Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Now That's Service

So many lame service people out there... whether it be at a fast food place, your local grocer, or any other form of customer service we encounter regularily. Here is a video with one pretty great service guy...

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Life Before...

We are less than a week out from our little Avery's 1st birthday... and that prompts thoughts of Kathleen's pregnancy and our life before Avery...


This is how we presented the good news before we even knew which pair of shoes would be filled! I can't even imagine life without the little one that God blessed us with to filled the pair on the right! (Not sure if she ever actually wore them though, lol)


Everyday since Avery joined us has been a guaranteed smile!

I just can't figure out why...

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Who's Really In Charge

Every once in a while I find myself sitting next to my little girl and not paying attention to her. She gets so much attention so often that I think she has become to decide for herself that she will have it all, when she wants, for how long she wants, and you will like it. A couple days ago I was having just such a moment. However, instead of the normal whining and crying that she has become prone to do when trying to get attention, I've noticed that she is adapting new methods to inform me that she is the one truly in charge.

Methods, that she believes will really send the message home... like locating my cell phone, grabbing my cell phone, and then throwing it on the floor hard enough to pop the back door off and bounce the battery out.


Now, the battery and the back door did not fall so neatly next to the phone. The truth is that her tactics worked. Smart little bugger, eh? Daddy swooped down and scooped up his precious phone pretty quickly. The thing is, I didn't realize how diabolical or "mobbish" my daughter could be. If you look closer at the photo you will notice that somehow she managed to send me a message, just in case I didn't see it happen or wondered who was responsible. A signature if you will... truth be told, I'm a little intimidated by this and have become a little paranoid. (See where the mob part comes in?) Now, I see these little cheerios everywhere and constantly find myself looking over my shoulder when I do find one. I can't shake the feeling that I've screwed up and someone is going to "whack" me with a giant spoon. *Shudder* I guess I know who is really in charge.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Happy (Late) Father's Day!

Father's Day on both sides of my family was celebrated early and will be celebrated late. It works out perfectly since I was a working man on Father's Day and didn't have time to get with either of the daddies on Sunday. I was able to get about an hour and half before going to bed for the day and leaving for work for the day with my little pumpkin however. Didn't seem like a lot, but it was quality time and left in impression of certainly being loved by daughter and mommy on Father's day... what more can a guy ask for, hey? Well, there was a little more...


Somehow, I don't know how, Mommy pulled off getting Avery to do some finger (hand?) painting. I loved this gift!

 We got to get together with the Grand Dad Z last week and are going to be getting together with the Grand Dad L this week so I leave you with some Father quotes that I had discovered on no particular topic. We are lucky and blessed to have such great Dad's in our lives and Avery is quite the blessed girl to have them both as her Grand Dad's! The Z's hope everyone had a great Father's Day! You deserve it Dad's!

When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years. -Anonymous (Often erroneously attributed to Mark Twain)

One night a father overheard his son pray: Dear God, Make me the kind of man my Daddy is. Later that night, the Father prayed, Dear God, Make me the kind of man my son wants me to be. -Anonymous

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. -Clarence Budington Kelland

By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong. -Charles Wadsworth

Never raise your hand to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -Red Buttons


Saturday, June 19, 2010

Solid

I don't feel compelled to see to many kids movies... but I have really enjoyed each of these in the past! So, here's some free tips from new character Ken in the upcoming movie Toy Story 3... bachelor's take note...





Friday, June 18, 2010

Aunts and Uncs!

Avery has seen a lot of her Aunt's and Uncle's the last week... Foolishly, I didn't catch enough of it on camera and don't have pictures! Ooops! (Help me out here Steph) However, before all the 'seasonal' aunt and uncles came home for the summer, she got a special visit from Uncle "Effery" and pictures were taken!

Here's Unc Jeff with Avery outside by a makeshift campfire...


...and here is Uncle Effery putting a wet one on little Avery...


...and here is little Avery repulsed and trying to shake the willies off from Unc's kiss...


... Just kidding! Avery loves kisses! She knows because she gets a lot of them!

"Keep 'em coming! I can take it!" -Avery

Monday, June 14, 2010

Happy Gary Day!

