Sledding with Kyle and Clara

While Mom tended to the house in preparation for the Superbowl, I took the kids over to our favorite sledding hill. It is actually on a vacant lot in our neighborhood, so we just walk over there. Well, I walk, and the kids ride in their sleds as I pull them. Today, I brought the camera. See below for some of the pictures and an explanation of each.

As you can see below, I pull the two kids out to the hill. Kyle in front with Clara trailing in her sled, which is attached to Kyle's.

Here is the hill. You can see that it is quite large. Kyle looks so small going up it.

Here are a couple of Clara from the top of the hill. She is giving me 2 tumbs up. By the way, notice the jump part way down the hill. It will be important later...

Here is how Clara and I go down the hill. I ride in a separate sled behind her and hang on to her's. It works well as I use her's to steer. She loves it.

Kyle at the top of the hill. Notice the jump toward the right.


Kyle has no fear! Good thing Mom stayed home!

Back up to the top...

Notice the smile on his face when he is jumping! And, his eyes are wide open.

Lil' Baker

Tracey and Clara made banana bread today. Both of them wore their bibs and chef hats. Take a look at Clara's.

Hannah Montana in 3D

Today, we went to Taylor's first birthday party! We had a super time. Below, you will see that the kids really got into the Hannah Montana movie in 3D. Cam and Dria have an awesome movie setup with Blu-ray which made the movie experience awesome for the kids.

A Crazy Thing Happened on the Way to CHS

I had a meeting this week at the GVSU Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences (CHS) in downtown Grand Rapids. This building is about a mile and a half away from the building I work in and it is right across the street from Spectrum Health. Parking in this area can be a hassle, not to mention, pretty limited. Therefore, GVSU provides a free shuttle bus service that runs between the two buildings every 5-7 minutes. Everyone I know downtown rides the bus . . . . . GVSU students, GRCC students, faculty/staff, community members, etc.

My ride over to the CHS building was very uneventful. The ride back on the other hand, was unlike any other.

When I got on the bus, I selected a window seat, and there was one, empty seat beside me. The last person to get on the bus was an older looker woman. I immediately felt like she didn't fit in for some reason, but didn't know why. Maybe it was her clothes or her overall demeanor . . . . . I don't know what is was for sure. Don't judge a book by its cover, right?

The woman sat down next to me and our coversation went something like this:

Woman: Hi, how are you?
Me: Good, how are you?
Woman: Oh, pretty good. I got my pop, ketchup, and salt and pepper (pointing to a Burger King bag that was on her lap).
Me: Oh.
Woman: I'm Barbara.
Me: Nice to meet you, Barbara.

Silence . . . . . . . pause, pause, pause

Barbara (leaning in close to me): You wouldn't happen to have any change on you that I could have to get something to eat, would you?
Me: No, sorry. I don't carry cash.

Okay, my suspicion that she might be a homeless person (which I didn't mention earlier), was beginning to seem more real. When she leaned in close to me, I thought I smelled alcohol on her breath. I was always taught that you should not give a homeless person any money. Instead, if you want to help them, you should give them food or clothing, etc.

Anyway, back to the story. After I told her I didn't have any money, she turned her attention away from me and started talking to some students across the aisle . . . . . . students who were eating pop tarts, which she asked them about. When that didn't go anywhere, she turned her attention back to me.

Barbara: How old are you? (out of the blue)
Me: Why do you ask?
Barbara: Oh, I don't know. You look like you're 18 (yeah, right!!!!!)
Me: I'm in my 30's.
Barbara: How old do you think I am?
Me: Oh, I don't know. I don't like to guess people's age. (Awkward, huh?)
Barbara: I'm 63!
Me: Really? You don't look 63.
Barbara: No, I am. I dye my hair (as she touched her hair).

Silence . . . . . . . pause, pause, pause

Barbara: You know, I had a grand mal seizure on a street in downtown Grand Rapids and was hit by a bus/truck (I can't remember which one). Look what happened to me.

Barbara then took her left arm out of her lap (which was tucked under her other arm), pulled up her sleeve, and showed me her hand, which had no fingers! She then proceeded to lift up her hat and reveal to me that the front part of her forehead and head, were slightly deformed.

