Another tradition ends in tragedy...

Tonight, after dinner, we embarked on another one of our holiday traditions that we've been doing with the kids....building gingerbread houses and trains.  We've done it for 5 years now, even before Syd was born.  It makes an incredible mess and we usually have a couple of squabbles, but everyone ends up laughing and having a good time.  Spencer and I worked on the train while Syd and Christine took on the house.  Christine and I put the basic structures together and the kids end up putting on all the decorations (at least what's left of the candy that they haven't eaten!).

Syd posing by the early stages of the house

Spencer adding some candy details to the train

All appears to be going okay.  However, the icing that holds the walls together starts to lose some of its stickiness with the heat in the house.  As such, things start to droop and sag....

...And pretty soon you're roof is in the living room!!

Finally, you end up with catastrophic failure of the structure.  Sort of like a mini gingerbread earthquake took it down.

At least the gingerbread men and christmas tree survived the devastation.

And the winner is.....Spencer's choo-choo train.  As of 30 minutes after finishing, it's still standing.  Pretty good job by the boys!

Another holiday tradition continues...

That's right.  It's JibJab time!  Check out the mad skills by Spencer and our friend Bob.

Click on the link to view the video.

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/FlnKYuGAC0KfAa0bh09b


By the way, the sporadic snow flurries today as predicted by the local weather guy turned into a few inches of snow.  Sweet!

I thought those guys were rocket scientists?

Per the previous teaser post, Spencer and I made a surprise trip to Florida on Halloween.  For a couple of months, I had made plans to surprise Spencer by taking him to Florida to see the Space Shuttle Discovery launch on Monday, November 1st.   The flights had been scheduled, the hotel room booked and the car rental reservation all set.  Leading up to the day we left (Halloween day), I had been checking daily the current status of the launch.  If you follow the space shuttle at all, you know there are almost always delays of some sort.  However, I figured after 26 years of doing it, those guys at NASA would have their sh-tuff together.  Yet, when I made a last minute check on the shuttle website the Friday afternoon before we were to leave, my stomach dropped.  They had found a leak during the filling process of the external fuel tank.  The launch was now pushed back one day to Tuesday, originally the day we were supposed to come back.  So, Christine and I made a quick decision to stay with the game plan and add the extra day to our trip.  I promptly got on the phone with Expedia and proceeded to spend the next half hour rearranging our return flight, adding another day to the hotel and the rental car.  Now, we were still leaving on Halloween day and returning on Wednesday, 11/3.  Fingers crossed, knock on wood, rub a lucky rabbit's foot.  No more delays, NASA!

Friday night and into Saturday morning, I finished packing, got the camera and video camera batteries charged and finished up all the little details before we left Sunday morning around 8am.  Saturday afternoon I was watching the Spartans get beat up by Iowa.  I was in a bad mood because of that.  Then I popped over to the shuttle website and guess what....another delay!  I won't tell you what I said at that point...use your imagination.  I think I sat and stared at the computer for 10 minutes before going outside and grabbing a cold adult beverage.  I couldn't believe what just happened.  Two months of planning, then last minute scrambling to change our plans (more time, more $$$) all down the drain.  After I came back in the house from cooling down outside, we again decided to make it a go for the trip.  We wouldn't be able to stay for the launch, now scheduled for Thursday, 11/4, but I could have a special "guys" trip to Florida.  It was going to be fun for Spencer anyway, as it would be his first ride on a jet plane and his first time going to the ocean. 

Long story short, we did have a blast, just the two of us on our adventure in Florida.  He loved the airplane (except for the decents which hurt his ears) and our rental car.  We ended up going to the Kennedy Space Center on Monday for most of the day.  We got to see life-size rockets and a life-size space shuttle.  After spending the day there, we had some dinner and decided to go find the beach.  We were staying in Cocoa, FL which is about 25 minutes from the beach (Cocoa Beach, FL).  Spencer absolutely loved the ocean.  We had no intention of getting wet Monday night, but a large wave took Spencer down.  Then it was a battle to get him out (I think the moon and stars coming out did it!)  We decided to spend Tuesday at the beach.  It was a bit overcast and sprinkled on & off in the morning, but we had a great time anyway.  We found a bag full of seashells, swam lots, and then ended our day by walking on the Cocoa Beach pier.

