2008 Year In Review

So we have come to the end of another year and the second complete year of this blog. Amazing that I have been able to sustain it this long for all our family and friends who we may not see regularly. This year I was able to squeeze out 9 more posts than last year, pretty amazing. 2009 should bring some big changes for us as we work on selling the Chateau here in Burlington and try to find another one. Thanks to everyone who commented or responded to my posts, I'm glad you enjoyed them. Here is a little slideshow of the past year... some you have seen and some you haven't. Have a blessed 2009!

Legoland

On most vacations where we don't go anywhere we end up piddling our time away doing a lot of what most people call nothing. I sometimes like it that way and I can catch up on my sleep, play some basketball, and enjoy some longer workouts. Cathy, on the other hand, thinks that if I don't get a home improvment project done (many to do) or we have some event vacation has been lost. So today we went to Legoland at the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL. We left at 9 AM and got there about 10:30 AM since they opened at 10 AM. What we did not know was that everyone within a four state area would be there too. That led to us having to wait outside (and no, I didn't have my long underwear on) for 2.5 hours! I know, we are nuts. Once we did get inside at 1 PM we had a very good time. Liam was on stimulation overload, but he had a good time. By the way, I ALSO started moving the mirror and light in the bathroom yesterday so that the top of the mirror isn't at my midsection. I know, both criteria being met for a successful vacation!

Liam in front of the store... after 2 hrs. he is coooold.

Chicago scene

Navy Pier

Liam & Owen inside the Lion

Building

Owen with the big blocks

Liam driving his car down the ramp (now he wants one in his bedroom)

Packer Game

I was able to score some tickets to the last Packer game of the year from a friend of a friend of a friend. Cathy's dad, despite having grown up and living in Wisconsin for decades, had never been to to a game at Lambeau Field. So we gave him his ticket for Christmas. The plan was that since he was watching Liam and Owen Saturday night while we were at a wedding in Appleton he would then drive up and arrive at the hotel at 9 AM and then we would go to the game with two other friends at the wedding and arrive at about 10 AM for some tailgating... well... the best laid plans don't always work. We left at 10 AM for a 1/2 hour ride to Lambeau but traffic was horrible so we arrived just after the game started. Second, Cathy's dad called earlier and said he had a flat tire! He arrived, after much trouble, for the start of the 2nd quarter, which I thought was pretty good. Too bad that after he showed up all the touchdowns were scored at the opposite end. To boot, I have been to some cold games in Green Bay, but I had never been to one where ice was frozen to the aluminum benches which meant that when you sat down (and your rear warmed up the bench) your rear would be instantly soaking wet for the remainder of the game. Anyway, a good time was had by all and the Packers beat the Lions (0-16) to end the season.

Christmas #2

We had some present opening festivities at Cathy's sister's house a few days ago. The highlight for Liam was the Clone Trooper helmet with voice changer. So much for the paper made one.

Christmas

Cathy's dad came last Friday from TX, just in time for our huge snowstorm and to babysit for our Christmas party which was nice. My parents came for Liam's Christmas service on Sunday. Here are a couple photos of the past couple days.

Snow Day

Yesterday was our first snow day of the year. The weathermen had been predicting this storm all week between midnight and 6 AM and by golly the were right! Amazing. Unfortunately the school district didn't call school off until 4:30 AM... Anyway, we did get about 12" of snow and some blowing winds. Now the only good thing about this, besides a snow day (which was kind of waste considering it was our last day before Christmas break and a half day party day), was that I got to try out my new (30 years old actually) snow blower! Now this thing is a TANK and it cut through the snow like butter. It was awesome! I am never going back to shoveling again. Here are a couple pictures of the afternoon playing in the snow.

Our first real Christmas tree!

Liam Singing, Owen Humming Along

Owen often hums along with Liam when he sings. He has been known to be heard humming the Darth Vadar theme song from Star Wars in his crib. He also hums some of the other songs Liam. Here is another video of Liam singing a school song, Christ Is Our Cornerstone, and Owen humming along.

Liam Singing

Liam is quite a prolific singer if you haven't heard him before. He can be heard singing the Star Wars theme song or his chapel song, Christ is Our Cornerstone. Here is a video of him singing one of his Christmas songs.

