Mystery Solved

I swear I've always said that the washer eats socks just to be funny; to explain one of those Bermuda Triangle kind of things that happens all the time. I now have proof that my washer really does eat socks.

I've been getting an error message, on my fairly new high end washer, that said the drain wasn't working properly. It being New Year's Eve, and there being no shops open until next year, I got adventurous and began taking the thing apart. I discovered and internal filter on the drainage system. This is what it looked like. And yes, that is three socks, a dime, and some lint blocking up the works. Kearsyn thought it was funny. I have no idea how this stuff got in there, since the water has to leave the washer via the holes in the side of the stainless steel drum. I guess it just got hungry.

Now I have to go see if this fixed the problem and see if I can re-assemble my very expensive washer.

Happy New Year everybody.

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve constructing and decorating our gingerbread house and people. I wish I could say we baked our own gingerbread but the best we could do was to assemble a pre-fab house. I am also ashamed to say that much of the result was consumed before I could get a picture of the finished product.








Kenzie also made her umpteenth batch of cookies, some of which survived beyond the normal cookie lifespan in this house full of sweet-teeth; perhaps because of an epidemic of gingerbread overdose.

Vicki took half the kids to 5 o'clock Mass; Tay, Ty, and Kenzie sang in the choir. This year was Vicki's turn for Midnight mass, but I got to go instead. This was Kenzie's first time as Altar Server for the Midnight Mass. She called the rectory weeks ago to make sure she and her brothers got this Mass. Alex has done it several years, and Connor as well. Last year would have been her first chance to serve this Mass, but someone else got scheduled instead. She was very excited, and a little sleepy.

Brr, again, addenedum

I was going to let the kids have off school for the next two weeks, to follow along with the public school schedule. Now, it seems, the only room in the house with reliable heat (I just jinxed us, didn't I?) is the classroom. Who wants to bet the kids won't mind being a little chilly vs doing school?

Brr, again

At least once a month our furnace breaks down. The technician that comes to fix it always says this'll be the last time he needs to come here for the season. I always tell him that I'll see him soon. I'm always right, at least until April, when I won't see him again until October/November.

This morning (5:00 am) I was dreaming a pleasant dream about moving back to the country where all you need to keep warm is pile of firewood, when Vicki woke me up and told me the furnace is not working, it's 60 degrees in the house, and it's 15 degrees outside. I guess the phone only connects to the furnace emergency repair operator when I am holding it (the phone, no the operator). So, I got up to make the call. To top things off, our backup LP gas stove (for heating, not cooking) is on the fritz, too. So now, all of our electric heaters are plugged in and sucking up the juice like electricity grows on trees, right next to the money.

I just checked on the kids. Now I know what human popsicles, wrapped in blankets, looks like. They're all still asleep, but not looking too happy. Wait 'til they wake up!

Another Zits Cartoon

Alex doesn't bug us to let him drive quite this badly, but I expect it's only a matter of time.

Connor's Poster(s)

Here's Connor's award-winning posters. This year's earned him second place and $25. Last year's earned him third place and $10.

2008 Poster:

2007 Poster:

Another Soccer Trophy

Connor's team took second place in their U13 division of the BBSL. They got their trophies last night at the Baltimore Blast game. Here's Connor with his trophy. We also found out this morning that he took second place in the church "Keep Christ in Christmas" poster contest. If he'd spent more than a half hour on it, the night before it was due to be turned in, he might've gotten first. He got third last last year, so this is a step up. Next year is the last year he'll be young enough to enter, so he better aim for first. He'll get his cash reward tomorrow morning.

School Board Day

Today's the day we get to go to our Winter meeting with the county school board. It's basically the only legal requirement we have, to be allowed to homeschool here. I still thinks it's too intrusive. I am of the belief that how I raise my kids is my business, not the government's, so I do my part to punish their intrusiveness by overwhelming their system during review time. Here's what the homeschool monitors will have to deal with today. It's what my kids kids have done so far this year:

Now, add to that pile of stuff to be looked through a three month old baby, a two year old toddler, and a four year old ball of energy, and imagine the chaos that will ensue in that meeting room. Oh, and it's pouring down rain today, so everybody, and everything will be soaking wet. When we're done, we'll go visit Poppop, who is the HR Director for the county school system. This usually is good for a bit of disruption in the HR department, but I think he secretly relishes these little visits at his office.

