Yeah, I'm an old man

Turned 30 today. Woo-hoo! Hoo-ray! Whatever. I don't feel any different, but three times today people asked me how it feels to be 30 as if I should feel different somehow. I'm just glad that I made 30. 200 years ago I would have grandchildren and been lucky to live another 10 years at age 30. So, thats something.

All BS aside, I had a really great birthday. The boys came and jumped in bed and woke me up this morning. They just need half an excuse to come jump on me when I'm all the way asleep. They led me downstairs for my present and cards. I got a sweet sign for the field and a new grill. Later, we had an awesome party and played some ball on the field. My nephew Oscar hit about 25 dingers and Jake got himself one too. Just awesome. The kids all had a great time, and that's really what I wanted more than anything. Thanks everybody.

Better, much better

Stayed up really late watching a movie with the boys. They both cuddled up with me the whole time. The house smells like cake and cookies for the party tomorrow. Bound, bound, bound and rebound.

Off day

Somedays I just feel like I haven't done a good job as a parent. Today is one of those days. It's not that the boys were particularly unruly. They were out of control of course, but nothing too dramatic. I'm trying to fend off a cold and so I've been a little out of sorts. Maybe that's it. Or maybe that's just an excuse. Today, I didn't bring my A game and time just flew by too quickly. I need to pay more attention to them and not get so wrapped up in everything else. I need to include them in small projects around the house more, even if they make it take longer. It's better to be doing something slowly together than doing something effeciently by myself.

No worries, there is always tomorrow.

Thriller-er

When I said scariest video ever, I was wrong. The Indian version is much, much scarier, and way more hilarious.

Thriller

Boys, back when me and your Mom were kids, there was this phenomenon that happened. This odd little man made some music, had it mass produced onto these things called "LP's" or "records", and somehow everyone I've ever met around our age had it. Then he had the nerve to make the title song "Thriller" into the scariest and most awesome video ever.

For those of you "in the know" check this video out. This is the coolest thing you can do at a wedding reception. Other than getting "loose" and doing a strange Russian-style dance in front of friends, family, and people you barely know. Good times.

The ol' PTC

We had the second and final "official" conference with Jake's preschool teacher Mrs. D. It's funny how scared I was to let him go. He is doing so well, that I feel embarrassed for even having doubts. His classroom is one of those kind of places you always want your kid to be in. Safe, fun, supportive, challenging. It really is the best return we've ever made on any investment.

Here's the catch. Jake was born a little too late in the year. So, he can't enroll in kindergarten at the beginning of next year. We could get him in a private kindergarten for a little while and then he can enroll at Cindy's school. OR he can go to preschool for another year. Ugh. I. Hate. Decisions.

Mrs. D thinks he'll do fine in kindergarten and won't have to repeat it, but it would also be good to repeat pre-school. See, Jake is like his old man when it comes to socializing in large groups right now. He'll do it when he has to, and put on a game face but, he's much better in small groups or even by himself. He's just not a talker in class. Which is exactly the opposite of the way he is everywhere else. If he's with us or especially with Brady, he's in his element and you can't stop him. Take the B man away and he's kind of out of place. But, Mrs. D said he's getting a lot better about that and getting more and more comfortable. Academically, he is above where he needs to be and that's just awesome. He just needs to come out of his shell a little more.

It's like watching myself all over again. At home I felt like "The Man" but at school...no way. I wanted to be with one or two close friends and kind of just hang in the shadows and do my thing. I made some good friends that way, but I missed out on some stuff I'm sure, just for lack of confidence. I remember how anxious I was all through school and it sucked. I am still like that in a lot of ways. You come into my comfort zone and I'm good to go...take me out of it and I need a little time to adjust.

The other upside to another year in preschool is that he will have Brady in class with him. I don't know what it is exactly, but when they are together it is magic. They just riff off one another and the party keeps rolling. Jake shows B how to do stuff, and B keeps Jake going with his crazy ideas and stories. They finish eachother's sentences, the whole nine yards. So, I know having them together in there would be beneficial for the both of them in different ways.

