Back in the U S of A (part 2)

Hi again,

I know it's not the Africa savanah, but I thought I'd quickly report on the next part of our trek home this July.

From Atlanta, the kidz and I flew up to Buffalo to see my parents and sibs.  Adam had to work in Atlanta for another week and then joined us.  A highlight was flying solo with both kids.  Noah was a happy terror -- not wanting to sit still.  Thankfullly a nice woman helped me out and the two of them bonded while I ordered three Delta cocktails.  (Hmm.... maybe I should try that next time.)


Shufflin' Off to Buffalo

 It seemed like within 10 minutes of landing, the kids were in the "pool" in my parents' backyard.  The blow-up boat was such a hit, my dad shipped one over to us.  

 

Happiness is watching your grandkids tire themselves out.

 Chow time.  Noah communes with his favorite bean dish in the kitchen.

 Lucy thinks it's all very funny. (I try to tell her she often had an even messier face.  Like that morning at breakfast.)

 Busy guy, just like his Granddad...

 My dad, at 79, finally decided to order a lawn service.  At 80, he decided, "Enough of that!" and is back at it himself.  (I think he tried to get me to do it -- like in the old days -- and I feigned needing to change Noah's diaper.)

 Lucy teaches Grandma a new driveway game.

 And off they went.

 Aunt Susie arrived to get in on the action.

Aunt Janet flew in, too, to supervise the eating of Popsicles in the backyard.

Niagara Falls

We decided to check out the American side of the falls (about 30 min away).  Throughout our childhood we took visitors to the Canadian side, which was always nicer. But in recent years, the Americans realized all the revenue they're losing and redeveloped its side to make it more inviting.  They did a great job and it saved us the hassle of going across the border just for the afternoon.  (Post 9/11, the border is no longer the cake walk it was when I was a kid.)

Noah and the grandparents hung out at home while the big kids, including Lucy, rode the "Maid of the Mist" boat that goes up to the falls.

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip
That started from this tropic port
Aboard this tiny ship.

  About to set sail... all snug and dry (and slowly roasting in our Gortex-less rain coats).

 View of our trip to give you some context.  See the little boats at about 1 and 3 o'clock?

 The Professor and Mary Ann

It's raining, it's pouring... (Look behind them.)

 If not for the courage of the fearless crew, the Minnow would be lost!

 Castaways

Back at home

 Aunt Janet and Noah enjoy a morning latte.  

(They're both rather grumpy without it.)

 Brunch in the backyard. 

But why rest when you could bike?  Lucy was all action and biked with Adam over to my old elementary school.  (It looks the same as it did 30 years ago... I mean 20. 20!)

 And she's off! 
(Apparently she got a booboo on her nose.  Nothing a Barbie "I LOVE Math" Band-Aid can't fix.)

Noah discovers the joys of watermelon.  Given the paucity of dietary fiber in the typical US diet, Noah decides to just keep going and eats the rind. 

 Noah - 1.  Watermelon  - 0.  Now on to reading the paper.

 Lucy and Aunt Janet laugh over applesauce. 
(This photo sponsored by Wegmens.)

 Stand back. Noah takes on a fork.

 On our last night in Buffalo, we head to Anderson's Frozen Custard, of course.
(Sorry, Atlanta, but it blows Zesto's away.)

Noah demonstrates its death-defying thickness. 

And considers going as Colonel Sanders for Halloween.

 Noah's philosophy of life: eat it like you mean it!

The grandparents share a dish of some silly fat-free low-sugar "dessert" and look at their grandkids, wondering why the heck they live in Africa.

The next day we drove to Morgantown.

Grandparents #2 were waiting (with tofu).

xo
Glenn