More From Fathers Day & Monthly Family Dinner

Here are a few more pictures from Fathers Day & Monthly Family Dinner.
Getting Ready for the big day
This is a comfy place to sit.
Kate looks a little embarassed...I swear it's in their blood.
Maggie's handy work
I did not do it...It was either the 2 year old or the 4 year old...but it wasn't me.

Fathers Day & Monthly Family Dinner

This weekend was another busy one, but it was fun and hectic. On Saturday, my buddy Noah, my father and I moved my Dad's neighbors (Keith & Lisa) swing set from their yard to our back yard. Although Charlotte is still a little to young to try it out, we had to take it now because Keith's and Lisa were sick of looking at it (Their 3 kids are all older). It actually took us a lot less time to move it thanks to the help of Noah and his snow mobile trailer...We were able to move it to our house Saturday Morning and then move it into its final place on Sunday when we had a little more muscle.
As you can see, Kate and Michael had loads of fund trying the slide out once we had it in place.

Thanks again to Keith & Lisa for the swing set and to Noah and Dad for their help moving it.

Saturday Night Chris, Charlotte and I went up to the Malta Drive-In to see Click and The Breakup. Needless to say, I think we are going to wait until next summer to take Charlotte to another Drive-In. I'll spare you the details except to say, we missed 95% of click and I fell asleep during The BreakUp...Oh Well.

On Sunday, my family came to my house for the monthly family dinner/Fathers Day. The Menu was Chicken on the grill, potato Salad, Fruit Salad, Toss Salad, Green Beans and for desert...Oatmeal cake. After dinner and cake, the boys helped me finish up with the swing set and then it was a afternoon of playing on the swings, chatting about Amy and Sean's wedding and flying little wood planes...Until Maggie got hold of the plane

Of course we can't forget about the frequent trips across the street to see if people could fine some free treasures.

Happy Summer Everybody

As you can see I'm all ready for the sun...Happy Summer Everybody!!!! I hope to see you all a lot this summer.

Love, Charlotte

Fathers Day 2006

My first Father's Day weekend was busy and a lot of fun. Not only did I get to enjoy my first Father's Day with Charlotte and Chris, but on Saturday, the three of us travel down to Elmira, NY for Chris's 10 year class reunion at Elmira College. We rode through some rain on the way down, but once we got there, the sun came out and temperature went up, up, up. It was nice catching up with Chris's friends.

After a afternoon picnic next to Cowles Hall and a quick visit to Mark Twain's Study it was off to a activity that is inevitable when the majority sex of the group is women...Shopping.

The next morning (Father's Day) we checked out early and went back to campus for breakfast. After that it was a quick trip to the school store and then back to Albany.

Back at home the three of us spent the day hanging out enjoying my first Father's Day. For Dinner, it was off to "On the farm in Latham, for some Dogs, fries and ice cream. A great way to end my first Father's Day.

More Picture's from the Weekend

Here are some more pictures from Chris's family visit.

Hi Granpa, my name is Charlotte.
Granpa and the girls.
Maggie taking in the excitement.
After a few days, the family went back to Ohio and Aaron and Maggie caught up on some sleep.
And so did Charlotte.

The Buckeyes Pay a Visit

Chris's family from Ohio paid us a visit over the weekend. It was good to see everybody and it was great that Charlotte finally got to meet Chris's family. Here are some pictures.
Hi Aunt Amy, my name is Charlotte
Allison
Rachel
Cutie Caitlin
Caitlin and Granpawww

Time to eat some real food!!

Charlotte had her 4 month doctor appointment last week. Charlotte is up to 10 lbs 2.5oz and 22 inches long. The Doc is very pleased with her development. He also gave us the ok to start her on some
"real" food. Here are some pictures of Charlotte's first taste of rice cereal. This stuff looks "so good". Obviously she loved it.

The Definition of Indecency Please

According to ABC News, "the Senate voted unanimously late Thursday night, without fanfare, to raise the fines the FCC can levy against broadcasters by a factor of 10".

Am I the only one that is scared by this law? This law is basically saying that I cannot make the decision myself as to what is indecent so the government is going to make it for me. Even if I don't think something is indecent, the government is saying (with this law), you are wrong the show is indecent and you shouldn't watch it....wow. AND, they don't define what is indecency is so broadcasters have no idea what they can or cannot get fined for...A typical bureaucratic move. Yes, there has always been indecency laws in this country, but with this law, they are resticting more of what we can watch and hear by increasing fines.

Now you all know I have a daughter and when she gets older I don't want her watching shows with sex or violence. But I do understand that it is my responsibility to know what she is watching and to utilize tools, like the V-Chip to filter shows when I may not be in this room. But I don't need the government to be a big brother and tell me what is good and bad. Let broadcaster police themselves.

