Steph's new Hooptie, Whip, Donk, Hot Rod, Kiddy Bus, Grocery Gettin', Low Rider, Shaggin' Wagon, PT Bruiser

Look at this hot momma with her new car! With the arrival of Mason, came a need for a new car. So we went on the hunt for the perfect four-door family car. Steph's old car was a two door 1996 Cutlass Supreme SL land yacht that was not the best equipped vehicle to haul an infant and the accompanying cargoship-size holds of baby goods that need to follow every infant around. So during the car hunt, she started using her Dad's Woody PT Cruiser to make life easier. After 3 months of driving the Woody PT around we could not find a small, fuel-efficient family car that could compare with the PT's utility and decided to get our own. It may look like a small package, but much to our amazement we carried two 8 foot kitchen counter-tops back from HomeDepot inside the car with all doors shut. We are constantly in awe of what this little car can haul around and how easy it is to get Mason in and out of it.

This time around Super-mom Steph got to pick out her car 100% without the influence of her husband. I was hoping she would get a Corvette ZO6 or a 1970 GTO Judge in "Fly Orange", but she would not be persuaded. In the end, she got everything she wanted including the leather, factory tint, and heated seats... and dang-it if she doesn't look good driving it too!

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Mason News: "Get in my belly...I'm gonna eat you"

That's right, our little boy wonder has figure out how to clasp his hands together and my how he loves to shove whatever he can into his mouth. As we quickly found out, he has his dad's temper (ha ha!). Mason tries to chew on his buddy Marvin (it's a brightly colored Moose toy). He actually yells when he can't fit it in his mouth. Other things he attempts to fit in his mouth are his fingers, both fists (occassionally at the same time), Gran's shoulder, bibs, blankets, toys, books...you name it, he gums it.

He can almost turn over! His arm gets in the way and he can only go 1/2 way. Won't be long before he figures it out.

I brought him up to BabiesRUS for some photos:


What a cutie! I could just kiss him up all day. Just amazing how fast he grows. Check back next week for pictures of Mason with his Aunt Donna and Aunt Karen. They will be visiting this week.

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The Cannonball Run: Don't Call it a Come-Back!

With the recent major successes of the Gumball 3000 and Bullrun rallies gaining attention faster than Mel Gibson at a bar mitzvah, the original coast-to-coast car race is making a comeback! After a 27 year break, Brock Yates the originator of the Cannonball Run is attempting to bring it back in spring 2007. The first Cannonball was completed in May 1971. The race was named after cross-country record-setting automobile racer Erwin George “Cannon Ball” Baker. It was a meant to be a protest against the then-recently imposed 55 mph speed limit. Yates was trying to prove “that good drivers, in good automobiles, could employ the American interstate system the same way the Germans were using their autobahns”.

The difference between the Cannonball; and the Gumball 3000 and Bullrun is simple. The Cannonball is a true race; go like hell and get to the other coast the fastest and you win. The Gumball 3000 and Bullrun are rallies, not races. Rich kids and celebrities spend a week driving by day and parting by night in exotic locations (i.e. Playboy Mansion, Castles, Las Vegas Suites etc) across the states (Bullrun) and around the world (Gumball 3000). Get out your Burt Reynolds mustache and load up the fake Ambulance with a crazy doctor!

Extra: The best time ever set driving coast-to-coast was in 1983 in the US Express race. 32 hours and 7 minutes!

Check out these great links:
http://www.gumball3000.com/flash/flash.html Checkout the Films in the Gumball TV section!
www.32hours7minutes.com/ Be sure to check out the upcoming Movie Trailer!
http://www.bullrun.com/showGallery.php?contentGalleryID=72 Check out the video clips!

Cannonball Run Times
1. May 1971
Fastest time: 40 hours, 51 minutes
Average speed of winner: 70 mph
Cars: 1
2. November 1971
Fastest time: 35 hours, 54 minutes
Average speed of winner: 80 mph
Cars: 8
3. November 1972
Fastest time: 37 hours, 16 minutes
Average speed of winner: 78 mph
Cars: 33
4. April 1975
Fastest time: 35 hours, 53 minutes
Average speed of winner: 81 mph
Cars: 18
5. April 1979
Fastest time: 32 hours, 51 minutes
Cars: 46

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Month End Recap: Ummm...Where did July Go?

Hughes News July recap…(July calendar provided by the CIA)

Kitchen appliances were installed, the kitchen is still rough around the edges but usable. Waterskiing on July 4^th morning at Lindsey’s cabin in Pine City. July 4^th night provided a rain of fiery hotness as Roseville City fireworks hit too close for comfort in our yard and actually started a fire in the park (my brother Scott "Fire Chief" McBeath put it out) as well as hit a college kid in my driveway, second degree burns included. Steph worked a Charity Beer Bash in New Prague for the 3-day Breast Cancer fundraising. The Harley Custom had a gasoline hangover, puked its petro guts out in the driveway. Wife sold of our old household assets on Craigslist at record pace, soon to start "Stephmart" chain. We moved back into the Dinning Room. Mason was baptized, party at the Foster’s followed. Steph knocked around some balls at the Softball Tournament in Duluth, banged up knee. Matty’s Caddy got a new pair of shoes. Mason rolls over for the first time. Super Mom Steph returned to work. Matt’s company gambles with 2 employee’s careers by making him their supervisor. Moved back into the Living Room, movie night anyone? And finally, helped Kevin and Tara (Luther) and Kevin and Tara (Foster) move into their respective new homes on the exact same day, how weird.

Looking forward to a bit less-busy August.

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