Waterbaby- by the way this was taken April 1st 

This is Maddie's idea of house hunting 

The Streaks End...

While in Dallas this weekend, okay let me rephrase that, the reason we went to Dallas this weekend was to see the Rangers/Tigers game. I had metioned to Chad that knowing his luck, Sunday would be the day the Tigers lose and end their winning streak, which by the way, the Brewers were on the same winning streak. So the game was great, the seats were great, the weather was great- how can you beat 80 and sunny. All through the game I was keeping my eye on the scores from around the league and as I was seeing the Brewers putting a big goose egg up on the board each inning, I was beginning to get worried. So back to the Tigers game- they pulled out to an early lead and I think Chad was feeling good about it. So as the Rangers started getting some hits and some runners on, I leaned over to Chad and told him "If the Brewers are going down today, so are the Tigers". As it turned out they both ended their winning streaks yesterday. You figure it has to end sometime. Being a Brewers fan or in Chad's case a Tigers fan, we have been through all the downs and just want some ups. Maybe this is our year- and I don't mean to make it all the way to October, but just to have some ups.

Other weekend news, Friday was baseball for Chad- it didn't turn out as well as he had hoped. Saturday morning brought some more houses. We met with our realtor at about 10 and had 7 houses to look at. We pulled up to the first one and we were really looking forward to seeing this one. She got out of the car and told us that they weren't having any showings until Monday. So that was disappointing, but we are going to see the house this afternoon. With the way things have been going, I know that if we don't get in there today, someone will be in there later this week and buy it. All of the ones we saw were nice homes, some just weren't our style. We then went to one that we figured would be a walk through see it and leave. Well we ended up liking it and it is totally move in ready. We are just waiting to see the house today and if we like this one too, we might have two homes to seriously look at and decide if one of them is for us.

Homes are behind us and we are off to Dallas. The drive was good. It didn't seem to take to long. Maybe we have driven it a few times and so you start to know all the places along the way and feel like you always know where you are. We got up to Carrollton a little later than we planned, but still got to spend the evening with Chad's aunt and uncle. Maddie was entertaining for everyone. Sunday morning we went to Lamb of God, where Adam is. Maddie did a great job waving her palm branch. It was just that she waved it all through the service. After church we went with Adam to get some breakfast and off to the game. If you are ever in the Lewisville area you should go to Ham and Eggs for breakfast. Now I like breakfast foods. This was BREAKFAST. The pancakes (I'm not lying) were bigger than the size of a frisbee. They were hanging over the edge of the plate. They were good too. So then it was off to the game. We got back on the road at about 5pm and were home by 9pm. It was a short trip, but a good one.

This week is a short week of school with Easter, but a packed week of baseball. Three games this week. Today, tomorrow and Thursday. We are just hanging out at home this weekend. I have some stuff we need to do, but nothing too exciting. Then next week is a short week of school with having Monday off, but there is still baseball practice on Monday. Grandma Heff is coming in on Thursday morning and staying until Monday afternoon. Then it will be just about 3 and a half weeks until we are back in Wisconsin.

Well Maddie has finally decided to get out of bed this morning and so it is time for breakfast and to start the day.

Going to the Big D

Okay well not the D, but Carrollton, Flower Mound and Arlington. We are heading up to Chad's aunt and uncle's tomorrow after we see a few houses. We will spend the night there and then go to Adam's church in the morning and get to see him. The whole reason for going is because the Tigers are playing the Rangers and so we are heading to the game on Sunday. We were going to buy tickets when we got there and then Adam called yesterday to say to not buy tickets because someone from church came into his office and wanted to know if he wanted to use his tickets for Sunday's game. What a conincidence. That isn't even the best part. The seats are 20 rows up behind home plate. Adam said they are really great seats and is now coming with us. He wasn't going to, but know has decided that he will.

This week has flown by, which is good. Just a few more weeks of baseball. It sounds like Grandma Heff is coming the weekend after Easter. With the Bucks in the playoffs, she will have some time off. We will also be hosting our friend Stephanie and her husband. They are visiting some friends here, but also have to make a stop in the Houston area, so that is exciting. We didn't make it to their wedding last summer with Maddie and so it will be nice to meet her husband. Well Maddie and I have some errands to run before lunch. I'll post some pics from this weekend after we get back.

A Long Time No Post

Well maybe it hasn't been that long, but I sometimes feel like it has been forever. Not too much new going on here. I sometimes start to think that maybe my life is boring since I don't have interesting stories to tell or funny things to show. Then I realize that maybe my life is okay and sometimes it is good not to have too much to tell. So anyways, here goes.

My sister, Jana, was here last Friday (3/24) and stayed until Wednesday of this week. She was on spring break, but there wasn't too much sun to celebrate. I think she did get to sit out in the sun one of the days she was here. It rained a couple of the days, but we needed it. Didn't do too much, just bummed around and she got to play with Maddie. Chad's game got rained out on Tuesday, so she didn't even get to see any baseball while she was here.



Chad's brother Ben was suppose to then come into town on Thursday, but it didn't end up working out and so we were a little bummed. So this weekend consisted of more house hunting and trying to get the apartment back to "normal" life-aka laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping.

