Back by Popular Demand

Okay, so maybe one or two people asked about the blog. I hesitated starting a blog because I know how I am. I have no follow through. It seems like so much has happened in the last few weeks that I can never catch up, so why bother. I am going to bother though.

Let's see, where to begin? How 'bout with Hank's baptism. It was early Saturday morning October 4. Just family and a few friends came. It was a nice quiet affair. It was especially nice because Jake was able to be there. Hank was so cute. He was very excited and happy to be following the Savior's example.

We have been to Gettysburg twice this month. We love it. The Battlefield is 24 square miles. We went over the Columbus day weekend and had such a good time that when Mom and Doug came for a visit this last week we took them. Ernie and Henry are being Civil War soldiers for Halloween so they wore there costumes and did re-enactments along the different sites at the battlefield. Their favorites were pretending to "fix bayonets" on Little Round Top, playing dead in the Wheatfield, and re-enacting Picketts Charge as a tour group walked up. Yeah, I know, my kids are different.

On our way to Gettysburg we found a great apple orchard. In the last month we have eaten a bushel of apples. They were the best apples any of us have ever had. For three days straight we had some version of bread and apples for every meal. I really should not admit to things like that.

We had a nice visit with Mom and Doug. Along with taking them to Gettysburg we also hit the newest and greatest tourist attraction in our area, Wegman's. For those of you who are not in the know, Wegman's is a grocery store. I take everyone there. We have lunch and then wander around. Did you know you can buy truffles for only $400 a pound? It sounds funny, but there really is nothing like it.

The kid's did their second Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run. They had a great time, made better by the fact that we went to Noodle Man for lunch afterwards. That is the other place I take everyone. Alright, the name of the restaurant is not really Noodle Man but China Town Express. We call it Noodle Man because there is a man who stands in the window hand pulling noodles. He takes a chunk of dough and with nothing but his hands turns it into strings of noodles in about 30 seconds. It's like magic. A grocery store and a run down Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. I know how to show people a good time.

It seem's like we have been really busy, but I guess not. This week we are gearing up for Halloween. It should be lots of fun. Molly and I made a pirate costume for her and the boys are gearing up for the war that pitted brother against brother. I think they only wanted to do it because I finally let them get the muskets they had begging for for they last two years. I guess that is all I've got.

PS by Stu

The photo at the top of a Confederate sharpshooter was taken by Alexander Gardner after the battle of Gettysburg at the area known as Devil's Den. The original photo was staged by Alexander Gardner and re-staged by Henry and I.