Falling Slowly

A week has come and gone!  My how time flies! We'll see if I can keep this weekly thing up again.

Crossed legs like a gentleman.

Boy it's been a busy week for sure.  I unfortunately missed out on a lot of Daniel, but just a few short weeks until we'll be able to hang a lot more.  I'll have to have Katie give some updates on their adventures as I had rehearsals, volleyball games, football games, and competitions throughout the week.

Living the dream.

Daniel's vocabulary is blooming.  He's starting to say "goo goo gah gah", "yaaaah", "bowh", "dadadadadadadada", "ahwo", and "thermodynamic".  We have practice sessions on the way home from daycare every day and he must be learning a ton from these intense meetings.  He's also starting to sing a bunch.  Sounds really good. 

Thank you Uncle Eric and Aunt Noelle for the hammer.

Yesterday, we did our Husker Saturday and enjoyed ourselves over at the Jen and Queño's pad.  We had some good times and enjoyed a satisfying win.  Daniel slept well, so it was a victory all around. 

Cousins.

Fixing her bow.

The exciting development for the week is that our son has discovered how to climb up onto chairs and couches....oh joy.  He gets down okay, but that's not 100% of the time...I wouldn't even say half the time.  He hasn't taken a plunge yet, but it sounds inevitable from talking to many other parents. 

Getting ready for the Husker game.

Looking forward to a nice week with a few more days off than usual, my final home football game, and another nice Husker Saturday.  Enjoy some pics!

Eating a spatula. 

Birthdays and much, much more!

What an exciting month and a half it's been!  I'll do my best to recap it all, but suffice to say the biggest event was our son turning a whopping 1 YEAR OLD!  Holy smokes, buddy!  I can't believe it's already come and gone so quickly.  Katie did a fantastic job planning and making it all go smoothly.  Thank you to all who attended and for all the amazing gifts.  I swear he has played with each and every piece received with great abandonment.  I'll do my best to upload a video of Daniel "eating" his cupcake (I put eating in quotations because it looked more similar to a mother bear protecting her cubs in her arms lest a predator might steal one).  

No one's touching that cupcake, but him.

Playing with his bud, Isaiah

Daniel also had some shots and a checkup for his one year appointment.  He was rocking the high percentages still.  He's just a dense dude.  I truly believe my left wrist is injured from frequent liftings.  Thank heavens he walks...

So many kiddies.

My best friend, William, his wife, Lucy and spawn, Isaiah were also in town for a short time so we took advantage of their time through copious gaming and hanging.  It's always a joy spending time with the Norths.  

Best buds and children.

Kevin inspiring our son.

Some of Daniel's favorite games right now are "Crazy Curtains" and "Phone".  Crazy curtains consists of Daniel...playing in the curtains...I guess that's about it.  Makes for great Peek-a-boo!  It's also quite easy for me after a long day because I can play it with my feet kicked up in the rocking chair.  Some call it lazy...I call it.............."Phone" on the other hand is just Daniel picking up any holdable object and holding it up to his ear (actually BEHIND it to be honest) and saying something that resembles "hello".  He uses phones most often, but also remotes, phone chargers, baby monitors, shoes, stuffed animals, plastic cups, and I'm sure banana at one time (who am I kidding, it'd never make it past his mouth without being digested). 

A rousing game of "Crazy Curtains"

Daniel's also been learning to use forks, spoons, and restrain.  We've been giving him pieces of toast or large pieces of bananas and rather than inhaling the entire pieces, he has actually been taking smaller bites (this is all under close supervision mind you as he has eating habits similar to that of a duck).  He's recognizing items such as our phones, toy balls, and books.  We can say "bring me that" and he'll bring what we ask for.  It's quite nice (and helps with my laziness). 

Seriously...male modeling might be in the cards.

It's been an amazing year plus some.  We have the best family and friends in the world and I'm so thankful we've been able to share this journey together.  If only people were able to be blessed as much as I am, the world would hopefully be a happier place.  We love you so much, Daniel.  We didn't think life could get much better til' you came along and as cliché as it sounds, we can't imagine ever living without you.  

"You are my angel, my darling, my star and I'll love you forever...and my love will find you, wherever you are."

"I love you through and through...yesterday, today, and tomorrow too."

A Summer Was Just Beginning

Wow, so I started writing this update a few weeks ago and apparently did not finish, nor do I RECALL not finishing it.  Please excuse any outdated references in the first couple of paragraphs.  

Heeeeey.

