Denver, Dancing, and Squirrels

So, my son and daughter both danced on the side of the room by the tables (and yes, that's me trying to figure out how to "Tweet" something about how much fun we're having). They had a blast. Too bad I didn't get pictures of my wife and I trying to waltz. Apparently the kids (especially my son) were very interested in our dancing.

On the ride back to Gramma's house, we got the evaluation of our efforts: Our Son, "You guys were good. I'd give you an 'A'!!" (With no question from us - just pure injection of feelings.) Our daughter, "You guys just danced in circles." (Which needed a bit more prodding, so ...) My wife, "So, what would you give us, honey?" My daughter, "I'd give you a zero." (Laughter from my wife and I.)

It was all about my wife and her Gramma, and we got a lot of time to spend with Gramma, since we stayed with her at her house. Grass was fun to see, as I've said. And when I got to downloading pictures, I realized that squirrels are apparently a good source for pictures as well. Especially when they're not from LaCrosse [sorry, inside joke ... I think :) ]

.

We're back, there's snow. This stinks. But weekend was awesome :)

When we got out to Denver on Friday, we landed and headed to the rental car company to pick up our car for the weekend. It was a pretty slick trip out to Denver because the snow was melting in Minnesota, there was hardly any snow in Denver (really "none" but I guess I did see some on the Mountains), and we left on a Friday morning - so very little travel traffic with which to deal.

Once inside the rental car (a  nice Toyota Camry), we set out for Gramma's house. My wife pointing out the HUGE mountains to my kids. My son was a bit interested, but was also just excited to get off the plane and be able to DO anything. My daughter didn't seem to hear. So my wife pointed out again, "Look at the big mountains out your window! Neat, huh?" To which my daughter replied, "Look, Mommy, grass!" Yes, that's right, seeing grass for the first time since November or December sometime trumped the entire concept of the Rocky Mountains.

Oh well. The weather was gorgeous and we even got to play at the park with all the cousins and second- and third-cousins ... or whatever - it's all FAMILY. There were a number of "friends" (family) our kids' age to play with on Sunday when Gramma had everyone over, so it made for an enjoyable day for the kids (and of course, for the rest of us, too). Seeing everyone was great and spending time with Gramma, especially.

Coming back wasn't as fun. But at least we made it on time. Not liking the snow I had to shovel at the end of the driveway from the plow this morning. But LOVING my neighbors for snow-blowing the driveway ... twice! After this weekend, SO THANKFULL for family and friends!

More to come later ... with pictures ... I promise :)

American Legion Post 1

No, really. The Leyden-Chiles-Wickersham is "Post 1" - I couldn't believe it. I mean, growing up, our post was always easy to remember as "Post 333", but to be number 1?! Wow!

We had a great night on Friday as we came into Denver to see my wife's gramma. We ended up taking the kids and Gramma's friend Heinz out to dance after dinner - at Post 1. But, while we were at the Legion dancing with my kids and Gramma, some "crabby old guy" (as my wife put it) decided to talk to my wife while she was at the bar getting pop and drinks for the kids and the rest of us. "Crabby Old Guy" had to tell my wife that "kids need to be out of the American Legion by 9 o'clock." As my wife told me, I had to wonder, "Does that include us?" Needless to say, we were on the low end of the age range with our kids. Not that any of the four of us were going to be there past 9pm - since getting the kids to bed would probably be a two-person job for the night.

The kids enjoyed the music - even danced off to the side of the dance floor. And I've been told that my son really liked watching my wife and I waltz the one time that we got on the dance floor. Social butterfly that he is, my son even found some new friends in Gramma's age bracket :)

Pictures will follow ... I promise.

Dancing ... well, okay, spring with a smile instead

Dance videos are easy to take - or so my wife says. I didn't make it to my daughter's Valentine's Day dance class, but I saw the videos - and they are pretty cool. She danced to "If You're Happy and You Know It", "Rock'a'bye a Bear" and some other song that I didn't recognize. All so cute, though :) Problem is, the videos won't upload to my blog. Perturbed = me. Hence, no new blog yet this week ... until now.