If there's a chance here to make it a little easier for Jake to blossom in Captain Confidence in and out of the house, maybe we should take it. Understanding though, that he is who he is, and we can only try to help him along in the process. The year isn't over yet and he has time yet to show his stuff before we decide what to do. Either way we go, I have supreme confidence in the teachers he has or will have. I'm not just saying that because they are teachers at Cindy's school. They are just super dedicated to performing at the top level of their profession and I give them all the respect in the world.

So, Jake my man...just do what you do. I'm just so darn proud of you. You make my heart happy and full and I can't tell you enough just how much I love you.

The Sandlot is done...or is it?

The bases are in. The dirt is done. Time to play ball. The boys had a good pickup game yesterday and got in some good practice running the bases. There are a few silly things left to do before Saturday but that won't take much doing. I'm sure though, in the back of my mind, or the front of my mind there will always be something else to add to it, which is both terrifying and exciting. I'm just glad the boys like it or I would really look like a complete tool running around on a tiny field by myself.

Sandlot...again

We're close. We got most of the dirt done this past few days so we're a few days ahead of schedule. Just gotta throw the bases in and fill in a few spots and we're playin ball...

And now...Snoozy B

I caught Jake napping the other day and put it on here so it's only fair to do the same to Brady. He took himself a little nappity on the couch today after helping me in the yard for a few hours. For once, I had more stamina than he did. Barely.

Snow in Arizona

Yeah, snow. We had been telling the boys we were gonna go up to Flagstaff and play in the snow for the first time soon. However, up till now Flag aint got no snow bro. So, we got to thinkin maybe it just wouldn't happen this year. Wouldn't you know it...instead of snow in Flagstaff we get snow in Phoenix. What a crazy crazy State we live in. It only snowed a tiny bit at our house so we hopped in the truck and chased some down. Unreal. The boys had a fun few minutes dancing and playing and catching snow in their mouths. Right up until Brady got a flake in the eyeball. Poor little dude. He quickly recovered though and we hopped in the truck and just enjoyed the snow as the Sun set. No better way to end a day in the snow than to cuddle up by the fireplace. What an unexpectedly cool day.

Sandlot part deux

We got the sod laid today. By "we" I mean O, Poppy, and yours truly. We were all covered head to toe in mud and grass and whatever. I can't thank the two Grandfather's enough for their help. It's pretty special to have them help build the field. You'll never meet two men more passionate about baseball. So again, THANK YOU! Now we just gotta get the infield clay next week and its ready to go. By my birthday it will be a baseball field. Heck of a way to turn 30.

Oh yeah, and I would be a fool if I didn't give my dear sweet wife much of the credit as she gave a huge thumbs up to the idea when I threw it at her. Most of the time my ideas are ridiculous and/or impossible to accomplish given the laws of physics and gravity, so getting one past her is pretty sweet. Thanks babe.

Nappin' on the couch

He looks like me, acts like me, and sleeps like me. Good thing he doesn't snore like me.

Leaving the Dudes

Last weekend Cindy and I took a trip together without the boys for the first time since either of them was born. Separately we have left for little trips here and there but at least one of us has been there to tuck them in at night, every night. So, we kind of got cornered into taking a trip to Vegas for dirt cheap and even though a huge part of us wanted to decline the offer...we went. It was great to be around other adults our age and let down our guard a little bit. We ate outstanding food and actually won way more than we lost. Still though, no matter where we were, or what we were doing, my thoughts always drifted back to the two little guys back in Arizona. What were they doing? What did they have for breakfast? Did they miss us? Did they wonder where we were at bedtime?

The boys stayed with their Ma and Poppy and had a great time. Of course they did. Why wouldn't they? They watched movies, rode their four-wheelers, went to their cousins' birthday party...just had a grand ole time. Well that's just perfect. Like we never left. Great. Super. Why do I feel like a giant turd then? Couldn't they maybe once have cried for us? Refused to eat? Acted out? Something?!? Throw me a bone here guys.

Regardless of my blatant insecurities, I'm glad we went. Maybe one day we can do it again. Not soon though. I don't want them having too much fun without me. Call me crazy but...well, just call me crazy.

