more snow

Nascar: Uncle Nate would be proud. This car was another gift from a Dunwood parent. He likes to go backwards, get out, and then push it around.

It's been snowing and sleeting all day. The forcast says that the Milwaukee area will get about 24 total inches this weekend. We'll see.

papa gotta job

It's true. We are moving from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin. I will be teaching English at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR (www.jbu.edu). Unfortunately, the school is not named for the fiery abolitionist that was responsible for the raid on Harper's Ferry and countless killings of pro-slavery lobbyists in Kansas. Oh well, I hear the founder of the University was a pretty nice guy in his own right. Although we will miss everyone in Milwaukee, it's nice to know I'll finally have a job and that graduate school will soon be over. The dissertation is officially finished and my defense date is set for March 8 at 9:30 a.m. Praise Jesus!!!!!

University logo

the abolitionist

The Walker

Here are a few random pics of Ben walking. He loves to run around the living room and into the kitchen. He's got a few bumps and bruises, too.

new toys

One of the parents at Dunwwod (where Jules works) gave Ben some great toys. This is supposed to be a parking garage, but Ben uses is as a jungle gym.

Snow day

Jules got Ben a bucket of snow to enjoy. Here are a few pics.




We got over six inches of snow this morning. And, the forcast says that we will get another possible 10-12 inches before tomorrow evening.

Random Christmas pics

I never put too many pics of Jules, so here's one of her and her sister, Andie.


Ben is one of seven great-grandsons on Julia's dad's side. Here are six of them--plus Mema and Andie: Ben, Nicholas, Lucas holding Dylan, Jake, and Geoffery.

Ben with Julia's Uncle Don. He took a real liking to Ben--Don is Julia's family's version of our Natie poo-poo.

Ben checking out the tree at the Wimberley's. He's having a lot of fun with all of the family.

Ben's first haircut

I'll post Christmas pictures later, but Ben got his haircut today. Gramps was a barber before he became an educator, so he did the job. It's amazing how different he looks--I'll post a close-up later, too. He sat still for the most part. Enjoy.

all boy

He plays with all his toys, but if he had his druthers, he would simply be content to climb on bubba bear and the stairs all day and search for more electrical outlets and such. The second picture was taken at school. He fell asleep eating snacks. That's funny.

Birthday presents

I'll post more present pictures later, but here are a few. We had a great lunch party today. My mom, Uncle John, Aunt Kris, Timm, our friend Jessica, and the Coster's (Jules' former boss) came over for chili, cupcakes, and presents. Ben got great gifts. Unfortunately, the bag full of new pacifiers took center stage (see last picture). He also enjoyed the many phone calls from faraway family. He's sound asleep now--we flat wore him out.

Ben's Birthday

Here are few pictures of Ben's first Birthday cupcake. As you can see, he wasn't that excited about it, but the crowd sure had a blast watching him eat it. He entertained everyone all afternoon, but he crashed soon after these pictures were taken.

Random pics

Here are a few pictures from the last couple weeks. Ben is almost walking--really, he just likes to climb stairs and play with electrical outlets, cleaning supplies, and anything else hazardous to his health and our mental state. He is absolutely interested in everything. Enjoy.

Early birthday

Grandpa Curt and Grandma Jo came to visit this weekend and brought early birthday presents from family and friends. Granny thought Ben needed a barn to go with his nativity set. Now we have sheep from the Mid-East and the Mid-West.
Ben in his new Fila urban outfit. He's holding a block from a train set he got from Gale and Becky (I think).
These next two pictures show exactly what Ben was most excited about: paper and instructions. Below he's letting us know that we need to buy new batteries . . . lots and lots of new batteries.

Ben climbed our flight of stairs last week. He's not much for climbing down the stairs, but he likes the adventure.
Jules bought Ben a Playskool Little People Nativity set. He's taken a special liking to baby Jesus . . . and the camel.

Happy Halloween

For those of you who remember last year's halloween pictures, we thought we would continue the "pumpkin" theme. Ben wasn't much for the hat, but he liked his costume well enough. Walking while holding onto me is his latest achievement. Life is good. Enjoy the pics.

sleeping and standing

Ben stands now with regularity. He still holds on to furniture (and us), but we know we are just weeks away from walking.

World Series Game 3

Here are some random pics of my incredibly surreal trip to St. Louis for Game 3. My Uncle Jay called on Sunday and said that if I could make it to St. Louis on Tuesday, then I could have a ticket. Thanks to Aunt Kris and a generous Midwest pilot we know at church, I flew down Tuesday morning, walked around the city all day, and went to the game that night. It was great to see Daniel and Joy, too. My cousin's, Daniel, brick is right outside the stadium. The Buck family means a lot to them. Oh, our seats were 18 rows behind homeplate.