The Long Family TV

Homework

2011-11-15T16:30:00.001-05:00

Pictures for Beth

2011-11-15T13:02:00.001-05:00

Halloween!

2011-11-02T10:30:00.002-04:00

A maskless stormtrooper...

And our swashbuckler!

COSI fun

2011-10-28T16:07:00.001-04:00

We had a lot of fun at the science center today. Little man doesn't sit still for pictures like his sister does, but trust me. Good times were had.

Paging Dr. Trevor

2011-10-28T13:59:00.001-04:00

You have a patient in the ER

Lauren's checkup

2011-10-17T15:01:00.001-04:00

Dr. O'Brian said that Lauren's the tallest seven year old she's ever seen. Boom. She's also opting out of the flu mist for an actual shot. Who does that???

Trevor field trip

2011-10-13T16:15:00.001-04:00

We went to a pumpkin patch and got to pick our own pumpkins.

The Works

2011-09-28T15:32:00.003-04:00

Some of the Long family did not have school today, so are at The Works (www.attheworks.org). I am actually at work. Somehow this just isn't seeming fair.

Day Eight

2011-08-12T11:48:00.004-04:00

After more driving, we spent some time in Salem, Mass, where we took very few photos. We visited the Massachusetts pirate museum, saw an awesome graveyard, saw memorials for all of the witch hangings (one of whom was named Elizabeth), and watched a video about Salem's trade port heyday (1776-1804). Onward to Maine!

(Blackbeard's pirate flag)

Day Seven

2011-08-12T11:37:00.005-04:00

A short drive north, and we were in Boston. We took a train down to Boston Commons, where we rode the swan boats and rode the carousel. After an afternoon nap and/or swim at the pool, we met up with friends Jack and Dana, and Will and Melissa. Had a wonderful dinner at Publick House, highly recommended gourmet mac&cheese and great beer selection.

Day six

2011-08-12T11:09:00.003-04:00

Traveled 6 hours from Eastern PA to Plymouth MA. Saw The Rock (not Dwayne Johnson). Saw the Mayflower II. Ate dinner with Patrick's fellow Stagger Matt Lincoln. Saw boats.

Days Four and Five

2011-08-12T10:34:00.004-04:00

On Sunday after breakfast, we drove to cousin Bill Turley's house in Easton, PA. We went to a Museum, a playground, and to MusikFest, sort of a Comfest but with more polka music. The kids enjoyed playing with 3-year old Sharon, and Bill's wife Haixia was a gracious hostess. Thanks for the good times!

Day three

2011-08-06T22:46:00.001-04:00

The Lorz Family Reunion. A great time was had by all. The highlights included a family sing-a-long, a trampoline, and a slip and slide.

Day two

2011-08-05T20:27:00.001-04:00

So, Historical Philadelphia was a quick endeavor. We learned there was a rebellion because they taxed the bejesus out of whiskey. Obviously, people took to arms! Trevor pooped out almost immediately, because, hey, that stuff is pretty boring when you're three. So we took a little wooden purple bus to the children's museum. And I am continuing to read Game of Thrones.

Mega-vacation: day one

2011-08-04T21:21:00.001-04:00

Today we began our epic conquest of the North Atlantic States with a journey from Columbus (6:30am) to Blackwood, NJ (just S of Philly, 4:30 pm). Obviously, we spent most of the day inside the new family truckster. Tomorrow: tour of Historic Philadelphia!

Doll at rest

2011-07-11T15:03:00.001-04:00

The facts are: Every night of Lauren's life, until 2 nights ago, included snuggling with this doll, whose name is Doll. There are pictures of Doll at Niagra Falls. And at Disneyland. But now, she has been sitting on Lauren's computer desk for two straight nights. What does it all mean? She's growing up, but I can't help but feel this is a major thing. I am feeling melancholy about the whole situation.
Update 8/6/11: It was a false alarm, as doll has been in Lauren's arms at bedtime since. But it's coming.

Test

2011-07-11T15:01:00.001-04:00

I just downloaded the blogger app for my new Droid. If you know the tune, sing it while you read this: Blog of the Fu-ture!