Happy Crying

Since we broke ground (literally) on the sandlot the boys and I have been to Home Depot about 607 times this past month. Every time we go they want to ride in the Tony Stewart racecar/shopping cart. Then they beg, plead, and cute it up for an ice cream treat out of the vending machines. I always...I mean sometimes give in and get one for them. They end up covered in sugary goo and I end up smelling like bags of topsoil and manure...niiiice.

Anywho, today after we dropped off Jakers at school, me and B went to get a few more things. Before we got there Brady started in with the beggary.

"Daddy, can we get a treat at Home Depot?"
"Not today buddy."
"But but why Daddy?"
"We have Superman popsicles at home bub."
-Whimpering and fake sobs-
"Brady why are you so sad?"
"I'm not sad I'm happy-crying."
"Why are you happy-crying?"
"Because...because I love you."

Ohhh..he's a good one. He and Jake have just recently picked that up from Mommy. Whenever they see a movie where someone is so happy that they cry, well she has told them that they are happy-crying. So now I guess they will use that as a weapon against me. That's a low down and rotten trick, but I have to respect the effort little dude. Nice try.

Their Sandlot

This...

...is for Them.

Can't tell what "This" is? Well, right now it's about a halfway finished baseball field. A very small field, but still. 20' between bases. 39' to left. 42' to right. 57' to dead-center. 15' from home to the rubber. Ridiculous? Oh yeah. Worth every penny and drop of sweat? Bet your life on it.

Sweet Dreams

I don't have the knack for blogging that my wonderful husband does, but I couldn't let this little story go without sharing it.

The other night, Brady had a nightmare and woke up crying. I went in to comfort him and he told me he had a bad dream about monsters. Daddy came in and reassured Brady that he had nothing to worry about, because all of his bad dreams went right up into his dream catcher. That seemed to satisfy the little guy just fine, but he still wanted Mommy to lay with him. Who could refuse? Just as Brady started to finally fall asleep, my eyes began getting heavy as well, until I heard him say, "Come on Jakey...follow me!" I looked over at him, and he was asleep with a big smile on his face! His talking woke himself up, and he looked over at me with that big grin. I asked him if he was having a dream about Jake, and these were his words: "Yes, I dreamed about me and Jake. My bad monster dream went into my dream catcher, but it can't have my Jakey dream!" And with that, he turned over and went back to sleep. He wasn't the only one who slept with a big smile that night. Thank you, Brady. I love you!

Happy 2nd Birthday Om-Bim!

Well, regretfully it's 10 days late but still, happy day big guy. You have grown to be quite a huge fish in the last two years. Sorry about the cramped quarters but, the dude at Wal-Mart said you'd never outgrow it. I guess his knowledge of aquatics is on par with his salary. Who knew? Anyway, you've more than quadrupled in size as well as appetite. We started out just feeding you the normal flake food and such. You've since moved on to fruits and vegetables. And oatmeal. Houseflies. Meatloaf. Yep you're quite the gourmet.

Here's to your continued existence in 10 gallons of freedom by the sink. Remember though, no back talk my friend. While you're a mere foot from fresh clean water for your tank...you're also a foot from the disposal dude. Just a thought. Happy birthday.

Eat our dust!

Christmas Day

I am beat so this won't be long. We had an awesome day. Long, but filled with smiles. The boys got some neat stuff from Santa. He even gave them some four-wheelers to ride in the backyard. At Grandma Mimi and Granpa O's they got loaded down with even more stuff and had a great breakfast. Then we came home and blew up the inflatable bed in front of the TV and watched Superman Returns. When we where done being cozy, it was time for Poppy and Ma's. The boys cleaned up once again and had a huge Italian meal. They played so much that it made my body hurt. Here's some pictures of our day. I am going to go melt into my bed now. Best. Christmas. Ever.

Giving

I am not telling this story as a way to gain praise or any of that junk. I just want the boys to know what they did for someone else this Christmas and remember to keep doing it.

