2009 - A Year in Review

Santa Claus is coming to town...

This morning, by the looks of it - Santa was here and our boys must have been on the "nice" list...

Ebnet Family Christmas

With the weather so bad this year for Christmas - we've had to do some rescheduling. Unfortunately, the Cox gathering will have to be after Christmas, not before like usual. One advantage to this is it spreads the holiday out some instead of packing it all in within about 24 hours.

The storm let up some so we were able to make it out to Heather's parents for Christmas Eve. It was a lot of fun as usual - too much food and too many gifts. Evan's big hit was his first car from Uncle Dale and Auntie Steph. For Isaac, I think he was pretty excited to get his own set of wheels...

Isaac's Christmas Program

This was Isaac's last year to be involved with our church's Christmas Program. He has run the course of being a soldier - to Joseph - and this year.... Narrator.

He really did a GREAT job!!!

Our Family Christmas

Every year Heather and I try to find what day is going to work best for the four of us to celebrate Christmas ourselves. With so many other family get-togethers it can be tough to find a good time. This year we decided to do it the Sunday before our break. Overall, had a great afternoon followed by an AWESOME dinner that Heather made...

An Elks Family Christmas

Every year my mom and dad invite everyone down to Hutchinson for a small Christmas party at the Elks lodge (a fraternal organization my dad has belonged to for as long as I can remember). This was also Evan's first chance to meet Santa Claus and we had no idea how he was going to react. He's normally not afraid of other people but with the beard and all of the people, we weren't real sure.

Judging from below I think he did alright (until the end - then the tears came some)...

Okay - I'm Back!!!!

I am really sorry for being gone so long. As my friends and family know things have been pretty busy around our house these past few months so my blogging time has been limited. I thought it would be a REALLY good idea to try to take a 600 level grad class the same time I am teaching 2 night classes, coaching soccer, teaching full time at South, and trying to spend as much time as I can with the boys. Because of my schedule - Heather has a lot more work at home now which also limits her time, thus the vicious cycle. When I'm online - I'm usually working...

Keeps me out of trouble though...

Here is a quick recap of what is going on here...

The boys are GREAT - growing up so fast. Isaac is 9 going on 14 which makes me wonder if he'll be 14 going on 9 in the future - or how that will work. Wrestling starts for him this week (Tuesday, Dec. 1) so that will be more fun for us. On top of guitar lessons on Thursday and homework most nights we'll be on our toes for the next few months. Evan is literally growing up right in front of us. I can't believe that he will be 9 months old already on Wednesday (Dec. 2). I look at his pics on our blog and he should still be that little baby wrapped in the blanket - now no blanket could contain him!!!!! He is crawling like a mad-man and will be walking very soon - he makes his way around as long as he can hang on to something but that isn't going to last long. He's still a peanut, but that's bound to happen - Heather and I aren't exactly giants.

Here are some pictures of the boys we recently had taken. I will try to do a better job posting to this - especially since the semester is almost over (about 3 weeks). Then I don't start classes again until mid-January.

Plenty of time for blogging!!!!

Mike and Mel's Wedding

This was wedding weekend for Mike and Mel (Heather's sister and now brother-in-law). While the day was kinda cold and a bit wet - it was a PERFECT celebration of two VERY cool people. The pictures went really well, the ceremony was small but perfect, and the food was really good. There was a reception at Mi Familia here in St. Cloud - if you ever get a chance go check it out - very, very nice!

Some of the kids (and yes, adults) made a makeshift dance for a few songs just to cap off the evening. As you can see - my family was having a really good time.

Our "First" Days...

Just wanted to post some pics of each of the boys' first days this fall.

Here is Evan's 1st day of daycare.

Here is Isaac on his 1st day of 4th grade.

My little Buckaroos...

It looks like we've got a couple of cowboys in our house - both enjoying their time in the saddle.  Looks like Isaac is going to be quite the rider thanks to his Aunt Steph.  For Evan - he inherited my ability to fall asleep anywhere (literally).

Heather and I had to tag-team on this one - we know our candy!

Duluth - Love That Town...

Usually in August we try to take a vacation before we really start getting into school-mode. In the past we've gone to Wisconsin Dells, South Dakota, and Wyoming. However, Evan is a REALLY bad driver - hates it and cries pretty much whenever we get into the car. To try to save our sanity some we decided this year we'd stay a bit closer, so we headed to Duluth for 3 nights. I was lucky to be able to finish my last (of 3) grad classes on Monday morning so I didn't have to worry about getting papers or projects done while we were gone. This year we also decided to plan less and relax more - which to be honest I think made our vacation that much more fun. Isaac just loved climbing the rocks and both boys enjoyed the rooftop pool.

