Get outta the way !!!!!

Patrick Henry Memorial Park

A tribute to one of the original American punks - from the new punk generation. Bolivar is next !

-Diego

Dogs Dogs Dogs

We drove from Atlanta to Rock Hill - to spend a couple of days with Thomas and Lucy. And their dogs. Under "normal" circumstances, they have four dogs - Dora the beagle mix, Stretch the border collie mix, Maddie the black lab (mix?) and Oliver (Boliver Mutt) the chocolate lab (mix?). But while we were there, Lucy was temporarily keeping a dog - described by the vet as a "golden retriever mix" - until a rescue group could take it on Saturday. And with Ashley there, it made for 6 dogs in the house. It was a lot of dogs!

Luis LOVED the dogs. Maddie and Oliver LOVED Luis - he was just the right height to lick.

Oliver, Maddie, and Ashley moving through the kitchen. Felt a bit like Sharks in a tank.

Diego and the "golden retriever mix". We all thought it was more likely a Chow. But I guess Golden Retrievers are easier to place as rescue dogs.

Me and Maddie.

Dog Door?

More Atlanta

It's been about a week since we left Atlanta (last Wednesday), but looking at the pics I just downloaded, it seems like a long time ago!

We had a great time with Aunt Lauren & Uncle Randolph. When it was time to go, Luis had all kinds of love for them.

I particularly liked this picture. Randolph was drinking some juice, leaning up against the counter top, with one foot crossed over the other. Luis took in the full sight and then moved in to copy it. Note his hand on the counter, the other hand holding his sippy cup and his feet slightly crossed. It was clearly not a coincidence. Luis, upon striking the pose was very, very pleased with himself. Randolph seemed a bit pleased as well...

Just before scooting out of town (and on to Rock Hill) we stopped by for a visit with Grandfather. We had a nice time catching up. Luis was his usual whirling diversh. This picture of him on Grandfather's lap may be the closest to sitting still that Luis came!

The Georgia Aquarium

This morning, Diego, Luis and I went to the Georgia Aquarium. Our friends Jason & Cara inspired us to go after their great trip earlier in the year. (Sorry - that's a lot of links!)
I was excited to take Luis because I thought he'd really enjoy it. Turns out, I think Diego had the most fun -both in seeing everything and in sharing this "underwater" experience with Luis.
I would highly recommend the Aquarium to anyone in (or visiting Atlanta). The displays were fantastic and the building is set up so that it flows very well.
This was one of several places where you could touch an animal. Luis gently touched the anemones, but I'm not sure he had any idea it was a living creature. In another place, you could pet the sting rays and baby sharks. But, you had to get your hand kind of far into the water, which Luis couldn't really do - so he missed out.
I particularly liked the beluga whales. They are such beautiful creatures.

And in this last picture, I'm guessing that it was almost feeding time. This seal kept jumping up to look into the window.

Knuckles

When our friend Heather was visiting us (in Florida), she taught Luis "knuckles". It is now his favorite trick. He doesn't have a word for it, but he'll make a fist and put it out in your direction when it's time. And usually, once he "knuckles" one person in the room, he is not satisfied until he gets everyone. Everyone. The other day, the last person was the waiter at the restaurant. This may surpass Strong Man...

More Pictures from the Park

Here are some more pictures from the park trip on Saturday with Randolph, Lauren, Diego, Shadow and Luis.

There was a big tunnel slide. It took some convincing to get Luis to go down it. But once he tried it, he was hooked. First is the view from the bottom looking up.

Lauren got these great action shots of Luis coming down:

The swings continue to be a favorite for Luis. Starting with our trip to CO, he will not sit in the swing for a LONG time - like 20 or more minutes at a stretch. I like that he likes the swings so much, but I get tired of pushing. So it was great to have three other people who could help with that part. It was also good practice for Randolph and Lauren...

Luis's love of the swings comes naturally. Just ask Thomas about MY fascination with the swings when I was a little kid. I'm sure he'll be glad to tell you the story!

Randolph, Lauren and Diego enjoyed some playing themselves on this toy:

Luis & Shadow

Luis, like his mom, is a big fan of animals. He loves to pet them, to hug them and to kiss them. Lucky for us, most of the dogs we meet are happy for the attention. Shadow, Randolph & Lauren's dog, is no exception.

We are currently staying with Aunt Lauren & Uncle Randolph for a couple of days. Yesterday, we all went to the park to stretch our legs and get some fresh air (Diego, Luis, Ashley and I had spent 8+ hours in the car on Saturday). Luis was very interested in holding the leash. And, he was very interested in hugging & kissing shadow. A lot.

