second time around

You would think that since we had already made one plane trip with S&R and learned so much from that experience, round two would be a snap. Think again. If you think you need to pack a lot of stuff when you travel with infants, try infant twins. If you can imagine that, add clothing for four for below freezing temperatures. Keep going. Throw in gifts for an extended family Christmas. At a cabin in the woods 17 miles from the nearest town. Of 500 people. The cabin hasn't seen a baby since the Johnson administration.

Starting to get the picture? We did learn from our first plane trip and book seats in rows in front of each other so we didn't get stuck having to move after getting settled because two adult with two lap children can't be seated in a row of three because there are only four oxygen masks. The trip to the airport was less eventful than last time, since I was driving and we were leaving our car at the airport. Getting through security and onto the plane was even relatively easy. Unfortunately, NO-one flies direct to Missoula, (it's hard to imagine why) so we flew in to Salt Lake City. I know what you are saying, why not fly to Sea-Tac on Alaska and to Missoula from there? Well, it was a toss up, but I have spent far too many 8 hour layovers at Sea-Tac including a memorable one where I missed my connection by five minutes for a surprise visit to Montana for Mammaw's 87th birthday party. I flew in for the weekend and spent half of it at Sea-Tac. But that is another story.

going to montana soon...

We are preparing to make another family pilgrimage-to our place on the West Fork of the Bitteroot river in southwestern Montana. Never heard of it? That's the way people like it there. Sounds like fun you say? Well, traveling with two soon-to-be one-year-olds to the middle of nowhere in the middle of winter has given me a recurring thought: "this might be a bad idea; a really, really bad idea" I'll let you know if my instincts are on in a few weeks; stay tuned.

Stormy Walks

I might not have mentioned it before, but Stormy has been taking a few steps lately. She holds on to Liz and takes a few steps towards me and falls into my arms with this incredible smile. Then she turns around and does it for Liz.

Well, now, I think we can officially say she is walking. Last weekend, I was holding her up in the kitchen and letting her get her balance, letting go and backing up so she could walk to me. as she walked, I backed up and she walked all the way through the kitchen several times. Now she is getting more confident and acting nonchalant, like she's been doing it forever.

halloween

OK. So Pebbles and Bam Bam was a good idea, but Liz nor I could manage the time commitment necessary to sew faux animal-skin tunics or make paper-mache clubs. 


Here is what we had laying around. Liz really thinks that neck braces make anything funny and keeps one around for just such emergencies. I'll let you decide. 


The kids loved their first Halloween. We went through Fairfax just after the parade and into the park to the haunted forest of Redwoods. There was a hay-bale haunted house and I saw Michael, who we've known for years- a homeless cyclist of around 60 who is smart and kind and somewhat of an enigma. He said he really liked the hay-bale house and was thinking of building one for himself. 

swimming

We've been trying to keep the kids comfortable in the water since Nonquitt.

We have been swimming at the Jewish Community Center Pool, where we are non practicing members. They have the best facility around, with outdoor and indoor saline pools.

Stormy is a fish and is doing laps. Rocko, as always a sensualist, prefers the warmer water of the indoor pool, which is like a bath.
He does seem to be pretty content in the sun in his fishy towel, though.

Mark and Angela's wedding

Discovery Museum

Today is my birthday and we take the kids to the Discovery Museum in Sausalito. They are stoked. I am tired.

Mark's Bachelor Party

So Mark is getting married to Angela, to whom Liz and I introduced in our hot tub at an "ice cream social" at our house.

Jon (pictured left of Mark) likes to go to strip clubs whenever possible. He organized this entire affair (probably not the best word choice)

The limo picked us up at Ken's place in San Rafael, fully stocked with Green Labels and playing "Sista Christian" as we rolled over the Golden Gate bridge to the city. We first went to Bourbon and Branch, http://www.bourbonandbranch.com/

A modern speakeasy, where there is no sign, you have to knock on the door and have a password to get in and specializes in the revival of the art of the cocktail. (this was my suggestion as I have been a member since the beginning, but never had the time or excuse to go) After a drink in the library, a secret room within the secret bar, we get back in the limo and head to Harris Steak House http://www.harrisrestaurant.com/  a hundred year old steak house where we have a private room which is fortunate, since Jimmy spilled at least three drinks before dessert. Afterwards, we spent some time in North Beach, but not for Italian Food. Dario, who had won a bike race earlier that day, swore that the strippers were really into him. As did Stevo, who could have given Ted Kazinski a run for his money in fashion coordination. All told, I felt a bit out of place. Even though I handled myself like a pro despite the spotty company.

we are so not stoned...

really.

pro wrestlers in quilted pants

San Rafael Crit

Rocko and Stormy got their first bike helmets now that they are old enough to hold their heads up for a ride in the trailer behind the bike. I took a test ride with them and they loved it. Pulling them back up the hill is no joke. I hope I maintain some level of fitness until they can ride their own bikes.

