Ryder Cup 2012

The Ryder Cup was in Chicago this year, and in fact, was just a few miles from our home at Medinah Country Club.  One of the guys at my office was volunteering at the course, so I mentioned to Marci that she should tell Grandpa Dean to see if he could get a role.

Dean contacted the course and was able to secure a volunteer spot, in fact just made it under the deadline. Meaning, free labor for the PGA and a great time for Dean.

Dean worked a cash register in one of the huge tents.  He also was able to get some passes for the practice sessions.  The course was beautiful and it was a fun event.  The course was packed and it was amazing to see how many people they could fit around each hole.  The Americans lost, which is of course a bummer, but the event was fun nonetheless.

On celebrity day, we caught site of Justin Timberlake and Bill Murray.  We tried to find some pants like Murray's for Dean, but struck out.

Brandon's Baptism - September 29th 2012

Brandon's special day!  Grandma and Grandpa Allen came to visit and Grandpa Bob.  It was an awesome week!  Brandon is such a sweet kid and he was really excited to be baptized.  Brandon asked his brother Austin and his Grandma Nancy to give the talks.  Matt baptized and confirmed him a member of the church.  

Austin's Football Fall 2012

We decided at the last minute to let Austin play football.  He finally made his weight limit and could play WITH his age group.  The varsity coach was a type 1 diabetic and we thought it would be a good experience for Austin to play for a coach who understood his needs.

It was a long hard season but Austin really learned so much.  He played many different positions.  This is the first time he has been able to "touch" the ball.

Homecoming Game.  The mom's were presented with flowers.

Many many practices and lots of games but in the end it was a great season!

Reagan's Flowers

Our flower bed along our front walk is long and narrow and normally holds a few flowers, but if we plant too many, they hang over on the sidewalk and make it difficult to get to the front door.  Marci and I normally choose some small colorful flowers and by the end of summer they fill the flower bed.

Reagan brought home a packet of flowers as a Mother's Day gift from preschool and immediately started pestering us to plant her flowers.  We kept telling her we would get to it, but life got in the way and every day would pass without us planting and with her still asking.  This went on for a few days and then Reagan stopped asking and we forgot about the flowers.

Reagan didn't forget though and started to water the seeds she had "planted", or rather had dropped on the mulch.  She faithfully watered the spot with her water bottle and told us every day that she was waiting for her flowers to grow.

We were so excited when her flowers sprouted and we could see the pure joy in her eyes as she watched her flowers grow.  She had dropped the entire packet in one spot, and as you can see, they just took off.  Needless to say, they were our favorite flowers for the year and everytime we walked up the front steps we were reminded of Reagan's persistence and faith in planting and watering her flowers.

Brookfield Zoo - September 28th

We had a free day this past fall and decided to head out to the Zoo.  The older kids always grumble about "going with the family" but then always have a fun time.  I'm sure they'll appreciate it as they get older, and Marci and I always have a good time with them all together.  Makes me want four more!!

Is it summer?  Is it fall?  Austin lives in a perpetual summer/basketball season.  Shorts, hightops and t-shirt - it is like a teenage uniform.  Regs and I like the stylish look of baggy in the bum jeans...

Grandma Nancy was in town for Brandon's baptism and came along for the trip.  We always have fun with Grandma in town.

Here is the crew.  All but the photographer - Marci is so good at documenting, but we don't get her in near enough of our pictures.

Clearly pure torture being together, having fun.