It's amazing that some of the same people in congress/senate that support this law, also voted to repeal the Brady Law. Yep, it seams indecency is more dangerous to children then guns. I didn't know Janet Jackson's boobs killed more kids then guns. I can now got to Wallmart and buy a gun, but I won't be able to watch indecent program (whatever that is) on TV.

Yep, we have all these serious issues in our country such as: The bird flu, the Iraq war, Social Security, Health Care, Education, Gang Wars and Drug abuse, etc, etc; And over the last week the clowns in the senate have decided to work on more "important" issues such as Gay marriage, Flag Burning and Indecency. Apparently they are worried more about taking our rights away then solving the real problems of our country.

Incedently, The Indecency legislation was sponsored by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan. If you don't know much about Sammy, you should read a article in Rolling Stone Magazine....Wow, talk about scary!!!!

The Weekend is Over...But the Spending Has Just Begun

Monday, May 28th, was pretty laid back...Relaxed in the morning then took a trip over to to Jumpin' Jacks in Scotia, NY. On Tuesday, since I had to go back to work, you would think I would take it easy and try to get back into some sort of routine...WRONG!!! Chris and I decided to trade in the Jeep and buy our first family vehicle...a 2006 Toyota Sienna LE...otherwise known as a Minivan. I never thought I would see the day when I would actually be excited about getting a van!! Part of the excitement was getting rid of the Jeep (it had been in the shop 4 times since last summer) and part of it was getting a new vehicle. Now we should have plenty of room for are long trips to Ohio, Myrtle Beach, Maine, etc, etc.

Here are some Pictures of the van:

Front View
Back
Notice my couch is now in the garage. Yes we bought a new couch too...No one can ever say we didn't do our share to support the economy.

More of My Busy Week

Ok, I'm finished with my rant about the Yankees for now so I'll continue with my busy Memorial Day weekend.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Saturday, we took a trip over to Crossgates Mall for the Hull/Sgambelluri picture. They took five poses, but this one was by far the best. It's amazing, but it seams like yesterday it was just the five of us....We are now up to 11 and counting. You can see the other poses at Joanmartha.com.

After the picture, we went up to Malta Drive In where Charlotte saw her first movies; Over the Hedge and Poseidon. Over the Hedge was great...It will be on my christmas list. But don't bother with the Poseidon. I did fall asleep 10 minutes into it, but what I did see was bad.

Sunday, May 28, 2006
On Sunday, it was off to my parents to celebrate my brother's and my birthday. The weather was great...A perfect first birthday as a Dad. Here are some pictures from the day.

Happy Birthday
Charlotte and Dad...Go Red Soxs!!
Tommy and Susie
Even Maggie got to come!!
Mom & Dad taking a break before their next trip to North Carolina.

I'd take Joe Buck Any Day

I remember a few years ago my buddy Noah told me how much he couldn't stand Joe Buck of Fox Sports and how much better Yankees announcers were. Well now I understand why He likes Jim Katt and Michael Kay so much...They are two of the most one-sided announcers in sports. I think they are more one sided then Fox News. Yes, I know they work for George...but cummon...give me a break!!! I'd take Joe Buck anyday over these clowns.

A week in review

I know it's been awhile since I last posted on the blog, but I have a excuse... this past week has been very crazy. Last Friday, Chris, Charlotte and I went to my cousin Amy's (actually she is more like my second sister) wedding at Eagle Crest Golf Course. Saturday, the entire Hull/Sgambelluri family had a family pictures taken at Crossgates. Saturday night, we went up to Malta Drive-In Theater where Charlotte saw her first movies; Over the Hedge andPoseidon. On Sunday, it was off to my parents to celebrate my brother's and my birthday and then on Monday, we went over to Jumpin' Jacks in Scotia, NY.

Now on Tuesday you would think, ok, get back to work...back onto a regular schedule...take a breather, relax...wrong...We decided, what the hell...Lets buy a new van. And since it was the end of the month, the dealer wanted me to pick it up on Wednesday (which took forever). So instead of taking the van for a spin last night we took one tonight

So there you have it. Now for some pictures.

Amy & Sean's Wedding - May 26, 2006

As I stated above, the wedding was at Eagle Crest Golf Course in Clifton Park. Amy looked beautiful, Sean looked like the gentlmen and everybody had a great time. I also was able to catch up with my Uncle Tom from California and Aunt Carol from North Carolina (I hadn't seen both of them in a long time).


Sean saying his vows
Amy saying her vows
Sean & Amy Ernye
Amy and her cousins
Congradulations Amy & Sean...We are so happy for you.

For more pictures of the wedding, go to my Mom's web site at joanmartha.com. Amy & Sean's photographer (Matt Ramos Photography) also put together a online album which I must say is excellent.

That's all for now...I'll have more pictures of our busy week tomorrow or Saturday.