Go, Will, Go!

Will has discovered the book, "Go Dog, Go!" by PD Eastman - and loves it! He especially loves the pages that say: "Hello! Hello! Do you like my hat? I do not! Goodbye! Goodbye!" It is pretty neat to see that he connects the words with the right pages.

It's a Wrap.

Some shots of the house...

Little tree in the kitchen, I decorated with white lights, wooden cranberries and Christmas-themed cookie cutters.




















The family room...


































and the outside.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We spent the day today putting up our tree and lights. Leah, Will, and I handled the inside job, while John and Jack worked hard on the outside. Nice to have all the work out of the way, now we can enjoy it!

Thanksgiving shots.

We had a great Thanksgiving as usual over at Jim and Karen's. Watching football on TV, a little basketball competition, waiting for the turkey to be done, the kids putting on a parade... hope everyone had a great day yesterday!

Making turkeys!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

In the Studio.

GOODY 2 SHOES AND THE HALL MONITORS are hard at work on their upcoming first album, Expedition - an eclectic mix of techno, funk, rap, and easy listening. G2S&THM wrote and performs all the original music on the album, including "Diggie Down," "Shwain," "12 Gauge - Whaddya' Think?" and the ever-popular "Cheetos, Doritos, Chocolate Lays."

More information regarding the band, their album, and any upcoming tour dates will be announced when available.

Art attack!

OK, I know, that is a really cheesy title. Sorry.

Back in the saddle.

Just some random shots from our bike ride this past weekend...

Cuc Foshee update.

Thank you to everyone who signed the petition to free Cuc Foshee, the American woman being held in a Vietnam prison. She was imprisoned by the Vietnamese government in September 2005. Cuc was put on trial last week and convicted of terrorism. She was sentenced to 15 months in prison, with credit for time served. Her family was told that she would be released in December. Happily the Vietnamese government had a change of heart (President Bush is due to visit Vietnam this weekend) and released Cuc a few days ago. She is now home safely in the US with her family.

I am having some difficulty posting a link, but if you are interested, check out orlandosentinel.com - there are a few stories about Cuc's homecoming.

Results are in!

The Terry/Mancuso Not So Secret Santa Drawing is complete! The results are as follows:

Gheghe gives to Sean
Poppy gives to Leah
Jack gives to Gheghe
Leah gives to Lisha
Heath gives to Jack
Sean gives to Heath
John gives to Jenn
Jenn gives to Amy
Lisha gives to John
Amy gives to Poppy

The annual giving of the gifts will take place during the first weekend in January in Florida!

Classics.

Jumping into the NewCalebNation's challenge to post some old photos...





































Jack has some posted at jack's galaxy as well!

Tower time!

More at cbythesea!

Twelve.

Happy Birthday, Leah!

Hard to believe you are already twelve years old.
We love you so much and look foward to a great, fun-filled, happy last year of 'tweendom!

Today we just milled around.

This morning the fam got moving early and headed over to DeLeon Springs for breakfast at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill & Griddlehouse. A griddle is embedded in each table, allowing diners to pour the pancake batter, add any mix-ins you desire, and flip away. Yum! It was a lot of fun and we all left well-nourished. It was a bit of a blustery morning, but we spent some time walking around the spring and taking pictures (was there ever any doubt?) You can find more shots over at cbythesea and at jack's galaxy!

The Strange and the Cute.

The kids had a great time tonight dressing up and being crazy with their friends! Leah & Olivia dressed up as Zombie Pizza-Deliverymen, complete with pizza boxes covered with rats and spiders. We dug out Jack's Peter Pan costume he wore when he was 2, and let Will wear it - however, the general consensus was that he looked like Robin Hood - so Will was Robin Hood! He "trick-or-treated" next door, then sat with mom and dad and gave out candy.

Sneak Preview!

This is the first Halloween that the kids decided to make their own costumes - no store bought, packaged characters. I thought they came up with some really clever ideas - although I miss the awesome costumes Gheghe has made for them in the past! Leah is putting the final touches on hers and will wear it on Tuesday. Jack decided to be a Surfer That Was Bitten by a Shark. I thought he did a great job!




















Leah found her way to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Friday night, and she claims to have had a great time - not scary! she says. Yesterday Jack and Leah attended a pumpkin-carving party at that house on the hill - and of course had a blast!

The View from Here.

Fall has come to Florida - for a few hours, anyway. We woke to 45 degrees this morning, and the steam coming off the pond in our backyard was calling for my camera. Not to worry - our highs should get up into the 70s later today.

Protect Americans first.

I received this information today from my next-door neighbor and friend Rebecca Griffiths.

Dear friends and family,

You may have seen recent newscasts and news articles relating to a local citizen being held as a political prisoner in Vietnam, CUC FOSHEE. She was imprisoned as a "terrorist" when she returned to her home country and has been held for over a year at this writing. This great woman has fought heroically to raise awareness of the Vietnamese political situation both in Vietnam and the US. Her daughter, Liz McCausland, is an attorney here in Orlando and is working valiantly to get her Mom back to the US. Cuc and Liz are relations of mine via my father's marriage.

Please take a moment to learn more: http://freecucfoshee.blogspot.com or google CUC FOSHEE

Since President Bush is getting ready to visit Vietnam in November, the petition for her release will soon be presented. Please take a moment and sign the petition for her release at this website: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/freecuc. It's easy to sign, just go to the right side and add your name, e-mail and check mark.

Ms. Foshee and her daughter are truly role models for all of us. Ms. Foshee has fought hard to impact the human rights abuses in Communist Vietnam and believes that all have a right to humane treatment, democracy and due process. Please help us show President Bush that we also believe in these things. I appreciate your time and consideration and thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Griffiths

Vietnam is awaiting "U.S. approval to enter the World Trade Organization (WTO), seeks Permanent Normal Trade Relations with the U.S, and expects to host President Bush in Hanoi this November. An AFP news report on September 9, 2006, said, 'Two US senators (Max Baucus and Gordon Smith) have sought the personal intervention of US President George W. Bush to ensure that the bill granting Vietnam Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) is passed before his trip to the APEC summit in Vietnam's capital Hanoi in November'."

Our government should NOT grant Vietnam PNTR nor entry into the WTO while the Vietnemese government is holding American citizens prisoner without cause.

The Many Adventures of Clyde.

Last year Jack wrote and illustrated 4 books in a series about Clyde, Clyde's pals, and some crazy adventures. He recently decided to add some more books to the series, now called, "Clyde's Quest." An exerpt from his latest book in the series, Clyde's Quest #7: War of the Worlds:

"Alright, who did it?" said Clyde angrily.
"Not me!" said Antler.
"I didn't," said Sparky and Sam.
"I don't think anyone did," said Slinky.
"Someone had to!" said C.C.
"My point exactly," said Clyde. "Someone had to have told them about the asteroid pieces!"


You will just have to wait until it is published to find out what happens next.