Oh No Mr. Christmas Bill!

Every year, on Christmas morning, I make pancakes in the shape of reindeer heads. This tradition started when Hannah was very small and wildly enthusiastic about these types of things. That first year, I decorated a cooked pancake with chocolate chip eyes, a marricino cherry nose and a whipped cream smile. I carefully dripped the batter into the pan to make perfect antlers. Hannah was so thrilled with the creation that I decided to do this every year.

Well, times they are a changin' and in all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I forgot to pick up the cherries. I thought stawberry jam would make a good substitute, being red and all. I also decided I wanted to try to bake the chocolate chips into the pancakes instead of adding them at the end to save time. This is the result. Do you think he got a look at our Credit Card bill?



These are my kids with my nephews. The older ones are so helpful with the younger ones.

We got the little guy at the top a TMX Elmo for Christmas. If you haven't seen one work yet you are missing out. I think the adults liked it as much as the kids.

There's something about a bright and smiling face at a Holiday Program.

Christmas Program

She's got a great right hook...I think the boy in the green striped shirt is afraid of her.

Dancing at Wedding

Seems that the young ones never have a problem with dancing.

Meeting the Guy in Red

It almost looks like she is going in for a job interview. Instead of the 4 points of why you should hire me, she's is thinking 'I gotta make sure he gets my list and he has me on the Good list.'




"Santa, here's my list..."















We get a picture of her in this every year...just as cute as ever.
















She's only going to be 5 in January... 

Madi's First Pulled Tooth

Madi surprised us the other day by claiming she had a loose tooth. We thought it might be a little early for the Tooth Fairy, and we were wrong. Sure enough, the lower two teeth were loose. I told her it might take a "long time" for either of them to fall out...wrong again. Not a few days later, we were tieing the traditional tooth pulling knot with the dental floss and singing the ABC song. You can see the video on Google Video by searching "Madis Dad." What neither the video nor the picture shows is the BLOOD that gushed out. It took Madi by surprise...that's why she shed a few tears...not too many.  

School Book Fair

After several weeks of planning, calling volunteers and creating the decorations for the school book fair, it all came together today with the classess coming through spending their hard earned allowances for the lastest 'Charlie Bone' or 'Captin Underpants' story. Gen did an awesome job of coordinating the event and I am especially proud of the creative way she decided to decorate the cafeteria...see monkeys and paper vines. I can only wait to see what we have in store for the Spring event.

 

Scarecrow Production

This was Madi's class production of Scarecrow...I think...I'm not really sure. 

Daisy the Rat

Okay, I guess technically it's a hampster, but they're from the same family, right?


I caught Madelin "cleaning" her room the other day. When asked, "why," she grinned and said, "I want a pet." Well that goes back to a conversation we had a while back when I told the girls that we wouldn't even consider a new pet in the house until they started picking up after themselves. I guess they do listen.

Below, I'm doing my best Tom Green impression.




 

Halloween

Aaron and I on Halloween. He braved the cold taking the girls around. I got to hang back and hand out fists full of candy to the trick or treaters.

Here's Madi as the Little Mermaid and Hannah as a Pirate with the two girls from next door. As you can tell from the photo, there was plenty of girl power going on in our house on the 31st.

Video of Hannah Swimming

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7985783027245027696&hl=en

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4071009426599055548&hl=en

Peoria Spooktacular Day 2

Hannah did fantastic again today.

She took first in her heat during the 100 IM. She also took 3 seconds off her time for a final time of 1:47.07 which was 9th over-all.

She took second in 25 fly with a time of 24 sec and 13th overall.

She took third in 25 free with a time fo 19.45sec. We don't know her overall standing for this event.

Now its back to the practice pool. The next meet is in Olympia at the end of November.

For the video of Hannah's Backstroke and IM, go to Google and select the video tab. Search "Madis Dad"

Peoria Spooktacular Day 1

Eight different teams and hundreds of kids came together today for the first day of the Peoria Spooktacular swim meet. Hannah swam 3 events today, the 50 yd free, 25 back, and 25 breaststroke.

