Little Buddies

Trevor is hanging with Raven and Ryo Reis on the back deck of the house. I snuck up on them and caught them pretending to be Elfs and Orks and other monstrosities.

Trevor & Jake

Trevor's giving Jake a nice relaxing massage and cooing tenderly. "Nice boy, Jake. You're such a good dog." Jake seems to be enjoying it.

Max & Chief

These puppies are just 12 and 2 years old. Pretty big, huh? The Reis's neighbors, the Bond Family, have a couple of big dogs, Chief and Jake, that the kids have decided to borrow for a few days.

Hunting Squirrels

Max and Trevor are trying to russle up a little squirrel meat with their new BB guns. I told them they have to eat what they kill. Sure hope I don't have to enforce it.

Home on the Range

This is Adrian and Teresa's beautiful country home near Spartansburg, SC. They are great friends and wonderful hosts. This is the 3rd New Year's we've stayed with them.

Terminator Jr.

My Maxwell is having the time of his life. He got a BB gun for Christmas but naturally prefers shooting the shotgun.

Terminator

I finally got the opportunity to test out my 12 gauge Remington shotgun (I've only had it a year). Maybe I should post this pic on Match.com. What do you think ladies? Kinda sexy, huh?

Guns & Fun

Finally arrived at the Triple R Ranch to hang with our dear friends the Reis Family. We're out having some good ol' Redneck entertainment shooting guns. From the left it is Adrian Reis, Trevor Stroup (10), Maxwell Stroup (12), Ryan Boudreau, Ryo Reis (5), myself, and Raven Reis (6).

On the road again

We're taking an 800 mile road trip to South Carolina for the New Year. Little Trevor is crashed out in the back seat as usual.

Brothers

Christmas Day! I picked up the boys around 6 p.m. and we came home to open presents. The boys got BB guns and computer stuff, so they are naturally very happy. Later on, I caught them hanging out, talking and laughing and just being brothers.

We leave bright and early tomorrow morning for South Carolina. We are going to welcome in the new year with our dear friends Adrian, Teresa, Ryan, Raven and Ryo Reis.

Merry Chistmas everyone!

Max Solomon's Shortcut

On the way to the game, my buddy Max talked about his secret parking place. "We park at this guys house for $10 and only have a 3 minute walk to the stadium. It's cheaper and we avoid all of the traffic." He neglected to tell me we'd have to use a home-made ladder to scale a 12' wall on our way to the game. It's always an adventure with Max.

Go Dolphins!

Yeah, we got hurricanes beating us up in South Florida. But it's still great being 30 minutes away from a live game. Thanks for the invite, Max.

135 mph

Thanks to my friend Max for letting me borrow his GTO. I didn't realize this car went so fast.

Family Reunion

I came across this old picture taken in Indiana one week before 9/11. You can tell that Trevor is developing a sense of humor. I've got my hand on him trying to insure we get a nice picture. Grandpa Jon is just glad to see me getting a little payback.

Run Trevor Run

Trevor is giving it a run for the money. We have a nice little gym at the Promenade and my sons and I workout frequently. They are always excited to hit the gym. I never have to push them to join me. I am glad I had sons.

Pumping Iron

Look at this stud pumping iron. Dressed in black. The obligatory iPod hanging from his neck. No expression on his face. God, I wish I would have been this cool at 12.

Waiting Room

Trevor (right) fidgets while he waits for his orthodontics' appointment . It's time to get those braces tightened. His brother, Maxwell, is chillin' with my new ipod, which he confiscates whenever we are together. I am just sitting here checking out the good looking moms.

Wrist Slitter

Started out the weekend with an emergency trip to the doctor. Max decided to open a box and his wrist with one of my sharp kitchen knives. Lots of blood and panic, but Maxwell is going to live.

New Rule: Kitchen knives are to be used for food only.

Order

I can relax. Wilma was a big change of plans but we got moved and are about 90% unpacked. Heck, the laundry is even done. The boys were excited to move into their new rooms and wanted to know if they could go to bed early tonight. I let them.

Chaos

I am officially residing in my new digs. It is a very nice 3 Bedroom/2 Bath townhouse in Coral Springs, Florida. I am really looking forward to living here (after I unpack and organize this mess).

Moving Day

Time to leave this sweet little house after only 4 months (thank you Wilma). Everything is packed and ready to go. I am just waiting on the muscle to arrive and load my stuff. Then, Yours Truly gets to drive this big rig to the new digs out in Coral Springs. Wish me luck.

We have PlayStation!

I finally have a break from my children now that they are hypnotized. No more chanting:

1. Keep your hands off of your brother!
2. Quit lighting the lighter!
3. Be careful with that candle!
4. Don't light anymore candles!
5. Quit blowing out the candles!
6. Don't shine the flashlight in my face!
7. Don't shine the flashlight in your brother's face!
8. This is all we have to eat, so eat it!
9. Repeat 1-8.

I am parking my kids in front of the PlayStation for a few hours and enjoying some of those wonderful Buds my friend Shawn dropped off in the previous post. God, I am so happy right now!

Relief supplies have arrived!

God bless my dear friend Shawn Salyers. He dropped off a 12-pack of Bud Light and a bag of ice. I love you Shawn!

Oh yeah, he brought a generator too.

Monotony and Monopoly

Q: What's the only thing more boring than being stranded without electricity and gasoline?
A: Playing Monopoly.

My God this this game is painful. Fortunately, my children play Monopoly using their revised rule. This rule allows you to start building hotels on a property as soon as it is purchased. You don't wait until you have acquired the other properties in its set before you can start building. Thankfully, this brilliant wonderful little rule shortens your typical game of Monopy from 12 to 3 hours. It is almost tolerable.

Boys and Fire

We're sitting out front and the boys are playing with a candle, burning pieces of grass and just doing boy-stuff. No homework. No school. No TV. No video games. No anything. Kind of peaceful for a change.