Bam, I remember it like yesterday.  My wife took a pregnancy test and at the age of 40, we realized we were going to add to our clan.  What a surprise....after all the difficulties we went through to conceive Evan and Owen....this happens now!  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  Well, we are blessed to have our little addition.  Liam was born Nov. 19th -- just 14 hours before I was to leave to go to Las Vegas on business for 10 days -- I have a little responsibility in producing a trade show and needless to say, I won't be winning any husband of the year awards for leaving my spouse just shortly after Liam's birth.  At least I didn't miss his arrival!

Evan and Owen love their little brother.  We had a wonderful Christmas and it was truly special, as other family members have also been blessed with babies.  Little kiddos are everywhere.

So weird, I have friends from high school who talk to me about their kids getting ready for college...and here I am with a 2 month old baby.  I guess Liam is going to keep my young....either that, or age me faster.

PS....so proud of Evan and Owen.  They are doing great in Kindergarten.  They've adjusted so well and have many friends. 

Kindergarten....not too far away :(

Hard to believe Evan and Owen will be 5 years old in May.....time flies. This week, they registered for Kindergarten at the same school I went to when I was a kid.

School starts on August 15th....I will need to remember to stock up on Kleenex...as their Mom is going to be a complete mess. She has already warned me that their first day of school is going to be tough on her....a sign that her babies....well, are no longer babies.

We have a lot to look forward to in the next few months....trips to Silver Dollar City, Easter, Birthdays, hanging out at the pool, and learning to play basketball. Evan and Owen went to their first basketball camp last weekend and really liked it. They love watching hoops with me and going to Missouri State basketball games.

It has been awhile since I last posted...just a few memories I want to log....before they slip my mind.
1) As a family, we went to Arrowhead in December to watch the Packers vs. Chiefs. The Chiefs upset the Packers...what a great "first NFL game" experience for Evan and Owen.

2) Evan and Owen went to Kelli and Jeremy's house while we went to the Brad Paisley concert. We picked them up after 11 pm...they were fast asleep when we put them in the car. The next morning they woke up in their own beds and were so mad they were not at Kelli and Jeremy's. After all, Kelli had made Brownies and we did not have any at our house :)

3) Owen and Evan recently went to the dentist. The dental assistant asked each boy separately ...."What do you want to be when you grow up?" Both responded, "I want to be a Dad!" Made me feel good.

Until later..........

10 Precious Moments in the last few weeks

10.) Owen singing "I Can't Tell You Why" by the Eagles.
9.) Without any prompting, Evan came over to me and said, "You're the best Dad ever...I love you."
8.) One night after dark, Owen, Evan and I were laying in bed playing with their "Flashlight Dino" toy from Toy Story 3. We were making spooky shadows on the wall using our hands. While they were busy making shadows, I went into the closet and put on my werewolf mask and then quietly went back into the room. I scared the *&^$ out of them both.....their screams went to a nervous laugh after they realized it was me....I'm so mean.
7.) A few weeks back, I was driving the boys to school. Owen suddenly asked me if "Mamacita" was a bad word. I said, "I'm not sure....use it in a sentence." Owen replied, "Heeeyyyy Mamacita!" -- I said...probably not a good idea to use the word Mamacita.
6.) The entire family went on a hike in the Nature Trails. Evan looked up at his Mom and I and said, "I love the woods...I don't want leave the woods....ever!!" He loves the outdoors.
5.) We were flipping through the channels and came across the movie Jurassic Park. The boys love dinosaurs. We knew some scary parts were getting ready to happen so we told them we needed to turn it off......they screamed at us and said leave it on....so we did. Next thing you know, a T-Rex attacks....they both cover their eyes and said "TURN IT OFF!!!!"
4.) The boys always want me to measure how tall they are ....which we track on a wall near the laundry room. I measured them last week and they both grew about one-half inch in the last 6 weeks. Evan looked at me and said, "Dad, one of these days I am going to be big and you will be small." If that means I will lose some weight....I hope he is right........
3.) Several weeks back, we had to euthanize the family pet because of kidney failure. My wife and I were crushed -- we went to the Humane Society and adopted our cat, Mattie, on Sept. 11th, 2001 -- a few hours after the terrorist attacks. For many years, that cat was our "kid." She was truly a family member. I was worried how Evan and Owen would react to the news....so after school, I got them home and explained that Mattie's body had stopped working. Expecting a few tears...they both look at me and happily say, "Can we get a dog now?" Kids.....
2.) On a drive to school, I was asking the boys where they wanted to go to college. I explained that they would go to college to learn and prepare themselves for a career. Evan then says..."Dad, when I go to college, I am going to find me a Hubba Hubba and get married...." I think I almost wrecked the car. Dad has many lessons to teach that young man :)
1.) To often, I get caught up in the morning routine of getting the boys ready for pre-school; driving them to school; dropping them off and driving to work. Today, I dropped them off -- they immediately went out to the playground to play with other kids. Rather than immediately leaving...like I normally do....I stopped, and watched my kids play with other kids for a while. Blows my mind on how quickly my little men have have grown up. Watching them play with other kids causes a little fear to creep into my head....for how much longer will Dad "be cool"???