Okay, not as perturbed anymore. I just took a picture of my daughter and she was smiling ... see? - well, okay, she was in a good mood. Maybe I didn't capture the smile perfectly, but she was cozy on the couch with her favorite blankets - and yes, she DOES need ALL four of them at the same time.

I think Jimmy the Groundhog (Sun Prairie, WI) knows what he's talking about, too, by the way. And that may be helping my mood, as well. You can even see parts of our deckboards. Woo-hoo! That means I don't get "badgered" by my wife to shovel the deck again. Ok, I probably should've shoveled for a second time about a week or two ago (and my wife doesn't really "badger" me - she just recommends), but, like Jimmy, I KNEW the warm weather was coming - I just didn't know when :)

Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day!
I know I did!
Love my wife. Love my kids. 'nough said :)

Let the light shine upon us and guide us

"Let us then pursue what leads to peace and to building up one another." - Romans 14:19

Ever feel like ...

your life is going TOO well? :) Okay, since 2011 has begun, I've watched Wisconsin play a Rose Bowl, the Wisconsin Women's Hockey team stay at #1 in the nation, the Green Bay Packers win a Super Bowl, and the Wisconsin Men's Hoops team take down #1 Ohio State.

My son's parent-teacher-conference went Awe-Some! And he's doing well in hoops. My daughter is doing really well in gymnastics and dance. And Jimmy the Groundhog decided that spring is almost here - almost 40 degrees today!

Yeah, I know - don't count my chickens. Anyway, feeling good. Feeling proud.

On Wisconsin!
Go Pack Go!

Have a day!
God bless!

Love ya'all :)

My cubs :)

No, not THOSE Cubs - my children. :) You know, I haven't been as patient with them as I would've liked to be over the past year or so. So ... I decided to make a plan to stop yelling - ever - and, basically, it has worked. Now, you may look at the kids in the pictures I post and think, "Why would he ever NEED to yell at them?" Ok, you got me. My kids are perfect :) Ok, not really. But they are pretty darn good. I've recently been taking 'snapshots' in my mind when they do things that really make me smile.  

And then, when I need to, I think about those 'snapshots' when they make me want to scream. It's no "Calgon, take me away!" moment or anything. It just gives me a chance to reflect on how good my kids really are. Since the Christmas season, I can count on one hand the number of times I've yelled. If you look at my kids, you'll see that they appreciate it. See ...

Ok, so maybe they just appreciate Daddy being 'happier' and more 'well-adjusted' (that second one is my phrase, I guess). But it seems to be working out for the best. Good thing, because things will get a little harrier (more harry?) as spring baseball gets here. Guess my patience will be tested some more - but hey, it's not like I've won a trophy for 'Best Dad' or anything yet, so I'll keep working. Wait, do I see that 'Best Dad' trophy somewhere on my son's bed-bookshelf .... ?

Nope. I guess not. That's just Digby posing with a bunch of my son's favorite tokens.

Thank God for kids!

PS - If you can guess what any of those tokens are, let me know. Especially WHO signed the baseball. (I know that some of them are easier than others, but go for it - tell me what you think.)

Aaron Rodgers, other Packers, looking to "follow Jesus' example"

By Art Stricklin (a Dallas-based sports correspondent)
With reporting by Jerry Price, managing editor of the Southern Baptist TEXAN
(www.texanonline.net), newsjournal of the Southern Baptists of Texas

Feb 2, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas (BP) -- NFL experts and newspaper headline writers have been quick to label Green Bay starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers the "Leader of the Pack."

Something about 4,712 yards passing and 34 touchdowns, and leading the Packers to the verge of their first Super Bowl title in more than a decade will do that for you.

But Rodgers made it clear in Tuesday's jam-packed Super Bowl XLV Media Day he only wants to be a leader of God's pack when it comes to influencing others to see his faith in Jesus Christ.

"We all have a platform, we all have a message in our lives," Rodgers told Baptist Press and a worldwide media turnout, which ringed his individual interview area. "I just try to follow Jesus' example, leading by example."

During his six years with the Packers, his career has seen enough twists and turns, dead ends and detours to test anyone's faith. An expected top 10 draft choice, he lasted until the end of the first round for reasons he never understood. He stood on the sidelines for three seasons while Packers quarterback Brett Favre went through his yearly will-he-or-won't-he retirement routine as Packers QB.

