Good Times Celebrating Avery

This little girl turned one year old on the 3rd and there was some celebrating! Here she is in her birthday outfit enjoying the great weather we had that day.

Most of the immediate family from both sides were there that day and were lucky enough to enjoy warm weather, a cool breeze, and a big shade tree that was ever so generous to keep us all protected that day. If you look close enough at the picture you can see a great idea for a gift for the G&K Zastrow's.

Yep! They seem to enjoy our only piece of outdoor patio furniture! Spongebob! Go figure. I never had them pegged for the type to go with themed outdoor patio furniture. If anyone wants to go in on it next christmas or whatever, let me know.

Seriously, here they are asking Avery where she got it and as usual, Grampa checking the quality of the chairs.

Overall, it was a good day! Avery couldn't ask for more quality family! She's a blessed little lady! Thanks for coming everyone!

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.

Insanity!

That's what I have been feeling lately due to one particular person... err... rather... one particular sponge. A sponge with a first name as unique as naming your dog "Spot". That sponge would be SpongeBob Square Pants. He is on the Nick Cartoon Network quite often and Nick is on our TV almost everymorning for the enjoyment of Avery/Kathleen. For about a month Nick was promoting a new episode of SpongeBob with a song he and Patrick the goofy starfish sang in that episode. Now that song plagues my mind CONSTANTLY!!! So, let me do you all a favor and stick it in your craw for a day or two! Watch this video if you dare!

One person doesn't mind me singing this song one bit however! She'll listen to it while she works on the farm all day! Nice mustache mini farmer! Is Avery repairing fence or destructing it?