Maddie is starting to take some steps. She isn't real sure about it all, but she keeps getting up and trying some more. She sometimes get herself going and then lands flat on her face. It is hard not to laugh, but she usually does. She is starting to talk all the time, not that anything makes sense, but she is always making some noise. We can't wait to go back to Wisconsin in May and we even get to celebrate her brithday while we are there. We are hoping that she will be walking by then and everyone seems to think so.

Today was nephew's Sam's baptism. We didn't get to be there, but are glad that Sam is part of God's family through his baptism. This week also brought another baby-not another cousin, but our friends' Ben and Sarah had their second baby and it was a boy, Nicholas Benjamin. He is joining his big brother Matthew, who I'm sure will be a great big brother.

We got just a few weeks left of baseball. This week was rainouts all week, so it will be a little more hectic then usual because of squeezing two more games in before district play has to be done. We are hoping that there aren't any more rainouts. The Brewers are going to be in town after Easter and it looks like we will get to go on the 17th. One of the board members at school (also a dad) is actually getting to throw out the first pitch that night too.

That is what is new with us-Just enjoying the weather (80's) and getting ready for all our summer happenings.

Some light reading to start the day 

The no-look pitch (just pray you don't hit the batter) 

The grass tickles 

Multitasking: Standing and drinking 

Do you think cougars like Nemo fruitsnacks? 

"I feel like on of the animal, strapped in" 

It can get hot down here 

Any way you look at it, I look cute 

Ella: with mom, dad, and big sister Kate 

Cousin Ben and Cousin Sam (Sam's a little camera shy) 

Wanting to take part in Aunt Jana's Bio Lab 

Jam Packed

That is what you could have called the last two weeks. Not a bad thing, but for sure jam packed. My mom flew in on March 9th, we had Maddie's 9 month check up. She is a healthy 18month old. She is still off the charts for height and right at the top for weight. Then it was time for some more visitors come Saturday morning. My sister, brother-in-law, dad, and two nephews came. We spent four days in Austin and had lots of fun. Took in the Zoo, the boys saw a UT baseball game, saw the Real World house from last season, and walked UT's campus. It was time to come back to Tomball for baseball practice and a game on Thursday and Friday. Saturday morning grandma, grandpa, Maddie and I flew to Chicago and stayed overnight. Sunday was niece's Ella's baptism. A small affair, but Maddie loved chasing Ben and Kate around. Monday was a "relaxing" day in Milwaukee with my parents and sister. Tuesday was more running around with cousin Ben and then seeing Chad's family. It was a quick two nights and so then it was back here to home on Wednesday afternoon.

We have today to clean up the house, do laundry, grocery shop, and then time for another visitor tomorrow. My sister, Jana is coming for a few days during her Spring Break. It isn't going to be 80, but they said by Monday it should be back to 75.

From today it is just 8 weeks until we go back to Wisconsin. We will be there for about three weeks and get to celebrate Maddie's first birthday up there. We have a feeling she should be walking by then. She is getting brave and starting to take a few steps by herself. She gets to about two and then decides it is easier to crawl. We will keep working at it. I'm not sure what cousin Ben is going to do for 8 weeks without her. They really have enjoyed being around each other for last few days.

Baseball is in full swing. District games have started. I am hoping the weather stays nice so Maddie and I can get out there to enjoy some of the season.

Could this face get in trouble? 

Bubbles everywhere- we didn't even try to eat them 

Just making sure the neighborhood hasn't gone to the dogs and cats(actually that is what we usually see outside) 

Ode to Wisconsin (part 1) 

Ode to Wisconsin (part 2) 

Maddie got a chance to be Dad's offensive coordinator 

"Maddie, which play should we run?" 

13 and 1/2 Months

That's right that's what the age difference will be. Chad and I are expecting number 2 in the middle of July. We went for our ultrasound yesterday and everything looks good. I also saw the doctor while I was there for a check-up. That was Chad's first time going to the doctor with me for this baby and he got a little scare while the nurse was taking my vitals. It seems that this baby never wants to have its heartbeat heard and so it is always moving around and so the nurse had a hard time finding the heartbeat. She stopped and said that she would get another nurse or Dr. Russell to come in and do it. I got up and looked at Chad and he was a little white and I told him that it was okay, this has happened everytime I have been here. I said that whoever comes in next to do it will find it in like 10 seconds. So here comes the nurse to get the heartbeat, I counted and 12 seconds later there it was. A hearty 160. Chad a think was a little relieved. We did find out what it is going to be, but I have been pinkie sworn to publicly display it and only if someone inquires about knowing can I let them know. You can read all the legalities on Chad's blog http://misterjntexas.blogspot.com

In other news, we have booked our flight for May and will be spending just about 3 weeks at home. Well Maddie and I will, Chad will have to come back here for end of the year meetings for 4 days, then he will be joining us again for the last 2 weeks.

Baseball has been going good. This week it looks like they will get their tournament in. It has been sunny and about 80 here. Maddie and I even got a little color as we were out walking yeaterday.

