Santa Claus is coming to town........

We hope you had a nice Thanksgiving, we did!

Next on our list of things to do: FIND THE PERFECT TREE!

Emma and Logan looking....

Tyler ready to cut anything that needs to be cut.

I think we found it.

Welcome to the family!

Emma incognito.

Logan just sharing his personality.

Santa and Mrs. Claus was there. Emm had no fear and Logan, well, Logan wanted nothing to do with Santa.

Until big brother Tyler came in and held him for a picture.

Let the fun begin!

Logan the star!

Next on our list of things to do: GOPHER VOLLEYBALL GAME!

Emma playing a little 5 card stud while enjoying a beverage at Stub&Herbs.

Logan enjoying a spritzer (aka Sprite)

Tyler enjoying a Capt'n Coke without the Capt'n.

(It's hard to find milk when you are eating at a college bar)

At the game! Go Gophers!

What's a volleyball game without ice cream?

Right Tyler?

Gophers win 3-0!

Good Morning Lemmings....

I have officially participated in the madness of the 5:00a.m. Black Friday rush. Honestly, I thought Michele was bluffing when she set the alarm last night. The defrost worked on the windows of the TrailBlazer while we meandered through town headed to the only Super WalMart in the county - I was sure that this was just some test of my love. But I was wrong. Michele really had a list and we were committed to the adventure. As we turned left and could see up into the WalMart parking lot, I felt as if I wasn't in on some joke. The lot was spilling over! Were there honestly that many people as naive as I was to wake before the sun TO SHOP?

Once inside the "Lab Rats" quickly figured out that Big Sam W. hid the cheese in the rear of the Big Box - somewhere in the direction of the Electronics Department. I think part of what drew Michele's attention to this day was observing the spectacle of Pine County WalMart Folk. (Of which we must honestly include ourselves.) But Black Friday congregated the best of the best all at one time for our viewing pleasure. There was a traffic jam at the $2 DVDs - seems "Borat" is the holiday gift for the whole family! Endcaps were disappearing as soon as they were being dropped of their dollies. $88 dollar little kid Jeeps!! - I'm sorry children, we might be the only family not to buy one of these hot items but at least we'll have our dignity.

There was the Crazy Lady, complete with inside earmuffs, weaving her Crazy family, complete with inside earmuffs, through the linens aisle. Luckily, I was able to avoid eye contact but I really wanted to let her know that even in the spirit of saving money, Mr. Walton had allowed the heat to be turned on in the store today - LOOSE THE EARMUFFS LADY!

Ahhhhh - the cheese..... apparently this Black Friday the cheese was Flat Screen TVs. I was beginning to think that we had the only cart in the store that wasn't pre-fitted with one. Little ones (19") perhaps for kitchen viewing - average sized ones (32") for the people falling behind the switch from analog to digital and Holy Hannah!!! Did people really wake up Nov. 27th intent on Home Theatre improvements to the tune of 50"? - whatever - I just was along for the ride...

We honestly didn't have much in mind. We wanted to pick up a couple of Christmas presents at a discounted price; maybe have a look at a new laptop; grab a few Christmas lights to finish up the project we started yesterday and say that we did it.

We hit Walmart in the Wee Hours of Black Friday!

$2 dollar towels!!!! What?

Where are the $4 dollar crock pots? How did we miss that one?

4 foot picture frames were brandished like some shopping "badge of honor".

Thankfully, someone had deposited one if the items we were looking for far from it's proper display station. So, fear not Little Luke -Michele and I braved the Running of the Bulls of Pamplona and found a gift for you too. Like Lemmings off a cliff - I witnessed the fine people of Pine County thoughtlessly dragging this county out of Recession.

Merry Christmas and God Bless us everyone!

out

k

The voices in my Head...

Do you remember the scene in "Bruce Almighty" where he had stream-lined his Godly duty of Prayer Answering? He created an email system to run the business of the Lord. Problem was... his InBox was inundated with billions of requests and "You've got Mail" relentlessly rang in his head, driving him toward a breaking point.

I am not Bruce nor our Savior. I am just a simple man - according to some - unable to focus on multiple tasks at a time. Let me fill you folks in though...

