"The picture's getting better! Tilt more to the left!"

Camoflauge for Daddy's office

Let me show you a trick...

End of the Line for the Bandwagon Express

Wednesday night marked the end of many things...

the 2005 baseball season (only 158 days until pitchers and catchers report!).

the Astro's postseason run.

the White Sox 88 year championship drought.

staying up until 1:35 in the morning to watch a freakin' World Series game.

Funny how things turn around in a few months. Let's compare comments heard in and around Houston in October with their predecessors from May.

In October..."Rocket, Roy, and Andy are the greatest pitchers ever to play the game!"
In May..."Trade Rocket, Andy will never be himself again, and Roy O is still a project."

In October..."Absolute genius in the front office inserting these young guys into the roster."
In May..."None of these morons can replace Carlos Beltran."

In October..."We have a football team?"
In May..."When do the Texans start?"

In October..."Phil Garner should have put on the squeeze play."
In May..."Phil Garner should never have put on the squeeze play."

In October...Can't get an Astros ticket.
In May...Can't pay someone to use Astros ticket.

As you can probably tell, the fans down here are a little on the bandwagon side. But, I guess when you actually sniff the playoffs, it makes you a little more unsettled. Now some may ask why I would root for the Astros (a clear violation of my allegience to the Brewers) but would vehemently deny backing the Twins during our time in Minnesota. Well, there are several factors...
1. Astros play on real grass.
2. In a real ball park.
3. If you call your right field wall a "baggie" you are just asking to be disrespected
4. During the 7th inning stretch, they play "Deep in the Heart of Texas"
5. Astros pose no threat to my Tigers
6. Every Texan owns a gun. You root for their team. Got it?
7. Did I mention they play in a real ball park?
8. And their roof opens.

As you can see, the argument is really one sided.

I would like to take this moment to congratulate my brother-in-law Alan for the fine season his team put together. I expect at least a thank you since my Tigers were 12 giftwrapped wins for your beloved Sox. That in and of itself propelled you into the playoffs. (Consequently, we are probably the reason the Indians got so close to you as well.) Enjoy the moment my man, and for cryin' out loud, spread the winning out amongst your family's teams!

Mmmmmmm...toes.

Grabbin' for the goat tee

The AARP called...

How you know your getting older...

1. You notice that gas has gone down ten cents...and get excited.

2. The weather is slowly becoming the most important five minutes of the news.

3. I'm watching the news.

We'll leave my graying hair alone for the time being.


On a side note...I was proud of our varsity volleyball team. During a very important game last week, one of the girls laid on the floor with a potentially serious injury. Without any prompting, the remaining players on the floor huddle together, joined hands, and prayed. What an awesome witness to everyone in the gym! What a blessing to have such fine Christian student athletes at our school! Go 'Saders!

Ben, Ben the Heiden boy!

MY BEST FRIEND,



MY BEST MAN,



OUR AIR GUITAR BAND FRONT MAN,



HECK OF A GOLFER,



A COMEDIAN AT HEART,


A DAD THAT OUR FATHERS CAN BE PROUD OF AND I CAN ASPIRE TO BE,


MY "TRAILBLAZER" IN THE HUSBAND DEPARTMENT,

YOU ARE A BLESSING TO EVERY ONE THAT YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH...


MAY YOU BE BLESSED THAT MUCH AND MORE IN THE COMING YEAR!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MUCH LOVE MY MAN!

Everyone loves a little Kocky...

Happy 25th birthday to my darling little sister (the one in the middle).


And when I say little I mean...younger.

I love you Kocky!

Welcome to the Club...

I haven't yet congratulated our dear friends Anthony and Sarah on the birth of their daughter, Isabella Rose. We are glad to have her as part of the family.

Hard to believe that just eight short years ago, Anthony, Ben, and I were causing havoc in youth group. Now we are ALL daddies!

You would think they have a test to qualify for this responsibility.

They may have to after we are done.

Matthew, Maddie, Bella Rose, and Hedien #2, you may never fully know what a gift of God it was that you came into existence.

WE LOVE YOU ALL VERY VERY MUCH!

My Kid Ate Your Kid...

Sweet Madeline went to the doctor for her four month old checkup, including shots.

Dr. Karr returned from weighing her and congratulated us on our healthy...nine month old.

16 lbs. 4 oz., 26 3/4 in...we have already recieved several letters and phone calls from Division I offensive line coaches. The front runners are A&M, UT, and Michigan State.

I can hear our Minnesota friends even now..."what else would you expect of the 'Fat Kid's' kid?"

(Disclaimer: I love my daughter, even if we call her "Fatty Maddie". I promise on everything that is holy I will not give her a complex. In fact, her size may be her ticket to college, because Daddy isn't in ministry for the money.)

Softball Game Cancelled

Just showing my friend Kim the wonders of blogging. There is no softball game.


No. Really. No game.



Serious.

Maddie's First Homecoming Mum

Daddy and Maddie sleep off a disappointing loss

Pretty In Pink

Having lived in Eastern Iowa for my entire grade school years, or formative sport nut years as I call them, I am a closet Hawkeye fan.

One of the great traditions that legendary coach Hayden Fry had left the university was the visitors' locker room being painted pink. As a psych major, Coach Fry knew that the color was proven to have a calming effect, making the observer more passive.

Recently some yuks at the university have suddenly become offended by this lockerroom decor. Says its demeaning to women and homosexuals.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? I am fairly confident that if we took a poll of all female and homosexual bedrooms, you would find a good majority the exact same color scheme gracing its walls. Never mind how I feel about the lifestyle of these people, but if you have a 350 pound muscle bound middle linebacker lined up across from you, you would probably want him to be calmed as well.

And nevermind that Coach Fry implemented this strategy nearly 20 plus years ago.

Certainly NOW we are offended. And certainly NOW we need to take action. And certainly NOW we need to make sure the decor of EVERY lockerroom is non-offensive. Because after all, that IS the most pressing issue in our world today.

SHEESH! Get a life people! Pink Locker Rooms Forever!

Just my two cents.