UVA Baseball Youth Field Day

Zoom in and you can see Matthew waving at us. Michael is right beside him.

Below is Matthew and his friends analyzing the game strategy.

Michael enjoying the game.

Matthew and Michael with CavMan.

Matthew's photography work on the fieldtrip

Blacksmith and rifle makers

Could you imagine coming over on this boat!

Yes, this is a female shooting the rifle. The women had to keep the home safe and were the sharp shooters of the family.

Here is an organic piece of meat.

4th grade Jamestown trip

Almost got scammed!!!

Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for this latest scam. It seems to be coming to the east cost and has enjoyed a healthy life on the west coast for almost a year now. My fancy check was for $4,954.00 with the task of spending $50 at Wal-Mart, $40 at the Gap, then wiring $2637.00 via a Western Union transfer and $1463.00 via Moneygram transfer to a "relative" in Canada. By the way, the check should be cashed in my name and then the money should be wired.

All this happens confidentially under the auspice of mystery shopping from the Shadow Shopping Agency in Canada at www.shadowshopper.com. I should then do my duty to rate the service at all locations, fill out the form and then fax to my Chief Assignmet Coordinator, David Hawkins. I must also comply with the code of conduct policy.

Tell everyone you know-don't do it! The check will bounce and then you are out the money but the recipient get's their money since it was wired to them.

Who comes up with this crap anyway?!! There are lots of articles about it on the web so I posted this one because it has the phone number for the attorney general.

Office of the Attorney GeneralAttorney General Stumbo Issues Warning About New Mystery Shopper Scam
Press Release Date: Monday, October 16, 2006
Contact Information: Vicki Glass, 502-696-5643 Office
Attorney General Stumbo announced today that Kentucky consumers are being targeted by a company called Shopping Group, Inc., located in the city of Kitchener in Ontario, Canada.
Shopping Group sends a letter to consumers stating that they have been chosen as a mystery shopper. Enclosed is a check for approximately $5,000. The recipient is instructed to immediately wire $2,500 and send another $1,200 by money gram to an individual in Kitchener. The letter explains that the balance is to pay for expenses, time and the purchase of items from stores assigned to the “shopper.”
“This is a new twist on the old counterfeit check scam,” said Attorney General Stumbo. “Scam artists are sending counterfeit checks and requesting that a portion be forwarded to a foreign address immediately. Consumers who fall prey to this scam not only lose money by sending the funds, but they are pursued by banks to return the funds or be prosecuted.”
Attorney General Stumbo urges all consumers to follow these tips to avoid victimization:
Avoid responding to any notices that seem too good to be true. It only increases your junk mail and your chances of being swindled.
Never wire money to anyone as part of a money-making scheme. If you have to pay in order to take part in the ploy, it is probably an illegal scam.
If you received a promotional check, even if it looks official, contact the Office of the Attorney General at 1-888-432-9257. Never deposit the check and spend the money. You may be held liable for the amount of the counterfeit check by your bank.

you gotta get a weatherbug

http://weather.weatherbug.com/

Not sure if you have one or not, but it is really cool. My Crozet scientist, Matthew Donaldson has introduced me to this evolutionary phenomenon. It even chirps to notify of bad weather. The hall of fame pictures are amazing. Plus it's free, love that!

Day 7-reality strikes and we must return to Virginia

No pictures here but I would like to extend a huge thank you to our families who took so much time to make our trip outstanding. We love each of you and had a fabulous time. See you soon!

XXxxXOOooO
Dan, Melissa, Matthew, Michael, Fritz and Suri

Day 6- Fishing, Sinkhole and sleepover

Here we are trekking through the woods to the sinkhole. It was truly amazing!

In front of the sinkhole.

It is over 200 steps back up to the top. Be sure to pace yourself!

What a house full! For the sleepover we had G&G Huffman, G&G Fink, Bob,Laura, Anna, Bobby, Bob's friend Brian, plus us. We had roasted marshmellows, lots of food, I cut Grandpa's hair, Anna played with Suri and little Bobby watched Barney about 50 times.

Day 6-Let's ride, eat fresh eggs and play!

The little guys were riding, too!

Here is Happy the dog. And she is VERY happy! Getting the fresh eggs out of the hen house.

Uncle Bob takes off on the 2 stroke.

Michael is the blue rider. I think he might have been in 3rd gear here. Too fast!

Matthew is the red rider. Looking good, Matt!

Bobby tried out all the ATVs. He wants to go!

Dude,let's ride...

Day 5-Working at the shop

We had so much fun at uncle Bob's shop. Highlights: New helmets, Grandma Huffman wipes out on the Verucci, Michael wrecks into the fence then does a flip in the air and goes airborne across the yard, the boys got to paint the ATVs. Great fun!

Day 4-Siesta Key-Sunburn & Magic t-shirts

I like to think of Dan as the other white meat. He was snoaring and ended up with a sunburn on his armpits-ouch! That part has not so been funny.

These t-shirts a so amazing. The print is black and white when you are indoors and then turns colors when they hit the sun. I was sold!

Day 3-Busch Gardens-roller coasters,flip flops and white peacock

What a great place to play! The guys did tons of roller coaster riding, got new flip flops, got soaked on the water rides, we saw the amazing Katonga show and a white peacock with its feather spread open. The highlight was when we got stuck in the air on the skyride for about 15 minutes. I cannot lie, I started to get a little scared and thought we might have to pull a survivor man move. How do you get down from there anyway?

The Suri section

Suri and Fritz did so well on the trip. Everyone loves Suri! Thanks to Liesel who took these fabulous pictures.