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.