Diesel

He's about a foot long now, and still just so sweet. He loves to be held, comes to you when you snap, and devours 24 large crickets in a matter of a couple of minutes.

Draco

This is a short video that Sean took of Liz and Sidney's new puppy, Draco. He had never seen the windshield wipers, and his reaction is pretty hilarious.

There's a storm brewing

I had the dogs out back for a walk this evening and noticed a huge storm cloud approaching our area. I took the dogs inside and grabbed my camera and amidst about 200 pictures I was able to capture this one.

Cheesecake

I've been on a kick making cheesecakes lately. In fact, the man in charge of concessions at the track has asked me to make them for the track (for a profit) so that he can sell them there. I've been making them for the track officials for a few weeks, and they keep begging for more. So, I guess I'll be making a lot of cheesecake. The best part of the whole thing is that I cannot stand cheesecake so there is absolutely no temptation for me to eat it.

This is the peanut butter cheesecake. It's a pretzel crust, peanut butter cheesecake and semi-sweet and peanut butter chips. There is a sour cream topping and then on top of that it is sprinkled with chopped peanuts. Yeah, if you don't like peanuts then this is not the cheesecake for you.

15 or 8?

Kara wanted to straighten Erin's hair this weekend, and after a significant amount of time it was finally done.

State Championship and 9/11

Today was the last of four days in a row of racing for Bren and Erin. The State Championship concluded the events, and it was a great day for my racers. Erin ended the season taking 1st in the state in Girls and Bren took 2nd in Boys. They each got plaques, but only the state champions receive the ABA backpack and a new State Champion plate for their bike with their new state number on it. Erin will now be riding #1 and Brendan #2.

Dave Gentry, one of our close friends and the announcer at our track, giving love to Erin after being awarded the state championship for girls. Erin loves Dave dearly, and his guidance on and off of the track has been imperative to her success.

My girl with her state champion plate and ABA backpack.

No chance of getting Bren to look at me after receiving his #2 in the state plate.

Bren and Kara after the races.

The Hyperforce team. Every single one of our riders placed within the top 4 today, and two of them (Jesse and Erin) were awarded state championships.

Prior to the race we had a moment of silence at the track, followed by a balloon release done by veterans and civil service men/women at our track, and then the regular National Anthem lap led by one of our riders who is also a firefighter and paramedic.

Today is an emotional day for most Americans, and I am no exception. My best friend from high school, Mitsy Harmon, was trapped in the rubble of the Twin Towers on 9/11/01 for nearly five hours before being rescued by Christopher Agazzi (FDNY). The kids and I all spoke to her extensively today, and it's so good to hear her voice and know that we have that option. It's not the only day of the year that we speak to her, but it is even more priceless on the day that she nearly lost her life. Sean used car window paint to write his sentiments on my car since he drove it today.

Florida State Championship

Tonight was the pre-race; Erin took 1st place and Bren took 2nd place! Erin is currently 1st place in the state and Bren is 2nd in the state. Tomorrow is the state championship race, and they'll be awarded their state plates following the race. So proud of my racers and everything that they have accomplished in the past year with such a tough sport.