Best and Worst of the Weekend

The weekend was ok, and as always it went to fast.  The weekend had a few things going on for the 2 old kids.  Ryleigh was just along for the ride mostly, but her time will come.  Friday Addyson had a rehearsal for her dance recital so she was gone doing that while Bray and Ry and I were home watching Ninjago.

 

Saturday came and in the morning Bray had his end of the year preschool program.  It was the 4^th straight one I’ve been too (and I calculated it will be 7 straight).  Bray got up there and sang a few songs and then got his certificate.  Afterwards he wanted pancakes for lunch so that’s what he got.

 

Saturday night Addy had her recital.  She was doing cheernastics at Superstars and really likes it.  Her group did a routine and she was lifted up on someone’s shoulders and did the splits and did some perfect summersaults.  She was really cute too up there in her outfit.  Was really proud of her.  She  wants to do baton now.  Hmmm we’ll see how that goes.

 

Sunday was my last day coaching Addy’s soccer team.  She’s decided not to play in the fall so I won’t be coaching.  When I told the team that there were a few upset faces.  One girl who was sad hugged and held on to me.  Really the kids have been great and they will be really good if they continue to move on and play other sports, and a couple of them really have a great  future ahead in soccer.  We had a good day, it was gorgeous out and Addy got in there and played hard.  When she has her head in the game she can do some things there.  After the game ended we went to Baskin Robins and had an end of season treat of Daiquiri Ice, just me and her.

 

The rest of the day was grilling, dishes and relaxing and Money Ball. 

 

Also this past week and this weekend I’ve committed myself to work out more.  My ankle is feeling better and running on it isn’t as bad.  I did miss dam to dam this year and may for the next few years due to preschool end of year programs.  But the hurt from working out felt good!  I’m going to try to go every other day to the Y and then the other days do free weights at home.  Been going good so far.

 

The work weekends for me Monday at 420 and then the invasion(vacation) to Wisconsin begins Tuesday. 

 

No 6 pack this week but next week I’ll have a vaca recap and a 6 pack will be back and then its inching ever so close to FOOTBALL!

Best and Worst of the Weekend – GOOOOOAALL!!!

Weekend was pretty good, really good weather and some good times.  Friday night my oldest and I went to go pick up supper at La Hacienda and then to pick out a movie.  Her choice was “We Bought a Zoo”.  It was pretty good, really liked it.  Matt Damon did a pretty good job and it’s a great daddy-daughter movie.  There are some times that I wonder about with my boy and the way Damon interacts with his son, that made me think of interaction with mine.  The little girl in it was just cute too!  There were some sad parts too but it but it was really good with the idea of not giving up, living an adventure and the relationship with a father and kids.  It’s on redbox, recommend going to get it!  3 / 5 Stars. 

Saturday my oldest and I went down to the farmers market late morning, my boy had allergies bugging him so he stayed home.  Addy and I talked about what she wanted to get her mom for mother’s day.  We walked around a bit and she found what she wanted.  After that we headed home to a mess with the dishwasher leaking water and suds all over.  I’m thinking great Saturday!  It wasn’t much the door wasn’t closed all the way and thankfully my boy noticed it before it got any worse.  The rest of Saturday involved the kids playing outside and grilling.  I rented New Years Eve Saturday night but allergies killed me and I ended up crashing hard.

Sunday the kids got up WAY to early.  Made them breakfast…my youngest has a new food love, cinnamon eggo waffles.  She LOVES them.  I did my normal Sunday morning, watching CBS Sunday Morning and Face the Nation.  It was amazing out so all the kids played outside, had Ry out on the deck baby gated in and she loved it.  She got into the older kids side walk chalk.  Her mouth was blue after she put it in her mouth…also had some blue chalk on her face and looked like she had a makeup artist from Bravehart working on her.  :) 

Sunday also meant another soccer game.  We played a team that we played in week 1.  It wasn’t much of a matchup and the kids really played well.  Lotta good defense and moves and offense.  Gave up 1 goal if I remember right.  Also Addy got her first goal of the year!  One of our fastest players wanted to help get her a goal and so Addy kind of cherry picked down at our goal and then our team would go to kick it down there toward her and lead her to kick it in.  After a few near misses and a ball that just went in she finally got it and kicked the ball in.  She had a HUGE  smile on her face, ran over to me and gave me too fives and a hug.  Then ran back out there to play more.  She almost got a few more goals.  It was fun and find myself getting into it more each week.  Also got the team and Addy’s soccer pictures in the mail too.  They looked really good, I wish we weren’t a man down in the team picture.   They are a great group of kids.  The rest of the day was spent with laundry, bath night, supper, the kids playing outside and napping and then Celebrity Apprentice to end the night.

Pretty good weekend over all, Monday morning wasn’t fun but hopefully the rest of the week is better, it looks like it will be nice and I’ll get to mow in and also maybe see Avengers again. 

One thing I’ll say that is the worst is my snacking and the ankle.  I like frosting and that’s bad when I have a bum ankle.  My ankle hurts more when it’s in a tennis shoe that I run in and its more so the cut of the shoe and where my ankle bone is.  What makes it worse is that there were donuts at work on Friday and I had another one this morning.  Donuts are tasty but bad.  Goal is to get down 10-15 pds by the vacation taking the kids to Wisconsin. 

Best and Worst of the Weekend - Avengers

Haven't done one of these in a while so I figured I'd throw one of these out here.

Friday was a fun, stressful day.  I took a half day from work to go see the year's first major box office hit, The Avengers.  It was AWESOME!  I'm thinking that I will try to hit it up again before movie #3 on my list for the Summer of 2012 comes out.  After that I went to the High Life/El Bait Shop for a couple beers before going home.  Picking up the kids it all changed.  

