Free Lessons With Brad

who needs NYC?

Katie And A New Class

 Katie gets bored so she caomes and visits us for a little action. This time we gave her cherry pie, an FBI manhunt and a new dance class.

It's a new breed, some fresh faces, and a new Friday night schedule, one that I will not be attending again. See ya in June. 

Then we wandered about town avoiding the manhunt in our front yard and got tacos, pizza, ice cream and then a street dancer named Brad who epitomizes the East Stroudsburg experience.

Ready To Audition

Went to see the Cadets send-off. I can get away with not going to anything else now this year. Put in my due. Yuula liked it tho.... 

She was ready to audition

Finally got some girls together

Meeting ol' Katie

4 Seconds A Day: November 2013

They're only going to get duller from her on out

Oh! Hey Katie

Katie has a habit to appear abruptly and lurk about for uncertain periods of time, only to disappear into the shadows again, leaving us clueless as to when we'll ever see her again, if at all. 

 She's the one holding Yuula up for this Santa photo op

We shared some delights at Cracker Barrel

We went to see Budd, but he was at home sleeping

We perused Target and did some potential Christmas shopping

An embrace

A sneaky goodbye

...and she's gone again

Well On Her Way To Becoming a Japanese Teen

What better to do on the most frigid day of the year yet, but have the car serviced and wander the shops of Lehigh Valley. Laura needed a new pair of pants and a cell phone case, I wanted to reload on loose teas and German sugar, and Yuula would no doubt find something she wanted.



Before I could even get myself in the doors she had picked this nugget out. Nice product placement JCPenney. Eye level of a toddler never fails. But she still hasn't taken it off and she just went to bed.



We hit a kid's store where she felt the need to accessorize her outfit.



Her sass level was instantly exaggerated.



Over to Disney to stare at all the plush



Showing the big girls how to do style



Laura downloaded some app where you check into stores and get points towards a prizes. A cruise is 64million points. Today she got 30. I'm buying a bathing suit stat!



Yuula killed some butter chicken and rice pudding at Indian Spice

And it's only fitting that I shot the whole day in black and white because it only further accentuates the choices Laura made today in her purchases.

Yes those are florescent orange corduroys and a bright pink phone case. She must be going colorblind.

We visited Katie at YEA! on the way home. Good times catching up, even if the catchup was cluelessness.

Horns In Storms

Such is life. Last year we didn't even make it to a field when the rain spoiled the party. This year we had a sunny shine day only to be followed by torrential bouts of pummeling rain. At least we stayed undercover save only a slightly manic dash from our princess parking to the secret gate, but the heavy rains and us carrying a toddler probably aided in the security not noticing that we were flashing faux credentials that pretty much got us anywhere we wanted in the building. Good thing these guys aren't head of security for something that really matters.

Anyhow, onto our (now) annual drum and bugle outing...

We showed up with perfect timing (lunchtime) so we could immediately begin greeting all the old acquaintances with no awkward waving from afar. Unfortunately, as is always the case, rehearsal started up again very quickly and Yuula had her first taste of up close and personal professional flagging.

I think she liked it.

We took to the field shortly after a brief stint in the field level Toyota suites for some catching up with the Pittman's. Once we were front field I may or may not have made a few adjustments to the program. We'll see how it goes.

She sits where where Victor Cruz salsas

Immediately after ensemble we retreated to the Pittman RV for the AC had been pumping and it was the only choice. A decision to dine on traditional Chinese food was made so we filled up the van with Daniel, Eric and JP Pittman himself and ventured out to find the only place within 100 miles that had more than 1 star rating. It was not easy

But we did, and crab rangoon for all, along with Yuula's first platter of lo mein, which she barely touched. She was sticking to her bottle for now.

Got back to the stadium in the pouring rain and not a soul found outside of shelter. We got into the stadium and must've asked at least 20 "guides" where the Cadet alumni gathering was taking place, even giving clues as to it being in a "west hall" somewhere and everyone looked at us like we were morons. Finally arriving at the 50 yard field level suite called THE WEST HALL (c'mon people) we immediately reunited with the likes of which have not been seen in some time. Photos were taken.

Yuula played bunny catch with Jonathan and some DCI judging elite.

They do have a soft side.

Then we kicked back in our air conditioned booth away from the rain and the humidity. It had to be done.

I think Yuula had more fans than the Cavaliers last night.

Good times folks. See ya next year, and not a moment sooner.

Becoming Luminescent Glee

As is the norm, group shots are always great ideas at their inception with horrific outcomes. Today we have the gang at the secret falls attempting various poses, never simultaneously and Eliot (the setter of timer) barely makes it in for any at all. So add a little muzak and at least it becomes slightly amusing.

Notice my melonhead barely moves at all

Ekki Múkk To Popplagið

We were seeing Sigur Rós that night. Heading to Philly, lunch was first.

Sarah's Corner Cafe for a combination of wraps and claps

then suddenly Curtis needed to buy a sewing machine, good thing we were running early

first timers are easy hazing victims

is this a picnic or a rock show?

got to love a show that's 50/50 standing and lying down

collective mind blowing

they played many of their angrier tunes

Fantastically intimate and quite different than when Laura and I saw them in the Atlanta Symphony Hall back in 2006. Glad I could experience with such great people. Bucket list times two.

recreate it

The Falls Are For Everyone

breakfast the next morning was remarkable thanks to my able-bodied wife

then we led everyone into the woods, with no resistance

the river bed was chilly today

Yuula decided that this was a good place to be

riverside with Daddy

it wasn't long til we were all barefoot

her biggest bath yet

Curtis is commonly overwhelmed by acts of grandiosity

exploring the caves

she'll never want to use her pool again

and a perfect end(ing)