I'm not much for New Years resolutions, but being in California for just over a week has given me some time to think. I'm not going to get to deep or philosophical. I have always been somewhat ADD - I get bored easily, jump from task to task, and struggle to finish things. So it's no surprise that I find that since the kids have arrived I don't spend much time on hobbies anymore. So I'm hoping in 2008 to reconnect with two of my passions - bicycling (specifically mountain biking, or at least off road riding) and speaker building. Neither of these should cost much money since I already have some speakers laying around that could use either new cabinets, new crossovers, or both; and I have three bikes that are all in decent condition. Also, I just bought a bike rack for the Sequoia so transportation is easy.
Building a new set of speakers should be fairly simple since I can work on this in bits and pieces around the house. Now I just need a few new tools...
Biking will be a little tougher since it involves more time away from the house, but Kerry won't mind, will you honey?
Well, it's almost 10:00 on New Year's Eve, so I gotta run. It's bedtime, you know.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Vacation in California
It's been a while since I've blogged, and we've been having a good time in California.
Kerry's brother Jason and niece Ashley both have guitar hero (well Jason has Rock Band but it is basically the same thing). I've gotten to play several times now and its a blast. I'm stuck somewhere between easy and medium difficulties.
Most days we wake up and hang around the house in the morning. The kids each have a bike, Caden has a tricycle which he still can't ride. Madison is doing fine without her training wheels, Collin still needs help starting.We also picked up Collin a scooter. But the big hit again this year is the skateboards. Evan Caden can do this on his own.
In the afternoons we sometimes venture out to the mall or one group (either the girls or the boys) will go see a movie. Yesterday Rick, Jason and I went to see I Am Legend. It was not quite what I expected, but I still thought it was pretty good.
The other day we went to Lisa's house. Madison, Collin, and Kerry spent the night. They had a grand time playing with Ashley and all of their (Ashley and Jake) toys. We went to a nieghborhood park later in the afternoon. Dad and Caden headed back to Kerry's parents late that evening.
Caden has had a runny nose for several days now and is starting to cough more. His breathing is also wheezy, so we may take him to a doctor today just to be safe.
I've basically finished Collin's workbench, but he barely plays with it. He enjoyed the cordless drill most of all, and the hammer. A few screws, nails, and a soft wood board kept him busy for quite some time.
Even though we are having fun I'm starting to get restless for home.
Kerry's brother Jason and niece Ashley both have guitar hero (well Jason has Rock Band but it is basically the same thing). I've gotten to play several times now and its a blast. I'm stuck somewhere between easy and medium difficulties.
Most days we wake up and hang around the house in the morning. The kids each have a bike, Caden has a tricycle which he still can't ride. Madison is doing fine without her training wheels, Collin still needs help starting.We also picked up Collin a scooter. But the big hit again this year is the skateboards. Evan Caden can do this on his own.
In the afternoons we sometimes venture out to the mall or one group (either the girls or the boys) will go see a movie. Yesterday Rick, Jason and I went to see I Am Legend. It was not quite what I expected, but I still thought it was pretty good.
The other day we went to Lisa's house. Madison, Collin, and Kerry spent the night. They had a grand time playing with Ashley and all of their (Ashley and Jake) toys. We went to a nieghborhood park later in the afternoon. Dad and Caden headed back to Kerry's parents late that evening.
Caden has had a runny nose for several days now and is starting to cough more. His breathing is also wheezy, so we may take him to a doctor today just to be safe.
I've basically finished Collin's workbench, but he barely plays with it. He enjoyed the cordless drill most of all, and the hammer. A few screws, nails, and a soft wood board kept him busy for quite some time.
Even though we are having fun I'm starting to get restless for home.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Christmas in California
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Tuesday morning we woke up and the kids opened presents from us as well as their gifts from Santa. Madison was the first up at 7:15, so we were able to sleep in some.
After opening presents we took a taxi to the airport. DFW had set up a kids play area right next to our gate - how convenient. That kept the kids occupied until we boarded the plane. Kerry and I took turns wrestling with Caden. The middle part of the flight was pretty rough because he just wouldn't sit still. But we managed to get him setup with his belt buckle (he loves buckles and zippers) and that kept him occupied for about 45 minutes. He finally fell asleep a few minutes prior to landing.
We had a large crew for Christmas dinner. The kids all sat together. Caden wasn't going to be left out and refused to sit with the adults, so he sat with the kids and did quite well.
Madison and Collin really enjoy the California weather. They are riding their bikes, and learning how to balance on a skateboard. The kids are already adjusted to the time change and sleeping well, so mommy and daddy are happy.
Collin really misses the workbench he got from Santa, so I am putting together a real workbench including some nuts, bolts, clamps, and a block of wood for nailing. Stay tuned for pictures.
Tuesday morning we woke up and the kids opened presents from us as well as their gifts from Santa. Madison was the first up at 7:15, so we were able to sleep in some.
After opening presents we took a taxi to the airport. DFW had set up a kids play area right next to our gate - how convenient. That kept the kids occupied until we boarded the plane. Kerry and I took turns wrestling with Caden. The middle part of the flight was pretty rough because he just wouldn't sit still. But we managed to get him setup with his belt buckle (he loves buckles and zippers) and that kept him occupied for about 45 minutes. He finally fell asleep a few minutes prior to landing.
