ThE GyPsies

A tender Moment being shared

2010-06-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

Mr Bubble's

2010-05-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

Everett's best trick, according to him, is his ability to blow bubbles with his mouth. He is so good at this trick, as so few are, that he thinks he should show it off all the time.. so he does! Super cute and it gives him a silly nickname!

Mornings with Mr Bubbles are the best, he lays beside me while I drink a cup of coffee and kicks, giggles, talks and blows his bubbles. Most mornings he is so peaceful and happy that we just lay around until Dad gets back from work, which is nice because most nights we don't find much sleep!

Looking at this little monkey blowing his milk bubbles as I type I can't help but feel like I have the cutest, sweetest and by far the funniest Mr Bubble in the whole world! How did we get so lucky??!

Too Much Milk on NEw YeaRs EvE!

2010-01-03T00:11:00.000-08:00

Goodbye Belly

2009-12-26T20:09:00.000-08:00

Everett lost the remains of his umbilical cord last night! Growing up so fast.

OuR VeRy MeRrY ChRisTmAs.

2009-12-26T04:16:00.000-08:00

REmembrance and New Beginnings

2009-12-11T22:52:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQXm66EKb3M

EveReTT CoMInG SooN!!!!!!

2009-11-29T20:46:00.000-08:00

NeW PreGnaNcY PhoTOs

2009-10-12T22:01:00.001-07:00

My beautiful and amazing wife!!!!!!

HomE = UtaH!!!!

2009-10-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

Being away from Utah (aka home) for the last two years has been an interesting journey. The search for a new place to call home is kind of like a corn maze (happy Halloween everyone!) with no destination and certainly no candy. Not having a place to call home can be a vacant and unsettling feeling. Something always seems to be either missing or far too prevalent. Now that we are home it feels like everything is in its harmonious place; the seasons, holidays, family, friends, food, etc. all seem to serendipitously fall into their natural order/cycles-so much so that if you aren't careful things can pass without notice or question. Every other place seems to be filled with questions and concerns that confront the issue as to why it isn't representative of home. I guess nothing teaches appreciation like losing even the most simple of things. Things once taken for such granted. The law of opposition at work I suppose ("don't know what you've got until you've lost it." and all that jazz). Now Gretel and I are making a special effort to absorb the things around us. To acknowledge the simple beauties of Utah, the laugh of a friend, and the warmth of a life adorned by family, a drive up the canyon, a car filled with memorable music and the familiarity of roads traveled a thousand times over, as opposed to monotone instructions of a GPS. I suppose the necessity of a GPS altogether signifies that somewhere in your life you are lost-either literally or metaphorically. Finally, ours has been silenced. As a wise man once read to me, "Home is in the teeth." Also, the first song on our playlist has never seemed more appropriate. Here are the lyrics:

"In Your Eyes"

love I get so lost, sometimes
days pass and this emptiness fills my heart
when I want to run away
I drive off in my car
but whichever way I go
I come back to the place you are

all my instincts, they return
and the grand facade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside

in your eyes
the light the heat
in your eyes
I am complete
in your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
the heat I see in your eyes

love, I don't like to see so much pain
so much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away
I get so tired of working so hard for our survival
I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive

and all my instincts, they return
and the grand facade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside

NeW PhOTostreAM!!!! ThE StoRy OF Us

2009-09-13T11:24:00.001-07:00

Gretel @ 25 Weeks!!!!

2009-09-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

New BAby Bump Photos! So exciting!!!!!

2009-07-20T07:17:00.001-07:00

Rodents and Marsupials R Us!

2009-07-20T07:09:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of the latest addition to our eclectic family. He has now joined the ranks with the the silver back gorilla, the possum in the yard, the chipmunks in the ceiling, the giant rat under the dog house, the mice downstairs. Apparently we are Philly"s Ark ;)

More NewFys and FaIrMounT PArK

2009-07-03T11:44:00.000-07:00

New Baby-Belly photos

2009-07-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

Swiming in Schuylkill

2009-07-02T12:32:00.000-07:00

We thought we'd see him do some swimin' on his own today so we went to Fairmount Park! Clearly he hated every second of it.. poor thing!

New Penn Delaware Club -Water Rescue Training!

2009-07-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

We took Atticus to Blue Mash Lake to the training day for the newfs water rescue to see what it was all about and see if he would act interested.. He DID! He got so excited and panicked anytime any of the trainers would call for help, he would bark nonstop and try to get into the water to help. He watched every dog take their turn, not so patienly, with total focus and seemed he knew what his job was. He did not actually do any of the training but did get to swim some and now were are sure this dog needs to take some water rescue courses of his own!

It's a BOY!!