And the fringe benefit for the kids is, I let them sleep in and skip school today. This counts as one of those numerous "Professional Development Days" public schools stack their schedule with.

Christmas Village

Here's this year's version of our village. It's getting too big for it's normal location under the piano.

And here's our new Advent candle holder. We used to have an Advent Wreath, but it was getting old.

Only a Kid

could sleep this way. Wow.

Snowman: Updated

I recently received an accessory for my snowman: another snowkid. My mother gave him to me when we only had five kids, and he only had five snowkids in his arms. I think it was supposed to be a visual aid of what five kids looked like, and that I had my hands full, and we didn't need any more kids. We've just added little snowkids as new ones arrived. Now up to eight, the snowdad's arms do look a little stretched, but he could probably squeeze some more in there; they're all pretty flexible.

The Kid Switch

A ten year old girl has taught me that nothing is permanent. As soon as you think you know where you're going, expect to change direction. Five years ago, Kenzie was going to be a dancer/singer, with a little soccer playing thrown in on the side. Dance classes, a select children's choir, and piano lessons had her well on her way. Four years ago, she was going to be the world's greatest female soccer star. Select soccer and private lessons had her well on her way. Two years ago until two days ago, she was going to college on a softball scholarship (so the plans were). Club level softball on an elite softball team had her well on her way. Two days ago, she told me missed all the stuff she gave up in order to play top level softball. Softball is now in limbo. She's now back in the church choir (not the"select" choir she was previously in), focusing more on her piano (she wants to pass Connor, I think), and hoping to get back into baseball, with the boys, in the Spring, not to mention the travel soccer team she has never completely given up on. I don't know about the baseball, but I hope she doesn't give up on the softball; there are other, less demanding options than the travel ball she was playing.

Anyway, back to the current Life Change, that of leaving the RB Spirit 12U team. I think it's a bigger kicker for me than her. I absolutely love the sport, and the level of competition that these girl play at. I also have to accept the fact that the sport demands way more from us than a family of ten can afford to give: time, money, more time, more time, and more time. After reflecting upon the past two years (really only the past year, which was the most busy), I realized how little time I spent with anyone but Kenzie. I missed most of whatever it was that the other kids were doing: baseball, soccer, football, piano recitals, growing up. And, to be honest, some of the people I met I didn't like; some of them I came to like very much. But none of them were my family. Speaking of family, it occurs to me how little I saw of my own parents and sister over the past year, compared to previous years. Wow, we really did spend an inordinate amount of time at softball fields.

I guess it's nice to be able to use this time of year and make adjustments. Having kids, and their ability to switch directions almost instantaneously, definitely makes life an adventure.

Oh, and did I mention that now Kenzie wants to be a veterinarian? Yeah, she wants to go find some animal shelter or vet that will hire her so she can start getting experience working with animals. Ugh!

Decorating

We finally started decorating for Christmas. We seem to be doing less decorating each year. As the house fills up with people, there's just less space for the decorations; and more hands playing with them once their out. I really am tempted to get one of those upside-down trees to hang from the ceiling. Maybe next year.

At least we got the tree up...


















We also made room for this ceramic Nativity set that my grandmother handpainted 38 years ago. It has been packed away since she passed away fourteen year ago. My grandfather made the stalls and manger, and the whole thing had once set inside a homemade, lighted stable, about the size of the desk we are using now. I've had this for a few years, since no one else had any room to keep it, and have been meaning, for years, to get it set up again. It brings back lots of childhood memories.

Festival of Trees, '09

For the fourth year in a row, kids of ours have played piano at Easton's Festival of Trees. Well, for Kenzie and Connor it's the fourth. This is Taylor's second year.

Here's our annual poinsetta tree picture.

