2009 Year In Review

In what has become sort of a tradition here at the Chateau Dusseau, here is the 2009 in pictures!

Disney World!

We went to Disney World yesterday. I'm not a big fan of it, but it just is one of those things you are supposed to do. Getting up at 6 AM on vacation isn't my idea of a smart thing to do, but we made it. It was FREEZING! 39 degrees when we woke up, someone remind me why I came here when I could get that at home.

We did all the normal things: Winnie the Pooh, It's a Small World, Peter Pan, Bear Jamboree... etc... The night was obviosuly highlighted with Liam being able to drive the car on the Race Car Track. Liam and Owen love the train and monorail which we rode back to the car. Fun was had by all and I did get to see the Badger game afterall.

Liam trying to become KING OF THE WORLD!

Liam driving his race car... his smile is pure bliss.

Owen before the 3D show. A little gangsta

Liam posing
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With Woody and his girl (don't know her name)

Captain Owie

Merry Christmas... from Florida

Well... it has been some time since I posted. Life has been busy. We did leave on December 21st for Florida. I had hoped to post each day, but again, that didn't work.

Our plan of leaving at 8:30 AM on Monday was pushed back when we found out our flight had been postponed to 11:00 AM. Owen then proceeded to puke twice. We did go back home where he was able to take a nap and that helped. We got back to the airport at 9 AM and found out our flight was then cancelled. They put us on a direct flight leaving at 4 PM. So we had a nice first day at the airport.

We've had a good time swimming, playing putt-putt golf, hanging out, and relaxing. Liam and Owen did go with Grandma and Grandpa to a Disney character breakfast this morning. Liam and I hope to get golfing over the next few days... I hope to get more posted later.

Liam hanging out...

Owen by the pool

Liam and Owen before Christmas Eve church.

Owen opening presents

Liam and Owen doing... something.

Owen climbing a tree.

Thanksgiving

I know... 2 posts in a week!

It was a rather quiet Thanksgiving this year as we just went to my parents' house. Recent tradition was broken as Cathy's sister and brother-in-law went to FL instead. It was good nontheless. I, again, was responsible for the pancetta covered turkey - which was delicious as usual. We watched a little football and that was about it. We are home now and not much is on the agenda for the rest of the weekend. We hope everyone else had a blessed Thanksgiving also.

Thanksgiving Football
Aaron Rodgers couldn't find his Packer helmet so he went with the Huskers...

Jalepeno Brined Pancetta covered Turkey

Before, Covered, & After

Mmmmm...

So Where Have We Been?

Well, I've probably hurt my faithful reader base with the lack of November posts. Hopefully I can get them to return. Things have been very busy here at the Chateau Dusseau (For sale if your interested) as we get into the swing of school and driving and school and driving... well, you get the point. I've posted some pictures to let you know what has been going on.

Football Weekend - Cousin James came out from Huskerland and we took in some football going to both the Wisconsin v. Northwestern game and then the Packer v. 49er game at Lambeau. We also managed to squeeze in a Sprecher brewery tour.

Trick or Treat - Liam was Ben 10 and Owen was Thomas the Tank Engine.

Soccer - Liam wrapped up another soccer season. He seemed disinterested at the end but we'll see about it in the spring.

Pumpkin Farm - Grandma and Grandpa took Liam and Owen to their annual trip to the pumpkin farm.

Liam & Owen - Liam lost another of his front teeth. Owen is preparing for Mr. Universe.

Collage

1st Grade

Here is Liam's 1st grade school picture. It looks like we might be into some braces in the future. He still is a pretty cute little guy.

Been Busy

Alright, Alright... Suki has been bugging me about my lack of posts. I know, but I've been a tad busy. I have a whole bunch of photos and stuff to get up here and hopefully this week I can get to it. I have also been working on a blog to try and help us sell our house. Take a look if you like. www.549Briody.com.

Rob's Feelings on the Favre

As we near game time I feel it necessary to issue a formal statement on the Favre situation. I issued a similar press release on the Favrepocolypse two years ago an feel the need again.

I, who once was angry at Ted Thompson (and come to find out more Mike McCarthy) for pushing Favre out now wish extreme ill on Favre. I feel like I need counseling to get over my mixed feelings. I'm not even sure I can fulfill my once rock solid promise to visit Canton for his Hall of Fame induction.

It is like your girlfriend has cheated on her. You still like her but you want he to get hit by a bus.

GO PACK!

Bees

This morning on my way to school I stopped to get gas. There were a lot of those slow, sluggish bees hanging around the pump. After I got into the car and pulled away I was about to get on the interstate and as I was turning the corner and accelerating I felt this searing pain on my neck. I quickly smacked the area pushing a bee off of my neck. I heard it hit the steering wheel, but mind you it is dark, and that was it. So now I'm trying to get on the interstate, change lanes, and am dealing with this pain in my neck all the while wondering if a live bee fell between my legs. It took about 15 minutes before I stopped worrying about getting stung in the inner thigh (or worse). I arrived at school, walked into the building only to find the LIVE BEE clinging to my pants leg! Ahhh!

