Birthday Boy !

Happy 4th Birthday Patrick. We hope you liked your special day.

Mom & Dad

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

After 38 years - the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Locker Room Rules

Sorry we haven't posted in a while. I know, I know - Christmas pictures right? Well they are still in the camera so I haven't uploaded any on the computer yet. Maybe soon. In the meantime, I thought I would start people thinking about locker room rules. Remember the email about the rules of picking the urinal in the men's room. Well I have a few rules about the locker room at the gym. The basic concept is that there need to be limits on nakedness in the locker room so here it goes:

1) Being naked in the locker room outside of the shower needs a time limit - 5 minutes max. Any more than that is just disturbing.

2) Its o.k. to be naked in shower - when you are done dry off and then wrap the towell around yourself and go to your locker to get your clothes.

3) The first item of clothing that you put on should be underwear. If you don't wear underwear, then put on a pair of pants. Under no circumstances should the first item of clothing be your socks! And especially - you should not be putting on your socks while standing up naked and attempting to balance on one leg. What the hell are you thinking??? Socks should be second to last - right before your shoes. If your worried about athlete's foot. Then get some damn flip flops!

4) Do not stand in front of the mirror naked while you are (a) brushing your teeth; (b) shaving; (c) brushing your hair; (d) waxing your head; (e) washing your glasses; (f) etc . . . . There is simply no need. Again Shower . . . towell . . . underwear - in that order. And no detours.

5) No naked conversations. Do not start one. If there is someone that you want to talk to - Have some courtesy and put on your underwear or a towell.

6) Ladies - about upper undergarments . . . . nevermind - you come up with your own rule.

7) Do not lean up against the sink counter naked - its gross. Even more gross - do not rest your beer gut on top of the sink counter while naked.

8) No naked dancing. If you have to do that - do it in the privacy of your own home.

9) No naked sitting on benches in the locker room. Dry yourself off then put on your underwear and then sit if you have to. Frankly you probably should be putting on your pants before you sit there anyway.

10) No locker room naked muscle flexing. No one wants to see that.

You may think I am joking. But I have actually witnessed people doing some of these things. Its not funny and I am serious. Every locker room should post these rules or some version of them. People need to be reminded - there is such a thing as ugly naked . . . no matter how good you think you might look.

The Christmas Tree

This is our Christmas tree. Our favorite ornaments are the two angels pictured here. One is Mike's and one is Angie's. We received them as children and are exactly the same except for the name engraved on them. We discovered we had the same ornament our first Christmas together. They are now placed side by side each Christmas. Also pictured is our Nativity Scene. Mike's Mom made the ceramic figures and Mike made the stable in grade school.

More Polar Express

Receiving the bell from Santa was certainly a hit as well as picking him up at the North Pole.




Snowy photos at Snowbowl.

Christmas Tradition #2 - The Polar Express

We started the second Christmas tradition last year when we drove to Williams, AZ to ride the Polar Express to the North Pole. This year had the added bonus of SNOW! Patrick loved it, but hated the cold. He tried making snowballs and throwing them at us. Before our train ride Patrick had a chance to get his picture taken with Santa. We boarded the train about 8pm for our departure to the North Pole. On the way The Polar Express was read. When we arrived at the North Pole, Santa boarded the train and visited each car passing out bells to every child. (Angie got one too!) We sang Christmas songs on our way back to the depot and were served hot chocolate and cookies.

Christmas Tradition #1 - Zoolights

As a family - we have our own little Christmastime traditions that we have been keeping up from year to year. One of them is Zoolights. The Phoenix zoo does a really nice light display every year.


























This year they handed out prism glasses that made the lights look something like the picture shown here.


Dobby, Papa, Nana and Auntie Mel all joined us this year. Patrick and Papa even got to ride the merry go round.

Another Sigh of Relief

We had a very detailed ultrasound (lasting almost 1 1/2 hours) showing that we have a healthy baby for what the ultrasound shows.
Thanks to all of you who kept us in your prayers and thoughts. We were very glad that they were able to squeeze the ultrasound in before Christmas as this good news will make it a lot easier to celebrate the holidays.

On the lighter side - we can now say the baby is a boy. Use your own imagination for the picture below that confirms.

We are not sure of names at this point so feel free to post your suggestions here. How about Hobert Obert . . . ??????

A day at Yellowstone.

Remember me talking about those fond memories growing up camping. I thought it would be fun re-create one of those days here. These photos are of a day we had in Yellowstone in the early 70's.

