A Little Bettis & Precision

It's been great for me lately. I have a client in Pittsburgh and end up heading there every month or so...and of course I always get to squeeze a little visit with my parents. Luckily I have awesome colleagues that also enjoy spending time with them too.

Pictured above are my colleagues and me in front of Jerome Bettis' restaurant and below we are in the lab of our client's facility.

I love my job.

My Bro - The Superstar

My brother Dave amazes me. He has so many passions - everything from family, geography, golf, math, and lastly acting. Acting is his hobby. Whether he is an extra in a film or a lead in a commercial, every part he has is important and he takes a lot of pride in it.

Below is Dave when he was an extra in the opera - Aida. He has met a lot of movie stars in his adventures, and while acting in the opera he met Bruno Sanmartino, a retired WWE wrestler and fellow extra. Here is a picture of the two of them.

Knowing When to Stop

Val and I were playing ball outside yesterday. She gets excited - doesn't always give you back the ball, runs in anticipation for when you will throw it again, and will sometimes overrun the ball because she misjudges it.

Well, yesterday she did just that, misjudged the distance and ran face first into the stone garden wall. She was stunned, dropped the ball, and walked toward me with the saddest face I'd ever seen. We weren't exactly sure what happened - we knew she cut her nose, but didn't notice until a few minutes later that she broke three of her teeth.

As worried parents - we rushed her over to the vet. The vet said, "Don't feel guilty, last week there was a woman that ran her dog over." Val is actually okay now but will have to get those three teeth extracted this week. They said if you had to break any teeth, those were the ones to do it.

She breaks her teeth and then it breaks our heart. Not sure which feels worse.

Visiting the Assenmachers

It was Nathan Assenmacher's baptism on Sunday. We hadn't seen Greg and Deb in over a year, which meant it was our first time meeting Nathan. He was adorable in his white tuxedo and looks just like Greg. Pictured above is Nathan, Greg & Brian, Deb & Sidney, and Sidney.

Now we know where they live so they can't hide from us anymore. We won't be waiting another year to see them again.

A Day with the Molineauxs

We started the holiday weekend with Val's favorite treat - a swim in the Wissahickon. But little did she know that she would be swimming with all the Molineaux boys as well - that is Nick, Wil, Teddy, and Fred the black lab.

Chris (their dad and Brian's good friend & colleague) invited us over for dinner where we had his famous grilled corn and steak filets. We had a great time.

DAMN!!!

What a let down! Can't believe the Flyers lost so bad to the Penguins in game 5. Well, there is always next year and quite frankly, I was pleasantly surprised with how far we actually advanced in the playoffs.

And I have to include the "updated" Penguins logo, which I received via Joe M., as it does make me feel somewhat better. Looking forward to the Flyers 2008-2009 season. Go Phillies!

Green Thumb?

Brian and I bought lots of annuals yesterday and went on a potting frenzy. The picture doesn't do it justice, but now our steps welcome you with the colors and fresh smell of the season. I told Brian I wish I lived across the street so I could look at our front everyday. It's coming along. It's not exactly the way we want it, but well on its way.

We had our first compliment yesterday from a neighbor passing by. While she was looking at our neighbor when she said it, I believe it was directed at us too - since we are connected. At least I hope so.

Good Morning & Good Night Ava

Bob told us that Ava makes them visit our blog every morning when she wakes up and every night when she goes to bed (at least someone is checking it out). She enjoys looking at the pictures and videos of Val. Bob told us that she says, "Shhhh" to the picture of Val sleeping.

Well...this post is for Ava - good morning and sweet dreams!

My 'Manly' Man

A friend of Brian told him that our blog was girly...it was after my posts about 'date night' and 'daffodils and tulips.' I admit it's a little girly, but last time I checked...I am a girl. And eventhough she was joking with him, he asked me one day if I had any manly pictures of him doing manual labor. I laughed because of course the answer was 'no' because I don't go shooting him in action, but this weekend I was going to capture the the moment to prove what a 'manly' man Brian is.

Brian and I tore out our front bush...it involved a few hours of cutting through roots and pounding the stumps with a sledge hammer. We also painted the unsightly electrical line as well so it blends right in. The front is starting to come together.

It doesn't get any better than this!

VS.

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