New shorts

2011-06-27T12:11:00.002-04:00

But it's really bright In the sun!

Columbus commons

2011-06-18T09:27:00.001-04:00

The kids take a ride on the new carousel at Columbus Commons park downtown.

Movie break!

2011-06-14T12:03:00.002-04:00

Lauren has acting class in Dublin this week, and Trevor and I have a couple of hours to kill in the morning. Today, we spent a portion of the time watching the portable DVD player inside the Coffman Amphitheater. Good times.

Lauren climbs trees!

2011-05-09T16:24:00.002-04:00

She's a regular monkey now.

Catch-up photos

2011-05-04T15:16:00.005-04:00

Yes, we've been slacking, but here are some photos which I just put into Beth's digital picture frame. I thought they might as well go up here too. CLICK HERE for more (16 pictures)

More Transformers... ?!!

2011-04-29T21:09:00.002-04:00

Sometimes having a little boy is just about the same thing as BEING a little boy. Today, Trevor and I emptied our piggy banks of nickles dimes and pennies and went to Toys R Us to buy Transformers. I'm not sure which of us had more fun. In case you're wondering, that's Megatron on my face, and Trevor is trying to eat Jolt.

Cybertronian Soundwave!

2011-04-28T09:59:00.004-04:00

Operation: Playtime.

Trevor is excited because this run of Transformers toys is modeled on the game War For Cybertron, which is awesome.

Newest family member... Pepper!

2011-04-12T16:39:00.004-04:00

Beth and Trevor found this dog wandering down the street. We put up ads, posted on websites, and nobody claimed him. He found his way into our hearts, and we decided to keep him. Pepper is an 8.5 pound Chihuahua/Min Pin mutt. Good with the kids. Only occasionally wets the carpet. Since Beth pinky-promised Lauren we could have a dog by the time Lauren was 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, I guess she's off the hook.

Funniest First Dive EVER

2011-04-12T15:36:00.007-04:00

Uploaded by popular demand, the video that gets funnier each and every time you watch it, Lauren's first dive at swim class. Ridiculously epic.

2011-04-12T11:26:00.002-04:00

And, just needed to add a few more. You'd never guess that before the camera starting clicking away, Trevor was a weeping, crying, screaming mess because he didn't want to wear his tie. Love these kids.

an actual post!

2011-04-12T11:13:00.004-04:00

Ok, so it's been a while. But, hopefully, evidence of an adorable spring photo shoot will assuage your feelings of being neglected.

Phonebooth?

2011-01-01T11:07:00.003-05:00

After a slumber party where curls were created with damp hair and rags overnight... we found ourselves in the old-timey part of COSI where they had a rotary dial phone booth. The girls were fascinated.

Happy Birthday Trevor!

2011-01-01T11:04:00.003-05:00

Well, it happened... the boy turned 3. The day included presents in the morning, a trip to COSI with the family and Pauline, some downtime to watch new movies, and a party at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Happy Birthday Trevor, we love you!

Winter / Christmas 2010

2011-01-01T11:00:00.002-05:00

Can't wait for Christmas!

Ok... maybe waiting kind of sucks...

And, more importantly, the painting crew has finally finished painting the basement. Carpet installation begins tomorrow!

Gingerbread House

2010-12-11T19:35:00.004-05:00

Although I don't think it will hold together through the night... it was fun to decorate. The roof keeps sliding down...

Backyard!

2010-11-12T09:55:00.003-05:00

he's a dinosaur... hard to catch him smiling.

2010-11-12T09:54:00.003-05:00

leaf piles are fun!

Etch-a-Sketch

2010-10-30T19:13:00.002-04:00

She's a etch-a-sketch whiz! This is our house... upstairs are the 3 bedrooms, bathroom and heat return grate in the hall, downstairs is the kitchen, complete with microwave and toaster with toast in it. It was truly impressive.

??? Huh ???

2010-10-17T18:31:00.003-04:00

I'm pretty sure I posted this last year at about this time, but seriously Kohl's. Christmas in the third week of October? Aaargh.

