Showing posts with label Maggie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maggie. Show all posts
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year!
Wow, can you believe that it is 2012 already? Where has the time gone? Let's see if we can do a recap here for you - by that I mean, let's see what I can remember.
January - Cold... Grey... COLD. Pretty much wraps that month up. Well, that and I continued to work out at the gym to lose my winter weight that I have acquired over eighteen plus winters of marriage. What can I see, I like being the jolly guy apparently - and in case you were wondering, I still have a bit of weight to lose, not as much as before, but still more than I am proud of.
February - Work is starting to take its toll on our hero as he is coming to the realization that he has a job that has no description and has two bosses that have no idea what to do with each other let alone with him. This will prove to be an interesting time in his life as he tries to work out all of this while keeping his multiple bosses happy, as well as, those who look to him for guidance and the like. I also think that we had a "snow day" for work - paid even, because of a pretty big snow storm. Or it could have happened in March, like I said I am trying to remember these things, and I am not relying on the blog, which seems odd to me now that I think about it.
March - Danny turned five, which means there is a Disney trip in his near future- lucky kid. Oh wait, what's that, we get to go too? Sa-weet! Now June is gonna rock way more than it normally does. Jenni also had a birthday, and if I say so myself - which I always do - she looks great! I am so blessed to have her as my wife and best friend.
April - Pretty blase' month to tell you the truth, as I don't think anything really happened then, other that the promise of a great vacation in two months and some better weather.
May - Maggie received her first Holy Communion in May, she is growing up so fast. Andy also finished his sophomore year at Loras.
June - Dominated by a certain trip to a certain magical place in Florida, I am sure I might have mentioned it a few times, and I bet I added some pictures as well. And since I didn't blog nearly as much as I liked in 2011, it shouldn't be too hard to find, right? Jenni and I celebrated our nineteen years together in Orlando, granted we weren't there on the actual date of our anniversary, but it was close enough.
July - the shoes started dropping at work. I was put back on the bench, which really wasn't a bad thing, since I really don't believe that there was much focus on the top and it enabled me to feel productive once again and start working and earning some over time pay again, which is always very helpful, let me tell you. The country celebrated it's 235th anniversary, even with the knuckleheads in Washington doing their best to bankrupt us and make us start to burn like Rome did so many centuries ago. Will 2012 show any kind of changes, probably not since they are all politicians that care more about themselves then anything else, which is really sad and I am pretty sure that the founders are rolling their eyes while rolling in their graves over what has become of this once fine republic. Oh yeah, and Timmy turned two!
August - brought the school year back to a start and a trip to Wisconsin for me - my first work onsite in almost five years. It was nice to get that change of pace, but I really do miss my family while away, and I don't think that I could ever see myself doing that kind of work for very long. A week every now and again, might be okay, but I would really rather just hang loose at home and soak in the atmosphere and climate.
September - brought Katie closer to the teen years and brought a close to a chapter at work that involved my direct supervisor for almost five years leaving the company to pursue other opportunities - in other words he was shown the door because they felt that the issues brought up by him were just too dang logical or something and we can't have anybody thinking like that now can we? Never mind the fact that in the few months he has been gone, we have started to implement changes that he wanted to do all along. Guess he was just too smart for them.
October - brought Benjy closer to the end of his teen years and Jessie fully enveloped into hers. Oh and I had a birthday as well. I also started writing daily at 750words.com. I have well over 100,000 words written that will make a great work some day. Only if it can be deciphered by the few that are as crazy as I am I imagine. It also inspired me to get back to blogging here on a regular basis, starting with today, we'll see how long and well it will last and go. I do want to make the time to pursue it though, as I think I am finally realizing how important it is to me.
November - Maggie has one year left in the single digits, and apparently still rules the roost when it comes to me. Yes, she is my baby girl and all but there should be better limits set by me I think. I may learn this one day. The weather hasn't been to bad and there was this quarterback for the Denver Broncos that started doing some pretty amazing and heroic things, well that and his awesome defense and special teams - more on them later, and by later I do not necessarily mean in this post.
