It's Christmas time in the city...

Yes, I know, it’s been a while. But ‘tis the season to be jolly! And things are looking somewhat like Christmas around here… or at least feeling like it. Against Uncle Ted’s reassurances that snow would never even think of falling in Maryland, we got seventy-eight inches of fresh powder last week. People were snowshoeing through the city and digging tunnels to get out of their front doors. I even noticed that a gaggle of penguins moved in across the street, though most of them were mauled and eaten by the polar bears. Ok, maybe it hasn’t been that bad. Maybe we only got about two inches and it melted off in a day. But it sure looked like winter for a moment. It is, however, cooler than cool, as in… ice cold. We had to buy one of those new inventions - or at least I never saw one in Florida - they call it an ice scraper, I guess? And scraping ice at 5:30 in the morning before work is about as fun as removing your own fingernails with a rusty bottle opener, which I thoroughly enjoy.


Even with the sun out, there's no stopping the blistering cold in these northern lands.

Yes, Paul's thoughts exactly. Why, Mom and Dad? Is warmth really that bad?

Just taking a few driving lessons in preparation for Frank Hotdog's arrival.

Paul and his mother and his winter coat and his mother's winter coat.

Ah ha! I see you trying to hide from the arctic winds!

The Senators are not sleeping in their seats today... they're frozen dead.

Ok, maybe it's not that cold... at least not cold enough to ever dampen this kid's spirits.

And now I've run out of ways to tell you that it's been cold here. Of course, for our western readers, temperatures in the 30's are most likely warm at the moment. But for those of us who were still walking on the beach at this time last year... yes, this is cold enough.

Rally Boys! There's Paul, standing like a stone wall!

Get behind the Virginians! Ah yes, the great state of Virginia. I would never turn my back on the state that I love so much. Ok, that wouldn't be Virginia. In fact, I try to stay out of Virginia if I can, for the simple fact that if you change lanes without signalling on one of their highways, they lethally inject you. They're serious about their traffic laws over there in the south. Which is another funny thing. Today we had to drive north to get to the South. Crazy. We took the short drive over to Virginia to see the battlefield at Manassas, or Bull Run, depending on whether you're a Yankee or a Rebel. Since I'm not a big fan of baseball teams that buy championships with hundreds of millions of dollars (and since I always root for the side that loses), I must be a Rebel. Anyway, here are some of the highlights:

We pretty much have a picture of Paul behind a cannon at every major battlefield in the States. So here is another one. You can see how amused he is.

Here we are, hanging out with General Jackson. This is where he earned is nickname Stonewall, for standing his ground and fighting off them dirty Yanks.

Paul took a moment to bask in the sunlight. It was a little brisk, but an otherwise beautiful Sunday afternoon to spend at the park.

Pick me up, Dad. Yeah, not as easy as it once was. The kid is getting bigger by the day.

And here he is with his mother and younger sibling, still known only as Frank Hotdog.

But it was another good day exploring the sites around the city and yet another battlefield. But we are not done yet, there are plenty more out there, so we'll have plenty more to post about! Just have to get another day off sometime...

California Dreamin'

Last week, Becky and Paul made the long flight across the country to visit her grandparents in San Diego. As can be expected, she took a few pictures during their trip. It looks like they had a great time, eating out, swimming in the pool (in November), going to Legoland and the Zoo, and otherwise just kicking back in sunny Californ-I-A. Check it out:

Gotta see the sights! Checking out the waters at Seaport Village.

Ahhh... warm water, just like Florida.

Shoo fly, don't bother me.

I really have no idea what to say about this one.

Soaring through the sky at Legoland with Grandpa Bill!

Who lives in a Pineapple under the sea? Paul's good buddy, Sponge Bob.

Gotta keep the pool clean.

Well, he had an excellent time with Great Grandpa and Grandma, and when he got off the plane he told me all about it. I'm glad they had fun, and hopefully next time I'll get to go along!

I'm Wolverine! I'm Wolverine!!

Yesterday, of course, was Halloween. So Paul, of course, had to get dressed up. Originally he was going to be Bob the Builder, but we were never able to find a hard hat for him, and he doesn't really watch Bob anymore anyway. So we pretty much just went to Walmart and grabbed whatever costume would fit and that didn't upset him when we asked if that's what he wanted to be. I wanted him to be Michael Jackson, but that was definitely too scary. So here's Paul, as Wolverine!


