Blue & Max Wish Grandpa A Happy Birthday From Tacoma

I thought this was too cute. Blue & Max, the well known Tacoma Adventure Poodles and Primary Caregivers to my nephews, David & Theo and niece, Ruby, put a "Happy Birthday Grandpa" greeting on their Blue & Max blog yesterday for my dad's birthday.

I believe that is Max resting on Grandpa's lap in the picture. This Grandpa lap sitting would have taken place last summer, I believe, in Tacoma.

I do not know if Blue & Max called Grandpa on his birthday yesterday. Grandpa did not mention getting a call from Blue & Max when I called.

I believe Blue & Max prefer sending text messages. That is the only way I ever hear from Blue & Max via my phone communicating device.

My Nephew David's Late 9/11 Happy Birthday Blogging

My Nephew David's 9/11 Birthday Party

That is my nephew, David, on Sunday, 9/11, swinging at a Pinata at his birthday party in his backyard in Tacoma.

Last week, before David's birthday, I mentioned it was upcoming the upcoming weekend, but that I did not know if his birthday was 9/10 or 9/11.

I now know, courtesy of David's poodle caretakers, Blue & Max, that David was born on the 7th Anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

One would think a good uncle would be able to remember such things without a blog having to remind him.

Today, 9/15, is the birthday of David's oldest aunt, my oldest sister. Also known, by many, as Miss Crankypants, and by others, simply as, "The Nag." I do not know, precisely, how old "The Nag" is today. I do know the number is significant and that "The Nag" is about to retire from her job of many, many years.

One of David's favorite aunts, my sister who lives in the Phoenix zone, was invited to and was able to attend David's 3rd 9/11 Birthday Party. I was unable to attend, but was not invited, so it really was not an issue.

I must hit the publish button on this blogging now and then go email "The Nag" a happy birthday greeting, which will likely make her cranky.

My Mom & Dad In Tacoma A Week Ago With Their 3 Youngest Grandchildren

I've yet to locate my mom and dad today, on their 60th Anniversary.

A few minutes ago I saw that the poodles, Blue & Max, had added some new pictures of my mom and dad to their blog.

In the picture I can't tell if mom and dad are in my sister's front or back yard. I can say for certain they are in Tacoma.

Ignore the blue sky behind them. Puget Sounders are not supposed to send pictures out of state that show a blue sky in Western Washington. This type thing wreaks havoc with the "It is Always Raining and Overcast" reputation.

I can not tell which twin mom and dad is holding. My best guess is mom is holding Ruby Jean while dad has Theo John. Both mom and dad look as if they are having trouble holding the babies.

Meanwhile, David in the middle is grateful no one is picking him up.

New Blue & Max Poodle Pictures Of Ruby Jean, David Jay & Theo John

This afternoon my poodle nephews, Blue & Max, sent me a new photo of my only niece, Ruby Jean, and my two youngest nephews, David Jay and Theo John. David is the redhead in the middle, with Ruby on the left and Theo on the right.

Ruby and Theo are twins.

My sister in Phoenix tells me that David is extremely fun to play with. He goes to a Montessori school, and though he is barely 2 years old he can read at an 8th grade level and has a memory that you don't want to mess with. As in if he gets you to sing songs with him you better get the words right.

My mom told me that my sister is taking David with her to a conference in Denver, and then on to Phoenix to see his grandma and grandpa. I hope this is a sand storm free visit.

I do not know why Ruby and Theo are not going along to Denver and Phoenix. I do know that Ruby and Theo's grandma and grandpa are planning on heading to Tacoma sometime soon to meet them for the first time.

There is a chance I may go along to Tacoma, about the same chance I have of winning the lottery or going inner tubing in the Trinity River.

A Red-Head Nephew And Twins Named Theo & Ruby Babysat By A Pair Of Poodles

I got an email a few days ago telling me that the censorship block had been lifted from the Blue & Max Blog that I'd made well over 3 years ago.

Blue & Max are a pair of real high maintenance, real cute, poodles.

When I last saw Blue & Max they were living in a big house in Tacoma with a pair of real high maintenance, real cute, humans.

When I was last in the house Blue & Max live in I was astonished at how many things were serious issues. Like there was a house ban on repetitive noises. Everything in the kitchen had to be organized in alphabetical order. There were 6 or 7 different containment vessels for various types of trash.

If you mistakenly put something in containment vessel 4 that should have gone in vessel 5, well, let me tell you, the inquisition that followed was not a pleasant thing to endure.

And do not get me started on the dish washing protocols.

At the time I observed this domicile, like some sort of anthropologist observing an alien tribe, it appeared to me that Blue had the most issues. Blue is one very particular poodle. Blue's brother, Max, is the most laid back, easy going inhabitant. Max really was the only inhabitant I had a comfortable bond with.

So, sometime after I left that domicile, in a very metaphoric dark sky downpour, on August 20, 2008, had you told me then that less than 3 years later that a 2 year old boy and a pair of twins would be added to that house, I would have said this would not be possible.

And yet that is what happened. My nephew David was added, I think, well over a year ago. David is my first red-headed relative that I am aware of. Then 5 or 6 months ago the twins, Ruby Jean and Theo Ryan, RJ & TR, were added.

My mom and dad have yet to meet Ruby & Theo. They have met David. David flew down to Arizona to see his grandma and grandpa. I think maybe my mom and dad have been back up to Tacoma since David arrived, but my memory is faulty.

In the picture at the top, that is David, in the Big Brother t-shirt, with his arm around Ruby Jean. On the Blue & Max Blog there are a lot of pictures of David being the big brother, and Blue & Max being the babysitting poodles.

I highly doubt the circumstances will arrive where I play the uncle role with David, Ruby and Theo. I don't know how one can play the uncle role long distance.

When I did play the uncle role it was with 4 nephews who lived in close proximity. I was an excellent uncle, even if I do say so myself. Ask my nephews, they will confirm my excellent-ness as an uncle.