December - Saw the end of an era for one of my children, illegal drinking. That's right, Andy became a full-fledged legal drinker at the ripe old age of twenty-one. Talk about culture shock, and the fact that he can drink me under a table does concern me, until I look back at my early twenties and say "Thank God I am still alive." Hopefully he will be able to look back in twenty plus years and say the same thing. Jenni got herself an iPad for Christmas, I got a Kindle Fire, Benjy and Jessie got iPod touches, Katie got a Kindle... So we will be ignoring the rest of the family now I imagine. I am kidding, besides Maggie has used my Kindle more than I have.
Not much of a review, but it really wasn't going to be anyway, I mean 365 days is a lot of stuff to remember. So here is what I hope to accomplish for this year - which has 366 days in it by the way, I plan to write more and take more photographs - at least one entry of both per day on the blog, although the pictures might be posted once a week - I haven't decided yet. I also want to try to read three books per month, and write a review for each one read, there will be pages dedicated to these things, so if you want to just see my pictures look at the picture page, if you want to see what I have read, look at the books read page and if you want to see what those voices in my head keep saying, well just keep on coming back.
Together we are going to make 2012 an awesome year, so let's get on with it, okay?
P.S. - That is totally my artwork at the top of the page, it took me all of thirty eight seconds to make, I hope you like it.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
One In, One Out
2010 has been a good year.
Well, okay, it's really been kind of a blah year personally, but in one instance (technically two) it has been a very good year.
In October, my oldest daughter (Jessie) turned 13.
I know on the surface that may not seem like a good kind of thing, with all the stories you hear about teen-aged girls, etc. All true, by the way, just saying. So true that I think our next daughter (Katie) is already practicing to be a teen-aged girl. Which of course, means that Maggie will start following her older sisters lead, in about a week.
Never was a fan of fishing, that may change. Again, just saying.
Where was I? Oh yeah, 2010 has been a good year, really it has. As we near the end of it, we have reached another milestone, of sorts. Our oldest, Andy, turned twenty today.
Yes 20.
It's a proud moment as a parent, seeing your children grow up into such fine, responsible young men and women... no really, it's kind of fun to watch as they fall flat on their faces on occasion. Just like we did, and we have turned out okay. Right? In all honesty, I know for a fact that I fell on my face way more than Andy has. I would also love to take credit for it, but we all know the truth don't we?
So my theme for 2010, if a year needs a theme, is "One in, one out."
Of their teen-aged years.
This won't happen in our home again until the year 2019. Not quite Haley's Comet like, but still.
Happy Birthday Andy!!!
Well, okay, it's really been kind of a blah year personally, but in one instance (technically two) it has been a very good year.
In October, my oldest daughter (Jessie) turned 13.
I know on the surface that may not seem like a good kind of thing, with all the stories you hear about teen-aged girls, etc. All true, by the way, just saying. So true that I think our next daughter (Katie) is already practicing to be a teen-aged girl. Which of course, means that Maggie will start following her older sisters lead, in about a week.
Never was a fan of fishing, that may change. Again, just saying.
Where was I? Oh yeah, 2010 has been a good year, really it has. As we near the end of it, we have reached another milestone, of sorts. Our oldest, Andy, turned twenty today.
Yes 20.
It's a proud moment as a parent, seeing your children grow up into such fine, responsible young men and women... no really, it's kind of fun to watch as they fall flat on their faces on occasion. Just like we did, and we have turned out okay. Right? In all honesty, I know for a fact that I fell on my face way more than Andy has. I would also love to take credit for it, but we all know the truth don't we?
So my theme for 2010, if a year needs a theme, is "One in, one out."
Of their teen-aged years.
This won't happen in our home again until the year 2019. Not quite Haley's Comet like, but still.
Happy Birthday Andy!!!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
A Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Yes, we're talking back-to-school time.
Please, please, hold your applause and cheers, you know that you will be missing them in a fewdays, weeks, months.
Anyway, with this being such a special day, I thought I would share a few pictures, if that's okay with you.
First up we have Maggie, who is going to school for the first time - she has been home-schooled for the past two years...
Jessie is next and looking more and more grown up as she is entering that fun year, seventh grade.
Katie is looking forward to hanging out with her friends, oh and going to class of course. She really enjoys going to school.
Andy is actually getting ready for his last day of summer work - he leaves for his sophomore year at Loras College tomorrow.
Benjy always knows where the camera is, so he doesn't have to show his face. Notice how dark it is outside? That's because it is 5:30am. He was waiting for his grandfather (the Deacon) to take him to morning mass.
