Dad’s Modeling Debut.

Here’s the new Hallmark Card that features my forehead.  This is the front, inside it says “Sometimes it to post little reminders around the office. The language on the front makes it PG13.    You can buy them on a Hallmark Site,So, I am sure you are asking why I am on a Hallmark Card, I mean besides the fact that I am handsome.    Well, at work I sit across from my Producer, Tim.    Tim is a very creative guy, not only does he do smokin’ hot 11pm shows, but he also writes plays, and occasional greeting cards.   One night, for some unknown reason I kept calling him “Tom”, and  kept calling my reporter, named Tom, “Tim”.    Finally I got out a notecard and wrote “Tim” on it, with an arrow, and posted it on my computer monitor.   Tim, seeing this,  got a card and posted what you see.   Later, when Hallmark had a contest for cards dealing with “on company time” and Tim used the pic to create the card.   It was chosen as a winner, and is now available online.   If it sells well online,  it could end up in Hallmark Stores.    I even had to sign a model release.     By the way, I am the second model in our family, Lauren was a baby model for ZCMI Department Stores.   One day when I run across those pictures, I will post them and will explain how that came about.

Best Big Sisters Evr

Emily, Sarah and Elise didn’t want their little brothers to suffer from their Dad’s laissez-faire style of parenting, so they have been working the last couple of nights building costumes for Jackson and Mattias for their school Halloween Party.   They did an awesome job

The house looks like a bomb exploded in a Tape and Cardboard factory, but I guess that becomes Joan’s problem about 20 hours from now.

A Most Disturbing Morning Discovery…

I have been finding weird stuff on my front lawn some mornings.   Mostly it has just been remnants of a good time.. but this morning I was a little worried.   Joan is in Hawaii, and I am still working nights, so the kids are self-supervised at night.   Frankly kids have been doing a great job, but I was a little concerned when woke up to this on my front lawn.   I know they were not using the lawnmower, so I am not really sure what they were up to.   I hear the police and fire scanners at work, so I am certain the Fire Department didn’t have to respond, so I guess no real harm done.  Joan will be home in 36 hours.

Dad misses another seemingly epic evening

Residue of the evening's fun

As mentioned before, because I work the night shift, I miss the evening family activities.   Judging by the artifacts left overnight on the lawn, I missed a great time last night.    Here’s what I found scattered across the front yard this morning when I went out to purchase a diet Cola Beverage at 7-11.

Illinois Pickled Herring Eaters Like Joan’s Tortes

Joan's Torte, photo from the Historical Society's Newsletter

Dad and Joan are getting some respect for their kitchen work.
A few months ago the Illinois Swedish American Historical society toured the Detroit area. The Local swedes called Dad to put on a special meal for the roving hoard of Viking tourists. All the kids and grandkids helped prepare and serve about 70 folks. It was a lot of fun. Today we got email with a link to their newsletter, where they spoke very highly of the Dinner. Dad cooked the fabulous meal, served smorgasbord style with a lot of help from Jake. Joan made 72 personal sized Princess Tortes. The old ladies really got a big kick out of the grandkids and kids being the waiters and waitresses.

Joan unloads her Princess Tortes, notice the innovative use of PVC pipes for preparation and transport.

Joan, flanked by her helpers, accepts congratulations from a happy customer

How did we NOT end up at the ER?

I never get to see the kids playing in the evening because I am working the 11pm Newscast.   Apparently I am missing quite a bit of fun.   This is what I saw laying on the front lawn next to the sidewalk this morning.

It’s a pair of roller blades, a superhero cape and a stuff to make a ramp.

Caj Heading Out

We got exciting news from Caj today, in the form of the following, comprehensive email:

“im leaving on monday. i probably wont get to write for a while”

That’s all we know, we have heard they usually call from the airport, we hope we’ll hear from him.

We just got around to sending him a package full of Joan’s home-made baked goods. It may get there Saturday, and he’ll have some good eatin’ for the long plane trip, or if it is late, his Maryland companions will get it.

Below is the only known photo of him on his mission, it is from the MTC with one of his best buddies, Peter Velex who was at the MTC at the same time.

Caj at MTC

Sarah’s Epic Jump

Emily, Sarah and Elise went up north with some friends for the weekend.   They had a great time, check out this epic pic of Sarah tearing up the trail getting some awesome air on the 4×4.    So what happened next–

Blog Reactivation

I have been neglecting this blog for a number of months, mostly ’cause I am a slacker.   I will now redouble my efforts to post more regularly.    My motivation is mostly to keep Caj up to date on his mission.   He does not have computer access other than email, but I will print out pages and mail them to him.

A lot has happened over the last few months, not the least of which is a 7,000 mile road trip for a couple of family reunions.   It was awesome, and I’ll post some pictures in the coming weeks, along with any new family news.

Flash – Caj’s Call

Caj received his mission call – it is Bahía Blanca Mission, Argentina.   He leaves June 23rd!