Brayden had a rough weekend last weekend, week all this week and then Friday from the note sent home from school it all just seemed to blow up.  When I could I took him out for a drive for daddy-Bray time.  We had a nice long drive, talked a bit and then went to a park to just chill.  After that we needed some supper and went to one of his favorite places...the High Life for some cheeseburger baskets.  We then hit the new ped bridge across the river and looked on to Sec Taylor Stadium and the I-Cubs game.  830 came and it was time to go home.  He crashed pretty quick.  Friday night then I spent relaxing.

Saturday morning came and it was going to be a busy day. There was a lot going on, got fruit from the first Des Moines Farmers market.  Addy had girl scouts.  Then after lunch Addy and I went to the Duck Derby at Jordan Creek Mall while Bray and Ryleigh napped.  We had a good time there though it was hot and there were a lot of people and we didn't have any ducks in the race.  Addy got a few things, meet Miss Teen Iowa and touched a blue tongued lizard.  After that we made a run to Target and got me and the kids a new outfit and some other things.  Mine is a pair of cargo shorts and a Capt America shield tshirt.  After I got home I had the fun job of cleaning out clogged gutters and picking up dog crap and sticks.  I haven't had a chance to get to the lawn mowed due to time constraints.  Saturday night Addy had been bugging me all day to see the Supermoon so after the kids had crashed for a while I woke her up at 930 and her, Hayden and I went and walked down the street and checked out the moon.  It was ok, nothing HUGE and spectacular.  But we had fun no matter what.  Oh and I watched IRON MAN on FX.  


Sunday came early with Ryleigh waking up at 630.  The other kids were also awake too and were (as Brayden puts it) starving hungry.  Made breakfast and they were happy.  Then the wheels kind of started to wobble.  Got my Sunday viewing of Face the Nation and CBS Sunday Morning in.  Sunday afternoon Addy and I had her 5th soccer game.  We had a full team for only the 2nd time and had our best athlete back.  Surprising how much a difference his speed and athletic ability make.  It was pretty hot, and the kids listened to what I was coaching them on Tuesday.  We rolled and a couple of the kids played their best games.  This coaching isn't that bad, actually kind of fun and I find myself getting into it.  Afterwards getting home with the 2 old kids I had them pick up sticks again after another storm, and I depooped the yard and got the yard mowed....finally.  After grilling supper I went out to get Hayden in I walked off the step and hit the mud and rolled my ankle and was down on the ground.  I heard a huge pop and it killed!  Limping I made it up to the chair and its current on ice and I'm watching Celebrity Apprentice.  


Overall it was a pretty good weekend.

Best and Worst of the Weekend

This is a day late…don’t sue me. 

– Best of the weekend –

Unofficially 1-0 as a soccer coach.  We don’t keep score but yea, it was over in the first 8 minutes. 

AmandaJoy’s & Osky’s going away party, just wish I got there earlier and stayed later but was tired and worn out. 

– Worst of the weekend –

The end of the NASCAR race.  The #10 car just missing the pits and causing the Green-White-Checkered that had Gordon-Johnson-Dale JR 1-2-3 and then caused a wreck and then Ryan Newman winning after the second Green-White-Checkered.

Best and Worst – Tis the Season

Anyone else think 3 day weekends are just a tease for a 4 day weekend?  And when it’s over you feel like you need more instead you have to go back to work…and the only thing good really is a short work week then to only get teased again with another 3 day weekend on the other end.  Yea that’s how I’m feeling right now.  BUT I will say it’s a good thing that I’m back to work today because if I stayed home one more day with the Christmas cookies that are in my house I’d be in trouble. 

Friday night was pretty good to start off the week.  Went out to Merle Hay Mall to pick up some gifts and went and visited @hawkart_sean at his store and drank some wine there.  I got one of his drawings (the Dan Gable one) for my nephew who is big into wrestling.  He got to practice with the Hawkeyes this weekend while the Brands boys and Metcalf were all wrestling.  So that was cool.  After the mall I headed to Carl’s Place for some Grainbelts with @SOXNHOX.

I’m kinda unofficially doing a #hawkeyeslimup or #hawkeyeslimdown which ever it is and I’m down (according to my scale) 15 pounds.  Another 15 or more and I’ll be at my goal and hopefully start to put on muscle and get running good and ready for Dam to Dam and softball!  I’m already starting a countdown for softball; I’m so ready for it, and golf.  The no snow we’ve got so far has me more ready this year than previous, though I know that snow is coming soon…it’s Iowa, we’ll probably get like 2 feet some weekend coming up.

Well enough about me, we’ll get on to this weekend, Christmas.  Had a couple to go to this year and really when did it become that you have to outdo last year’s gifts and keep adding?  I feel like with the kids that’s what it’s become.  There’s an extra gift or more spent or something BIGGER.  As a kid, would I say no to it, no, in fact I’d love it.  As a parent, it’s making me sick.  First off things are more expensive and second off, where the hell am I going to put all this shit?  My youngest got I think half of the Playskool line for infants.  My oldest got an iPod cube/radio and she still doesn’t have an iPod (guess what she’s getting for her birthday).  And my son has 3 captain America figures, and a couple Thor’s.  Really, 1 of each would be ok. 

