A few things.....

1. Okay, you are probably checking our blog and seeing that it's a different color or format A LOT lately. Sorry, I think I am feeling the need for change these days, call it a mid-winter slump (is it really only mid-winter?)

2. If you have a job, please be thankful for it no matter if you hate it and you have to drag yourself to it each and every day. For those of you who don't know what I do for employment, I spend my days helping those that are laid off. The last 3 days I have spent all day talking with people who have been loyal employees of companies for 10-20-30+ years only to come into work one day and be told that today is their last day. It's ugly out there, jobs are far and few between and the want ads are smaller and smaller. I know a lot of people like to complain about their job or even about having to go to work (myself included) but these days you really need to be thankful for what you have.

3. Have you ever just driven the speed limit? If it's posted 70mph, have you ever just driven 70mph? I have been doing this lately on my drive to Forest Lake and have noticed quite a difference in my stress level. From Pine City to Forest Lake, it's about 45 minutes and the further I drive south on 35, the more cars get on the road and man, the crazier it gets. BUT-if you just are the one being passed and not doing the passing, your commute will be that much better. Really, just try it a few times.......

Miss Emma to the Lake

Not every day in the woods or on the lake with my kids ends up in some spiritual revelation. Sista Emma quickly brought me back down to 4 year old reality yesterday afternoon. 

I was once again given the nod to spend some time chasing crappies on Sunday. I waited until after lunch when I figured the temperature might peak at a balmy 4 degrees. Blue bird skies made it feel warmer than it actually was and I started to get excited with the anticipation of a quiet afternoon pulling in slabs. The two little ones immediately took notice as I began to grab gear. (Note to self - perhaps gear may be better stowed in garage?) Michele prodded me by asking if I "was bringing Emma with this time?" The same Emma that had been begging to go skating or play outside throughout our recurring cold snap. You see, Michele is smart. She's figured out that I have a weakness for taking my kids fishing. Like I'd have this internal dead beat dad feeling of guilt if I would ever leave them at home. And so, as soon as Minnow said the words, it was locked in that I now had a partner in my afternoon adventure.  

I once again changed my focus from Crappie Slayer to Nurturing Father as I now packed treats and juice boxes. Emma's smile and laughter is contagious - as is her whining. Our trip started with excitement and optimism by both of us but it didn't take long for Emma to ask to go home. I had gone through so much effort trying to make Sissy Squarepants comfortable in our small ice house. I admit that bonking her in the head while we erected the fort was a serious mistake on my part. However, the Tootsie Pop to ease the pain was only good for about 90 seconds of pleasure. Emma began her onslaught of requests shortly thereafter, most of which involved being done fishing. It's a weird emotion spending the time to set up camp and get lines set - all the while trying to please a 4 year old, only to have that effort go unnoticed. And where we fish it makes it even more unique that we are only minutes from home. Just far enough to where I am not yet comfortable abandoning my gear to run my partner home. Yet close enough that I feel like phoning her mother to come and pick her up on shore.

She was sent out of the house to play hockey. (I brought sticks in anticipation of boredom - but that trick works better with Tyler.) She was allowed to go on a short "walk about". (not much doing on a bitter cold Sunday.) Emma even sat in the car for a bit which I now see as only a teaser to a little girl longing to go home.

I stared down the motionless ice hole and pondered my next move when all of the sudden Miss Emma unzipped the door to the fish house, stepped in, sat in her Scoobie Do chair and looked at me and said.......... "Dad, I have to go Poop."

That was it for me. Time to throw in the towel. Call it a day. (a 45 minute day)

I sent her back to the car and told her it would take me a while to undo all that had been done. She watched from the window as I reeled up 2 of the 3 lines (I always like to leave one down as I pack up camp), disassembled the fish house, turned off and cooled the heater, put the auger and shovels back in the TrailBlazer and policed the area. And wouldn't you know it? - the bobber of the only wet line went below the surface. With camp broken down I reeled in our only keeper crappie of the day. I lipped the little fella and walked over to show my on again/off again partner and like a champ she asked, "Did you catch that one or did I catch it, Dad?" Miss Emma had the audacity to ask if the only crappie of the shortened day was "taken" on her rod.  :)   

I dropped the fish back into the hole and we headed for home. Maybe grumbling a bit on the outside but I assure you I was smiling on the inside. Made me even prouder that I had gone through the effort when later that night when Tyler called, the first thing Emma told him was that her and dad had gone fishing. Yep - we went alright!

