Why did they go and do that...

Piper and the kids returned to Germany this morning. They landed happy and chipper after 16 hours of flying (plus another 6 hours in airports before and in-between flights).

I returned to work after picking them up. Called a few times this afternoon and they weren't home. I was relieved and impressed that they were all up, out and getting acclimated to the local time.

Turns out, I spoke to soon. The whole crew took a five hour nap and turned off the phone. They're waking up just in time for me to come home.

Life will be interesting for me tonight.

Question of the Day

Went to the woodshop after work to do finish work on a project I'm doing for the kids.

I hate finish work. Table saws are much more fulfilling than 220 grit sandpaper. Hence the question of the day: "Which is worse, sanding or powerpoint?"

Baby Lowell!

Baby Boy Lowell arrived just before noon on Saturday, July 25. Mommy and Baby are doing well. Silva had him at the birthing center where about 15 people gathered to wait. We had to leave for a flight to Tucson at 12:40 so I was beginning to be resigned to hearing about it afterward when we heard a cry from tiny lungs from the birthing room. He is beautiful.

Dad brought in champagne and glasses for all. We all cried when Charles raised his glass to toast "Silva and our son."

Name to come when they get to know him a little better.

Ode to the iPhone

"Remind me to not let it fall (out of my shirt pocket),"
Uncle George exhorted us all
O'er the jet ski he bent.
To the water it went
And now he cannot make a call...

Other than the cell phone going to Davy Jones, it was a great day on Lake Travis. I got to ski and the kids had a blast being pulled in the inner tube. MAA yelled "YeeHaw!" as he helped Uncle George drive. All caught fish with Gramp. MM wanted to pet her fish for a few minutes before she put "Mr. Mustache" the catfish back in the lake.

The week in Austin was a dream. Lots of family, friends, books, TexMex, ice cream, swimming and more TexMex. Photos later.

Day Three of Tax Avoidance

I am beginning my 3rd consecutive day of income tax avoidance. My avoidance strategies have varied. Today, for instance, I worked, exercised, and then downloaded and installed completely unnecessary patches for my computer. Now, I'm processing and posting summer vacation photos.

The random photos include (1) school musical; (2) friends visit (Dom and Kat); and (3) vacation.

Apologies to those who's photos I missed. If it's any consolation, I'm not in any of them either. Then again, it's my camera so I'm hardly ever in anything... :-)

Click on the photo below to view the slideshow.

Home again home again jiggity jig

Returned to Germany yesterday. All went well and my assessment of Delta is slowly climbing out of the gutter. They were fine, really. My only complaint was I had to endure the worst in-flight movie ever (Race to Witch Mountain) after my laptop batteries died. While that sounds like a minor complaint, it truly was awful. Wish I'd had an Ambien.

11 more days of bachelorhood before the rest of the family returns. I am building my "to-do" list of projects to finish before then. First up tax-preparation (ah the merry life of an expat). If I'll goes well, I'll finally visit the wood-shop next week. Lots to do before that, though.

Planes and Trains

Sounds of joy from the other room. Micah is happily playing with the radio controlled truck that his grandparents gave him for his birthday. He loves it but it's quite loud on adult ears. I'm willing to accept bids on how long it will be til the truck has an "accident."

Today I board a plane for a 20 hour trip back to Germany. The rest of 5fordhams will stay in the US for 12 more days. They go back to Gramps house today and to Autie's house next weekend.

The flight into Germany should be uneventful. The trip after that will require 2 trains and a bus so that'll be more interesting.

Gotta run back to the family. The Tour de France is playing on the TV and I'm mindlessly addicted. Also, rumor has it that Grandma is making waffles.