Burlington Christmas

 We took the kids to the Burlington Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, December 2.  Each, except for Clara, took some time to talk with Mr. Claus about what was on their Christmas Wish List.  Lucy made an ornament with members of the Boone County Historical Society.

Summer Camp 2016

My son and I at Summer Camp 2016

Catchin’ Fish

Everyone (except Lucy) got in on the action when we went fishing at the front pond on May 29, 2016.

Childrens Choir

May 1, 2016 this photo was snapped of Sabrina and Adam after a performance of the St. Timothy Children's Choir. Notice the lack of a building and parking lot on the hill behind us in the photo. This was snapped before the parish built the school.

Successful Turkey Hunt

 After a 4 year turkey drought, I harvested a bird this morning.  He was harvested on a farm in southern Kenton County.  I worked him for several hours until he finally came in.  

When I left that morning Annette told me if I harvested one that we would pluck the feathers and try to roast the entire bird rather than just breasting it out.  I brought this bird home and we immediately setup a processing station in the garage.  Timing was tight considering that Clara had a soccer game a little later in the morning so we had to work quickly.  So quickly in fact that my bride hadn't had a chance to change out of her pajamas when we started to prepare the bird.  

So there we were ... in the garage watching YouTube videos on how to pluck the feathers off a dead bird when our friendly neighbors from across the street started walking up their flag lot driveway for a morning stroll with their seminarian son.  

Another interesting moment from that morning was the Eureka style thought associated with Lucy.  Some of the kids were interested, some of them were repelled but Lucy was fascinated with the makeup of all the bits and pieces from inside the deceased thunder chicken.  She picked up what I assume is the kidneys and bladder which were still attached to one another and studied them with a most curious eye.  This was the first time I realized how much she enjoys anatomy and apparently all things medical.  Good times! 

Youth Turkey Hunting

Christopher and I went out for the youth turkey hunt this morning.  Shortly after we took this photo we saw 15 turkeys drop into the field but unfortunately the toms stayed out of range.  Eventually my youth hunter got cold so we called it a day.  

Easter

 This is a photo of our crew taken on the front porch on Easter Sunday, 2016.

Luck o' the Irish

 Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Game night

Alex and Suzanne came over with Tim and Lindsey for an impromptu game night on Valentines eve, 2016.

Getting ready for turkeys

The ghillie suit is brought out and paraded around the living room every year when its time to start thinking about turkey hunting.  Here the reds pose with the ghillie monster as we prepare for opening day of spring turkey season. 

Father Daughter Dance

 The American Heritage Girls had the Father Daughter Dance.  I was privileged to attend with two of my girls this year.  

A parade of shopping carts

I took my ladies to the grocery store late Sunday night. My Reds grabbed their own mini-carts and we marched through the aisles seeking bananas and milk while my oldest daughter (in the red coat) lead the way.

Pinewood Derby Success

Christopher competed in the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby last Saturday, February 28. His car was consistently the last one in his division so he received the "Most Fuel Efficient" award.

Two Guesses

Let's play a game called "Two guesses."

Why would Adam have a small toy hand in a pair of tweezers?

You have two guesses. Go!

Easter 2014

This photo of the Adam and Annette crew was snapped on Easter Sunday, April 2014.

Looking for long beards

 We went hunting for long beards this morning. It was a beautiful morning and time well spent with my son.

Piñata

Clara made a parrot piñata for her birthday party tomorrow. It's now stuffed with pounds of candy. I'm wondering if it will hold up under the pressure...

Snow Removal Service

 Meet the world's newest entrepreneur. He knocked on the neighbor's door and offered to shovel their driveway.

Keep on Smiling

Clara sans front teeth.

Snagle-tooth

Clara's lost several teeth over the 2 week Christmas break. And, she doesn't like it when I call her snagle-tooth. Oh well...

A conversation

Last night Lucy ralphed at 2 a.m. and had dry heaves again at 4 a.m. Annette went on a retreat this morning leaving me in charge of all 5 kids.

At the breakfast table, I was sitting with only Lucy while the other kids were upstairs making a pillow fort. I prepared 2 pieces of toast with butter and honey for Lucy to eat since her belly isn't 100% strong yet. She licked off the honey and didn't eat the toast. When pressed with the issue, she tried to change the subject.

Here's a dialogue of what happened next. 






