Peanut Fest

Yesterday we returned from Plains, Georgia, site of the Peanut Festival. Normally you would've known of this trip weeks prior, but as these times are not normal, you're lucky to hear about it at all.

The WT blog was not yet born when we attended the Peanut Festival last year. What's so darn special about Plains and peanuts? Jimmy Carter lives in one and eats the other. Each fall, right around his October 1st birthday, the town of 600-plus warm souls opens its shell for a celebration involving a foot race, parade, and book signing by JC and wife Rosalynn, flavored with plenty of southern barbecue and tunes. Following the race, Mr. Carter personally awards trophies and a warm handshake to top finishers while the assembled peanut-eaters and gnat-slappers applaud. Kel last year won the 5K in her age group and accepted her accolade under the shifty nervous eyes of Secret Service agents.

So, where is this entry headed? Judging from the cries downstairs, an abrupt conclusion. Friday morn, we packed up the family truckster, sent the pets off to a kennel, and, along with MarMa, Liz and Jeff, and oh yes, the twins, made our way north for another weekend of salty nuts and sweaty butts. JimPa made his way from Chicago. This year, Kelly, JimPa and I hustled across the finish line early enough to secure awards. (I admit with a red face and heavy heart that I competed only in the one-mile 'Fun Run' and finished 16 seconds slower than I did in high school). I proudly carried Lucas onto the award stage, while Kelly had Noelle, and both kids came face-to-face with the great JC himself (not that JC, mind you; it's much too soon for him). Say what you will about his presidential accomplishments, Jimmy's post-White House years should be a model for all. Especially for the dolt leaving in January.

I will post photos at my next opportunity. Speaking of photos, just a quick comment on last week's adventure. We took NL for passport photos at Walgreens. For $7.99, we should have expected this: the amicable clerk laid a blank white 2x3 poster on the linoleum floor next to the counter and instructed us to position each child directly on it for their photo. Rather crude, if you ask me. But the job is done.

Another Lame Title

A rainy night in Orlando. Otherwise I'd be out running with the white pet. So naturally my second option is to blog. I'd love to have more to report than the rubberstamp of the last several entries. I will say, however, that another week has brought us noticeably more smiles. Unfortunately, most elude the camera: it's never near enough, or the flash doesn't load fast enough, or one of the dogs' ears gets in the way.

We've been amazed to discover that we filled a whole bag of clothes that no longer fit NL. As is apparent from the weekly series of photos, the kids have been developing a considerable plumpness in their limbs and necks and now go through a good five to six ounces of breastmilk/formula at a sitting.

Again I have to cut things short, but not without a consolation prize of the latest photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gros.islet/MidSeptember2008#

September Check-In

Each day with NL is a tiresome joy. One after the other the days roll along, with little variation among them. Only our weekly photo session creates a short pause by capturing a split second in the kids' lives and ours. Before long we'll be posting their three month photos, then of babies' first Halloween, Christmas 2008, "Easter Bunny Visits WT" and shortly thereafter a photo album depicting their First Birthday Jamboree. We can't stop time but we can lessen our future regret of its passing.

My free time is approaching an end. I will use the balance to jog with Hana as she is uber bored and my rear is uber stiff. Sorry for the brevity--but at least you get pics:

http://picasaweb.google.com/gros.islet/EarlySeptember2008#