Wasted Energy

It seems we have some proof our leaders are pandering and avoiding coming up with a real energy policy.

"While all the presidential candidates were railing about lost manufacturing jobs in Ohio, no one noticed that America’s premier solar company, First Solar, from Toledo, Ohio, was opening its newest factory in the former East Germany — 540 high-paying engineering jobs — because Germany has created a booming solar market and America has not."

It would be nice to see campaign coverage focus on real issues like this rather than what someone's crazy and attention-seeking pastor said.

An Oreo Never Killed Anybody

After surviving what we are jokingly calling "the great cookie tantrum of '08," I am thinking this book could have some solid perspectives.

Being a 2-year-old...

...a rollercoaster of emotions as seen in pictures. Click here to see them in a larger format.

Florida in Pictures

We returned to Grayton Beach for the third in four years earlier this month and enjoyed a fun and relaxing time with great friends...

Things got off to a rainy beginning...

It did not take Gavin and E.J. long to find ways to stay busy... And it wasn't long before Gavin got E.J. sucked into Elmo's World...

Land Cruiser on Grayton Beach -- cars with permits can drive onto the sand. Tourists who don't know better try it in minivans and get stuck.

Gavin and Don heading to the beach!

Some trepidation about the waves...

Gavin and his shadow...

Enjoying the nightly sunset as a family...

The crew takes in the sunset, something Gavin called "bye-bye blue sky."

Gavin and Daddy -- still sunscreened up!

Fun at the playground in nearby Seaside...

Enjoying one of the sunniest days and a cool beverage.

Dreaming of the sun...

We just returned today from Florida and were none too happy with the cold and rainy weather that greeted us -- but we'll hang onto our memories of the trip and hope we brought some of the sunny days back with us. More pics and stories to come, but here's a teaser to get you started...