And here's the music:

Every year they pick their favorite tree to pose in front of. Connor chose "It's a Wonderful Life". Taylor picked one with reindeer on it. Kenzie liked one with the Nativity theme.

This coming Saturday, they'll be playing at the Country Petaller, a local arts and crafts shop that's loaded with Christmas stuff this time of year. They usually get paid a couple bucks for entertaining the shoppers with their Christmas tunes.

2009 Calendar

Our annual Christmas present to Vicki's and my parents and siblings, a calendar recounting the previous year's monthly milestones, is complete. I usually don't publish it, but this year I figured out an easy way to do it. So, here it is: http://andyandvickisplace.com/spiegelcalendar.html Or you can link to it from our web page at Andy and Vicki's Place.

Fall Recital

Our three piano players performed at the Annapolis Mall yesterday. Please forgive the background noise; it was in a mall, and I was using inexperienced audio/video personnel (their mother). Here's how they did.

First, Taylor:

And Kenzie:

And Connor:

Recess

Here's how we spent Friday, when we decided the weather was too nice for school...

Do They Have Travel Softball In Canada?

According to Canadian Immigration, a minimum score of 67 is required on the Canadian immigration test to emigrate North. Vicki would score a 71, and that doesn't include having a job lined up, so if our friends in Canada could start the job search for Vicki, this would help.

Also, having that 100 acres lined up would be a big bonus for my peace of mind. I don't think we could drag Kenzie away from softball too easily, but I know, in the World Series last july, we played teams from Canada so that shouldn't be too big  a problem.

Other than that, I'm ready to pack my bags. Oh, wait a minute. I need to check on Canada's Homeschooling laws, first. I wouldn't want to give that responsibilty to any government school, regardless of which government we're talking about.

Mental Health Day

Today's Forecast:

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy, unseasonably mild...Highs 70-75...Winds: Northwest 5 mph.

If I can get the kids to stop arguing, we're taking today off school. A benefit of Homeschooling; nice day in November? Take advantage of it.

I love South Dakota, but right now, they have four feet of snow. I imagine Canada gets a lot of snow, too. Hmm, these things must be considered before heading North.

We're Saved!

Yeah, right. Velda, let me know if you come across a nice 100+ acre spread, for sale, in Canada. I've been looking in this country, but yours is looking better all the time. I never thought Canada would look more Conservative than the U.S.A.

This Year's Look

Alright, here's the whole crew ready for trick-or-treating. We have Keary, as a baby bat; Kenzie, as a slaughtered (and zombie-arisen) Tampa Bay Ray; Adam, as a baby cow; Taylor, a ninja; Bekah, a penguin, Alex, a hoodlum (not much of a stretch there); Connor, well some say he's a sun, maybe even an egg yolk, but I think he's a banana; Tyler, a zombie-football player. With our Halloween budget of $0, if they don't recycle old costumes, they have to come up their own. I can't wait to see what shows up next year.

BOO

Happy Halloween

An Amazing Game

The temperature was 44 degrees at game time. The wind was blowing about 20 mph. It rained just before the game started, and just enough the make the field gooey. I was very happy not to be a coach of Connor's team last night. I could sit in the car until the last minute, then sit comfortably (well, more comfortable than the kids in their shorts, anyway) under my blanket, on the sideline.

Connor's team scored the first goal, early in the game. But, late in the game, with about five minutes left to play, they were down 4-2. I was thinking, dangit, they're going to lose their first game of the season, and it's the first one I got to see. Then they scored a goal (now, it's 4-3). Then they scored another to tie it up. Well, I think, at least it'll end in a tie. I was wrong. They proceeded to score three more goals in the last two minutes of the game. Final score, 7-4.  That was an amazing finish. The other team only had the ball on our side of the field once or twice the entire second half. Their defence got so tired out, they couldn't hold'em off, and collapsed, in those last five minutes.

Now, because of this rain-extended season, we still have four more games to go, one of them another night game next week. I hope it warms up for that one, but then again, if the boys like the cold (as they seemed to last night), let it be cold.