OK, over the past 4 years we have collected a vast assortment of toys and toy-related products. Some of it got a lot of use, some it very little. All of it though was way more than enough. So, in preparation for this Christmas, Cindy and I decided to give away a lot of the boys excess to make room. We told the boys to pick a bunch of stuff they didn't want anymore or could part with. We told them it was going to go to kids who didn't have as many toys as they did. They got all excited and filled up three big bags full of stuff.

Now, I am a big fan of Craigslist, which is like the poor-man's ebay. You can get on there and list stuff for sale or just give stuff away. I put an ad on there last night about free toys and that I would leave them by the curb. Sure enough, not an hour later...they where gone. Then I got an email from a guy I will call Mr. F. Seems he came by but someone had already picked up the toys. He thanked us for giving him the opportunity and said it had been a very tough year for him and his family including his 2 year old grandson, but we had shown him the true meaning of Christmas. Whoa. Whoa.

So, tonight Cindy and I asked the boys if they could spare a few more toys. They were a little hesitant at first but they relented and we found some cool stuff to fill 3 more bags. I called Mr. F and he came and got them a little while ago. A few minutes ago we got this email;

Thank you so very much.. Our hearts goes out to you and your family. Your kindness will always be in our hearts...Thank You just don't seem to be enough to let someone as special as you know just how much you have done. When our 2 year grandson grows up; one of the stories he will hear will be how your family opened up your heart to help others around CHRISTMAS and how the true meaning of CHRISTMAS and LIFE is to help and give to others. May GOD bless and watch over you today and always and I pray that the world will see the light.

Sincerely,
Mr. F and Family

Boys, that is what you can do with very little effort on your part anytime you want. Give away what you don't need because there is always someone who does. You boys have made us both so proud of you. This was the perfect Christmas present.

Twas the night before Christmas

The boys might and might not be asleep by now. I am hearing suspicious footsteps every few minutes. Tonight, they can get away with a little nervous insomnia. I am just glad to see them so excited. I know it won't last for many more years, so while I can...

Earlier tonight we went over to see Great-Grandpa Voeller. We all got to see crazy Uncle Randy for the first time in a long while. The boys played with their cousins and ate some treats. Brady discovered a new treat for his vast palette, eggnog. The boy gulped down two completely unhealthy (nonalcoholic) glasses of nog. Mmmmm...heart disease.

Later, we went over to Grandma Mimi and Grandpa O's for some tamales. They were good, but they were store-bought and that means, not as good as when they make them from scratch. Yes, I am complaining. Yes, I know what day it is tomorrow. Fact of the matter is, my parents make the best tamales in the known universe and I will not settle for a continued break with tradition. Ahem. Anywho, the boys got to hang out and play and watch movies that Aunt Renee and Alex gave them for Christmas. Brady played a little piano. Jake got silly with the fart machine. Then for dessert they had...apples. Yeah, all kinds of sweets around and they chose apples. We must be the finest parents in the world. *Cough* Lucky *Cough*

So now we are back home, waiting for the footsteps and nervous chatter to die down. Then we can call Santa on his cell and give him the all-clear to mosey on down the chimney. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Christmas cookies

This is what we did this morning. Santa Claus should be very amused.

In case your mail is slow or we don't like you...

...here is the picture on the Christmas card.

Christmas Par-tay

Jake's class had their Christmas party yesterday. Which meant me and B got to go hang out and play all day with everyone. I swear that place makes you feel four-years old when you walk through the door. Not the bad kind of four, like when you get scolded at the post office for mislabeling a package, the good kind. Where all you want to do is run around and play with everything and get messy and sing silly songs.

He has arguably the finest group of teachers I've ever seen. Not only because they are great educators, but their patience level is the stuff of legend. Seriously. They work with two groups of little kids who all have widely varying degrees of development. They have to keep track of how each little handful is progressing and how they can better help them get to the next level. Add to that, four year olds are notoriously clumsy, which means someone spills something about every 5 seconds. And, they wait patiently while the kids clean it up themselves. In fact, the kids are challenged to do almost everything themselves.