Just be.....

I just read this following paragraph on a blog that I follow daily. She was trying to put her 9 month old to bed (who usually just laid down and fell asleep) and he was crying and crying so she was 'forced' to pick him up and rock him to sleep even though she had plans to leave for dessert with a friend that night.


I am a doer. I know that I'll never be the kind of mother who is just with her kids, not easily. I spend a lot of my day trying to carve out a little time for myself. That's okay. I'm not going to add that to my huge mental list of mothering deficiencies. It's the way that I am. I have to be reminded and reminded to treasure, cherish, revel, breathe. To just be with them. Because just being under him in the rocking chair meant every thing to him. Clean bathrooms and organized pictures mean next to nothing.

Don't think I could have said it any better. Here's to my resolution to focus on the 'now' not 'later.'

A 2 Foot Minnesotan

As you all know, I enjoy the outdoors and hope that my kids will too, though I have always felt that I didn't want them to like the things I like just to please dad. I do jump at every opportunity to get them in the wild and although I've had to change some of my own selfish big game desires, I think I've finally found another reason to love Ma Nature. With children I've learned not to focus so much on the "destination" but more on the journey. (once again, another poetic way to say "we caught no fish")

Oh, we've caught fish before. Tyler and his pal Eric have accumulated a nice chronological history of East-Central MN crappies over the years. I can look back through our photos and see quite a few examples of these buddies pulling in their fair share. Their most recent trip, just prior to Christmas, produced a handful of "eaters".

By this entry is not about the older boy's accolades. This time it's my turn to share Logan's first duet with Dad. 2 Sundays ago, after endless days of Nor'Western Freeze, the weather broke and I was intent on getting out of the house. I proposed a day of ice fishing to Michele and made an offer to take Emma with as a sign to my wife that I was serious. At 4, Emma has become independent enough to not require constant supervision and a worthy fishing buddy. Given the "go ahead", I immediately swung into my logistical readying routine. Grabbing rods and tackle, packing some snacks, staging the boots and hauling out the auger. It was then that the smallest Kirby took notice that something was brewing and began to do the Logan Hop in the living room while repeating, "Me go too? Logan too?" As I laced my Rocky's, I stared down the possibility of 2 toddlers in a small fish house but how could I say no to taking my youngest son fishing. I was almost to the point of tears: it was so damn cute to look and listen while our baby begged to fish. I stalled a bit and took a load out to the TrailBlazer. It didn't help my dilemma, Logan was still adamant that he was ready to take the big leap into the ice fishing world and Emma is always game for an adventure.


It was then that my wife devised a plan for us to each take a youngin'. The girls would head to North Branch for some post holiday shopping and the boys could hit the hard water. Emma went for it and Logan was just happy to realize that he was getting "the call." Like the rookie finally hearing from the club in the Big Leagues, Logan would, this day, get his turn to fish with Dad...just him and pops taking on the underwater world. His enthusiasm never waned as he put on his snow pants and gloves. Oblivious to the moment at hand, I continued on my pre-fishing routine and then all at one I noticed that Bear was taking it all in and appreciating every new experience along the way.


Logan's been fishing before but this was going to be different. Once I realized how BIG this one day could be for my little man, I changed my goals for the day from multiple catches to multiple memories. At the bait shop, I hung him over the minnow tank as my father once did for me. We singled out a sizable shiner among the crappie minnows and added him to our quarry. Although I heard that the fish were biting on waxies, I figured a bucketful of minnows for a 2 year old would be money well spent. My son's vocabulary continues to expand daily and endless chatter streamed from his car seat as we approached West Rush Lake. Other's took heed of a beautiful winter's day evidenced by the busy lake. More for Logan to soak in. More to see, smell and hear.

