Breaking into Metro

Not a whole lot going on around here at the moment, but I thought I’d post some pictures just for the heck of it. We went down to Metro Park again (pretty much our favorite park around here, because it has the least amount of transients and doesn’t smell as bad as some of the other parks). Unfortunately, the gates were all closed to parking, and we were thinking about throwing Paul over the fence, but we found a back way in. We completely disregarded the notion that maybe we weren’t supposed to be there. I mean, come on, it’s a public park (even if it does have razor wire fencing and armed guards).

As you can see, it was (yet another) beautiful day, but a little too hot for November (in the mid-80s). Really no need for sweatshirts or coats, but Paul probably should wear a shirt, even if he does love puffing his chest out.

That’s all we’ve got for now, but maybe we’ll find something else entertaining to do this weekend. Hopefully, because I’m struggling to find something interesting to write about, due to the fact that most of my days are filled with doing things that would put you to sleep if I wrote about them. So if you’re in need of a nap, just let me tell you about what I learned this week…

Remember, Remember... the 8th of November

The weather was a little cooler today and the leaves have fallen off some of the trees, but winter still isn't quite here. With the time change it's been getting dark a little too soon. Paul had to get up early this morning to get stabbed by a mean nurse with a flu shot (you know how cruel and cold blooded nurses are). It was nice to actually get out of the house early on a day off though, it's funny how you actually get to enjoy more of the day when you get out of bed before 10AM.


We went to one of our normal spots - the River Walk downtown. Paul was sporting a new hat today that his mom got from (where else) the Children's Place. Funny though, it looks like he's supporting the Browns, which is unfortunate, because no matter how much support they get, they always lose. I would try to convince him to be a Jaguars fan, but they're not much better.

It was really a beautiful morning, sitting along the river. Paul loved running up and down the walk and pointing at the boats out on the water. Once he gets a word figured out he can't seem to stop saying it. Boat! Boat! Boat! Plane! Plane! Plane! Burrito! Taco! (Yes, I taught him those).

The semester is winding down, with just two weeks left. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and then we'll be home in Montana! Time flies fast.

Grandpa Bill's Visit

Paul's Grandpa Bill visited this last week, and of course, as quick as he got here, he had to go back home. But he did manage to make it around to some fun places, and as usual, Paul's mother documented the daily events by taking so many pictures that our computer almost shut down for lack of space. Thankfully, we bought a new hard drive a while back to hold the photo-overload. So here is a sling, gaggle, pack, herd, or just a group of photos to check out. Obviously, Paul is the subject of nearly every one. And as for me... well at least I made it into a few!

So we had a good time while he was here, and we hope he (and anyone else willing to visit) comes back soon!

Halloween for Paul Pan!

Paul Pan, the lesser known brother of Peter, set out for the mall tonight in search of candy! And so did every other kid in town with parents too lazy to walk the streets. Of course, around here, walking the streets after dark isn't always the best idea anyway. So we went to the indoor mall where we couldn't get rained on. Paul got the hang of it pretty quick and carried his plastic pumpkin bucket up to each store to be filled with candy (or the less exciting sticker or coupon for 15% off his next shoe purchase).

Earlier in the day he and his grandpa carved a jack-o-lantern for the front deck, and he even took his turn digging its guts out. We tried to get some good shots of the costume, but after he got it on he was off like a rocket and didn't hold still for long enough. I'm still disappointed it didn't come with the stupid pointed green hat. But don't worry this time grandmothers, I didn't try to teach him to fly like the real Peter Pan.

So now he has plenty of sugar to consume over the next few days. As if he needs any more energy.

Paul Pumpkin Head

Yeah it's been a few days, so while I've got a couple of free minutes, I'd better post some pictures. Unfortunately I've kind of been locked down at school and I haven't been home at all lately, so we haven't been anywhere to take pictures. But today, Becky, Paul, and Grandpa Bill went to pick out a pumpkin for Halloween.

Looks like there was quite a selection, but Paul was careful to pick the perfect one. Now we just have to repeatedly stab it, rip its guts out, and then set it out on the porch to rot away. Sounds slightly unpleasant. But if there's any luck, maybe it'll be creepy enough to scare that stupid cat away that's been living on our porch for sometime.

Since Paul's grandpa is visiting, hopefully they'll get plenty of photos this week and I'll have more to post about. In other news though, I actually had to get my coat out of the closet this week as we almost had a record low temperature the other day. It got down to 30 degrees!! For you northerners, that's very, very cold.

Another cousin??

Congrats to Paul's Aunt Laura and Uncle Shane for giving him - yet another - new cousin! Rowan Matthew Miller was born yesterday, and if I remember my numbers correctly, was 7lbs 11oz and 20in long! He of course joins the ever expanding Miller clan of Wyatt, Josie, and Morgan, along with the seven hundred family pets they carted to Missouri a few months ago. As you may notice, he was given a strong, intellectual, and courageous name, which will ensure he becomes an esteemed member of his community some day. Rowan is actually a species of decidous trees notable for their red berries... but it's also the first name of the current Archbishop of Canterbury... so it sounds very important. I'm not sure where they got the middle name from, but in Hebrew it means "Gift from God." Of course, Becky could have told you that. Ha... ha.

In other cousin news, Mason is in kindergarten probably making a macaroni necklace right now, Jasmine ate her first birthday cake the other day, which I'm sure was a delightful disaster, and Brooke is holding her head up high and chatting up a storm. Now let's hope Paul gets to meet some of these kids some day!

Double Feature!

Just a couple videos we thought you might enjoy! In the first, Paul shows the Montana blood in him by practicing his bull riding (or frog riding) skills. Does he stay on for the full 8 seconds? Tune in to find out:

Now in this second part of the feature, he goes through extensive testing regarding the functional capabilities of his vestibular system and his body's ability to withstand high levels of gravitational force. Basically, whether he can stand up after spinning in a chair a bunch of times. This training will guarantee that he can at least be an astronaut if the whole professional amphibian riding career doesn't pan out. Let's just hope that whatever space program he signs on for does not require pants.

Stay tuned for more of Paul's adventures in surviving life with his parents!