A trip to the zoo

One the last day of this Labor Day weekend we went to the zoo. It was a nice day to do so. Payton has always liked seeing the animals and Parker enjoyed it too. We got to see a Cheetah run which was pretty cool. Similar to a dog track, the cheetah was trained to chase after an object attached to a line. It moved pretty quick and the cheetah was just as quick chasing it.Parker pointing at the giraffes.
Payton didn't mind touching the American alligator, Parker not so much.
Payton hugged the bronze elephant for a picture. Parker - always the copier - ran right over to do the same.
A zoo photograph taken as we entered the park.

Striped bed sheets

How's this for something completely different... Ever had striped bed sheets? This is our first set. Sheets are pretty much sheets to me, but I've always hated guessing what is the head, foot and side to solid sheets. Only the brain dead can't put striped sheets on the bed. I like striped sheets.

2010 NHRA US Nationals

My neighbor Steve and I traveled to Indianapolis to see the first day of nitro class qualifying in NHRA U.S. Nationals. It has been some 25 years since I last saw a pro drag race. Nitro cars are a site to see and feel. Ashley Force Hood was fast enough to capture the funny car pole after round one of qualifying with a pass of 4.059 at 310.98 MPH. Thats in just 1000 ft. because nitro cars no longer race a quarter mile. She was fast on Friday, but five others were quicker before qualifying ended on Sunday. She started eliminations seeded 6th, but still won the race for the second time in a row. Following is her first qualifying run.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARKER!

Our baby boy is 2 years old today! Happy birthday Parker!

Vacation in Hilton Head

Last week we went drove down to Hilton Head for some R&R and to visit Grandma and Grandpa. The week started out with sweltering hot weather, but by week's end it cooled off due to the hurricanes developing far to the southeast. Kathleen's sister Ashley and her boys joined us for the first few days. Payton and Parker had a good time playing with the 3 year old twins. Kathleen and the boys spent a lot of time at the beach. Me, not so much. I can work in the sun, but to just sit in it isn't my cup of tea.Above is a favorite picture place of ours. We like getting pictures of the boys on the boardwalk to the beach.
I did not stray far from the air conditioning. While Kathleen and the boys were at the beach, I was mostly in the air conditioning or sitting out on the deck reading with something cold to drink.

One morning we rode our bikes the mile or so to Starbucks. By the time we got there Parker had crashed. We had drinks and treats and did some newspaper reading. Just before we left Parker woke up.
I did go to the beach some. Payton likes getting buried and Parker got a kick out of it too.
For something different, we chartered a catamaran. The day wasn't real windy, but there was enough to sale around Calibogue Sound. Captain Josh was skinny as hell, but he did a fine job piloting the boat. Our trip lasted about 90 minutes. It would have been more fun on a windy day so that we could experience the speed of the boat.
The next to last day I was at the beach for quite a while. I sort of built a castle for the boys; four buckets of packed sand. Parker liked the moat I dug out around the thing. High tide took its toll on it. We stayed around to watch its destruction. Parker really liked the waves. The water was getting kind of rough, but Parker would just stick his chest out and laugh at the waves.
It's always nice to see the grandparents and spend time at the beach.

Day at the beach

Kathleen, Ashley and the boys (Dylan, Parker, Jackson and Payton) sit, play and relax our first full day at the beach.

We're vacationing in Hilton Head. Kathleen's sister Ashley and her two boys have joined us for a few days. It's really hot here with very high humidity. The boys love water so the beach is a natural for them.

Dewey's pizza

First off, my intentions are not for this blog to become a Cincinnati restaurant review column. Cincy isn't the perpetual vacation land Switzerland is. Going to restaurants is what we've been doing here. Going to restaurants in Switzerland wasn't something we did often.

We have relatives visiting us. Kathleen's sister and husband and two of their children were passing through and stopped by. Payton and Parker have been having a blast visiting with their cousins Eileen and Lauren. But the Bacik's have continued on with their trip leaving Lauren with us for a few days.

Tonight we went to our favorite pizza place Dewey's. They serve the best pizza in Cincy IMO, their salads are the best too, and they refill your soda as fast you can drink it. Heaven.

Movie day for Dad

Today I got a sitter for the boys and I went to see some mayhem. I checked out for about three hours to see The Expendables. It's a new movie that is about twenty-five years old. What I mean is is that it is a genre from when I was much younger. This movie has been made a million times before, but it doesn't get old to me. It wasn't a great movie, but I was entertained for a couple of hours. I enjoyed myself. The boys had fun too. The sitter was just a new playmate.

Cincinnati chili

A local and limited regional favorite from Cincinnati is Cincinnati chili. Skyline is one of several restaurants serving it. I like it and so does Payton. Parker hasn't quite developed a taste for it. Kathleen doesn't like it. It isn't chili as in chili con carne. It is more like a sauce. Anyhow, me and boys have it weekly. It isn't exactly good for you, but it sure tastes good. Study the chart below so that when you come to Cincinnati you will know what 'way' to order yours.

Dinner at Toot's

Tonight me and the boys had dinner at Toot's. It's a local sports bar and dare I say a family sports bar? Kids always get free hot dog, fries and ice cream, but on Tuesday the entire kids menu is free. Payton has the mini corn dogs and I get Parker chicken.

Just inside the front door is a caged lizard. The thing is huge as compared to what I remember him as. Before going to Switzerland I don't remember him being this big. The staff told he's a replacement. The boys always check him out on each visit even though he just sits around motionless.