(Ashley did not come to the park - she pulled a muscle in her leg on Saturday at the Terreri's and is being sequestered to the house to heal.)

Luis's Super Hero Alter Ego

On our last night in Florida (Friday), in an effort to use up all of the bubble bath, I poured about 10x the recommended amount into the tub. Diego then turned Luis into Bubble Man!

Big Shoes

Family Reunion - The Talent Show

In Colorado, we had a talent show one night of the family reunion. While Clare sang two original songs, most of us re-wrote the lyrics to more popular songs. Brick House became Slick Spouse - a tribute to Rusty's new wife, Joanne. Joanne, Sarah and Delores did three generations of These are a Few of My Favorite (aging) Things. Randy S. & his family did Seasons of Love, acapella style. Randy & Rusty did Constant Sorrow - with Rusty on the guitar and Randy singing. Franklin did a book juggling act while Maggie & Dodie did an improv comedy skit. Annalise and Sarah did a dance and Clay and Eston did a drum number. Mom read a poem. We are, in general, a very talented family.
Dodie and Randolph adapted Woodie Guthrie's This Land is Your Land to be This Fam is Your Fam. They did an AWESOME job with the words. We did an OK job with the harmony.
I don't have pics from the talent show, but will try to poach some and add them to this post.

This Fam is Your Fam
Chorus:
This fam is my fam, this fam is your fam
From Atlanta to nearby Loveland,
From the DC Suburbs to Puget Sound's wa-a-ters,
This Fam is dear to you and me

While we're re-uning, we cram in cabins
from Allatoona to the Rocky Mountains
We feast together, and sing Clare's so-o-ngs,
This fam is near to you and me.
(Chorus)
We are all children of a man named Randolph
His many years, we do still count off.
We wish he were here, because he taught us,
This fam is dear to you and me.
(Chorus)
With two score members, this fam's a growin'
By matrimony and those just showin'
We look around us, with love abounding
This fam is dear to you and me.
(Chorus)

Water Boys

Family Reunion - Group Photo

Front Row: Maggie Lou McDow, Sarah Schweickart, Annalise Schweickart, Camille Fogel

Second Row: Croom Coward, Clare Whitfield, Delores Keys

Third Row: David, Elin Chadwick, Lauren McDow, Ashley Schweickart, Marielle Schweickart, Michelle Schweickart, Clay Chadwick, Vicki Schweickart, Brian Fogel, Diana Schweickart

Last Row: Ian Schweickart, Kyle Stephenson, Solomon McDow, Randy Schweickart, Alison Norris, Rusty Schweickart, Joanne Keys, Jess Ryan, Eston Schweickart, Mary Rincon, Luis Rincon, Randolph McDow, Dodie McDow, Franklin McDow

Luis & Mommy (in Colorado)

Beach Morning

This morning, we loaded up and went to a different beach - a couple of miles north of here. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time. The beach by our house is very short - not much distance between the dune and the waves. But this beach was very wide and expansive. Luis wasn't quite sure what to make of it. He sat down just over the dune; it took some time to coerce him down a little closer to the waves.

Luis continues to love to play in the sand. Today, he discovered Sand Pipers - he chased them for more than 15 minutes.

We waded out in the water some. The water was a bit cold at first, but we all got used to it. Luis liked to be held up over the waves as they came it. It was fun.

Peak-A-Boo

Luis still loves to play in cabinets...
.

More Heather

The pictures from the previous Heather post were from her camera. I forgot I had some pics on my camera. Here they are - Lauging and Loving

Richmond Heather

When Luis and I returned from Colorado, our friend Heather Jennings was already here, visiting from Richmond. We had a very low-key couple of days of pool/beach/eat/nap and it was great to have Heather around. Heather was very supportive of Luis's nap schedule; she'd often lead by example. I was very impressed that Heather went surfing with our friends Brian & Mark. Only a few picutres from the weekend. Luis has a new game - put cheerios on the couch and then pick them up with his mouth. We made the mistake of laughing the first couple of times Luis did it and now he thinks it's GREAT fun to do. Maybe we can convince him that is a Florida game...I'm not so fond of this last picture (I don't think it's that good of any of us) - but it so rare to get a photo with Luis, Diego AND me in it that I feel compelled to post it. Diego and Luis were playing with the Barrel of Monkeys. Luis isn't so into building the chains, but really seemed to enjoy it when we put them on his head.