TGC & The PECK School of Arts

As many of you know, my brother Tony is quite an accomplished artist, who is now pursuing his MFA in Painting. Recently, his graduate school, the PECK School of Arts, has attainted new studio space on the east side of Milwaukee with the renovation of the Kenilworth building. Below is a link to an article that was published in the Milwuakee Journal Sentinal about the building project. According to what Tony has told me, even the junior students are alloted a significant amount of space; however, it has absolutely no natural light. Nevertheless, the more senior students get more space, and space that has windows. This picture of Tony was a part of that article. There is no doubt that Tony's family is extremely proud of his accomplishments and his exremely rare gift.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=526918

Monster Buck

This monster was shot the second morning of the gun deer hunting season. He is by far the largest buck that I have ever shot. He has 12 points, a 16 inch inside spread, and weighed 160 pounds field dressed. And the story is one to remember. As the twilight was fading into daylight, I spotted what I thought was a deer in a tree line 75 yards away. However, this was not the first time that I have done just that. As most who hunt early morning know, a clump of tree braches and grasses can easily look like a deer. I knew that my eyes could simply be playing a trick on me. So I did what any one else would have done, I waited and watched. And to my amazement, this clump of braches suddenly moved. I immediately put my scope on it and saw that it was indeed a buck. But because it was about 75 yards away and on the other side of a sizable treeline, I couldn't make out much detail. I could only see that it was a monster. So I watched and watched and watched. He just wouldn't move. You could tell by watching that way that he moved his head and the way he was trepedatious about all that he did that he was no rookie. He laid down on the other side of the tree line for an hour and a half. This entire time I was eyeing him with the scope, but only as long as my hands could take the cold. As the time went on, I became more and more cold and nervous. At one time I was literally shaking. Around 8:45am, he finally moved. As I put him in the scope I saw for the first time doe that was lying by him the entire time. And not surprizingly he was following after her. I knew that this would be my only chance. So frozen and nervous, I put him in the cross hairs and shot, and pumped the shotgun and shot again and again. And after the third shot he stopped dead in his tracks and quartered towards the stand. And so I took the absolute last chance I had, and put him in the cross hairs one more time. I shot, and he jumped in the air and fell to the ground. He never moved again. It was finally over.

I have to thank Jim Valentine and his daughter Amber for helping me with the hunt, dresssing, and registering. Also, I need to thank my Father-in-law Steve for this and many other hunting oportunities.

Shortly after my hunt, with a walk in the park and a couple of shots, Jim shot two giants just like mine. He only used two shots, but that is what experience affords you.

Alpha-Omega-Alpha Honor Society

Congratulations to all of the AOA members of 2006. My best wishes go out to everyone as they interview, and anxiously await the match.





 

Sink-time @ Gramma Joni's

Mom - it was great to stay at your house with Nat. She told me that she had so much fun, especially taking a bath in the sink. We need to make more regular a habit of trips like these. I hope that you are well. We all send our love.



 

Early Thanksgiving 2006

I have to agree with Angie, let me know how blessed I am to have such good friends. The food was wonderful to say the least. Our blessings go from our family to yours.



 

Phil & Meridith Kauth

I know that this post is a little late, but I guess late is better than never. My best wishes and blessings go out to this meant to be couple.

Natalie's Crib

The crib is finally finished! All the thanks in the world go out to the Morrey family for bearing with me through this often arduous project. Additionally, I want to thank my wonderful wife for persevering through my absence in the last many weeks, and for taking on more responsibility because of it.

I am thoroughly pleased with the way that it turned out. However, for me, the most rewarding aspect of this project was seeing the look on Jessi's eyes when she saw it complete. And this is only rivaled by seeing Jessi put Natalie in the crib for the first time. Praise God for His abundant undeserving favor in my life!

Family Ties

Can anyone tell me the these two have in common besides 25% of their genes?

Mother's Day

It's still hard to believe that we are celebrating Mother's Day this year! Though Natalie may not be able to express how wonderful a mother that Jessi has been, I can. Jessi has been a loving and committed mother since the day she found out she was pregnant with Natalie. And since that time she has done everything that she can to ensure her daughter's safety and good health. Even after the 20 hours of labor, and a major abdominal operation, her focus was not shaken one iota. And despite the circumstance of needing to return to work, she has persevered and made the most of the situation. I could not imagine a more suitable a mother for my children. Natalie and I are blessed to have her love in our lives. We love you Jessi!

And as always, my heart goes out to my mother who has cared for me unconditionally through these years of my life! God only knows how she must have persevered. I am sure that I have learned that from her. And also to my mother-in-law who has taken me on since I have know my wonderful wife. And my stepmother Sandy for her love and generosity.

Natalie's First Baby Sitters

Our friends Angie Heise and Liz Everson graciously offered to come to Madison to visit us in the middle of this past month. And while they were here they took care of her so that we could go to another friends birthday party. Our thanks go out to them!

Natalie's First Friend

If you didn't already know, my friends the Morreys are graciously helping me build a crib for Natalie. And when Connor, Mark and Ruth's son, heard about the project he put on his glasses and helped us out. What a good friend he is.

It's Bath Time!

For the first few weeks we were giving Natalie sponge baths. And just this past week we finally gave her the first real bath. As you can see, Mom and Dad may have been more excited than baby!

Bonding Recipe

A recipe of perfect baby bonding:

1 - Baby (preferably sedated in a milk coma)
1 - Mother (unstressed, ie. supported)
1 - Couch (a futon will do)
1 - Good Book

Make sure you have a minimum of six weeks off of work. Get into a schedule, and repeat.

Baby Expressions

How is it possible that all of these can exsist within the same minute?! And how can you love someone who throws up, poops, and pees on you on a consistent basis?!