16 June 2008

Here We Go Again...

I felt like it was time to post a little more about us, even though there is not anything specific I am dying to share. I do remember thinking a week or so ago that one of the kids had done something that would entertain friends and family on here, but I can't remember what that is now.

Let's start with Eli. Eli has finally decided to give potty training a try. Rebecca made him go naked for a whole day last week while I was gone, and he did great. He has had a slip or two since then, and still wears pull ups at night, but the 50 dollar a month raise of not having to buy diapers is awesome. The first picture was suppose to be of the kids jumping on the trampoline, but as soon as I got the camera out they stopped and posed. The second picture is Eli enjoying the treats at the preschool graduation...

Which brings us to Tierra: Tierra had her preschool graduation. I am guessing it is like most preschool graduations out there (except the all-out Sandra of course). She had a blast learning and making friends this year. She will be in the same class next year because she misses the school deadline by a couple weeks. A lot of her class is returning though, so the teacher plans to teach more advanced preschool stuff. To me that means longer naps and more cookies at snack time, so score for Tierra.
She is becoming a social butterfly. I never wanted to use that description to describe anyone, especially not my kids, but I couldn't come up with a better one.





On to Rebecca: As the next picture captures, Rebecca decided to tear out a corner of the lawn and build a garden. She did it all by herself. I not only refused to help, but probably became an obstacle throughout the whole thing. Despite my antagonistic approach, I can't wait for the summer salsa.
Rebecca suprised me for my birthday last week. It was more of a suprise because she did it a week early. She took me to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for dinner and reserved a hotel for the night downtown. Best steak ever is at Ruth's Chris. Expensive, but oh so delicious. We left the kids with her mom. It was a nice getaway, overshadowed only by one thing...

Our sewer backed up in our basement, flooding raw sewage all over our recently-almost-completed bathroom. It was awful. To make a long, gross story short. We had to have a company dig into our foundation to get a toy truck out that was jammed in our pipes and caused a backup. We had recently installed a toilet downstairs, and prior to doing that the kids put some toys down the toilet hole. So that was an adventure. We are lucky that it didn't get on the carpet. I think the gods in charge of remodeling are against us finishing the basement. Right after we put the carpet in downstairs (last summer) a huge rainstorm flooded in through the window well. Prior to the sewage flooding, we had just put custom doors in, which had to be torn out to get the sewer pipes fixed. Anyway, we still took our getaway for the weekend, but hurried home Saturday to get stuff fixed. We had a professional company come in and clean up because I would pay any price to have anyone else clean up raw sewage, even if they could guarantee 100 percent that it was all my raw sewage and no one Else's... So that was an adventure I don't want to have again. The basement is put back together for the most part... still need the tile repaired, but we got the doors put back in and I framed and molded them in. So.. almost back to normal.

More about me: Last week I was in Emmitsburg, Maryland all week for work. UFA sent me to a class to learn more about responding to earthquakes. My specific job was to practice releasing pertinent public information in the event of a large disaster. It was an okay class, but the fun stuff was being back east. We went to a baseball game one night after class, went to Gettysburg, Antietam, and Arlington Cemetery. It was awesome. You all know how much I love war history, so this was a dream spot. There is so much back there to learn. I have included a picture of the WWII memorial, with the Washington Monument in the background.

Oh, and before I end... I will respond to a question sent to my email about the last blog entry... an unnamed friend asked why I would put "oldie" next to TV shows like Night Court and Out of This World, but not the Donna Reed Show. My reply is one of silence with shrugged shoulders.

So now your job is this... you have to leave us a comment. We want to know who visits and reads our blog entries... so comment away. I leave you with a picture of our posing kids.

15 comments:

Hendricksonblog said...

You know I read it but, once again always a pleasure. I didnt know you were a war history nerd though. Yeah, Rebecca!!! Theres something so sexy about a woman doing yard labor......at least I hope so....that is my only chance of achieving such a title.
Beautiful kids as usual and boys seem to like to pee their pants or something...some kind of power trip I think.
April----I thought I better put my name so you dont think Dave is hitting on your wife....(;

Hendricksonblog said...

As if he would be caught reading a blog huh?

David Majeroni said...

I read your blog always....
Im excited for your garden rekrust. and happy graduation to Tierra

Anonymous said...

I cannot believe Chad was about 20 miles from me last week whilst he tromped around D.C. and did not even give me the chance to see him. I could've loaded him up with gifts galore to take back to the fam.

Vanisi Family said...

Gross. Sewage. I'm proud of Rebecca! I recently took up gardening too, and I find it very rewarding. Happy b-day Chad, happy graduation Tierra, happy gardening Rebecca, happy pee time Eli! It sounds like you guys are doing great. Despite the crap.
Take Care
Suzanne
P.S. have you seen www.homestarrunner.com ? Totally thinking about the poopsmith. Check it out if you haven't already. You'd love it.

Anonymous said...

Tell Tierra congrats on her graduation!!! They grow up so fast!!!

Stephanie said...

Darling kids

Julia said...

Chad,

I'm your number one blog stalker.

Julia

Candace said...

Chad-- you caught me:) I found your blog through Nicole's and started reading about your cute little family. By the way this is Candace (Beagley) Bradley. I was happy to hear that Spencer got married you'll have to tell him congrats from me. The way you write is hillarious and I enjoy listening to what you have to say. I saw the pics of your mom and dad and they look the exact same as when we lived in Magna up the street! I was also wondering about Ryan and Mike...where are they and how are they? Well it was good to see how an old Magna boy was doing. You've got beautiful kids.

Jeremiah said...

Always a pleasure reading your blog. You have a cool job! I was never a fan of history until I went back east myself and experienced those things (and married a history geek). We watch the History Channel a lot around here. Sorry about your plumbing issue. That stinks! Your children are adorable.. I think it's great that you use the term "social butterfly." I wish I could actually hear you saying it tho.

Heather said...

I just wanted to say congratulations on your $50 a month raise. That's always exciting! Rebecca I wouldn't share that summer salsa with him when you're done...remember the Little Red Hen Chad?

And I can relate to your sewage issues. We moved into our house on a weekend and then left on Monday for a week long vacation. We came home to find our basement flooded with raw sewage. Most of our unpacked boxes were still down there in the mess. Apparently there was a rubber ball-like device in the sewer line that was supposed to be removed at some point before the house was occupied. I'm not sure whose fault it was, but I was an angry woman. I remember also thinking that I would pay any price not to deal with raw sewage.

Aimee said...

I saw you on the news yesterday!!! It was a little weird waking up to Chad Simons voice.. on Fox 13.

DeAynne said...

Okay, I don't know your wife, but she ROCKS!! Leave it to us women to get things done. Chad, I am so glad to hear that your family is good and happy and that you are watching out for my little brother and his family. Take care and tell your buff wife that she really does ROCK.
DeAynne Locke Baker

Amy said...

Chad! What a surprise to see you on our blog. Your kids are so cute. I love your picture on the top, it is priceless, did you take it? Where are you guys? Miss seeing you on the news here! Hope you don't mind if I add you to my list...

Anonymous said...

Well, even though you wrote this entry a while ago, I wanted to let you know that I read your blog! I kind of feel like I'm spying on your family.