Meanwhile, we took them to their first bike race, the Carrera San Rafael. This is one of the biggest pro bike races in the US, offering one of the biggest purses, so racers from all over come to try to win some money. A lot of heavy hitters are here: racers who are National Champions, Grand Tour Riders- OK, you get it. It is a big deal. Well, last year I missed the race and my ex girlfriend won the women's Pro Race. This year, our friend Helena Drumm, Fairfax fire fighter, won in convincing fashion, and my good friend and Tuesday night riding buddy, Mike Foley, hung in there to finish in the top 30 in the men's Pro Race. These guys go fast. Try going 35 mph on a bike.  Now try averaging 35 mph for an hour and a half with over a hundred other guys inches away from your wheel on a dangerously tight mile long circuit of right hand turns. At night. Strong work, Mike.

ugly

We had a meeting today at work. Everyone in our office (about 100 people) assembled in the "creative room" where I meet with architects for design sessions. Our president gave us the message we had all been anticipating: some of us were going to lose our jobs. I had known this announcement was coming, and had been given assurances that I was not one of those who was going to be cut. However, you never know until you know. We were told that we had to cut roughly ten percent of the jobs at the regional office, and that there was an immediate wage and hiring freeze. I had been promised a raise for six months and had a new boss, with whom I was developing trust and him confidence in my abilities, but still these were still uncharted waters. I wasn't exactly sure where I stood.

OK. I know that I am among the top ten if not five percent of the "brain trust". I have a good relationship with everyone, am well respected and good at what I do. I have done a lot of different jobs over the years, and have no reason to believe that I will not "make the cut". But when you have this much on the line, it is scary to think about what would happen if you were to lose your job.

We are all told to go on doing our jobs while the President and VP's decide who goes and who stays. They will make an announcement next week. Meanwhile, my boss, who hasn't been around more than a few months, tells me we have to cut 2 people from our team of ten. And asks me who they should be.

We all wait for the day of the announcement. What comes is a message saying it is a hard decision and it won't be made for another week. I know I will not lose my job, but in the back of my mind I am updating my resume, wondering how long we can live on savings if we cut back- (what savings?) Looking for jobs on the internet, wondering if we had to sell our house now, how much we could get. Or if we could sell... I can't live like this. Even though I know I am not losing my job, and I know who is, it is too much to think about in the context of my current life. If it were just me- I know I could survive. I have skills. I am smart. I could support myself. But I have a family now. Not just a girlfriend, but a real family who depends on me. I do not want to minimize the importance of what Liz brings to the table financially or otherwise, however, I feel at this moment particularly, I am the gatekeeper.

Of course, I do not lose my job. The fact that I will not have a wage increase in the forseeable future is another matter altogether.

Lunch in Point Reyes Station

Nana, Grandpa and Kerrie

Almost as soon as we returned from Nonquitt, S&R got to see their other Grandparents again. As an added bonus Auntie Kerrie came along to see her niece and nephew for the first time.

Mom and Dad are as happy as clams giving the kids a bath. Well, maybe mom is happier.

happy to be home

Last pics from Nonquitt

Well, it has been a great month with Mary and Sackett in Nonquitt. I can see why Liz loved it here so much when she was a kid. It is a great place for kids to just be on their own once they can ride a bike. Even though S&R aren't quite there yet, I think they got a lot out of being here. And even though we had a babysitter to help out much of the time, Liz and I learned that the term "vacation" has a completely different meaning now.

We were sad to leave Mary and Sackett. Thanks for a great first summer!

Salvadors

Liz used to ride her bike to Salvadors when she was a kid. Now that I have had a coffee frappe or two at the end of a long, hot ride, I hope our kids will get to go on a big adventure and ride their bikes to Salvadors in a few years.

another beach day

Today I landed a Rockofish in the shallow water of Buzzard's Bay just off Cup and Saucer Rock at the Bathing Beach in Nonquitt.

Afterwards, Stormy and I shared a nice can of the "King of Beers" and relaxed on the beach as we traded fish stories.

When all was said and done, we were pretty much ready for a nap.

it's the economy, dammit

Things have been getting bad for a long time, but it seems like the shit is really getting ready to hit the fan now. I don't like being on a month long vacation while things are going down. I have been staying in touch  just enough to keep up with things and it is good that my boss is on vacation at the same time (and also that  I met him in NYC yesterday) but I get a very uneasy feeling about what the immediate future will bring.

Tribeca

Whole Foods Market, my employer, opened a new store in Tribeca today. I took the train up to meet my boss, who is also vacationing on the East Coast to tour the store. Here are a few of my favorite offerings:

Oysters. Beer. Cheese. Bacon. Eggs. Truffles.

Beach Day!

We took Stormy and Rocko to the beach today. Mostly we hung out under the boardwalk. We Took them in the water and they were pretty jazzed about it all; especially Stormy.

Rocko especially liked having his milk "au naturale"

I am hoping they do not get as tan as Liz did when she was a baby.

Fourth of July

We took the kids to the fourth of July parade in Nonquitt today. It was very hot and the speech preceding the parade was long and everyone was sweating and antsy to leave by the time the procession got underway. I don't think our kids got much out of it but there was definitely fun to be had by the kids who can ride bikes on their own. The golf course will never be quite the same.

Later in the afternoon, there was a party at the bathing beach and one of the Boston Red Sox players or Bat Boy or someone was there showing off their Championship Ring. I think everyone got to wear it. Anyhow everybody was pretty exited- I think it is some kind of baseball thing.

Bad Ass Cafe

Peter came to visit us and we had Lunch with the kids at the Black Bass in Padanaram. Liz looks like a 12 year-old in this photo.

Liz and Adam ride...Together

We rode out to Tiverton, RI today while the babies napped.

S&R get a bath Daddy gets to ride to Horseneck Beach

We got some sleep and while the kids were adjusting to the East Coast way of doing things, I sneaked out, put my bike together and went for a ride.

Meanwhile, Mary and Liz gave Stormy a bath.




After seeing how much Stormy enjoyed it, Rocko couldn't wait to give it a try.