The Destination Doesn't Matter

Our Little Graduate

2011-05-27T10:15:00.000-04:00

Easter on The Beach was Fun

2011-04-24T16:07:00.001-04:00

A Discovery About Maya

2011-01-23T22:07:00.000-05:00

It turns out that Maya loves thrill rides. Tower of Terror was her favorite.

Back From Disney World

2011-01-23T22:06:00.000-05:00

A good time was had by all...usually (4 and 2 year olds need a reset every once in a while). :)

Maya The Artist

2011-01-04T18:46:00.000-05:00

Today I came home and Maya showed me all of the art she created. I have scanned and captioned the art for your entertainment. The captions are Maya's description of the art.

Chris' First Snowman

2010-12-26T13:27:00.000-05:00

Happy Christmas 2010

2010-12-11T01:41:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-30T07:11:00.002-05:00

Tangled

2010-11-30T07:09:00.000-05:00

I have popcorn!

Stop eating it daddy!

Happy Haloween 2010

2010-10-31T21:50:00.000-04:00

Maya's First Joke - We Did Not Teach Her The Joke

2010-10-15T22:26:00.001-04:00

Maya and Jackson Playing Slide in the House

2010-10-15T21:57:00.000-04:00

Balancing Things on the Head in Dance Class

2010-10-11T00:26:00.000-04:00

She Loves To Draw

2010-09-25T00:31:00.000-04:00

California Fun

2010-09-12T21:15:00.000-04:00

Pictures of My Grandparents on my Fathers Side

2010-07-25T15:21:00.001-04:00

For the first time in my life, as far as I can remember, I have pictures of my grandparents on my Fathers side of the family.

My Grandfather and Grandmother a year before my Father was born (Alva Martha Kumle & Barclay William Montgomery)

Here is a picture of Alva Martha Kumle

Finally, a picture of my Father (Dennis Barclay Montgomery) and what appears to be my grandfather (Barclay William Montgomery aka James Montgomery)

Pictures of Dennis Barclay Montgomery

2010-07-25T15:17:00.003-04:00

A kind person from Sacramento sent me photos of my Father this weekend. I have no recolection of ever seeing my Father, or a picture of him, until this week. These are pictures of Dennis Barclay Montgomery as a child (the date of each picture is unknown)...

She Wanted To Know When Toy Story 4 Will Be Out

2010-07-05T22:31:00.000-04:00

Jackson Doesn't Think Much of Soccer

2010-07-05T22:29:00.000-04:00

Happy as a Clam

2010-06-02T16:10:00.001-04:00

Windows

2010-05-25T21:34:00.000-04:00

Jack-Jack

2010-04-28T00:05:00.000-04:00

Maya Protesting on Sunday

2010-03-24T18:28:00.000-04:00

Cuddle blankets for everyone...you can see the healthcare protesters in the background...you can't see the immigration rally going on behind us. We picked a crazy day to go to DC.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to

2010-01-12T14:31:00.004-05:00

I originally planned on making homemade cupcakes for Jackson's first birthday. I found a recipe for the perfect cupcake and thought I had written down all the ingredients on my trusty grocery list, but once I was at the store, I soon realized I had forgotten to write down the ingredients! I decided to forget about the homemade recipe and grabbed a box of Betty Crocker cupcake mix and a can of frosting. Clearly, I wasn't fooling Jackson with my fake store bought cupcakes. He was not amused!!!

Happy First Birthday Jackson

2010-01-12T14:22:00.000-05:00

Christmas 2009 - Part 2

2009-12-29T17:53:00.000-05:00

Christmas 2009

2009-12-29T13:58:00.000-05:00

Maya Likes Puddles

2009-11-08T08:19:00.000-05:00

Playset Coming Together

2009-11-08T08:16:00.000-05:00

Here Comes Trouble

2009-11-03T15:14:00.005-05:00

Ever since Jackson became mobile; he has been obsessed with the little blue LED light on the computer under our TV. I started placing Maya's chair in front of the computer to deter Jackson from turning the computer off. This trick worked for about a month. Now that Jackson can crawl up on to the chair, he has moved on to reorganizing the Wii games.

