Bub and Boo and The Boys

2008-12-13T22:24:00.002-06:00

Bennett rocked this looked for a long time while playing with his cars. At one point he looked up, adjusted his hat and glasses, and said, "Daddy, I'm cool." "Yes, you are, buddy," I said, "Yes, you are."

2008-12-12T12:39:00.004-06:00

I must admit that I've been a very delinquent blogger. Too much to do I guess. So, here are some highlights from the last couple months.

The boys had a great time playing in the leaves....and there were a lot of them.

My parents came to our home for Thanksgiving...bringing their new Puggle, "Nubbin."

The boys spent some quality time with Grandma, putting a Gingerbread house together.

Here's Bennett spending some time with Paw, inspecting his new "hot wheels."

When my parents came to visit, we all went to Pittsburgh for the "Backyard Brawl," which is the annual football game between Pitt and WVU. It was cold...and the Mountaineers lost...but it was fun.

Here's Preston watching the WVU Band:

And here's a picture of the boys in front of our Christmas Tree:

Our Day at Cooper's Rock

2008-10-11T21:21:00.005-05:00

We ventured out today to Cooper's Rock State Park. It was such a wonderful place. There was an amazing view overlooking the river valley, and countless rock formation we could climb on, over, and even through. Preston explained our thoughts pretty well. We lured the boys to go on this little trip by promising them a playground. But after climbing on some of the rocks, Preston turned to me and said, "Daddy, this is better than a playground! This is like a playground God made."

The only downside to the day was that we were disappointed that it took us three years to "find" the place.

Here are the obligatory photos:

This is a picture of a caterpiller Preston was looking for...and found:

Climbing on, and in, and through the rocks:

This is a better picture of the rocks than of us, but it shows how beautiful and fun this park is:

You Only Have One First Day of First Grade

2008-08-26T21:20:00.004-05:00

Preston entered the first grade today. He was a little apprehensive, so to pump him up I told him that you only get one first day of first grade. Also, he's been talking a lot lately about wanting to be a missionary, so I explained to him that he was actually a missionary at his school. He got the opportunity to show the other kids what Jesus is like by how he loved them.

Anyway, here's a couple pictures we took to document the day.

He's excited...

He's not so excited...

He's excited!! I think.

Huh?

2008-08-19T14:27:00.003-05:00

A couple nights ago, I was tucking Preston into bed for the night, and we started talking about spiders. He was worried that a poisonous spider might bite him while he slept. I tried to assure him that he wouldn't get bit. But that didn't work. Then I told him that the worst that could happen (if he got bit) was that he'd get a little sick (like having the flu) and we would take him to the doctor. But that didn't work either. So, I pulled out the big guns. I told him that God is in control of everything. Nothing happens that God didn't plan to happen. And he made his plan even before he made the world. I told Preston that God controls every step a spider takes, and because of that God would protect him, because God doesn't make mistakes.

I thought I had won. I could tell that Preston was thinking about it. I thought he was satisfied with that answer, because (for a moment) the questions had stopped. But just as I was patting myself on the back, Preston looked at me and asked, "Daddy, if God controls every step a spider takes, how come he doesn't move us to sin?"

Huh?

Nothing like a little discussion about the interplay between God's sovereignty and man's free will right at bedtime.

Great Little Praiser

2008-08-19T14:19:00.003-05:00

Here's a video of Bennett 'singing' with his class at Gull Lake. He won an award for 'Best Little Praiser.'

Madness

2008-08-18T16:17:00.004-05:00

Here is an example of exercising poor judgment to impress your kids. On the inside, I peed my pants a little:

More Tid-Bits from Gull Lake

2008-08-18T15:49:00.005-05:00

I was able to get a few more pictures from our vacation, from Kendra's parent's camera.

Preston and his cousin, Kobe, had some fun with some very patriotic wigs. You gotta dig the mullett:

So did Butch (Kendra's dad):

Preston spent a lot of his free time on his new scooter:

Bennett had fun chasing him around...on foot.

Here is Preston and Kobe at breakfast one morning:

This is a picture of me and Preston on our way up Quadzilla. A zip line began at the top. Preston got all the way to the edge, but thought better of it. I (on the other hand) did not exercise such good judgment and rode the thing.

