Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Ten Days to the Party

And we haven't really done anything to get ready. We are probably still good parents, but we have our flaws. The Boys are finally going to get baptised this weekend on Sunday, at St. Bernard's in Tosa if you want to witness the boys taking the plunge. Last minute cancellations, a stint with Buddhism, working with coordinating four godparents (who have been extremely accommodating and helpful to us), hoping grandpa Dan doesn't get sick (he is well again thankfully), among other things pushed us out almost a year. I did order the Boys' cake for Sunday. The cake place was out of candy crosses, so we will have them put a picture of Motorhead on the cake instead. The screen printing is so amazing that they can even put in Lemmy's wart.

While we have been up to a lot of things lately, the boys haven't been to the park yet this week. It has been too cold. When it warms up, it will probably rain. The boys did use the swing up north quite a bit over the weekend. We need one for our family room. The boys are probably getting cabin fever. While we did take them to the store Monday night and to Boston Market, Hayden and Donovan destroyed an empty Luv's Diapers box this morning before I went to work. I think they are venting. Soon enough guys, summer will be here.

A lot has changed over the last year. It is very wierd thinking that Melissa was very pregnant with them a year ago. Their birth came as quite a shock, as you will see if you go back to the May 2007 posts. It is just hard even remembering Melissa being pregnant since it seems like so much has happened in the interim.

I know I definitely feel older, especially when we talk about replacing Melissa's 1995 Chevy Astrovan with a new minivan instead of a nice sporty sedan. The old van has character and is a good ride (although it handles like a UPS truck). It is rugged, its been through some fierce battles, its tricked out with wood grain on the inside with soothing mood lighting, and it is aqua in color (or maybe it is metallic avocado). It will be missed when the day comes, but that day is still far off. When we shop for the new van, I'll have to ask the dealer to make certain the new minivan does not have the "noose option," since I do not want to be caught dead in that thing by any of my friends. I just want to be able to get out and run.

If anyone has any minivan recommendations, then let us know. Melissa is interested in a 2008/2009 Toyota Sienna in the "Calvin Broadus" edition with AWD. Alright, now I am venting. Time to go to the park.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Camping!

Well, neither Donovan nor Hayden were selected in the first or second rounds of the NFL Draft. We will see how tomorrow goes, but we are not getting too excited.

The boys are rumbling around the camper this weekend. It is a lot different so far this spring with them in the camper than last summer. The boys just crawl all over, turn on and off the stereo, play under the dinette, and just have a good time moving all around. Last summer, we were absolutely exhausted with only sleeping a few hours at a time, with Melissa often sleeping even shorter spurts. At least we remember what is going on now.

Donovan and Hayden now have their own bedroom in the camper. We removed the bunks from the bunk area, and put their pack-in-plays up there for them to sleep. Melissa and I now have our full bedroom to ourselves and we are not sharing it with a travel crib and a makeshift crib (from an old bouncy chair, that Donovan loved sleeping in since we had nothing else to put him in other than the closet, a dog bed or a drawer). We also don't have a big honking travel swing polluting our family room of the camper any more either which is very nice. Now it just dumping all of the boys' toys back into the ottoman at the end of each night.

Some people accuse of not "roughing it" when we camp. They are wrong. In an effort to demonstrate how we truly rough it when we camp, we decided to get the cables to hook up the Nintendo Wii in the camper. Since it was really cold today, we spent a bit too much time on the Wii. If I can find a table top dishwasher that works (without needing a garbage disposal), then we are set. But we are truly roughing it, because by camping like this, we realize how little you truly need to survive in a home--but a faster internet connection would be very desirable.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Mo' Chicago Pictures

Tubby the Alien!

It's Just a ______ Cow. There is no need to take a picture of this thing.

The boys are in the stroller, I assure you, they are there in the picture below the metal sidewall.

Playing in the water at the Museum of Science and Industry

16 Days to Go!!!!

Donovan and Hayden got a bath tonight in anticipation of their Birthday Bash Bonanza Spectacular! Donovan and Hayden are both walking behind their little push toy. I think it is only a matter of time before they will be walking on their own. However, they may decide they like crawling more and just do that. Either way, they will get to spend the weekend in their swing up north (in the rain probably).

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

17 Days to The First Annual Great Birthday Bender Bash!!!!!

Let the countdown begin!

I brought up the patio furniture tonight from the garage. I cleaned it up, just for the party! Melissa needs to order the cakes, the clown, the inflatable ball pit, the juggler, the magician, the bar keep, the waterslide, the singing telegram, the $!%(@@^#, and the food!

I am very excited (Melissa isn't), and I hope the great Wisconsin weather is nice and that it does not snow that day (or rain, or hail, or sleet). Keep your fingers crossed.

We hope you all can make it to their first birthday party. As I said before, if you read the blog, then you are invited to come to the party.

Date: Saturday, May 10, 2008
Location: Donovan and Hayden's House!
Time: Noon til ?
RSVP: Email me, Melissa or call the house.

This Blog Cracks Melissa WAAAAYYYYY Up!

http://amazingtrips.blogspot.com/

Plus this lady knows how to write.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Cougars at the Field Museum

The boys and I have had problems with Cougars attacking us ever since the boys were born. We got attacked by several more this weekend at the Museum. The one in the picture was probably a younger one.

Melissa helped Donovan dodge possible cougar attacks by hanging out near this penguin!

If you ever want to avoid a cougar attack, then just eat like these two slobs while at the Field Museum.

We also went to the Planetarium and walked around the City. On Friday night, we went up to the top of the John Hancock Tower. The boys slept the whole time. Melissa and I had a nice relaxing dessert at the Ghiradelli store before we went up. It was nice and peaceful to sit outside again, have a nice drink and listen to the City all while the boys were peacefully O.F.C. (asleep). Tomorrow we head to the Aquarium to go fishing and to the Museum of Science and Industry. We plan to protest as Luddites at the Museuam of Science and Industry to make that experience more fun.

A T-Rex named "Sue" at the Field Museum!


Friday, April 18, 2008

Taking the day off

Donovan, Hayden and I are taking the day off from work. We are going to head down to Chicago to take care of business. This will be there first trip to Chicago. If their Mom's van breaks down, then it might be their last.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Lovin' the Swing At the Lake

Looks like I know where the boys are going to spend most of summer while up at the lake!



More Fun at the Park Today!




Saturday, April 12, 2008

We have a Pool in Our Bedroom (and stupid hats too)!

Little men at work!


I know I look nuts, but you do too!

Yeah, Ok, I'll Smile, Ok, Now take the $#%@%^&# Hat Off Of Me!So you will give me a cooke if I just wear the hat and smile?

Friday, April 11, 2008

Scrub-a-Dub Dub

Guess What Tubby Did in the Tub?

Monday, April 7, 2008