Merry Christmas

Our Christmas morning has just begun.  Emma has been awake and Evy is still sleeping.  To pass the time, Emma used our camera to video the start of our morning.  Merry Christmas!

1st Place!

Kelley took 1st place in her age group at a 5K run this morning.

Darth Emma

Frosty and Emma

Festival of Trees

Evelyn's Birthday Party

Evelyn had a great time with her cousins during her birthday party. 

Good Times

Preparing for Evelyn's birthday, we are going through some photos of her through the last year.  It brings up a lot of good memories.  Like the time we went hiking.

Evy and me in Colorado

Evyelyn is Turning One

Hard to believe that Evelyn is about to turn out.  Looking forward to seeing the family at her birthday party.

She's catching on

Kelley and I practice what most parents do when they want to talk without the kids understanding...by spelling out key words of a sentence. This drives Emma nuts because she can't follow our conversation. That has just changed this morning. As Kelley and I were planning our afternoon, I said we could stop somewhere and let Emma look at things she would like for her X.M.A.S. L.I.S.T. Emma then looked at me after I spelled those words and I expected her to ask what we were talking about. I said to Emma, "You probably want to know what I just said." Emma then said, "You said Christmas List."

I lose.

The Loot

Emma and Noni are sorting and recording Emma's trick or treat loot.

Trick or Treaters

Emma is going out trick or treating when Evelyn wakes up. In the meantime, Emma is waiting by the door giving out treats.

Happy Halloween

We are at Boo at the Zoo. Emma is Strawberry Shortcake and Emma is a strawberry.

Emma's New Friend

Bears!

We are tailgating for the Bears game. Chicken fajitas and bacon wrapped BBQ shrimp on the grill. Prediction: Bears 147, Seahawks -9.

Too Heavy

Emma is trying to lift her favorites.

Tanner's Orchard

Today we are at the pumpkin patch. Hottest day imaginable to look at pumpkins. Emma still loves it. She has been talking about this for a while.

QC Marathon

I ran my first marathon today.  I did it in 3:14 and change.  Which, means I qualified for the Boston Marathon in 2012.

Triathlon

My sister Emily and I competed in the Lake Geneva Triathlon on Saturday.  It was very windy, rainy, and cold.  This was my first triathlon.  Despite the weather making the course so difficult, I had a lot of fun and finished well for my first time.

Crossing the finish line.

Emily and I at the finish line.

Twins

Emma loves it when they dress alike.

Wingo

Emma and I are at one of our favorite restaurants...Buffalo Wild Wings. Tonight they were playing a game called Wingo (like Bingo) and Emma won a stamp set.

Back to School

"Back to school.  Back to school.  To prove to Dad that I'm no fool."

Summer break is on its way out. On Monday, the teachers report back to work. On Tuesday, the students come back. I'm getting excited for the school year and some exciting new ventures I'm about to be a part of this year.

Emma starts her second year of preschool in September. Her outlook and enthusiasm towards school (and other things) always impresses me. She has been talking about how excited she is to start preschool again and is always thinking forward to kindergarten. The other night she told me she wants to go back to school and meet new friends and learn new things. I hope we can continue to foster her optimism and hunger for learning and venturing out into new things.

Back

Back from Colorado. We had a great time with Uncle Bob. While in Colorado, we did a lot of things...

-Hiked Red Rocks
-Longmont (Oskar Blues)
-Fort Collins and saw my cousin Kelly at Odell's
-Boulder (Avery and Mountain Sun)
-Golden
-Butterfly Pavilion
-Downtown Denver and 16th street
-Cubs versus Rockies
-REI and Patagonia
-American Girl

The highlight of the trip had to be our girls. They did an amazing job being good the entire time. They really made the trip fun. It is nice to know that we can travel with them.

Coors Field

Hot day for baseball. Nice stadium with a cool neighborhood surrounding.

The Wait

Oops. They're not open yet. The wait is about to make Emma's head explode.

American Girl

Emma has finally made it to the Denver American Girl store. It is just a couple minutes from Uncle Bob. She has been waiting for this. It is like Christmas morning right now for Emma n

Red Rock

We just got done hiking Red Rocks. Beautiful. I had Emma in a hiking carrier on my back. She loved it. Kelley had Evelyn strapped to her. It was a lot of fun.

