Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Bieber Review

We left for Summerfest around 5:00 Sunday night. We weren't sure where we were going to park since the O'Donnell Park parking structure was shut down. I didn't know what the traffic would be like as well, so I tried to give myself enough time to drive around. The last time Kris and I went to Summerfest we spent an hour trying to get out of one of the lots and I had no desire to repeat that. I told Kris that I would pay extra to be able to get out easily. I was thinking that after this show I would need to relax.

Luckily we only drove around for about 15 minutes and then settled on parking in a lot by an apartment building for $25. It was a little more that most of the other lots, but thought that it would be worth it to get out with ease when the show was over.

This was the view of the stage from our seats:


I had looked up how long this concert was supposed to last and other people who had seen it commented that is was about a two and a half hour show. So when things started at 7:00 I was hopeful we would be out by 9:30. The first group out was some all girl group called the Stunners; sort of like a man band, but with girls. I would compare them to the Spice Girls. Average at best.

Next was someone by the name of Jessica Jarrell. She did about 4 or 5 songs and then came back out later for a duet with Bieber. Again, she wasn't too bad, but not my cup of tea.

The next performer was Sean Kingston. Ali loves him and she told me that she actually liked him the best of all for the night. And actually I didn't mind his set. his music had a bit of a reggae sound to it, but a little more upbeat.




Finally, Justin Bieber came on, and the crowd went nuts. While I am not a big fan, I will say that he put on a pretty energetic show. Though I still don't quite know what the dancers were doing on stage. They really weren't needed and if anything they were a distraction.



The girls liked the Justin Bieber show, Kris and I just tolerated it. It is sad when you go to a concert and your ears are ringing afterward, not from the music, but from the 30,000 tween and teenage girls screaming.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Bieber Day

It's the day of Justin Bieber at Summerfest. It already poured out last night and earlier this morning. With any luck, the rain is done for the day. We'll be leaving in a few hours. The good thing is (if there is one) that there doesn't look to be any other big name acts on any of the side stages tonight. So hopefully that and the rain will keep the crowds at a minimum. Review to come after the show.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Ali's New Bike

On Monday Alison was riding her bike around with Sarah and some of the other girls in the neighborhood when she got a nail in her back tire. We have known for some time that she needed a new bike, but we were sort of waiting to get her one. Sarah went from a 20" to a 26" bike, and we were kind of hoping that Alison could do the same. But once her tire went flat, Kris and I discussed it and we decided she really did need a new bike.

So while I was at work, Kris was researching bike online from Walmart and Target. So when I got home we were ready to go find her a bike. We knew pretty much what we wanted, we just wanted to make sure we were getting a well made one. We thought a 24" bike would be best for her right now. The 20" bike is too small and there is no way that she could ride a 26" bike. Walmart had one model in stock, a 24" one, and it was some brand I never heard of. Ali sat on it, and I thought that the seat was still a little bit high for her, even at the lowest possible level.

We then decided we would go to Target and see what they had. There were (2) 24" models to choose from, a Magna and a Schwinn. After having Ali sit on both, we decided to go with the Schwinn. The seat was a little lower so she was able to sit on it a little better and I liked the construction of the bike itself better.

When we got home, Ali was insistent on trying it out. So after pumping up the tires, she took it up and down the driveway a few times.



Sunday, June 13, 2010

Bieber Fever

The hottest teen act on tour this summer is coming to Summerfest this year, Justin Bieber. Kris and I, after some long discussion, decided to get the girls tickets. It is a reward for doing so well in school this year. Sarah had straight As and Ali worked so hard to become the best reader in her class.

Unfortunately, we can't send them to Summerfest alone, so we have to go along. We were planning on giving the girls the tickets when they got home from school Thursday afternoon. But Sarah was invited to her friend Leah's to go swimming after school Thursday so we decided to give them their tickets Wednesday night.


When Ali saw what we pulled out of the envelope she screamed.

So they are both excited to go now. And Kris and I are dreading the evening being in an amphitheater with 25,000 screaming girls.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Family Tree Project

I have decided to pick up my old project of updating and working on my family tree. After watching NBC’s Who Do You Think You Are, I thought it would be good to see if I could go any farther back than where I am currently. Right now, I am in the mid 1700's on Kris’s side, and on my side, I am stuck at my great great grandfather. I’m sort of stuck in the late 1800s there. So I went and got a few books from the Public Library on how to proceed when you have reached a dead end.