He didn't, however, like the mask all that well. As you can see, he wasn't fond of it being pulled down over his eyes the way it was supposed to fit. These are also the pumpkins he helped his mother carve. She worked on cutting them up, while he drew all over them (and Uncle Ted's tile floor) with a black marker.


It's not easy being a Super Hero. The troubles of the world weigh heavy on a boy's shoulders. But he must fight on! At least for the candy.

But he never actually went Trick or Treating. He got dressed up, and played in the yard, and then it was rainy and cold. I didn't get home until after 8PM, and there were no kids out walking around. So maybe Halloween just isn't as big here as it was when we grew up. We finally did get a few people ringing our doorbell, but it was just a handful of high school kids (not even in costume) just out getting free candy. I gave them all we had, in hopes that they would leave and not steal my car again. Yeah, Happy Halloween.

The National Blog Post

It was a beautiful fall day here in southern Maryland, and having it on a Sunday meant we all spent it together! We decided to take some cliche "Kid in the Fall Leaves" photos just for this blog. And these were a few that resulted:

When Paul is around, the serenity produced by a cool breeze drifting through the gold and amber leaves on an Autumn day can all too quickly be shattered by continous shrieks of nonsense.

Seriously, Mom and Dad. Seriously? First this silly hat, and now this? Really??

This one was taken specifically for Grandpa Bill.

But the lighting in the yard was not all that we had hoped for, so we decided to head north into the District to the National Arboretum. In D.C. they have the "National" version of everything. They have the National Zoo, the National Mall, the Nationals baseball team, the National Aquarium, the National Traffic Light, the National Parking Space, the National Restroom (including the National Toilet), and this national place for national trees and plants.

When they expanded the National Capitol Building way back in the day, they took down these national columns. Some lady fought for 30 years to have them moved here, and apparently she finally won. We should have worn togas and sat around them in deep thought.

Just a picture of the National Mother and Son... who of course is distracted as usual.

Big Kid definitely says it.

Nothing makes tree and plant watching a little more enjoyable than a nice sucker.

A sloppy Paul kiss for Dad.

We brought along the tripod to try some family shots, as you can see.

Getting this kid to hold still for two seconds is next to impossible. It takes bribes of sugar and threats of weeks in solitary confinement, but occasionally it works.

The sun was bright in this spot.

Yep, that would be Paulie Cheeseburger in true form.

Still brushing off the grass and the leaves.

Hold up, I gotta look cool for my photo.

So it was a great couple of days off, but it's back to work tomorrow! Hopefully the weather is this beautiful next weekend... when it's Halloween time!

The leaves never fell in Florida...

As I write this, Paul is dancing in the window in his underwear. It's just another day here. The leaves are dying off, turning to gold as they go. Becky raked the yard numerous times throughout the week, but as I look out now, I can hardly tell. It's been rainy the last two days, but before that, the warmth of summer was still alive and well. While I was riding in the back of a truck, the other two Maryland Sellers were playing in the yard. These photos were the result:


Is there anything more Fall than rolling in leaves? WARNING: All of our older readers (you know who you are) should not attempt to try this at home without medical personnel standing by.


October means baseball! Paul is gearing up for the World Series... either that, or preparing to whack his mother upside the head.


Here, throw me the ball and watch me drive this thing out of here! Future star left fielder for the, uh... Washington Nationals? Well, you never know.

The winter will be approaching soon and most likely the cold weather will be coming with it, but for now, it's Paul in the Fall.

Where did my time go?

Oh that's right, it went to work. And work is really affecting my ability to update this blog on a regular basis. I guess I need to quit, or take another four months off. Having to work in two back to back weeks is really too much. I just need to find a way to convince the banks that my student loans should be forgiven. Seriously, they could do it just this once. Right. Anyway, here are a few pics from the last few weeks for you all to catch up on.

One weekend (which feels like months ago) we went over to Shenandoah National Park to see the leaves changing color with the arrival of Fall. Incredibly marvelous! Paul was thrilled to walk through the woodlands and drive the twisting skyline highway.

Pause for picture time, Dad.

And then let's add Mom! Oh, and Frank Hot Dog is somewhere in there, but currently hidden from view.

Taking in the view of the rolling mountains along part of the Appalachian Trail.

This one... well, it pretty much says it. But they're missing a T. And please... don't picnick on my arm.

I will take it! I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though... I do not know the way.

The tireless traveler!

I have more pics to share... hopefully sooner than later.