Papa and his hoop

So I've been asked to update my blog and, of course, since I just received from my kids my own Wii Fit, what a great time to blog. Bob set it up and got it running. Jason started breaking all the records, until Monique stepped to the plate (she rocks at the Step Dancing), Tracy does a mean Tightrope and then Bob got off the couch and pretty much rocks at everything. Jesse has a couple records of his own. This Grammy Tammy/Golf Girl just can't figure out the balance angle. I've tried the ski jump dozens of times and Haley says "Not like a snowball, Tammy Tammy". I'm not bad at the Yoga Breathing exercise, however. Well, crap, I can breathe, you know.

But the best is when I return from a day of golfing and board meetings and walk into the Wii Room (aka Living Room) and find Grandpa Dan aka Papa swinging to the Hula Hoop. He waits til the kids leave and then tries to beat all their daily records. He's got everyone beat on the Jogging Run and the little guy in the bubble going down the river but I just love to watch him Hula Hoop.

Postscript: Dan wants me to remind you that the above video does not represent him.....because he does it with five hoops. Who knew?

What would I do without these kids?

I could be reading a book but this is how a Saturday goes....checking out Haley's soccer game, with Jason as the protective big brother and then watching Jim work in his backyard, making sure the new yard goes in according to plan.



Jason is growing up to be the best looking kid and he watches over his little sister so well. What a guy. And he can pretty much beat me at any Wii game.

Jimmy is having the best time as Acting Superintendent on the yard project at his house. He loves his boots! News alert: He is now sleeping in a big boys bed (his crib has been dismantled) and, oh my, peeing on the toilet. How time flies when you are growing from a baby to a toddler.!

Haley is definitely cut out for soccer....she looks so sweet in those pink soccer knee pads...who knew they even made them in that color. But then if they make golf club grips in pink, well, then pink works well in all sports. Way to go, Haley. Way to make Tammy Tammy proud.

Dinner at Tammy Tammys aka T T

So this is how meal time rolls around our house.....first of all, gather the kids together (Haley and Jimmy, in this case); then drag the booster seats into the TV room; turn on the Sponge Bob marathon, serve up cheese sandwiches (grilled for Jim and plain with mayonnaise for Haley) and apple juice and you have a good 45 minutes of uninterrupted peace. (Do not tell their mothers!)

Sounds good to me!

It's a new year.

As we march into this new year of 2009, I thought it a wonderful opportunity to add some new pictures to the blog. You will also note that as a homage to Dad, I've changed the background a bit. Dad, like Sir Edmund Hillary, was a beekeeper in his younger days and although Dad never climbed Mt. Everest, he certainly scaled the heights of our emotions. He was a wonderful dad, husband and grandpa. He only began his duty as Great Grandpa Bud when he left us to perhaps look for the sweet honey of the hereafter. So when you see a bee you will know to address it as Bud the Bee. I do.

Here's a few new pics of those wonderful little guys (and girl) in my life. Haley playing in the rain; Jason happy with his Wii; and Jim with his motorcycle helmet (I think?!)

Happy New Year!