Freeze Ball

It was colder than I'd care to remember last night, when Taylor's soccer team played game 3 of their tournament. They lost game 1, so the next loss would eliminate them. This time of year, when the weather turns frigid, many parents begin thinking a second loss would not be so bad. At least then we could enjoy watching our kids play soccer on PS3 instead of frozen turf. Well, for good or ill, Taylor's team, which only won, I think, two games the whole regular season, decided to start winning in game 2 of the double elimination tournament. After last night's victory in game 3, we get to play at 8 am on Saturday. What are the odds of a balmy day dawning on Saturday, Nov. 1? Brr. Anyway, congrats to Tay and his team, and at this point, I hope they keep winning. I've already suffered two insufferably cold games. What's a couple more? Especially if you bring home a trophy.

Here's some pictures of Tay on another, slightly warmer, Saturday at 8 am. He's #5.

Head For The Hills

AAAARRGGHHHH! Alex has his Learner's Permit.

More Adam Photos

Here's some more Adam pictures...

Adam's Baptism

Adam was Baptised today. This being number 8, we didn't have a big crowd come, just our immediate family. Here's the Godparents (Alex and Kenzie), laying hands on the White Garment, an outward sign of our Catholic Faith.

Here's us, with Adam, in front of the altar. We're building a new church so, unfortunatley, since December we've been celebrating Mass in our Hall. The new church should be finished in time for the next Baptism.

Now, here's our whole crew. They are ready to go home and eat.

Next, add in my side of the family, including my parents, sister, and her kids. 

Same for Vicki's side.

Adam didn't seem too impressed.

The Family

Finally, I got time to upload these latest family photos.

I'm going to have to take my shoes off soon, just to do a head count.

Please Remember...LIFE above all else

Birthdays Galore!

First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Bekah. She turns four today (I think it's her day, maybe it's Kearsyn turning two? No, it's definitely Bekah, that's what's on the calendar).

October is a crazy birthday month around here. We have six. Our nephew, Josh, on 10/1. Bekah on 10/5. Our neice, Lauren, on 10/8. Kearsyn on 10/10. Vicki's sister on 10/20. Vicki on 10/30.

This morning, Connor commented that he just LOVES October. It's cake, cake, cake, cake, cake, cake, and then Candy to top it all off at the end of the month. He didn't mention the dentist bills in November...

Missing Muppet...FOUND!

Have you ever wondered what happened to your favorite Muppet since the Muppet Show went off the air? I still wonder what Beaker's up to these days. He's my favorite character.

Well, if your favorite character was Sam, the Bald Eagle, I think I found found his current-day incarnation. It's all in the eyes....

Update!! THIS JUST IN! New footage from the recent debate:

They Start Young

About six days old and he's already sitting on the sideline of an older sibling's game. Here's Adam during tyler's football game a couple Sundays ago.

My Card Collection

I never intended to ever collect cards of any kind. But now I have a card collection that rivals my kids' Pokemon collection.

Home Again

Vicki and Adam came home again on Sunday morning, after a couple nights at the hospital. The jaundice is under control, but our new concern was his conehead. The doctor used the little vacuum thingy to help in the delivery, so his little head has a bump that seems to be growing. The pediatrician saw Adam today and said not to worry. The swelling is normal under the circumstances, and he should be fine. I remember Alex had a big conehead, too, and he turned out okay.

Our Busy Day

Vicki and Adam stayed at the hospital all day, today, so Adam could soak up the rays of the Bili Light. His numbers look really good tonight, but they are keeping him one more night just to avoid any chance of having to go back later. His Billirubins, which was as high as 23 on Friday, was down to 14 tonight, the upper end of the acceptable range. Thanks for your prayers this week!

