A commanding lead? Hell no!

Oh brother... Oh brother.... when will you ever learn? You always poked the bear, and when you did, you ended up crying to our mother. :-) Don't claim you're in the lead. I can catch up like no other! (Now that I finally have a few moments to myself.

Work is going well. Its becoming a bit hectic around here, and that is a good thing. Projects are falling into my lap and I'm trying to run with them the best that I can. I will have my 3 years working for EMC date on Nov. 1st. That is the same day I take a certification test to become "Lighting Certified." We'll see how that goes. A whole month of studying should be enough to get ready for it. Cross your fingers!

Fantasy Football... well.... I'm not doing so good. Big Ben hasn't been that stellar and I've made some poor coaching decisions, which ultimately attributes to my 1-3 start. Hopefully I will be able to turn that around. This week I am up against Rich. Blood will fly this weekend!

Our deck is "complete." We did not pass our first final inspection, so we had to make a few adjustments. The inspector will be back next week to take another look at it and hopefully this time we will pass. The deck still needs a lot of fine tuning, and I'm not sure when we will get to that. Hopefully sooner than later.

The good news is that the back yard is looking more like how we want it to. The sod took very well to the back corner of the yard and I could not be happier with how it looks. I'm also looking forward to this winter by turning inward and doing some interior projects like painting and haning more pictures.

Wedding update: I think all of the major stuff is taken care of! We found a florist, a cake, transportation, and are currently having ongoing meetings with a mentor couple. Kelsey and my mom are off to look at invitations in a few weeks and the only other major things left are addressing and mailing the invitations. I have some responsibilities coming up with the slide show and door prize .. er... umm... parting gift.. uh.... errr... what ever you call it. :-)

Kelsey and I actually went back to SJU a few weeks ago to have our engagement pictures taken. It was very nice and also very eerie to be back at school. We drove by the house where we met at a party, and our freshman dorms were close enough to see. It was weird to think that we "met" so long ago. It seems like a different lifetime! I'll post some pictures when I get them. From what i've seen they've turned out pretty good!

I guess that's it. Off to do some more work, but until next time.. BRIAN CAN'T UPDATE WORTH CRAP!! :-) hee hee


Ho K Peace out!

It's on like Donkey Kong

So... Brian posts a blog... I must retaliate and keep the lead!

Or something... Eh.. I'll just pretend we are competing if only for my own amusement. Glad to hear from the best man though!

Speaking of wedding activities... Planning for the big day seems to be in full swing! The church activities are gearing up, and Kelsey is in hot pursuit of a flower supplier and all things invitations! The good news is that in just a few short weeks I get to carry around a little laser gun and register! Just last night I learned that Kelsey got us all set to register at.... (drum roll please) MENARDS! Things are looking up for Kevin's tool collection! HA!

We got back from the Cabin in Hatfield and had a very fun time. The lake was still down, but we still got to go swimming and enjoyed a few boat rides! Kelsey finally saw all that there was to see! Even though the water was down, we still got pretty far up river thanks to Uncle Dave's amazing driving skills! I'm always thankful when I can sit back and drink a few beers on the lake. However, I did get to drive Dad's boat for a few seconds. It brought me back to my younger days. Memories of jumping out of the boat at 30 MPH and tubing at sometimes faster speeds made me smile, and hurt. I think that might be a good bachelor party idea. Jumping out of boats and making our bodies hurt for weeks on end just to say a perfect farewell to the younger years that are no more!

The good news is that we have a new young crowd at the lake! In just a few short years I'm sure i'll be volunteering to pull Trevor and the cousins behind the boat while the parents get a break on the beach! Should be a good time!

Well, I've done it. I finally got sucked into fantasy football. Thanks to Russ and his league, and the opening that Rich and I are currently holding onto. Yep.. we're team "Orton/Grossman '08." That's a Bears reference for all you newbies out there. I have no idea what the end result will be, but i'm hoping to have some fun with it. Even without the FF league i'm really excited for football to start up again!

This is definately the time of year where i start to get excited about a lot of things. This year the list is a little different. But there are some old favorites. What I can't wait for:

1) High of 60 degrees (Perfect for Sweatshirt/long sleeves)
2) Projects to get done in the back yard.
3) Engagement Pictures at SJU
4) Hockey Season!
5) Gopher B Ball Season!
6) Performance Review for work
7) Another Chirstmas in our own home!