Soccer Gargling etc.

Evan and Owen are currently in their second season of youth soccer at the YMCA. Teaching 3-4 year olds the game of soccer is like herding cats. A few weeks ago, during their second game, Evan came to the sideline to get a drink of water and then rushed back to the game action.

I noticed he was running around aimlessly with his head tilted back...and I could not figure out what he was doing...as he should have been trying to chase down the soccer ball. He then ran a little closer to me and I could hear something in his mouth making noise...ahhh, yes, he was "gargling" his water during the game. Last year, he laid down during a game....at least he was upright this time around. Perhaps it will be awhile before he has interest.......

Our kids are downright spoiled when it comes to things like Easter...birthdays...Christmas and so on. We had family over for Easter this past weekend, and all told...each got about 6 Easter baskets full of goodies. We have enough chocolate to last until next year!!

This Friday, their "Early" Birthday present will be installed in the backyard. They have been asking for a swingset...and of course....they'll get it. I can't wait to see the expression on their face when they see it...it has all the bells and whistles. It has a fort, 10 ft slide, rock climbing wall, swings, monkey bars, a glider....I think they'll love it.

Hard to believe my little guys are turning 4 years old. But with age comes some great moments as a dad...like when one of them says, "Dad, you are my best buddy." Yes....yes I am.

Big Changes

It has been quite awhile since my last post. My wife started a new job in November....which meant daycare for both Evan and Owen. Though the change is tough on Mom, Evan and Owen adapted pretty well. We've gotten into a pretty good routine...Dad gets them up in the morning and gets them ready for school. I then pile them into the car and drive to school. We practice counting and dodging squirrels on the way. Mom usually picks them up.

They have learned so much. They are starting to write their names....their vocabulary has expanded (some good...some bad):)

Evan and Owen have had a big year. They were aliens for Halloween. We wrapped their wagon in tin foil...which served as the spaceship. They were spoiled rotten at Christmastime.

Mom had to go out of town quite a bit in January....and the boys missed her a lot....so did I...but don't tell Mom (she might get a big head).

Valentine's Day is tomorrow...the boys have already been showered with candy and gifts. Boy...do they have my heart.

The little things that matter most

I've been making it a habit to purchase some 99 cent "Hot Wheel" cars for Owen and Evan every week when I go to the grocery store. When I give them their new cars, they get so excited and say "thank you Daddy, I love you." Talk about a return on your investment. Of course, I have now created some expectation.....everytime I go anywhere, they ask, "Did you go to the store and get some new toys?" They are just too funny.

We just concluded Owen and Evan's first participation in Tee-ball. They played a "game" last night and absolutely loved it. Owen was contorting his body and swinging so hard at the ball, he almost corkscrewed himself into the ground...but he had several good hits. Evan, who did not express much interest during our tee-ball practices, was very involved in the game. He loved running the bases and did a pretty good job of fielding the ball. When they batted, they wore helmets that seemed bigger than they were, which made for some interesting base running. Owen was very intense about his base running, but occassionally the big helmet would cover his eyes and he would lose his way. Evan liked the base running too, however, his favorite part was kicking the dirt on the infield and making dust fly...gotta love it. They really like going to the Sonic afterwards and getting a Cherry Limeade. Next up...is soccer in August.....

Some vacation days are coming soon....we are going to try a camping trip...wish us luck!!

Almost 3!!!!

Where does time go....Evan and Owen turn 3 on May 30th! When I go back and read this blog, it seems like we have been through so much, yet it has gone by so fast. Every year, I think back to the day they were born...how I almost missed it...but got scrubbed in and witnessed their births just minutes after I got to the hospital. I remember being so scared because they arrived 7 weeks early. The time spent in the NICU at Cox South...so thankful for all the care they got. Getting them home and having to manage 4 months of them both being on apnea monitors....remembering how freaked out we got when an alarm went off. I think about the torticollis issues that have challenged Owen, and rejoice in seeing his improvement..even today.

In times of reflection, it makes me appreciate more the efforts of my wife who unselfishly devotes every waking hour to taking care of our boys. I am grateful that I work for an organization that puts family first. I have great co-workers who tolerate me gushing about my kids and listen to my "twin horror stories" :) I am blessed to work in an industry that celebrates community and provides entertainment and education for children and people of all ages.

And of course family...Collette and I have a great support structure...thank you DiDi, Max, Nana, Papa, Grandma, Kelli, Jeremy, Stacy, Krista, Cindy, Roy, Marissa and Ryan (and many others). Bottom line, I (we) have a lot to be thankful for......

No post could be complete without an update on Evan and Owen. Sometimes I wish I could keep them at this age forever...they are so much fun. When I kiss them goodbye in the morning and go to work, they'll tell me they love me. Sometimes I go home for lunch and they'll ask if I am going to put my play clothes on and play. When I get home from work in the evening, they'll ask me if I have to go back to work and I say "not until tomorrow"...which immediately makes them smile, because they know it is playtime with Dad. Kinda makes me smile ...just thinkin' about them.....I love my 'little buddies'.