course, right after that, she stomped in a mud puddle, but that's another story!! BTW, she's crying 'cause I told her "no" about something ... not one of her cutest behaviours.)

Zoo Trip

I was a chaperone for the first grade field trip to the zoo, and guess what? ..... I had a GREAT time. The boys were so well behaved and we got to see most of the cool animals. Photos are here. My favorite is this one below; these four friends have been playing football together at recess all year .... don't they look like a gang or something? 

Muscle Boys Playing on the Deck

First Day of the Pool

Pizza & a Musical

Busy day today...this morning, Owen's kindergarten class had their end-of-year celebration: a field trip to Pizzaeria Uno to make their own pizzas. Then, this evening, Jack's class presented the first grade musical "Go Fish" (Jack was a swordfish.)  A very few photos are here....the rest will follow when I get a few more free minutes. Fiona thoroughly enjoyed herself throughout.

Future Eastern National Champion

Unfortunately, we can't say "this year's champion." Jack had a tough tournament. He wrestled great, but didn't place this year. 

He was a bit disappointed at first, but then decided that having a chocolate dessert all to himself at Applebee's, sleeping in the backyard in the tent, and going fishing the next day would cure his sadness.

He's determined to at least place next year...mostly, because we told him that if he placed, he could get a mohawk haircut and that if he won, he could get a mohawk dyed any colour he wants.

He REALLY wants that haircut.

The rest of the photos are here. (disclaimer: they wouldn't let cameras onto the floor and there was really bad light in the gym.)

Some blog recycling....

Got this list from my dad's blog:
What you must believe if you're a Republican today

1. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.
2. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him; a good guy when Cheney did business with him; and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.
3. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is Communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.
4. The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq.
5. A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.
6. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches, while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.
7. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.
8. A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.
9. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy, but providing health care to all Americans is socialism. HMOs and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.
10. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.
11. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense, but a president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.
12. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.
13. The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record (and Cheney's Halliburton connection) is none of our business.
14. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.
15. You support states' rights, but the Attorney General can tell states what local voter initiatives they have the right to adopt.
16. What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.

And, as I filled up the van today to the tune of almost $50, I thought this photo should make a repeat performance.

Easter Photos

All these photos .... and not a single good one of all three of them together!!

He's Going to Eastern Nationals!!

Jack competed in the MAWA (AAU) Regional Tournament yesterday and finished well enough to continue on to the Eastern National Tournament (17 eastern states) in Maryland at the end of the month.  It was a TOUGH field of 21 52 pounders (all placewinners in the district tournaments) and every match Jack had was exciting.

He won a had-to-win first round