My Brother's New Year has already begun!

It's 2009 in Thailand!!

"Best dad Award!!!"

Thanks!

I have about two minutes before work starts, so I'll give you the short update.

We made it back safe and sound from the 20 hour (round trip) car ride to Kansas. The girls behaved pretty well - they seem to be playing well together recently.

Kristina's wedding was very nice. It was in a chapel on the campus of the University of Kansas, and it was nice to visit with my cousin, Vesta.

I was attacked (figuratively) at the rehersal dinner about my shoulder. Everyone thought that I shouldn't have the surgery done. Probably since I downplay the problem. I don't like talking about my shoulder (in real life, not on the blog. In "geekspeek", "in real life" = IRL).

There was a large earthquake in India within the past few days (yesterday?), and there are reports of 30,000 dead. My boss is coming back from India today, so we all hope he is ok. It's a large county, so I'm not worried about him. Not that I worry much about anything...

Well, back to the grind ;-)

P.S. Hello to Sarah, if you are reading this, post a comment!

Have a Nice Day!

That was the greeting Maddie wrote me today for my birthday.

For my b-day, Maddie gave me a gumball machine full of about 30 little pieces of paper rolled up into balls. Each one says something like "Have a Nice Day!", or "I Heart You!". It was really sweet, and clever - like her! Now I have it at my desk at work, where I can pull one out whenever I feel like it! [note: (added 9/5/06) It was actually Molly who wrote the vast majority of these notes, I found out much later]

On Wednesday's I am now going to a morning "bible study" with a friend (David). It's from 6a-7a and includes b-fast. At any rate, it has the effect of giving me a couple minutes each week free on Wednesday mornings (since I end up at work about 15 minutes early).

Maddie had her last kickball practice yesterday, and has her last game this Thursday (I think). Molly went to piano practice yesterday - she continues to do very well...she's pretty fast now on her flash cards.

My birthday went well - we had a cookout on labor day that combined my birthday with Courtney's cousin-in-law, Chris. My 'rents were there and we all played Werewolf (aka "Lupus in Tabula").

My brother, Kerry, has been calling and I owe him a call back. I like talking with him, but was tied up when he called one time recently, and he has left messages (or talked to the girls) otherwise. If you're reading this - Hay Bro!

Today is my Birthday

I’m 37. Please, no gifts over $50. [edit: 9/14/08 Wow! And now I'm 40, three years older, and still working on this blog!]

Labor Day Weekend

Went to a party last night (w/o the girls). It was a surpirse 40th B-day party for two of Court's friends. Mostly it was a surprise since their b-days are at least 6 weeks away! Clever, eh?

The girls stayed at Court's parents - they saw a couple movies: 1) "Bad Seed", from 1958. B&W horror., 2) "Alien" - Maddie was really impressed by the alien popping out of the guys stomach. Nice.

Turns out the little girl in the Bad Seed was nominated for an Oscar, and most people alive back then (you know, the old folks) remember the movie. I'd never heard of it, but I caught the ending. It was the worst ending I've ever seen in a movie.

Today (Sunday) Courtney is pal-ing around with an out-of-town guest (Vivian). They are going to a movie. I'll play Dungeon Twister (DT) later on this afternoon with John (Court's dad).

[Edit Added 9/5] John won DT quite handily - I'll have to stop handicapping myself! We are hosting a cookout today at 4pm for the whole fan-damily (including Court's cousin's family).

Last night I finally got it worked out to play "Slay" online with four other people. It took a lot longer than I expected it would, but it was fun.

Maddie is 10 Today!

We had cake and ice cream at my 'rents-in-law. She got a bundle of $1 bills - she is so excited.

A Pool Party

We all had a nice time at the McAllister's pool last night. The girls swam, and we had grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. It was a get-together for the Faith Formation Commission at our church (Our Lady of Lourdes). There were about 10 people there.

Homemade Cake!

The girls made this cake from scratch...I think they forgot some key ingredient or other. Maddie thoughtfully gave me some to take to work. I threw it away as soon as I arrived.