Now we are heading to Denver. We're going to meet up with Uncle Bob at Falling Rock Tap House.

Coors Brewery Tour

Just got done with the Coors tour. Now we are finishing up in the tasting room.

Butterfly Pavilion

We got into Uncle Bob's house yesterday and had a great cookout. This morning we are at the Butterfly Pavilion. Emma loves it and Evy wants to touch everything.

Lexington, NE

Got a large amount of the trip done today. Landed in Lexington, NE. We ate and swam. Now for a good night's sleep. The girls are having fun.

Colorado

Our family vacation officially began when we pulled out of the driveway today around 8:15 this morning. While Evy was drifting in and out of sleep, we taught Emma how to get the semi drivers to honk their horns. She thinks this is so fun and will provide hours of old school entertainment for all of us.

Bix &

Emily, Kelley, and I ran the Bix yesterday. Good run...but wet. We had a good time at the end of the race.

Great Day

We are really enjoying this game. Great seats and the Cubs are winning...for now.

Cubs Game

Grandpa and I have great seats for the Cubs game.

Livestrong Teether

Evelyn has been trying for months to get my Livestrong bracelet away from me. With teeth coming in, Evy was crying while Kelley and Emma were trying on clothes. I finally let Evelyn play with my bracelet and she is loving it. I imagine taking it away will be difficult, but I don't want her swallowing it. But with close supervision, it is something she loves.

Uncle Bob and Evelyn

Candy Land

This is a photo of a family debate over the rules of Candy Land. Definitely worth the time to watch.

My 5K

Our friend Anne did a great job organizing this event. Emma ran in it as well and had a lot of fun.

I took 4th overall and 1st in my division.

Hot Day...Cool Treat

Emma did a nice job at swim lessons today. Time for an Italian ice to cool her down.

Asleep with Pooh

Birthday Party and Ribfest

This weekend was Emma's cousin Hannah's birthday party. After the party, we went to the Lake in the Hills Ribfest.

New Glarus

Yesterday we drove to New Glarus Wisconsin. While at the brewery, Emma was introduced to root beer for the first time. Needless to say, she loved it and it was a highlight of her trip.

Fashion No No

Emma decided to try to make socks and sandals work.

iPad

I just recently got an iPad. After playing with it for a while, I've come to the following conclusions...

1. For reading a book, the Kindle is better. The glare on the iPad can be a problem. Kindle is more a simple and natural experience. But, for graphic novels or instruction/how to books, you cannot beat the bright color screen (obviously edging out the Kindle in this category).

2. Movies are nice, but only practical for traveling.

3. Too big to be an mp3 player, but the speakers are nice. I am outside now while the kids play. The speakers are loud enough for us.

4. Typing stinks...period. Very awkward.

5. Get a good newspaper app, and you will be hooked. USA Today and Huffington post offer the best newspaper experience. Intuitive and easy to get to what you want. Same for RSS feeds. For resources and surfing the web, this is a great machine.

I really like the iPad as a resource and web browser. I thought Emma would like it more than she did. Emma can quickly use the iPad, but pointed out it is like a big phone.

Hannah and Emma

Emma's cousin Hannah is staying the night. Right now the girls are at the library during story time. The library has games planned. When they get home, Kelley will have a tea party lunch ready.

Emma Frozen in Carbonite

Darth Emma

Emma and C3P0

Emma and Ewoks

Emma and Queen Amadalla

Emma and Anne

Emma had a great time with the Ryerson family.

Intermission

Emma is officially a Queen Amadalla fan.

Nate and Emma

Concert is about to start.

Star Wars in Concert

Emma and I are at Star Wars in Concert with the Ryerson boys.

Blues Fest

After Kelley got cleaned up from her race, we went to the Farmer's market to get items to make fresh salsa. Now we are in the shade at Blues Fest.

Kelley's 5K

Kelley ran it in 24 minutes.

Dancing

Looks like Evy is caught in the middle if dancing.

Evy & Grandma

Crab Grass

The subject of crab grass came up. Emma hears it and says, "I wish we had crab grass. That would be delicious."

As you can tell, Emma loves crab legs.

Picking Berries

Tonight the girls are picking blueberries. Emma loves doing this.