Can you tell us a story?

This kid can talk! Grandma Joy was visiting the other day and Evan had a story to tell. This is just a portion because as you know, they stop when you grab the camera. We were able to catch a little bit of the conversation. He is being quite vocal lately which is fun, even if it is at 4 a.m.

Last weekend and Father's Day

Evan and I spent the Father's Day weekend at the bachelor pad (our house) enjoying the weekend bonding, father and son. Liz was in Memphis for her annual training for her volunteer work in Chi Omega Fraternity.

Before Liz left on Friday, she and Evan wrote a card for Father's Day and the plans for the weekend. Of course, Liz is a genius and had everything on there to make it special. That included:

• Spend Friday evening with my good friend Duey


• Go to Starbucks Saturday and Sunday morning


• Go to the lake with Mark and Ally


• Spend Saturday evening with my good friend Bo


• Have Grandma Joy come over and watch Evan while I pulled weeds and cleaned up the yard

It was a great weekend, but I wish that Liz could have been in town. Regardless, she got back on Sunday and we spent the evening hanging out with Evan and eating pizza.

Evan was a trooper at the lake and hung out with Aunt Ally most of the time. They went on a really long walk and enjoyed time together. They joined Mark and I in the boat for a quick trip around the lake. He wasn't sure at first, but he did great and can't wait for Uncle Mark to pull him behind the boat in the tube. We were secretly trying to think how to strap the car seat in the tube, just for fun. We then decided that wasn't a good idea. Pictures are coming soon!

If you haven't been watching the College World Series, you are missing out on some great games. I am secretly cheering for Texas, but LSU is a great team. I have been to a number of games and love it more each year. I will miss Rosenblatt after next year, but am looking forward to the new stadium and traditions.

We are getting ready for the 4th of July, our family's favorite holiday. We can't wait to be with family over this special holiday!

Evan's First Day at School

Evan started at the First National Bank Child Development Center last Monday, June 8. He officially has been there for a week and he is thoroughly enjoying it. They keep him very busy throughout the day and when we visit him for lunch or pick him up at the end of the day, you can tell he is tired and ready to spend time with mom and dad. He especially loves watching the other kids.

These are photos at the house before we left:


Here we are at school (yes, dad is holding the Kleenex and is a wreck):


Evan with his teacher, Ms. Sharla:


Liz also went back to work after 12 weeks at home with Evan. The transition has gone well as Liz is very busy at work but also gets to visit Evan during her lunch hour. I have also gone over during lunch, as the center is only a few blocks away from Creighton. As per tradition with Liz's friends, they were very sweet and sent her flowers for her first day back. (Thanks Ruth, Erin and Sara!!!)

I have spent most of last weekend and early this week at the College World Series. We only have this year and next at the "Blatt". Everyone better come and visit next year and take in the lore of the College World Series before it moves to downtown and to TD Ameritrade Park.

4 Generations in Colorado

We made our first long-distance trek to Brush with Evan last weekend. He was a super-trooper in many ways. Here are just a few:

• Slept in the car the entire way there, minus a pit stop in North Platte
  
• Entertained multiple visitors (mostly family) on Friday morning and afternoon including aunts, uncles, cousins and great-grandparents


• Attended a wedding for a family friend on Saturday afternoon and evening


• Slept in the car the entire way back, minus a pit stop in Kearney and about 45 minutes right after the stop

The reason for this post is to feature the 4 generations of the Cook and Temple family. Our family is very lucky to have 3 great-grandparents that Evan can enjoy being spoiled by at any given time. Grandma and Grandpa (Arla and Herman) Cook and Grandpa (Harold) Temple stopped by the house in Brush to meet Evan for the first time. They had only seen photos of Evan and this was their first chance to meet, hold and spoil him. It was an exciting time. While we are so thankful to be able to continue to spend time with the great-grandparents, we remember Joyce Temple, Kay and Ray Crossman, and Melba and Melvin Andres. We are certain that Evan is a special gift from them.

HOBY Nebraska 2009

I just got back from another packed weekend of activities and fun at HOBY Nebraska. I had a great group of 8 high school sophomores, soon to be juniors. Our group name was Barracuda, named after the infamous fish. Each group at HOBY is designated by a letter of the alphabet. Additionally, the students choose the name of the group from a chosen "topic", this year's was aquatic animals.

The pictures from our service project are what you see above. We spend Saturday morning at the Clyde Malone Community Center painting rooms, digging a larger sandbox, cutting weeks and shrubs back and holding ladders. Some of the photos are also from us hanging out at the park near the center. We ran through the water part of the park as well which was a nice cool off from the hard work and 85 degree day.

I was lucky enough to experience HOBY Nebraska again this year and spend time with a great group of ambassadors who were truly "OUTSTANDING".