A friend of ours provided a cozy 4 hole permanent ice house. My pint sized partner watched as I screwed in the propane tank for the heater. He shuffled across the ice while I transferred gear from the vehicle to the house. As I meticulously stowed the gear on all the right hanging hooks, Bear took notes. But when I fired up the ice auger and began to drill holes, my boy stared in awe as if I was about to pilot the space shuttle. The look on his face at that moment made the entire day a complete success and we hadn't even wet a line yet.
Sure we got around to the particulars of ice fishing: the lessons about the heater, baiting of the hooks and the news of the snacks. We shared M&M's and sunflower seeds - never at the same time! Logan tended to his pole like a champ as I can attest that he reeled in to check his minnow approximately 57 times. Reeled my two rods in another 20 or so. When the action slowed, he danced or sang to keep me entertained. When the heater made a sauna out of the small shanty, Logan took the opportunity to play outside, shovel snow, and check on our neighbors. Ma called to get the official report and Bear was happy to give it to her.
The bobbers went below the surface a total 2 times in 4 hours. Both times they were met with a swing and a miss. Logan's optimism and attitude never wavered. He's my boy - already knowing that there will be other days. There will be days when "they come jumping in the boat". And days like today, when all of the entertainment you could ever need is in the minnow bucket or even sitting right across from you in the fish house. Thank you Logan. I remember another reason why I love fishing so much... because the joy it brings kids.












and the joy it brings Dads.....

Basketball Time!

We spent last Saturday at the Waconia gym watching Tyler's team play in a tournament. They have improved a ton over last year and so far seem to be dominating most of the teams they are playing. I just happened to be trying to get some pictures of him in action and was able to get him with a video clip making a bucket. He is #30 in case you aren't sure.....

They did very well in their first 2 games and in the championship game lost a heartbreaker, 28-29. One of Tyler's teammates put up a good shot that went half way in and out in the last 4 seconds of the game.

Enjoy!

Honest Scrap Tag

Okay, I will admit that I am becoming addicted to reading other people's blogs. It's amazing! Blog land is huge! On Tuesday, I spent the day at home with Emma and had the chance to sit on the couch, watch movies and explore blog land. I got hooked on blog land by a contact with an old HS friend(Thanks Tina!) who has a family blog and then I started reading more about them in the newspapers and now I have a list of 5-10 that I check out every day.

Is it a waste of time? Probably. Is it interesting? Heck ya! There are a million stories out there and I think the most pertinent thing for me is that, I'm not alone. There are other women, Mom's, working Mom's, stay at home Mom's and wives that are thinking some of the same thoughts and are dealing with the same issues that I am.

So, with that being said... here is a post that I found on a site called an Honest Scrap Tag and here are the rules:
A) First list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep! B) Pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.

I'm only going to list 5 to save you the pain... I'm really just curious to see what things I can come up with and admit to others. :)


HONEST SCRAP TAG:

1. I leave my clothes on the floor. (if my Mother was reading this, she would be shaking her head right now) I don't know why I do it but for some reason, I do. Around my bedroom and even in the bathroom, you will find little piles of my clothes. Shameful, I know,-I should know better but it's just easier and it saves me time.
2. At times, I can be a little too sarcastic. (Kirby is now nodding his head yes) I think I try to be a funny sarcastic to make myself seem like a funny person. I like to make people laugh and my way of doing that is to be sarcastic. Hmm, could be a late-new year's resolution huh?
3. I'm not a morning person. (again, Kirby is nodding his head so much his neck now hurts) I do not enjoy waking up to an alarm, I prefer to wake up on my own and have my own schedule of when I need to get out of bed. Unfortunately, my life does not allow this. I am, however hoping that when I retire that I will be able to begin my days when I want them to start. But for now, be aware that I'm not going to talk a lot when I get out of bed, I will look somewhat grumpy and appear to not be in a good mood. But, that does not mean that I don't love you.
4. I'm shy. Really I am. Put me in a room with a bunch of people that I don't know and I will be a wall flower the whole night unless I am forced to move. At times my shyness can appear that I am snobbish and I have been told that a time or two after someone got to know me. Starting a conversation with a complete stranger scares the crap out of me.
5. I'm an overachiever. (I just learned this at work a few months ago) I can't say no and offer to help to solve every problem, work on every project and take everything on. Now, it's not necessarily a bad thing...but it can be seen as one if you are my co-worker/friend. So, I am slowly learning to say no when asked.....

