Happy Halloween

Just want you to know that we still exist...just super busy...try to update later!

Avery's 4th Birthday Princess Party

Here are just a few of the pictures that we have...each picture demonstrating a different aspect of the party.
a. Party table is set in the dining room. You may notice the tiaras and supplies set up for the 'princesses' to decorate their tiaras.
b.Dance Party - Some of the party goers dancin' on the dance mat.
c.Avery blowing out her candles on her Little Mermaid 'tear-apart cupcake cake'.
d. Party go-ers playing the Prince Charming's Kiss game...one princess is blindfolded while another princess places a Hershey's Kiss in the hand. The blindfolded princess than guesses who placed the kiss in her hand.
e. The Little Mermaid 'Tear-apart Cupcake Cake"
f.Pin the Crown on the Princess Game - Pretty self-explanatory. Yes, that is my artwork using Avery as the inspiration for the 'princess'. Not going to be confused with Picasso anytime soon.
g. The Princess Party consisted of the girls decorating their own tiaras and creating their own necklaces to go with their 'princess' costumes or dresses that some asked to wear to the party...others were able to dress up with material at our house. We intended to have the girls decorate their own frames, take a picture of their creations and wardrobe, and include those with the Thank You notes. (We didn't get to the frames, but Jill, Andrew, and Avery decorated some frames and Jill sent them home to the attendees.
h.Jill played the part sporting her Prom Dress from the 1992 Schaller-Crestland High School Prom. Impressive!
i. All of the Princess attendees (& Andrew) behind the snack/cake table.
j. NOT SHOWN: One other game that was played was "Find Cinderella's Lost Shoe". Jill used one of her wedding shoes and one of the girls would hide the shoe in the family room or living room and the other girls would go look for it. Very entertaining to watch!
k. Jill did a great job putting on a great party...but it should be noted that I contributed much more than I thought possible...thanks Kristen and Karlynn, I think : )

Swimming Lessons

Here are a few pictures of the kids at swimming lessons. Avery passed the preschool level and has been passed to Level 1. Her instructor said that she is good at 'scoops', 'kicks', and 'bobs'...obviously her mother and I are very proud. Andrew passed Level 1 and has been promoted to Level 2. He was noted for being one of the most eager kids to swim in his class - so it is on to the next challenge! As one would imagine, after passing their 2-week swimming lessons, they were rewarded with McDonald's for lunch...as if there were any doubt. I am sure Michael Phelps 'drive' to Olympic glory started not with aiming for gold, but aiming for a Happy Meal!

On a side note, you see a picture with Andrew and his friend Owen who was also in his Kindergarten class.

Bathroom Remodel Pictures

Here are a few pictures of the remodel. I will try to add a few more pictures. I don't have any pictures of the old bathroom but you can remember the light green/tropical towels with the linoleum...awesome. There are still some touch up painting spots (a lot of door trim) still to paint, but at least you can get the idea of what our new 'guest/kids' bathroom looks like.

Popcorn Days 2009

Here are the kids earning 2nd place in the Popcorn Days Kiddie Parade. Andrew was Mr. Incredible, Avery was Violet, and Alex played the part of Jack-Jack. The sign on the back of the wagon was: Popcorn Days are Incredible

As with Popcorn Days schedule in years past, the Kiddie Parade kicks off the festivities on Friday evening. Afterward, we had some dinner at the Methodist Church stand and then onto some rides. The kids had fun riding the Super Slide, going in the Bouncy House, the Fun House, the Gator Roller Coaster, the Merry-Go-Round, and the Flying Rocket Ships w/ guns. Why would a rocket ship have guns mounted on it....rogue aliens perhaps?

Saturday morning was the parade which was lots of fun. Tractors, fire engines, floats, and some interesting additions. This years favorites: Man leading geese, the Shriners Rat Patrol (old guys going really fast in go-karts in formation, some clowns, and the Trailing Tractors (A large International Tractor pulling tractors in descending size down to a itty-bitty match-box sized toy tractor...cool!) Afterward it was the noon meal in the park. Later that afternoon went on more rides. Jill & I finished the night at the Jaycee Beer Garden talking with friends and HS classmates with Jill.

We got a chance to see Laurie, Bryan, and their new son Owen, Jill's aunt Sue made it back from Idaho, Jill's Aunt Kathie & Uncle Jim, Grandma Dolly & Grandma Kathleen.

The 4th of July & the Skate Palace...What more needs to be said?

