Jim enjoyed a wonderful opportunity to provide childcare services for Michaela for two days this week. As part of this time he accompanied Lexi and Michaela to the Rockville Centre Public Library for "Rhyme Time," a special program for babies and toddlers.
Michaela has grown so much! And she shared her newest communication skills. See the first video clip below.
Michaela strikes a pose on the floor while Granddad snaps the picture.
Michaela plays with her alphabet game, a gift from Carly.
Michaela enjoys dinner and conversing with Granddad.
Michaela and Lexi enjoy "Rhyme Time" at the Rockville Centre Library.
Barbara added a touch of fall color and esprit to the front of the house this past weekend. Looks great! Fall is our favorite season. Do a left click to see the colors in all their glory.
Wow! The Tribe now leads the Red Sox 3-1 in the ACLS series of seven games. Again Jacobs Field was a place of bedlam as the crowd cheered the Indians to victory. The 5th inning was particularly exciting as the Tribe's bats came alive for a 7 run scoring marathon that began with a homer by Casey Blake. Jessica, Jeff, Barb and Jim cheered, hollered and generally whooped it up!
Quote of the day: "There are two types of people in baseball; those who are humble and those who are about to be." -Clint Hurdle, Manager Colorado Rockies
Barb, Jessica and Jeff celebrating another run scored. Casey Blake batted twice in the 5th inning. Here he makes his second hit much to the delight of Tribe fans.
On Monday, October 15, Jen, Tom, Barb and Jim helped cheer the Indians on to a second win over the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series. Final score: 4-2. Go Tribe! The last out. Jason Veritek pops out to Casey Blake at third base. Indians win!
Last Friday evening, October 5, we witnessed the victory thanks to tickets Carly procured in the Indians' lottery. (Thank you Carly!) It was a remarkable pitcher's battle with defining moments such as in the 8th inning when Grady Sizemore stole home on a wild pitch to tie the game at one each. In the top of the 9th inning, the Yankees had two outs and a player on base when power hitter Alex Rodriguez stepped to the plate. He faced the Indians' Fausto Carmona who had pitched the entire game and had a pitch count just in the low 100s. In a drama that had fans holding their breath, Carmona threw eight pitches to A Rod resulting in a three and two count. Then Carmona threw a ninth pitch. A Rod swung and missed and Jacobs Field erupted. Amazing! The Indians finally won 2-1 in the 11th inning when the Indians had the bases loaded and Travis Hafner hit a line drive to right center.
(Photo hint: Left click once to enlarge photos to full screen.)
The Bob Feller statue at Jacobs Field sports an "It's Tribe Time Now" shirt. Jen, Dave, Lois and Barb show their spirit. "I can't bear to watch," says Lois. "Tell me what happens." Tom and Carly cheer the Tribe on to victory. The 7th inning stretch at Jacobs Field.
The weather was picture perfect in Cleveland on Sunday, September 30, as Carly, Tiffany and Barb helped Jim celebrate his birthday at a delicious brunch at Hecht's in Ohio City. Then, Jen and Tom joined Barb and Jim in the Dawg Pound at Cleveland Browns Stadium. They watched the Browns defeat the Baltimore Ravens 27-13. Jim tried his hand at some sports photography as seen below. Left click on each photo to increase to full screen size.
Big Dawg leads the Dawg Pound in a cheer for the Browns. The Browns' Jamal Lewis scores a touchdown with a one yard run in front of the Dawg Pound. Kellen Winslow (University of Miami alum) makes a 49 yard reception at the 3 yard line in front of the Dawg Pound. The "Bone Lady" is a Dawg Pound regular attendee. Jen enjoys the Browns' win over the Ravens.
The weekend of September 15-16 was LOTS of fun! On Saturday evening we attended Carly and Tiffany's 2nd Annual Clambake. The event featured not only delicious clams but also marvelous lobsters (many lobsters!), mussels, potatoes and corn on the cob, all cooked to succulent perfection in a process that featured a fire pit in Carly and Tiffany's brand new and spacious patio. The food was cooked in the pit with seaweed to add moisture and flavor. Plus, the menu also included chicken and sausage cooked on an outdoor grill. Everything was very delicious and the atmosphere was wonderfully festive!
Then, on Sunday, we watched the Browns beat the Bengals 51-45 in an offensive showdown in Cleveland Browns stadium. (Only the third game in NFL history in which two opposing quaterbacks each threw five TD passes.) We expected clouds and perhaps even some rain. But the sun came out early on in the game and stayed with us to watch the action. A great time was had by all at both events.
Tiffany and Carly move lobsters from the cooking pit to platters. Pulling seaweed out of the pit after the cooking. Jen, Tom, Carly, Anne and Barb in the kitchen giving the delicious feast its final preparartions. Jessica and family. Sam, her Dad, served as the grill chef. Tiffany with her Mom, Laura (left) and her Aunt Pam. Don gives Becky some tips on how to eat lobster while Joe has second thoughts. Preparing the buffet line. Barb and Carly strike a pose. Unveiling the pit.
