Christmas Family

Family time!!!!

Dark Pictures = Bad

My wife was not thrilled with the black picture of Allie. She said it looked creepy....hmmm.

So I decided to add that exact picture in not so creepy ways, starting with the original for reference. Click to enlarge.








And now for fun. We will take a picture of Allie and Kelli when we went to Relleke Pumpkin Farm. Click to enlarge.








This one is freaky...ehh

Nov 4th - A Big Deal

I would like to explain why Nov 4th was a big deal this year. I stayed home with Allie because we did not have a babysitter this particular day. It was a beautiful day in Historic Leclair.


Allie and I set out around 9am to do our public service and vote, technically she didn't vote, and on the way back we stopped and played in the gravel on the trail. Oh this gravel is fun. We'll call it "2ft of fun" because every 2ft we have to stop to play in the new gravel. Since we had no more obligations for the remainder of the day we took our time and played as much as we wanted.



Once we made it back home we swung for a while which is always a good time. Allie still has quandaries about walking into yard from the concrete especially now that there is fallen leaves. As long as she holds my hand she is fine to walk in the yard. Once she gets in the swing though, the higher the better!




After an action packed swinging, we set out to investigate the remaining flowers before the official "Cool Weather" hits and turns them brown. We even savored their last remaining scent,...they smelled like nothing at all to be quiet honest. However every time she leaned into the flower to put her nose near it, Allie would go "Mmmmmm."



So that was our day and it was a big deal. In fact, it took a 2.5 hour nap to recover. I used it to study for a Business Math test, unfortunately I wore myself out as well and fell asleep on my book for an hour.

Political Cartoon III

Funny Stuff...no wait, Scary Stuff.

Political Cartoon II

sigh....another policial blog post, another polical cartoon. i guess i'll just beat this topic to death since this presidential campaign has beaten the american public to death. enjoy...or not...

Random Email

My wife and I rarely converse during the week while at work. Even though we are both at our respective desk and have phone/email access, she's normally too busy and when she isn't, I am. A shout out once a week is standard issue for us.

Well I got an email from her today, 29 Oct 2008. I don't know what she is doing at work to warrant this sole email line but she cracks me up. Here is what I read...
"your bday next year is on labor day...fun stuff..."


fun stuff is right....

Happy Halloween

I applaud cartoonist who capture the sentiments that I have. Luckily, there are no cartoonist that disagree with me, right....any way enjoy for the few who will appreciate this.

Eat, no thanks, I'll Sleep

Allie after a busy morning in her highchair. By lunch she was whopped, she didn't even have turkey to make her fall asleep!

1 year pictures

We went to get Allies 1 year picture which turned out to be a mess. JC Penny's was not worth it...go figure. Instead I took Allie outside to capture some outside pictures that same day. Here is what I came up with.

Click to Enlarge.


So the funny thing about taking these pictures was I swept the leaves into a pile and set her in the middle. She immediately started making a noise, that sounds like someone with sore muscles. Then, she wouldn't take one step which was funny becuase I got behind her. She wanted to see where I was so she was twisting all around. Good Stuff.

House Guests

Kelli's brother and son came to visit after a long time being unable to get away. It was fun and Braydon and Allie play very well together.

Bath Time!


Kelli made up a little snack and we had them watch 1,2,3's to wind down for the evening.

Occasionally they are so alike.

Click to enlarge.

Bandwagon

I wish I was the Bandwagon but unfortunately I'm not...

I know most of the US is on the Obama bandwagon despite not understanding any of his policies. The concept, adults having no idea what either president stands for this close to the election is hard for me to believe. I've talked to several Obama supporters at work who were shocked at his health and energy plan and I wasn't being negative I was just saying here is where both presidents stand for. I encouraged them to investigate both sides but now I'm past the equality and onto sophomoric teasing. Bottom line, I'm a hunter, who works and spends within my means and believe society should do the same. People shouldn't have the government hold their hands throughout life. Take ownership and contribute. It only stands to reason I find this motto to the point.

We've Got a Diaper Down!

Kelli and I (along with some help from Ed R. and Mike H.) helped us work on my home this weekend. Kelli is attainment we tuck point the house and paint the brick becuase it looks horrible. This further translates into us needing to power wash the brick. (Thanks Ed, you did well.)