Ok off my soap box, that being said, the kids all had a good time and loved all their gifts.  That was the fun part of Christmas just seeing them tear open the presents and smiles and excitement.  Also the amazement and questions they got seeing that Santa had eaten their cookies and the carrots being chomped on.  They even wrote notes to Santa.  Playing with their toys with them is fun too.  Especially with my son and his race track and the attachments he got this year.  It’s an extra booster that launches the cars faster and we had a ramp built up jumping over his monster trucks.  Its fun seeing how excited and happy he gets.  Every time one would clear the monster trucks he would jump with a fist in the air.  Only bad thing is he woke lil sister up.  Other than that it was really good.

I must have fooled Santa too because he brought me 2 Xbox games.  Call of Duty:MW3 and Batman Arkham City.  COD:MW3 is pretty sweet and the online play is cool.  I’m sure I’ll get sucked into like I did GRAW2.  Also got on DVD Thor, Captain America and XMEN First Class. 

That is the good and fun stuff.  The stress was also there this weekend with the family coming over and just anxiety in the house and getting everything ready.  I also need a bigger house!  There’s a lot of stress I won’t get into but let’s just leave it as I’m really glad Christmas is over, the tree is down and my kids had fun, but I’m ready for 2012 and going to face it full blast.  Oh but first is Friday night and the Insight Bowl and the Hawks, after that I’ll be ready to go for 2012. 

Best and Worst of the Weekend - Put a full dad weekend on the resume`

So that was a blurr and busy weekend.  I’ll start Thursday.  I got off work early because both the older kids had parent teacher conferences.  Missed Addy’s but got to Bray’s.  Addy had a good conference and she is where she needs to be.  We’ve been working on reading and recognizing words.  She’s getting there.

Bray is almost ready to graduate and has more than a year and a half left.  He’ll probably have enough points by semester so I hope he doesn’t get too bored next spring.  He’s testing also as extremely gifted.  Smart kid.

 

After swim on Thursday night, since Addy didn’t have school, she got shipped off to grandmas till Saturday.  Friday night we got La Hacienda and a couple movies.  Bray picked out Rio, loves that movie and all the music.  At Redbox he did ask when Cars 3 comes out.  I rented The Conspirator.  Really good flick!

 

Saturday morning came and Bray had football in the am.  Got him there at 830 for pictures and then he didn’t want to participate.  I tried to nudge him a bit to play but he just didn’t want anything to do with it and I wasn’t going to push him. 

 

Grandma brought Addy down and was going to watch practice but then just headed to the house.  The next 4 hours was spent getting ready for Brayden’s 4^thbirthday party at the Y.  We had the rock climbing wall and pool for a couple hours and I was the only adult that got in the pool.  It was a free for all on me.  I had 4 4-5 year olds wrassling me.  My oldest daughter was too and then my older nephew was trying to go Dan Gable on me.  After an hour the kids were spent, and so was I.

 

Then we got to the cupcakes.  The kids I think had more fun with the frosting all over their lips and faces then eating them.  Bray then wanted to open presents.  Got some really cool things.  Grandma got him a leapster (that he’s been bugging me about) and some hot wheels stuff and a wii game and some other things.  We got him a bike and he was really excited about that.  Was a good day.  Played with them all night on Saturday night.

 

Also Saturday night I finally got to sit down and watch the Hawks.  Overall they played well I thought.  Liked the way Coker was running north and south and getting to the second and third levels.  Vandenburg had some nice tosses to Davis and McNutt.  Need to get them really involved in the next few weeks before we play the Michigan schools and Nebraska.  I like Persa and Ebert for the ‘Cats and Fitzgerald, if he could get some more talent in there would be really really dangerous…even still they are dangerous.

 

Sunday came and Bray got german pancakes for breakfast and a visit from grandpa and grandpa’s truck.  We went out and raked and loaded leaves and branches for 3 hours to take to a buddy’s house to drop so he can burn them.  Got a really big load and when the leaves were stacking up I put the kids in the bed and they had a blast scrunching down all the leaves.  Went and dropped them off then headed for home.  About half way home when we were talking about going to McDonalds with grandpa, Brayden puked.  Something didn’t sit well with him, either too much sugar, not enough sleep and all of the above just got him.  Got him home and cleaned up and he was looking like he had absolutely no energy.  He crashed for about a 4 hour nap.  While he napped, Addy even napped.  She was worn out from the weekend too.  I then feed Ryleigh…and got spit up on, and before that pooped on. 

 

After that we crashed in the recliner together, she’s a pretty good “warming cat” as my dad puts it.  I got about a 30 min nap in too before Addy woke up and time to get more stuff done.  Dishes, and supper out and going (steaks were phenomenal) All done in time to do some laundry while watching the Bears. 

 

The Bears made huge strides since Monday.  The pass protection was better and Hester, what can you say but “DON’T KICK IT TO HESTER” if you’re an opponent.  Was a good night! 

 

Was a really good weekend, but a rough start as Ryleigh is home sick today.

 

Next weekend is Iowa-Indiana, Bears-Bucs from London and more leaves await; plus Phineas & Ferb for Bray (another birthday present).  Wouldn’t change this though.

Best and Worst of the Weekend – Comeback

Well this weekend had its ups and downs, similar to the whole week.  My sister, her husband and 4 kids were in Iowa home from Memphis at my parent’s house.  First time I’ve seen them in 1.5 years.  Good to see them.  The nephews and nieces are growing up quick, similar to my kids.  They played most the night there and only really sat down around the fire when the s ‘mores were being made.  Brayden had so much fun, and he usually does at Grandma and Grandpa’s that he didn’t want to go home, which made for a struggle to get him into his car seat.  Finally got him in and all the 2 other kid and they were out cold before we hit 330 to Des Moines. 

