Several weeks ago, on a very cold Sunday afternoon, we met with a photographer to get our yearly family pictures done. Melissa Asbury, the photographer, is a good friend and nurse in the ER at my last hospital.
We met at Antioch Park and did our best to not look frozen in the pictures.
Enjoy a couple of my favorites from the photo shoot:
A look over the blog reveals very poor publishing on my part over the month of November. Frankly, I was busy most of the month. When I wasn’t busy, I didn’t feel much like writing. Plus, the longer I was away from the blog, the harder it was to come back to it. What do I say? How do I explain why I was gone so long?
Well, I’ve decided that I need to return – if only to make myself do it.
The last post prior to my long blog-vacation was about Emily hurting her leg and needing to visit me in the ER. She did, indeed, only need a couple days of crutches and Motrin. She used the crutches until Friday afternoon and I pointed out that she was going to need to at least start putting weight on that leg while using the crutches. Being Emily, she made the decision to toss the crutches and just do it! In fact, within an hour of being off the crutches, she was bounding up and down the stairs as if nothing were wrong.
Anyways, she’s better.
There’ve been some piano recitals and a Christmas dance recital. I will work to get those configured for viewing on the blog.
Thanksgiving was nice – but it was just the four of us because I had to work the evening shift of the holiday and weekend following Linda made a wonderful ham dinner and we ate very well. She even bought a pie for me…
Once again, here’s to better attention to keeping the blog updated. Thanks for reading.
Linda had her birthday today.
We were able to surprise her with a gathering of cycling friends at our house after she was done teaching. Thanks to Nan, Chris, Dave, Mary Beth, and Stephanie for braving the cold to join us at the house for snacks and drinks.
Linda received her cold weather riding pants and some new (faster) tires – so she’ll be able to join all our biking friends for more cold-weather rides.
Happy Birthday, Linda. We all love you very much.
I received a text message while at work the other evening. It was from Linda and it stated, Can you call me? Em has been hurt. I called and found out that Anna had tripped and falln on her and she couldnt or wouldnt move her leg. I instructed her to move her to the couch and give her some Motrin and monitor her for a while. Checked back in an hour later and she was no better. Fortunately, it was a relatively quiet night in the ER, so I had Linda bring her in to be evaluated.
I always enjoy my workmates meeting my family, but this was not how I wanted it. However, Emily was just about the cutest patient that night and all the nurses loved her. X-rays were normal and I was able to bring her home and put her to bed.
Awaking the next morning, she still had quite a bit of pain and was limping badly. I drove to Wal-Greens and purchased a pair of adjustable crutches (fits 47 to 67). She loves the crutches and is flying around on them. Of course, getting to use the elevator at school and getting extra attention aint too bad, either.
Figuring a couple days and some Motrin will be all she needs.
Sally is all dressed and ready for Halloween. Here’s to a safe evening for all the kids out trick-or-treating.
This past Saturday was my birthday – and it was the day of the KSU-KU Sunflower Showdown in Lawrence. I wrote about the results of the game a few days ago and mentioned that we watched the game with friends on the DVR. I noted that we had wonderful chinese takeout, but I didn’t mention that we also had Butterfinger Ice Cream Cake. Additionally, we toasted with some birthday cake-flavored vodka – which was quite delicious and potentially dangerous.
The game was absolutely fun to watch, especially since we knew the outcome before sitting down in front of the TV. However, I think the best part of the evening was just hanging out with some very good friends. Linda and I are very lucky to have them.
Pictured in purple glory are Linda, Jennifer, Trey, Kaela, and the birthday boy:
Anna turned 14 a couple days ago. The obligatory birthday party with screaming teenage girls was held this past Friday night.
Instead of a birthday cake, Anna made cupcakes and frosted them herself – they were a really big hit. The best part is it took about 8 attempts to blow out the candles.
When all of Anna’s friends asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she asked for “anything pink or purple, anything Justin Bieber, or gift cards”. She got plenty of all the above.
My favorite picture of all the gifts being opened has to be when she realized she got a Justin Bieber doll.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNA. You are really growing up into a wonderful young woman!
So, K-State went in to Lawrence for the second year in a row and handily beat KU with a score of 59-21. Once again, the Cats won with tough, fundamental football and some special teams plays that were worthy of highlights on ESPN (including another Tyler Lockett kickoff return for a touchdown). Defense played well and really only gave up 2 touchdowns throughout the game as the final KU touchdown came with 1 second left in the game against the 2nd string. In fact, the 2nd string offense came in during the 4th quarter and also scored on the Hawks.
I had to work during the game, but was able to keep an eye on the score during the day. I DVR’d the game and was able to watch it with friends after work with some take-out from Bo Lings.
PS – Happy 14th Birthday to Anna. You have become quite the young woman. We are so proud of you. (More on Anna’s birthday to come in a future post).
Upon waking this morning to get ready for work, I found a sign hanging from the kitchen entryway. It said:
—Hey Daddy. Hope you have an awesome birthday. Im sorry Im not here to say it right now, but Happy Birthday. Have a great day!! Love, Emily. P.S. Go Cats.—
41 years and counting…
Yes, Im wishing for a K-State win at KU today in the Sunflower Showdown.
Every semester, Miss Nina allows the parents one day to come into the dance studio to watch the students at work. Other class dates are strictly off-limits for parents. This week was watch day and we were able to watch Anna and Emily at tap, ballet, and tumbling exercises (which are used for strengthening and flexibility).
Anna and Emily have been taking dance from Miss Nina since they were in preschool (about 9 years now). If you haven’t heard us talk about Miss Nina before, she is awesome and very respected by the girls. It should be added that she is well over 80 years old.
Enjoy the short 4-minute video.