all the news that isn't

[nggallery id=92]

And I know animated GIFs are all the rage, so here’s one for you.

I know all of you felt listless these last few days, since this very blog has been not working.

Actually, I just noticed this morning. Don’t know exactly how long it’s been down (other than some time after my Dec. 9th post). Odd. I was a bit worried as it was showing a database error. And while I do a weekly backup of the blog content, I’m a bit lax on backing up the all important SQL database.

I share because I know you care.

Anyway, after looking into it, it appears somehow a space was entered into the database password in my config file, so the solution was as quick and easy as the delete key.

So if you made it through all that, here’s a small reward. Last night we went to the local county zoo to check out their Christmas lights. It’s not quite the same without snow (are you listening, Mother Nature???!!!), but it was a nice little venture out.

Peacocks sleeping in the trees!

My beautiful wife!

Here’s a long-ish video (and big, i.e. might take a while to start playing) of Mal walking (aided) to the nearby park and then playing on one of the playsets.

Apologies for the shakiness – I was walking backwards and pushing a stroller at the same time. Once it’s playing you can go full-screen via the icon in the lower right-hand corner.

But it wasn’t the Fourth of July. This was yesterday.

[nggallery id=91]

We made this past weekend a long one and spent a couple days down the shore on Long Beach Island. Here are some photos, including a couple of the intrepid photographer, like this one reading one of his favorite books!

We visited the beach.

And we ate seafood. This was at our favorite, Pinky Shrimp’s. Love the neon sign. Even brought some lobster bisque home with us.

When we visited a lighthouse, we tried out the ergo with the not-used-before kid-on-the-back style. Kid seemed ok with it.

The Barnagut lighthouse.

It’s 217 steps to the top. Whew! Atlantic Ocean to the left, bay to the right.

Cooled off with a stroll out the jetty.

Did a little shopping and caught this self-portrait.

Family (self-)photos are always a hoot.

With water on both sides, both sunrises and sunsets were great.

Almost didn’t think we’d fit Mal in…

We’re spending a long weekend renting a house “down the shore” (on Long Beach Island) as we would say in these parts. Our first time here, a bit embarrasing it’s taken us this long. Adrienne has already scouted out all the seafood and custard places to do quality checks on. And as I type this I’m listening to my music stored on my server back home. Aren’t Squeezeboxes cool?

It’s a beautiful day so we decided on a picnic at a park we hadn’t yet visited. Also tried Mallory in the swings for a second time, but she still wasn’t a fan. We shall try again later!

[Editor’s note: this is obviously primarily posted for the benefit of those that weren’t there!]

We started our vacation by flying into Ohare. Mal turned out to be a decent flyer, even if she didn’t take the nap we were hoping she would. After acquiring a car through a pre-planned drop/swap, we made our way to Wheaton to visit Grandma Wilson.

We ate lunch. It was great to share some time together.

Then we made our way to Milwaukee (with the mandatory stop at Mars Cheese Castle on the way there) where we stayed the night with friends. We all slept very well after a long day (air travel with a kid is like that).

The next morning we were on our way to Madison to pick up sister Andrea. A planned lunch stop in Portage, WI (an hour north of Madison) allowed us to meet up with another friend of David’s. We spent the rest of the day driving north to Clam Lake, WI and arrived about 7:30pm.

The next days were spent just enjoying the company of family and, well, watching the kids do their thing.

For Mallory, it was a chance to explore new toys.

And new people.

We went for a hike.

And a bike ride (first time!)

Optical fashion was explored.

As was Americana.

Family photos were acquired.

And Mallory visited a beach and went swimming for the first time.

She loved it!

It was great to spend time together, and a part of me can’t help but wish we could always be on vacation in beautiful places and with friends and family. But then I wonder what we would do to get away from it…

Since we ignored the advice about waiting until the kid is one year old for bike rides, we figured we’d also ignore the advice about helmets. And most of our riding was on loose gravel roads. Down hill.

She loved it!

Adrienne on the other hand…

(as always, click on the photo for a biggie version)  All but this one, in which I think Mallory is just making a funny face:

We missed the Bloomfield Memorial Day Parade due to Mal’s nap schedule, but they had some post-parade festivities on the town green, including a free picnic lunch. With a long line. I guess that’s what you get with free. We chose to observe but not participate.

We haven’t used the stroller much yet (opting for the ergo-baby), but used it today due to the heat. I don’t want a hot little kid saddled up next to me!

We enjoyed some shade for a bit, and Mallory even pulled herself up to standing with no help. But no, she’s not crawling yet. We think she’s going to skip that phase.

We also skipped the free lunch because we knew we had eats at home. Is it just me, or are Johnsonville brats not the same as I remember them growing up? They seem smaller to me, and much more pink.

Later in the afternoon our neighbors invited us over for an ad-hoc (kiddie) pool party. A first for Mallory. After a minute or two of adjusting to the cool-ish water, she was happy to sit and enjoy sucking on toys.

Mallory even got a grape Popsicle. She tore through that like nobody’s business.

Later in the evening we succumbed and I put the ACs in. We hit 90 and significant humidity today. At least they’ll be in for the next heat streak. Happy Memorial Day!