Saturday Brayden had his first flag football practice.  It took him a bit to warm up and get going but once they got done stretching and a ball out he was into it.  They did passing and catching (why not holding a ball and cones to run through I’m not sure) but he did ok with it.  Caught a few with his hands in the triangle…then with his body and once with his face.  After that he got a little timid and started doing the arms swatting and leg up, that didn’t really work.  Throwing back he was decent.  He cocked it back by his ear and let it rip.  A couple were wounded ducks but had more really nice tosses than ducks. 

The final thing they did on the 60 yard field was they threw all the balls and had the kids go cover up and run them back holding the ball the right way.  Brayden being 3 and the youngest and shortest there isn’t the fastest.  So after a dozen bombs, they started throwing about 30 yards, told Brayden to turn around and he saw them short and went and jumped on the ball and covered it up and ran it back.  The next time showed how smart Bray is.  All the kids ran deep; Bray ran to the 30 yard cone, did a button hook and had a ball dang near bounce up to his gut, covered it and ran it back.  Needless to say he had a good time, and tired him out; he had a 3.5 hour nap Saturday.

Sunday Addy had a birthday party to go to and then a friend came back home with her for an hour or so to play.  They also got to the mall and played for about an hour before the party.

Ryleigh had a rough stretch.  She’s teething, which sucks in itself, but is also feeling the after affects with the worst diaper rash any of the 3 kids have had.  After 5 days of TLC she’s almost back to normal butt wise.  Still horse from crying from it and getting better.  The afternoons and evenings haven’t been the best with her fighting to go to sleep too.  But sat her down with some Sunday night football and she was out.

Also this weekend was the Hawks comeback against Pitt.  For 3 quarters we looked bad.  Really bad.  Then Kirk went away from what Iowa is known for.  He unshackled the offense ala 2004, stopped running first into an 8 man box and stopped the play action and just slung it and the result was the biggest comeback in Iowa history!  And instant classic, well at least the 4th quarter.  Hopefully the next game he’ll do the same. 

Sunday the Bears got killed.  Nuff said there.  Sunday night behind Matty Ice and Jeremy Maclin my fantasy team came back and beat the best team/defending champion in the league.  
So it was a weekend of comebacks.  Like I said last week had up and more downs so hopefully this week is a comeback too!

Best and Worst of the Weekend - Steele Stole it!

Well the weekend wasn't what I expected going into it Friday Night.  This weekend at work I had a program upgrade going through for what I'm the admin of.  Friday monring on a call there was mention of a chance of being here till 1-3am.  My jaw dropped.  I hadn't packed an over night bag.  Luckily things went well and I only was here till 815pm.  Got outta here and home in time to watch some of Missouri-Arizona State.

 

Saturday I had to be back at work.  It was also the annual Iowa-Iowa State football game.  No I didn't plan the date it was going in.  I would have rather it been a week earlier.  But I get into work and saw my comptuer screen....gotta love technology.  My computer crashed.  Thankfully I had a second machine and was able to get in and do my testing, until it crashed!  All while the Hawks and Clones are kicking off (more on that later).  But really, I have 2 machines and they both go down?  Currently I'm waiting on a ticket for both to get fixed.

 

On to the game.  Not gonna recap it all, you can check out the boxscore/recap for that, but got home, had lunch watching the game and then headed to a party for the end of it.  The Hawks just looked flat, and why it happens at ISU and not when the game is at Kinnick I don't know.  The Hawks continued to run the ball into 8 man fronts.  Check down and hit the TE or something.  And where was James Morris?  I don't think I heard his name all day.  McNutt was quiet too, but was recieving a lot of attention.  The Hawks couldn't get enough pressure on Jantz and he made the plays when he needed too.  Why Iowa State won.  They won and they deserve the credit.

 

For Hawk fans calling for change or Ferentz's head.  Calm down.  It's one game.  He's not going to change, its worked for him for 13 years now?  You should be used to it.  If you need to understand why he doesn't change, check out this hardware!  Relax.  Move on to Pitt.

 

 

Saturday evening Addy had a picnic/movie night for her school at a park.  It was pretty fun.  Got to talk to some people, the kids ran and ran.  Finally watched Tangled on a big 30 foot screen.  Funny movie, another winner for the Mouse.

 

Saturday Night when we got home I watched the end of Michigan-Notre Dame.  Thanks Irish and Wolverines for saving the best for last.  Damn that was an amazing game! 

 

Sunday was filled with Laundry, the BEARS destorying the falcons, and more laundry.  Yes the Bears suprised me a bit here.  I didn't think we had a chance but they did well.  The D was ferocious.

 

Ryleigh is now crawling really good, she's got her groove on with it and is rolling.  Kinda cool to see but yet, the past 6 months have flown by! 

 

This week starts a full fledged no time week.  The kids have things going on most every day of the week.  Addy has Cheernastics, Capoeria, Swim, Girl Scouts.  Ryleigh has swim and Brayden has Football this saturday!  He's pretty pumped and I just hope he realizes its flag football and doesn't go Bob Sanders on a kid. 

 

Finally this coming week my sister and her family are coming up from Memphis.  Haven't seen them in a year or so, so that will be fun! 

Best and Worst of the Weekend – Downsizing is a good thing?

Downsizing really makes things a lot easier!  Really it does…Thursday night I took my son to grandmas and grandpas since he didn’t have preschool on Friday, Friday night I took my oldest daughter to grandma and grandpas and they got a weekend to spend with them.  Both have wanted to spend a weekend there with them and play with gma and gpa.  Bray was really pumped to play with grandpa.  Apparently on Friday he got to go see where grandpa works.  They got home Sunday afternoon and were spent!  My son slept from 5pm to 6am….I tried to wake him up for supper and he was out…he woke up for a drink of water and that was about it. 