Although our trip didn't quite turn out as I had planned and we didn't get to see the shuttle launch, we still had fun.  There were many other families in town that had the same plans we did and ended up going home without seeing the shuttle launch as well.  At least we weren't the only one who left a bit disappointed.  As of today, the shuttle is tentatively scheduled for Nov 30th-Dec 5th launch window.  I doubt that we'll be back to see it, but at least we tried.  Hopefully I was able to help burn a little memory in Spencer's brain for the trip.  Here are some photos.  We have loads more photos and I'll be happy to fill in details when we talk/see you next.  Stupid NASA.

Spencer getting a tour of the cockpit before we leave Indy airport for Orlando

Our rental car.  Spencer picked it out and named it "BumbleBee"

He had loads of fun swimming in the hotel pool

Driving across the NASA causeway to Kennedy Space Center.  This is the shuttle assembly building in the distance.

Our first picture at the Space Center, in front of a mural of the Space Station.

These life-size rockets were awesome

Just hanging out in an Apollo spacecraft

Getting ready to watch the 3-D IMAX movie, Space Station

Spencer in front of the space shuttle

Standing by a life-size replica of the Mars rover Spirit.  It was made of Legos!!!

Loving the ocean!

Hanging out on the Cocoa Beach pier

Do we have to go back home??

Goodbye, Florida

Florida pictures coming!

I know some have been asking about pictures from Spencer and I's trip to Florida last week and they're coming.  I'm gonna try to get them on here over the upcoming weekend.

Monster Mash 2010

Looks like this might become a new tradition.  No people were hurt in the production of this short film.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Busy Saturday

It was a very busy Saturday for us, although most of them are anyway.  Today started off with Spencer and I heading out to the store around 8am to find him a costume for trick-r-treating since we were going to the zoo with some friends and their kids.  The kids got to wear their costumes and get treats while looking at the zoo animals.  After that excursion, we were back to have some breakfast and get ready for football and soccer games.  Spencer's team, the Irish, was taking on his good friend Collin's team, the Gophers.  It seems that Collin's parents want to start a bit of a rivalry, as they planted some propaganda in our bushes Friday night.  Although I'm not too concerned, seeing as how R is a U-M fan, and we all know how that turned out last weekend (GO GREEN!!)

In the end, things didn't quite go the Irish's way, as the Gophers ended up winning 21-16.  Oh well, there's always next year.

Syd's soccer game was another 3-on-3 thriller with 3-4-5 year olds.  Syd had a special audience, as our neighbors Mr. Doug and Miss Lyla came out to watch both kids.  They were excited about that, and the fact that they brought the greatest neighbor dog ever, Skylar.

After all that fun and excitement, it was back home to grab some lunch and watch a little of the Spartans beat up on Illinois (which MSU ended up winning and going to 7-0, baby!!!)  Then we had to get ready to head up to the zoo for Halloween at the Zoo.  Syd donned her witch costume and Spencer was sporting his newest Boba Fett costume.  While waiting for our friends and their kids to show up, we saw an adult in costume coming out of the zoo.  It was a life-size Boba Fett.  Unknown to us beforehand, the zoo was having a Star Wars costume parade just finishing up as we got there.  Here's the two Boba Fetts posing (in case you get confused, Spencer is on the right)

Spencer was really excited about that whole experience!  Soon after, our friends showed up and we made our way through the zoo.  Here's a couple of photos from the day:

Once all that was done, we headed to B-dubs for some wings and drinks for dinner.  By this time, everyone was pretty much wiped out from the long day.  All headed home and early to bed.  What party-ers we are on a Saturday night!!

Our little hockey player (we wish...)

