Again, Why We Call Him A Monkey

Caleb, exploiting the "pull up" bar by grabbing the arm slings and "walking" up the walls.

Skool Got Me Thinking...

So the previous post got me wondering about past "1st days of skool"... 

I went backwards thru saved photos and was somewhat amazed!  Take a look.
 

I got a little sad when Calebber was missing from the early photos, but also the fact that in another 5 years, the older lad will be well into high school and then soon to fly the roost...   ugh...

1st Day of Skool, 2015 edition

Hard to believe that Larger American Boy is beginning 5th grade and Smaller Medium Chinese Boy is starting 2nd grade. 

Won't be but another blink or two until they're heading off to college... 

Family Reunion Weekend - Schmitz edition

Back to Family reunions... Sunday morning, we woke up in New Hampton, IA at the hotel and had breakfast there.  A small breakfast as we know what kind of chicken gizzards and homemade sausage lies before us, within mere hours.

So we had some time to kill so I took Caleb for a bit of a walk but it was nearly 110 degrees in the shade by 10:30 am (that's an exaggeration, but it was H.O.T!!!).  

Eventually we piled back into the van and drove around the metropolis of New Hampton driving past my Grandma and Grandpa's old houses, while I told stories of being an idiot kid. 

It was finally time to head to Lawler for the gathering...

This is a photo of Aunts and Uncles mostly with my mom in the pink shirt and white pants on the left.

And then my generation.  there are 26 in the photo and I'm not even sure how many more were missing.  Quite a few.

The after-dinner volleyball game that always breaks out.

New this year was a very large Jenga game which was a popular item.

As you can see, it gets pretty tall, pretty fast!

Poor Calebber can't even reach the top at this point.  The three kids playing this game got one layer higher than the adults who played previously.

And that pretty well does it for the reunions this year.  Until next time...

Family Reunion Weekend - Biwer edition

The first weekend in August was known as reunion weekend for us as we had my mom's side of the family on Saturday and my Dad's side of the family on Sunday.

So we'll start with Saturday.  Not a lot to say other than it was a lot of fun with a lot of food and good people that I haven't seen in far too long!

This is the nieces and nephews generation.  The larger American Boy and Smaller Chinese Boy are in black shirts in the front row.

This is my generation.  A motley looking crew, no doubt.

And my Momma's generation.

Two fine lookin' young fellas discussing the 3 no-no's.  Politics, religion and...  hunting, as it were.  That's me and my uncle Danny.  He was a little more free with both stories about himself growing up and some stories about my dad as well.

I wouldn't trust this table as far as I could throw'em.  My sister Doris is front left, Lesley is in there towards the back left, and then there's one aunt and the rest are cousins.

And speaking of a table of people not to trust!!  From left to right is my niece Leah, Robby, another niece, Matti, and my nephew Michael.  Those are my brother Vince's kids.

After dinner and some visiting, Uncle Danny took us on a wagon ride out to the farm so the kids could see the animals and us adults could see the farm that we all grew up visiting.  An excellent idea as we all had a blast!

My beautiful bride, Lesley and my lovely sister Doris on the wagon ride.

That's me and yet another niece, Zoe.  We were discussing the finer points of growing up to be a good man...  or something.  I really don't remember what we were talking about, but I have no doubts that it was deep.

So that was Saturday...  next post will be the next day with the Schmitz family.

To Be Fair...

It's State Fair time. Do you know what that means? 

It means much crappier drives to and fro work for both me and the good woman.

I sort of feel bad that we have never taken Calebber to the Fair in his 3.5 years in America.  Well Aunt Molly remedied that silliness this year as she wanted to take the gorgeous lads to a Casting Crowns/For King And Country show on the opening night of the fair.

So, she did.

 

Caleb with his corn dog.

Robby with his pork tenderloin, topped with mustard.  Exactly as he would do it at home.

And so what happens when little boys get home with a great Aunt late at night?  They have to shower!  Why?  Caleb goes to Iowa City in the morning to participate in a new study.

Here is the lad at lunch in Iowa City.  He was dragged out of bed, literally, at 5:40 and was up, teeth brushed and ready to go by 6am.  He did some sleeping on the way to and fro, but not as much as you might expect.  And, if you think he looks nervous here, it's because he is!  After he's done eating, it's time for his MRI.

He did good in IC, but did not finish the MRI as his "ears got hot".

What can you do with little dudes...

Pool Boy's Pool Practice

Anybody who knows the "larger American boy", Robby, knows that he will spend countless hours in the water.

Doesn't matter where or when, if there's water, he'll be wanting to get in it.

Lately, he's been obsessing over another pool.  A pool table and can occassionally drive a fella nuts with his wanting to play.

I've given him multiple practice techniques and routines to go thru, and he does them, but he still longs to play all night, "like you and grandpa do".

I must say, he's getting there.  He's making good cuts.  Making some bank shots and even practicing english, which is what he's doing in the photo below.

He can't drive, 55!!!

Holy smokes and... well, other things holy. 

The hippie is driving the mower on his own!   I did all  the dangerous mowing, and we have plenty, so that he could focus on what was taught to him during his previous lessons.  

He did great!

When corners became too tight, he went long and rounded them off.  When he had a bit of a panic, he killed the blades and stopped the mower in about 2 seconds.  Most of all, he showed great focus and poise while he completed the section that I had left for him.  It'll probably be another 2 years from now when I let him do some more of the gnarly stuff but I am crazy proud of the boy for his efforts on this evening!