Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Ups, Downs... then Ups and then Downs

Is it the gender powering the engine behind the mood swings or the age? I guess I won't know until I have the opportunity to raise a boy... but I'm gonna follow my experience and intuition and say that it's probably gender. Its almost impossible to predict Avery's mood lately. She's up. She's down. She's up again. Sometimes the simplest things will turn the switch from happy to raging mad and then back to happy again. Up. Down. Up. Down. Up.


Monday, August 30, 2010

My Favorite Season is Soon Here!

I will give you a hint...

It's a season of cool and even cold weather...

It's a topic of many conversations once it is upon us...

There are many different colors in many different regions of the country...

My birthday is in the middle of this season...

Deer hunting is during this season as well...

If you guessed the Fall season...

You must guess it again!

Its the football season! Hah!
Yesterday I had my fantasy football draft for the league I commission.

It went well! (except for my team, lol)

Even though the pictures didn't turn out so well... you get the idea. The pic above is the draft board after 12 teams made 18 picks a piece. The pic below is the take home trophy that last years winner will keep. Not your traditional trophy. I thought it was a little more appropriate to a football fan. Its a man with a remote and a beer. The picture doesn't do it justice. It's a cool trophy.


Here's to the football season and good luck to your fantasy football team! (I'm sure most of my readers have a team, right, hah!)

Friday, August 27, 2010

Sunny Days

I'm not really the bright sun type. I tend to want to spend time outside when it is a little overcast, breezy, and cool. Humid and in the 80's is not my idea of the most ideal weather. So, when a couple days ago the family was outside, I had the opportunity to snap a few photos of Avery enjoying the sun. It was a nice day!

Yes. What you are seeing is right. Both, and I mean both, Herman and Avery are sleeping while sitting upright. What are the chances?

Surveying the landscape...

This little guy was hiding under the top of our propane tank. He was a sparkly white that didn't catch in the photo.


Its a good thing he could disguise himself a little... because you never know who's out there!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

I'm Still Alive

Just a quick note to let anyone interested (I hope there are a few) know that I am in fact still alive and well. Just needed a break from the PC for a little while. Things are good and everyone is doing well. Talk to you all soon!

I've been thinking about getting rid of this hot weather and trading it in for the best season of the year... Fall! What do you think? Should I make the switch? I think its time to trade in the campfires for the cups of cocoa. Are we in agreement? If not, I'll have to force the issue... LOL.


Sunday, August 15, 2010

Fun in the Park

Miller Park that would be. Granted I am assuming that more people other than myself had fun. However, you will notice in the following pictures that I personally had a good time!


Have you ever wanted to attend an MLB game and just take in the sights?


Just enjoy the crowd and get into the game with fellow spectators...


Then someone starts snapping pictures... great. Who's the guy trying to be slick over there?

No flash, so not everyone notices right away...


Wait... hold on... now you see the guy. Sure enough. He's actually trying to snap pictures on the sly! What a loser. The nerve of this guy!


You're just trying to enjoy the game! Can't he just leave you alone and watch the game!?!



It's enough to make a person...



Crazy!


Sorry, Nate. I had to use the picture. :0)

Good times though! Thanks for coming brothers!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

County Fair!

Avery went to her second county fair earlier this summer and by almost all accounts perceived... had a blast! Her first carousel ride was a little shaky at first and she clutched pretty tight to uncle Brad the first ride. Here she is with Mommy having a pretty good time her 3rd time around.


Uncle Brad was the first one to take her on the carousel and as you can see (before the ride started) Avery looked a little nervous...


Ah, now she's relaxing a little! As she should. Her knight in, uh, patterned armor (?) is standing right next to her! : )


Why is it that Uncles always get to be the cool ones!?!


Is it the shades?


That's gotta be it...

Thursday, August 12, 2010

A Day Of Oddities

Tell me. When was the last time or rather, have you ever, seen a game of chess being played next to a pliers, zip ties, work gloves, or a cup of ice water?


I didn't win. : (



How about witnessing someone puke a gray, soft, insulating  matter?



Good idea Grandpa! LOL! You are unique.



Or maybe a wild baby in a flamingo pink outfit with a t-shirt sleeve head band?