Papa: Are you going to eat the toast?
Lucy: My blanket is pink!
P: Yes, your blanket is pink. Are you going to eat the toast?
L:   (Points to Papa's face) You have a beard!
P:  That's right. Where is your toast?
L:   (Points to plate) Right there.
P:  Are you going to eat it?
L: I have a bear.
P: And what do bear's eat?
L: Honey!
P: And do you have some honey?
L: Right there!
P: That's right. Are you going to eat your toast?
L: The birds eat birdseed.
P: Yes, they do. And Lucy eats toast.
L: I am happy!
P: Me too!
L: See my bear?
P: I do see your bear.
L:  I need water.
P: Eat your toast first.
L: (Tears well up in eyes)
P: Well played Lucy.

Guess who

Guess who stood in the corner for the first time?

Festival of Lights!

We had a great time at the Festival of Lights last night!  Hope you guys enjoyed it too!

'Twas the night before garbage pickup

'Twas the night before garbage pickup when we we returned from the bash

My lovely bride reminded me to, "Take out the trash."

Since Christmas had happened merely a day before,
there were many bags (and dirty diapers) waiting nearby the door.

The clock approached midnight as I collected our waste,

In my party clothes and fancy shoes I moved with great haste.

Finally after much laboring the project was complete
our rubbish sat in three cans waiting collection by the street.

We went to sleep confidently knowing Rumpke would obey
and pick up our scraps from the previous 7 days. 

I looked to see if they'd collected from the door,

and unfortunately things were the same as before.

Three cans still remained there occupying space

and a frown settled down on the front of my face.

I called the computer at Rumpke Trash & Recycling

and listened intently to their prompt little recording

The message told me they'd be by the next day.

They simply delayed because of the holiday.

My wife asked if they'd come by on Saturday side,
I told her that wouldn't happen in a voice with much pride.

I pulled the containers back as it looked rather bleak,

because I knew they'd be overflowing by early next week

That evening I went to sleep, dozed off in my bed

as visions of garbage monsters danced in my head

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had been sleeping like bears in a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

When, what to my wondering eyes should I see,
But a Rumpke Truck. I thought, "Yipee!"

Away to the garage I flew like a flash,
Tossed on my pants and gathered the trash.

I ran down the driveway without even a cap
hoping I could beat this driver collecting crap.

Uncertain if he was recycling or plain old collection,

Grabbing the biggest can that I could was my decision.

As the last can was collected and placed at its station,

the driver pulled up without much tribulation.

It was hard to make out any details in the dark,

But he worked lively and quick like a small hot spark.

He said, "Mornin' buddy" in a voice that was sweet,

Then I realized I was wearing no shoes on my feet!

The cans were tossed into the truck as quick as a wink,

And it seemed he delighted in his job, I think.

As he drove off with my rubbish nearly out of sight,

I heard him exclaim, "Hey buddy!  Set it out at night!"

Playing with new toys

While the reds were taking a nap, Christopher and Clara took it upon themselves to interrogate Flynn Rider (http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Flynn_Rider) about the missing crown.

Lucy dances too

Lucy got out on the dance floor with Molly (second from left) during their Christmas performance. Ask Adam if you want to see the video of this.

Night time reading

Annette reads to the kids from a Jack and Annie book before bedtime tonight.

Conversations and Observations

I walked into the house tonight and found myself thrown into a discussion about how important it is to wear underwear when leaving the house. My 8 year old son apparently thought underwear was optional in snow days.

Later in the evening, I had to discuss the merits of wearing your shirt on correctly instead of backwards with my 6 year old daughter.

There's much more content than these two examples, but I can't recall them now.

Adam

In the tent city

Adam and Lucy made some funny faces while in the living room Tent City last Saturday.

Tigger

T-I-DOUBLE GUH ER

Sleeping time

Sabrina passes out on the couch for a nap from time to time.

Breakfast time

Early morning chow time

Giggle

Giggle (v) used without object

1) to laugh 

2) an event at St. Tim's Preschool similar to craft making marathon 

Sent from my iPhone

Kids in Cruisers

Looking back over the collection of photos on my phone, I discovered an interesting trend. I have photos of at least 3 of my kids in the front seat of police cruisers. Who knew?

Oktoberfest!

Here we are at St. Tim's Oktoberfest!

Happy Birthday Mama!

Happy Birthday Annette!

Ants in the backpack

Clara's science experiment.

Sisters

Molly is brushing Lucy's hair with the new brush.