The Salad Days

Monday, July 17, 2006

Happy Bastille Day a little late! We had another birthday celebration last night. Aunt Lys turned 30! Wow she doesn't look it does she. Drea and I made fresh pasta for she and Aaron and Mom and Dad. It was delicious if I do say so myself.

Lys has the magic touch with Abby...



Everyone enjoyed the sweltering heat in the backyard until dinner was served. In a related development, Drea and I have postponed our European vacation in order to have a pool installed for Abby. Everyone is very happy with the decision...



Hope everyone is well.
Michael Drea and Abby

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

I am pleased to report that Abby and her mom and dad survived her first immunizations, although it was touch and go for a bit. I am now convinced that the debate over which sex is the strongest has now been answered once and for all. Abby took her shots with barely a whimper, I wish I could say the same for myself. After the soreness set in you could tell she didn't feel 100% but came around like a real champ.

Drea has started working a few hours a week so Abby and I get to spend some quality time together. First we watch the tour and then we go for our morning run. Here is she is hetting ready to go.


This usually induces a bit of a nap so dad can get some stuff done.


That's all the news for now, hope everyone is having a great summer! We are off to the park.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006


Happy 4th of July. We were at Nona and Grampa's for a barbecue and thought we would share a picture of Abby in her July 4th outfit.

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hatshownwn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Link

http://www.ushistory.org/Declaration/document/index.htm

It seems appropriate to remember what we are celebrationg in the first place. Above is a link to the complete text. If you haven't read it in a while, do yourself a solid and do so. It is amazing stuff.

Monday, July 03, 2006





We had a very busy weekend, Grampa had a birthday, athough due to confdentiality agreements we can't disclose which one. Lys and Aaron made a great dinner and big fun was had by all. As you can see by the photos, Grampa is pretty proud of his first grandchild.

Saturday included quarterfinal worldcup games and the tour! Whew. You can see by Abby's reaction that she can't believe France beat Brazil. She and Mom are also very happy that I will be cooking tonight.

Thats all for now, Abby and I are exhausted! See you all soon.