End Of The Terrible Twos!

As of last Friday, we can say that our family has seen the last of the Terrible Twos (at least strictly as a matter of the calendar).  After a two solid weeks of anticipation, Matthew turned three.  Nonni, Aunt Christina and Olivia drove up for the weekend and we all got together with a couple of Matthew's friends for a small celebration on the big day.  The observant among you will be able to tell from the pictures that Matthew opened at least some of his presents a little early.  If a present is not well hidden from an (almost) three-year-old, there is not much you can do to stop him. 

Halloween Is On The Way

Stephen's class went to a pumpkin patch, and Matthew got to go along!  Lisa was there with the camera and reported back with these pictures.

Yes, He Really Is Asleep

So here is what happens when a three-year-old comes in for a snack after a long afternoon of play.

Saints 5-1?!?

Some things got back to normal over the weekend.

This, however, is far from normal.  The Saints went to 5-1, winning just the type of game they have been losing regularly for the last 40 years:  After cruising to a 14-point halftime lead, the Saints looked ready to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by letting the Eagles score 21 unanswered points to go up 24-17.  In the past, that would have been more than enough to break their sprit, and they would have gone on to throw a couple of interceptions, etc. and lose something like 34-17.  But Sunday, in a shocking turn of events, the Saints scored the final 10 points of the game to prevail 27-24.

I'm going to enjoy this while it lasts, because I'm pretty sure it can't last all that long.

Arctic Camping

After a one-year break, David decided to re-join Cub Scouts (Webelos).  The Pack 10 Fall campout last weekend got things off to a fantastic (albeit somewhat chilly) start.  We camped in the Stokes National Forest in far northwestern New Jersey.  After we set up camp on Saturday, the pack leader took us on a strenuous 2 1/2 hour hike, the highlight of which was a good 500 feet of rocky climbing in about 1/2 mile to the top of Sunrise Mountain (elevation 1600ft).  After our return from the hike and during the subsequent enjoyment of dinner and the campfire, the temperature plummeted.  Overnight lows were in the mid-30s!  This is quite chilly to be sleeping outside.  But David and I bundled up in the tent and got a good night's sleep (or at least David did).  State of Nature veterans will recall that the last campout in which David and I participated treated us to 90-degree heat and humidity.  I suppose we could be referred to as "extreme" outdoorsmen (although perhaps Uncle Rob would view the conditions as moderate in both instances). 

The next day, the pack broke camp and drove to Bushkill Falls -- a series of eight falls often referred to as the "Niagara of Pennsylvania."  Some additional hiking, again strenuous at times, allowed us views of all eight waterfalls, and a variety of other breathtaking scenery.  It's amazing the things that can be just an hour's drive away that you had no idea were there.

Of course, I brought along my camera and got some nice shots -- enjoy!

Perfect Football Weekend

For all you football fans out there, it does not often get any better than this (with apologies to John):

Tulane 38 Rice 24

Florida 23 LSU 10

Saints 24 Tampa Bay 21