MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! TOM IS BACK!!!

He had a scare though. When I left him last Tuesday there were three sugar baskets, but when I retrieved him this morning one was missing and the other two had been knocked around. Tom was lying flat on his back, knocked out cold. But when I called to him he gave a little feeble toot on his horn and staggered out from behind the sugar baskets. I can't believe that someone actually bought one of those sugar baskets, and I agree with Lisa who theorizes that somebody probably bumped into them or something. In any event, my heart skipped a beat when I saw them all mixed up, but I was relieved to find Tom layed out behind the last one. Whew! Close call!
Nicely done Mr. Ping. Now lets start planning the next adventure!
It's good to have you back. I was worried about you!

YOUR MISSION IF YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT...

Tom is going to hide out for a week in Fairway Market. I'll retrieve him next Tuesday.
We have had our eye on these Easter "Sugar Baskets" for years, and they aren't exactly flying off the shelves. Tom thought it would be a perfect spot to hide out and spy on their operation. I hope nobody suddenly gets a hankering for a Sugar Basket. That would seriously compromise the mission.

I'll see you next Tuesday, Tom. I love you.

HE'S TOMPING AT THE BIT FOR A NEW ADVENTURE!!!

TOM ALMOST DIED TWICE TODAY, BUT FOR A COURAGEOUS ADVENTURER LIKE MR. PING THAT'S ABOUT PAR FOR THE COURSE.

It all started when Tom lingered too long with the dirty dishes by Norman (For years and years Camp Maranatha's dishwasher has been called "Norman.")

He was accidentally snatched up by Nathanael Peck, and soon found himself on a tray full of dirty dishes, which was headed right for Norman!


Not knowing that Tom Ping was trapped inside, Ryane Salazar, activated Norman, which assaulted Tom Ping with a barrage of chemicals super heated to 180 degrees.

Nathanael heard somebody screaming from inside Norman, but there was nothing anybody could do.

Tom came out of it alright, and he doesn't blame Nathanael for what happened.

After lunch, keith caught a big Gopher Snake on the center grass. We all went down to look at it.

Tom fell in.

Look out TOM!!!!
Keith saved the day before the snake could harm our intrepid adventurer.

DURING THE PAST MONTH AND A HALF TOM ACCOMPANIED THE HUTCHINS TO LAS VEGAS, A DODGERS GAME, MEXICO, SEATTLE, ALASKA AND THE CANADIAN YUKON

The world's largest thermometer.

This is Lisa Leslie of WNBA fame.
Penny Towler- the first woman to make a shot in the WNBA.


Dodgers game. Tom Ping is a Pirates fan oddly enough.

PRINCE RUPERT

This is my favorite picture from the Hutchins' vacation. Tom loved meeting a real live Mounty. Until Prince Rupert he thought they were a mythical being like fairies, trolls and eskimoes. Tom just stared and stared. It was embarassing.

SKAGWAY