Edit: Here it is, but it's from SEPTEMBER of 2008. Kohl's, you're crazy.

Trevor with Sammi Pahlsson

2010-10-14T09:44:00.002-04:00

From the Breakfast with the Blue Jackets at the R Bar this morning. Actual quote from Trevor upon seeing this picture: "That's my hockey guy. He's my best friend."

2010-09-19T19:25:00.002-04:00

cloud gazing at the playground.

Real Horsies are Fun Too!

2010-09-18T20:37:00.004-04:00

Debbie and Pauline have been "getting to know" a mare named Reilly. They may buy her... but are right now helping groom and feed her. Yesterday Lauren went to Athens for some cousin time... and got to go for a ride! When we were packing, she's the one who told me that we should pack her bike helmet. She's so smart--I probably wouldn't have thought of that.

carousel horsies are fun

2010-09-17T01:43:00.001-04:00

And Trevor is going with my suggestion that our favorite horse is the only one with the armour on it, just like his sister did. Muh-ha-ha.

Project: Complete.

2010-09-12T11:20:00.002-04:00

Ta-da! After painting the plywood and strategically placing some wooden shims for levelling purposes, we're calling finish line on this project. Except for my thumb, this has been a fairly painless way to save $400. Now, to get to that two-week old stack of laundry!

Here is a link to the Youtube that showed the way.

I made mine slightly different: Instead of 17" tall mine are only 12", and since at that height it's too small to put your laundry baskets underneath, I went ahead and put plywood on the front face. I would recommend larger nails for the plywood, he is using 1 1/4" finishing nails, I would say go to 1 1/2".

My thumb:

2010-09-09T17:43:00.001-04:00

Ouch. I probably drove 500 nails this afternoon. I guesstimated I missed the nail 1.5% of the time, which, at that volume, is enough to do this to your thumb. Next time I' m going to rent a nailgun.

Construction Phase:

2010-09-09T17:38:00.001-04:00

Complete.

Pedestal #1...

2010-09-09T15:33:00.001-04:00

Complete.

Back to Lowe's to re-cut boards.

2010-09-09T14:08:00.001-04:00

OK, so raise your hand if you knew that a 2x4 board was neither 2 nor 4. Oh, really? Everyone knew that but me? Grumble grumble...

Trevor helps hammer

2010-09-09T12:16:00.001-04:00

Lowe's is loud

2010-09-09T09:55:00.001-04:00

We're having boards cut to make our own DIY washer and dryer stand. We're not paying $500 for two glorified drawers. What do you put in those things anyway? One of the great rip-offs of the modern appliance world. Pictures of finished project to follow.

Lorz Reunion 2010 pictures

2010-08-22T13:30:00.006-04:00

We had a great time at Lake Chautauqua in Western NY. I realized after I got home that 90% of the pictures I took were of my own children, whom I see every day. Next year, only pictures of non-immediate family members!

Here is a link to the photo album.

Click HERE to start a slideshow instead

Lauren Caught a Fish!

2010-07-11T20:18:00.001-04:00

@ the lake at Antrim Park. She was so excited!

Local boy eats sandwich without taking it apart

2010-06-28T12:51:00.002-04:00

A most miraculous event is happening in Columbus' North end this afternoon. Local toddler Trevor Long is eating his ham and cheese sanwich as a sandwich, and is not picking the cheese off and ignoring the rest. Is it the bun? Is it the brief trip into the broiler the sandwich made? Local father-of-the-year candidate Mr. Long isn't telling.

Zoo with Sarah

2010-06-25T09:12:00.004-04:00

Italian Ice on the Beach

2010-06-16T11:08:00.001-04:00

Oak Island vacation

2010-06-14T16:22:00.001-04:00

First pic of many.

Trevor Loves The Library

2010-05-10T16:30:00.001-04:00

Derby Days

2010-05-03T22:48:00.004-04:00

Lauren and Trevor really enjoyed playing outside when the rain broke. Trevor got so muddy that he went shirtless for an hour or more because we didn't have a better solution. Redneck parenting at it's finest.
Trevor spent 20 minutes chasing this little dog around the kitchen/living room loop. He way loved that little dog. It would run, then get tired of it all and Trevor would just catch it and put his hand on the dog's back, until the dog decided to run again. Rinse, repeat.

