Tag Archives: pictures

Asheville

June 11, 2015 Andrew Leave a comment

Two nights and lots of fun in Asheville, North Carolina, while visiting our friends, Sue and Chris, and their three dogs, one cat, and six chickens. (Sadly, two chickens were nabbed by a raccoon on our second night, so now there are four, in a newly reinforced coop.)

Asheville has a lot to recommend it and we enjoyed a great tour with Chris while Sue was at work. Naturally, some of my best memories are dominated by food. Had some spectacular barbecue at 12 Bones, which is apparently President Obama’s top choice in town. Then, on our way out, we stopped for breakfast at Biscuit Head, which is in the running for my favorite breakfast restaurant in the world.

Below are an assortment of phone shots from our Asheville stint.

Carrier Park with an awesome play structure reminiscent of one of our favorites in Saint Paul

Griffin throwing a ball with Streak and Ruff

Beautiful optical effect on the shadow of a leaf floating in a brook. (What causes this?)

Maggie on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate

The Stocco Roys (and Quaker) at Biltmore

Awesome breakfast at Biscuit Head (Maggie had the biscuit with sausage patty)

Griffin, Maggie, Photo, Travel

Chicago and Icees

June 9, 2015 Andrew Leave a comment

We survived the night, dry and free of unwanted atmospheric voltage. Not a great night’s rest, alas, but we’re thankful for our new, more spacious tent.

Two quotes from our journey thus far:

Monday, 4:30 PM:

Maggie: “Griffin, laugh when I say ‘Chicago.'”
Griffin: “Why do I have to laugh?!”
M: “Chi–Ca–GO!!”
G: <no laughing>
M: “Laugh Griffin!!”
G: “I don’t want to laugh. Chicago!”
M <yelling>: “NO! I want to talk about ME!!!”
G: “Chicago. Chicago. Chicago.”
M <yelling>: “NOOOOOOO!”

Tuesday, 8:30 AM:

Sarah: “Ok guys we’re going to stop here because I need some coffee and Daddy needs to go to the bathroom–”
Griffin: “–and I need an Icee!”

Maggie car seat — “I want to talk about me.”

Griffin carseat — “I’ll have an Icee for breakfast please.”

Griffin, Maggie, Photo, Travel

Thunderous Beginning

June 8, 2015 Andrew Leave a comment

Midsize thunderstorm on our first night, as we camp by a river that’s four feet over flood stage. Luckily, the deluge held off until after dinner and the weather reports suggest that it will be short-lived. (But wow is it coming down right now!)

Some trepidation about the lightning, from all of us, but the kids were remarkably brave.

Griffin: “I really, really like thunderstorms but I’m a tiny bit scared of them.”

New tent is keeping us dry thus far.

Griffin, Maggie, Photo, Travel

Eastward Bound

June 8, 2015 Andrew 2 Comments

The second epic road trip begins!

Mileage: 118454

First destination: Asheville, North Carolina

Griffin, Maggie, Photo

Secret Lives

May 31, 2015 Andrew Leave a comment

Sarah’s out of town. I’ve been solo dad for the weekend. It’s been good. But despite best intentions, I do occasionally lose track of my progeny and have to track them down. Today I documented two unexpected incidents.

Aerial Snooze

Maggie was down for a rest. I rested for a while too. Griffin was awfully quiet. I went to investigate.

Griffin is sleeping on a bit of lumber about four feet off the ground. (He rigged the precarious “bridge” earlier to create an easier method for Maggie to get into the climbing tree.)

Dumpster Diving

Later, after Maggie woke up, they slipped out the side gate while I was mowing the back lawn. Upon my successful pursuit:

Nothing is cooler than the neighbor’s giant red dumpster. (Yesterday, Griffin asked for my help deciphering all of the warning stickers, then proceeded to ignore them.)

Maggie, Photo

Clipped Wings

March 15, 2015 Sarah 1 Comment

I have a very seriously disappointed girl who was crushed to discover that her new dress, passed on from a neighbor, does not in fact make her “fly like a birdie.”

Griffin, Photo

A note from Griffin

March 6, 2015 Sarah Leave a comment

I received the most awesome gift from Griffin yesterday after school: a hand-written note that he spent 70 (!!!!) minutes composing and writing. My heart is bursting! It reads:

Dear Mom, Thank you for the notes. They make me feel good. I love you, momo. I want to make granola.

Maggie, Photo

Maggie and Josie

Image February 21, 2015 Sarah Leave a comment

Griffin, Maggie, Photo

Valentine’s Day

Image February 14, 2015 Andrew Leave a comment

We had planned another jaunt to the cabin for the long weekend, but wind chill is -25° here in Saint Paul at nearly noon and quite a bit lower than that in Duluth. With the road to the cabin potentially blocked with snow (requiring some significant hiking with heavy gear and children) we decided to stay put. Had a fabulous breakfast at the Birchwood (pork belly steamed bun with egg and kimchi was outstanding) and then came home to make some Valentine’s Day cookies. Coming up this afternoon, Griffin has circus school, and then we’re going to the East Side Freedom Library to hear Claire O’Connor, one of the six Minnesota freedom riders, tell her story. Pretty good day!