Sunday Afternoon Nap

I guess I realize why Maggie has all of her pictures taken in the Pink Boppy. That thing is really comfortable. After a good holiday weekend, we capped it off with a nice afternoon nap. What's more American than that?

God Bless America, and three day weekends!

We started off the holiday weekend with a neighborhood parade. Scottie decorated his bike and joined in with the 4000 other kids (ok it wasn't 4000, but it sure seemed like it) to follow the fire truck around the block. We stuck around down at the pool to see the moon bounce, tattoos, playground, and 4000 other kids. At about noon, it was time to get home to have lunch and start getting ready for our party.


Now here are two, hot little firecrackers getting ready for the 4th of July. Notice, Maggie can take pictures without the pink boppy.

About 6:30, we had a group of friends over for our own little 4th of July party. Our neighborhood does a really good fireworks show, and you can see them great from our driveway, so it works out really good. This was the second year we have had our 'little' party and we had a great time again. I mean how does a party with 20 kids under the age of 7 not have fun written all over it? Add in 18 adults, a moon bounce, a slip and slide, a blow-up basketball goal, and a playground, and it was happy independence for everyone.

Our backyard turned into complete chaos

20 kids under the age of 7, what are we thinking?

16 of our closest friends

Happy 4th of July. Hope you had a great long weekend.

Here Kiddie, Kiddie, Kiddie Park

Happy Fourth of July. Gotta catch up on some blogging so I will post July 4th pics this weekend.

Last weekend we headed up to Bartlesville for a little break from the monotony, a golf tournament for me, and an extra hand from Grandma and Papa. Ann and the kids had gone up on Monday after Scottie and I had gotten sick. I stayed home and Ann took the kids so Maggie wouldn't get anything (thankfully she stayed pretty healthy). I went up Thursday, and of course we headed to 'Kiddie Park'. Now for those that don't know Kiddie Park, it is the best bargain in America. We did tons of rides, and were there for about 2 hours. It cost us 8 bucks. That's right 25 cents a ride, except roller coaster and train are 50 cents.

Scottie loves him some Kiddie Park, plus he got Mom and Dad by themselves since Maggie was home with Grandma and Papa.

Even Mom and Dad have a great time at Kiddie Park.

And the highlight of the night has to be that Napoleon Dynamite was working the Ferris Wheel. Gosh.


PS--On a side note, we found out this week that the Seattle Sonics will be moving to OKC for next year. Too bad they will stink for the first few years, but I am still a fan. Don't know the new name and colors, but that will be announced shortly. Just what I need, another sporting event to follow.

Do you believe in Miracles?

Sorry for the long delay between blog posts, but I will try to make up for it in the next couple of days.

After a somewhat difficult first month for Maggie, we have experienced a 'Miracle'. She had a weight check at 5 weeks and we found out she wasn't getting enough to eat. So we started feeding her more and we were referred to the 'Miracle Blanket' by some friends of ours.

Sure, to the common man, it looks like a baby straight jacket. However, to parents of a newborn, it is exactly what the name says, a 'Miracle Blanket'. It has some nice comfortable arm restraints and gives a nice triple wrap which make for the perfect baby burrito. Plus it says on the package that there is a 100% guarantee. We are believers.

I think we have her somewhat figured out now. She is gaining more weight and seems a lot more content during the day. She even slept from 10:45 until 7:15 the last two days. Let's hope I didn't just jinx us.

No denying that my little Mag will be breaking hearts with this smile.

Is every picture of Maggie in the pink boppy?

What is this outfit?

Why not Dad's Day?

I am trying to understand why we call it 'Father's day'. I mean do you call your Dad, Father? I sure don't. I call him Dad. Scottie calls me Daddy. I'm not a priest here. As a matter of fact, I cannot tell you one person who calls their male parental figure 'father'. So why Father's Day? Why not Dad's day or Daddy's day?

None the less, I am extremely grateful and blessed to be Scott and Maggie's Dad. Sure it has it's challenges, but they are few and far between. Those challenges are an afterthought to the fun and excitement that fatherhood brings. Aha, there it was, I said 'father'. Maybe there is reasoning behind Father's Day.

Anyway, I look forward to the future of being Dad/Daddy to Scott, Maggie, and any others that come along. I had a great 'Father's Day 2008', but I think from this moment forward, we will call it Dad's Day in our house.

And please let me know if you call your Dad, Father.

I'm sorry, but this is not a 'Father'.

Birthday Bash--McNellis Style

June 10, 2008--A one month old and a three year old. Boy am I getting old. Today was a non-stop party at the McNellis house. Scottie woke up to a house filled with Cars decor and asked "is Daddy coming home yet" forty five times because he would get to open his presents when I got here. So as soon as I got home, he got his wish. Gotta get our picture with the birthday boy.



The first thing he opened was a new baseball glove. Guess we better get started working on that slider and circle change-up. Or maybe first, we should understand the concept that we don't throw the ball with our glove hand.

Next was a new tractor to dig in the sandbox. Specifically, an excavator, because Scottie has a major infatuation with excavators. This is one of those things you learn with kids, because pre-Scott, I had no idea what an excavator was. Praise God for google.

Finally, he got the sweetest Cars racetrack ever. They didn't make them like this in my day. Battery operated, sends those cars for a serious ride. As you can see, I am somewhat jealous.

Tonight we had over a bunch of Scottie's friends (four families) for a big backyard bash. He got some great gifts, had some Cars cupcakes, and played in the backyard. Besides a few altercations with his best friend, Calvin (these are not unusual, at least one per meeting), we had a great time. Everyone left for home and we played with our new toys a little longer before bed. And in case you're worried, Scott and Calvin made-up and are still best friends.

Also, what's a party without a one month old. Maggie hit one month today. After such a big day, she was ready to call it a day. Too bad she didn't and is still awake with me. Hope she goes to bed tonight. Happy one month birthday Honey.

Houston, We Have A Problem!

After a crazy weekend and a busy week at work, I am back in the blogosphere.

For those that don't know, we made a ridiculous decision to drive to Houston for my younger brother's wedding last weekend. Yes, I know Maggie was three weeks old, but we successfully made it to and from Houston without much drama. We do, however, continue to pray that Maggie didn't catch anything while we were away. She was a great traveler and slept as long as the car was moving.

We arrived Friday and did a little swimming before getting ready for the Friday night McNellis/Stamper family dinner at Babin's down on the Kemah Boardwalk. The food was really good and then we stuck around for a merry-go-round ride.

The wedding was absolutely awesome and we had a great time. I am glad we went and I am forever indebted to Ann's parents for coming with us to watch Maggie. Kevin and Tera got married on a wedding cruise. It was on a 15o foot yacht and everything (wedding, reception, etc) was onboard. Good food, good friends, good music/dancing, good (hot) wedding, great couple, great time. Good decision, Kev and Tera, we were glad we could be a part of it.

So the reception was on the top deck of the boat and it was pretty much dominated by Scottie and his cousins, Ava and Quin. He may get his looks from his mom, but his dance moves are all dad.

Overall, the trip was a success. The hardest part was traveling all day Sunday and not having any recovery time after such an eventful weekend. Then add the fact that a new boss rode with me on Tuesday and Wednesday, and let's just say I am glad the weekend is here.

Sorry for the long post but it was a big week, there will be more next week as Scottie turns 3 and Maggie hits 1 month.