But really…I forgot how easy it was to just have one kid and go do things.  Having just Ryleigh around and how easy she is was amazing.  It wasn’t like work, it was just life.  Was out most the day on Saturday running errands, got some new Hawkeye shirts for everyone.  Got Addy here school picture outfit.  Got Brayden a Darth Vader shirt that he keeps calling “Darth A Vader”  Also bought a rug for the upstairs living room (it really ties the room together) and Ryleigh is loving it just sitting trying to crawl and playing and rolling.  I got down and played with her on the rug with her new letter links.  So had  a nice lil day…went to Home Depot and some other places..didn’t have time to make it to Bed, Bath and Beyond.  Even had breakfast pizza for breakfast and slept in till 8-9ish.

Sunday started out ok…woke up around 730 and just got going.  We got the house cleaned and clothes put away.  Shawnna cleaned out the van…pulled it in to the garage when the rain started to keep it dry.  Then when we went to go leave to pick up the older kids…the van wouldn’t start.  First thought was battery or alternator.  Tried jumping it with the Honda, and nothing.  So called a tow truck.  The guy pulled up, put on a “Power Pack” and said the battery was a notch or 2 below where it should be and then it started right up.  The numbers increased so it wasn’t the alternator…need to get a new battery this week for it.  So that was a $65 jump start.  Guess what I get to do this week!

Kids got home and had some soup for supper…except Brayden.  As said above he was out.  Got some dishes done and lunches made and played Xbox and then it was time for GAME WEEK to start.

But really, downsizing – it’s much easier with one kid, I can’t even remember what it was like with just Addyson.  And don’t take this the wrong way, I’d never trade the kids for ANYTHING.

Another best…the US Government/FEMA seemed to have learned something from Hurricane Katrina and Rita that hit New Orleans…they were all ready for Irene that was on task to destroy the East Coast.  North Carolina got the brunt of it but saved New York but it seemed like the Govt and FEMA know what to do now…if they could only work like this on economic issues in congress.

Also the US beating Japan in the Little League World Series!

Worst – The damage that Irene did to North Carolina…and also the rest of the East Coast.

Also a very personal worst – Hayden, my dog who turns 8 this December, got hit by a car about 4 years ago, she’s been having some leg issues come back where she got hit and it’s showing now.  It’s hard seeing her struggle on the laminate or the stairs, but you get her running she seems fine.  I’ve helped her with her food and got her close to her dishes so she doesn’t have to move too much.  But it’s just sad. 

So College football starts this week, highschool football is in Week 2 (or 3 depending on your pt of view) and things will be happening here in a flurry….so here is the schedule I’m going to try to keep up.

Thurs – Big Ten Football Predictions

Fri – Iowa HS Football Predictions

Sun – Big Ten Weekly Awards

Sun/Mon – GFR Football Computer Rankings

Mon – Best and Worst of the Weekend

Also going to throw in some “Who’s in your 5” and “Lasting Images” and also my movies and life happenings.  We’ve had over 1000 hits the last 3 months, let’s keep that streak going!

Best and Worst – Cubs/Braves – Travel fun & More

Haven’t done this in a while so time to throw one up…gonna span a couple weeks.

Addyson performed last Saturday (13^th) at the Iowa State Fair for her tumbling/dance class.  This a few days after her brother knocked her front tooth out.  She did really good and we got to spend a day at the fair.  Always fun, always busy.  Got the new Iowa poster, one for me and one for my son.  My son wanted it up on his wall when we got home.  After 7 hours they were spent (and me too).  Then Shawnna and I went out to eat at Joe’s Crab Shack.  We had a couple good drinks, a Shark Bite and a Twisted Cherry Limeade.  Shawnna has since tried to recreate the limeade at home.

Also last weekend (14-16) I was lucky enough to travel to Atlanta for a conference for work.  I got down there at 9 am on Sunday morning.  A buddy, Ferg, picked me up and took me to a small restaurant (Thumbs Up) for a great breakfast.  Spent 8 bucks for food that would have been enough for 2.  I don’t think I could have bought a meal like that in Iowa for that much.  I had southwestern eggs.  It was half a plate of fried tators, peppers and onions, then 2 huge breakfast burritos loaded with scrambled eggs, black beans, bacon, sausage and topped with pico de gaulo and guacamole.  I ate maybe 60% of the meal, it was huge and good. 

Somehow also I ended up sitting in like cream from a cinnamon roll and had that stuff all over my ass.  Me only packing one pair of shorts, we had to make a run to Target and I got a 2^nd pair of shorts.  We then went to meet up with some of Ferg’s coworkers and head to Turner Field for the Cubs-Braves game.  Arriving at Turner we saw the old torch that was used in the 1996 Olympics.  The wall from old Fulton County Stadium, they also have the bases painted in the parking lot and a spot marked where Hank Aaron’s record breaking homer landed.

We tailgated for 2 hours before the game, and I purposely wore my Hawkeye hat, and got a half a dozen “Go Hawks”.  We wandered into the game during the first and the Stadium looks really nice.  There are a hand full of statues that we got pictures with (hopefully I’ll get copies of them soon). We sat out in right field for the first half of the game, and then headed behind home plate for the 2^nd half of the game.  I drunk tweeted a few pics during the game.  The Cubs fell behind 4-0, but came back to win 6-5.  They also stopped Dan Uggla’s hit streak at 33 that day, a play that included a great diving catch from Darwin Barney.

The work conference was fun and interesting.  I went down with 2 others from Wells.  Meet them later after the game.  The hotel, the Intercontinental Buckhead was really really nice!  I finally got to put names with faces of others that I call and talk to what sometimes feels like a daily basis and also meet some other people who use the program we use and had some really good discussions.  Also meet a lot of other people at the evening events that were fun too.  Over all a great time…till the flight home.