Batman & Robin

I thought this was a pretty cool drawing by Liam the other day. When you want him to sit down and do some good work he resists, but then he busts cool stuff like this out. I put the two pictures together. On the left is Bruce Wayne in his house (check out the batmobile in the cave) and on the right is Batman, the Joker, and Robin.

Liamism

Today is Liam's 7th birthday... hard to believe the little crazy haired dude turns 7 years old. He has been very excited about his birthday and today we are going to Chucky Cheeze for a little party for him (torture for us).

He asked me yesterday if he would be bigger when he turned 7, and I said probably. He was up at about 5:00 AM this morning and he was in the bathroom looking in the mirror. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "I'm checking to see if I'm bigger." Straight face, totally serious. I asked him if he was. He said, "No." and then went back to bed.

Jimmy Buffett 2009

I know I haven't posted in a while about the happenings here at the Chateau. I suppose I could post a picture looking out the front of Bonnie because that is what I do several hours per day. Anyway....

If you look back in the archives you will see a regular trip to see Jimmy Buffett at Alpine Valley. Normally Jimmy comes in June or July, but this year he was here on August 29th. I'm not sure I liked it after school had started but what are you going to do. People from all over come over to WI and Alpine Valley to see Jimmy every year because it is the best party of all. Unfortunately, this year it was a high of 50 and drizzled most of the day. Not as bad as the downpour of '98 but probably more miserable because of the cold. Here are a couple pics and if you are ever interested in coming, let mek know - I had 5 extra tickets this year!

First Day of First Grade

Today was Liam's (and mine for that matter) first day of school. Hard to believe that little frizzy haired Liam is now in first grade! This year was a big year as he (we) are changing schools and he didn't know anyone. The names are a little different for him too. He seemed to do well - he wasn't too sure about the uniform either. When I peeked in on him he was smiling and he was standing on the line nicely when I walked by. Hopefully we will have a great year.

Liam's First Round

First round Valley Green Golf Course (pay at the bar of course), next round Augusta National. Yesterday Liam and I went golfing on a "real" course for the first time. I guess you would call a par 3, 1000 yd. course a real course. He did pretty well and we did count every stroke (I guess a lesson of golf). He shot a 67 and even out drove me on hole #2. It was a great day and hopefully many more to come.

2nd Child Syndrome

I guess I can't short change the second child, I'd hate for him to get a complex that will need years of psychiatric help to get over. He already doesn't get anything of his own. So here is a short (I know, still short changed) video of Owen riding his tricycle. You may have seen him in the background of Liam's video. Anyway, I digress.

Also, I saw that my last post was post #150. Amazing I have made it that long. Enjoy!

A Day of Firsts

Today was a day of first you could say. Today was my first day of meetings with my faculty at Risen Savior. Nothing earth shattering to report. Other than being a little nervous things went fine. You soon forget how much you just know after having been at a school for six years. Today was lots of learning and asking questions for me.

Probably on a bigger scale, today was Liam's first time riding a bike. Cathy has been worried for some time that he hadn't done it or wasn't interested in it. I guess today was the day. They went over to the St. John's parking lot and he rode it around (video below). I wen't over there with him tonight and other than running into a parked car he did great.

Randomitity

Here are a few pictures from things that have gone on this summer. I (we, Liam and Owen too) bought Cathy a camera for Mother's Day... I would have to say that the salesman sold me on a Sony, but I am not as happy as I would have been with my normal Canon purchase. Oh well, when it takes a good picture it is nice, but many of them aren't real good. Oh well.

Amy, Owen, & Liam

Riding the train at the zoo.

Bonnie

Cathy has been trying to convince my that my new Bonneville isn't an old lady car. Well.... Russ, my neighbor was out the other day and asked, "Is that your parents' car?" We'll chalk one up for it being an old lady car.

Liamism

The other day we were talking about moving and our new house someday with Liam... he pondered for a bit and then asked, "Where will we go on vacation when they are building our new house?"

I guess we watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition too much.

A Smattering of Things

I've got some interesting photos from the past few weeks. Things have been pretty busy with transitioning to a new job. We have managed to squeeze some fun in, though.

Liam lost his front tooth the other day. I've never seen him work harder at getting that little sucker out.

Spiderman and his little brother (a little more ripped) came to our house the other day.

We made a little trip to the Circus Parade in Milwaukee last Sunday. Grandma and Grandpa supplied us with tickets in front of the Hyatt. It was a blazing hot day, but a pretty good time. We got to ride the bus downtown which was a new experience for Liam and Owen.

Finally, I made a big decision recently. I decided to get rid of my '95 Geo Metro... also known as the "Fast Car", "Big Red", and simply "The Geo." It had become my identity here in B-town. My students seemed to love the contridiction of my size and the car's size. But... since I am now driving 43 miles one way it was time for air conditioning, cruise control, and a car where I don't die in a flaming wreck if hit on the freeway. So I introduce, "Bonnie", my new '99 Pontiac Bonneville.