Dave won the $10 cup, which paid a cool $200 for the Derby. Nice!

watching tv with a buddy

2010-04-28T16:10:00.003-04:00

"Dog-sitting" is more like "dog-leaning-against" for Trevor. He sure does love that dog.

kid cart at meijer

2010-04-20T11:00:00.001-04:00

Dinosaur Bath

2010-04-15T14:39:00.003-04:00

Look who followed us home from the Indianapolis Children's Museum... Trevor decided he needed a bath.

Lauren Art

2010-04-06T18:00:00.004-04:00

The Easter Bunny brought Lauren some new paints... and cousin Pauline brought over a new, pretty yellow dress.

That One is a Dinosaur

2010-04-06T11:27:00.001-04:00

backyard relaxing

2010-04-01T16:32:00.001-04:00

70 degrees = sandbox time

2010-04-01T16:10:00.001-04:00

Farm Fun

2010-03-30T15:08:00.004-04:00

Last week Grandma and Uncle Dan took Pauline (visiting during her spring break) and Trevor out to the Mason family farm in Pickerington. Trevor LOVED the farm. He saw cows, a horse, lots of chickens, cats and dogs. He ate the apples I sent along to feed the horse, but whatever. They brought home a basket full of fresh farm eggs, which Trevor helped collect in the chicken coop. He loved eating his farm eggs.

The next day he demanded that we go back to the farm. Lauren was bummed to miss the fun, but she was in school. We'll have to return again soon.

hug medicine

2010-03-28T16:23:00.001-04:00

Lauren's New Helmet

2010-03-28T16:20:00.001-04:00

YMCA Easter Egg Hunt

2010-03-27T11:13:00.002-04:00

Daisy Badge #1

2010-03-23T23:23:00.002-04:00

Roof People

2010-03-20T14:56:00.002-04:00

Today was a great day for yard work. We needed to fix a gutter, then clean them out, and Lauren wanted to come up. She was very brave.

Grandma Can Read Too!

2010-03-19T14:07:00.002-04:00

Inside The Tunnel

2010-03-19T13:37:00.002-04:00

Trev-o's nap cave...

2010-03-19T13:26:00.002-04:00

NCAA Tournament Edition!

Bike/Car/Whatever you call that Thing

2010-03-17T02:31:00.003-04:00

Hey, I'm on a roll, so I'm posting some pictures from the "blog downtime" archives. It's my blog, I'll go out of order if I feel like it!

Favorite Lauren Picture

2010-03-17T02:30:00.002-04:00

No explanation needed.

They Might Be Giants

2010-03-17T00:32:00.006-04:00

Sunday afternoon, the whole fam damily went to the Riffe Center to see They Might Be Giants, who were in town to do a kid's show. For those of you who don't know, TMBG are like the greatest kid's band ever. They've got 4 great albums, we love them, etc etc etc. I am posting this video because it's perfect. No matter how many times we've listened to these albums, and despite the fact that we can sing ALL THE WORDS (no lie), the kids still found the confetti the best part of the show. Ask any kid in the front section 10 years from now what they remember about this concert, and it will be the confetti. I swear Trevor spent the half the show in the aisle, on the floor, picking up little pieces of paper. Good times.

Also up for the show was the Macbensen family. I caught this good pic of Noah and Nina:

Spring: It's here.

2010-03-16T23:37:00.005-04:00

Beth has been working really hard for a big deadline this week, but she got away for an hour to play soccer and swing with the kids today. It was nearly perfect outside during that hour. I'm no meteorologist, but I'm ready to call this spring!

The kid playhouse complex was rediscovered, and as Trevor looked at home in his little house again, Lauren reclaimed her rightful position on top of everything.

Also happy with the coming of spring was this poor doll, who seems to have been left outside for the winter. Who could see her with all that snow?