She took 2nd in her heat in the 50 free and 10th overall (42.95 sec.)(out of about 60 kids)

She took 1st in her heat in backstroke and 8th overall. (22.22 seconds)
She was only 2 seconds off a USA Swimming Division "A" time in this stroke.

She was 3rd in her heat for Breaststroke (29.00 sec). We haven't heard the final standings for this event.

Tommorow we have 25 free, 25 fly and 100 IM. 

Look who's birthday it is!

It was kind of a Marilyn Monroe sort of moment.
Madi sings the "Cha-cha-cha" part of the birthday song. 

The Perfect Hug

My daughter Madelin hugged me today. Her tiny arms clamped around my neck with a vice like grip. She squeezed into me, for no particular reason, burying her head under my chin. Her hair smelled like shampoo and something else…probably dirt, or sweat or food. It was the smell of childhood.

I was drawn to how she has become quite tall for her age but still fits in the crook of my arm. It still feels as if I could envelop her delicate bones twice around. But, even as I hug her, I know the stealthy undercurrent of change is coming. In its shocking yet comforting way, it will come like a thief in the night and transform her.

It was a long hug: a tight, brilliant and warm show of affection, completely unguarded. Although I get several a day, it was special, as each is special. Finally, she pulled away. I do not pull away first, anymore. But, everyone has a schedule to keep and today, it was time to play hopscotch.

Weekend Trip

It was a quick weekend trip up to visit the Grandparents at their cabin on the lake. We came upon this location in the middle of nowhere and then we went to the highest point in the State of Wisconsin. It was about 2000'. Yes we hiked up. We started at 1800'. It was a quick hike.



Madi and Hannah each got a turn driving the boat. Yes they have several years before we start in a car. Gen is disappointed she didn't get a turn.
How perfect is this sign. In fact, you can tell the one on the right is being a BRAT.
For the video of the girls at the water park and the river, go to Google and select the video tab. Search "Madis Dad"

Time To Drive

When was the last time you saw gas prices this low.

What Rose?

Vegas Deals

Fall At belagio

Meet Bob

Pumpkins

Here's a pumpkin with my pumpkins. They are all getting big. Fall is upon us. It's in the upper 50's today but at least it is sunny. I'm ready for the Fall but not as ready for the cold. 

Napa

Grapes

Lombard St

"Dad, I can do more skip-its than you." Last week she couldn't do more than three in a row. Today it's 50 plus. "How did you learn?" I asked. "I practiced everyday."
Check out the video clip on video.google and search madis dad.

Wildhorse Saloon

The Wildhorse Saloon is one of the stops you go to when you are in Nashville. It's a hugh 3-level bar with a big dance floor and a stage for the occasional concert. Big burgers.

Johnny Rockets

While "working" in Nashville at the annual CPCU conferment, we took a break to shop and have lunch at the mall. Apparently one of the requirements to work at Johnny Rockets is the ability to dance when a Janet Jackson song comes on. Big burgers.

Meeting An Astronaut

Do you remember the astronaut that stayed on the Russian Spacestation for 5 months. Here's a clip from Amazon about him:

Dr. Jerry Linenger's 132 days aboard the decaying Russian space station Mir were beset by power outages that left the crew in total darkness and tumbling out of control, poisonous chemical leaks, and near collisions with space debris. Most terrifying of all was a raging fire that, in a matter of minutes, nearly destroyed the station and all on board.

It was an inspiring speech. I may go out and buy his book. I will certainly be better about keeping a journal of my thoughts for the girls.

Gaylord Hotels Atrium

This is a scene from one of the many walkways in the atrium-covered gardens covering 9 acres.

Waterfall at the hotel.

It was a beautiful day for a parade...and unlike the Memorial Day Parade, this one's got candy. Lots of candy. Actually, I think the candy purchase is subsidized by the local dentist association. I think we have finally figured it out. We were able to arrive in the middle of the route just before the flags came by and we stayed almost up to the end. It was long enough since both girls had bags full enough to choke a horse.
"Mom...chomp, chomp...can I have another piece of candy?"