As those of you who either see Spencer or talk to him on a regular basis know, he had been hanging on to his two front baby teeth for what seemed like an eternity.  Those things held on for-ev-er.  The first one came out while he was at a sleepover at one of his friend's house a couple of weeks ago.  The second one finally fell out Sunday night while he was sleeping.  Luckily, he didn't swallow it; it was laying in his bed.  All I know is that the Tooth Fairy had been circling our house for about 2 months, waiting on those things to fall out!

Last Friday was my birthday, so Syd decided to get creative and make daddy a birthday hat.  She spent a really long time on it, putting on lots of personal touches and even adding a chin strap.  We were outside by the fire with some of our neighbors when Syd came out of the house with my hat.  She was excited and I thought it looked great....

...until I put it on.  All in attendance that night came to a general consensus that I looked a bit like - the grand dragon of the Fort Wayne Klu Klux Klan chapter.  Can you see my excitement?

Thanks, Syd.  I love ya anyway!

Who's the little brother now?

34-17  MSU beats U-M and goes to 6-0!  Gotta love those Spartans!!

Week 4 of soccer and football

Everyone won today...Syd's soccer team, Spencer's football team (well, actually they lost...more on that later), and the Spartans were victorious. Syd's team was no match for the other team, with a final score of 8-2. Syd scored 4 goals and assisted on 1. The final of Spencer's game was 14-7, but it should have been a 14-14 tie. Spencer's pass and resulting TD were called back due to the receiver stepping out of bounds. Considering it was raining so hard this morning that there was no paint left on the sidelines, I don't see how the ref could've seen where the out of bounds was. Oh well, it was still a great pass and play by Spencer (he's the QB, #10, in the video below). And the #24 Spartans beat up on the #11 Wisconsin Badgers in Big Ten opening play. This victory will go a long way in helping the Spartans prepare for next week's epic battle against another 5-0 team, the Michigan Wolverines. Since we put down one rodent this week, I don't see us having issues with a wolverine next week! Go Green!!

Be afraid.....

.....Wolverines, be afraid. We'll see you in a few weeks and we'll bring a bigger army!





(click for full size)

Let the Fall Sports begin....

Both Spencer and Sydney started their fall sports last weekend. Spencer is playing flag football again and Syndey is playing soccer. Both seem to be very excited. Since the games are at 11:30am and noon respectively, Jason and I are splitting up and alternating each weekend. Last week Syd and I were at soccer where her team blew out their competitors. Jason was with Spencer, who lost his first game. It was a cold rainy day, but they both had fun. Here is a video clip from Sydney's first game and a couple of pictures.

This weekend the weather was incredible. The sun was shining and Spencer posted a win. The final score was 3-1 (they only count the touchdowns as 1 point, no field goals or conversions). Spencer was the quarterback for the first quarter. He threw a touchdown pass and then handed off to the running back for a second touchdown. I managed to get both touchdowns on video.

Spartans are 1-0

Christine and I traveled to East Lansing this past weekend to watch the Spartan football team on Saturday. Coincidentally, they were playing Western Michigan University, which is where I spent my first year of college before transferring to MSU. We dropped the kids off with Grandma Sandy on Friday afternoon and continued on to E.L. There, we met up with our friends Bob and Jackie. After dinner and some drinks, we made it back to the hotel for some zzzz's before a long day on Saturday.

We were up and ready to tailgate at 8am. It's been roughly 90 degrees every day all summer, yet somehow, the weather forecasters decided to throw a curve ball on Saturday. It was only about 45 degrees and VERY windy on Saturday morning. We took our spot atop one of the campus parking structures, ready to have some fun before the game.

A couple of party animals!

Gotta love the JumboTron

Good times on a chilly day

Even though it was cool, cloudy and rather fall-like, Christine managed to find a little sunshine and happiness in East Lansing when we got to her favorite Canadian indulgence, Tim Horton's . She promptly ordered up a large double double (that's double cream, double sugar for you novices). Along with her to-go drink, she purchased a couple of large tins of Timmy's to hold her over until her next trip to Canada. Somehow I don't think they'll last til Halloween at best!