Seriously, this really hapened to me (and her).

Me: Oh my gosh, that's awful. You're lucky to be alive. (What else do you say in this situation???)

Barabara then told me about her stay in the hospital (which she said was five years), her doctor, her prosthetic hand (which she didn't like), her attempt at a lawsuit and how her attorney is Sam Berstein, etc., etc., etc. The whole time I listened politely, nodded, etc., but wondered, when is this bus ride ever going to end??

Shortly therafter, we approached the YMCA, which is right across from my building. My meeting with Barbara ended with . . . . .

Barbara: You know, if you don't go in there (pointing to the YMCA) for a whole year, they'll let you stay in there all day. (I'm a member of the YMCA, so I know they offer a free, one day pass to folks once a year).
Me: Oh, really? That's good to know. I will keep that in mind, thanks. Oh, this is my stop. Goodbye.
Barbara: Bye.

Never before have I been in such a strange situation! I suspect that Barbara is indeed a homeless person who rides the bus downtown as a way to stay warm in the winter and solicit money and food. This was not the first time I have encountered a homeless person, or been approached for money. However, it was the first time that someone (a stranger) showed me their physical wounds. It was very, very awkward . . . . . . but sad, too.

Can you imagine if this had happened to you?

Visit from John

Today, John stopped over for a visit! It had been awhile since we all got together, so we exchanged our Christmas presents, shared stories, and played games with the kids. They love their "Uncle John."

I should also note that Tracey made a killer shrimp pasta meal that we thoroughly enjoyed!!! I am looking forward to leftovers tomorrow.

Note From School

Clara got a note sent home with her from school today. Here is what it said:

Clara took one bite of bread today but gagged and vomited. We changed her clothes and she came back and ate three pieces of peaches.

Clara's teachers are trying to work with her on eating more food, which I give them credit for. The note is in reference to the peanut butter sandwich (on bread) we sent in her lunch. It sums up how she is doing with her eating . . . . . . not very well. At least she ate some fruit though, right?

New Favorite Recipe

During the holiday break, I had some extra time to bake, cook, and try new recipes. I've tried a lot of banana bread recipes over the years, but this one is my new favorite. I think it might have something to do with the heavy cream . . . . . . probably not very healthy, but very yummy. Here is the recipe:

Tracey's Favorite Banana Bread
5 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups mashed, very ripe bananas (approx. 4)
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom only of 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Beat butter in large bowl with an electric mixer set at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat well. Add egg, egg whites and vanilla; beat until well blended. Add mashed banana, and beat on high speed for 30 seconds.

3. Combine flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder in medium bowl. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with cream, ending with flour mixture. Add walnuts to batter; mix well.

4. Pour batter evenly into prepared loaf pan. Bake until browned and toothpick inserted near center comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes.

5. Cool bread in pan on wire rack 10 minutes (I recommend 20 minutes). Remove bread from pan; cool completely on wire rack. Slice and serve.

Enjoy! :)

Happy New Year!

For the first time in a few years, Tracey and I went to a New Year's Eve party. Since having kids, we pretty much would just stay in, have a nice dinner, and watch the ball drop from the comfort of our living room. We feel it is much safer to be off the roads too.

This year, we were invited to a party at my neighbor Joe's. His house is right behind our's, so we just walked through the back yards. Although we were only there until about 10pm, we had a great time. It was fun to socialize with many of our neighbor friends and get caught up on the latest info.

Like last year, we told Kyle he could stay up to watch the ball drop if he could make it. This year, he did. And, as you can see by the photos below, he slept in his tent with his good buddy Max.

Christmas - Part Three (The Finale)

Our last Christmas party was at Grandpa Bill and Grandma Connie's house in Montague. As usual, my mom went all out on food and decorations. Everything was delicious! She also had the kids (Kyle, Clara, Reilly and Addie) help her make a holiday treat, which involved pretzels, rolo candies and walnuts. It was very kid friendly and it was great having an organized activity for the kids. Thanks, Grandma Connie and Grandpa Bill for your warm hospitality. It was a great way to bring our holiday celebrations to a close.