More Excrat!

Xcrat!

Turtles, Turtles, Turtles! Melissa loved the Sea Turtles (and I liked the rays)

When Grandsons Attack!

Cancun - Mo' Pics.

Cancun

Donovan and Hayden did not get to go to Cancun for their parents' vacation this year (Donovan and Hayden were not invited and in fact they were forbidden from going to Cancun with their parents). Donovan and Hayden got to spend the last nine days and nights with their Grandma Carol at our house and with Grandma Sue and Grandpa Dan. Mega, Mega thanks to the grandparents for watching the boys and making this trip happen. The boys had a nice time and we know they missed us. It was refreshing to see their smiling faces tonight when we got home.

Melissa and I relaxed a lot, tried to unwind, chased iquanas, went to Xcrat, went snorkeling in shallow and deep water coral reefs, bought nothing at Cartier and Louis Viutton (thank god!), hung out in a cabana and chaises around the pool, had a lot of food and drinks, and a really nice time. The best part of the trip was seeing how happy Melissa was to see Donovan and Hayden in their cribs and waking them up when we got home. Happy scene! Here are some pictures from our trip:



Trip number 3 to Starbucks!

All-inclusive included edible plants.

Crocs

We are going to Kalahari soon. Melissa brought the boys Crocs. The boys are pretty good at pronouncing things. Unfortunately for them, there is no "R" in Crocs. They would still like to tell you all the great things about their new c_ocs. I guess this just goes with being 2. The other fun one was Donovan's s#!t snake the other day.

Superbowl

Donovan and Hayden celebrated their third Superbowl today. In addition to the Giants of New York and the Steelers of Two Pickets to . . . , the Saints of Sodom joined the ranks of Superbowl victors during Hayden and Donovan's existence. The boys celebrated the Superbowl by playin with their trucks and tractors, dodging the camera, and eating chili . . . really good chili.

Monster

Donovan and Hayden have a new game. Its called Monster. Its kind of like Tizzle Wizzle, but without the knives, medications, glowsticks, darkness and murder. Instead, Donovan and Hayden just run around in a circle constantly screaming monster. And unlike Tizzle Wizzle, its a game with no winner. If you want to come play Monster, then stop by!

I'd classify Donovan and Hayden as fully potty trained now--sans when they sleep and when they are at the Prairie Athletic Club. Donovan is pretty rock solid reliable at the PAC. Hayden still has an accident here and there at the club. Regardless, I am very proud of them, especially the quartet of craptastic bowel movements that Hayden had on Sunday. It was only a short time ago when a fight would ensue as to who had to do clean up on aisle H.

Melissa and I are headed on vacation to Mexico, alone, soon. God help those who have volunteered to watch Hayden and Donovan. It should be fun times for all. We have not been on vacation alone since before they were born. It is crazy to think they will be turning three in 4.5 months. I have already lost track of their childhood. It is also crazy to think that in the month of January 2010, we have not taken one picture of them yet. We need to get on that.

Hmm, this was a nice photo.

Asleep on the job

Conference Championship Picks

Donovan and Hayden have again given a lot of thoughts to this weeks games again. Here are their picks:

Vikings 34 Saints 28. Because they want their daddy's good friend "Keg" to be happy (and the Vikings are the better all around team at this point, with or without Harvin).

Colts 23 Jets 20. This one could go either way. The Jets D is playing well.

We are off to the gym now.

Divisional Round Picks

Donovan and Hayden were irate Sunday night when the Packers lost. They have been spoiled by the Packers so far in their short existence. Their first year on this earth, the Packers made it to the NFC Championship game, this year the playoffs, and they watching Aaron Rodgers develop into the next Peyton Manning with legs that can run.

This weeks Picks:

Chargers 37, Jets 17

Indianapolis 27, Baltimore 23

New Orleans 44, Arizona 30 (Take the over)

Minnesota 30, Dallas 17 - no way this one is close. Dallas will get destroyed.

Wild Card Round Playoff Picks

Donovan and Hayden have given serious consideration to the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs. In the past several years, several Superbowl teams and Superbowl winners have played in the Wild Card Rounds (NYG 08, Pitt 09). Green Bay could be one of those teams this year.

This is probably the most difficult wild card round in recent years to make picks. Even the odds makers are struggling as each game is overly close in the spread. This weeks picks by Donovan and Hayden are as follows:

New England over Baltimore 30-17. Donovan and Hayden don't like this game either way. Brady is very hurt and Welker is out, yet New England, and particularly Tom Brady, find ways to win playoff games. Donovan thinks the Ravens, however, can really run the ball well and if they control the clock this could easily flip the other way, but Hayden thinks Joe Flacco is not playing well and is sticking with New England.

Cincinatti over J-E-T-S 20-13. Donovan thinks Cincinatti was in a funk the last two weeks following Chris Henry's death, and Donovan and Hayden call this an upset win against a Jets team that can run and has a great defense.

Philadelphia over Dallas 24-20 Because Donovan and Hayden hate the Dallas Cowboys. Take the over.