Lately, my head sounds like THIS!

No - I am not talking to myself regularly. I just feel pulled in a million directions. I have endured a long and very successful football season but jumped right into coaching junior high basketball. It is not hard work - but it is time consuming. This school year, with an unnatural class size, is already providing challenges not yet faced in 9 years of teaching. The first few weeks of November have typically been a "Run and Gun" time of year for me with: Parent/Teacher conferences, Late season Muskies, Tyler's sports schedule, Fall hunting of deer/pheasant/& grouse, yard and house work for the changing of the seasons, and I'm sure the list could go on. But I will not bore anymore with what goes on in my head. 

I would like to point out - this time of year has proved difficult in the past. I MISSED MY MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY  FOR BRUCE SAKES...(2 yrs. in a row at that!) Not this year, called my Momma at 7:30 a.m. on November 16th - wished her well and then vented with her on how busy life can be.

Fear not though - I'm slowing down. I'm seeing the forest for the trees - smelling the roses - you know the deal. I got to spend a little time in the woods this past weekend and even with all that consumes my gray matter, I was able to let my mind wander. Naturally it wandered to fishing and the only other fun thing to do in the winter besides play hockey... THAT'S when I knew things were getting back to normal for Waldo.

Sorry it's been so long.

Out

Waldo and Friends

p.s. - I'll back off of Facebook for a while if it will save marriages and friendships.    :) 

Where in the world....?????

Anybody seen or heard from Kirby lately?

He used to contribute to the family blog...

I think he's lost out in the woods somewhere.

If you see him or hear from him, tell him the family blog misses him.

Nightly prayer.

Friday, November 20th.... 10:32ish pm
Dear God,
Please keep Tyler and Kirby safe tomorrow while they are hunting. Please let them get a deer.  Thank you for the health of our families and friends. Please guide those in need and thank you for showing me that everything happens for a reason.  Amen, Michele

Saturday, November 21st......11:05ish pm
Dear God,
Thank you for keeping Tyler and Kirby safe yesterday and please keep them safe again tomorrow.  BUT I said GET a deer...not HIT a deer.  Sorry for the confusion. Thank you for the health of our families and friends. Please continue to guide those in need and thank you for showing me that everything happens for a reason. I will be curious to learn the reason why you let Kirby smack that deer with the front of our paid off Grand Am.  Amen, Michele

Reporter Emma

Click here to read all about it!

Rush City Veteran Wall.

Life on fast forward........

Wow! Is anyone else amazed at how fast the days/weeks move?  Here's a quick update to catch up on what's been going on with the Kirbys.......

*Football season is officially over. Rush City lost to Moose Lake in a heart breaker game. Rush City had a great season and everyone involved has a lot to be proud of.

*Tyler has finished his football season and jumped right into basketball. So far his 7th grade school team is 2-1 and his traveling team just won 3rd at a tournament this past weekend.

*I've become so busy at work that my program manager has decided that I need an assistant to help cover Pine and Chisago County.  Hmmm, this could be interesting. Do you think they would do laundry and clean my house? Is that in the job description?

*Kirby jumped right from coaching football to coaching 7th grade basketball.  Really-like ended their season on a Saturday and practice started on Monday. No rest for the weary right?

*Last weekend we took a trip up to Bemidji to visit the Ruds. The boys fished, Becky and I stole away for an afternoon VB match at UND to watch a former player, and the boys fished, and the kids played and played and played.  Thanks Ruds!

*Deer season was a quick trip to Warroad for Kirby and Tyler. They didn't see anything but have plans to head out in the woods up near Sandstone this weekend. I have plans to make some Chicken Wild Rice soup and hang up some Christmas lights........

*YES! Christmas! My favorite time of the year!  Watch out Menards....I will once again be 'dazzled' by your beautiful trees and decorations and will be found wandering around during my lunch break convincing myself outloud that I DO NOT NEED ANYMORE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.

*Conference for Emma went very well. It's nice to hear good things about your kids from other people.  Tyler's conference is Thursday and I'm sure to hear more good things...