My flight was supposed to be leaving Atlanta at 5 get in Minneapolis at 7 and 3 hour layover till 10pm flight to Des Moines.  Um….yea, that didn’t happen.  Flight delayed what the airport said was going to be an hour…yea it was like 2 hours.  Once on the plane…I don’t think I’ve had that much fun in a while.  I sat by two ladies from Canada going to Minneapolis for the gymnastics championships (you read that right, they flew Toronto-Atlanta-Minneapolis).  They were older, prob 40-50….and we laughed the whole time.  They were hilarious.  If you’ve seen Bridesmaids, one of them had the same sense of humor that the lady who plays Molly on “Mike & Molly” has in that movie.  So we were cracking up.  And we needed too because when we landed in Minneapolis in a rain storm at 9 we were stuck on the tarmac 100 ft from our gate for an HOUR.  We couldn’t hit the gas a little and roll up to it because of lightning.  That sucked.  My 3 hour layover turned into me running for my gate at another concourse.  My flight to Des Moines though was thankfully delayed. We left at 1045.  Funny thing on my flight back to Des Moines is I sat by a millionaire, the owner of Van Wyk trucking, and a handful of banks, some storage companies among others.  But what is also interesting is he knows my banker, and also worked with my uncle in my hometown (of 500) back in the 50s/60s.  Small world.  So I got home at midnight, worked 50 hours that week and that was without working on Friday. 

Friday I was off and supposed to take my boy to Adventureland to play since last time we were supposed to go, we didn’t since he got sick.  BUT 2 temper tantrums later he wasn’t going and he was back to preschool.  I’ve learned you can’t reward that bad behavior.  Hopefully next time he’ll learn.  And one thing we’ve done with him is from a book called 1-2-3 Magic.  With that his temper, reactions and listening has really improved.  Go check it out fellow parents.  So my Friday was spent relaxing! 

Friday night my daughter had her first “real” sleepover with a friend she went to preschool with.  Her and her friend have a blast all the time, it’s too bad they don’t go to school together anymore.  Saturday my son had his first “real” birthday party to go to with a friend from preschool and some other kids that go there.  It was at a nice little park in Lakewood.  He loved it because he could throw rocks into the lake.  Sunday we spent the day outside, mowing and playing and riding bikes.  I fixed the wheels on my grill and overall just a good day. 

This coming week we start school, the kids go to grandma & grandpas so hopefully it goes quick!

And Iowa High School Football started!  Too bad I started 5-4.  Valley beat Dowling in a classic in that series. 

Now for the bad.  Little Ryleigh has an ear infection and is teething.  IT SUCKS!  She’s 6 mos old and can’t express herself without crying and squirming and not eating or sleeping.  We got some meds for her and she’s been ok the past 12 hours.  Still a little fussy.

Also out of my realm…what the hell is going on in the world of sports?  Fights busting loose in Candlestick Ball Park?  I love going to games but this is a shame.  It’s not just happening in San Francisco, it’s all over on college campuses and pro cities.  It makes me wonder about taking my kids to a game.  I don’t want to put them in that environment.  It’s sad…and thankfully the experience at home and TV in HD has gotten so good you don’t have to go to enjoy it.

Then there’s the “NEW” CyHawk trophy that was unveiled last Friday at the State Fair by the “NEW” rivalry sponsor Iowa Corn.  First off you don’t need a fricken sponsor for a rivalry, rivalries aren’t built on sponsorships.  I can’t stand that. You’ll never see Floyd of Rosedale changed or sponsored by Hormel or Oscar Meyer (at least I hope not).  With that being said the old trophy is well cheap looking, but it has some history and has something to do to with FOOTBALL and the game.  The new trophy revealed with a family of farmers has NOTHING to do with the game other than the scores on the base.  It has drawn scorn from all over the state and country with the Govenor, Hayden Fry and ESPN chimming in.  One paper from Oklahoma said it’s a terrible trophy but at least the sports world knows Iowa-ISU now play for a trophy.  Today (Tues Aug 23) Iowa Corn has a press conference to discuss all the backlash the new trophy has brought.  Hopefully it gets changed.  And please, please Iowa-Nebraska Heroes trophy, learn something here…don’t mess up. 

So this is kind of a book but had a time to cover. 

Best and Worst of the Weekend

So the weekend was a quick one, again.  Actually not to bad either.  Got a movie in (DVD) haven’t seen Captain America, yet.  Took the boy fishing then had a trip to Mullets with him.  Indulged in some ice cold tasty GrainBelt! Even got to watch a replay of DJK putting up a hat trick vs. Michigan on the Big Ten Network.

I also tried what I guess is rated the #1 deli sandwich in Des Moines, B&B Dad’s Killer sub.  Gonna be honest, it’s not #1.  The Zach Johnson at the Manhattan Deli is the best deli sandwich in town.  I thought the Dad’s Killer, if I had all the ingrediants, is something I could have made at home and it would have been the same. 

 

With my boy, this was his second time fishing, and it didn’t go as well as the first one.  We tried a new location, a covered dock at Easter Lake.  He was more excited this time about the dock than sitting there fishing, but he sat for a bit and was proud of him there.  He had a few bites but we never could nag a fish.  After it we went to Mullet’s for lunch.  He was excited to sit at a big chair table and had fun chatting with the girls working there.  The Philly CheeseSteak PoBoy was pretty good, but it wasn't as tasty as The Sandberg. 