I did however last week, find out that one of my dad’s aunts (my great aunt) just died in January. She lived in Canada with the rest of my grandmother’s family. That might be a branch that would be interesting in learning more about. I’ll post more information as I come across it.

Also, I decided to go to ancestry.com and check the message boards there. I hadn’t been there in a while, and to my surprise I saw someone actually posted a response to a posting I made about 5 years ago back in March. Apparently this person is a cousin of mine a couple times removed. I posted something back so hopefully I will hear something soon. Maybe I’ll subscribe to the site so I can get the contact information.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Two Down, One to Go

Tonight we watched Toy Story 2 in preparation for next week's release of Toy Story 3. Both of the girls thoroughly enjoyed it. Sarah has actually seen it before, though she was probably three or four when we watched it. I had even forgotten some parts, so it was a good refresher.

Once again, Alison was talking to the TV as Woody and Buzz went on their respective adventures. It is so cute to see that. And I think that is also a mark of an excellent movie, pulling the viewer into the story.

MAN! I can't wait until next Friday when Toy Story 3 comes out now!

Last Day of School

Today was the final day of school for the year. Sarah survived 6th grade! Her grades were stellar all year long and we hope that in a couple of weeks when report cards are issued, her final grades will be reflective of this hard work.

Ali was a little bit sad knowing that it was her final day there and her best friend will not be going with her over to Shady Lane. It was sad seeing her trudge on out to the bus stop.

And as is tradition... Here are the girls before leaving for their final day:


Only two and a half months until school starts up again.

15 Things

Today is my 15th wedding anniversary. So I thought, what can I do to show my beautiful bride that I love her and she is the love of my life? In honor of our 15 years together, I will recite 15 things that I love about the wonderful Mrs. Kristine Hahn.

1) She is supportive: When I am down, she lifts me up. When I am happy she laughs with me. When there is a problem, she stands beside me, not because she has to but because she wants to. I only hope I do the same for her.

2) She forgives me: I can be an insensitive louse at times. No really, I can. In fact, I am probably way more than I even think I am. I am jaded and cynical at times (and pretty proud of it at times as well). My wife can see past all of this and somehow manage not to hold it against me. That in itself is proof that miracles do happen.

3) She understands me: My wife and I sometimes speak in half sentences. All it takes is “Honey I need a...” and the other one of us will finish the sentence, or simply go and get what is needed. This kind of verbal shorthand has taken quite some time to perfect.

4) She is an excellent mother: As a matter of fact, Kris is probably far better at being a parent than I am. That is a hard admission to make, but it’s true. I had to learn how to be a dad; she’s just a mommy. It really is a gift.

5) She is flat out gorgeous: No arguments here people (and that includes you Mrs. H). I think my wife is the most beautiful woman in the world. And hey, she thinks I am attractive as well. (And she even has glasses, so I can’t blame it on poor eyesight).

6) She makes me laugh: It’s something you usually hear of a friend, but my wife can be hilarious at times. She has an impish sense of humor that can disarm even the most aggressive person, while at other times can make a sailor blush.

7) She is my rock: I have issues with the world of common sense. I’m not great with money and worse with planning. I want to be able to give everyone everything. My wife not only makes up for these imperfections, but has helped me to be better with both (now if I could just get the Ali out the door on time every morning). I think she is far more grounded than I am.

8) She is my partner in all things: I have the great joy of having a spouse who not only involves me in all aspects of her life, but whom I am more happy to share any part of my life with.

9) She is my best friend: It may sound cliche, but I have never had anyone in my life I just enjoy talking to more than Mrs. H. We never run out of things to talk about, and neither one of us has ever become bored with each other.

10) She’s part of my family: This may sound like a cop out, but hear me out. At no time in my life have I ever been with someone that so quickly and easily became a part of my entire family. There was always someone who disapproved, or was generally not happy or disliked my choice in a girlfriend I was with at the time. Miss Kristine was the first person who simply “fit”. Now this really has no bearing on my feelings for her one bit, but it is one heck of a plus.

11) She is encouraging: When I made the decision to go back to school years ago and get my BS and I was feeling like I made the wrong decision, she pushed me to go for it a while longer. When it started to look like I was finally going to do it, she smiled and told me she was proud of me. I still remember that. It was all her. Behind every good man is a great woman, and mine is Kris.

