Hans on Issues Etc.

My hubby was on Issues Etc. Thursday.  I'm actually quite surprised he didn't advertise the event himself on Facebook.  This isn't the first time he has been asked on the show, but don't ask me when he was previously on.  I'm not a good wife in that way.  Hans told me about his phone-in appearance the day before and I asked if the topic was something he had written a blog about or the topic of one of his Lutheran Satire vidoes.  This was the case the last time he was asked on the show.  When he told me "no" I asked him why they asked him to be on the show.  He just looked at me and said, "Because I'm a brilliant theologian." To which I replied, "Well, you're a good theologian."   My husband needs to be brought back down to earth sometimes.   

If you'de like to listen to the show click here.

And I thought I'd be a nice wife by looking up the other times he was on the show which you can listen to here and here.

Silly Boys with Grandma and Grandpa

It is impossible to come into the Fiene house and not be entertained by the rambunctious and obnoxious boys living here.  Both big and small.  And it doesn't matter if you've been here a hundred times, they will act equally silly every time.  So when my mom wanted to get a nice picture of the boys before church one day, this is what she got.

 My mom also couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a picture of a certian little boy wearing his big brother's boots while watching SuperWhy.  I'm going to have to buy this kid some boots of his own.

Before my parents left, it was time to attempt another picture of the three boys and their grandparents.

The boys love having visitors so you all should stop on by!  It is sure to be an experience!

Slammers Game

The library staff decided to get together outside of work for a Slammers game.  The Slammers are the minor league team from Joliet.  John had been chomping at the bit to see a game since experiencing the Padres game, so we decided to take our brood and join my coworkers.  I didn't actually watch any of the game, but I had a great time.  The stadium is close-ish to our house.  Parking is free and close.  The stadium is small and clean.  Food prices are fantastic for a ballgame.  And they have a playground and free jumpies for the kids.  We might become regulars next season.

 My coworkers love Hans.  Or they think he is crazy.  Maybe a little of both.

 We reserved the patio.  So we had a nice balcony area with tables and chairs.

 Anders found some girls to talk to.  Boy, was he telling them a story.

 Gus went with Hans to buy me a pretzel.  I only got one bite.

 Brotherly love.

 Popcorn is not something the Fiene boys share very well.

 The weekend games are followed by fireworks.  This is John's new friend David.

I love the people I work with.  Such a wonderful group of men and women (mostly women) with wonderful families.

New Playset

Remember way back in January when I said I wouldn't put my dad to work the next time he came to visit?  Well, I lied.  But this project wasn't for me or my home.  It was for his grandkids.  And that man would do anything for his grandkids.  I ordered a playset before my parents came to visit in the hope that it would be here in time to have my dad help Hans put it together.  I was a little afraid that if Hans and I put it together ourselves, we wouldn't make it to our 7th anniversary, which was only a week a way.   The playset arrived 3 days before my parents were scheduled to leave and my dad set to work.

 There were many pieces.

 Fritz liked the smell of cedar and was soon banished to the house when he tried to chew on the pieces.

Lots of helpers for a the slide.  How many of them are actually helping my dad?

 These helpers had to stay on the cement pad...for fear they may help too much.

 Kids from the neighborhood were excited to get something new to climb on.  They all gathered around for moral support.

 Looking from the inside.  The anticipation was killing them.

 Reading the horrible directions.  This would have been a sore point between Hans and me.

On the second day of building, a big storm hit.  My dad had just finished the roof of the playhouse and set it underneath our deck.  The playset hadn't been anchored yet since that is one of the last steps and was blown over by the wind.  The roof (that was just built, mind you) was picked up and crashed into the deck posts.  Causing it to break in half.  My dad could do nothing but watch.  I would have been losing my mind, but my dad was calm and collected.

 After the storm, we were able to pick up all the pieces and put everything back together.

 Promising not to snack on the cedar, Fritz was able to lay in the shade near all the action.

 Almost finished.  The kids are anxious.

Anders snuck out there when no one was looking and went down the slide.  Such a stinker.

 Okay, kids. Go play!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for all of your hard work!

The Game

John couldn't wait to have a football game in his own front yard.  Every guest in our home in a two week span was asked to play a game with him and finally a game was played.

 Strategy talk.

The cheerleader.

 John is going for the end zone while Grandpa takes care of anyone coming to steal the ball.

 The cheerleader must make it out on the field every once in awhile.

 Grandpa is an awesome defender.

 TOUCHDOWN!  The cheerleader is unimpressed.

It was a good game.  I'm not sure who won.  Gus says he did and John says he did.  I say it was a tie.

Back to School Bash

Right before school started, the library hosted a Back to School Bash.  There were fun things there like making your own bookmarks, playing Bingo and dancing with a DJ.  I taught a few classes on some of the kid-friendly databases we offer, and the event ended with a visit from Staley, the Bears mascot, to promote the program Tackle Reading.

 Gus is working on his hula hoop skills.

 Staley had some fun games for everyone and Gus actually decided to participate.  

 John must have gotten the answer right.  It's too bad you never know when this kid is happy or excited.

 The kids loved watching Staley dance.

And for those of you who gripe at me for not putting my picture on the blog...here you go.  Don't say I never did anything for you.