I'd say i'm not a specific season person. I definately look forward to the CHANGE in every season. May be why i can't pick a specific season as my favorite. I get too wrapped up into looking forward to the next one after I've witnessed the same ol stuff for a few weeks.

Oh well.. i guess we just keep on pushing forward. The wedding is getting closer! I can feel the excitement building! Or is that the stress too?? Who knows! I just can't wait until it gets here!

HO K Peace out!

More updates than Brian!

Who said I was never one to beat Brian at something? Hey.. I take great pride in portraying the stereotypical older brother. :-)

Yep another post in just over a week! I think it only happens because things are starting to pick up (or slow down depending on how you look at it.)

Last night I finally stained a wine rack that Kelsey and I bought a while ago. Its part of a week long birthday celebration for Kelsey. I didn't get stuff done in time, nor did i feel like i had the time, to put something special together for her by Saturday (her birthday). So instead I'm taking 5 days and showering her with affection and presents of every type. The staining was just getting back to something that we've been putting off. Its good to do something like that every once in a while. A small chore but something that when it is complete, helps add to a part of the house. Now we can buy wine and have a nice little place to put it!

The other big accomplishment last night was that we booked our Honeymoon! 7 days and 8 nights in beautiful St. Lucia in the Caribbean islands! We'll be staying at the lovely - all inclusive Sandals resort. Nice meals, great view, and all the drinks we can handle. I'm looking forward to it! :-)

We're also putting an effort into getting our deck completed in these next few weeks. Kelsey and I will do some pre-work on Saturday and then we'll be looking for an extra set of hands or two to help install the railings. We'll see who's available and how much work we can get done by next week. Its getting closer!

Other than that, just trying to survive the week. My summer activities are wrapping up shortly, and it might be time to squeeze in some running and bike riding. I'm still toying with a Duathelon in September. I'm not looking to set records, just hoping to finish. I guess that means i don't have a lot of time. Maybe i'll just keep it casual and work on being healthy instead of running myself into the ground for a race. There's always next year!


Ho - K Peace out..

holy crap its been too long.

Lets see..


I find that time is a luxury I seem to be letting slip through my fingers lately. I have a list of things that need to get done, a list of things i want to do, and a list of things that will get done if certain things cooperate. And of course, it seems that nothing is working out the way I want it. Life is just that way i guess. No problem here, as I will take the good with the not so great, but it begins to pile up sometimes.

Maybe i just need a stress reliever. A moment or two to catch up on things. I can't really think of something that would be big enough to give me the time i need to catch up.

I think that's why I like fall so much. It is the season that makes you stop and enjoy the specific parts of life that you have a tendency to overlook during the fast-paced summer.

Kelsey and I are still working on our deck with the help of our families. We have everything up except for a majority of the railings. It is a functioning, but not safety approved, deck and we already have one admirer. Kona loves to perch up there and view her kingdom. :-)

I think the biggest problem i have is the lack of time at home. It seems to be the catalyst in not getting things done. Hopefully the work schedule will clear up and I'll be able to nail a few things down.

Other than that I guess i'm just motoring along. I'll try and get better about updating this. At least i'll try and be better than Brian! We'll see! No promises!

Ho K Peace out.

Do the new kid dance...

I don't know why i'm writing. I know i have a lot to say, but there is just too much to blurt out that I can't figure out a sound way to do it! Here goes!!.....

New Kids on the Block doing a reunion tour??? "OH, OH, OH OH Ohhhhhh" NO! Seriously, if Donnie raps again, i'm just going to die. He was SOOOOO good in Band of Brothers, why does he have to rap??? Why??

Kelsey and I went to the driving range last night. :-) She can hit the ball 75 yards straight pretty consistently! That's good enough to get out on some of the par 3 courses! Looks like i have a golf partner. :-)

Some projects at work are starting to become interesting. I might actually have something to focus my attention on shortly! Add in the fact that i get to travel some more, and who knows.. i might actually look forward to doing something at work, rather than scrounging to find enough stuff to keep busy.

Krissy posted pictures of Gwen and Trevor from their photo shoot. Gwen is 6 months and the pictures look pretty adorable! I'm a big fan of the Whale spout hairdoo. I think it looks fantastic on a number of baby girls. You better believe my girls (oh wait.. i'm not going to have girls.. all boys!) will be sporting them.

I did not participate in this years High School Alumni basketball tournament. It marks the second year in a row where I have not attended. I'm OK with that. Basketball to me is more about enjoying shooting around, rather than playing. Especially if it means playing in poor quality basketball. I can safely say that the team I would have played on lost by about 20 points each game. That, OR the fact that one of the players on our team was a complete ball hog. Either way, its not fun basketball. If it was competitive it might be something that catches my interest, but probably not.