Halloween 2009

2009-11-03T14:53:00.005-05:00

NBA League Pass Rocks

2009-10-28T20:48:00.000-04:00

Maya's First Day of Preschool

2009-10-12T15:27:00.003-04:00

Maya began her first year of preschool last month. She goes two days a week for 3 hours a day. Her day is filled with art projects, outdoor play, music class, and show & tell. This picture was taken outside of her class on the first day of school, right before she timidly walked into the room. By the second day of school, Maya was running into class without even saying goodbye. I'm so proud of my big girl and I have to admit that I'm enjoying our time apart as much as she is. Of course, we are both so happy to see each other when it's time for pick up.

Proud Jackson

2009-09-22T12:47:00.003-04:00

Maya's First Letter A

2009-09-21T15:53:00.005-04:00

Maya has begun to show interest in how to write letters and what sounds each letter makes. We've spent some time on starfall.com to quench her thirst for letters. Here is Maya about a month ago with her first letter that actually resembles the letter she was trying to write. Maya is now practicing the letter M and Y in preschool.

Jackson Enjoying the Pool

2009-08-25T15:27:00.002-04:00

Someone Had To Take The Picture

2009-08-02T09:35:00.000-04:00

Jackson's Laugh

2009-07-26T20:07:00.000-04:00

California Fun

2009-07-15T20:43:00.000-04:00

Maya, Jackson, and I recently spent a month in the Bay Area visiting family, friends, various attractions, and eateries. The slideshow above is the pictoral evidence of our trip. Other highlights of our trip include:

3 gallons of Thrifty's chocolate chip ice cream was consumed
Sushi birthday dinner
Casa Orozco
3 trips to In-N-Out
Wine tasting in Livermore
3 trips to Red Smoke Grill
Went over every Bay Area bridge (excluding Golden Gate)
Scenic drive through Lake Tahoe after visiting Lynn in Reno
Ate best ribs ever (thanks Dad)

Happy Easter

2009-04-06T12:13:00.000-04:00

Maya was very excited to meet the Easter Bunny and some what annoyed that the bunny wouldn't talk back to her. Jackson slept through the whole thing.

Jackson M. Silvey - Stoic

2009-01-25T15:17:00.000-05:00

Maya Meets Baby Brother Jackson

2009-01-17T12:45:00.001-05:00

Jackson Morris Silvey

2009-01-12T21:34:00.000-05:00

Our son is here.

2009-01-12T19:29:00.000-05:00

Jackson Morris Silvey was born at 5:25 am on 01/12/2009 after less than 3 hours of labor (yeah it was very quick). 7 pounds 9 ounces measuring 19.5 inches long. Pictures will follow when possible.

For now, we sleep!

Laura is in Labor.

2009-01-12T03:50:00.002-05:00

Started at 3 am on Monday morning. Will post more when I can. Going to the Hospital to meet our baby boy.

Not All Sugar - There is Some Spice Too!

2008-12-29T00:18:00.000-05:00

Maya Opening Her Stocking - Christmas 2008

2008-12-25T20:08:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas 2008

2008-12-25T15:21:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas 2008 II

2008-12-25T15:20:00.000-05:00

Maya Learned the Computer

2008-12-25T13:12:00.000-05:00

Maya Helping Decorate the Christmas Tree

2008-12-24T10:54:00.000-05:00

The Kosturi's Visit

2008-12-24T10:28:00.000-05:00

Maya and Andrew had a fabulous visit with only limited amounts of crying...a fantrastic success when you consider two toddlers shared space for a few hours.

Thanksgiving Fun

2008-12-21T00:54:00.000-05:00

Christmas 2008 is Around the Corner

2008-11-16T13:36:00.000-05:00

May be a wee-bit early...but I don't care! Christmas is coming and I don't know if Maya or Mom and Dad are more excited.

