September 29

A Family's Little Angel

On September 29, 2006, a little angel flew into our lives.

Even though we weren't able to see her breathe or hear her cries.

Her name is Halle Lynn Klug of Odin, Kansas.

Her mother is Kiley.

Her father is Gavin.

Such a beautiful little girl with hair already starting to curl.

We can feel your love so great with such a tiny heart.

That emotional bond which we will always be a part.

My God, how could you put these young parents in such despair?

Yes, You are a just God, but for Your reason, not always fair.

By taking Halle, You have committed this family to enormous grief.

Please, please, please Lord by Your great love, give us some relief.

Halle, we will dream of summers with Mommy and softball.

And yes, hunting with Daddy's little girl in the fall.

So, Halle, on this Feast of Guardian Angels, protect your family.

The Lord gave you wings before you could even say hello.

Console us as you rest with peace on Jesus' pillow.

(poem from Grandpa read at memorial service)

Halle, we love you and miss you every day

Grandma Jean's Birthday

It landed during a visit this year

Ice cream cake

Singing

Dinner at Garozzo's

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEAN!

4th Annual Metro KSU Game

Kansas State vs. the other KSU - Kent State

Check out this Purple Pride

We were able to meet Willie and get his autograph!

Wildcats 37

Kent St 0

I'm beginning to think we're bringing the Cats good luck.

Another great year

Can't wait for the next!

AND, a Wildcat victory... not a bad anniversary gift

Happy 6th anniversary, Kev!

Lapse in Judgement

Sometimes parents (Dad) don't make the best decision

All the bonus points he earned for being patient enough to allow the kids to help with dinner were wiped out when he handed them knives

(no children were harmed as a result)

Watch for my next post... "Scissor Races"

Old Settlers Day Parade

starring adrienne

Ringling Bros. 2

Independence

yep. fixed that hair all by herself

Dear Kendall

Today is September 12, 2011 and you are 2. I just allowed you to go potty by yourself because you were extremely insistent. In the process of wiping you hit your Dora bracelet on the side of the toilet and it dropped into the pot in which you already did your business. You were frantically screaming and begged me to get it out. I removed my watch and fished it out with my bare hand.

You can expect to hear about this in the future when you are screaming at me, asking why I hate you and complaining about how you never get what you want.

Love,

Mom

First Day of School

It fell on the same day for Max and Kendall this year. Max started Pre-K and Kendall began her last year before starting preschool.

I can't believe how big they look...

I've been looking forward to this day for a long time... a few hours to myself to get some things accomplished. It was nothing like I expected. I wondered around and was totally inefficient with my time. I felt a little sad and lost.

What in the hell happened to me???

Hoisington Parade

For the second year in a row, we hit the Labor Day parade the day after Owen's birthday party. As you can see, Owen was still recovering from his party. We sat with all of our cousins and picked up loads of candy.

Owen is 4

Happy Birthday to the sweetest BIG boy ever!

Royals Crown Club

seats behind home plate

next to the boston dugout

all you can eat

all you can drink

great company

a royals victory

i've waited my whole life for this day!

Hours of Entertainment

An old trumpet found in Phil and Gail's basement. Max was even able to get the right sound out of it... Grandpa would have been proud.

How Awesome

are these new PJ's?

Rib Off 5 - The Year of the Crock Pot

It's the beginning of the 2011 college football season which means it's time for the 5th Annual Rib Off at the Maximuk's. Kev finally decided to compete in the rib-bbq'ing contest for the first time in the competition's history. Despite the inherent risk of humiliating ridicule and the almost certain fate of a last place finish, his cooking method of choice was not a smoker or a grill, but none other than a CROCK POT. The unorthodox method proved to pay off and earned him the title of Rib Off 5 Champion. While those who ate the crock pot ribs were savoring the delicious pork BBQ tastiness, the less successful competitors were tasting something that was not so much savory as it was bitter. Despite the underdog victory, the ridicule did not subside. No matter though, Kev's feelings were shielded by his newly acquired hardware.

US Open

Kiley and I have always wanted to go to the US Open, and this year we finally made it happen. Kiley had just turned 3-0, if it was ever going to happen, it had to be soon or she'd be too old to make it in the big city. We attended a morning session and an evening session.

Don't mean to name drop but...

Djokovic (current men's #1- and he walked right by us)

Wozniacki (current women's #1)

Andy Roddick and Brooklyn Decker

Sharapova

Tsonga

Verdasco

James Blake

Li Na

Ivanovic

John McEnroe

Traci Austin

Brad Gilbert

Todd Martin

Regis and Joy Philbin

... they were all in the house. It was totally awesome.

When we weren't watching tennis, we hit Times Square, Ground Zero, and the Statue of Liberty. Not bad for 2 days.

Happy birthday not-so-little sister!

Now Playing

TOY STORY and ANIMAL HOUSE

starring a thrifted bed sheet attached to 2x4's hanging by ropes from our back yard trees

grab your lawn chair, popcorn, grapes and enjoy a double feature on a blanket under the stars and tiki torches

Max's First Soccer Game

there was no standing around watching other kids get after it

max was on that ball like stink on poo

there wasn't an inch of that field that his little cleats didn't touch

and he only touched the ball with his hands once!

Pony Rides

compliments of the Price Chopper block party

T-Ball Party

you're looking at the "most improved player on the team" according to the volcanoes head coach

this being max's first attempt at a team sport, kev and i had no idea what we were in for

we're happy to say that we couldn't be more proud of this kid. he got after it and had a blast doing it

Back to Middle School Party

Ten 12-year-old almost 7th graders

hamburgers and dogs

ice cream sundaes

lots of cheerleading stunts

We've enjoyed our extra time with you the last several months, Adrienne! It's definitely not the same when you're not here.

Carousel Ride

Oak Park Mall

Goodbye Tiny Tots

Kendall has graduated from Tiny Tots gymnastics. Here she is receiving her first

certificate on the left (Oct '10), and her last on the right (Aug '11). As you

can see, our baby is losing her chubs :(

Despite her being slightly shy of the age requirement, the coaches have allowed her to move up to Tots. No more parent participation, we are mere spectators from here on out.

JoCo Fair

Corn dogs, the French Fry Brick, questionable rides, cotton candy, funnel cake, quality carnival game prizes from scary carnival workers, a brush with death on the Zipper, and some mutton-bustin left us wondering... are we still in JoCo???