Physical...

Not that most of you really want details, but my physical went well yesterday. Then again, I probalby just think that because I didn't need the prostate exam!

Our neighbor Renee helped Kathie plant a bunch of flowers yesterday. Thanks a lot Renee! We've got most of the landscaping done now. We just want to add some bulbs for spring color and then get the mulch in.

Hair today, gone tomorrow....

I came home from work yesterday and I almost didn't recognize the little boy that met me at the door! Braden got a hair cut yesterday and boy does it make him look different. He's definitely growing up fast.

More pictures are available at our picture site.

No wasting time...

Brett and Lori sure don't waste any time. They're already picking a date for the wedding! Sounds like July 28th is the day. Yet another July wedding. It's like we have a bunch of teachers or pastors in the family or something.

Sorry for the Bretty nickname Brett. Ah, who am I kidding? No I'm not.

Braden is going for his first professional hair cut today. I want to take this time to wish the barber/stylist luck. Hopefully he'll come back with both ears!

I get to go for a physical tomorrow... and thanks to Dad, I have to have the most fun of tests done. Thanks Dad! I donated platelets yesterday and my blood pressure was 118/60, which is a lot better than it was at my last doctors visit. This working out business is apparently helping.

By the way, you can post comments to my blog... click on the pencil to the lower right. Not that I need validation or anything, but it would be nice to hear feedback.

Little Brettie is engaged!!!!

How do you spell Brettie, anyway? Bretty? Brettie? Brett-E? Brett-E is the only one my spell checker doesn't complain about, so maybe that's the right one.

Congratulations to Brett! He got engaged on Saturday! I suppose I should also say congratulations to Lori too, but quite frankly Brett's getting the better deal here.

Seriously, though, we're very excited and happy for both of them. We think Lori is a wonderful addition to our family and that they make an outstanding couple.

Now how about the Packers?!? At least we won't have to go a whole season without a win. Wow, the Lions really stink.

Sick...

We're all sick. I hate colds. Braden seems to be getting over his though. He was absolutely giddy last night. I don't think I've ever seen him have more fun playing. We played hide and seek for an hour. It just doesn't get old!

Dirt!

First, let me say thanks to Brett for all his help with hauling dirt Saturday. He was a huge help!

We got 7 yards of dirt moved. And I only have one wheelbarrow of dirt left over that I'm sure I can spread around.

Braden has a bad cold. We really need to keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't end up as an ear infection with his neutropenia.

And the Packers... well... they still suck. But they looked a lot better against the Saints than the Bears. I have a feeling that's more related to the level of the other team than the Packers improving though.

Boring Blog Title

I've discovered that one of the big problems with blogging is coming up with witty titles every time you post. I'm further handicapped by my total lack of wit.

So, yesterday was some big news! A girl! We are both very, very excited. I say both because I don't think Braden knows what a sister is yet. We hope he'll be excited when she 'shows up.'

I've been working out about 4 days a week for the last month now. And finally I'm starting to lose some weight. I haven't been dieting, though, and those Nutty Bars are just too good! But I do feel a lot better. I know I'm in a lot better shape cardiovascularly (is that a word? Yep... spell check says it is). We'll find out this weekend, as I have to move 7 yards of dirt and play hockey.

By the way, a number of people have commented on how impressive this web site is. I want to make it perfectly clear that I have very little to do with it. This is just a blog on blogspot.com. Anyone can do it. All you have to do is click on 'Create Blog' and it sets most of this up for you. There is some configuraiton involved, but basically all I do is type new blogs. Give it a try! It's kind of fun.

The string has been broken

A number of blogs ago I introduced the 'Unexpected Phrase of the Day' where I would post a phrase I've caught myself saying that I never believed I'd say.

The new phrase of the day is "We're having a girl."

Yep. That's right. The string has been broken. There will be an Ehlke girl in our family.

Everything with the ultrasound looked great. She appears to be in great health!

Braden helps with the laundry

Yesterday Braden was a very helpful little boy. While he was in child care at the gym, there were a couple of other kids crying. So he would bring the kids a toy, then walk away. If they kept crying, he'd try again with a different toy. His 'teacher' said he was very concenred that they were crying. This is one of the moments that really make a parent proud.

The following video, on the other hand, doesn't make a parent so proud. But it IS hilarious.

Video: Braden helps with the laundry

Monday...

Back to work. Pretty good weekend... Tim & Anne Marie have a great crew working on the haunt and are doing great. They've had most of the haunt built by the end of Saturday, even with my help.

The Packers look great! For a high school team. I will say the running game looks like it might be ok... the Bears D is very hard to run against. So, say if they match up against Waukesha North High School, I think we can win.

Braden had another fight with a door jamb. He's got a great bruise to show for it.

We find out Thursday if, by some odd chance, we break the string of Ehlke boys and actually produce a girl.

I'm getting a cold.

Another week...

Tough week... Off Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Work Thursday and Friday. Thank god the weekend is finally here! ;)

Braden started side-kicks today. It's a pre-preschool gathering for kids at church. I really likes it. Last year it wasn't as much fun for him because he was too little to do much playing with the other kids, but now he loves gym time.

Tomorrow I'm helping our friends build their haunt. Should be interesting... it's a new site and design this year, so hopefully Tim has got his plans in order! They're at the Waukesha expo grounds now, which is great for them as it's a lot closer and in a more populated area. Here's their website if you want to see more: Morgan Manner

Sod Cutter!

Sod Cutters are awesome! I rank them a close second to jack hammers for coolest tools to rent. I rented one today to remove the grass for landscaping beds. I was able to prepare beds all the way around the house and deck in a few hours.... roughly 3 months sooner than it would have taken if I'd done it by hand!

Braden found a spray bottle last night and was carrying it around. I asked him if he was going to clean something. He looked at me and then used his hand to wipe off a storage bin, then pointed the spray bottle at it, then wiped it off again with his hand. I don't' know where he picks these things up! It's not like we do a lot of cleaning around here! :)

Unbelievable Phrase of the Day

New blog feature: Every so often I'll post a phrase I've found myself saying that I never imagined I'd say. You'll find most of these involve being a parent.

For example, today's Phrase of the Day is "Please don't eat the broom."

I've learned a valuable lesson about golfing a very tough course like the Irish course at Whistling Straits and only having played twice that season. It was not pretty. But it was still fun and a great day for golf! Thanks for setting it up Kay & Stess!

*yawn*

Friday!!!

It's supposed to rain on Sunday. When I'm supposed to golf. Coincidence? Probalby not.

Another night of screaming. Tried to let him quiet himself down and after 20 minutes gave up. Yeah, I'm tired.