We Are Alive and Doing Well

2008-10-24T00:12:00.001-04:00

It's A Boy (Due January)

2008-08-06T20:27:00.000-04:00

Maya's 2nd B-day

2008-07-21T00:37:00.000-04:00

The adults went a bit overboard with the gifts...but Maya needed the age appropritae toys, books, and clothes. Thanks to everyone who came or wished Maya a happy birthday. She certainly had one.

Locally Grown...We Live in Cary, NC

2008-07-03T22:17:00.000-04:00

Found this display in the 'Locally Grown; section at the Harris Teeter today. New Jersey is locally grown!?!

Using this logic, fruit flown in from California is also "Locally Grown". Hell fruit flown from anywhere in the Continental US is locally grown. A bit of a stretch don't you think?

Family at the Park in Raleigh

2008-07-03T10:06:00.000-04:00

Maya likes to dance.

The Girls In Southport, NC

2008-07-03T10:05:00.000-04:00

First Picture of Second Baby (Expected)

2008-06-08T21:46:00.000-04:00

Due January 12, 2009. Happy couple.

Vanna Langdon

2008-05-22T14:20:00.000-04:00

This is a little late, but I wanted to post about our experience with the Realtor who helped us find our house in Cary, NC for anyone out there that might be thinking of moving to the area.

I hate Realtors, but adore Vanna Langdon. Vanna doesn't have any fancy catch-phrases or slick marketing sites because she is focused on giving 100% service at seemingly all hours of every day and night. Vanna does what she says she will do; at or before the time she says she will do it. Vanna takes the time to personally scour the market for the ideal home (she doesn't depend on a computer to automatically sort and send the listings) and will work her butt off to find any additional information that you may request…quickly! We received daily e-mails and correspondence from Vanna giving us updated information that was relevant and thoughtful. If all Realtors were of Vanna's caliber the industry would have a stellar reputation.

As a couple of looky-lou's from California, Vanna gave us the attention and detailed information we were looking for before making the big move across the country. There are not many Realtors who would spend so much quality time with a family who's never been to North Carolina, didn't have a job lined up and weren't even sure that Cary was the place for us to raise our family.

Vanna was a wealth of information during our exploratory visit to North Carolina and listened to our wants, needs, and concerns while looking at each home. As first time home buyers we were so grateful and impressed by Vanna's knowledge of the houses and the Cary area. Even before Vanna knew that our "exploratory" visit would turn into an immediate move toward buying a home, Vanna treated us as top priority clients.

Most importantly, we don't know what we would have done without Vanna during the closing process. From the incompetent seller to the less than professional seller's agent, to say the closing process was challenging would be the understatement of the year. We are forever grateful to Vanna, for all her hard work and determination to make sure our new home closed quickly. Vanna really went above and beyond the call of duty with our home purchase. Vanna will do the same for you! It's a fundamental element of her character and personality to give this level of service and professionalism to all of her clients.

In Her Words, 'Maya Have Fun Choo-Choo Train'

2008-05-13T23:37:00.000-04:00

Gawd...I Hope Not!

2008-05-13T23:33:00.000-04:00

The Pool is Open...Yay!

2008-05-11T13:43:00.000-04:00

Maya's Easter 2008

2008-03-28T15:30:00.000-04:00

Pooh's Playful Spot

2008-01-18T22:45:00.001-05:00

One of Maya's favorite activities at Disney was spending time at Pooh's Playful Spot.

Turn your sound on for full effect.

Maya's First Haircut

2008-01-18T13:43:00.000-05:00

We took Maya to the Main Street Harmony Barber Shop at the Magic Kingdom for her very first haircut. After watching Daddy get his haircut first, Maya was ready to sit quietly for her own haircut.

The woman who cut Maya's hair spoke to her in a calm reassuring voice and gave her a bunch of Mickey stickers to look.

Maya checks out her new hairdo and Mickey ears.