The family and I spent the Fourth of July weekend in Schaller, IA for a little rest and peace & quiet! On Saturday, July 4th we took Jill's grandma's to Ida Grove for dinner. While in Ida Grove, I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of the kids at the Skate Palace. A little less than 9 years ago Jill and I were there celebrating our wedding at the reception at the Skate Palace! I explained to the kids what we did at the skate palace and they were fairly un-impressed. When they saw the 'castle-like' building and the fact that people could roller skate in the building they thought it was pretty cool! They asked whether we roller-skated at the reception or not and I said no...they didn't understand why we didn't. Anyway, enjoy the pictures of Andrew, Avery, and Alex on the 4th in Ida Grove, IA at the Skate Palace.

College World Series pictures

Here are some pics from our College World Series experience a couple of weeks ago. We went with Christi, Adam, Jack, and Lisa (Christi's sister) to watch Arizona St & Texas. Christi and Lisa's Dad is the President of the College World Series so clearly we had a few 'perks'. We got to sit behind home plate...I literally got to sit in THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE! We got into the VIP club seating for dinner (and all the Coca-Cola I could drink, parking pass, access into the CWS Press Box where I crossed paths with ESPN announcer Mike Patrick, and got to throw out the first pitch (okay, I lied about that...I got a little carried away). It was a great time and loved every minute of it!

Unexpected House Guest

Saturday night, June 20th, Jill, Alex, and I came home from the Lakehouse while the other two stayed overnight with Grandma Barb & Papa Jim.

After talking in the kitchen for a few minutes (having already put Alex down in his crib) Jill and I had an unexpected house guest waiting to welcome us home. I thought at first it was a large moth flying by the light throwing a large shadow...turns out it was a bat (not necessarily the same as the one picture). Jill hit the floor screaming with a towel over her head...while I calmly studied the situation. Hey its my blog, I will tell the story as I want to.

After flying a few laps around the kitchen, dining room, living room, and entry way in which Jill went screaming from the front door which brought our neighbor over to hold our front door open...he saw the bat buzz my head which caused me to land on my backside after several swings with a broom. Finally, it flew out the front door.

Apparently Omaha, Nebraska has a large bat population for an urban population. As one might imagine, I hope that is our last encounter with a winged house-guest.

It's about time for some picture updates

Here are some recent pictures for those who are not on Facebook. I have the kids on Father's Day, Jill & I sitting behind homeplate at the College World Series (Arizona St. & Texas), and 1st Birthday cake in my hair for Father's Day.

Tax Day coming...

It is April 13th, okay, technically it is April 14th (after midnight) and I would like to say that I just about have my taxes done and it looks like we have a refund coming....very nice! No real story to share, here, but just wanted to vent that my taxes ARE ALMOST finished! Until next time...

Great Visit!

I saw my mom, Mary, sister, Karlynn, and niece Melinda leave Omaha today! I cannot say how awesome it was to have them in town. Besides our housing crisis...it was just a lot of fun to have them around. All I know is that Scott and Karlynn have their hands full with Melinda...my niece has a lot on the ball (and she is only (almost) 3 months old. What fun!

Cherry Hills Falls

I am currently staying in the Holiday Inn Express less than a mile from my house with my family, mom, sister, and niece...why you ask? My 5-year-old son left the upstairs bathroom sink barely on with the drain stopper in....in other words, water spilling over the sink, onto the floor, down the vents, and through the ceiling of the first floor and basement. In other words, we are out of our house for several days awaiting the cleaning/demolition/reconstruction of part of our home.

Good times! Seriously, we have enjoyed the time with Grandma Mary and Aunt Kiki with niece/cousin Melinda Rose. Went to the zoo today. Will spend Easter with the Watson's at the Lake House tomorrow. The worst damage I ever did to my parents house was break the Garage Door with my sister...let's hope this is the ceiling for ALL of my children! We currently have about 7 jet engine fans drying out the carpet, drywall, etc. Hopefully I will post pictures soon!

Until next time...

Great Birthday!

I celebrated yet another birthday yesterday & what a day it was:

Woken up at 7:25am by Andrew and Avery as they brought breakfast in bed (kid bowl of Crispix cereal and the 'last' kid yogurt). Very nice!

Went to get glasses for Alex (at 6 months old, he looks very cute).

Lunch at Panera with the family.

Swimming lessons for Andrew.

Left to go to JV/Varsity game vs. Norris at 3:00pm. First game is at 6:00pm

Dinner at Runza on the way home from the game...birthday dinner with the JV/Varsity team and coaches at 10:00pm

Home by about 12:00am

It oddly was a great day...just would have loved to have had family with me at night. But it was definitely enjoyable.