Sick of the swine flu.

Maybe I watch too much CNN, but I am already sick of hearing about the swine flu...I can listen to ESPN talk about A-Rod's steroid use for months, but if I hear one more story about the pig flu I'm going to start wearing a mask everywhere I go.

I actually don't think it is CNN's fault though, I trust that CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta is telling me things I really need to know about how to keep from being the first South Dakotan to acquire the latest fashion in mutated flu bugs.

Funny thing is...Jack Cafferty might agree with me, that the swine flu coverage is a little overblown at this point.

I actually blame my sickness of the new sickness on our local CBS affiliate, a couple of the reporters think they have their physician degree from the University of Phoenix Online, because the fire and brimstone that they have delivered over the last couple of days has me worried to leave the lake. Very similar to the way their meteorologist have you looking for shelter in the basement when it gets cloudy in July.

I have an idea, let the national networks worry about the swine flu, and the locals worry about flooding, local city government, and the Scotty Friesen Wedding coverage.

End of an Era.

Everyone knows my cousin Scott...he has the personality of a politician without all the bad traits. When he walks into a building, everyone knows him, or will by the end of the night. He's that kind of guy...everyone's friend.

Well, Scooter is getting married this weekend, and I couldn't be more proud of him. He kind of followed in my footsteps, too...as he is marrying a gal named "Steph".

So the clan will be together this weekend to celebrate, and I am sure Uncle Skipper has something planned, that is if his wife let's him pull his Shenanigans.

I wasn't sure the bachelor would ever settle down, and it almost took 40 years, but this is the big weekend. So when you hear the crowd cheering and engines revving on Saturday know that they are celebrating Scott and Steph's wedding vows.

I leave you with Scott's latest "gangsta picture" that he sent to me. Although he looks dangerous in the photograph....it is not really that gangster, to throw up a peace sign, in front of a Hallmark display at a Wal-Mart...but hey, were from the 605 what do you expect?

Been Watching You...

I know that as a father, your kids are watching everything you do, and usually right in the middle of everything you are trying to do. Most of the time that is OK, but this weekend I was setting some of the final tiles on the steps. (yes, there was still some tile to be set...notice I said FINAL)

Laying tile is kind of a "concentration type job" as once you set it, it is there for life, so you don't want to mess anything up, and it seems Brecken wanted to be there for the historic moment of Daddy finally finishing the tile.

He was crawling on me, and messing with my tools, and pretty much in the way. Steph noticed this and said, "Brecken will you help me with the laundry?" His little bottom lip pushed out and you could tell he was pretty hurt that daddy really didn't need his help. In a split second, this whole Rodney Atkins song went through my head, and I whispered in Brecken ear, "you tell mommy you can't, because you are busy helping daddy."

He stood up and said, "Mommy, I can't, I help daddy!"

I gave him some orders on how to help me, and he did them just like I asked. I went out to cut some tile, and didn't see him for a minute.

Then I saw what he was up to. He was asking for his "lizard hat" and a pencil...and a tape measure. It was one of those moments when you realize how important it is to be a good example to your kids.

Steph took a couple of pictures and it made my day to see my "little bear" doing everything I did.

For the record, I changed Kolby's diaper that day and fed her as well, and Maxim and I went out for a great kayak trip, and then fished for an hour or so while Brecken slept. This 3 kid thing is work.

Here is the "Watching You" song by Rodney Atkins.

Stage Presence

Maxim's school had their Spring Speech Festival on Friday, and Maxim did a version of "Hickory Dickory Dock". We worked on his delivery and I told him about stage presence, and how to work the crowd.

I think he nailed his performance, not sure where he got the "bow" from? Must have got that from the Decker side!

I was not the first fool in the water!

All this talk in the news about waterboarding has me itching to get my boat and wakeboard out on the water. Waterboarding has a dual meaning in our family...one lazy summer day my folks were out at the house and a boat went by pulling a wakeboarder and Grandpa Bob said, "that guy is waterboarding."

We got a good laugh, and every now and then Steph and I will talk about going "waterboarding".

On Tuesday night we enjoyed the first night of yard work. There was a bunch of guys fishing right by our dock and we were working on the lake side of the house. I was coming around the corner of the house, when Steph told me not to look at the lake. Of course I did. A couple guys were out there riding...I hope they had wetsuits on. We could actually hear them scream from about a half mile away when they would jump in the water for the first time.

Yard work now...Play In May!

Spellcheck?

Looks like the Washington Nationals are trying to watch their budget in these tough economic times as well...as they could only afford to put 8 letters on their jersey. Either that or the local Huron Newspaper did their proof reading.

Summer is here.

We put up the trampoline tonight...which means that winter is over.