We had a large crew for Christmas dinner. The kids all sat together. Caden wasn't going to be left out and refused to sit with the adults, so he sat with the kids and did quite well.
Madison and Collin really enjoy the California weather. They are riding their bikes, and learning how to balance on a skateboard. The kids are already adjusted to the time change and sleeping well, so mommy and daddy are happy.
Collin really misses the workbench he got from Santa, so I am putting together a real workbench including some nuts, bolts, clamps, and a block of wood for nailing. Stay tuned for pictures.
Christmas in Oklahoma
We always spend the days leading up to Christmas Eve with my family. We wound up opening presents in several settings, starting Friday night when we arrived because the kids couldn't wait, especially Madison because she already knew she was getting an American girl doll.
My brother got the kids dress up clothes, which they loved. Except for Caden, who got a hulk hogan stuffed animal.
The kids also got to play in some snow. We stayed until Christms Eve, then drove back to Texas so we could fly out on Christmas day to California.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Christmas Pictures
The Acoustic Dimensions Christmas Party
All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth
The Joker
Twas the Night Before Christmas
Sunday, December 16, 2007
The Helicopter
This year one of the vendors we do a lot of business with sent several of us remote controlled helicopters. Well Collin fell in love with these last year, and is getting the hang of flying these quirky little styrofoam units. He wants to do this immediately after he wakes up, and right before bed. Madison likes to fly it as well, and they do a great job of taking turns. Both kids can fly it up and down with relatively good control. Turning is a bit harder, especially since the balance of the helicopter is off.
The only mishap we have had is when Madison let it get too close to hear head and we ended up with rotors full of hair. It took almost an hour with a knife and tweezers to clean it up, but it still works good.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Neighborhood Christmas Party
Tonight was our neighborhood Christmas party at our house. We had 10-12 families show up, so there were people everywhere. Kerry cleaned the house up real nice, and with the soft lighting you couldn't see the day to day wear and tear.
The kids were everywhere but eventually migrated upstairs. They did flips and were jumping from every conceivable object (bed, dresser, etc) until we finally put the hammer down.
Santa and Mrs Claus came by towards the end. All the kids got their turns. Madison complained all evening about not wanting to see Santa, but she was near the front of the line once he arrived. She really liked sitting and talking with Mrs Claus. Collin had a grand time, and Caden even warmed up to Santa near the end.
Overall damage to the house was minimal. We really enjoyed having all of our friends over.
More pictures can be seen here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/BertoRose/200712NeighborhoodChristmasParty
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Silent Night. Holy Night. blah blah blah. Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
No this is not about the Christmas song. This is about us finally getting a full night of sleep. For the past few months Caden has been waking up one or more times a night fussing, crying, etc. He is quick to go back to sleep (except that some of the time he never wakes up during his little outbursts). And on the rare occasion that he doesn't wake us up, well, Madison and Collin take turns on those nights.
So a few days ago, Friday night I believe, it was like a switch went off and Caden never woke up. Collin did get up at 6:00, but at least he laid in bed with us for a few hours. And now all the kids are sleeping in to about 7:30. Wow. I can't remember the last time I got to stay in bed til 7:30 (except after working all night at a jobsite).
So during this Holiday Season, we are thankful for our heavenly sleep.
No this is not about the Christmas song. This is about us finally getting a full night of sleep. For the past few months Caden has been waking up one or more times a night fussing, crying, etc. He is quick to go back to sleep (except that some of the time he never wakes up during his little outbursts). And on the rare occasion that he doesn't wake us up, well, Madison and Collin take turns on those nights.
So a few days ago, Friday night I believe, it was like a switch went off and Caden never woke up. Collin did get up at 6:00, but at least he laid in bed with us for a few hours. And now all the kids are sleeping in to about 7:30. Wow. I can't remember the last time I got to stay in bed til 7:30 (except after working all night at a jobsite).
So during this Holiday Season, we are thankful for our heavenly sleep.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Family Pictures
This year we hired a photographer to take our family pictures at a local park. Seemed like a good idea. The session was pretty cheap and we get a CD with the photos so we can do a lot with them. Some of the money also goes to Kerry's MOPS group.
So we went on Wed to meet the photographer, who was a no show. I'm pretty easy going so it wasn't too big of a deal for me, but I didn't have to get three kids dressed and looking their best. Kerry took it well though.
We ended up getting our pictures on Friday afternoon (I had to take off early from work - darn). It was just starting to get colder and darker, and the kids didn't hold up real well. Caden almost refused to smile, which may have been a blessing in disguise. Madison has a flair for the dramatic, head tilt with the huge cheesy smile. Occasionally you get a beautiful picture, more often than not you don't. But we did get some decent pictures.
Now we get a free sitting in Spring for our troubles, so all is well. And Kerry is happy, so I'm happy.
So we went on Wed to meet the photographer, who was a no show. I'm pretty easy going so it wasn't too big of a deal for me, but I didn't have to get three kids dressed and looking their best. Kerry took it well though.
We ended up getting our pictures on Friday afternoon (I had to take off early from work - darn). It was just starting to get colder and darker, and the kids didn't hold up real well. Caden almost refused to smile, which may have been a blessing in disguise. Madison has a flair for the dramatic, head tilt with the huge cheesy smile. Occasionally you get a beautiful picture, more often than not you don't. But we did get some decent pictures.
Now we get a free sitting in Spring for our troubles, so all is well. And Kerry is happy, so I'm happy.
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