Let's Make a Deal.

Cindy bought me this balloon after my second hip surgery. Apparently...if you have a second surgery the gifts/presents are a little laid back from the first time around. I'm not complaining...I'm just saying. Anyway I made a deal with this balloon and Cindy - I would go back to work once this balloon lost all it's helium and was no longer floating. Well the balloon has out-lasted me. I had been off work long enough and got the doctors OK to return to work. The balloon is still soaring strong and I have finally returned to work but in a new position. My company picked up a contract with the City/County of Omaha for a large number machines that we manage under "print management" and I moved into this position.

It is in our home office in Omaha so I am now commuting each day and trying out a desk job instead of the service-side. After a whole week of work it seems like a good fit. I have to say changing jobs after so many years (and dare I say my age) it is a learning curve. I felt like a kid on the first day of school. Who is going to be my teacher...am I going to meet new friends...who am I going to sit with at lunch?

Now the question is...do I keep the same blog title or am I now "Print Man". That doesn't sound very Super Hero-ish.

I will let you know...when my balloon finally gives it up.

 

Oh NoOOo

  I'm thinking since we just sent off our "New Years Letter" it is not to late to blog about our trip to the Hills for Christmas and our trip to Denver which was a little more recent. My medical time off  from work has been "a blessing and a curse"...movie line ( Ok...TV series) anyone? Mostly a blessing which enabled Cindy and I to go to the Hills for an extended period of time over Christmas. Spending time with you, Mom and Dad, was truly a gift that I still treasure and is my "tree house" thought. Cindy and I always feel like we are at the center of one big party at all the family gatherings. Oh wait...we are!

It snowed two feet the evening Cindy and I arrived. Kept us home bound for awhile. Which meant staying put, drinking coffee and visiting! Oh NoOOo.

It didn't stop all the wild life from coming out.

 

Including  Cody who climbed and skied down the hill a couple times. I'm talking wild life here! 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of wild life...this family knows how to put on a party. 

 

The weather finally allowed us to make it down to Dave and Deana's to visit more family. Here is Henry dancing to "frosty" who is singing in the back ground. I think Zara should get this on line for a You Tube hit for sure! 

A happy Grandpa and grandson.

 

 

 

Cindy and I were able to head to Denver this past week to see Ashley and Alex. Another blessing with my time off. Alex sponsored a group of kids to Washington DC for the March for Life so Gods timing allowed us to help Ashley with the boys while Alex was gone. This is another one of our "tree houses" which we hold so dear. Liam is talking up a storm which is mostly understandable and Michael jumps in -now and then- to help interpret. Liam... "Hello gama"..."O-hey"..."I'm Ok!" (when he crashes into a wall or misses a corner as he goes careening after his big brother) and my new favorite is "Oh NoOOo" (used anytime. I mean anytime! Anytime you have too many scrambled eggs to eat...or not enough...or a plane flies over...or Liam hears the garbage truck come...a very versatile expression...I love it.)

 

 

 

Michael celebrated his 4th birthday while we were there. Cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents all made for a festive time. Ashley bought "glow sticks" for all the kids which was a huge hit!

Ashley also made these ice cream cakes all from scratch which I thought was way better than glow sticks!

Michael liked the final touches of "Mike the Knight" toppings.

This is where Cindy lived a large part of the time...including reading "Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site" a number of times...everyday. This was Liam's favorite book...oh NoOOo. I think it has become one of Cindy's favorites also (we will anxiously await the book report).

 

Super Hero time...need a little help with the cape though.

 

 Michael is showing his Super Hero speed.

 

The weather was quite nice for January and allowed us to take a trip into the mountains to a little town which reminded us of Keystone with a lot of shops.  Had great pizza!

 

And of coarse not to leave out Mr Happy 99% of the time John Paul! He is trying out his new quilt  Cindy made.

 

 

Next we get to see Dene' in March while Tyler is traveling for work. But will get to see all the kids here over Easter! Oh NoOOo...that's a good thing!