That doesn't mean we won't get another snow, or 10 inches of rain in 2 hours, or a 70 mph wind storm, but it does mean we can lock the boys in the octagon for some cage fighting.

Kolby Cries For Her Daddy!

Steph has left me alone with Kolby 3 times now since she was whelped a couple months ago. Don't get me wrong this little girl is an ANGEL most of the time, except when it is time for daddy to be the sole-caregiver for her and her brothers.

Last night I got home from Pierre at 6:30, and Steph left for town soon after to pick up Maxim.

That left the ever-energetic Brecken and the soft and cuddly Kolby in the care of their extremely road-weary daddy.

Brecken proceeded to scream the words "Pizza Monster" like a madman while eating some pizza, and Kolby woke up soon after that hungry. I fed her and changed her and did everything you are supposed to do, but she started crying, and kept crying for almost 3 hours...until about 5 minutes before Steph got home.

She did this exact same thing a couple weeks ago...cried the whole time Steph was gone, and then quit about 10 minutes before she got home.

A friend of ours told me she cries for me, because I don't smell like Stephanie, and that I should wear or hold a shirt of Steph's while she is gone and I am trying to comfort her. I would be afraid to answer the phone if I was wearing my wife's shirt let alone if someone would happen to come to the door.

I'll deal with the crying...it can't last forever?

Happy Birthday - HO-DADDY!

Brecken turns 3 today...hard to believe the little Hulkster has only been 2 for one year. We think his terrible 2's lasted for about 2.5 years, and are still going.

We celebrated his birthday for 5 days...and he is still not tired.

Here is a picture of Grandma Penny and all of her boys (the one in the grey hat has the look in his eye doesn't he?).

Happy Easter.

Easter is the day when you want to dress your kids in spring clothes for church, but the weather says, "not quite yet".


Our family celebrated Easter by wearing flip flops to church...no shorts yet...sorry Grandma Reece, we will wear the cool shorts you bought the boys a little later in the month.


We also celebrated Brecken's 3rd Birthday this week...like 4 days worth of party!


Today was the big present and cake day...here are some photos from our Easter/Brecken Birthday Extravaganza!

YES...YOU ARE AT THE RIGHT SITE!!!

3 years of blogging on the same template, and I decided to change it up...nothing drastic, just a little spring cleaning.

Like Penny commented, if something is missing that you really liked on the site before, let me know and I'll bring it back.

I'm just here to serve.

School Lunch Program

I ate with Maxim at his school this afternoon. I forgot how much fun the lunch room is when you are in grade school.

Chicken strips, mashed potatoes, corn, pears, a bun and some typically-somewhat-warm 2% white milk, all for a couple bucks. (I think school lunch programs is what caused me to put ice in my milk...both Steph and I can't stand milk that isn't next to freezing.)

Maxim and his best friend Moses ate like champs, and I only had to tell them 4 or 5 times to settle down. I was leery of being "that dad" and going to school to eat with him, hoping he wouldn't be embarrassed, but we had a blast with all the kids at his table.

Here is the commemorative photo of the event...Moses and Maxim.

Kolby being Kolby.

A night as a waiter...

James Valley has a fund raiser event each year that is a dinner theatre format...think the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre in Minneapolis, but with farmers and house wives doing the acting. Which actually makes this dinner theatre better than the ones in big cities.

Steph and I volunteered to help as wait-staff for the last night of the event. We were assigned our 3 tables, and I was pleased to notice that one of our tables was Steph's family and a couple other families I know, and then my boy Chris H. and some other folks were at another, so I was in for a good night of fun...and my first ever waiter experience.

I was doing great, and hadn't ticked anyone off or spilled coffee, when I heard from a table behind me, "hey boy, get me some coffee...", or something to that effect.

"Hello, Verlie." I said in my best Jerry Seinfeld to Newman voice.

Looks like "VJ the Great" got his tickets a bit late and ended up in the back row, but in just the right place to give me a hard time all night long. For the record, his wife was a pleasure to be around as she always is, but Verlie must have forgotten this was a "high class event".

He hounded me all night, and even threatened to write bad things on the blog if I didn't take care of him, so for about 5 minutes I tried to do what he wanted, then I thought, "Wait, he complains about me all the time on this website anyway so why should I be nice to him?". So I spent the rest of the night giving him a hard time.

I finished the night without spilling a drop of coffee, water or anyone's food, so it was a success, and I think Verlie had a good time as well. Next year I will request a different area to serve, or maybe I will actually request Verlie's table.

Obama's first "_____gate".

I guess a little hug has led to the Obama's first international public relations problem...here is a little news story about "HUGGATE". Leave it to the Brits to get upset about something like this.

By the way, if the networks start using that word (huggate)...know that I just invented the word...they better give me credit.