Finally given a chance to start three years ago, he has matured into one of the top quarterbacks int he league, but not forgetting his past, present and future in Christ.

"God always has a plan for us, a path. Sometimes we wish we knew it sooner," Rodgers said with a bit of a laugh, "but He always shows up His way."

[Rodgers] credits his parents, Ed and Darla Rodgers, who still live in Northern California where he was raised, for showing him a loving and Christ-centered household. He also remains close to his two longtime accountability partners, Pastors Andrew Burchett of the Neighborhood Church in Chico, CA and Young Life Christian youth group leader Matt Hock.

Even in the midst of the craziness of Super Bowl week and Tuesday's Media Day at Cowboys Stadium, Rodgers had already checked in with his accountability team.

"They won't be here Sunday, but they've been calling and texting me," [Rodgers] said. "Matt sent me a photo of his entire Young Life group decked out in Packers' gear."

Rodgers' quiet and humble testimony has been enough to inspire Christian NFL fans everywhere and his own teammates as well.

Rookie defensive end C.J. Wilson, whose father is a Pentecostal minister in Mt. Olive, NC, said he really didn't know what to expect when he showed up for his first NFL season this year. But when he saw the experience of his star quarterback and his witness, Wilson felt encouraged with his own professional football faith.

"I think it does help when your superstar quarterback is walking with God. I've been blessed to be around him and see how God makes all things possible in our lives," Wilson said.

Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings is one of Rodgers' receivers and teammates on the field, but more importantly, a spiritual brother on and off the field. He said he's determined to let Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers be his platform for God.

"I just want to let people know what it's all about. One of the Scriptures I refer to a lot is, 'to whom much is given, much is required,' and I'm required to have a voice because I have a stage and a platform," Jennings said.

"Number one, all glory goes to God. That's where it starts and that's where it finishes."

His father, Greg, Sr., is the pastor of Progressive Deliverance Ministries in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Packers defensive tackle Ryan Pickett has been inspired to join an anti-pornography campaign in the NFL this year to help rid the destructive influence among his friends and teammates. He said he had to turn down the invitations of his teammates this week and other times who wanted him to go places he knew was not right.

"I value my family and my wife. I try to stay away from that," Pickett said.

Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby doesn't have to be reminded about the number of Super Bowl games which have come down to a final touchdown or field goal, including the last Super Bowl held in Texas when the New England Patriots won on a last-second kick in Houston.

But he said his faith in Christ won't allow him to be defined by a single kick.

"I think He helps me knowing that kicking is what I do, not who I am. It's not everything that I am. I can escape knowing that my relationship with Christ is what carries me."

Crosby has also noticed his quarterback's faith and his example to his teammates and the sports world.

"Aaron has a great relationship with the Lord," Crosby said. "He's the face of the franchise and it helps to see he's living the message all of the time.

"I'm always reading in the Proverbs and Psalms to relax my mind before we play," Crosby added. "I know that God cares for me all the time regardless of any outcome here."

Copyright (c) 2011 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press
901 Commerce Street
Nashville, TN 37203
Tel: 615.244.2355
Fax: 615.782.8736
email: bpress@sbc.net

The American Badger is a fossorial carnivore, preying predominantly on gophers ...

... and other small animals, such as squirrels, moles, rats, and some ground-walking hawks. Badgers will eat carrion from wild cats and mountain (or nittany) lions. They will also eat plant foods, such as maize (and blue), and nuts (sometimes from a buckeye tree), beans, and sunflower seeds. If backed into a corner, they will protect themselves against native humans, such as Spartans, Hoosiers, Illini, and even those that make boilers and those that husk corn.

(thanks, wikipedia)

ON WISCONSIN!

Really, USPS?!?! Really?!?!

I'm going back to school this fall - or at least I HOPE to go back to school. I checked out a few grad schools in the cities and decided that Concordia-St Paul would be the best fit. Online classes that meet what I want to learn. Least expensive option, plus, the advisor I met with was really accomodating and made me feel like things would work out. Anyway ...

