Well, we don't have a digital camera, so we can't always put the latest and greatest events on the blooog. So, I'm adding a few more from Rome. This setting may look familiar because it appeared on the Hutchinson's bloooooog. It was a nice place to see.


Just a note: If your name is Megan or Ryan then you need to post a few more photos of your new house and your growing children. Get on it. Now.

Getting ahead of ourselves (yes, I mean you...)

After a few phone calls it seems that various family members think we need to start planning our next trip. I'm still going to post a few shots we took while in Rome, so the forward thinking readers of this blog need to learn to enjoy the recent past.


This delightful fellow was in front of us waiting for the Vatican Museum. It's mind-boggling, isn't it? Is it real? Did he pay money to the stylist? This wasn't the greatest sight in Rome, but it has to be in the top 5.

Still going

Here are a few more photos from Rome. These pics are from the day trip Eric and I took to Ostia, and you can see that I took pictures of lots of old stuff. My only regret is that I didn't get a photograph of the splendid picnic we enjoyed among the ruins. It was splendid, just splendid...aside from the malarial mosquitoes.



This mosaic was one of many that is just hangin' out in Ostia. However, this mosaic was in Technicolor, unlike the rest. Since I was touring with an ethical classicist I was nervous about taking a chunk of artifact...so I waited until he walked away. Geez, this mosaic looks great in our livingroom. Ancient Rome and Old Tucson...match made in heaven...

Ancient toilets...no walls, no privacy...just guys (firemen, I think) enjoying each other's company.

Another extraordinary mosaic. This photo was taken from a second story observatory. Huge...the public bathroom firemen really like mosaics.

to the "dopest" peeps out there

Thank you, Hutchinsons! We love ya, love ya, love ya, love ya.

"Brown paper packages tied up with string"

Some of our favorites from the Roman holiday:

Scruffy looking mammals . . .


Glitzy ad campaigns . . .


building code violations . . .


mmm . . . "like angels crying in my mouth"


Old stuff . . .


Papists . . .

The only pics that matter

We're back from Rome and trying to catch up on all the work we ignored. The trip began on an auspicious note as you can see from the accompanying photos. Yes, we are sitting in the first class lounge. Not among the unwashed masses, not among those teeming hordes of pretzel munching squish 'ems, oh no, we were in the "lounge".

Why...yes...

Yes, that is a .45 ACP cartridge. Why do you ask?

The Day after...

Well, our Christmas decorations have been taken down and the two-week process of removing all the pine needles has begun. We (well, actually it was liddy) began the process of redecorating the house with some of the new household goods. I spent the day after Christmas redecorating in an entirely different manner, but that is for a later post. Here are a few shots of the new mirror that Liddy had her eye on...

Christmas Morn!!

Well, we spent Christmas Eve overnight at the In-laws and enjoyed the nostalgia of being children at the mercy of parents on Christmas morning. We then made our way over to the Sister and Brother-in-law's to witness the chaos (thoroughly enjoyable, of course) created by placing young children in close proximity to mountains of gifts. Just look at these two...chaos I tell ya!!

The Festivities

More from Christmas Eve. First we have "Beautiful Kate". That is her real name. I guess that her parents have legally changed it to "Beautiful Kate". Mom and Grandma enjoying the strange antics of their daughters' husbands. This Christmas I found out from Brother-in-law Dave that I play "War" incorrectly. I guess he learned how to play at a casino and such a learning environment is beyond question. In any case, I still beat my 4 year old nephew and can maintain the title of "Master of War". And, finally, Benjamin the First Grader.

Christmas Eve

The Verplank/Brooks/Bizak/Young clan gathered at The Fort for a Christmas Eve dinner and celebration. Before dinner, Liddy took the parents and grandparents up to San Pedro Chapel for a view of the mountains and foothills.

Lost opportunity

A while back we invited the Young parents to visit Tucson during Christmas. We were rebuffed. So, to get back at them we have redesigned (can you redesign an empty room?) the spare bedroom. This blog is also acting as Elizabeth's portfolio...should she ever move into decorating.

Merry Christmas!

Our Tree. You can't tell from the picture, but it's a conflagration waiting to happen. It's like living with the little girl from "Fire Starter"...you're afraid of turning your back on it (the tree) because you know that it's just waiting for the chance to burst into flames. Sometimes, I'm sure that it's watching me.

"google" + "dan young"=FUN!!!

More thanksgiving

The day just isn't complete without a picture of a baby sleeping in a position usually occupied by a dog, a ruined cup of coffee, a picked nose, and cousin Peter. I'll let you figure which description goes with each picture. Personally, I usually end my day with a picture of a pastrami sandwich, but that's just me.

A very late Thanksgiving post

Thanksgiving day with the Verplank/Bizak/Young group. Cousin Peter Verplank joined in on the fun.

slow night...

I'm reading a political blog, liddy is sleeping...and I'm a big nerd



Entish


To which race of Middle Earth do you belong?
brought to you by Quizilla

Safety First

Well, yasee, I'd help set up the tent but someone has to stay near the truck to keep a hand on the "fire stick" in case any bears come huntin'...safety first.

Calvinist work ethic

Still working...really hard. It's hot, there are bugs, this is a two person tent....what gives?

Oak Creek set up

Well, it's our Yom Kippur holiday and we left Tucson to get some cooler clime. We aren't that original or clever, so we did what we usually do...Oak Creek. Liz works...