OK, so I have been neglecting "Carroll Boys". It's true, and excuses like getting ready for Christmas and upcoming birthdays, my work schedule, etc. don't cut it. Certain readers are getting quite annoyed with looking at the Camp Lazlo post.... So, finally here we are...... It's Christmas Day! Here is an update on what we've been doing for the past few weeks.
Thanksgiving - Sasha, Steve and I spent an overnight with Grammie and Grandad for Thanksgiving. It was very pleasant, including a long walk through Wyncote and neighboring town(s?) Kyra and Lucy were glad to see us, and we enjoyed Grandad's grilled turkey and Grammie's apple and chocolate pies. Yum! Then on Saturday, we had a second Thanksgiving dinner with Brock..... Italian-style, with penne a la vodka aka "pink stuff".
Lost and Found - While going through our winter gear to figure out what does/does not fit, there was an incredible "find". Sasha's fly boxes, lost since last December, were zipped into inner pockets of his winter coat for practically an entire year !! It was been a long time since such joy has been known on Sharpe Street. Here are the long-lost items :-)
Tiger - Actually, there's not really much new with Tiger. .... unless you consider some occasional crankiness, though he is never as out-of-sorts as "grumpy cat" looks (see picture above). Tiger is taking "Natural Chicken & Tuna Flavored Joint Supplement" for stiffness in his back legs. It gets sprinkled onto his food, and does seem to help. Mostly though, he continues to be very fluffy and interested in frequent petting. Here's a recent, adorable picture of our boy:
Christmas - I mailed out holiday cards, with a photo collage of you boys (Brock with Tiger, and Sasha at Harvey's Creek). I really must show you the pics sometime soon.... Our Christmas Eve started with a late afternoon service at Grace Church in Kingston. Sasha, you got to see Dr. Ferraro who delivered you almost 16 years ago (a formal introduction is in order, since you were a few minutes old and unclothed at your last meeting). Steve navigated another Episcopal service very successfully. And I grumbled about hymns being played too slowly. Brock, you went to Dad's house instead - a good arrangement, especially given the length of the service (over 1 1/2 hours!). This morning, Steve salvaged bacon before it became over-cooked and made french toast for us. Tonight we had our traditional Christmas night dinner - wimpies and banana cream pie. Our tree is pictured below. Favorite gifts:
- Sasha - A Sage 9 foot, 10 weight fly rod - with which you hope to catch Susquehanna river monsters i.e., musky and pike. Additional fly tying material also seems popular, as you have been busy making flies as the evening wears on.
- Brock - The PlayStation 3 game Far Cry 3, a "shoot 'em up" and "stab 'em through" game. Probably not appropriate for a 10-year old. But on the bright side, you are still not permitted to watch Family Guy at my house.
Most cheerful traveler: Steve, who made 3 round trips from Scranton over the past 30 hours.
Best surprise: My gift of a Schwinn red and white bike from Steve. It's beautiful!
My wish for you both this Christmas Day: That you grow up to be happy, productive men.
Merry Christmas!