Also took a load of big cardboard boxes down to a friend’s house Sunday and burnt them while the kids ran around with their black lab.  Black Lab won a few times knocking them down and licking them like crazy.  Nice thing Saturday Addyson had a play date with a  friend for 4 hours and got to get with a friend of hers from preschool and hang out while the other 2 kids were sleeping.

While Addy was gone, I put on Unstoppable, starring Chris Pine and Denzel Washington.  The movie about an out of control high speed train.  Yes, like most movies in Hollywood these days, it was predictable, but I enjoyed it.  Pine I thought did a good job and liked Denzel in this movie too.  Supporting cast was good too.  Was it believable that the events like that would actually happen, um no…I hope not, but it’s a movie, let yourself go. 

2.5 / 5 STARS

Best and Worst of the Weekend - Fireworks

Bray checking out the cannons

So it was a holiday weekend again, another 3 days.  This weekend was a bit different from the last 3day weekend (Memorial Day).  Friday night the whole fam went up to the State Capital and met Marty & Mallory and enjoyed Yankee Doodle Pops.  The Des Moines Symphony played marches and topped off with the 1812 Overture and fireworks.  We got 3 shows, the Pops fireworks, the I-Cubs fireworks and some lightning in the background.  The kids ran and ran and ran and were out cold when we got home…after sitting in traffic for about 30 mins.

Saturday was supposed to be a trip to Adventureland for the two oldest and the youngest staying home with Grandma.  Woke up Saturday AM to my son getting sick.  He had a nice mess in his bed, and bless him he tried to clean it up with his rug.  We tried to get all still to Adventureland thinking it was just a one/two time thing, but getting into Altoona, he got sick again.  He and I went home, Shawnna and Addy went to Adventureland for the day.  Addy came home with a handful of prizes and had a bunch of fun.  Brayden felt better around noon and helped me around the house and yard along with Grandma. 

The prizes from Adventureland

Sunday was kind of a lazy day up till the afternoon.  We usually hit the West Des Moines Parade and were planning on it and then head to Marty & Mallory’s for their home grown fireworks and potluck.  Brayden was sleeping though most of the afternoon and we missed the parade and headed to our evening plans.  2 minutes from getting there, Brayden was bloody, biffed it on the gravel driveway.  30 mins later Addy was flipped over the hammock.  Thankfully Ryleigh didn’t get hurt!  She was passed around to holders but was all good.  Had fun with the Warren County and Softball crew.  Have a ton of fun with them.  Played bags and had a walk off bag for a win…came back to beat Shawnna 21-20, then lost a doubles game.  Ironically the games I won were on an Iowa State board, and lost on a Hawkeye board. 

Monday the fourth the plan was to go to Norwalk for the parade to see Superman, Brandon Routh, and hang out with some friends and then grill out and hit fireworks.  Pulling into Norwalk Addyson got sick.  What the heck?  2 times in a weekend?  Ran the girls home, and got Brayden to the parade.  He made friends with a set of twins and an older girl and used them to get candy…that’s my boy! :)  Brayden then saw Superman in the parade and asked… “daddy, is that superman?  Where’s IronMan?”

Headed home them to grab lunch and let him go to Cars 2 with Shawnna, then he complained of a tummy ache…really?  C’mon, give me a break this weekend!  So he napped and I went to Transformers 3.  Afterwards I grilled and we did sparklers outside and watched fireworks from the National Celebration in DC and the ones in NYC and Boston.  Sucks we couldn’t see them live on July 4^th, but it was a Monday and had a long weekend and saw a lot of them already. 

Was a decent weekend, hopefully next weekend is a healthy weekend.

Best and Worst of the Weekend

So this weekend, again has come and gone too fast.  Friday was supposed to be spent in Gladbrook at the Corn Carnival but with Brayden not getting a green at preschool that changed those plans.  We ended up spending the night at home with Lemonade Mouth.  I wanted them to go to the parade and carnival with Grandma but had to put my foot down with Brayden.  Felt bad for Addyson.  Shawnna went out and had a 44 ounce margaritta, a 4 hour margarita.  She needs more nights out like that.

Saturday we went north to a friends house to have a bbq.  The weather looked like it might be a problem but it ended up being pretty nice out and we were able to get the kids outside some and play.  The kids had so much fun that Brayden didn't want to leave.

Sunday was a day that was kind of lazy.  Dishes, laundry, cleaning the house and hitting the Des Moines Arts Festival.  I didn't get the kids out enough to do what I wanted them too, but I've been just exhausted and having some back issues lately that I needed a day that was pretty well relaxing.  I kind of got it, and got some of it today.

Best and Worst of the Weekend - Father's Day

So the weekend started out pretty good.  Friday at work we had a picnic in the afternoon.  Got a bit fried but had a lot of fun.  We had team tournaments in ladder golf and bean bag.  My partner and I got upset in ladder golf in the quarterfinals on a crap toss.  In Bean Bag we had a tough region.  The defending champs were beat by a team that was in the Final Four last year.  We took them out, then go to play a girls team, who had a ringer.  She brought all 6 games and was draining them.  I had to try to even out her scoring.  We were down 10-3 early  but somehow came back to win 21-17, I tossed the 2 of the last 3 on to win.  The Championship came against the best team on the other half of the bracket.  Early we were down 7-0.  Slowly we fought back to 14-13.  They ended up going over 21 and got sent back to 13.  We tossed about 5 more times and it was 20-20.  I put 1 on ,they missed 4.  WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!  Gotta find a championship belt now!

Friday night grilled out and had some Grainbelt Tallboys!  Saturday then kinda sucked.  I did get to sleep/lay in bed a little bit longer than usual but then the tummy was a little bit upset.  Though I did feel better by the time supper came and had some Winn's Pizza and wings.  They didn't last long. Then I tried to watch Hall Pass and ended up crashing so will have to try it again.

