Photographs and Memories..........

Only one day left and we find ourselves in an increasingly reflective mood.   We've talked about this day for nearly 4 entire weeks.   In fact, I think that Urs and I had been discussing this trip before Griffin was born, but we didn't know specifically where we were heading.  I remember Urs saying something like "I can't wait until the kids are older so we don't have to go to Storyland anymore.  I hate Storeyland and I hate everyone who goes to Storyland."   And I remember saying "Yeah, that will be great".   So here we are, heading to Montana with our dreams about to be fully realized.    That nostalgia, fortunately led us to pull out some old photos, which were alot of fun.    For example, here is one of me that Urs took a few years ago:

I had yet to discover that taking my hair down further might not be a bad thing.  Just looking at this photo makes me want to take out a razor and cut off those surviving hairs on top.   Someone should do a study of the fortitude of those remaining follicles.   Those things are tough!

As many of you know, I then decided to compensate for my hair loss, by growing a beard.   God, I hope I remembered to put on sun screen with my head exposed like that.   I"m pretty sure that's Disney World in the background.

We both thought it was funny to compare these pictures to a picture of my earlier days, before hair loss set in.    I think this might have been my high school year book senior picture, but  I can't remember for sure.   In any event, I do remember that I loved that outfit.

Can't wait to share our upcoming photos.    Great memories are heading our way and yours too!!!!!  Stay tuned!!!!

Bye-ku (s)

With apologies to James Taranto.   A humble attempt to express our feelings

Big guy in my row

He should have bought two plane seats

Sweating on my leg

A brief goodbye now

For a whole week we are gone

No one gives a s!$%&

Forgot the sunscreen

The shower will really hurt

A man of pallor

What to Expect??

While our anticipation grows, the reality of what we are about to encounter is slowly creeping in.    All of the comforts to which we've grown accustom will feel very distant once we're removed from civilization and you all for an entire week.    What got me feeling this sense of loss, was this great calzone I had for lunch.

I pretty much felt like this guy after eating it, but it was worth it:

............anyway, it got me thinking.   Do they have calzones in Montana?  I hope so, but I'm not sure.   We'll find out and that's what this journey is all about.     We'll be sure to let you know about all the weird places we go and the weird people we'll meet.  

The Short Goodbye

As we begin our magical journey we've had the good fortune to say good bye to some of our friends.   Nobody was home, since they've all taken off for the Cape, or they are generally not returning our calls.    

Newton Memories

America's got talent, Simpsons reruns, Finding Big Foot, Half Ton Teen, Toddler's & Tiaras, My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding, Taboo, Mob Wives - Chicago, The View, Oprah, Gail King's new show, the Yenta Chronicles, Swamp People, Help - I Can't See My Feet, Pawn Stars, Cake Boss, What Not to Wear, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, The Big Ten Network, NCAA2k12, MLB2k12, NFL 2k12, NBA 2k12, Dragonvale.................we'll miss you.

planning

Yikes!   Haven't even thought about packing.   Urs is worried about the weather.   Matt wants to bring the XBOX.  Griffin is concerned he won't be able to eat oatmeal everyday and Ryan hasn't said anything to either of us for at least a week.

Can't wait!!!!