Green and White pull one out

On Sunday, we attended Soccerpalooza, a soccer festival that featured several Big 10 schools, local college teams and high school teams playing at the local university, IPFW. MSU men's soccer was playing the Duke Blue Devils at 10:30am. We packed a cooler of lunch food and cold drinks, as it was gonna hit 90+ degrees that day. Luckily, the game was early enough that we weren't going to be in the real heat of the day. When we got there, the crowd was pretty much split in half for both teams. We initially took seats in the bleachers, but the sun was too intense. So we moved to one end of the field where some tall trees were providing shade. From there, we sat in the grass, ate our lunch and watched the Spartans pull out 1-0 victory over Duke, who coincidentally is a top 10 preseason favorite. So much for ratings! Way to go Spartans!!

After the game, we hung around to see the players come off the field. Syd had washed her soccer ball the night before and brought a Sharpie to get some signatures. The players who signed her ball were very nice and obliging to a little future Spartan. We even got the legendary coach Joe Baum to sign the ball!

Next up is our trip up to East Lansing on Sept 4th to watch the Spartan football team take on Western Michigan.

Another one bites the dust...

Well, not really. But I did play in a lot of dust this weekend...sawdust! As the previous post states, I took on another DIY project...laminate flooring. We've been tossing around the idea of ripping up the carpet in the living room and dining room and replacing it with wood flooring. Last weekend, Menard's was having a Crazy Days sale and they had a very good deal on laminate flooring. Rather than buying for the living/dining room like we originally planned, we decided to get enough to do the kids' rooms. So much for plans! Plus, Spencer's allergies are in full force right now and taking the carpet out can only help with that.

On Wednesday night, we started clearing out his room, filling the hallway, Syd's room and our room with all his stuff. It was amazing how much stuff a 7-year old can collect.




This is our room with his toy box, dresser, and mattress on the floor, and various other odds and ends.





This is the hallway, seen from Spencer's room. His bookshelf, extra bedding, clothes and various odds and ends are here.





Syd's room got his box spring, bedside table, lamp, and various odds and ends. It's all the "various odds and ends" that killed us!





Here's my blank pallette, sans carpet. The carpet only took about 10 minutes to pull up. I vacuumed and cleaned up some old drywall mud from when the house was built. All in all, the subfloor was in excellent condition.


As of Friday night, the room was ready for work. Saturday morning rolled around and I got started around 7:30am. My goal was to get the project done on Saturday, as Sunday was gonna be busy with an MSU Alumni picnic and Christine getting last minute things ready for school starting on Monday. While she kept the kids entertained without losing her sanity, I progressed all day at laying flooring. I wished I would have kept a little handheld counter to count the number of times I went up and down the stairs that day. All I know is my legs are still feeling it at nearly 10pm Sunday night. I'd measure, come downstairs into the garage and make my cuts. Then back upstairs to put the floor down. I think I finally laid the last piece around 5pm. Then I cut the quarter round trim to go around the perimeter. That only took about 45 minutes to put down and nail in place. At that point, every muscle in my body was telling me to stop. My knees were shot, my back was shot and I think I had inhaled too much sawdust. On Sunday, we got everything back into his room except the old bookshelf and toy box. We're going to get a smaller bookshelf and put the toy box in the basement. Just trying to de-clutter a little bit. I'm sure it won't take long for Spencer to start collecting new stuff!




Looking into his room from the hallway












In his room, looking toward the hallway and into the closet. The closet was the area that took the most time, getting the planks cut to fit around the stub wall that framed the closet door. I think I trimmed and cut one plank about 5 times, shaving a little off each cut to make it fit snug around the wall.






Another angle, looking toward the window and bed.

We're gonna see how this floor looks after a while and how it holds up before progressing on Syd's room. Plus, my knees need a few days to recover! Now that I've got practice on laying the floor, I suppose it'll be easier to tackle the larger living/dining room areas down the road.