Sunday came and since Shawnna woke up early with Ryleigh, though it WAS Father's day I did let her sleep in.  About 845 we headed out to get some coffee ( that I messed up the order - dont ask ) and then got a couple bagles and doughnuts.  After breakfast I took the older kids fishing.

After breakfast I opened my gifts.  Addy made me a tie dye shirt at school.  Brayden a book mark that said "I love my daddy because he plays racetrack with me", and then the gift from the family was also a tie dye shirt, but the whole family had one too!  And even socks!  IN HAWKEYE COLORS!

After that we got some night crawlers and headed to Easter Lake.  About 20 minutes in we had our first fish, Brayden his first catch ever!  A little blue gill.  Addy didn't catch anything, but did see a fish jump about 2 feet outta the water.

Afterwards Brady napped, I did some decorating in my Hawkeye Room 2.0 and watched Rory McIlroy destroy the US Open.  And now after supper I'm here watching the Cubs and Yankees, too bad its not with my dad, though with it 7-4 Yankees he'd have more to say than I would.

Overall Good weekend!  Hope the week goes fast so I can have another good weekend!

Best and Worst of the Weekend – Moving Day

Well ok, not moving day for me, but as they say in golf, Saturday is moving day.  After a margarita and out to eat on Friday night, and a late night with the Big Ten Network, Saturday morning we went to the Downtown Farmers Market.  Got some cantaloupe, beans, lettuce, radishes and breakfast.  Found some other pretty cool little knick-knacks, some black and gold that may be in some ones future.

The rest of the day was spent helping friends move.  First Sammy and Erin in West Des Moines and finally Jeff & Darcey from Norwalk to Cumming.  Saturday ended up being a great day to do that too, great weather.  And let’s just say by the end of the day I was tuckered out…and well into Sunday too. 

Sunday spent most of the day low key.  Laundry, a few trips to Menards and Hy-Vee.  I tried to get a nap in but was woken up by kids, go figure. 

Ryleigh though was out like a light.  She tuckered herself out trying to roll over.  Sunday night I grilled some pork chops for supper, and ended the evening with some DQ  ice cream and watched the Mavs win the NBA Championship.  Great way to end the night. 

We really need to find a way to get every weekend to be 3-4 days!  Really only 2?  Who came up with that idea?

Best and Worst of the Weekend - 3 day weekend!

Best - Friday night the weekend started out great!  Date Night!  We had a great night with supper at Flying Mango and seeing Bridesmaids and going to Mullets.  Which I'll have to go to breakfast sometime to with the boy!

Saturday we woke up and Mom was still here from babysitting.  The kids (all 3 kids that is!) and I ran errands while Shawnna slept than hit the Jordan Creek Mall for the kids to play.  We got home and grilled out and took a long walk.  All during the walk Brayden ran the whole way while Addy rode her scooter.  He was tuckered out and crashed easy.

Sunday I woke up to Shawnna making snickerdoodles.  WINNING!  We hit Kung Fu Panda 2 early at 11 and then the rest of the day was spent taking the van apart to check out the radio and hanging out with some friends and then grilling some tasty steaks.

Monday I took the older kids to the zoo today to see the dinosaurs exhibit.  They were just mechanical skeletons with dinos over them.  The TRex was cool, but didn't car for the others.  It was also really packed today but we still spent a good hour there.  More grilling today and some planting out in the flower garden and it was another good day in the 3 day weekend.

Happy Memorial Day to all the veterans who served and those who are currently serving.  My Memorial Day memories usually all come back to going to the cemetery in Garwin with a poppy on my outfit.  My grandma would get up and set the wreath for the auxilury and then they'd read all the Garwin vets who have died and what war they served.  The cemetery would have the roads all lined with Old Glory and then all the vets had a little flags.  Miss those days, and wish you could go back one time.

Worst - Going to go with my allergies, they are killing me right now and well you remember the most recent.  Brayden and I struggling this weekend with them.

UPDATED - worst was also all the plumbing and gutter work I did this weekend.  My arms are sore a bit.  So is the back.

To go sports wise, what the heck is up in Columbus.  Jim Tressell resigned today, I had a feeling it was coming but then word is coming there might be more with Terrelle Pryor, oh and we still haven't had NCAA sanctions yet.

Then you have #88 in Charlotte were you thought he was ending his win less drought and then ran out of gas.  Yea, he ran out of gas.  Bad luck for Dale Jr.

Best and Worst of the Weekend

Best - This weekend, like others seemed to fly by.  Saturday the most.  Saturday morning we had Brayden's swimming lessons at 945 and then Addy's birthday party with 3 of her friends at Monkey Joe's and our house.  Woke up around 730 with Ryliegh and then started cleaning up the house.  Got Brayden to swim lessons and Shawnna took the girls to get stuff for the party.  Brayden has been doing great at swim.  Got him home and the girls were all there ready to go.  At Monkey Joe's they had a great time.  Got home and did the pizza, cake and High School Musical thing, along with tie-dye tshirts.  They came out great and the girls, and Brayden had fun making them.
Saturday Night we had supper at our friends Kim & Jason's.  Kim made a pasta and pesto chicken.  It was tasty!  We sat on the deck in great weather and talked a lot.  The kids played like crazy and were really great.  We sat and talked and ate until about 1045.  The kids were wiped.  I had salsa sour cream spilled into my shoes and had a lot of laughs.  Great night.  Gotta do it again.

Worst - Sunday afternoon, and the weekend ending to quick.