BIG news

The end of summer is near. Although it's still hot, the outdoor pools have closed and we're starting to get the tiniest break in the season's hottest weather. Uly and I were able to spend about 20 minutes outside this morning without contracting heat-stroke or West Nile Virus from the thousands of mosquitoes that normally haunt the surroundings of our home. It was a very pleasant 20 minutes.

Uly is now fully weaned and has been so for several months. He's a very happy little boy who is talking pretty animatedly and who very much enjoys the company of his friends both young and old. He recently got a good dose of "Honey" (Gloria, Judie's long-time friend) and even though she's been back in Florida for several weeks he still talks about her every day.

Last week we made our first family trip together and had a really great time in Ashville, North Carolina. Uly handled the 2-hour car trip with near-perfect ease and slept in the hotel like a champ. There we met one of Gavin's dearest old-time friend, Todd, and his wife Georgina, whom Uly could not get enough of. A great time was had by all and we can't wait to get together again. Perhaps we'll get brave over the winter and try a flight down to Tampa. Ugh. My knees quake at the thought of flying.

The highlight of the Ashville trip was, for me at least, watching Uly chase pigeons while yelling "More chicken! More chicken!". It's an image I'll never forget.


Another big event that happened this summer is that Pop-Pop finally finished building his boat! Moe and Pop-pop launched it last week and are delighed to announce that it did not sink! Tomorrow morning we are going to take a little stroll in it and I will post some pictures.


And now for the biggest news to-date...

Uly is going to be a big brother! Sometime around the middle of March Uly will have his very own little brother or sister to shower with some of his abundant affection. We're all very excited, and we know Uly is going to be too. He loves babies and little kids. I've never known another little person to be so gentle with little ones. So exciting!

a few teaser photos before I get the rest off of my Mom's camera