We started the day by putting on our bell bottoms to go fishing for our food for the day:


Unfortunately, a bear chased us away:
So instead, we went for a hike. Where were were stalked by a group of shirtless hippies:

After all that excitement, it was nice to sit back in front of the fire with a smoke and s'mores:

As you can see camping was always an adventure in my family. More to come . . .

Happy Birthday Mike!

Happy Birthday to a wonderful husband, father, and friend. We thought we'd help you celebrate your day by allowing you to climb into the attic to get all the Christmas decorations. Of course we wouldn't want you to do it alone, so will have the help of Nana and Papa! Wishing you a year filled with many good things. We love you lots!

Love, Angie and Patrick

Happy Birthday Angie

You are a great wife, a great mom, and a great person. We love you. For your special day we thought we would take you to Nana & Papa's for a special Turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

Mike & Patrick.

Yuck Already

Is anyone else sick of the phrase "TomKat"? There is nothing cute about this combination of two names using the first name of husband and the first three letters of wife. Here is what it would look like for several members of family and friends:

MikeAng
MikeAnn
ChrisTri
KentKat
TerryMis
MikeMar
JamesMic
GregJac

Ever hope someone get a divorce? I hope these two do so I don't have to hear the phrase TomKat anymore. I swear the next time I hear it I am going to engage in an involuntary personal protein spill.

Ch Ch Ch Changes

Where is the attention to detail? One week ago a slight change was made to this blog . . . didn't anyone catch it? (Those who have been told in person are disqualified).

San Tan Fall Festival

Patrick's school had a Fall Festival today as a fundraiser. It was a good time. There were games, inflatable castles, prizes, food, etc. Seemed like a good time was had by all. Patrick has his "hammer" which he won and then proceeded to fight people with. He is also shown on the tractor ride. He did this a couple times. He also participated in a cake walk and won some cupcakes or pupcakes as he calls them.

Our Halloween Pirate

Patrick was a pirate for Halloween. I have to say that he was the BEST DRESSED Pirate. Thanks Grandma Obert for the great costume. He was able to trick or treat 3 different times. WAY too much candy. He took a Halloween class where they dressed up and then trick or treated from parent to parent at the end. When I took him to class he had the whole outfit on. When I arrived 1 1/2 hours later he had only the shirt, pants, and sash remaining. By the time we left the classroom only the pants and sash were still on. YIKES. The teacher was a little worried as the time went on. On Halloween Patrick trick or treated at Mike's office, then our neighborhood, and ended up hitting a few homes by Nana and Papa's house. He had a great time. He certainly was the best looking pirate around!

Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma

We love you.

Back to Iowa

After our trip to Wisconsin, we returned for a few more days of visiting with Grandma and Grandpa O. Mike and Grandpa took a long bikeride (more of a contest of who can burn more calories) and Patrick played with play dough w/ both grandma and grandpa. Aunt Katy's dog, Olivia was there and really enjoyed the attention . . . and more attention paid to her by PCO. PCO took the dogs for a short walk up the block. Well Olivia took a walk . . . for Gracie, it was more of being taken for a drag. Patrick also helped Grandpa fly his dragon kite. It was fun and we were happy to see their new house. After that - it was back to AZ. Just in time too b/c it started to get cold and rainy on the day we left.

Dictionary Entry

"Choke"















. . . Enough said.

More Camping

Smores.

New Bed . . . New Buzz Sleeping Bag. (Thanks Aunt Linda & Uncle Dan)

Campfire Sittin'

Now we can sleep.

Janesville/Camping

After our Watertown Visit, we trekked on down to Janesville to see the Dan & Linda & clan. Part of this trip was to pick up a camper we purchased from them. I grew up camping . . . Angie didn't. In fact, we have only camped one other time together - we had a tent, a wet dog, and a soaking rain that didn't let up for two days. Combine that with a campground without facilities - Angie swore never to camp again.

That is where Angie's longtime friend Linda comes in. You see - three years ago, I secretly told Linda's husband that he should give us the first call if they ever decided to sell their pop-up camper. That call came early this year. I said yes right away but Angie wasn't quite that easy. Linda made several calls and sent several emails to Angie convincing her that she would enjoy camping if she gave it a second chance and used a camper instead of a tent. Angie finally gave in and we purchased the camper and spent one night with Dan & Linda's family learning how to use it. We set up camp, started a fire, had sandwiches cooked over the fire and s'mores. The kids played together and had a good time. After her most recent camping experience, Angie's comment was -- "That wasn't that bad." I will take what I can get. We look forward to many years of camping in this new camper. Here in AZ, we are in a days drive of several national parks and great camp sites so there will be many weekends. I am also already planning some of the trips I took as a kid to places like Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain National park.

Thanks Dan & Linda.