Okay, ouch... that was a little painful but honest. (Jeff, keep your comments to yourself)

Warmth.

Sorry, I just needed to look at some pictures of what warmth looks like and remind myself that winter isn't forever and I thought I would share them.....

Tyler at the RC pool figuring out that drinking pool water isn't that tasty even if you are really thirsty.

Emma in our 'home' pool soaking up the rays.

Logan not quite sure if he's ready to get his whole body wet.

I figure that there is only 3 more months left of winter right?

My Baby.....

Well, it officially happen last night. Logan is no longer a baby.



Yep, that's right, he has now crossed the line over to being a "big boy."

Sigh.....

What is it that now gives him this title?

We took down his crib and turned it into a toddler bed.

Now, I know some of you maybe thinking "Well, it's about time!" But, he was really in no rush to change so we just let it go. He had not made any attempt to get out of his crib and had been sleeping just fine and part of me was okay with that. This weekend though we heard "feet" upstairs during nap time and found out that he did know how to climb out of his crib. So, after a little digging around, I found the toddler bed parts and gave Kirby the go ahead to make the switch.

I know it doesn't seem like a big deal and that I should be excited that he is growing up and becoming more independent but....part of me wants him to just be my baby. I'm clinging to him being my last child, I admit it.

He was excited to hop into his new bed and laid down on the new pillow and Cars pillowcase that I bought him for the special occasion. He showed us that he could climb in and out with no problems and even did a few test jumps to show that his new bed was sturdy enough for a 2 year old boy.

As I went up the stairs to check on him after he was all snuggled in, he looked so cute and so grown up.

I suppose next thing we know, he'll be asking for the keys to the car........

Learning to dress yourself.

One of my good friends/co-worker has a daughter who is about 2 sizes ahead of Emma and she is kind enough to drop off a bag of outgrown clothes every once in awhile. In the most recent drop off, there was a cute, purple plaid dress that Emma just loves to wear.

Obviously, Emma is old enough to get her self dressed but now comes the struggle of teaching her what matches and what might not look too good as an outfit. As you can see, her attempt on this day was with good intentions but just not right on with today's fashion scene.

At least she got the black tights correct huh?

I had a good laugh that day and just let her wear it. After all, she is just 4 and somedays I wish I could just wear my favorite pieces of clothing and not worry if they matched or not, or even if anyone cared what I looked like.

Oh to be 4 again.......

What a Merry Christmas it was!

It was a busy holiday season but it was also a wonderful one. Our Christmas started off with my family driving up to Pine City to spend the day eating and opening presents or vice versa....

The 2008 family photo.

The kids....


We started our morning with just having the kids open their presents from Santa and from us so that by the time everyone else arrived, they would still be interested in opening more presents. Emma got an easel from Santa and Logan is helping her break it in.

Logan was much more interested in opening presents this year and his focus was on what was inside the present, not just the box or paper.


Emma has some major hair issues in the morning all thanks to being the recipient of having her mother's thin-fine hair. But, we still love her....

Logan decided that he felt the need to be naked while opening some of his presents.

Uncle Jeff, soon to be Aunt Vanessa, Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Ray all arrived and the kids were in charge of passing out the gifts. Logan didn't really pass them out as much as he did throw them.