*And last but not least, the person typing this is part of the team that owns the title of Mora VB League Champ.

Life is good........

Happy Veterans Day to my Jarhead.

Thanks for all you have done, for all you do, and for all you will do.

Love,
M, Tyler, Emma, Logan and Gunner

Itch.

I think it's the changing of the seasons.....
The onslaught of what is to come with winter...
The short days with minimal sunshine....

No, I'm not talking about my skin itching.

I'm referring to this need/want for a change in my life.  I get this "feeling" every year around this time and I'm not sure why or what it means.  In that last 24 hours I have gone from:  seriously considering starting up a self employment business to having another child (and Kirby just passed out after reading that) to thinking about how to convince Kirby about getting a dog to researching what new washing machine we should buy to re-siding our house.    

My mind is going circles these days...more than usual.

Does anyone else get this way?  What is it and how can I make it go away? 

So, to stop reckless actions........I choose to focus on the kids, the upcoming holidays and how to get all this chocolate out of my house without anyone really noticing or missing it.

Maybe if I just rub chocolate on my skin, the itch will go away.  :)

A day in pictures......

Here's a few pictures of the day I spent with Emma and Logan...

It all started with breakfast.....after a wake up call from Logan at 6:30... "Mommy, I thristy."

Kirby took our the carseats from the car and put them in the dinning room. For some reason the kids enjoy sitting in them more when they are NOT in the car. Go figure....

We cleaned like you wouldn't believe today. The kids helped, well, helped when they weren't distracted.  Logan, bless his little 3 year old heart, came up to me with his arms full of his dirty clothes from the day before and says, "Mommy, here my dirty clothes,  I put them in the hamper?"   Ohhh Logan, you could teach your Dad a thing or two...

During my cleaning, I realized that this lure has been hanging up in my kitchen window since June I think...  If it's still there next week, it will be for sale on ebay.....

Finally it was time to get outside and enjoy the sun.  We drove up to Hinckley with bikes in tow and continued to practice riding bike down the trail. I thought I would sneak in a run but I ended up walking more than anything. Logan's little legs just can't go as fast as he would like...

I was there......really.....here's proof.

I guess like being on TV...your shadow adds 10 pounds as well.

The kids were hungry and I needed a few things at Walmart so we went for lunch at Subway.  I forgot to take a picture but it was mostly just the kids eating.

There's nothing better than 75% off Halloween costumes at Walmart.  A $3 dress for Emma....

And a $3 GI Joe something for Logan.

After some fighting, some biting and naughty chair time......we went outside to do a little raking and let the beast chase after some tennis balls.

Then it was a quick trip to the playground...camera forgotten. 

Back home, and yes, I let my kids jump on my couch.  I'd like a new one and have wanted a new couch for the past, ohhhh, 6 years so I'm hoping that if it's 'broken' then it will become a necessity more than a want. So, kids, jump away!

And to top it off.......I had time to cook an ooeey, gooeeyy, cheesy pasta dish for supper.   Yum!

I love Saturdays! Especially warm and sunny ones......

Life is good!

Up and Down.....

It's time to bring back........

Low for the day:  Listening to the poor gal who sits in the cube next to me take phone call-after phone call of rude-yelling-people who refused to listen to what she was telling them.

High for the day:  Watching Tyler tackle Logan and listening to Logan laugh and giggle and chuckle and laugh and giggle and chuckle.

What about you?

It's time for the News Dear... or is it Deer News?

On the EVE of the Hunt – I present your Evening News...

“Good Day and welcome to the Channel 32 Newsroom. I'm your all in one - 

anchorman, sports reporter, weatherman and traffic reporter –

 - The man of many hats –

Kirby.”

This just in – Breaking News – there’s been a report of an Epic Mullet on the horizon. At this point, we have no confirmed sightings. Perhaps after a football trip to Duluth and a deer weekend in Warroad we’ll have more on this breaking story. More in our Sports report.

First let’s take a look at TRAFFIC with Irv Weinstein. – “As you can see, we have some major delays in the workplace. All across the state you’ll notice workload backups happening caused by the onset of this rapidly approaching Deer Season. At the intersection of “Needing to Put Food on the Table” & “It’s Just a Job!” some commuter’s computers have come to a complete standstill. Hopefully the operators will be able to re-boot and re-charge after a weekend away from this daily, stop and go quagmire.”