It seems like just yesterday we were entering our summer, now Katie and I are both beginning our summer's end.  I am not one to complain as most of my compadres continue their rigid hours over the summer.  We keep plenty busy of course and always try to take full advantage of the time we are allotted.  We are very spoiled to have such a great person/family to watch Daniel in Emily Cooper and her family, but knowing that the extended hours we spent together over the summer is essentially gone til' our next break is quite tough to swallow.  I do enjoy the time we have together as a family.  It's a great reminder to never take the shorter times for granted.  The past few weeks we spent some time at the zoo, went out to dinner with my family, started work/camp/workshops, installed a ceiling fan, and did a whole lot of lazing around (purposefully).

Ripe for puns.

He's making a recipe with lemon juice and salsa...please don't reach for the spaghetti sauce...

Being outdoors has been tough lately because of the extreme heat we've been feeling around these here parts.  I keep our place at a cool 72 degrees because...I like it cool.  100 degrees is a steep departure.  Don't worry, I'll get mine (band camp's just next week...)  Despite the heat, we decided to head to the zoo on a whim.  There's enough indoor venues there, that it would not be too unbearable...and it was not.  We got a few fun pictures and it was enjoyable.

Back with his people.

Influences include John Cage and piano movers who drop pianos.

The past couple weeks for me have been consumed by the start of band camp.  I just finished our Cass County Fair parade yesterday, so I feel as if a weight has been lifted up for this year (it is lowered on an annual basis at various weights).  Katie also finished up her intense Orff Level II workshop as well as began her teacher meetings at Millard.  Mine begin tomorrow and we first have freshmen on Thursday.  Very exciting indeed.  I would say that we felt both of our experiences were successes.  I have a wicked awesome tan line from my extensive exposure to the elements outdoors.  Although it cooled off tremendously on the last three days...too nice for band camp. 

Sitting on proper like.

Welp, we missed updating on Daniel's 11-month celebration (I gave him a swift kick in the rear and told him to get a job)

NOTE:  NO BABIES WERE HARMED IN THE WRITING OF THIS SENTENCE.  I WOULD NEVER KICK MY CHILD UNLESS IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE IT MIGHT SAVE HIS LIFE.

He's walking so very much though.  I need to get some video up here to show off how well he's doing.  I counted 20 steps today in just a random walking, but I know he'll go much farther than that.  He'll criss-cross the room supporting himself at different ends...any day now I know he'll be on the move more than I can bear.   

Waste management is a noble career...but you're doing it wrong.

Also, other big news was the birth of Daniel's first cousin on the Konrad side.  Zella Ann Konrad on Sunday, August 5th.  She's pretty great and we're going to visit her today.  I might even have some pictures to put up here, but don't hold your breath. 

Just taking a rest...on a LION!!!!

You'll see some pictures below of Kate with Daniel camping.  Big step for them and although I could not stay overnight, I heard he did a great job.  He's matured so much.  He even chopped down a tree and built a bench for us.  Very impressive (untrue, but impressive nonetheless). 

Real American.  No pants and hot dogs.

Just laying about.

I should elaborate more on the installation of our first ceiling fan, but this is neither the time nor the place.  Suffice to say that my father continues to do favors for me despite the fact I should begin repaying those favors.  I suppose there will come a day.  In hindsight, this very well could be the place, but the time just doesn't feel right.  What I mean by that is that I just don't feel like typing more.  I've been kind of a wimpy wimp lately because I've been feeling sicky.  It might be an intense bacterial infection or allergies.  I'm just going to wallow in my discomfort til' the diagnosis is found (no one is working on this by the way) and try to rest some. 

I swear it's water in the sippy.

Vacation!

Hey folks!  We have lots of pictures this week and that's all that really matters right!?  We're coming off a busy couple of weeks with weddings, vacations, moving, and baptisms.  Let's see if we can hold it together, okay?!

First things first, congratulations to Rick and Jackie on their beautiful marriage!  It was such a great time with a great, great ceremony, great, great location, and a grand ol' reception that followed.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself and thanks to my father for watching Daniel so that we COULD thoroughly enjoy ourselves.  Although, when I got home, Daniel told me that he was a little jealous that he missed the dancing portion.  He has a killer moonwalk.  

Daniel's suave looking

Congrats to Rick and Jackie Elsasser.  GREAT addition to the family!

I was also able to enjoy some time with some old high school friends at my 10 year high school reunion (I know, I know..I'm getting OLD).  It was great catching up.  Unfortunately, we missed a big fireworks extravaganza in our neighborhood, but it sounded like it was a real BOOMER! (Thank you, Jen for watching Daniel...also, thanks to my sister, Tina for watching Daniel when we had the Bachelor/Bachelorette party before the wedding).  We were able to have my father and Kate's parents over for July 4th and I made some burgers that were either charred beyond recognition or practically still in the packaging..not my brightest moment...BUT..I'll never give up, never surrender.  Keep on trucking.  I won't back down...etc...etc..I've turned into an old curmudgeon though for our Independence Day.  I'm not as big a fan of fireworks or flaming lanterns or whatnot.  It kept my son awake, almost caught my house on fire, and made mowing a big pain as half my lawn is littered with debris.  I guess I should lighten up (no pun intended)...but whatevs.  I've been there before.