2009-06-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I have been lazy but now I have added some markers and some explanations to the latest ultrasounds. Maybe it will help to make a little more sense out of what you are looking at. This first picture shows a great front view of the baby, his head at the top and yes he is smiling!
The arrows on this picture show where his legs are, he is sitting legs folded. The red mark shows..well..why he is a he!
This is a side shot of his head and the arrow marks the babies hand, it looks like he is sucking his thumb.

13 Weeks and COUNTING!

2009-06-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, here are some pictures of my growing belly. Its seems more so the past three or four days. In three more days..long days..we head back to Dr. Bailey and with any luck we will know the sex!

10 Week 3 Days!!

2009-05-30T19:03:00.000-07:00

The ultrasounds are getting so exciting, lots of movement and definition. The doctor also told us that in three more weeks he will be able to tell us the sex.. WOW, this will be a long three weeks!

HaPPy BiRtHDaY tO AttICuS!!!!!!

2009-05-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

It's true, Sir Atticus of Ainslie turns two today! Atticus, as I am sure many of you know, is my velcro. The second we got Atticus, we were smitten (me probably a little more...with "a little" being an understatement). A little bear cub that hated us for two days until finally feeling comfortable enough to roll over onto his back and snore. Little did we know this combination would soon become his trademark (Snoring and sleeping © of Atticus Industires). He has grown into a beautiful animal (sometimes resembling a bear and others a silver back gorilla...others a pain in the ...) and over the course of two years Atticus has become my partner in crime, my amigo, and aside form Gretel, my best friend. He is a constant companion, albeit a filthy, shedding companioin, but literally one that keeps me sane in an otherwise insane Philadelphia. Now that Atticus is two and Gretel is pregnant, he has made the sacred journey into manhood. He is gentle giant with Gretel (although I am still fair game for a little roughing up), and has begun to guard our house with pride, something he has never done until Gretel became prgnant. We are not sure if he would ever do anything, but let me tell you...it is a frightening sight if he doesn't approve of you approach to the house. As Lord Byran brilliantly stated about his Newfoundland, Atticus too is "Beauty without Vanity,Strength with out Insolence,Courage without Ferocity,And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices." So Happy birthday Handsome!! We love you and would be lost without you!!!!!

oNe YeAr DoWn. Woo Hoo!!!

2009-05-17T11:51:00.000-07:00

It seem as if yesterday we moved to Philly, went to sleep, and woke up a year later. Time is literally moving at the speed of light. The first semester was a little rough (a little being a huge understatement), but this past semester was a blast! I absolutely adore my cohort...I really think I have made some life long friends here. My teaching assignments have been fantastic and I am happy with my academic performance as well. However, there will be one big change next year (as you know from the previous post). We will have a baby! Now I know having a baby during comprehensive exams may not have been the best plan, but we are thrilled!

One down and one to GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm pregnant!

2009-05-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

So the first couple of weeks things were great no morning sickness, sweet!! Really what else could you ask for? That was short lived, not only do I have morning sickness... I have all day, all night and in between sickness. Food is a thing of the past, and vitamins?.. RIGHT! I think it took me five hours yesterday to convince stomach it was okay. Driving myself to work makes me car sick, not the best way to start out a day of work. With any luck this will pass in a week or so and I can spend more time being excited.
I am not the only one with growing excitement. Wes is so funny with the whole thing, his concerns started with the logistics of it all(anybody knowing Wes would not be surprised by this). For instance: "so.. how do you get a newborn home from the hospital?" and "what size of diapers will we need?". These are things I don't typically worry about but for someone having not so much experience its very understandable and very cute. I love it, I love when he wants to look at baby clothes and furniture and when he leave the room for ten minutes and returns with several more name ideas(good ones too!). The thing I have loved the most was hearing the heartbeat, yes I got emotional(I'm sure if you ask Wes this is not a surprise at this point but what can I say) but it truly was the highlight..so far. The due date? WOW, the 24th of Dec.. I know, I know, not so ideal for someone who works in retail but really a little too late to change this. No promises but the doc and nurses are sure its a boy..So much more to look forward to and and I feel like I will explode with the excitement, all I can say is ITS ABOUT TIME! Here a some pics until next time.

GrEteL is PrEgnaNt!!!!!!!

2009-05-13T11:06:00.001-07:00

More coming soon....

Atticus is sick

2009-03-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

Well, last night Atticus developed a hotSpot on his back leg. We took him to the the vet today and had him treated but he cannot seem to stop itching and biting himself impetuously. So tonight Atticus gets to wear a cone on his head. As the joke goes, "He can't lick or bite himself, but his hearing has improved!"

hAppY BiRTHdaY 2 GrEteL

2009-02-16T15:13:00.002-08:00

Love you baby! Now where's the cake?!