Emma wanted to wear a pretty dress today and went with the purple plaid vs. the christmas dress that I had picked out for her. I let her win that battle and I guess purple is a christmassy color right?

As a gag gift for Tyler, Kirby and I bought him size 14 footy sleeper PJs. We were in Target one day and just thought they looked so funny hanging on the rack that we just had to buy one and see what Tyler's reaction was. Funny thing is that he did wear them that night and told us they were comfy. :)

If you ever wanted to know what the view is like for a 2 year olds perspective, Logan took these pictures. It's not easy being short.

After presents we relaxed and played some Wii bowling and had some good laughs at Grandpa Ray trying to figure out the Wii controller. He eventually caught on but at the expense of a few good laughs from all.

We then ate some ham and roast beef and fixings and before you knew it, it was time for everyone to head back to Monticello/Buffalo.

I don't think I could have asked for a better Christmas Day.

Off to Warroad.......

On the 26th we made the long journey north to Warroad. The weather was suppose to be a mix between snow and rain so we were anxious to get on the road and just get there. For those of you whom have never driven to Warroad, the last 2 1/2 hours are just backroad country roads with not a house or a gas station in sight. We did encounter the rain and by the time we got to Grandma Judy's house, the whole TB was covered in ice. I do so love living in Minnesota....

Once again the kids are in charge of handing out the presents. Tyler is the official 'reader' and Emma and Logan run around the room doing their part.

(nice rear end Emma)

Logan loved his new animal from Uncle Tatorhead.

A pose by the fireplace that is 'our sp0t' when opening presents.

Two, very, very, very tired children who asked to sleep together.

The next day it was time for some ice skating! Tyler wore my skates and Emma proudly put on her new skates with her pink laces. Logan doesn't have skates yet as he is still working on walking and running.

Daddy and Emma behind the glass.....


Logan on the net. Kirby has some pipe dreams that Logan is going to be a goalie someday.

Tyler likes to fall down more than he likes to skate I think. He was also working hard to make Logan and Emma laugh.

Emma practicing with the help of a walker.

Skating was fun. Papa Tom came along with the video camera and got some good action shots.

The next ice-cold activity planned was fishing.


Emma with her big catch!

Tyler practicing his jiggin'

With BIG success........


It was a cold day out on the lake. It just amazes me how many people spend time out there. You definitely have to love snowmobiling, ice fishing and hockey to live in Warroad. I'm afraid I fail that test. Like I kept telling Kirby, I really like Warroad in the summer. :)

Everyone enjoyed the stay up in Warroad and we spent a lot of time with Grandma Judy and Papa Joe, Grandma Rose and Papa Tom. Tyler was able to spend some time with Uncle Tatorhead of course. Thanks to all of them for feeding us, taking care of the kids and allowing us to invade your space for a few days.

Marley & Me

Becky and I had the chance to sneak out today and took in a movie while we were free from responsibilities. I had just finished the book, Marley & Me and laughed, cried and then laughed some more and made it a goal to see the movie while it was still around. The book was very entertaining and for anyone who has a dog, it's just a great reminder to what wonderful animals they really are and how much they are a part of your life and your childrens lives.

The book was much better than the movie (like most cases) but I still enjoyed it. For those of you who are thinking it's just another dog movie, it's really not. The storyline is about a young couple who start their family with a dog and all the obstacles and challenges that being married, having children, and deciding on what you want to be when you grow up. I think one of the best lines in the movie comes when they talk about how hard it is to be married and to raise children. That whole conversation could just about hit a cord with many, many people.

So, if you get a chance, I would recommend reading the book and then checking out the movie. Jen Aniston and Owen Wilson are perfect in their roles and the dog at times, reminded me of our dear Gunner of course. Oh, but bring tissues, I don't think there was a dry eye in the theater.

Hang on, pictures are on the way...

We are currently in Bemidji spending time with Brent and Becky and their kids and plan to leave for our house (that is buried under 10 feet of snow) tomorrow. I will update the blog with xmas pictures and stories sometime next week.