MU vs. UW

Last Saturday I was able to attend the Marquette vs. Wisconsin game. As always, we had great seats compliments of bro-in-law Jeff. Much fun was had.

Change

As many of you know I have been mulling over a call (job offer) to Risen Savior Lutheran School in Milwaukee. This past Wednesday, Cathy and I decided that we will make a major change in our lives. I will be taking the position of principal at Risen Savior beginning this summer. It will be quite a change for us but we are sure it is for the best. We will definitely miss our friends in Burlington but it isn't too far for a visit. More later.

Life at the Chateau

Fall

Everyone who likes the frozen land of the north says they would hate to live in the south because they would miss the season changes. I think it is crock of bologna. Here is the one nice fall picture I took of the changing trees. It lasted about 1 week (which is why I don't see the big deal) and then it rained and now the weather stinks.

My New Purchase

In my dream gourmet kitchen I have always wanted a deep fryer. A while back I bought a small one. I was sick of my chili rellenos sticking to the bottom of my pan. Well, I would like to report extreme success with my goat cheese stuffed chili rellenos. I would highly recommend one, even though it does take a whole lot of oil. I would also like to report that after you sharpen your knives... they are very sharp and will cut your finger and finger nail off if you miss.

Astronaut Liam

Liam and I were watching Armegeddon (I know, but it was the TV version) the other day. I don't usually get to watch it because Cathy hates it along with some of my other favorites like Die Hard. Liam did go get his astronaut suit and decided he was going to go save the world like Ben Afflack.

Misc.

School Picture

Here is the latest installment of Liam's school picture. Such a big kindergartener.

Call

I thought I would inform my faithful base of readers that last week I received a Call (job offer) to serve as the principal at Risen Savior Lutheran School in Milwaukee. Yes, that makes it 2 years in a row that I have received a Call on opening day of the season. Too bad it isn't Risen Savior, Key West... that would make it easy.

Family du Dusseau

We had a family picture taken for the church directory the other day. Kind of turned out nice.

Storm Troopers

Who needs a $39.99 Storm Trooper helmet with voice changer when you have mom, dad, and a blue marker.

Trick or Treat

We got a nice surprise for yesterday's trick or treat... COLD. Unfortunately it was rather chilly for trick or treating. Luckily I found some houses that gave away adult treats to numb the pain. It even snowed a little bit today. UGH. Here are some pictures. Liam was Obi-Wan Kenobi, Owen was Thomas the Tank Engine.

Getting Cold

It is only about 40 degrees outside today and has been cold and rainy this week. That can only mean one thing and that is winter. The weathermen are reporting a possibility of snow on tomorrow for Trick or Treating... which would not be good. No amount of hot chocolate makes that good.

Thursday night Liam, Owen and I had homemade pizza night. We did manage to set off three smoke alarms too. Here are some pictures of Liam's creation.

Pumpkin Farm

Cathy, Liam, Owen, and my parents went to the pumpkin farm the other day. Here are some photos from the excursion. I stayed home to work on the garage on/in which I am trying to put up new garage doors and clean out. I'm not finished by the way.

Husker Game

Last weekend wasn't a good weekend for me sports team-wise. The Brewers lost (won on Sat.), Packers lost, Badgers lost, and the Huskers lost... the only good part was that I was in Lincoln for the Husker game. It was a great day and a great weekend. A bonus was the world's largest cinammon roll (no lie) at Tina's.

Birthday Time

Well, it is birthday season at the Chateau. Liam's birthday was the 18th (6th birthday)... mine was yesterday (37th)... the birthday party is Sunday... and Owen's is the 29th (2nd). So, yes, you are correct. I have gotten squeezed out of my birthday. Here are some pictures of Liam's birthday. He got some legos and I'm sure there will be more to come on Sunday.

Also, this is the 100th post of the Chateau Dusseau blog. Amazing I've lasted that long.

0-1

Well... my soccer coaching career is off to a 0-1 start. The Kelly Green team of the Under-6 Burlington Youth Soccer Club is also 0-1 after a 20-2 drubbing by the Orange team. Oh, but we don't keep score. I guess it shouldn't be about my coaching career either.

Anyway, Liam did have his first soccer game on Saturday and he did score the first of our two goals. He actually played pretty well after a couple bad practices. It was fun, he had a good time I think. Pictures below.