The boys also enjoyed some archery. Bennett is getting some help from one the camp counselors, while Preston got some help from his Uncle Curt.

Finally, here are the boys on the "beach."

Gull Lake Adventure

2008-07-27T21:10:00.008-05:00

Last week, we loaded up the ol' station wagon and headed off to Hickory Corners, MI (home of Gull Lake Family Camp). Gull Lake Ministries offers a series of family camps in the summer, with teaching and activities for every member of the family. We went with Kendra's mom and dad, many of her aunts and uncles, and her older brother's family. Here are some pictures of our trip.

On Wednesday, we went to the Gilmore Car Museum. This was an amazing collection of cars, all housed in restored barns. At one point, Bennett wanted to take a break from the cars, so he could go look at the "corns:"

The museum had one of the 50 Tucker automobiles, built in the late 1940's (I think):

This is a 1932 Pierce-Arrow. It was so nice, we felt compelled to take our picture in front of it...I'm not sure why...we had never heard of "Pierce-Arrow"...but that's what tourists do:

Here is a picture of the boys in front of a 1930-something Mercedes. A man who lived in what became East Germany hid it under a rose garden for 40 years to keep it from the Soviets. When the Berlin Wall came down, he finally felt safe to bring it out of hiding. It was in bad shape, but he sold it so that he could get some much needed retirement income. They restored it and brought it to Gilmore.

Here is a picture of the boys in front of a Hudson Hornet, like "Doc" from the movie, Cars:

The boys had fun climbing around a double-decker bus from London:

On Thursday, we took a pontoon boat tour of Gull Lake. Here is Preston doing his best to look cool:

You may not be able to see it, but I took a picture of a plane that was practicing take-offs and landings on the lake:

Here is Bennett watching the plane from the boat:

Here is Preston, Bennett and their cousins (Kaylee and Kobe) enjoying the view from the bow of the boat:

Here is a picture of Kendra and her older brother, Kevin:

Thursday afternoon, Kevin and I took Preston and Kobe to play golf. The "Allen Boys" took on the "Slater Boys" in an alternate shot battle royale. Unfortunately, the Allen Boys lost by one...but we had a great time:

Check out the extension and head position!!! Jason Zuback...who??

Potty Time

2008-07-11T07:10:00.002-05:00

Kendra and I have struggled to potty train Bennett. We decided not to push the issue too hard, thinking that he would eventually decide to do it on his own, when he was ready. Yesterday, after Kendra worked with him for a couple days, Bennett decided to make the transition. He wore underwear all day...without accident or incident (as a parent you sometimes celebrate the craziest stuff). So, we're off to a good start. One thing Bennett will need to work on is patience on the potty. Yesterday, while Bennett "waited," Preston sat with him, reading him books. He has truly been a caring big brother. He's encouraged Bennett, instructed him a little, and supported him. It was cool to see Preston be truly excited for Bennett's transition. It is something really worth celebrating. Below is a picture of Preston reading, a picture of Bennett listening and "waiting," and then a picture I took of Preston doing one of his favorite activities...coloring (no real connection to potty-training - I just liked it).

Hey Baby, It's the Fourth of July!

2008-07-04T22:34:00.009-05:00

Tonight, we went downtown to take in Fairmont's Fourth of July fireworks display. They didn't start until 10:30pm. Some woman named Mary Lou Retton (who apparently made a name for herself in the 1980's) was being honored and welcomed home, and I guess the festivities took longer than they had originally planned. While we waited on the tailgate of our station wagon, we did our best to entertain ourselves. Eventually, two other families from our church joined us. I took some pictures of the fireworks. The building on the side of some pictures is the old Fairmont Hotel. At one time. it was one of the nicest hotels in the state, but is now used for low-income housing. We had a wonderful time.