I printed out all the application material, requested transcripts sent, and filled everything out, including the writing of check for the application fee. Went to the post office on Monday to mail it. Had a nice manilla envelope sealed and addressed - ready to go - except the postage. Always like using the automated machine at the local USPS, so I waited for the one person using it to finish up, then proceeded to weigh the envelope and answer all the questions about what the "package" looked like, what was inside, where it was going, and how I wanted to send it. After which, the machine printed the postage, I placed it on the envelope, and then I put the envelope in the drop box (making sure it went down into the drop bin).

... I got the envelope back today. Nice!

Not enough postage. "Please add additional postage (44 cents), remove this label, and place back in mail."

Thanks. Thank goodness that this wasn't a time-sensitive thing. But ...

Really, USPS?!?! Really?!?!

Basketball, Football, and Champions ...

My son played basketball again this weekend. He had a blast. I know that I posted that on Saturday, but it's still in my mind. I really am quite impressed with his ability to have a good time, do his best, learn, and improve. Very proud!

My daguhter told me this morning, "Three plus three is six ... Six plus six is .... What is six plus six, Daddy?" Well, I gotta admit honey, that's more than I expect out of a four-year-old. Love you, too!

And, of course, yesterday was a blast. I think my wife thought that I was dillusional all day. Had a lot of pent up nerves. Helped to have the Badger basketball game on mid-day ... and to have them blow out Michigan State. Also helped to be going somewhere for the Super Bowl.

Our friends on the lake did a wonderful job of hosting - again! And God bless them for having everybody over - including all the kids. Very fun. Very successfull. Thank you, Packers for your 13th NFL Title!

Deep breath ... and another week begins. :)

"Gotcha, with my 'goofy face'!" :)

And now for something completely different ...

 Yes, basketball. Some actual skill competition and game footage ... from LAST week :)

My son's team has done really well these first two scrimmages. They've hit 48 chest passes in one minute each of the last two weeks during skill competition, and they have won the dribble realy event each week, too. The scrimmages have been fun, as well. My son hit three shots last week and one more this week, while adding some deft passing this week for an assist or two. Proud parents, to say the least (of BOTH the kids - even if my daughter decides her 'goofy face' is her best skill ... which she won't. Hope to have dance or gymnastics pics up sometime soon !

Weekend sleepover with a friend ...

... ok, so it was a "stuffed" friend - a striped lion named Digby, but still :) My son brought home the classroom stuffed animal for the weekend and they had a blast doing a bunch of my son's "usual" activities around the house and over the three day weekend.

First, they played Wii NCAA Football ...

... seriously, they did. Digby won the Rose Bowl for the Badgers!

Then, Digby challenged our house "pet", Pappy, to a game of air hockey ...

... this says that Pappy won. (Only my son would actually take this picture.)

I don't know if Digby lost the bet on air hockey, but he and my son selected "Hotel for Dogs" as the movie they wanted to rent. It was fun to watch. Everyone liked it ... even Digby.

We also had a big party to put a puzzle together. Everybody chipped in - Digby, Papy, Bunny, and Ellie (the elephant). Oh, and my son and daughter put some of the pieces in, too.

Apparently, this was one of Pappy and Digby's favorite books. My son read a few books to his "friends" over the weekend. I guess he's getting pretty good at reading ...

... but maybe you should ask Digby or Pappy about that sometime :)

My son had a basketball scrimmage on Saturday. Digby came along. Maybe it helped my son. He scored a few baskets and even complained about some "floor burns" on his knees. Yes, he was diving for loose balls already. Digby reminded my son that "floor burns" are trophies :)

It seemed like Digby (and my son) had a great weekend. They sure had a lot of fun. So, it was easy to see why they might not want to part when Monday morning came along. Good thing that Pappy let Digby have just a little more time alone with my son by letting him take his spot in bed for one night (but only for ONE night!).

Thoughts of the week ...

My daughter had some GREAT one-liners yesterday. Wish I could remember them. I would DEFINITELY pass them on. She's got a great thought-processor in that noggin of hers. :)

My son's parent teacher conferences are this week. Tuesday, actually. I wonder if we'll get another: "I hear a lot about the Badgers and Packers. I take it, he likes sports ... that's ok." :)

My wife works too hard. God love her. Thank goodness she's also a great mother and wife. This weekend was fun to watch a funny action movie with her on Friday night ... by ourselves :)

By the way - if you get a chance to watch "Hotel for Dogs" - do it. The kids LOVED it and are asking us to buy it. My daughter even asked if I could tell her friend down the street to buy it for her for her birthday. I asked if I could buy it for her and she told me, No, that she wanted her friend to buy it for her. :)

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole was pretty goood too. Too scary for my daughter, but my son and I watched it and liked it, too. Not everyone will like it, but we did. :)

Completely different subject: How did Clay Matthews NOT get AP defensive player of the year? Just wondering.