Mike H. helped to finish the the roof sofet and fascia. (Thanks Mike, it looks great)

After a lovely day of this work, Kelli and I were exhausted. I was already tired because my friend Josh E. came over Friday night for a little bonfire and beverages. (Thanks Josh, for not leaving until 3:30 AM.) So Saturday night I was truly was exhausted 9 pm.

Allie, on the other hand, was running around after her bath (with her diaper on), ...oh yeah, she's walking not really running, but certainly active. So we are discussing how good if feels to sit and who is going to sacrifice this comfort to go put Pajama's on Allie and give her the bottle.

As fate would have it Allie solved the dilemma for us. She came walking out of her room completely naked and holding her bottle with milk drips all around her mouth. I got up and went into her room and found a nice puddle of clear liquid on the wood floor with a book soaking up the mystery liquid.

Kelli now was up and we cleaned the mess got her PJ's on and gave her milk bottle to her.

Funny thing is we never found the diaper in her room it was in the living room, behind the chair which is off to the side of the living room near her bedroom door. SO we never noticed she walked into her room naked. All I can say is the writing is on the wall that kid #2 is going to wipe Kelli and I out completely.

Good Times

I wish every day was like this moment.

Clicke to Enlarge

Ozark Times, Good Times

I have a whole lot to say about this trip, but I'm not going to. Her are some pictures:









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2nd Amendment

I 'm not really wanting this to become a political blog, but it is my blog so it's happening.

"Let me make one thing clear."
For many reasons I'm not an Obama fan, and I will make it clear. I think with what he has said during the campaign he has the provided plans to do long term damage to this country, but you have to look past his 4 years to see this. Our civil liberties as we've known them are in high jeopardy and I would gladly let anyone try to explain any of the thoughts I have below, differently.

-Taxes (especially Capital Gains...can you say delayed retirement for all. Govt programs as laid out by Obama can not be sustained without tax increases...)
-Health Care (especially Universal...this system will be no better then our current system (which is not good). Abusers will keep abusing and the people who are currently paying are now at the swiftness of the government, god forbid a serious aliment that needs quick decisions. It's funny that Europeans and Canadians hate this system yet this is what America is going do. Private Health care will become a necessity for the same health care we have now. That means we'll pay more = U.HC + Private HC.)
-2nd Amendment (Biden would take away our fork and knife if he found out it killed people...seriously the cities with the highest gun violence (D.C. and Chicago) have the strictest gun laws...not coincidence. Obama has voted to prosecute people who used a gun defending a home invasion....not acceptable. As Americans the 2nd Amendment is our right.)
-Socialism (not a fan. Everyone should have an opportunity to have wealth. Not everyone needs (Let me clarify, Deserves) wealth because they aren't going to work and put in the extra effort or take a risk for wealth. This is why we have a shift between those who are wealthy and not wealth. I'm not wealthy and I'm not upset with people who took a chance opening their own business. I do not think they should share their wealth with me. Redistribution of wealth...I don't consider Russia and China the lands of opportunity. Entrepreneurship is what has driven this country. Take away that opportunity, take away America moving forward.)
-Acquaintances (how can a person with contacts that include very wealthy socialists, radical preachers, and ACORN among others not be automatically questioned. Instead this a presidential choice...or what I consider a presidential joke.)

Allie & Brayden

Cousin's at the Clubhouse

First Tractor Ride

Allstar with Uncle Mikey and cousin Brayden. Now she can go brag to the other kids at day care, who are mostly boys, that she rode in a tractor already. (Click to enlarge picture)


And for the artistic photography junkies out there, here is a picture I snapped that day:

First Baseball Game

CUBS vs. CARDS

We went with the Barlows and had a good time with them and their little boy, Jack. Allie did well and only got scared when the crowd starting cheering. This sudden burst of noise was frightening. As for the game, the Cubs tied it in the 9th. Jack was tired and Allie was asleep so didn't wait for the conclusion of the game and left in the 10th inning. By the time we got to parking garage the Cards had won in the 11th, which is fine because I like both teams. It was especially nice taking Allie because it followed tradition for my first game was a cubs game at the legendary Wrigley Field, and technically Allies first game was a cubs game. Certainly Kelli's first game was a Cards game so it followed her tradition.

Leave it to Beaver

In addition to having a beaver at the clubhouse, we have a beaver in our house. Allie has been gnawing on her books. She has a couple out of commission and the latest casualty is “My Fluffy Bunny”. Sorry to whoever bought this for us. It was used in the most loving way a child with two huge teeth knows how.