Disney World Was Fun - More Pictures To Come

2008-01-12T11:51:00.000-05:00

Christmas Video

2007-12-30T07:36:00.001-05:00

Warning 27 minute video...may take a while to buffer.

Christmas at the Newcombs

2007-12-27T16:02:00.000-05:00

Christmas at the Newcombs

2007-12-27T16:00:00.000-05:00

Maya Enjoying Her New Kitchen

2007-12-27T13:10:00.000-05:00

Maya Enjoying Her Retro Toys

2007-12-27T13:05:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas

2007-12-20T09:18:00.000-05:00

Thinking

2007-12-02T21:03:00.000-05:00

Mom Likes Fall Too

2007-11-23T21:05:00.000-05:00

Maya had a grand time throwing the vacuum cord around that night.

Maya Enjoying A Fall Day Outside

2007-11-23T21:03:00.000-05:00

Maya's Halloween Adventure

2007-11-02T23:24:00.000-04:00

Winter Coat

2007-10-03T19:28:00.000-04:00

Maya received a very special gift in the mail the other day from grandma and grandpa! The new winter coat fits great with lots of extra room for Maya to grow into. Thank you grandma and grandpa :)

The Farm

2007-10-03T19:19:00.000-04:00

Here are a few pics of Maya's first trip to a farm where she learned all about chickens, pigs, and bunnies.

Together Again

2007-09-28T20:59:00.000-04:00

Maya was finally reunited with her best bud Tyler last weekend when Josh, Pam, and Tyler made the very long trek to North Carolina for a visit with Hazel and Ward in Southport. Maya and I left Dada behind and drove out to the coast to spend some time with the Newcombs.

Here are a few pictures of the two "playing" together. Maya tried giving Tyler a kiss on many occasions but Tyler kept running away.

Pictures That Make Us Laugh

2007-09-21T23:57:00.000-04:00

Happy Grandparent's Day

2007-09-09T14:47:00.000-04:00

Breakfast Hat

2007-09-09T11:26:00.000-04:00

Maya has really taken to her hats. I guess breakfast just isn't the same without a hat on.

It Was Clean

2007-09-09T11:23:00.000-04:00

It seems that Maya can make a oy out of damn near anything. Luckily this scrubber was new and had never been used..but note to self...used scrubers MUST go under lock and key!

Laura Says Maya Looks Like Daddy...What Do You Think?

2007-07-26T00:54:00.000-04:00

Even Angels Have Tantrums

2007-07-23T22:55:00.000-04:00

Maya Chasing The Dog

2007-07-12T07:17:00.001-04:00

Maya Dancing To The Beat Of Ward's Drum

2007-07-12T07:06:00.000-04:00

(Day 5) Moving To North Carolina June 24, 2007 - Memphis TN to Asheville NC

2007-07-12T00:49:00.000-04:00

Just before the border between TN and NC as we began to climb the The Great Smoky Mountains Laura called over the walkie-talkie and told me to pull over...there is a fire on the trailer. Luckily there was an exit with a gas station close by. We exited and sure enough, both back tires on the trailer were on fire! A couple of truckers came over to help and we got the trailer un-hitched from the truck and the car off the trailer in record time.

No matter how much I sprayed the fire with the fre extinguisher it just kept coming back...those tire fires are persistent. We greatly appreiate the elp of the Colby fire department and the locakls that seem to just hang out all day at the Sunoco for all of their help.

We left Memphis at the crack of dawn to try and make good time to Asheville, but after the fire and the need to drive from Colby TN to Asheville NC twice (about an hour each way) so that the two of us could drive both cars and the moving truck we were exhausted and it was late. We found a mexican joint in Asheville, had dinner, than found our hotel and crashed hard in our bed that night. What a day.