Anyway, I will get pictures up. I think I have a few :) Go Pack. Love. And God bless :)

My son, tubing, and just plain fun.

.

I completely forgot that we had pictures from out tubing experience on Martin Luther King, Jr Day. Here are a couple that pretty much show how much the kids enjoyed themselves. I'm pretty sure my son likes to hang out with his buddy - that IS his "enjoying this" expression, after all :) And my daughter is just beaming with, "Can we do it again!?!", isn't she?

.

We fell right back in with the crowd this past Sunday for the Packer-Bear game. We went over to the same friends' house for a Packer Party. We had fun. (understatement) Of course, it helped that the Green-and-Gold came out victorious, but the company helped as well :) We just might have to do it again in 12 days when the Pack take the field in Dallas.

.

I can't help but feel good these days. It helps to have had a weekend like this past one, in which we were able to stay warm at home, enjoy our children's activities during the week, and (for me, at least) take pride in knowing that my alma mater and state teams had a pretty successful weekend. [UW-Madison Men's and Women's basketball both won on Sunday; Men's and Women's Hockey both swept weekend series; Wrestling won; and of course, the Packers won as well.]

.

Then again, even if it hadn't been such a fun and successful weekend, all I would've had to do is walk in and take a look at my son's (or daughter's) face while he (or she) sleeps ... :)
.

.

Nothin' better! :)

God bless my daughter. I love her :)

.

She's a princess. My daughter has thoroughly enjoyed the winter - even without much of an outdoor life. She plays the piano (in her own, special way - even "helping" Daddy when he's trying to learn on his own). Her friend down the street even came to a "jam session" the other day. Of course, my daughter went to her friend's birthday party and it turned into a runway session (on purpose, of course). The girls all looked good, but in my humble (and bias) opinion, my daughter looked the prettiest :)

.

In her down time these days, she can be found pulling any of her numerous stuffed or doll-like friends in her new American Girl wagon. Rebecca, Madison, and Abigail especially had fun on the first day she brought it home. Apparently, whoever created "Martha Speaks" is a genious, because I can't my daughter to watch much else these days, either. But, then again, I won't complain. PBS is PBS.

.

Good stuff :)

Go, Pack, Go! Tubing!

It was a nice long weekend for the Vitense gamily. Saturday proved to be fun, as my son had his first basketball practice. It's definitely interesting going from watching a 1st and 2nd grade basketball practice to watching the Wisconsin Badgers play - but we did just that. Bo's crew beat Illinois at the Kohl Center - and that kept the day rolling.

We had some pizzas and appetizers for dinner while we got ready to watch the game of the week - Green Bay vs. Atlanta. And boy, was that fun, too. With the Packers' victory, we got excited and it set up our next "game of the week" - this Sunday versus our most disliked rivals - the Bears. Should be another fun one.

We made it to church on Sunday morning and then were also able to spend a nice afternoon at the Mall of America. Both kids got new shoes, which were dearly needed. Plus my wife got to exchange a present that ended up being not quite the right fit. We got pretzels and slushies. And the kids even got to use some of their left-over Christmas cash to buy some toys: an American Girl doll wagon for my daughter, and a Creative Imagination Lego House for my son. We came home and watched the rest of the NFL game(s). And my wife and I watched the movie "Inception" - which will now make me question my sleep and my dreams for a while.

Monday was another day off - to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King. And we enjoyed that on a tubing slope with some of our dear family friends. It was fun and the kids loved it. My daughter repeated, over and over, as we got to the bottom of the hill, "Let's do it, again!" :) And my son had several friends his age there with him to tube.

Alas, the weekend did have to end, and now we go back to the week ahead. Short week, thank goodness. My daughter is still loving gymnastics (that was today). And I'm sure it won't be long before my son starts asking about basketball practice (that's Saturday, again).

