First day of school

After a very short summer it seems, it's back to school! The boys looked so handsome in their uniforms. Max is getting used to having all morning free before going to afternoon kindergarten at noon. It is a struggle! Alex is really liking the 4th grade. His 4th grade teacher (Mr. Carlton) is a lot of fun, and has already told us the class will be making models of castles by the end of the year - and Alex is so excited to build one out of legos! of course. Alex also got his cub scout Bear award and is moving on to Webelos. Jack is just having fun watching all the activity around him. He is already 8 months old and growing way too fast for Mom's liking. He is a very happy baby and loves to smile and laugh. We are truly blessed!

http://picasaweb.google.com/mcressler/FirstDayOfSchool200802#

Sunday Afternoon at Causey Resevoir

Went up with the Cronins to Causey for a picnic and a little play. Had a blast...It was the last weekend of Summer. Ah well, back to school and the grind.

Picnic at Causey Resevior

Summer swimming

We enjoyed Mark's pool a lot this summer - it is definitely our favorite activity! These pictures were taken the end of July (I'm a little behind on our blogging). Alex LOVES to go swimming and would stay in the pool all day and night if we let him. Max is turning into quite a little fish this year too thanks to a month of swimming lessons - thanks Mark and Janette!

Summer Trip to Spokane

We just got home from a trip to see Cristy's family in Spokane. There was a big family reunion and we camped out at Priest River for a couple of the days. I think its safe to say that we all had a blast. Zip gave all of us a CD with all the genealogical work she has done on the Shoff side and I'm going through it now. Wow, what a lot of great info. It was good seeing everyone and I think the kids had a blast with the cousins.

Camping in Priest River

Spokane Vacation 2008

Some New Family PIcs

Just a couple of new pics of the family before we took off to Spokane for a family reunion.

Jack and Cami

Jack gets a tooth

Well, looks like our little man has sprouted a new tooth. He's been gnawing at things for ages and we just thought that he liked to chew. We were wrong. He has a bottom center tooth that just broke through. Its neighbor ought to be up soon. He told his mom he was going to bite her now.

Alex heads out to Texas

He has been so excited about going to my sister's house this summer. He flew all by himself with no problems. He told the stewardess that he would be "no problem and very obedient". What a good boy he is.We sure will miss him though. Breezy said she would post pics on her blog daily so we can see what is going on while he is away. You gotta love technology.

Max turns 5

It was a great day today. Max has turned 5 and is quite the man now! He had a Hazrry Potter themed BD with all his friends. They made potion out of koolaid, gummi worms and other gummi bugs, and pop rocks. The boys thought it was so cool. We had made a 9 3/4 platform sign for the front door plus several stores within the house. Cristy is so good at this stuff. She cam up with a ton of good ideas that kept the kids busy, entertained, and the house didn't get trashed. All in all it was a good day.

Pics to come.

Not such a good day

Well, today is a real bummer. Michah J Cronin, who is one of my favorite cousins, died today. We're not sure exactly why but we are so sad and we are going to miss him so much. He was on a job in Colorado Springs and was, unfortunately found by one of his roommates. I* feel so bad for my Aunt, T. Its such a difficult thing to lose a child. While I have not experienced that myself, I have lost siblings and parents, neither of which is an enjoyable experience. We've been flocking to her and Tom's side in this time of need and are hoping it helps in some way. As I was talking with my bro and Micah's brother, we all agreed that the only good thing that comes out of a funeral is that the family comes together. Its actually quite sad, the only time that my mom's side of the family comes together is when someone dies. At the rate we seem to be kickin off, it should be often. I blame myself a bit because I easily fall into the "I'm so busy right now" mentality and then its gone...can't say hi or goodbye. Sometimes life gives us hard lessons, I just wish we didn't forget them so much and need the constant reminder.

Its a wonderful day

man, I am so stoked. One of my best friends, Glenn, whom I had lost contact with several years ago and could not find, has finally found me! It looks like he is still in Japan. I am so stoked that he found me. Hit me with a facebook invite and wouldn't you know, my work blocks facebook. Had to use my iPhone to check it out and get his email. Crazy. I'm about ready to hop a flight to Japan to see him I'm so stoked.

Work is going well. Seems like there is still a whole lot to learn but I am absorbing it. Like any where else, there are fire drills but I'm happy to be someplace where I can make a difference.

Week one of new job ending

and not soon enough. While not overly difficult, there is so much to learn. For those who do not know, I'm the Director fo Bank IT for United Health Care and CIO of OptumHealth Bank, UHG's medical savings bank. While I don't have a ton to say since I am still trying to get my mits around everything, it is pretty cool. The people are quite nice!

When the whole Family lands on you

My sister and 2 of her kids are out visiting from Austin. Its been a blast so far and the kids have loved playing with their cousins. They are all so cute together but , with Cristy, my sister, and Jess all lactating, its been a plain old dairy farm around the house. We all moo as we walk by. Needless to say, we all get punched too.

The babies are all getting so big! Bri's boy must weigh 30 lbs! he is such a chunk but also so happy. He just plays and smiles like he has no sense. Bri's was supposed to leave to go home today but the airlines delayed teh flight for 2 days and she won't fly out till friday now. Its nice having her around a little longer

Family Pics

What the heck have I jumped into...

My Dad sent me a box full of slides, negatives and pictures is nor logical order or even in any semblance or organization. Some slides where unmounted and many negatives were torn or bent. I decided to tackle this and get them all scanned. We bought a high end film and slide scanner and off I went. After about 2 weeks I had all the slides (600+) done at a good high res (4800dpi if you must know). They spanned most of the 80's and were a blast to look at as I went. I then decided to go after the negatives. I found 4 different formats and could, luckily, mount most.I started with what looked to bethe oldest and dived in. I even took the time to slightly organize them and get negative mounts to store them in. WHAT A BLAST!!!! They start around 1963 and go forward. I have pictures of me and my family I have never seen in my life. I just finished the odd format negatives, the oldest, last night and am working on the 35mm. The 110 will be a pain and I will probably send those out. I now have 10Gb on Picassa and am moving everything up. Since my album is in chronological order, you will need to go to the bottom of the page to see the old stuff. While its majorly time consuming, its also a labor of love. Its like reliving your life all over again.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mcressler


is the link to the main page. Feel free to look around. No laughing though...it was the 80s

Easy as a Sunday Morning

in fact, it was Sunday morning and we were chillin like villains. I love the pics of Jack and Max on the couch. Alex had been working on a lego space base that he is quite proud of. Enjoy.

The Boys on a lazy Sunday

Pics from a kids perspective

Max loves to get the camera and take pics of stuff around the house and outside. I don't doctor or change anything. You will notice the halo around everything. He said he had wiped off the lens for us.

Pics from a kids perspective

Jack is 1 Month

Well, Jack has turned 1 month today. We are all so excited that he is doing well. The jaundice is gone, he is eating, sleeping, and pooping like its no ones business...and it isn't.

Max and Jack