My Little Redneck

2008-07-04T16:33:00.002-05:00

As you may know, both Preston and Bennett are huge NASCAR fans. Preston's favorite driver is Jimmie Johnson. Bennett's favorite driver is Jeff Gordon. Both drivers are part of the Hendrick Motorsports team. Today, we were watching the qualifying for this week's race. The 'talking heads' were discussing the fact that Mark Martin would drive for Hendrick Motorsports next year in the #5 car. Preston listened intently, then looked me square in the eyes, and said, "He better be good." Somehow, my good friend Tim, doesn't seem to share the same concern:

"A Present for Me and for You"

2008-07-02T16:06:00.003-05:00

Preston and I have started a tradition, which began when we played golf with my dad a couple of years ago on my birthday. On his birthday, and on my birthday we play nine holes of golf together. Today, he referred to it as a "present for me and for you." Can't really argue with that. We had a lot of fun. Preston hit a couple of 150 yard drives (one of them even had a bit of a draw on it). I took the camera hoping to get lots of pictures, but I forgot about it. Below is the only one we took to document the day:

Our Trip to Chatta-boogie

2008-06-28T15:49:00.010-05:00

On Monday, we loaded up the car and headed to Chattanooga for a quick visit. We went to help my father celebrate his retirement from Covenant College (at the Walden Club), but we also squeezed in a party to celebrate Preston's sixth birthday (at Chuck E. Cheese...where else?). On the way home, we stopped to take a look at the New River Gorge Bridge. Here are a few photos of our trip.

And last but not least.....

The Allen's finally bring some class into the Walden Club.

Run...Doyle....Run!

2008-06-21T18:14:00.004-05:00

I ran in my first 5K Race today! The "Run to Read" Race benefits literacy programs in our county. I ran with a member of our church, who runs on the cross country team at her high school. The overall winner of the race finished the course in about 17 minutes. I...on the other hand...finished the course in 27 minutes, 51 seconds (which was 2 minutes better than my goal). I don't know if I'll do it again...but it was fun. Below is photographic evidence....and no....I didn't beat the young man behind me in the picture.

TIMBER!!!!

2008-06-21T18:07:00.003-05:00

Recently, we had a big, old, and very dead tree from our yard cut down. Here is a picture of the boys sitting on the stump of the tree.

A Little Golf on Our Day Off

2008-05-26T19:21:00.004-05:00

It's Memorial Day, and Kendra, the boys, and I ventured to the driving range. Here are some photos we took to document our trip:

Bennett-isms (part 3)

2008-05-22T21:41:00.004-05:00

Part of our bedtime ritual with Bennett involves putting him to bed, him getting up, us putting him to bed again, him getting up....and well, you get the picture. Tonight, we began the usual ritual, and as I was putting him back in bed, he said, "Daddy, I scared." I said, "Buddy, there's nothing to be scared of right now." Then he looked back at me, smiled, and said, "God is with me?" "That's right," I said. And I kissed him, and he went to sleep.

Bennett-isms (part 2)

2008-05-14T14:22:00.002-05:00

Bennett's stomach was very upset this afternoon. And Kendra spent several hours comforting and helping him. After he was feeling better, Bennett was sitting on my lap, and I said to him, "Bennett, you need to say, thankyou mama, for helping me." Bennett turned to Kendra and said, "Thankyou mama for helping daddy."

Bennett-isms

2008-05-14T00:59:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, Bennett, Preston and I were playing in the back yard. Preston and I were kicking a soccer ball back and forth, while Bennett was hitting a few golf balls around the yard. Bennett hit a particularly good shot, so I said, "Hey, buddy! That was a good one!" Bennett politely said, "Thank you." He took a few steps away, paused, put his left arm horizontally across his waist, bowed, and said, "It was my pleasure."

I have no idea where he got that, and Preston had no idea why I was chuckling.

Getting Up To Speed

2008-05-12T21:16:00.012-05:00

And so, as we enter into the brave new world of "blogging," we wanted to share a few pictures that let you know what we've been up to the last couple months.

We've tried new fashions:

We've hung out with the Lincoln family in Springfield, IL (and Nana and Papa too):

We celebrated Easter and Bennett's birthday (on the same day):

We've lost some teeth and some hair (Preston lost his first tooth, and after growing her hair out for almost 2 years, Kendra finally got her hair cut, so that she could give the hair to an organization similar to "Locks of Love"):

And Preston started T-Ball (he's almost having as much fun playing as we are watching):

Well, that about get's you up to speed.

I hope to post more tid-bits as the come along.