SHiPwReCkeD iN PhILLy

2009-02-11T07:43:00.000-08:00

For all of your Newfoundland dog needs...
http://lewisandclarknewfoundlands.wordpress.com/

Superbowl

2009-02-10T13:45:00.000-08:00

Once again, I may be reading into this a bit too much, but for two people who are not all that into sports, we certainly are having impacts on the places we live(d) (I know, I am stretching a little with the Steelers; technically should be the Eagles). Just want to let the franchises out there know that Gretel and I are available for full time work as good luck charms (and no, you can't cut off our feet; that's just cruel).

UrBAn SceneS

2009-02-06T16:10:00.000-08:00

HappY NeW Year EvErYoNE!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-31T17:34:00.001-08:00

Hope 2009 brings everyone love, luck, and happiness!

Philadelphia Parking Authority...or the "PPA."

2008-12-30T12:13:00.001-08:00

So for anyone who has seen that show "Parking Wars", the one about the Pennsylvania Parking Authority, should also know that the show is not dramatized for television; it really is that big of a problem. Literally the PPA (or in other words, disenfranchised, poor city employees) take money from other poor, disenfranchised people, who then give it to the wealthy city, who then re-distributes almost nothing back into the city it originally robbed from. This is a fairly easy conclusion to draw because most of the city looks third world/or like an underdeveloped state. The roads are terrible, the southeastern transportation authority (SEPTA) is extremely expensive (free to college students in Utah), garbage up to you ankles clutters the streets, and the residential buildings surrounding the city do not look like they need re-development, but rather burned to the ground. Yesterday Gretel and I had the “privilege” of being ticketed by one of these faux officers. We parked under a sign that stated, “Free two hour parking, except Saturday and Sunday.” We walked into a shop and three minutes later we were given a ticket of 26 dollars. I asked the officer why? The meters are turned around backwards (as if out of commission), and the sign states free two hour parking. He explained to me in a very self-assured way that the sign meant we are “free” to “pay” for two hours. Imagine that…free parking as long as you pay! I may not be the most intelligent person in the world, but by my standards that qualifies as an oxymoron. The officer then said, “Have you seen my show?” Outfitted with a huge smile, he further detailed his celebrity status to us. I asked him if I was supposed to feel better about being robbed by the city because somebody follows him around with a camera. I suppose his answer was yes, because all I got was laughter and a real clever comment,"I see your not from around here... well,welcome tho Philly." We certainly were having one hell of a time together. I then called to contest the ticket and after being hung-up on several times somebody finally did their job and held the line. Apathetically, the women gave me a hearing date of April 23rd. I responded by saying, “so we get to pay the ticket regardless of our hearing, considering we only have 15 days to pay it.” She said no, but that she also couldn’t guarantee that I would not be towed at the tune of two thousand dollars (which would then have to be contested as well through a separate division). So that is how Philly does it; they charge you 26 dollars or half of most people’s daily pay and then require more of your time to contest the injustice. So you lose the initial money, and then get to miss work, throw more good money at bad money, wait four months, and maybe, just maybe you will get your chance to re-appropriate your citizenship and re-collect your 26 dollars. Meanwhile, I suppose we will all thank our lucky stars we have a reality show that perpetuates theft from faux badges adorned with celebrity smiles. Philly, you’re the best!

"But thus do I counsel you, my friends: distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful!" (Frederick Nitsche)

Merry Christmas!!!!

2008-12-25T20:07:00.001-08:00

Gretel, Atticus, and I had a great Christmas together, but there was one big downfall. When Santa realized our chimney-less situation and the size of Atticus, he gave us the Tom Brady treatment and hail married our gifts through the window. Gretel was less angry over the window, but she was furious at the arctic temperature in the house; I on the other hand was just impressed by his arm. Seriously, Santa may be in the wrong business. Regardless, Santa was still quite generous and we received just about everything on our wish list (eachother) with the exception of a girlfriend for Atticus and a new window. Atticus was soooo excited to open up his gifts; continually asking us..."just one more Dad, PLLLLEEEEAAAASSSSE, just one more." O.k., the tone may be off a little,but when the time was right he opened his gifts with such enthusiasm you would have thought we soaked his new blanket and bed in beef bullion. The wrapped bones were o.k., but the thrill of the wrapping paper was out of this world. Gretel and I spent a very slow and well deserved lazy day together, which got me thinking; how much longer do we have to play grown up? If it is going to be a while, I suppose we will continue to make the best of it. We hope you all have had a great Christmas as well and look forward to another year shared with those we love. We miss you all. -ThE GyPsies