Keeping an Eye on the Sky is our beloved Weatherman – Mario Hilario – “Thanks, and what a report I have for you folks today! Temperatures will be in the low 40s to start the day with West-Northwest winds at 7 to 14 mph. Sunset today is 4:57 P.M. I know that the fall doldrums have really taken a toll on our overall psyche but fear not, relief is on the way! The constant deluge that has made Central Minnesota feel more like Seattle will give way to clear skies for the weekend. Taking a peek at the 5-day radar, I’m forecasting the sprinkles to disappear and the sun to shine with Opening Day highs approaching the upper 50’s. It’ll be perfect weather for the bullets to fly and the stories to be told. Let another great hunt wash away all your worries folks.”

Next, from the Channel 32 Sports Desk, the man with the Headset and the Mindset to win, the Coach …“Thank you Mario. The Rush City Tigers head to uncharted waters tomorrow as they once again test their might against the Moose Lake Rebels. Last time these two teams battled it out to a mid-fall classic – Final Score 24-22 Rebels. We’re hoping for a different outcome this go ‘round because a Section Championship is on the line. Thursday at 7:00, Duluth’s Public School Stadium will host this new rivalry and word on the streets is our Anchorman has put his hairstyle on the line.”

Stick with us as we pause to recognize our Sponsors… Rocky Boots, Browning Firearms, Bear Butt Baits soon available @ Musky Tackle Online, PowerAde, Advil, Safeguard Properties, and ISD #139

This has been a Public Service announcement from the fine folks at Channel 32 News. We wish you and yours the most successful of Deer Seasons. May the stars align and your Ch’i center to create the most peaceful place in your own world. Aim true and shoot straight friends. 

Remember, “They give their strength so that we may have ours.”

Out,    K

P.S.  No Guts – No Glory

What time is it?

It's that time of year again......

Are you ready? 

Come and gone.....

Another fun year of Halloween has come and gone. The kids had figured out their Halloween costumes early on in October so we were all set for the night to begin. Emma was a good witch, Logan was Diego/Crocodile hunter/jungle explorer, Kirby was the Happy Winning Football Coach and I was the disgruntled football coaches wife who has another week or two or three left of the season.  (I am VERY happy that they won...just ready to have my husband back home on Friday nights)

Here's a few pictures......

The Kindergartners do a parade with their costumes for the rest of the school... Here's Emma walking down Daddy's hallway.

A quick photo with Daddy in his classroom.

Pumpkin time at our house!

Logan digging in.

Emma showing some seeds....

The finished products.  (sorry Tyler, I just didn't have enough energy to clean our your monster pumpkin)

Logan the Explorer!

Emma the good witch.

This picture below has a good story behind it.  The person inside this gorilla suit teaches 7th grade math at Rush City and is the nicest lady you will ever meet.  Every year she puts on this suit and sits on her front step and scares the bejesus out of the kids. 

Logan and Emma walked up to the front steps and were a little confused as to why the candy was just sitting out and didn't know if they should ring the doorbell or just take a treat....  Logan was walking around trying to figure out what to do and Paula, moved ever so slightly towards Logan and said, "boo" in the quietest whisper...........You should have seen Logan make a bee line for his Mama!  He let out a cry that I have never heard before and I think he jumped the 4 feet up straight into my arms.  

He was halfway between crying when Daddy went up to the gorilla and gave 'her' a hug as I told him that he was okay and that it was just Paula inside the costumer.  His reply was, "naughty Paula."

But, he laughed and took his treat but wanted nothing more to do with the gorilla. 

Emma was okay with getting her picture taken.

Even today Logan was still talking about 'naughty' Paula and how the monkey scared him.

It was another great year of trick or treating. We have candy coming out of our ears of course.  Kirby and I finished our Halloween with a video of MJs Thriller video (what a classic-I can remember exactly where I was when I first watched that video and how it scared the bejesus out of me!)

Hope you had a great Halloween!