Loved it.  Although...he IS a boy.

Vacation time!  I had a presentation at our NSBA summer workshop in Crete, NE (it went very well) and headed up to Glenwood, MN to meet up with the rest of the fam.  It was a nice drive until it got dark and I entered Minnesota.  The bugs were just really bad and the storms were quite intimidating...but I overcame it and arrived amid little fuss.  The weekend was great.  So nice meeting so many people, relaxing, swimming, golfing, walk/running, playing cards.  I'd say sleeping, but sleep was a little off because of our...well...umm...yeah, I'll just say it, our wonderful firstborn.  It wasn't terrible, but we always worried about our roommates waking up, so we spent much of the night coddling our young one so as not to cry and awaken our compadres. Thank you so much again to Grandma Ruth for setting up our cabin and everyone else who organized the event.  So nice.  We'll have some pictures below.

Traveling happily!

Danny and Dani.  She was SO helpful (along with many others).  Thanks!

Grandma Ruth's siblings.  So cool.

Taking care of his lil' cousin...although she looks terrified.

Sisters playing with Aunt Leona.

Walking with Grandpa E.

Lots of singing going on here!

After Glenwood, we headed to Minneapolis to stay at a hotel and see the Mall of America (MoA if you're local).  We did so with Kate's brother and his family.  It was a grand ol' time.  We swam in the pool, ate some pizza, slept lightly, shopped, ate at a restaurant that had a fire in the kitchen and had to close down WHILE we were eating (we finished our food and got out...don't worry).  It was great.  Following there, we headed to see some of my family in Fairmont, MN.  Thanks to my Aunt Tammy and Uncle Randy for hosting us.  It was such a blast and I only wish we could have visited more.  LOVED IT!  Got to spend time with my Grandpa too.  Really a great time.  He has a new cat that's a lot of fun to HANG with.  Thanks, Grandpa.  

Jack and Taylor.  Hanging out before we head to MoA.

Dad and son....and Mader (spelling?)

We arrived home on Wednesday...I think and have been keeping busy with school/family stuff since. Congrats to Jen and Queño on Elaina's baptism!  She's going to be a wonderful person (she already is)  It's been a great couple of weeks and summer's drawing to a close more quickly than we'd like to admit, but...hey...I'll never complain that I get to enjoy as much as I do.  Keep looking to the stars!

Baptism, sad I missed it, but it looked wonderful.

Just lazing around with his Uncle and Aunt.

Reading at a 1st grade level...upside down, but we'll take it.

He's practicing to be a chameleon.

Sleepy pants.  No..I'm serious, look how tired those pants are!

Face paint or food...

Alright...no puns..let's just wrap it up here.

10 Months!

We've hit the ever-popular 10-month mark!  That's right, 10 months ago, Daniel was being born right around now.  Way to go, dude!  A lot of exciting stuff has taken place in the past month in our lives and we still got lots of excitement left.  On Friday, the whole Elsasser clan moves north for a family reunion of our Grandma Ruth's siblings and family.  I think I speak for most when I say we are extremely thrilled for it to come.  I also was graciously asked to do a presentation at our NSBA summer convention which also happens this Friday.  What a cool honor.  Very stoked to do it.

Working backwards, this past week, Kate's final unmarried sibling, Rick wed Jackie.  What a fantastic wedding and reception.  We'll certainly miss the weddings, as they were so much fun, but I still got one left on MY side.  Daniel behaved very well for the ceremony and slept quite well for my father who watched him that night.  

Out of order, but I don't feel like "backspacing", so I had my 10-year high school reunion this past weekend.  I know...I know...I barely look over 15.  So kind of you all to notice.  It was great though.  So many classmates and it was great to meet their spawns and significant others.  I should have taken more (or any) pictures, but it looks like it will be stuck in our memories (or other cameras).

Let's see, we had some bachelor(ette)((sp?)) parties, middle school band camp, hanging out, swimming...just been a very nice summer so far!  Although it's already nearing it's close for us, it's not done yet!  Enjoy some pics!

Just HANGING around

Looking a little DOWN there, buddy!

Hey, am I seeing DOUBLE?!

Working hard or HARDLY WORKING?!

Captain of the BOWLing team?!

Good guitar technique.

Hey...take a STAND!