I cannot imagine doing this job for ANY amount of money. I love my dudes and I have a flippin blast with them everyday. But, a lot of that is because they are mine. If I had to deal with someone else's little science experiment everyday at this age...I would go nuts. Loo-loo-looney tunes. What can I say, I have significant shortcomings in life.

Anyway, back to the party. The boys where pumped up for it the whole week and it did not disappoint. Songs, game, crafts, food, friends. Brady was in heaven being in school with his big bro. He wanted to try everything and sure enough he did. Even hit the john for good measure. Jake got to show Brady how and when they do everything. It was so cool to watch them together. For all the times they get angry or even downright furious with each other, seeing them like this makes me forget all that craziness. Almost.

The (Un)Sophisticated Gentlemen

It's the time of year when we get too busy to do normal things like...cook supper. And cook supper. So, we eat out a lot. Most of the time we can actually make it through a meal without making threats or giving one of the boys a firm talking to. As long as the waitstaff has their act together our little monkeys can eat their fill and be gone without making a scene. But, take forever to get us water, crayons, or food, and you are asking for a demonstration of civil-disobedience. Tonight, we had a rockin' waiter who never left us wanting for anything. He got a very healthy tip for getting us out the door with full stomach's and good intentions. Nice work my man.

Oh, and Brady ordered and killed baby-back ribs and a salad. He's 3. Ribs and a salad? Ribs and a salad. I think he gets a kick out of being able to get entirely coated in sticky goo without getting in trouble. Whatever though, he put on an impressive display. I may have found my match in rib eating. Not yet though punk...not yet.

Christmas is here

Christmas is almost here. The house is all decorated. Amazingly we have managed to finish all our shopping a week early. Nice. The boys are getting excited. I think I am getting more excited.

I remember how exciting it was for me when I was little. Let's hop in the time machine shall we?

1983-12-25 12AM

88mph....Flux capacitor kicks in....

Shreveport, Louisiana. Poleman Road. There we are. Our little house didn't seem so little then. 3 bedrooms. 2 bathrooms. Wood floors. Green velvet couch. Curtis-Mathis console TV. Smell that Christmas tree. It's cold outside but the dogs are loving it. Malamutes. They get excited when the weather turns colder.

My sisters share a room. I have my own. Except one of my walls isn't a wall, it's kind of a room divider, wooden drapery...thing. I like my bed. Sometimes though, I get freaked out by imaginary monsters and try to sleep in my parent's bed. Or the hallway. Not tonight though. Bad dreams and monsters are on vacation.

Earlier that night we'd been at Granny and Grandpa's. Everyone was happy. We ate until we burst. Every kind of dessert imaginable. My favorite is Aunt Linda's blueberry cheesecake. Dozens of people packed into a tiny living room heated by a fireplace. Grandpa can make a fire hotter than the sun. Nobody cares though. Crack the door, instant relief. There's couches against the walls for the grown folk. Two recliners for Granny and Grandpa. The floor is ours. The best place to unwrap presents anyway. Uncle Ernie goes all out and spends way too much. Granny and Grandpa just sit and smile and laugh. They have seen enough hard times in their life to know when to just relax and enjoy the good times.

The night winds down and we give hugs and kisses and say goodbye to everybody. I am tired but not THAT tired. I know what morning brings. The drive home is short and easy. Take a left. Follow the curves. Right. Left. Right. Left. We are home. Take a bath. Pajamas. Brush our teeth. Time for bed. Kisses. "I Love You, Goodnight." A million happy thoughts in my head as I drift off. Try to stay awake to see Santa...but sleep wins out.

Morning comes. It's all I can do to keep from running at a dead sprint to the living room. Santa has been here. All of our toys are all unwrapped and out the packaging already. Santa must not like to wrap presents. Oh man, look at that...laying on the chair over there. That's my stuff! Oh WOW! A Red Ryder. A case of BB's. Everything else is just stuff. I am the luckiest boy in the world. Metal and Wood coming together to make the most beautiful machine a boy could ever own. Santa Claus, how did you know? Momma tells me to be careful with it. Daddy is just as proud as I am. Annie and Katie got..dolls or something frilly, pink, or lavender...who has time to worry over that junk? I am a boy on the cusp of manhood!