If you see J.P. in a sleeveless T-shirt... you know why.


A day of oddities indeed... or just another day at Grandma and Grandpa's house?

To be fair and offer full disclosure... the previous photos and observations were actually a day at Grandma and Grandpa's house under the watch of all the males in the family... enough said? I think so.


Not everything is all that odd however... quality time with uncle Jeff playing cards is probably more "normal".


Avery can shuffle now...


Then again... who wants to be normal?

Not this little girl. :-)

How could she be normal... have you met her mother? : )

Monday, August 9, 2010

I Just Can't Help Myself


I just can't help myself. Look if you dare or care. Don't if you won't or don't. Avery had 1 year old pictures taken and I am still the new father that marvels at how much and in what ways a child grows. Most of ya'll are veterans and are probably not as amused as I am of course. So, out of more than a hundred great pics, I quickly grabbed 5 that caught my eye. (Great job snapping pics of a now temperamental toddler by the way Kelly! Anyone interested in a great photographer just ask Kathleen for info.)

"This is my 'looking at something past you in the distance' pose." -Avery


"Are ya kidding me!?! More pictures?"



"Hey! I didn't expect to see you down there! Hello!"

"Uh... yeah! I could go for some puffs and a couple episodes of Spongebob right now! Let's go!"

"Thanks for looking at my pictures! I can feel the love!"

Well, that's my girl! I was pretty sure she was going to be boy before she was born and now I am such a sucker for her sweetness and charm... we'll see how long that lasts, right Avery?

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Oh Brother What A Summer

Looking at a few pictures that I had yet to "file" today made me think of my brother Nathan who has moved out of state and then leads my mind to think of my brother Brad who will moving back out of state soon. There is a large difference of accessibility to Wisconsin again through the next year. However, one similarity is that neither one will be as conveniently as available as they have been through this summer.

The most exciting part of the summer has to be what they were able to witness and see with little Avery growing and learning so many things. Those are memories they won't forget and will be able to reflect on as they see her get confirmed, graduate, and maybe even (shudder) marry some day. Wow. I can't imagine.

There was one day towards the beginning of the summer that Brad and Nate stopped by and both of them spent a good amount of time playing with a particular family member or two.


Nathan's time that afternoon was spent with Avery who was just getting comfortable trying to walk. As long as someone had her hand at that time she kinda, sorta, okay, barely was able to step along a little.


Actually, back then I believe that both hands were still necessary. I remember thinking that Nathan was remarkably patience and stuck with her for quite a while.


Those summer days are over however and Avery will have accomplished much by the time Uncle Nathan sees her again. We are happy we had them though!


As for the other brother and then other family members mentioned...


Enjoy him while you still have him boys! :-)


... and thank goodness for pictures! Sometimes they last longer than memories! I guess they are an insurance plan of sorts!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

They Always Make Me Cry


Today I took a look at a blog that I follow and just had to make it a post and plug for the creator on my blog. The title to this post is exactly the same as the title to his with the picture he released. Below is Terry the creator of http://www.bentobjects.blogspot.com/

Too funny!

They Always Make Me Cry

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Good Taste?

Recently my younger bro, Nate, moved down to Texas for reasons previously mentioned on this blog. It's an exciting and nervous time for him. Everyone that knows Nathan is confident that he will do fine with his new assignment and we look forward to hearing about stories and news of him becoming acclimated to his new place, new job, and new state!

I received a picture that reminded me of Nate's new state of residence... a state that I think enjoys accessorizing their clothing a little different than most places. Maybe Nathan could hook me up while he's down there? Huh, Nate?

Tell me this isn't the sweetest best buckle you've ever seen... just try it.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Hello. Goodbye.

Hello and Goodbye. That is all I have time for this morning. As I eat a quick bowl of Fruity Cheerios... yes they make fruity Cheerios... I contemplate two things...


1. Was this box of Cheerios purchased for me or a certain other little someone? Oops. To late now.
and
2. What am I going to post to the blog in about 3 minutes?

So I leave you with this. My little too cool daughter at the church picnic. She actually left these sunglasses on for about 10 minutes!


That is all. Everyone have a blessed day!