Griffon Footage

As promised, we went back to the park and this time I brought my camera along. Here is a picture of the Griffon coaster after just releasing its hold at the top...



And a closer look reveals the terrified looks on the faces of Sarah and Bartee in the back corner...



Here's a short little clip of the roller coaster in motion and it looks like the coaster only holds at the top for about 5 seconds before dropping... for some reason I thought it was longer.

Side Trip to Williamsburg

We left Saturday morning for a vacation to historic Williamsburg, Virginia. My aunt and uncle were nice enough to let us crash their family vacation again this year. It's a bit of a winter tradition for us to travel together, but after we popped out a couple of kids and moved across the country... these trips have dwindled. So, it's nice to relive the good times again. And, now her kids are old enough to babysit so on our arrival Sanjay and Priya stayed back to swim in the pool with the big kids and we headed to Busch Gardens for our first taste of the thrill rides. We saved the newest ride in the park - Griffon - for last and we decided it's about the only ride that we would wait in line again for. It was incredible. I'll try to get some pictures and video of it later in the week to post... the vertical drop on this roller coaster is a straight drop. That's right... a 90 degree downhill turn where you are literally looking at the ground as you approach it! And, before it let's you fall, it holds you suspended at the top for 30 seconds so you really have time to let your life flash before your eyes. :) There are only 3 rows in the coaster and each row holds 10 people so it's really wide, but there's not a bad seat in the car since it's set up stadium-style. Anyway, we'll be headed back later this week to ride again and the park has plenty of rides for the little ones too, so it should be fun for all.

Yesterday we hit Water Country USA and the weather cooperated nicely. Since we arrived on the east coast about 2 weeks ago, I have yet to adjust to the oppressive heat and humidity. For some reason this time, more than before, I just cannot get used to all the sweating! But, the water park was a nice break from the heat. We stayed all day and had a blast and I actually managed to get my camera out for a couple of shots to share.

Burgess Reunion

My Dad is one of five kids and so much of the extended family is still within driving distance of their hometown. A few of the cousins have left the nest so the family gatherings aren't as frequent or full as they used to be. That's why it means so much to me that when we come to Maryland and pull together a meeting... so many of them show up. It brings back old memories and we make new ones each time we meet.

Luckily, I have a partner-in-crime when it comes to saving the day in pictures... check out my cousin Michele and her paparazzi camera as she so affectionately calls it.


It's not possible to have a Maryland summer picnic without crabs doused in Old Bay...


Imagine the stories we'll be telling later of my Uncle Scott subjecting himself to the "face painting" that his great niece's were offering up.


Of course, I took more than three photos of the event... if you have some time on your hands, you can look through all of them by clicking here.

Quirkiness That Reminds Me I'm Home

Always enough coke in the fridge to fill a swimming pool...


A garden where a 6-inch fence made of PVC is enough to keep the dogs out...


At least 4 end tables in the living room are actually dog crates...


This message on the door...


There's never a shortage of cake boxes in the pantry...


My Mom's doctor appointment cards hang from the vents in her car... that's one way to remember...


The television is on even when no one is watching...


New and strange things are hanging from the rear view mirror in my Mom's car every time we come...

I figured out the video...

You can go back to the original post or you can just view it here...

Spoiled By Nana and Pappy

This morning, while still in our pajamas, Nana showed the kids all the treasures she picked up at yard sales this summer. The kids couldn't contain their excitement. We were inside pushing cars and playing with Barbies... we were outside controlling a remote-powered car... and on the way from one to the other, we found the bikes and helmets in the garage. They didn't know what to spend their time with.

Heading East...

We're on our way to the humidity of the east coast and the welcoming arms of our family. We have been looking forward to the trip for a while now and counting down the days on our calendar. As always, the kids can expect a true grandkids welcome with a house full of toys and I can expect to be pampered with nearly full-time babysitting. Home sweet home.

Sanjay has always been a little afraid of flying although he's been doing it since he was born, so I was curious how he would do on this trip. The first time we realized that flying bothered him, he kept repeating on take-off, "I'm busy, I'm busy" and we finally figured out that he was telling us he was "dizzy". The last time he was in the air was a year ago, but it looks like not much has changed. Once we are in the air, he's fine... but he doesn't much enjoy the take-offs or landings. On the final landing though, he managed to make it through the whole thing without holding my hand. During the descent he was so proud of himself, he turned to me and said, "I tried a sharp turn without you holding me". Things were different though at the beginning of the trip. Take a look at this video of our first landing in St. Louis.