We have been blessed with seven wonderful children and now have five of them in schools ranging from second grade to college sophomore. I think Danny is even getting excited about going to school next year. Maybe. He wants to go to Disney World first, then we'll talk.
He is so ours.
How did your first days go? Were the kids excited about getting back into the school game? Or did they fuss and fight waking up?
Have a great school year kids, we love you!!
Please, please, hold your applause and cheers, you know that you will be missing them in a few
Anyway, with this being such a special day, I thought I would share a few pictures, if that's okay with you.
First up we have Maggie, who is going to school for the first time - she has been home-schooled for the past two years...
Jessie is next and looking more and more grown up as she is entering that fun year, seventh grade.
Katie is looking forward to hanging out with her friends, oh and going to class of course. She really enjoys going to school.
Andy is actually getting ready for his last day of summer work - he leaves for his sophomore year at Loras College tomorrow.
Benjy always knows where the camera is, so he doesn't have to show his face. Notice how dark it is outside? That's because it is 5:30am. He was waiting for his grandfather (the Deacon) to take him to morning mass.
We have been blessed with seven wonderful children and now have five of them in schools ranging from second grade to college sophomore. I think Danny is even getting excited about going to school next year. Maybe. He wants to go to Disney World first, then we'll talk.
He is so ours.
How did your first days go? Were the kids excited about getting back into the school game? Or did they fuss and fight waking up?
Have a great school year kids, we love you!!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Fun At the Park
Took the family to Six Flags Great America for our annual visit to this amusement park that tries really hard... At least the kids like the roller coasters. Anyway, there were four adults and, I believe it was fifteen kids. It's amazing how people find out when we're making our trip that want to tag along - we're fun that way.
Once we made it to the park, we separated into two distinct groups; those that can ride roller coasters, and those that cannot. Guess which one I was a part of. (It's not my fault that they make those seats so small... what's that? It is? Never mind then). Initially it was just me, Jenni and my three youngest (Maggie, Danny and Timmy), we were later joined by some friends which literally doubled our party. All-in-all we had a really good time and shocker of shockers, the older kids got bored and some even left before we did.
Below is a photographic journey through our day, enjoy.
In line for our first ride of the day - Balloons (note: I really don't know all of the names for the rides)

Nap time for Timmy, and some 'Yabba Dabba Doo good times!
Once we made it to the park, we separated into two distinct groups; those that can ride roller coasters, and those that cannot. Guess which one I was a part of. (It's not my fault that they make those seats so small... what's that? It is? Never mind then). Initially it was just me, Jenni and my three youngest (Maggie, Danny and Timmy), we were later joined by some friends which literally doubled our party. All-in-all we had a really good time and shocker of shockers, the older kids got bored and some even left before we did.
Below is a photographic journey through our day, enjoy.
In line for our first ride of the day - Balloons (note: I really don't know all of the names for the rides)
Danny ready for some flight time on the balloons (definitely 'ready for action')
Maggie sitting in the front car of the Spacely Sprockets roller coaster

Nap time for Timmy, and some 'Yabba Dabba Doo good times!
Timmy getting ready for the train ride!!
Okay, it's time to go now!
Hope you enjoyed the pictures!!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Easter Pics!
Okay, I have a lot of pictures to share, but Blogger won't let me. Well not yet anyway. As I have mentioned several times before, there will be no rhyme nor reason to the order, in fact, I tried to change a couple around and lost one, so I quit trying.
Anyway, most of these are from Easter, and I think I have representation from all the kiddo's.
Danny, being cool. Looking good as well in my humble opinion.
This picture will make a little more sense after you see the next one.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday Shots #13
The Not Lame Canadian Closing Ceremony Edition...
The Gold Medal for Cleaning a Bowl of Brownie Batter...
So Timmy, what do you think of Benjy's new hat?
A Miller Girl Production, with a visit by "Flay Stanley"
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday Shots #12
Smiling, Baking and Driving, oh my! Edition
Welcome!
Maggie's Cake (made with her friend Aspen) It's a camping theme, see the campfire and the sleeping bags?
Katie and her cake.
Jessie and hers.
We're baking!
Okay, technically we're making chocolate frosting.
Need some vanilla?
Once again Blogger has messed with my best intentions, and order.
Awesome.
Leaving for Iowa in six hours, and I have no desire to stay up any longer. At least the posting options thingamajig works well.
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