12) She is a great cook: She may give you an argument on this, but I love her cooking. She works hard to make sure that the girls and I get healthy meals and does it while working, keeping the house, and taking care of the kids. I appreciate every time she cooks and I come home late and dinner is ruined because it got cold and I had to reheat it. It still tastes great and would have been even better had I not messed it up.

13) She is a great decorator: I admit I get worried when she gets ideas in her head because it usually means more work for me. But in the end it turns out she is always right. If it were left up to me, our house would look like a grown up college dorm or frat house.

14) She watches Brewers and Packers games: Kris loves the Brewers and the Packers and actually has some great sports opinions. How can you not love that?

15) She knows me like a book: And yet she still loves me for some reason

All in all, there are simply not enough words to describe my feelings, my admiration, or the love I have for you, Kris. Fifteen things do not begin to cover it all. This fifteen is simply my way of stating to the world that I would scream from the mountain tops if I had that option (Sorry, not a lot of mountains in SE Wisconsin).

So on the 15th anniversary of the day you said “I do”, my lovely wife, please allow me to say this:

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HONEY!

I am sure this is probably a bit embarrassing, but it was finally time to shout it from some kind of mountaintop, even if it is the virtual variety.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

President's Award

I got home from work on Monday and there was a certificate sitting on the counter. Turns out that Sarah was awarded the President’s Award this year for Academic Excellence. And she even got a letter of congratulations from Barry himself. Yeah, it was a signature stamp, but I suppose it is the thought, right?


To be eligible, Sarah had to have an A average in a particular class, at least a 90 average in the school as a whole, and she also needed to have a recommendation from a teacher and at least one other staff member.

Way to go Sarah. We are very proud of you and how well you did in your first year at middle school.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Last Week

The final week of school is coming up this week. I think Sarah has one test, but otherwise, it is just end of year activities. Almost seems pointless if you ask me. Alison has pretty much the same thing. Her class party is Tuesday afternoon. Kris is the head room parent so she is going to be running it. I may or may not give her a hand. It depends how much help she thinks she might need hauling things.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Trip to the Zoo


On Friday I took off so that I could help chaperone Alison’s final Riverside field trip. They were going to the zoo. Unfortunately, Friday morning it rained cats and dogs. And it was still raining slightly when we left. Kris and I got assigned Alison and two other children. It was good that there were enough other chaperones along so we didn’t have to go more than 3 kids per group.

By the time we got to the zoo the rain had pretty much stopped. The good thing was that we cut an hour off the time were supposed to be there because of the rain. We started out in the monkey house then the fish & reptile house and small mammal house. We tried to take them through the places slow so that we wouldn’t have to walk outside. Luckily the rain stopped by the time we ran out of houses to go into.

Ali was a bit of a handful because she thought since Kris and I were chaperoning her group, she would be able to do whatever she wanted. When we told her she wasn’t running the show she got all bent out of shape and started pouting.


We even let the kids run around in the play area for 20 minutes or so and still had time to go on the train and back over to the aviary before leaving.


One thing to note... NEVER go to the zoo the last two weeks of the school year. The zoo was absolutely swamped with schools taking field trips. Getting in and out of the zoo was... Well a zoo.

America's Funniest

When we got back from the zoo, Kris and I had to run a couple of errands while Alison went back to school for the 3rd thru 5th grade recorder concert. So when we got home we were carrying some groceries into the house when Kris saw a wasp flying around the back door. She proceeded to watch it as is flew up to a small gap in the soffet and disappeared underneath.

Since I have already knocked down 4 separate nests in the last few weeks, I figured they were trying to start another. So I got out the wasp & hornet spray and took aim. Kris was watching from the back door as I fired the stuff into the gap. I got it, but nothing came out, so I decided it needed another shot. One problem, the wind shifted. I ended up with a cloud off wasp & hornet mist in my face. I happened to step backward, forgetting I was on the porch, and staggered backwards, off balance. I ended up smashing my head into the light on the front of the garage, which staggered me.

I ended up seeing starts for what seemed to be about 15 seconds or so, which made me take a knee. At least I can say I was coherent enough to kneel down so I would go staggering all over the yard.

After the fact when I thought about what happened, I thought, this is the kind of thing you see on America’s Funniest Home Videos. Too bad Kris didn’t have the video camera on. That would have probably netted me some cash, because I am sure I looked like a dope.