We pulled into Duluth Monday evening and got checked in to The Inn on Lake Superior - really a nice hotel right on the lake and in Canal Park. After checking out the hotel we headed into the park to see what looked like fun - which means food. We let Isaac pick the first night so he headed right for Grandma's. The food was good and we had the BEST waitress I think ever. By the time we were done eating and heading back it was getting dark - and the hotel offers smores at night - which Isaac and I couldn't miss.

Tuesday we decided to stay around Duluth and enjoy the park. Isaac is so easy to please as long as he gets to climb, snack, and check out a good museum (he gets that one from me). We enjoyed the pier and spend a long time in the Corp of Engineers museum. While there, a huge ship went through which is always fun.

Wednesday we decided to head up to Gooseberry Falls and eat at Betty's Pies along the way. The weather was pretty warm - especially for the Duluth area but the park was amazing. We've been there many times but it never gets old. Isaac and Evan both loved the water. We also decided to hike out to the lake from the park which was a lot of fun.

Thursday, we checked out and enjoyed Canal Park for the morning before heading to Fitzgers to eat at a Midi Restaurant. It was pretty good - authentic German food overlooking the lake. We checked out the shopping center some before we walked back to the hotel and headed for home. Evan did really well driving to Duluth but on the way home he wasn't quite as happy which means that Heather had to sit in the backseat with him for part of the drive home.

Overall, a fun trip that ranks as one of my favorites. A little bit of everything for everyone - I love that town...

He is the Champion!!!!

Well - his team did it!!! It may not have been pretty (23-21, pitchers duel) but it was fun to watch. Isaac went up to the plate ready to hit and he did really well going 3 for 5 with 2 flyouts. He also got to play his favorite position for 3 of the 6 innings - catching. We still think he likes it for the equipment but he started to actually catch the ball behind the plate which is not easy at this age.

I think Isaac had the biggest cheering section of any player - thanks everyone for coming. It was a lot of fun for Isaac to having so much family there.

High school teammates carry on

I saw this tonight on ESPN and had to stop and pause...

What would I do for a friend? What would you do?

High school teammates carry on

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Ride 'em Cowboy

I think he's figured this out and having fun...

Take me out to the ballgame...

As the summer is starting to wind down some, so is Isaac's baseball season. He has really improved this season, something I give credit to the neighborhood boys and the amount of baseball they play in the park across the street.

Today marked the end of the "regular season" with playoffs starting next week. While he didn't get a hit today, he did hit the ball hard and had what would be considered quality at-bats. He also got to catch today for a couple of innings which he loves to do. We're pretty sure it's all about the accessories but that's okay.

Next week is the playoffs with a chance to play Thursday night for the championship. Whether or not that happens - it's been a GREAT summer "at the old ballgame."

Valleyfair - The Sequal

Valleyfair - Day Two

Today it was just us. One of the advantages of being teachers (there are many but this is just one example) is having more flexibility in the summer time so we were able to come back on a Monday morning for another day of fun. Today we didn't rush to get to the park and let the boys sleep in a bit longer.

Today's theme is WATER. We rented a Cabana (Mel's idea - thanks for that!) at the water park by the Wave Pool. Our thought was that it would give us a place to put our stuff and keep Evan out of the sun (and maybe sleeping some) while Heather and I took turns swimming with Isaac. THESE CABANAS WERE SO NICE!!!! First, you walk in and they have chairs in and out waiting for you. There is a place to lock your valuables. And there is a ceiling fan and a flat screen TV. You also have a food service brought to you which was nice with the boys. It was so worth the cost.

Isaac and I hit the wave pool for a while and then moved on to the water slides while Heather hung out with Evan. I can honestly say that I went on a Level 5 ride - granted it was a water ride but I checked with the judges and it counts. Isaac finally found some rides that he wasn't tall enough for yet in the water park, but it gives us something to look forward to.

We had lunch delivered to us which was pretty good. Pizza, cheese curds, fries, pop, and cheese cake (I am gaining weight as I type). Then Heather took her turn swimming and I actually did some reading for Grad School while Evan slept some. Heather and Isaac decided to change and go one some "regular" rides after a while and Evan finished his nap. Here's the gross part of the story (if you have small children you may want to have them leave the room). Not long after they take off, I hear the lifeguards whistles all go off and they start to evacuate the pool. I immediately assume that someone is hurt and start to scan the pool to see what is going on. Finally our waitress comes by and tells me that someone "pooped in the pool". The whole thing was shut down for the rest of the day for some poo. I started to think how fun it would be to watch Caddyshack right now - maybe someone just threw a candy bar in the water.