(Day 4) Moving To North Carolina June 23, 2007 - Oklahoma City OK to Memphis TN

2007-07-12T00:42:00.000-04:00

No pictures or video for this leg of the trip. We drove through a nasty thunderstorm near the OK/TN border, it rained so hard we could barely see the road 10 feet in front of us and Laura was hydroplaning. Memphis TN looks beautiful (Highway 40 is in miserable repair just before crossing the Mississippi River). We ate dinner on Beale Street at a BBQ joint with Bill Clintons picture, among countless other celebreties...although we didn't see home-state legend Al Gore anywhere. Beale Street has a real tourist trap feel, but with blues bands playing great music every 20 feet the reason people come became very aparent. We plan a return trip to Memphis.

(Day 3) Moving To North Carolina June 22, 2007 - Albuquerque NM to Oklahoma City OK

2007-06-23T21:36:00.000-04:00

The drive from New Mexico, through Texas, to Oklahoma City was boring and near devoid of radio stations. I took this video while driving near the New Mexico/Texas border. We drove through the Panhandle of Texas...

...and eventually ended up in Oklahoma City. Highway 40 through the city is horrible and I felt like the van wasgoing to crash multiple times after hitting horid tracks of concrete while driving. We had dinner at the OliveGarden and decided after a bit of driving on OKC streets, that we do not plan to ever visit this city again.

June 21 - Anniversary Dinner - Prarie Star Restaurant - Bernalillo NM

2007-06-22T10:53:00.000-04:00

We had dinner at the Prairie Star Restaurant in Bernalillo, NM. The restaurant is on a mesa golf course overlooking a huge mountain just north of Albuquerque.

Here we are just before eating

We both had three courses and a dessert, all paired with wine. For the main course Chris had the Ahi Tuna with Wasabi Mashed Potatoes and a seasonal roll…

...Laura had the Pork Tenderloin on Vanilla Tart with a strawberry tangerine watercress Relish…YUM!

More Pictures - Prarie Star

2007-06-22T10:52:00.000-04:00

Inside of Prairie Star. The restaurant is in an adobe that is over 100 years old. I wonder how they knew a golf course would be built at that site 100 years later and would need an old adobe for a classy restaurant?

Wine Spectator Magazine has rated the Prairie Star as a top restaurant for 13 years.

The sunset was pretty.

(Day 2) Moving To North Carolina June 21, 2007 - Laughlin NV to Albuquerque NM

2007-06-22T10:50:00.000-04:00

We had the security guard take this picture before we headed to Albuquerque.

The clouds in New Mexico were beautiful.

During lunch (Cracker Barrel) Laura insisted that I install and un-install the GPS at every stop. Here she is impatiently waiting for me to uninstall.

New Mexico was prettier then we thought.

(Day 1) Moving To North Carolina June 20, 2007 - Pleasanton CA to Laughlin NV

2007-06-22T10:46:00.000-04:00

Here we are leaving Pleasanton.

You can see Laura driving the Matrix in the rear-view mirror.

Here we are in the middle of the Mojave Desert. It was as hot and desolate as it looks.

There was a bottle cap on the ceiling…it is safe to say the Aquarius Hotel/Casino was not the best Hotel we have rented. Laughlin was a bit depressing. Most of the people here seem too old, sickly and about to die, and smoke constantly. It was actually a bit depressing.

(Day 0) Moving To North Carolina June 19, 2007

2007-06-22T10:43:00.000-04:00

As you can see, the house was is a mess but the packing is almost complete. We hired two helpers to load the truck and they did an excellent job. We were able to fit everything in the van with the exception of the corner desk, which isn't a big loss since we weren't going to use in North Carolina. Tomorrow we move.

Maya's (Early) 1st Birthday Party

2007-06-18T02:08:00.000-04:00

Due to the impending move we decided to throw Maya's 1st birthday party a month early. The adults had Jon's Famous Horace Hog Rub Ribs, Tri-Tip, enough beans to feed the North Korean Army for a month, and a variety of beer that would put may convenient stores to shame. Maya had a wonderful Banana Cream Cake and we were able to get the wonderful messy cake shots. Thanks to all that could attend and for those who couldn't attend, enjoy the photos below...

Maya's (Early) 1st Birthday Party Cont'd

2007-06-18T02:04:00.000-04:00