Jennie, Ted, Brooklyn, Maddux, Nolan & Payton

Jennie, Ted, Brooklyn, Maddux, Nolan & Payton

Monday, March 8, 2010

An Action Packed Weekend


Well we had a very fun filled weekend this past weekend and started with a trip to the Cleveland Auto Show Thursday night. Four of the Cleveland Cavalier's were there signing autographs and one was Anderson Varejao. He has given Brooklyn a basketball twice during CAV's games when she got to go onto the court. I have wanted to get it signed since that time and figured this would probably be the best bet. They were only signing autographs for 2 hours so I wanted to get there early to make sure we had a chance. We showed up an hour early to make sure we got a decent spot in line and would be assured an autograph. It was a good thing we did get there that early because the line was already 250 deep. We got very lucky as they closed the line down about 10 people after us. We ended up waiting in line for 3 hours in order to get four autographs (JJ Hickson, Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker and Varejao). The kids did a great job at hanging in there for 3 hours and I was very proud of them. It isn't easy for a 6 and 7 year old to stand in line for 3 hours without much to do and they were troopers the whole night. We then ended up getting a couple pictures with the kids in some of their favorite cars. It was a long but very fun night for all. Above are the kids in a new Jeep. I think they just liked the fact that there were no doors and surfboards on top.


These next pictures are for Grandpa Beard. Here is Maddux hanging out in a 2011 Cherry Red Convertible Corvette.


Brooklyn in the same car.


This was Maddux's favorite vehicle there. A huge Ford pickup truck. I love the look and combined with the mohawk make Maddux look like one tough dude.


Brooklyn with her favorite car. I think she just liked it because it was pink. We had to settle for this picture as they would not let people sit inside.

Here are a couple of close-ups of the CAV's players. Due to the number of people in line they were not allowing people to take pictures with the players. I was hoping to get Varejao and Brooklyn in a picture but had to settle for close-ups of just the players.


JJ Hickson -- I was disappointed in his attitude as he seemed like he really didn't want to be there. He wasn't talking to anyone and rarely looked up at the fans. A guy was sitting next to him and would slide the stuff for him to sign. I would think that he would be a little more personable than he was.


Jamario Moon -- He was very friendly and took the time to talk to the kids. He commented on Maddux's mohawk and said that he really liked the style.


Anthony Parker -- Also very nice. He called Maddux his littlest fan. Parker and Moon were very good with the kids as they were talking and interacting with everyone that came through.


Anderson Varejao -- This is Brooklyn's guy. She has received two balls from him during the game and he is pretty easy to spot due to his long hair. I don't know if she actually knows his name but instead calls him by his nickname "The Wild Thing." He as also very nice and took the time to talk to the kids.

Then on Friday night I took Brooklyn to the CAV's game. Maddux had already been to 2 so it was time for Brooklyn's second game. As always we started the night by having Brooklyn go down onto the court and take pictures during warmups. If you ever go to a game you need to make sure that you take a child with you. They are magnets for extra fun stuff. I think every time I have taken Brooklyn and Maddux to a game they have been selected to do something at the game. Whether it is being a ball kid and getting a basketball, to going on the court to take pictures and shoot free throws, or having our seat upgraded we have always been selected to do something. You just have to make sure that you get there way early. It works out because it also gives the kids time to get their face painted, hair colored and grab something to eat during the game. It also happened to be CAV's snuggie night. Every person in attendance recieved a snuggie blanket. The goal was to set the World Record for most people in one place wearing a snuggie blanket. Needless to say Brooklyn and I are now part of a Guiness World Record. Brooklyn's pictures from that night are in the process of being developed so you will have to settle for the ones I got back at the house.


Here are the kids with their foam fingers from the CAV's game. Brooklyn really wanted to get one so I had to get one each for the boys to make sure their were no fights.


Here is Brooklyn and me in our snuggies.


As you can see I didn't have the snuggie for very long. Maddux has taken it over and now is its rightful owner.

I am hoping to have some of Brooklyn's pictures posted by this weekend. I am just waiting to get them back from WalMart to see how she viewed the game. It is always interesting to see what they take pictures of and watch during the game. You never know what you are going to get. Stay tuned for those.

On Saturday Maddux had a birthday party at Pump It Up and then Jennie took Brooklyn and Maddux to see Alice In Wonderland. They had a really good time and enjoyed the movie. I just think it was good for Jennie to get out and have some fun with the kids. She doesn't get to get out with them that much so I am sure she had a good time. Well as you can see we had a lot going on as there was no shortage in fun. I love being able to go out and do fun things with the kids and probably have more fun than they do. I just hope that they will remember some of these times.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

A Winter Wonderland

With all the snow that we have received over the last couple of weeks the kids have had plenty of time to sled and play out in the snow. I think they are outside every day when I get home from work. They obviously don't get that from Jennie as she usually wants nothing to do with playing in the snow. On a couple of different occasions we have received in excess of 12 inches which makes for a lot of fun. Here are some various pictures of them having a blast in the snow.


Here is Brooklyn and Maddux running thru the snow. I am just glad that the older kids don't mind letting Nolan hang around them.


Maddux leaping into a snow bank.


It didn't take Maddux long to realize that jumping off the car into the snow bank was a lot funner than just jumping into it.


Maddux making snow angels in the front yard.


Brooklyn and her snow angel skills.


Nolan trying to eat the snow. Just look at the smile on his face. He is having the time of his life.


Maddux throwing snowballs at everyone. This is a perfect shot of snowball in mid flight.


Nolan just playing in the snow.


Brooklyn just waiting for the fun to begin.