Two For Biting

Well last night concluded Ann's trip to Baltimore for work. She left on Sunday and took the boys to Sioux Falls to be picked up by my wonderful in-laws. They kept the boys from Sunday until they drove all the way to Brookings yesterday to drop them off. Did I say how wonderful they were? Anyway, while the boys were enjoying their time with Mimi and Papa and uncle Dave and Aunt Abby and Avery, Sydney and I got in some wonderful father-daughter bonding.
First after church on Sunday Sydney and I ate at HyVee (Sydney's choice) and then we went over to Lewis to see the live Reindeer and do the scavenger hunt and get our picture taken with Santa. There was a little something in it for me as we also got to sign up to win a Wii. Which reminds me they haven't called me yet. Then it was home to watch football, which is what I do all day on Sunday afternoons. how thrilled were Sydney and I when the Steelers ended up beating the Cowboys. Now that was exciting. Since mom was gone Sydney thought that she better keep her spot in the bed warm so she got to sleep with her daddy. It sounds cute but anyone with kids knows you usually she them in their bed in the morning and wonder how they got in that position.
Monday brought school and work and poker night at Bart's. Sydney got to play with Carsen, Griffen, and Addison while I lost money. But the fried fish and pheasant were good. Tuesday was show and tell. Sydney took her stocking with her name on it and for the third time this year her good friend Myriah guessed it. Her clues were
1) You use it once a year
2) It has Santa on it
3) You hang it on the fireplace
That night I took her out to eat and she choose Pizza Ranch because of the ice cream machine and of course all the junk you can buy in the entry way. By the way the ice cream machine was broke, but that was ok. Then we went to Walmart to look around and Sydney ended up getting a 300 piece Hannah Montana puzzle that glowed in the dark. How cool!
Wednesday was libraary day the day everyone was coming home so we were really pumped. I picked up the kids at about 5pm from Sandy's house and went home. Corndogs and Macaroni for Sydney, Owen, and me. Peas and rice for Cooper. After supper Sydney wanted to show Owen and Cooper that her puzzle glowed in the dark. So she set off around the house to turn all the lights off. By the time she got to the Christmas tree Owen had had enough and he wanted the lights back on. So he went to turn the Christmas tree lights on and a brief scuffle ensued until Sydney was heard screaming. Yep, Owen had biten her on the back. The situation was handled and included a two-minute penalty to the sin bin. At this point Sydney was screaming in pain, Owen was crying in pain and sadness, and Cooper was crying because everyone else was. Welcome home boys. At that moment I thought about how nice it is that Ann and I are taking the grace-based parenting class. Patience and grace reallly helps you get through these moments.
Well I got Sydney off to church to practice for her program Sunday night took the boys home got them baths and got Cooper to bed. One down two to go. Sydney got home and it was bath, snack, and bed. They both got to lay in my bed with me laying in the middle. I told Sydney that she would wake up in her own bed since mom would be home tonight and she informed me, "I know that dad." Which is one of her favorite sayings. Another light scuffle occured over sharing the queen size comforter, but we got through it and they both fell asleep. Finally. I thought how nice and easier it was with just one five year old. But I wouldn't change anything.
Ann arrived home at about 1:00am and I was up to welcome her home and help carry the kids to their beds. Everyone's home safe and sound. Tomorrow is gymnastics.

Thanksgiving with the Cousins

 

November Pics

 

 

 

Huron's 2008 Distinguished Civic Service Award....

Congratulations to my dad for his upcoming award. The Distinguished Civic Service Award is presented to a Huron resident who has given a lifetime of service to his community and has truly made a difference. An award that is truly deserving and although very meaningful to my dad would never have been his intent.
From as long as I can remember my dad has been involved in everything. He has been involved in Kiwanis, church boards, Huron School and James Valley school boards, hospital boards, greater Huron development board, the Huron chamber board , Mennonite foundation board, crossroad hotel and convention board, Griffith foundation board, bank boards, South Dakota Banker’s Association, South Dakota State University, Federal Home Loan Bank board, and Huron University boards. That is just to name a few. Not only was he on these boards he was the president of most of them.

When I got out into the world and realized the importance of serving my community I got on a few boards myself. I told my dad that being on boards was kind of boring and there isn’t much to do besides meet and listen. He told me right then and there that you can’t just be on a board you need to be the president. That is how you make things happen and keep things interesting. I know that I will never come close to participating in as many community organizations and boards as my dad has, but I respect him for what all he has achieved.

I could go on and on about his achievements and how worthy he is of this award, but as I know my dad he is more satisfied that he raised his kids to be good people and men of God. As many of you know, he made each of us three boys work manual labor jobs when we were growing up. Not your park and rec or mall jobs, but Trussbilt, and Dakota Pork, tough manual labor jobs. He taught us the meaning of hard work and that things weren’t going to be given to us, we had to earn it. The other silver lining was that working those jobs helped keep our heads in the books and strive to be our best. I can say without a doubt that we all look back on those experiences and thank him for putting us through that. Life is hard and we were taught that lesson before we got out on our own.

So even though my dad is receiving this special award from the city of Huron, I would like to present my own award to him. For all you have done to make me who I am today, you have been awarded the lifetime achievement award for being the best dad I could have ever had – thank you. Just like the city award, it’s about time!

Thanks Mimi!

This is to Mimi Gloria for coming and helping dad with the kids while mom was in Utah for work. Thanks Mimi!

Congrats to Sydney

This is Sydney tieing her shoe for the first time.

That is Owen in the background still picking out what he wants for Christmas.

What do you want for Christmas?

Do you know what you want for Christmas yet? Owen does!