Eve's baptism - 1/9/10

Cousins galore at baptism (1-9-10).

Proud Mommy with adorable daughter; Proud Grand-Mommies, too.

A 3-year-old's (my daughter's) view of the pictures taken at the church :)

Proud Godfather (me!), Saturday, and a gorgeous baptismal gown, Sunday.

.

We went down to Iowa City this past weekend for my niece (and god-daughter) to be baptized. Besides the longer-than-expected drive down after work/school on Friday, the weekend was AWE-SOME! Spending time with by brother, his wife, and their two children is always so great. They always make us feel so welcomed in their home. It was really nice to be able to spend some time as 'just the eight of us.' on Saturday before the rest of the families came over. Then, having dinner with just about everyone on Saturday evening was a real pleasure as well. Sunday's baptism was nice - and my God-daughter did so well. She seemed to love the water. My brother and sister-in-law had a brunch at their house afterward. Everything was delicious and, again, so comfortable and inviting. My only wish was that our families lived closer so that we could do this more often.

.

God bless you, little one (and you, too, Big Guy, of course). We love you all.

.

I just read this book. And it was fantastic for me. Some might be turned off because it's about a high school football team in Texas - except that it's NOT ABOUT a high school football team in Texas. It's really about one coach and one program that treats other people (and each other) as uniquely built by God and builds relationships that change ... well ... everything. Though a Christian theme runs through (which makes sense - it's a Christian school), most of the stories are about football; and the book really talks about what happens in a football program (... and life) - and about putting rules toward how you practice/play/achieve (... and live?)

Four rules:
1) love you teammates (... in sport and in life?)
2) choose a great attitude (... doesn't this really make almost ALL the difference?)
3) play fast (... ok ... you got me on this one. I translate it to "play/work hard" all the time)
4) take care of your responsibility (... before you point the finger at anyone else)
.

Happy New Year ... and more Merry Christmas :)

.
We enjoyed another Christmas at home in Sun Prairie with my brother and sister, nephew and niece. Or should I say that the kids enjoyed it? They enjoyed unwrapping many more gifts - and then playing with their cousins. Of course, we ALL enjoyed spending time together again. The four of us (me, wife, 2 kids) were down for almost 5 days. It was my brother and his family's turn to spend Christmas in Iowa with the Prices, so we met them in SP this past weekend for our own (smaller) family Christmas. Loved it! Everybody did.
.
Also got some more time with the Grandmas and Jerry. The only real bummer of the weekend+ was the Rose Bowl loss. But, no time for the blues, cuz the Pack came back and beat the Bears the next day to play themselves into the NFL playoffs.
.
It was kind of a neat week/weekend. My parents had gone to the Packers/Giants game on the previous Sunday. I got to watch the Badgers (on TV at home) beat the Goophers in men's basketball on Tuesday. My son and I went to his first hockey game at the Kohl Center on Thursday. It was his first trip to the Kohl at all, and we made it special. Dinner at Paisan's with the family before the game. Tickets three rows from the glass. Seats on the railing above the Badgers' players' entrance to the rink. He got high fives a couple times from quite a few players and even ended up getting a hockey puck courtesy of the security person who opened and shut the boards/door for the players. And we got a 5-1 win!
.
Then, as if that weren't enough, we got to watch the Rose Bowl in Wisconsin (albeit, a not-so-good ending). And my brother went to the Packers game versus the Bears on Sunday. Thank goodness the travel was so nice. Us BadgerCubsinMN got home early enough to watch all the Packer game, too.
.

.

Here's what our snow looked like before our trip back to Wisconsin. That's the kids in front of the "fort" or "badger den" on the side of the driveway. You can see that the snow piles around the driveway, sidewalk, and walk to the front door are almost as tall as my son - and almost all taller than my daughter. We had a record snowfall this December and I got my shoveling for the year in already. I've had a lot of help from our neighbors - which I'm ever so thankful for! :) When we got home, the snow level was way down - thanks to a slightly warmer few days and some rain. Unfortunately, the temps today are reaching the sub-zeros. Oh well. Winter in Minnesota. What-r-u-gonna-do?

.