The EnD oF a SemEsTeR, FaMiliAr FaCeS, aNd CHriStmAs

2008-12-20T13:32:00.001-08:00

Over the past two months or so, Gretel and I have become two ships passing in the night. With Holiday hours, Gretel's days are long and demanding and with my semester ending, I confronted my first series of finals and grade submissions for my T/A - adjunct work. We both are looking forward to Christmas coming and going, so that we can finally feel like a family again. Although weakend due to stress, we remain strong and united; needless to say, Atticus Boo is the "gorilla" glue that binds us.
Also, Joel Larson (the "JBL") and Courtney "Sauna" Echols, recently flew East and visited. We celebrated Joel's 27th birthday by touring Independence hall, the birth place of the United States, and the Liberty Bell; WOW, What an amazing experience! Humbled, we both sat in the very halls once occupied by George Washington, Franklin, Hancock, etc.,etc.,etc., as they drafted the Declaration of Independence and later the Constitution of the United States. Nearly two and a half centuries later, both the Hall and the Bell continue to demand respect and signify freedom.
..........Oh ya, I passed my classes too!!!!!

Phillies

2008-11-03T18:36:00.001-08:00

Imagine that....The Phillies have not won a world series in nearly three decades and as soon as we show up they become the World champions. Then we cast the first vote of our lives that actually means something to us, and the candidate elect is one we actually want. We may be reading into this a little....but I am pretty sure the city of Philadelphia owes us something!!!!!!!

GrAtItUde & FamiLy

2008-10-16T21:41:00.000-07:00

Gretel and I have been extremely busy ever since we set foot on the soil where so much of this great Nation was founded. From the untouched country of Fairmount Park, free Bruce Springsteen concerts, Obama rallies, the world series, to the Capital building where chumps like Benjamin Franklin once hung their hat and drafted irrelevant documents, Philadelphia has a little something for everyone . . . yes, even Joe six-pack and Joe the plumber (I love you McCain).
Things here have been chaotic and stressful lately, but we feel it is important to take a moment and express our love and gratitude to all our family who we dearly miss and love. Thank you for your support and simple conversations that carry us through each week.
Work seems to be going great for Gretel. Her management skills are second to none. Her influence and success is apparent in every store she touches. Accumulating friends who love her that literally stretch across the country and continue to seek her guidance and friendship in so many aspects that truly transcend the business of retail. I am so proud of her and to be with her. I love you momma.
School here is stressful, yet brilliant. Everyday seems to be an adventure. My adjunct professor work is painstaking some days and others it is incredibly rewarding. Most of the time I feel like Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day. One of these damn days I will know that I got it all right because Atticus will be chasing a big, fat, fury groundhog in the yard rather than a rat-tailed possum who cleverly plays dead all the time (a defense mechanism that may very well defy “intelligent design”). The professor/teaching assistant thing is still an uncomfortable mask to wear or role to take on, but I am confident that I am learning more than my students; still not sure if that is a good thing . . . The learning curve here at Temple is steep, but I am honored to be a part of such a prestigious and progressive program. GO OWLS!!!!!!!!

Philly/GPS/a day in paradise

2008-09-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

So after moving to Sandpoint, Idaho (just below Canada) for six months Gretel and I turned around and moved to Tucson for a Job opportunity. On our way through Utah I opened up my email account and saw that I had been accepted to Temple University's Broadcast, telecommunications and mass media program. So we continued down to Tucson knowing that in six months we would be traveling cross country with our two thousand pound silver-back Gorilla that only the insane would consider a "dog." So we can now say that we are somewhat well traveled going from border-to-border and nearly coast-to-coast. Close enough; give us a break!!!! Gretel and I like to think that we were always going to Philadelphia, we just wanted to take the long route. I suppose it is that kind of thinking that keeps us from crying in a dark corner.
Philadelphia is overwhelming and culturally shocking but we are doing our best to adjust. The Gas company still does not seem to make it a priority to supply us with luxuries such as a warm shower or a freakin stove to cook on! Got to love it. Customer service is a thing of the past and so is our sanity. We are now honking the hell of our car horns, chewing people out and getting chewed out. Gotta love the city of "brotherly love."
We have officially acquired a new pet. It is a 30 plus pound Possum that is living in backwoods wilderness of urban Philly. HA! No Kiddin! Atticus is not sure if he wants to be friends or if he should fatally injure him. Either way it may be the only animal he can keep up with. Finally we understand the phrase "playin' possum."
School is overwhelming too. If graduate school is not difficult enough I am T/A for four classes that are keeping me extremely stressed. Gretel is commuting to and from work so she is learning the city in a hurry, no thanks to that worthless GPS we bought. The other day we typed in the route to Costco and rather the miles being counted down to our destination... they were adding up???? The good news is We saw New Jersey (more tears in the corner). Gretel and I both knew we were on the east coast when the GPS lady told us our first three directions and the fourth command was to go "f" ourselves. Pretty sure she honked my own horn at me!
As we settle in we will keep everyone updated. Also, when we are done being worked over from all of our grown-up obligations we will take some photos of the city to add to the site.
Love and miss you all.....