With Vicki relaxing in Pediatrics all day, I had to figure out how to get the athletes to their games. Kenzie and I had to leave early this morning to get to her  softball scrimmage games. Alex watched everyone else until Mommom came over to watch the little girls and Tyler, who is off sports until Sunday afternoon, when he has two footbal games. A friend of mine picked up Taylor for his soccer game, and also took Alex and Connor to the same field because they were refs for they're little brother's game. Connor had to walk across the street, to the high school, after he finished reffing, to play his select soccer game. Alex had to take Taylor with him when he went to play his game at a different field. My friend then brought them all home and Mommom could go home. Meanwhile, I was driving Kenzie from softball to the soccer field so she could play her select soccer game. Kenzie and I did get a chace to spend fifteen minutes at the hospital as we passed by on our way from softball to soccer.

I have to hand it to Alex. He was great big brother/caregiver today. He babysat when he was home. He took care of Tay at the fields. He fed them all dinner. And even helped put Keary to bed. He must really want his license because he put in a lot time and earned a lot of points in my "prove-you're-mature-enough-to-drive" book.

To the events of the day. Taylor's soccer team won their game. I didn't get many details because Taylor doesn't talk much. He said he had fun, and that's what counts for rec soccer. I got more details from Alex and Connor about the reffing. Actually, it was Connor complaining about how Alex didn't make calls that Connor thought should be made. This was Connor's first game, ever, reffing, so naturally he knew what he was talking about. As center ref, Alex had the final say, and that's that. I've always heard positive feedback from caoches and parents about Alex's reffing, so I'm not going there.

Connor's select game went well. His team won, 6-2. Connor plays mostly defense because he is a very good fullback. He is also a very good striker, but his team has lots of those, and fewer fullbacks. He said he also played a bit at halfback, for about three minutes, he said. He said that was enough. He doesn't like to run too much; I can't blame him.

Alex's team lost, but at least Alex scored a goal (the only goal) for his team. He usually scores the "trash" goals, but he said this one was an honest to goodness clean shot off of a give-and-go from a teammate.

Kenzie had more of mixed bag today. Her softball team, having been formed only a few weeks ago, experienced a few jitters and nerves in their first game against a more experienced team today. They started off good, scored the first run of the game, but lost in the end. The second game was much better. They were losing by a couple runs for most of the game, but came back in the bottom of the last inning and won. The nice thing about this scrimmage was that we learned exactly what needs to be worked over the next few weeks and over the winter. Oh, and while Kenzie has yet to get her first hit as a 12U player, she consistently put the ball in play, and was indispensably involved in the winning of the second game.

At her select soccer game, Kenzie was astonishing. Her coach has been in the process of training a few girls to be Goalie. Kenzie has not had much practice time as Goalie, but has some experience and skill in that position. Kenzie played Goal the whole game and we all lost count of the number of spectacular saves she made. She only gave up two goals in a game that saw dozens of shots on goal. She even earned a special mention in the coach's post game email, where coach said, "Last but certainly not least McKenzie played an awesome job at goal "The buck (ball) stops here" with McKenzie. We have a couple other girls that we are training for goal and we told them all to take notes!" They really do miss Kenzie when she can't make it to soccer because of softball.

Purple Pumpkin

Adam, like many of his older siblings has elevated billirubin which has given him the lovely coloring of a summer squash. Actually, he has passed through the squash color and progressed to early pumpkin orange-yellow. He will be spending the night at NICU, under some bili lights. The twins spent some time under those lights at this age, and they just loved it. They slept the whole time, really enjoying that sunbathing-like experience. Adam hates it. The nurses said they've never seen a baby hate it so much. When he finally stops screaming, he's knocked his sunglasses off his eyes and wakes up (and starts screaming again) when they are replaced. Well anyway, our little orange/yellow/purple pumpkin is an interesting color now....

Adam Daniel

Kenzie's Welcome

Here's Kenzie's welcome home sign.

More Adam Pics

We had a minor scare last night. Adam was taken for some chest xrays because his lips would turn blue on occasion and he was sleeping too much. His xrays turned out okay, and today he is just perfect, no blue, just pink. And he's more active. Vicki had gotten a good dose of epidural drugs that may have affected Adam for a while.

This morning, I took the kids for a visit, except Alex, who went to school. I made sure Alex got to see his brother last night, but Connor didn't get home 'til 10:30. So, here's Connor and Keary with Adam.