Train!

2010-03-16T09:13:00.003-04:00

Finally! We came back one week later, and success!

Item Exchange

2010-03-15T16:28:00.002-04:00

We brought Sarah her Girl Scout cookies, and she gave the kids some presents. She said that today would have been her Bob's birthday, so she wanted to give presents to someone, and she had little gift bags for all the neighborhood kids. What a sweetheart.

Loosey-Goosey tooth

2010-03-13T17:40:00.002-05:00

Pool Kids

2010-03-13T16:01:00.002-05:00

trevor's new jacket

2010-03-13T13:20:00.002-05:00

tree-climbing girl

2010-03-12T16:21:00.002-05:00

post-nap chill time

2010-03-12T15:59:00.003-05:00

Now with animated gif goodness HERE

Daddy's dentist appointment

2010-03-11T11:28:00.002-05:00

Trevor's new travel companion friend: daddy's ipod nano, loaded with dinosaur movies. And Spongebob.

Best Trevor Ever

2010-03-09T15:34:00.002-05:00

photo credit: Ryan Lydon

waitin' on a train

2010-03-09T09:11:00.002-05:00

After we dropped off sissy at school this morning, Trevor and I thought it would be a good idea to hang out at the Weber and 71 RR tracks to see a choo-choo close up. 15 minutes later, no trains yet...

post script: 45 minutes and no trains. blerg.

crepe paper flowers

2010-03-08T12:57:00.002-05:00

Green lollipops = ?

2010-01-25T11:16:00.002-05:00

Green tongue, obviously!

Christmas Part Three

2010-01-06T02:09:00.000-05:00

Christmas Part Two

2010-01-06T02:08:00.000-05:00

The Christmas 2009 Euchre Champs

Christmas part One

2010-01-06T02:04:00.002-05:00

Concentrating on our letters to Santa

This picture is exactly how everyone should look at the top of the stairs on Christmas morning. Pretty much the exact opposite of this

Moxie Girl #2!

Tower of Doom!

Painting party

2010-01-06T02:02:00.001-05:00

Lauren works hard on her bookmark presents
Trevor concentrates on his finger paints
Beth's pretty smile

Lorz Sibs Christmas

2010-01-06T02:01:00.001-05:00

Trevor haircut

2010-01-06T01:59:00.000-05:00

Nana and Papa 40th Anniversary

2009-12-20T22:20:00.002-05:00

Congrats, Mom and Dad. We love you!

Sleeping Beauty

2009-12-16T07:48:00.002-05:00

A girl, her doll, a blanket, and a nap.

Fun with Cutouts

2009-12-10T23:02:00.002-05:00

At the YMCA. We do this multiple times a week.

Death Apple

2009-11-30T02:05:00.004-05:00

Not that we needed excuses to ignore our blog, but our Apple Powermac G5 took a dump and went to the silicon valley in the sky a couple of weeks ago. Our first Intel Mac has arrived, and it's a brute! The Apple Mac Pro has taken up residence here in the makeshift office of our home, where it will undoubtably be put to use churning out important photoshop images such as this one:

and neat-o keen videos like the one HERE.

Only time will tell.

Mini Vacation: Granville OH

2009-11-30T01:35:00.002-05:00

We spenty a night at the Cherry Valley Lodge/Coco Key Indoor Water Park over the weekend. Official review: Hotel is very nice. Service was excellent, and the food was decent. The water park wasn't the greatest, but I guess I'm spoiled by Wyandot Lake/Zoombezi Bay. Fun was had.

Mini-vacation: Newark OH

2009-11-30T01:33:00.001-05:00

The Works is a children's Museum and much more in Newark, OH. Lots of fun stuff to do there. They have a glass blowing studio, a woodshop, all kinds of neat experiments and toys, and yet Trevor is drawn to the choo-choos like a moth to a flame. Sweet.

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-30T01:29:00.002-05:00

I had the camera in my pocket all day on Thursday, yet somehow this is the only set of pictures I actually took. Trevor was perched on Brian as they both watched a movie after dinner. Too adorable.