Author: Rick

  • Countdown to Christmas

    My kids are already starting with the countdown. T-Minus 10 days, minus some depending on when you read this post. Every day I get an updated count from Brandon when he crosses off a day on his calendar.

    I wish I had some pictures to share but I promise on the next post I will have something.

    This weekend was Brandon’s cub scout holiday pot luck. The Tiger’s only had to bring pop, so we had an easy job with little prep. The entire family was allowed to come and once we got there we could see why.. They had a bouncy castle.

    The party was held in the high schools activity center, picture a large gym. So there was 2 basketball courts, the bouncy castle, a running track and the tables and chairs I helped set up. Aiden was immediately drawn to the bouncy castle. He got to spend a lot of time in there, as long as the older cub scouts were not being too rough.

    After the food the cub scouts got a surprise visit from Santa. It was quite a sight to see Santa playing a quick game of floor hockey with the older kids in his red suit. 🙂

    Otherwise I have been addictied to facebook. It is nice to reconnect to old friends and to play some online games like Word Twist and just see what everybody is up to. If you do not have an account I suggest you set one up and search to see who you can find online.

    Have a great Christmas!

  • The Never-ending Update

    Boy do I have a lot to catch everybody up with. Let me start with the annual “crazy cookie creation day”™ this past November 15th. Basically this is a day where Danith invites her sisters, cousins, and her mother to make holiday cookies. This year both sisters, one of her cousins, Lynn, her two girls, and Danith’s mother attended. They made plenty of good cookies which were slowly eaten and sampled as the day wore on. They also make a batch or two anatomically correct ginger bread men, but you will have to ask Danith to show you pictures of these cookies.

    On the 22nd of November, Brandon’s cub scout pack participated in a Space Derby. This is similar to the pine wood derby, but instead of cars they make rockets. The rockets are propelled by a rubber band and a propeller. I was in charge of winding the rockets prior to the races and after winding 30 rockets that raced at least twice my fingers were sore by the end of the day. Brandon’s rocket one the first race and then came in second, ok lost, twice. I have the picture on my facebook site and it can be seen directly here.

    Next was the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Danith and Brandon got up early Thanksgiving morning and ran in the family 1.5K while her sister, Megan, ran the full 5K. The bonus was that Brandon’s picture to the left, was featured on the sites homepage since he looks so awesome running. After the Turkey Trot Danith and her sister came home and helped cook a full turkey and trimmings for the Thanksgiving dinner we hosted at our house.

    On Black Friday I tried to brave the crowds to get something special for Danith at Wal-Mart. (Sort of an oxymoron, but hey). Due to the trampling death at a east coast Wal-Mart they opened the doors early so all the good items I was after were already taken. Instead I picked up some smaller items for the boys. Later that morning we drove down to Rochester to meet up with my Mother and my step-brothers, Jim and Jason, and their family. My mother rented out the party room at Jason’s apartment complex which has an attached pool. We ate a lovely ham dinner and than the boys and I got to swim. Aiden had a great time and of course Brandon was showing off how close he is to being able to swim by himself.

    And finally the snow has come to Minnesota. It is predicted to remain white through Christmas this year which will be a blessing and a curse. With the snow I took Brandon skiing for the first time. He had a blast and should pick it up in no time. I expect by winters end he will be able to ski most of Afton Alps. Now I just need to get Danith out on her new skis!

    Have a happy Holidays as at my normal posting rate it will be the middle of January before my next post.