The rest of the day is spent with family. We go to Grandma's house on Dalzell. More presents. More Cousin's, Aunt's, and Uncle's. I can't stop talking or thinking about my gun. I want to take it wherever I go. Oh how I want to have it with me now. I could show Mamar. Maybe we could snap off a shot at a squirrel. Oh man. Everything goes into fast forward now. Hugs. Kisses. Car. Road. Home. BB Gun.

We take a bath and talk about our day. The best day ever. Pajamas. Brush those teeth. I put my rifle by my headboard. "Goodnight, I love you." Lights out. I pick my rifle up and slip it under the covers with me. Tonight, it stays by my side. I sleep the sleep of the contented soul. Dreams of chasing outlaws on horseback and displays of uncanny marksmanship fill my head. I am as happy as I can be.

Phwoooosh!

Back to now.

That my friends, is magic. I will never forget how I felt back then. All the wonder. Everything was new and exciting. But you know, for a long time I forgot about it. Forgot the magic. The wonder escaped me. Everything was old, dull and boring. And then, my boys came. It's as if the magic never left. Through their eyes I see everything as new again. I can slip these old tired ideas and get back to the wonderment of it all. Christmas is here. The lights, the sounds, the smells, the pure unadulterated joy. They are feeling it and showing it and sharing it with us. And so again, I am as happy as I can be.

Oh My

Jake likes to make up crazy names for people in the stories he tells. He gets really into his own world and man is it fun to listen to. Tonight, he made up a classic name that...if I had to change my name and go underground because I had to testify agaist the mob, well...my name, would be Bobby Ribbons.

Jake you crack me up man.

Sandlot! Sandlot! Sandlot!

One of my all-time favorite movies is now the boy's all-time favorite. At least for the last two weeks. They know it line-by-line already. If you're a fan of baseball or heck, just a fan of little boys, buy it. Don't rent it, because you'll end up buying it later anyway. It's not new. The special effects...especially lame. But the acting, the screenplay, man it's top notch.

Jake and Brady have even gone so far as to request "Sandlot" stuff for Christmas. Not baseball gear. Sandlot stuff. A ball signed by Babe Ruth. A baseball shirt with green sleeves. Black tennis shoes. LA Dodgers cap. Brown baseball bat. Smores. You know, Sandlot stuff.

I could not be more pleased.

December in Hawaii

For those of you burrowing in for a long winter, here are some pictures Cin took from her trip.

Christmas Lights

4 hours ago, I had a different lighting scheme going on. I thought it looked decent. Jake thought differently. He told me," Daddy we need more lights, it doesn't look good. It doesn't look like the other houses in the neighboorhood." He's 4. Already he has learned to destroy my self confidence. Can't wait till he really knows what he's doing.

Dressin' Up

The boys are big into getting geared up as...whatever. Batman, Superman, Squints, Uncle G, whatever. Jake finally found my old cub scout uniform and he's decided it's his lightweight winter jacket. Brady goes for the 20 year old leather/fleece vest. Hey man, whatever gets them out the door.

Aloha

Mommy went to Hawaii with Aunt Julie last week. It was free trip provided by the hard work of Uncle Jarrod. He won employee of the year and this was his prize. Why he didn't go I will never know. Maybe he has an extreme fear of large bodies of water called "Oceans" and avoids flying over, swimming in, or even thinking about them. Oh wait that's me. Whatever the reason, good looking out bro.

Not that I wanted Mommy to go, but she needed a vacation. I have traveled all over the continent the last few months while she had the dudes all alone so now was my chance. To tell the truth, I was freaked out. Not that I can't handle being with the boys 24/7. That's not it. The problem is that for the past 4 years, I have given the boys exactly 3 baths. Seriously. I SUCK at bathtime and Jake is the first one to tell me. Loudly and with much passion. I don't do it just like Mommy does it and gosh darn it, that's not good enough.

