J Man wins City Finals!!

It worked out great deciding to fly-out of JFK. We were able to spend a day or so extra before our flight with the Austin-William gang. As a bonus we went to Harlem and watch Jelani compete with his basketball team in the city semi-finals

#9 is our J-man!! getting ready for the game.




The press is on as Jelani puts pressure on the opposing ball handler.






Michael Jordan watch out. J-man getting air!! Swish!! and it went in!!!





Looking for the open man. Jelani after a re-bound.







Our man is a bull under the boards, coming up with the ball every time.






Taking the shot under intense pressure. And its good!!








Austin-Williams Gang. Mark, Tina, and Jelani
Our gracious hosts before our trip. Mark, smile, the camera won't hurt you!





Jelani and his Ninang( godmother)











The trip was not complete without a trip down the the hoops in the hood for some pick up B Ball.

While we were around, Donna used her skills as a photographer to shoot some promo shots for Mark's business FOOTPRINTZ, a basketball consulting and training program sending area athletes onto the pros.

VPP 2010

It was a little strange this year for VPP. Falling between NEIPP and our Korea trip, we spent as much time as we could attending while trying to catch up and get ready. This is a shot of good friend Peter just prior to changing inside the wardrobe. Donna bet Peter $20 he could not change for the banquet entirely inside the closet. Watch the video below to find out who won the bet!

Nancy and Courtney sitting out at the fire pit. Getting the pit lit proved to be a struggle. It was Earth Day on the coming Thursday but the Hotel was reluctant to light it in deference of using the gas. In the end the will of VPPers won out.

Immediate past and current Presidents of PPANE or also known as a couple QUEENS. Donna enjoyed watching Tom have all the resposibilities of attending a state convention as president.

Why are we smiling? lack of sleep? the thought of still having to pack for Korea? there is still the banquet to sit through? Who knows!!

This guy is smiling for reason all his own. Matt won a FUJI award!!! Way to go Matty!!!

Miss Courtney. Expressions newest family member. She has become Donna's right and left hand. By her expression I'm not sure, she is sure, about being a part of this family. Is there a photoshop expert around for red-eye?

Donna welcomes Janet to the VPP Past Presidents club .

NEIPP 2010

Hard to think NEIPP 2010 is here!! This was a close knit, hard working group, that was HAPPY to finally have the day here!!

This is the class that I assisted on, Jane Conner-Ziser. It was class of many familiar faces and some new ones. One unique thing, it was ALL WOMEN!!

And when all those women had to get together and make a ship..... anything goes! Here is Jane with the "Ship A Ho's" or "Good Ship Photoshop" Depends on the good girl or bad girl version you would like!!

In all my years at NEIPP this is the one I will remember. It was non stop learning, hugging, and laughing! The staff KICKED ASS this year!!

Aunie Beth helps Lexie!

Keeping up with Tradition, Auntie Beth came to take Lexie's stitches out. These last 10 days have been a breeze compared to Lola's.







NO LEXIE, Auntie Beth is not playing with you!!









Look how healed and clean Lexie incision is!! Thank you Auntie Beth, your the BEST!!

Easter Birthday with Caitlyn

We did not get to see Cait on her actual birthday, But we did get to see her the next day which just happened to be Easter.

We had a very adult brunch at the Victoria Inn in Wallngford, Vt. Very nice atmosphere, great staff and quite a spread












Happy Birthday/Easter!!!!
Tip to new parents, If you use a creative spelling of your child's name, be prepared to not be able to find anything with a correctly spelled name. but every once in while you do find one.







Cait tears into her presents!



Cake followed Easter Dinner that Donna and I prepared. Bev and Ashley and Hazel and Hank were all able to make it.





MAKE A WISH!!!!!






Fifteen
by Bradley Hale
The time has come
You are turning fifteen
I hope you will become
A safe driving queen
The test date is set
Hope your ready to go
Its time to prove
Just what you know
Warning signs vary
in shape, color and size
better know their meaning
just a word from the wise
when can you pass?
And when to use your lights
Just a few of the questions
I hope you get right
With permit in hand
I’ll give to the keys
Stay in the road
And out of the trees
For the next year
We’ll be right by your side
Watching and teaching
As you learn to drive









Ashley and Bev heading home. Been a longtrip as they stopped in on theri way home after being in Florida for 3 months. Posing with the girls.

Bath time!

In our house we call this Daddy and Me time!! Brad is the official bather of the dogs. I guess he had lots of practice with Caitlyn and poopy butts, because this is not my cup of tea!!

This is Lexie in her first SHOWER bath. She has never been wet head to paws!



Lola is no stranger to her bath time!! What a good girl, NEVER gives Daddy a hard time!












Daddy got the first layer off, but it was time for a REAL bath!! This is the girls getting dropped off for a PROFESSIONAL bath!!

After bath time, it was picture time. Mommy and me time!! After photographing Lexie for her 6 months photos, I couldn't help but want to compare to her 2 month and 3 month photos. OH MY she has grown!!

Bob Barker says....have your animals spayed and neutured

Its OK Lexie, pay no attention to Dr Bruce. NO, that is not a needle. "OUCH!"





"I thought you said it was not a needle?"







"Daddy, I feel tired, do you feel tired? I feel tired!"





"Daddy, hold my head up so Mommy gets my good side, did I mention I'm tired!"








"Am I flying ... I CAN FLY!!...weeeeee!"














"When can Lexie play, huh? Does she have to be in there?"




" Why am I in this cage?, and why does my belly hurt?, not to mention I feel a draft, does anyone else feel a draft?"

Back to Anniston

Once again I headed back to Anniston, AL for more training. I already received my Instructor certification now I would train for a specific course. I would be attending WMD (Weapons of mass destruction) Standardized Awareness Training (train-the-trainer). For several days I learned to train first responders in awareness and identification of chemical, BIO, explosive, nuclear, radiological threats to our country.


As you can see the Center for Domestic Preparedness was busy this week. Each of these represent a class number, acronym for the training and the number of trainees attending. I was in 10-03 SAAT, we had 37 attendees. These classes go on all year long, and thousands of emergency responders pass throught this training center. I am now an Indirect Trainer for Homeland Security.

Our first book signing!!

After finding out that one of Donna's and mom's favorite authors was gong to have a reading nearby I made reservations for Me, Donna, mom, and Courtney (Donna;s friend/assistant) to hear her read from her latest novel.
Jodi Picoult reading from her latest novel.





Ms Picoult has been busy, she has written a book a year for 17 years. Almost all have been read, handed around in the little reading circle of Donna, my mom, my sister-in-law and now Courtney.





Donna and Jodi have a laugh during the signing.







Mom decides to stop the process and hold up the hundred people behind her with a question or three.



Jodi noticed me taking the third picture of our signings. Hey Courtney, I'm over here!