Last night we spent some time "down on the farm" for an early Father's Day. The stars all aligned just right and the entire family was present. It doesn't happen very often given the lives of my brothers and sisters and the geography gap that must be closed at any given time by any of the 4 of them. Of course, we too have to "head down south" to get to the farm. So far south that I might have to throw a stone 2 or 3 times to get it there.
So, since everyone was home, we gathered to appreciate and spend time with our Daddy, Grand Daddy, and Great Grand Daddy. The father of most present was my Pa, Gary. Now, his first name, Gary, is not the most common name around anymore, but may have had its time and place. That time and place must have passed quickly however as I became accustomed to weird looks and funny remarks in reaction to the name Gary.
I didn't get those looks or funny comments when referring to my Dad, but rather when referring or exposing my middle name to friends, schoolmates, or co-workers. The most common dialect went down like this:
Person (complexed looked on face): "Your middle intial is a G? What's your middle name?"
Me: "Guess what it is." (noone has ever guess correctly)
Person: "Gerald? Greg? Gus? Gomer?"
Me: "Very funny. No. It's Gary."
Person (sceptical look and disbelieving smile) & (sometimes just outright laughter): "No it isn't! Shut up! What is it really?"
Me: "Really. It's Gary."
Person: "Gary. Huh. (Insert lame joke here)"

Now, I am not one that is unfamiliar with being teased, nor am I one unfamiliar with doing a little teasing myself (a little), so this of course never bothered me, but rather I enjoyed it quite a bit and am proud to carry a name as respected and loved as Gary (dad) is "in these here parts". Last night I foolishly *slap my forehead* forgot to snap any pictures while we were enjoying eachothers company. Duh! Blog! Hello! So, in respect, love, and ever present teasing... I offer a picture of Gary on Father's Day...


and of course a picture of the rest of the family (which might explain the above picture of Gary if you didn't get it)...


Meeeeoooow, Dad... Meeeeoooow.



Friday, June 11, 2010

Nature and It's Beauty... Sort of

I was out snapping a few pictures a couple weeks ago of things that you may see later on this blog. I was admiring the things that I was able to enjoy and appreciate even on our single acre area out here in the boonies. Afterwards, while still thinking about the admirable things that our Lord put in nature, I found myself on the porch noticing some other creatures of nature. The problem was, these creatures were not on the outside with me, but rather on the inside looking out!

How majestic, eh? I guess there are all kinds of creatures, some we appreciate more than others...



Ahhh, Yes. Then there is the remains of creatures as well... how special.


Just when I had about enough appreciating the usually unapprecaited... I noticed another creature in her natural habitat...


She had other friendly creatures with her! Just like that I am happy again with ALL of God's creations!

Notice, I said that I was happy...


I didn't say EVERYONE was...

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Not Today


I snapped these pics awhile ago...


It was after Avery woke up from a nap on Daddy...


These kind of close moments are awesome... I can't quite think of anything to compare it to. However, today it can't happen. Today I am sick as can be and cannot and will not subject my dear girl to it. Even at the expense of these moments.



You'll wait for me though, right Avery?

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Everything is Bigger in Tex... Wisconsin!?!


All personal jokes aside... can you tell what our neck of the woods claim to fame is? If you can't tell from the picture and you are unfamiliar with the most populous "flower" there is... you can see a bunch in full bloom on the top page of this site... http://www.paperdelights.blogspot.com/.

Yes indeed. We are proud of the "little" or not so little things around here. Especially when preparing for a brother that is about to become a Texas resident at the end of the summer. Bet they don't have dandelions this big down there! So, how big do they actually get!?!




Big enough! That's how big! In fact, some would say intimidating! Downright frightening! When asked, "How big are dandelions in Wisconsin!?!" a certain someone might say, "Soooooooo-o-o-o-o-o-o... BIG!".  That's just scary.


Well... I guess not all THAT scary, I see.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Something Bright


Today was a little gloomy at work and turned out gloomy again on the ride home and right up until now remains a little gloomy. Outside that is. So, to counter the gloomy feeling and the gloomy weather. I offer you a brighter and lighter moment this morning. What a goof ball. Goodnight everyone. Enjoy the weather today! :0)

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Memorial Day Weekend, We'll Remember This One

So, I took the weekend and then some off from posting. It was a busy weekend! There was a lot of time spent with family from fishing to solitaire-a-thon to shopping to church and even an offer of going to the races! As mentioned in my previous post... we got to meet Steph's boyfriend, Dave. It went well... My first encounter with Dave was spent in my garage watching him install an outdoor light fixture that was held up due to lack of correct tools. So, before I met Dave, the side of my garage looked like this...


After I met Dave the side of my garage looks like this...


Before I met Dave, I had no idea that these wasp nests were under my garage doors...



After I met Dave, they are removed and all appears safe once again...


Before I met Dave, he was Stephanie's boyfriend...


After I met Dave, he became Stephanie's fiance!


Yes! It's true! I was in shock and awe at the same time since the thought had not crossed my mind that it could happen this weekend! So, in conclusion to my last post... We met Dave, we like Dave, introducing your boyfriend to your cooler older brother will probably make him your husband, and Dave is a member of the family soon! Congratulations Steph and Dave!