So the tension was there. In warmer weather I could have just soaped them up and let them play in the sprinklers. If only. But no...it's too cold and I'm slightly too classy for such a move. When 8PM came that little timer in my head clicked. Oh $%#*, time for a bath. I ran some water while the boys got naked. Checked the temperature on the rubber ducky thermometer. Said a little prayer. Allright, here we go. That's when it happened. They smiled. They laughed. They had fun. No complaining. No fighting. Just...a bath. The whole week I gave them baths and we all had fun. I even got Jake to admit to Mommy that he likes my baths. Not as much as her's of course, but enough to let me do it again. Brady, well heck..he'd do anything to get in water so I don't think he gives a squirt who bathes him.

Hooray for me!

Thanksgiving

So, um. Yeah. It's December and I am just now getting around to the Thanksgiving post. Hmm.

Ok. So we ate "poultry" for lunch at Grandma Mimi and Grandpa O's house. That's an inside joke I will never let my Father live down. It was good and the boys had a blast. The boys always have a good time over there. I think because the house is filled with super nice furniture and knick-knackery all of which they don't get yelled at for touching and/or breaking. Our house is filled with IKEA furniture and toys they get to play with all the time...and unfortunately we have to discipline them when they break stuff. Such is the burden and hope of parents, that we will be grandparents some day and the word "NO" disappears from our vocabulary.

What was I talking about?

Oh yeah. So then we went to Ma and Poppy's house. Always a good crowd and good food. I gotta give big ups to Ma this year on the turkey. A fine, fine bird. The boys ate their weight in turkey and pie and played with all their cousins until they dropped. Turkey makes me sleepy. Eating turkey for 6 hours make me super sleepy. Mmmm...turkey burps.

We had a lot to be thankful for this year. I would love to list them all but that's a ridiculous amount of work and I am fully aware of my laziness. So, if you think I should be thankful for you, your family, your health, your favorite sports team's success, that good looking male/female who checked you out at the gas station and made you feel hot again...whatever it is...yes. I am thankful for you and all your peeps.

Most of all though, I am thankful for my family. We are healthy and we are together. What more do I need? Well, maybe a PS3 but thats it. Nah just kiddin...or am I?

Gross

While I'm shotgunning posts here, I gotta get this one down. One of my main reasons for doing this blog is to help me remember all the wild and crazy things the boys do so I can embarrass them later on. I got a honey of a story for you.

I was downstairs today working on the computer. Jake went upstairs to drop the kids off at the pool. After about ten minutes I hear both the boys laughing and giggling. I said," Jake are you done dude?" More laughing. Then, "Ewwww, do it again." Uncontrolled laughter. "Ewwww." I bolted upstairs. Jake is bent over and Brady is wiping his butt for him. I swallowed hard and tried to be firm. What do you say to that?

"Ewww. Don't ever do that again."

You guys are gross and I love you for it.

Halloween 2006

Scared? If you're a bad guy, you should be.

Halloween was fun. It was the day after got back from Louisiana, but we caught a sugar high and drove on. Uncle Jarrod, Aunt Julie, Makayla, and Ma and Poppy came over to join in the lunacy. The dudes put on those costumes and become Superman. Needless to say you don't give Superman just any candy..you give him ALL the candy. They had full buckets in no time. Ahh..try and put a three and four year old to bed after a half pound of sugar. Superman, where were you?

Louisiana

Allright, allright. It's taken me longer than it should have to write about it. However, it took me longer than it should have to make the trip happen so, you know...can't mess with continuity.

Allright. Frontier Airlines. I wish bankruptcy on them. Maybe that's too much. At least a hearty case of "the runs" though. That'd do it. I won't get into it because that's just too long and painfull of a story.

National Car Rental. You guys saved the day. An '07 Escalade with a flip down screen and DVD in the back for the dudes...all for $60 a day. Nice. Nice. See, when a major corporation screws something up, it IS possible to fix it.