Maddie is doing great, she is starting to stand by herself for longer times and when you pick her up and then put her down she wants to go right to a standing position instead of a sitting one. She is starting to babble more and more. She can mimick a lot of sounds we say and faces we make. She also likes to sing when there is music on, that is great at home when we are listening to cds, but it can be a little distracting when we are at church and she starts everytime the organ starts or when the choir starts. We love the Curious George CD that Aunt Jana got us. Everytime is come on she starts bopping up and down and waving her arms around.

We have visitors coming on one week. Grandma Heff is coming next Thursday and even gets the chance to go to Maddie's 9 month check up with us. Then the rest of the gang comes on Saturday. We are actually scratching Lake Conroe and going to Lake Travis which is right outside of Austin. I know that the northerners are looking forward to some warmer weather, I think Chad is just looking forward to come time off from school, and I am just looking forward to hanging out and relaxing.

Visitors: here, gone and back in two weeks

That's right, it is visitor time. AKA: the northerners are sick of winter and are trying to escape it for a little while. This past weekend my parents were here and didn't get to see much sun or warm weather, but at least it was a bit warmer than Wisconsin. They got into Dallas on Thursday night after a 2 hour delay in Milwaukee where old man winter was coming to town. They drove about 3/4 of the way Thursday night and then got to our place on Friday morning. We just hung out for the day, they just enjoyed watching Maddie play and crawl around. Saturday should have been filled with baseball, but the rain and the cold made the day open for whatever came our way. We ate lunch, took a little drive, watched Michigan State Men's basketball, mom and me did some shopping, and that took up most of our day. Sunday we went to church, then it was to Katy to Katy Mills to find Chad's suit, it was a Christmas present from my parents. He ended up getting two, it was buy one get one. We did a little more shopping. Maddie got a few things, grandpa bought her some vans. Even Joel got something and he wasn't even with us. Then Monday we headed out to Conroe to check a couple of rentals out for Spring Break. That is when our next round of visitors are coming.

Spring Break is just in two and a half weeks. We are renting a place on Lake Conroe to hang out at for a few days with everyone. We will then spend some time around here and might even take in the rodeo. It will still be going on and since Ben enjoyed State Fair and all it's animals last year, we thought he might like to go.

The rodeo is huge down here. Might even be bigger than Summerfest, but we'll never know unless we go. So here's to cowboys, boots, and roping cows. Yee-Haw.

We made it through a tough winter

That's right, winter was here and is now gone. We made it through okay, no real loses. We love when the temperature gets below freezing, it is so funny to watch the news and the locals' reactions. On Friday night there was about a 10 minute segment on the freeze coming and we just had to watch to see what it was all about. We pretty much just laughed our way through the news that night.

Well basketball is officially over. The varsity girls lost on Saturday, so they are out of the playoffs. So now all we have to concentrate on is baseball. First game is today. It should be nice out, like about 67.

This past weekend Chad got to play nurse and nanny. I ended up with the flu on Saturday and Sunday. Maddie kept him pretty busy both days, but he survived. I was feeling better yesterday, but went to the doctor and Chad stayed home with us too. Maddie and Chad even went out and took a trip to Target on Sunday.

This week we have visitors coming. My parents are coming in on Thursday to Dallas, but won't get to us until Friday morning. They get to watch some baseball and of course their main reason for coming is to see Maddie. Maddie is doing great, she is getting more adventurous each day. She is trying to stand by herself and she can for short amounts of time, but then she usually ends up falling. She scoots along all the furniture and everything is a toy to her.

Well Happy Valentine's Day to all. Hope that you know how much you are loved.

Yes, that's our kid- we are such proud parents 

Just couldn't make it through lunch at Chile's 

This may be her only chance at cheer 

Winter Is Coming...

...yes it is true, winter is going to finally be here in Tomball. It is coming this Friday and should be gone by Tuesday. If you can call low 50's winter, then it is coming soon. That is what all the talk is about here. It has been so mild and now we are suppose to be getting some artic wind that will cool us down a bit, so you can imagine what all the native texans are thinking:
"I have to cover my plants"
"I have to cover my pipes"
"I need to get out my parka"
and my all time favorite
"I need to know where my children are"

Winter may be coming, but basketball is over for my JV team. I have to help some with Varsity while they are going through the playoffs. Both varsity teams made the playoffs, you would think there would be more excitement, but not really. That just goes to show that basketball is not all that important here. On Friday I played at North and won by 6 and then we headed back to school to see the boys varisty game, which actually felt like a real basketball game. The stands were completely filled and everyone was really into the game. I felt like I was at a game back up north. The boys ended up losing, but it was a really good game.

Baseball is in full swing and they have their first scrimmage on friday with their first game next Tuesday. Maddie has been roaming out on the field when practice is done and is getting used to the grass. It usually takes her a little bit to get going on it, but then she doesn't stop.

Maddie is doing great. She is figuring new things out each day. She has found the stairs, figured out how to get up them, so now there is a gate at the bottom that she can't stand. She is starting to stand for very short amounts of time on her own, it usually lasts about 3 seconds before she falls, but she is at least trying.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all my extra time now, but I'm sure that something will come along and fill the void.

only our kid