When Heather and Isaac came back, Evan was walking up and we finished the night off by closing down Valleyfair for a second night before heading back to St. Cloud.

It just goes to show you - you don't have to drive 5-10 hours for a summer vacation when you have everything right here in your own "backyard".

Even a poopy-pool!!!!




This video made us laugh so hard - Evan was fascinated by the Extreme Swings - every time they went past him he couldn't take his eyes off of them. You can hear Heather laughing in the background.

Valleyfair 2009

Because we were waiting for Evan's arrival last summer, we decided not to make a trip to Valleyfair. Since I HATE rides and Heather couldn't go on too much, it would have been a pretty wasted trip for just Isaac to go. Plus, Heather LOVES rides so that would have been pretty unfair. This year we finally found time to go and for the first time, we made a 2 day trip out of it.

Day One


We decided to come down the night before so we didn't have to rush. Plus, it allowed some sleep time for Evan which we knew would be key to survive the day. We met Heather's sister's family (Mel, Mike, Zach, and Tori) at about 10:30 a.m. and hit the park running. Isaac was excited because FINALLY he was tall enough to go on all of the rides. Isaac lives for high rides and having fun so this was a bit of milestone for him. Many trips to Valleyfair have resulted in tears because Isaac was just a bit too short for the most challenging of rides. Thank God those days are over.

We hit the rides until about 12:30 p.m. and then headed out to the picnic area for lunch - which is a HUGE saver and actually better food and more fun. It is was nice to take a break and enjoy some non-fried, non-greasy food. Plus, when you pay $3.50 for a bottle of water you can about imagine what everything else was. Pretty crazy...

We then spend the rest of the day hitting just about every ride in the park. Zach took off with his friend while Tori and Isaac stayed together. Luckily Mel's fiancee Mike doesn't really enjoy rides much either so I had someone to hang around and visit with which was nice. Evan was a trooper the whole day, especially when Heather figured out that if she put him on his stomach in the stroller he would sleep for almost 3 hours.


We ended up closing the park down that night and headed back to the hotel for some well needed sleep.


Day two tomorrow.

Wildlife in the Big City

Here is what Evan and I woke up to the other morning.


Who says you can't have a taste of country life in the big city?

Went to the new Harry Potter movie today with Isaac and his 2 cousins and WOW - my head was kinda spinning when it was done. Not a lot of action but the plot was THICK! It had so much storyline going on that at times I think Isaac got a bit confused and bored. You really got to see more about Tom Riddle and how he started to become "He who must not be named". Plus, the movie suddenly became a romance film which was a bit different from the rest. Overall though, I give it 4 out of 5 stars cause it's still REALLY cool.

Gone but not forgotten...

Yes, I know it has been a REALLY long time since my last post but things have been pretty busy around here lately. Yes, I know I am one of those lazy teachers who have their summers off. If only that were true... I decided to take 3 graduate courses this summer (2 in the future session) and then with teaching my Soc. 195 course I am either correcting or writing whenever I have free time. The one course I took was really terrible - so poorly organized and dry that it made it painful to do every night for 5 weeks. Then trying to chase Isaac around St. Cloud for swimming, baseball, golf, and guitar lesson has made for a busy June and July.

This session I am taking one course and teaching only 1 technology course for 4 days next week so things should slow down some.

Just a quick recap of the last few weeks...

Isaac is having a GREAT summer - his activities are really going well. His baseball team has won almost every game and he is getting better evey week. His hitting is still a bit frustrating but he has taken it in such great stride - if he strikes out he just jobs back the to bench and I even heard him say once that he'll "do better next time". It is fun to see him understand already what is important about sports - and he did do better the next time. Everything else is really going well too.

For Evan things are just happy pretty much all of the time. I never saw a kid that loved smiling so dang much - I wish I knew what he was thinking some of the time. I think he is laughing at me - probably has already figured out that he is cooler than I am.

Oh yeah - I got the GREATEST B-day present last week - one hint.
Kelli and Andrea - I have one now too...



Love it!!!!!!

Pics of the Boys...

Here are some recent proofs we just got of Evan's 3 month pictures and also some pictures of Isaac and Evan together.

Not bad looking kids - luckily they got that from their mom!