Cute scarf, right?

FRA Report

A report I wrote for the FRA was just posted to their website today:
http://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/details/L04846

It's about a train accident that occurred in Chicago in 2007. I investigated the accident and have been conducting research on methods of mitigating the effects of accidents such as these on passengers. Enjoy!

Veronica's 4th Birthday

This year Veronica had a pool party for her 4th birthday. The weather looked like it was not going to cooperate. It threatened to rain on the party, but didn't, and it turned out that this actually worked in our favor. Because it was threatening to rain, it meant we basically had the entire place to ourselves! As you will see in the photos, the facility is large, with a huge zero-entry pool with adult slide, an infant pool, a toddler pool, and a toddler slide pool. The kids all had a great time and even several of the adults took a few turns on the adult slide, including yours truly! Lola, Gramps, and Grandmom all traveled to Boston for the pool party and were a big help. Grandmom was able to stay for Veronica's actual birthday, which we celebrated at a restaurant. Enjoy the photos, click on any photo to enlarge it.

Frog slide fun

The facility was awesome! See how we basically had the place to ourselves? This is the big pool, with the adult slide and the zero-entry near the umbrella water feature.

Going down the frog slide

Daddy helping Max on the frog slide

 Lunch tastes better in a bathing suit and arm floaties.

Max digging into his pizza

Nom nom

Max getting good with a fork!

A birthday cake made of cupcakes! This is called a pull-apart cake, and it's genius.

And here's a video of everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to Veronica:

 Veronica with "my best friend Audrey"

Veronica and Audrey

And here's a video of Veronica and her friends on the slides:

Handsome

Veronica, Grandmom, and Max all dressed up for her birthday brunch

Lucky girl got 2 birthday songs this year:

Birthday ice cream!

 Mama and Veronica

Charmer

For all of the photos from Veronica's birthday events, click here.

"Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope."

We had trick-or-treating in our town center today. The kids had a blast, but I was about a million times more excited than they were about their costumes. May I introduce: Princess Leia and R2D2!

Los Angeles Vacation August 2013 #5: Santa Monica

We visited Adrian's relatives in Santa Monica. We also checked out the Santa Monica Pier and beach. Here are a few photos. (You can click on each photo to enlarge it.)

Max's first cab ride. 

Veronica and Max in their PJs

Santa Monica Pier: Veronica and Ninong enjoying a ride.

I love this shot.

Ninong looking hilarious on the back of Veronica's truck.

Ninong and Veronica on a speed boat.

Max needed some convincing that the beach is fun.

Great shot of Veronica, Adrian and Max with the Santa Monica Pier behind them.

Cool beach photo of Adrian and Max

Veronica playing in the water

Another cool beach photo

Max, finally convinced that the beach is fun.

Grabbing a bite at the beach.

Family photo

If you'd like to see ALL of the photos Jose and I took of our vacation, click here.

Los Angeles Vacation August 2013 #4: Disneyland!

Jose and Erik treated us to a day in Disneyland! Thanks, Ninong and Tito Erik! It was nothing short of amazing. I was a bit worried that it would be too much for Max and that he would be too young to really enjoy it, but he had just as much fun as his sister. The Disney folks really know what they're doing. Here are just a few of the many photos we took. (You can click on each photo to enlarge it.)

Requisite Disneyland entrance photo

Erik had the genius idea to go straight to the back of the park first. Here we all are waiting to take the train to the back of the park.

Ninong and Tito Erik help Max set off some dynamite!

   

Daddy and Veronica (at the very top of the roller coaster)

Daddy and Max in the Chipmunks' tree house

Veronica having some fun in Mickey's house.

Meeting Mickey!

At Minnie's kitchen table

Meeting Minnie!

It's a Small World ride: Erik & Jose

It's a Small World ride: Veronica, Mama, Max & Adrian

Inside It's a Small World ride

Tea Cups ride!

Veronica spinning our tea cup

Max enjoying the tea cup ride

Ninong and Veronica on the Dumbo ride

Ninong taking a selfie with Veronica on the Dumbo ride

Daddy, Max and Mama on a stationary Dumbo

Veronica dancing in the aisle of a Disney princess musical review.

Max taking a pass on the princesses in favor of his afternoon nap. I think he's dancing in his dreams.

Mama and Veronica getting ready to watch a Beauty and the Beast show.

A very relieved Veronica, glad that Belle is OK.

Meeting Ariel

Meeting "the blue princess". She doesn't really know many of their names since she hasn't seen any of the movies.

Meeting "the pink princess"

Family photo

Face painted

On the Finding Nemo ride. Which was apparently the "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride", re-purposed.

Veronica and Mama on a rocket ship ride.

Max getting excited for the parade.

All ready for the parade

Veronica waving to Mickey.

Mama and Max

Veronica waving, probably to a princess.

Taken at the end of the day. Max did really well.

Max being playful at dinner.

Max and Veronica posing with their new Disney ears.

Veronica's response to: "Pose like a princess!"

If you'd like to see ALL of the photos Jose and I took of our vacation, click here.