We'll miss you Grandpa

Well, This is the second time this year I have to put a shout out to a loved one. After a long struggle with his health the last year or so, Grandpa has passed away today and is now in a better place. My heart hurts for Mom and Dad, especially Mom. Even though we knew this was coming it doesn't make it easier. I want you all to reflect on how important your family is. Then give them a hug and tell them you love em. I will post later about some fond memories I have of Granpa, until then say a prayer for him and be thankful for what you got!

Don't put Daddy in charge!

click on picture to make bigger.

What do you get when you mix one so called adult, two eager to please boys, a little hair gel and some down time? Fun for the whole family. I think we could do anything to these two boys and they would still look cute. I don't know what was better watching the boys run around all excited about the new hairdo or the reaction from mom when she got home. Both were priceless. Maybe I am just living out my hair fantasy through them! If I only had some hair. I think that sounds like a song. Anyway, it could have been worse. I didn't use the clippers! The boys stayed that way the rest of the night. Scott said he wanted it to be like that for his Thanksgiving program (which he was an Indian). Shayla said Indians didn't have hair like that but I was first to remind her that yes they did.

Trick or Treat

We had plans for the boys to each be a Lego. Then Scott's plan trumped our plan. after hearing the boys in his class was ging to be a Ninja, Army man and Darth Vader, I guess a Lego is not cool enough. He decided to be a Tae Kwon Do man. That was an easy switch for us. We made Adam's costume with ease in mind. It was very simple and easy, right up my alley. They had a good time trick or treating but I think they had more fun passing out candy after getting home. Shayla, her parents and the boys stayed outside and passed candy out until people stopped coming. I was busy inside looking for razorbaldes, tampered candy and pencils in the candy. (Really I was looking for the chocolate and good stuff to hide from the boys.) 1 holiday down 2 to go. I almost forgot Scott's birthday as well on Dec 7th. Wake me up at the begining of '09.

Halloween

Here are a few pics of us boys and the pumpkins we carve. When I say we carve I mean Shayla and I carve while the boys run around the garage playing with toys. It was fun none the less. Scott's came down with a rare cleft lip that caused some extra space formed between his mouth and nose. We are not experienced enough for Scott because neither of us know how to make the eyebrows and the eyes without it looking like the pumpkin just saw a pie crust, whip cream and a knife. Adam didn't really have much to say about how his turned out. The forth pumpkin must have gotten into some pumpkin schnapps because it would not stand up by itself. That one found the trash can. I wonder if you can guess which one is mine? All I know is if they lose to Penn State Saturday there will be a video of me playing Babe Ruth to the pumpkin.

Still no luck with the video camera yet. It will come.

Back in the saddle!

Just a few bullets of the activities of the past couple months.

• Opened new office (very time consuming)
• Boys started school
• Shayla teaching science to preschoolers this year.
• Scott is up to a red stripe belt in TKD
• Adam has become a little Scott in way too many ways.
• Roof leak
• Vacation to the islands (for someone other than us!)
• Got a new camera and camcorder (don't know how to put it on computer yet)
• Tommy Bowden left (fired) Clemson
• I started reading a book. I don't know who Sam is but Sam I am!
• You notice I didn't say I finished a book
• We just passed the 1 year mark from putting Farley Down
• Adam is riding a big bike with training wheels

That is just a few things. So far the new office is going very well. It took a lot of work, patience and time but it is coming together. Once I get the camcorder online I will be rolling out the new videos of the boys doing their thing. Be on the lookout because they are in rare form these days.

Adam behind the pedals

Adam has finally decided to learn how to pedal. For the longest time he would not even try. The big wheel is a hit with him. Unfortunately when we tell him a car is coming he usually jumps off the bike and runs to the side of the road, completely abandoning the bike. I guess he figures it can take care of itself. That is a better reaction than riding more to the middle of the road though!

Update on Scott: He has learned to count to 10 in Korean and is ready for the next belt. I am trying to capture on video Scott and Adam counting in Korean. If I get it I should win something because that is the cutest thing ever and the most elusive thing ever. As soon as Adam knows we are listening he clams up and just smiles. All three start school in a couple weeks. I think Adam is ready and Scott already thinks he knows it all so this year should be a breeze for him. I worry more about Shayla! Let's say she puts a LITTLE pressure on herself at times like this. She thinks she is going to learn a lot this year (about science).

Adam singing

We have a song around here that I sang to the boys when they were little to get them asleep. Lately Adam likes to sing it while pretending to sleep. Here is his version of the song (you have to listen closely).
Lyrics: Nighty night, sleep tight, go to sleep little Adam. In the morning, when you wake up, everything will be alright.