Green Bay over Arizona 31-23 Arizona has only put up more than 31 points once this season. Green Bay has done it five times and four of those in the last six weeks. Whatever the over/under is, take the over in this barn burner.

Best and Worst Awards of 2009

2009 was a wonderful year for Donovan and Hayden. They are definitely growing into two fine toddlers, and they have handled the curve balls dealt to them quite well. From the mid-year house move to a new community, to going through the motions of potty training, spending time away from mom and dad, and learning to share toys (which they are still learning), they have handled the ups and downs.

Its time for Donovan's and Hayden's Best and Worst List of 2009!

Best Diapers: We don't wear diapers during the day any more. But if we had to, it doesn't matter because we go potty in the potty.
Worst Diapers: Huggies still.

Best Accomplishment: Potty Training, close second: Talking in coversation, playing together, sharing and caring for each other
Worst Accomplishment: Tantrums. challenging the effectiveness of time outs, Lippin' off.

Best Parent: Momma
Worst Parent: Kate Gosselin, hands down. The world could handle 8 jackasses like John, and that would be better than 8 more of Kate.

Best Emergency Room Visit: None!!!!

Best outfits: Any sleeper with Zippers
Worst Outfits: Anything else

Best travel provider: 1995 Chevy Astrovan, Jayco Edition
Worst travel provider: The umbrella strollers have been epic failures. Also, the shopping carts where the kids sit directly across from each other = scratch-time hell.

Best Sportsman: Tie - Charles Woodson Aaron Rodgers.
Worst: Brent

Best Dog: Hailey
Best Cat: Tie: Moose and Heretic

Best Song: Actually, the boys pretty much like all kinds of music.
Worst Song: The Black Eyed Peas are too overplayed, and not that good.

Best toys: Tie: the small Bobcats and the mechanical Forklifts Close Second: Little Tykes Firetruck and Police Car are still fan favorites.

Best Movie: Finding Nemo

Best TV Show: Wordworld, close second: Super Why and Sesame Street

Best Fish: Suckerfish #1 who died earlier this year. Sucker fish #2 died last week.

Best drink: Tanqueray & Tonic

Best Tuesday Morning Activity: Laying in the big bed watching Sesame Street while Momma sleeps. Close Second: Activity time at the Sun Prairie library

Best Aunt Karolyn: Aunt Karolyn

Best Aunt "Yara": Aunt Laura

Favorite Friend: Daddy's friend "Keg" (Craig W.)

Favorite Park: Angel Park

Who would win in an all-out brawl, Bob the Builder or Thomas the Train: Bob the Builder

Favorite team in the 2009-2010 NFL Playoffs: The Green Bay Packers

Thanks for being a part of the boys' lives!

Santa Came!

Santa came and dropped off the presents while I was upstairs getting ready for bed. He is fast. Now we will wait to see how Christmas morning goes.

Merry Christmas!

We want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas! Donovan and Hayden had a wonderful year, and they are very excited for Christmas. Every morning they demand that the Christmas tree be turned on promptly. They are still timid around Santa, but they know they had to ask Santa for presents, like the Big Fork Lift by Caterpillar that they may or may not be receiving Friday morning from Santa. We'll post pictures if the boys are so lucky.

We have Kyle's parents and little sister and Great Grandpa Everet in town this weekend which should be fun. God help me, I just saw that Pee Wee Herman is going to be on Jimmy Kimmel. I must go now. I don't know how this man could still have a career when he was never funny or interesting in the first place, theater incident or not.

Mall run

Headed to the mall tonight with Donovan and Hayden to find Momma a Christmas present. we already got her something, but I am not pleased with it. I really don't know what she would do with a Super Why doll.

Last night the boys went to Melissa's Uncle Larry's music presentation. They really enjoyed the music. At the conclusion of each song, the boys kept saying "more, more"! When Santa showed up, he came up to Donovan, Santa said nothing except smiled at him, and Donovan said in haste, "I want Big Bobcat!" In an "a Christmas Story" moment, Donovan meant to say Two Big Forklifts, not big bobcat, since the second one would be for Hayden. I think Santa will get the right message, since Santa has been told on separate ocasions already.

Mr. and Mrs. Gulya - 2 Years and Seven Months later

Getting our BF Christmas Tree!

Mo' Blizzard

Blizzard

Bad Parents

We have been bad parents. We have not updated the blog in a while. For that, we apologize. Between heavy workloads, the thanksgiving holiday, joing the Prairie Athletic Club, watching tv, playing at the park, popping eight balls, teaching Katey to drive, and numerous other endeavors, we had to put the blog on hiatus.

We assure you, Donovan and Hayden are (1) still alive, (2) being very active, (3) doing things that you should care about, (4) photogenic to some extent, (5) willing to be publicly displayed on the blog, and (6) concerned that we have not updated the blog.

Keep posted. New postings and new pictures will be coming real soon. And some that you will not want to miss, including the Top things of 2009 for D&H. we will see if Momma can win "Best Parent" three years in a row!

Sheer Laziness, and fun at the Eau Claire Children's Museum

Halloween