November Rain

Take it away slash...

Bittersweet Symphony

Great song with a dark outlook on life. I used to adhere to this type of thinking, but bringing kids into the world has a way of changing your outlook. Now it's just a neat sounding song that brings back memories of a former self. Enjoy!

Back at Ya, John!

I've really tried to avoid going political with this blog, but seeing how John McCain has taken the low road with his Obama is a celebrity in the likeness of Paris Hilton and Britney Spears ad...



I was pleased to see that Obama's campaign has struck back. Take that John!



Paris Hilton also responded to the ad, and it's brilliant. Take that too, John!



When a "celebrity" like Paris Hilton can out gun the Republican contender for President intellectualy, what does that say about the state of the Republican party?

Truckloads.

The Unicorn in the Garden

An old classic that still makes me smile.

Little Willy

Imagine

A Night with the AVP

The AVP stopped in Bloomington on their 2008 Hot Winter Nights Tour, and we were there to watch the action.

Here Michele is posing with 6' 3" Kerri Walsh who currently ranks second in all-time wins.

 

Michele poses with Holly McPeak who took the women's title at the night's event.

 

Here is Michele posing with Angie Akers who finished second.

 

We had a great time, we really loved it that the athletes were so accessible. Michele's already in the planning stage to catch them in Chicago this spring.

Oldie but a Goodie

Prairieland Powerbots

Up to now I haven't blogged much about this year's robotics. I plan to post a bunch of photos and talk about the season when I get a chance, it's just a very busy time right now. This photo was taken at the Regional Tournament in Peoria.

For a preview, I do have some photos uploaded at Shutterfly, feel free to check em' out.

Victory!

 

Last night it was Parkside vs Tremont, and the final match of the evening featured our one and only Alex who came out on top. He fought like a champion.

The Disintegrator

School Board Presentation

Today, the Prairieland Powerbots robotics team stood before the Unit 5 school board to present their findings from an energy audit they conducted at their school. The presentation and audit completed two requirements for this year's F.I.R.S.T. Lego League Robotics Challenge. This was the Powerbot's 3rd presentation to "members of the community", and they were awesome.

This weekend we will be going to Chicago for the State competition, after finishing 4th in the Regional competition in December. I'll be posting pictures when I get a chance, it's been a very busy last couple of months.

Lady Madonna

Merry Christmas!

 

We had a lot of fun opening presents this year. The kids had asked for an Xbox 360 as their major gift. We got it for them, but decided to have a little fun giving it to them.

It was the only present that wasn't under the tree, so after everything was opened, we asked them if they had had a good Christmas. They both answered politely that they had, but we could tell that they seemed a teensy bit down. I then reached up towards the top of our tree and pulled out a folded piece of paper stuck in the branches and exclaimed "what's this?". they both perked up, walked over, and started reading from the note. It said:

A grand gift awaits, but you must solve this riddle to find the next clue:

I am under a place of slumber
in a room with a view of lumber

They knew immediately that it must be referring to one of our bedrooms facing the backyard where we have our wood stacked. When they looked under Nick's bed, they found a bag containing a can opener. They looked a little perplexed, but opened it at our urging. Tucked in the packaging they found another note, this one said:

I'm on the table
without a label,
open me
and set me free

They remembered a can sitting on our kitchen table that Michele and I had earlier drawn attention to. We had asked them who put it there, and where was the label? All tongue in cheek of course, we knew exactly where it had come from.

They used the can opener, and inside they found another note, this one said:

Come down...
...and PLAY!

Now they knew to run down the basement. In front of the tv they found a stack of presents containing the Xbox 360, extra controllers, and assorted games. They were delighted!

I'm sure it's a Christmas they won't soon forget.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all some good gaming. I know we will. :)

Civil War in Four Minutes

This is really cool. It's an animation showing the land held by the North and the South throughout the Civil War, as well as the casualties as they mounted. Gives a unique perspective of the war, both in the context of its geographical bounderies, and its cost in human lives.

Winter Fun

A small winter storm last weekend inspired some winter fun. Here are Alex and Nick sledding with cousins Jessica and Anna. John and I were on hand to record the event for posterity.

 

 

 

 

Wrestling

Alex has added another sport to his growing repertoire by joining the Parkside wrestling team. Here he is in his first match of the first meet, which he won handily.

 

 

He wasn't as fortunate in his next two matches, but there's a whole season in front of him.

More Jazz

Alex and the Parkside Jazz band performing their Christmas concert. These guys just keep getting better, and better.

 

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

No better way than with the Trans Siberian Orchestra, these guys Rock!

Jazz Concert

Here are a few shots taken at Alex's first Jazz Band concert. He is one of two 6th graders who were offered positions in the band, the rest are 7th and 8th graders. They sounded great, we found ourselves dancing in the atrium.