The masters starts this week. I do look forward to the Sunday round, but overall the Masters tournament has a spot reserved in my memory that recollects watching the tournament with my dad and Grandpa in Florida. One year I was lucky enough to be in Florida during the Masters tournament. I do believe its the one thing that can be on TV and keep all three of us indoors on a beautiful sunny day. Hopefully there will be more fun memories in the years to come.

With that, i better get going.

Ho K. Peace out.

Spring in the steps

I guess i'll just write what's on my mind. Too much to catch up on, so lets leave it in the past.

Here's a list of things I want to do in a very short time period as soon as the snow melts.

1) Build a deck onto our house. We're using our tax returns to purchase the material for a new deck. We've got the design figured out, the materials are pretty much set, and we're really looking forward to some new patio furniture and warm nights and nice dinners overlooking the beautiful Stillwater Blvd. OK, the last part isn't so great, but we're still excited about it!

2) Re-creating my back yard. The garden must go. Sorry Kona, you get too dirty rolling around in the mud! The dead tree is coming down, and (knock on the dead wood) we're making it into a couple of benches for the fire pit. We'll put a hammock where the garden was, and have a very nice area to sit next to and enjoy many a bonfire!

3) Getting out on the bike. A paid a the price, now i gotta get my butt in gear. I'm probably looking forward to a few early morning rides and then getting out whenever i can. Either way, i want this to become a habit. We'll see what happens.

4) I joined a men's golf league. Rich and I are a team (i hope you can picture the heckling and "team building" that we will experience while we golf) :-) and it should be plenty of fun! I also want to have kelsey's new/old clubs re gripped so i have some motivation to keep her involved in learning the game. I think the motivation is more for me, because sharing the game of golf can be a very long lasting activity! Hopefully we can find some time to learn and enjoy it this summer!

5) Along the same lines, we bought some tennis rackets last fall and I'm really excited to play that as well. Maybe we can even bring Kona with us (once she's trained to come when called) to the courts and have her chase the balls that go astray! :-)

I guess I just really can't remember the last time i've been this excited about spring! With the promise of a bunch of activities I can't wait to do, I'm forced to sit here and wait for the snow to melt and the weather to get warmer.

HURRY UP!!! :-)

HO -K Peace out.

Sadduols and Noitch

It has been a long time since i've been to Noah's Ark in Wisconsin Dells. This past weekend I came as close to Noah's Ark as I could. My Dad, Mom, Krissy, Russ, Kelsey, Trevor and Gwen all went to the Kalahari resort in the Dells. The indoor water park created a great experience for everyone. Trevor got to wear himself out time, and time again on the kiddie park, and I got to feel like a kid again going down some of the fun slides. Everyone that knows me is aware of the 12 year old inside me. And this kid loves the Toilet bowl flush type water slides. Seriously, if i had access to a slide like that all day, i'd be in heaven.

Another fun part about the trip was the time i got to spend with the Godson. He really is in his element when he can show off his skills in different areas. "Uncle Kevin, watch what I can do!" "Uncle Kevin, come over here and watch me do this!" Of course, i wouldn't be the Uncle that I am if I didn't challenge him on a few things. But overall we had a great time! Kelsey did too! I secretly think she's becoming one of Trevor's favorites as well. He wouldn't let her leave! "No Buhbuh, Kelsey can't leave! We're playing the pillow game!"

The highlight of the weekend for me was playing dominoes. I had heard that its the thing to do in my family now. I like the game, and it really is a family game. My favorite part was when Trevor helped Krissy. He would play and be very patient and listen to what he was supposed to do. Somewhere along the line he called the dominoes "Sadduols." He would claim he had 4 Saduols left and then proceed to tell everyone how many saduols they had. We tried to let him know that we called them tiles, but he wouldn't have any of it. Then came the word Noitch. What this means, i don't think i'll ever find out. But it was enjoyable nonetheless.

It did end up being a vacation that totally drained everyone that attended. I think for the first time Kelsey is actually looking forward to staying in the house for a weekend. Or at least keeping things low key. I concur. :-)

No need to update on Wedding activities.. we're still trying to figure out the same old stuff.

As for me, i'm doing pretty well. Just trying to make it through the work week.

We head to the Wild Game tonight with Jill and Jamie! Looking forward to that! Hopefully we can get a win!

Ho K Peace out!