Anywho, we had a great time once we actually arrived in Shreveport. The boys finally got to meet Granny and Grandpa. Grandpa is my man. Coolest guy I know. It made my heart full to see him with the boys. Granny is Grandpa's equal, except in the kitchen..she's better. The boys got to have some of her beans and ham for lunch. Mmmmm. I've never left their house with an empty stomach and now, neither have the boys.

After hugs and kisses they took off and played like I did when I was a kid. It was really strange to watch Jake play on the same stuff I used to. Since he is my clone it was like watching myself. Man, I'm good looking. Brady was real big into picking up pecans. Yes, he is allergic to nuts. Yes, we let him pick up the pecans...but with the shell on it. Turns out that hard shell didn't help..he broke out with a rash anyway. Lesson learned. DOH!

The boys got to see Aunt Doreen again and meet their Uncle Bruce. It's funny, most of the time when they meet someone new they can be a little aprehensive. Not on this trip. The boys went right up and hugged everybody. Brady even gave Uncle Bruce some extra hugs.

My Grandpa has a talking parrot. Chico. That's one crazy bird. Little boys love talking animals. Talking animals apparently love little boys. They just couldn't get enough of eachother.

Cindy and the boys also got to meet "Miss Karen" for the first time. After years of talking and video chatting she finally got to hug them. She's a real cool lady and the boys took right to her. Jake fell in love with her pumpkin pie. Brady couldn't get enough of her toy room. Having Uncle G there didn't hurt either. Full heart and a full belly once again.

I showed them Cross Lake. We ate Southern Maid doughnuts. Pondered the Red River and why it's not really red. Stayed up late, slept late. Ordered room service. All that jazz.

It was just too short of a time to do everything we wanted and see everyone we wanted. Oh but we'll be back. Yes we will.

Pitter patter

We have laminate wood flooring upstairs. We don't have rugs yet. YET. Anytime anyone walks around upstairs, you hear it. Heck, you almost feel it. Especially when the Jake and Brady show is in progress.

Thump-thump-thump...pat-pat-pat...slap-slap-slap...HAHAHAHA..thump-thump-thump...pat-pat-pat...slap-slap-slap...HAHAHAHA.

The novelty is wearing off. Quickly.

Happy Birthday Brady!

I can't believe you're 3 already little dude. Crazy. It seems like yesterday we just went and picked you up from the NICU to take your jaundice little booty home. You had to be the star from day one. Now look at you, the little poser on the stairs up there....what a goof.

Your party was awesome. You got to show off your new digs to everybody. You wanted a Curious George birthday so...you got it. Me and Mommy stayed up till 2:30 making your cake. Grandma Mimi made you a pinata. Plus you had the monkey bounce house in the backyard...pretty sweet deal. You played like a madman the whole time and made everybody laugh. You're one of a kind dude.

Happy birthday son.

Done

We are finally officially moved in. Well, moved in to the garage at least. Now we can spend the next month going through junk we never even knew we had. Oh joy. We used to have a really big garage out there, dadgummit.

The boys have been really good with the whole moving experience. I am way past crazy at this point, but they are just rolling with it. They finally got all their backyard toys today and even got to take quick dip in the ol' inflat-o-pool. Too bad the weather decided to turn cooler so the water was freezing, but they had fun anyway.

Ahhh, cooler weather. We can actually use our Zoo membership again. Brady is itching to go. Every night he wants a story about the zoo. He wants to see his animal buddies again. The snakes, Gila monster, pirranah, eels, python, and roaches. Yep, roaches. Oh and the "monkeys with the red booty's". Otherwise known as baboons. Can't forget about the goats that make "little black poopies". Jake is excited to go to but he's holding out for ZooLights. That's when the put up all kinds of Christmas lights around the zoo and have a bunch of cool displays set up. Even a lifesize talking Giraffe. Pretty dang cool.

It will be good to get back into our normal routine again. Buying a house is cool, moving is not. Now we get to relax again, and just enjoy the dudes. Well, relax up until Brady's party next weekend, but after that yeah...relax. Oh wait, Uncle G's coming to town and then we leave for Louisiana. OK, so relax after that. Uhh, we get back the day before Halloween.

I'll sleep when I'm dead.