Mega Blog Update - LIFE IS GRAND!

Hi Folks,

Yes, it's been a long time since the last blog update. But all that waiting will pay off with lots of pictures! Life is going great here in Michigan. I'm working full-time and going to school full-time; not bad, eh! Bethany is gorgeous as always, and I'm even more madly in love with her than when I fell in love with her 9 years ago. I think she's been sanely in love with me for at least that long too, although some estimates put it in the double digit range. Our 10 year anniversary of Me Being Madly In Love With Bethany is coming up next year.

Anyway, the following pictures will capture the last couple of months better than my words will:

Our little Cindy Loo Hoo and her Piggy Tails!

In case you can't tell, that's Bradley. The name on the monster costume gives it away.
"OH NO! A SCARY MONSTER!" "NO, DADDY, IT'S BRADLEY, IT'S ME, I'M JUST PRETENDING TO BE A SCARY MONSTER!"

SURPRISE!

Bradley loves his sister Evelyn. I asked him how many brothers and sisters he wants, and he told me that he wants 5 sisters and 3 brothers. And Bradley almost always responds with "One two three seven eight nine TEN!" to any question that starts with, "How many..." Divine inspiration, or pure coincidence? Only time will tell!

She charges less than the local Molly Maid

Bradley's first time bowling! Cousin Luke, Bradley challenges you to a Bowl-Off! Will you answer the challenge?

This pictures clearly shows why Bethany has been sanely in love with me for, by some estimates, double digit years.

Yes, it's true, Evelyn found the chocolates all by herself and decided to try a few out.

Pudding finger painting!

My Little Dolly Angel is the cutest baby girl in the world! I love her to pieces!

This was Evelyn's first time out in the snow. She hated it from the very beginning. She semi-tolerated it for the first few seconds.

But then, to the bewilderment of her brother, she simply couldn't take it any longer.
Maybe next year!

Dress Up is a big part of our life in the Swalberg Household

Don't Ask

Again, Don't Ask

Cindy Loo Hoo and Bradley love it when Mommy and Daddy take them to the local pet stores.

Evelyn's just kickin' back watching the tube

When changing an air filter, proper safety precautions should always be observed: (1) Safety goggles; (2) Full face shield; (3) Knee pads; (4) Dust mask. It is also imperative to employ the proper usage of a blow torch and hammer. It makes removal of those pesky air filters so much easier. Hence the need for the safety goggles, full face shield, knee pads, and dust mask.

Have you changed your cabin filter recently? If not, this is the type of air that you're enjoying when your AC or Heater is running.

Bethany sure knows how to throw a wild birthday party.
A Hot Lips Piñata Party!
I turned 26 this past Monday.

"DEATH BLOW!!!! DEATH BLOW!!!!" Daddy dishes out pummeling blow after blow, but this pesky piñata took a lickin' and kept on kissin'.

Come to find out, $2.50 Walmart Piñatas are made of heavy duty cardboard, not paper mache, and really should be broken outdoors with a hammer and a blowtorch. (while wearing safety goggles, a full face shield, knee pads, and a dust mask, of course)

Bethany gets in on the action!

Daddy delivers the Final Death Blow, finishing off his Worthy Opponent.

GRAB THE CANDY!

Evelyn challenged me to a Gotee Growing contest, and I must shamefully admit that she beat me. She has moved on to the semi finals to compete with Kyle Newton, the Master Gotee Grower. He stands no chance.

Merry Christmas - Ho Ho Ho - Cough Cough Cough

Hello Everyone,

I guess it's time for my monthly blog update. This week has certainly been an interesting one. Our entire family has been very sick! The picture above says it all. All of our Christmas plans were spoiled, and we weren't able to spend any time with any family members on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. Bradley and Evelyn both had double ear infections, but they are on antibiotics now. Bethany is 100% better, but I'm still congested. Hopefully I'll heal up pretty soon.

I've got some great pictures to share with you all. Without further adieu:

Yes, indeed folks, that's Evelyn STANDING next to Bradley! Their eyes looks funny because I de-red-eye-ified them; I promise they're not zombies.

Without any bias or favoritism, I must honestly admit that Evelyn is thee cutest
baby girl ever created in the history of this world, as evidenced below:

She's a great helper in the kitchen too!

I must also admit that Bradley is the silliest little boy ever created in the history of the world!

Are you convinced yet?

I Love Bethany :)

Bradley is already preparing for his mission.

He's got the "I'm Cool" look down

But it doesn't take long for the patented Cheesy Smile to come out!

Bradley is in his "temple"

I'm not sure what is more amazing, that lush patch of chest hair or baby Evelyn walking!

Do you notice a theme with Bradley's pictures?

The picture below explains the real reason why we were able to fly out to
Utah for so cheap. You can save a lot on airfare by checking the kids in at the counter,
especially when they weigh less than 50 pounds.

He made it home ok in the end

Bradley loves his sister at least 65% of the time

My Baby Dollie Evelyn

The spaghetti and hair bow go well together, don't you think.

Vacation to Utah

Hi Everyone,

Sorry we haven't posted in a long time. I've started a new job at Ford, still going to school, and we were gone for a while in Utah last month on vacation. No excuse, I know. Life is going great. I've become a car repair professional, changing my struts and coils recently, rear brake shoes, fuel filter (had to drop the tank to get to it!), changed the tranny pan gasket and filter, coolant flush, etc. Bethany says I need to stop bragging about my new-found car repair abilities and get on with the pictures! :

Did you know that a baby as cute as Evelyn....

could open cupboards and pull out EVERY SINGLE garbage bag so efficiently and effectively...

AND climb up on the dishwasher door all by herself when momma isn't looking?

Daddy the Car Mechanic

Daddy changing the rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders

Daddy changing the fuel filter on the Dodge Caravan (note to self: the Schrader valve for the A/C freon tank and the fuel rail look awfully similar)

Evelyn, Justin, and Great Grandma Cheryl

Bethany, Evelyn, and Great Grandma and Grandpa Walker

Daddy and Bradley getting off the plane to head back to Michigan

Bradley and Daddy Conquer Y Mountain...you can see Bradley's indomitable spirit in his eyes

No Retreat...No Surrender!

Daddy and Bradley enjoying a small baby ice cream cone, well deserved after hiking the Y

Turtles are fun to pet...

But SNAKES are better!

(notice Bradley's MTC TRC volunteer badge above!)


Evelyn has already formed great diet and exercise habits

"Bradley, are you a dinosaur?" "No, ALLIGATOR!"


Here Comes Pedra Cotton Tail



Family Fun In The Leaves


Where did Daddy go???


There he is!


My wife is gorgeous!




Mr. Goat and I became great friends



A sign of things to come...



JUST JOKING! MAYBE IN 15 YEARS!