And Another...

Police in Northwest Indiana arrested 76 people and confiscated almost 200 roosters after raiding a cockfight near North Judson.

Authorities said a passerby noticed an unusual amount of traffic around the property Saturday morning and called police, who found a large crowd gathered around a cockfight in progress in a corn crib when they arrived about 10:45 a.m.

The spectators scattered when officers arrived, and police found men and women hiding in ditches and wooded areas, including some in hollowed-out trees and logs. Some were children, including one who was wearing no shoes.

Police arrested so many people they had to borrow a school bus to take them to the Starke County Jail. Twelve were charged with felonies, and the rest face misdemeanor charges.

The birds, some that had been fighting and were dead or bloodied, were taken to the Starke County Humane Society, where they were destroyed, police said.

Police found 13 guns in the home on the property, and plan to seize the 20 vehicles and money found at the cockfight.

Score One For The Good Guys...

What an exciting day at the office! Can't really go into detail about how we assisted in this arrest all the way from Lowell, IN as it was happening, but let me tell you, technology is pretty cool. Good work everyone, and so glad no one got hurt...

Man found in creek after police chase: wlfi.com

Onward and Forward

As if I don't have enough living creatures at this house, I'm going to add more. I've always wanted to try and maintain a saltwater fish tank, so I'm taking a stab at it. After putting a fresh water tank in at the office and remembering how relaxing it is to watch, I decided to take the plunge (well, not literally). As I was shopping for stands, I was noticing the poor quality 1/4" chipboard that they were constructed from. Since salt water weighs 8.5 pounds per gallon, and I'm figuring I'll have at least 70 gallons or so after all the rock and stuff is in, plus the weight of the rock, and the tank... I'm looking at a pretty heavy load. And I'm pretty sure I'd have to freak right out if I got it all up and running only to have the stand collapse.

Looking at the price of those cheap stands, too, I was pretty sure I could build my own for less or at least close to what the stores were charging. I did some online research to get some ideas and the project took off. I figured I have about 15 hours invested in this thing, but I'm really happy with how it turned out. There are a few spots that I resanded that I need to touch up with paint, but I think it's looking good. It's pretty sturdy. I'm feeling like you could probably park and elephant on it and it wouldn't break. Now to start collecting all the stuff I need to get this thing set up. It's amazing, with the research I've been doing, how involved this saltwater thing is. It's basically like maintaining a really complicated hot tub. With living things inside.

I'll keep the progress posted!

Camp McDonald

To celebrate New Year's, we decided to venture out in the COLD (sheesh!) to Hobart to go see "Gulliver's Travels" at the theatre. The other option was to set up camp in the living room and watch a movie at home. Turns out we did both. So, prior to going to the show we stopped at WalMart and got this little tent.

The movie was good and everyone had stellar behavior the whole night... good way to start off 2011!

After we got home, we set up camp. Vincent and Jade had fun staying up late and pretending we were in the wilderness. They even slept, in the tent, till 9am this morning! Amazing! They're still in it right now watching "The Neverending Story." I love that movie...

So happy...
Life is good :)

Even Horses Love Christmas

Thought the horses would like a little extra treat for Christmas this year.

I crushed up a bunch of peppermints, cooked up a huge bowl of oat bran, and mixed in apples and carrots for a warm winter afternoon treat.

I think they liked it!

Winter Fun

It's so nice to not have a schedule full of stuff to do. Today was kind of warm (as warm as northwest Indiana gets in the winter anyway) so I decided I'd take the kiddos to a real sledding hill. We attempted this a few years ago, but Jade was too little and freaked right out the first time she catapulted down the hill. Needless to say, we didn't stay long that year. This year, however, was different. We stayed there for about an hour and had a great time. I successfully got a picture of us when we first got there wanting to get it out of the way should there be a galactic meltdown at any point.

There were a few near misses...


and a little friendly competition...


and all in all we had a fun time. I was asked when I launched myself into the shrubbery why I didn't steer... well, duh! Because I was too busy filming on the Blackberry to steer! We thwarted any major injury, despite a small collision with a 10 year old for me and a major collision with some other sledders for Jade - and the kids had a blast. This is definitely something we'll have to do again soon. Or maybe we'll just take them skiing. That is... if I survive my first ski trip (in who knows how many years) that is in the works...

Hooray for winter fun.

Taekwondo

Yesterday was the big belt test day at ATA. Jade was going for her orange belt and Vincent is looking to move to camoflauge (a pretty significant jump). I also participated, but there is no visual documentation of that (haha).

Everyone did a pretty good job. There were so many people there cheering and clapping it was a really stimulating environment. The kids did a great job concentrating on the job they had to do. Vincent got selected as "most improved" over the past 8 weeks - based not only on his Taekwondo skills but his attention, leadership, and behavior in class as well. Surprisingly, on an unrelated note, I also got a note from his teacher that he has really stepped up his behavior in his class over the past couple weeks. Worthy of an atta-boy of some sort I think...

Enjoy the videos and pictures from last night's festivities - and if you're going to watch the videos, I recommend muting your volume or turning it way down... just saying.

Thankful For... Dinner!

I thought I'd add that image to this post for all of you who feel the need to comment, "Awww, Bambi!"

But before you feel too bad for the pretty deer, consider the number of car/deer crashes that happen every year and the massive amount of property damage and personal injury they cause. Yes, I know, it's our "urban sprawl" that is pushing them into areas they don't usually inhabit... blah blah blah. Regardless of why they're there, they cause problems. On to the story.

Tonight was the kids (well, and really my) first experience with a venison roast. I've had deer brats (thanks Schnick) in the past, but I've never had just plain old deer. Luckily, this particular roast was completely prepared by someone other than me - as I have no idea how to make venison roast not taste gamey...

Another cool little factoid is that this was the preparer's first attempt at actually butchering said deer himself too. But that's a whole 'nuther story. Yoy.

So I told the kids what they were going to be eating, and surprisingly there was no protest. The thing sat in the crock pot for a good long time, and when it was dinner time, I was surprised at how lean and tender the meat was. The kids hesitatingly took their first bite, but after the first taste, devoured the entire plateful. I have to say, it was pretty darn good. I was pretty proud of them for being open minded and trying something new.

So not only was is so tasty, it was kind of cool to be eating wild game with some healthy fresh veggies on a cold and icy Thanksgiving Eve. And with Thanksgiving still being my favorite holiday, things are so just right. Cheers to warm and fuzzy feelings... :)

Fire Tower Expedition

Ever since we went camping last summer the kids have been gnawing at me to take them back to the campground to return to the fire tower there. When we went camping, it rained in the morning and brought out so many mosquitoes, I was pretty sure they'd just carry us away if we attempted anything resembling hiking and/or fire tower climbing.

So we bypassed the fire tower experience, much to the dismay of my company.

This weekend was probably one of the last of the nice ones we'll have for the year, so I decided to suit up and take the gang back today. We climbed to the top and back down not once, but twice. I'm pretty sure I about fell down the stairs the second time my legs were so weary from the 115 or so *very* steep stairs. Didn't help I had to carry Jade halfway down the first time either (sigh).

After the trek, we did some additional hiking, playground playing, and outhouse visiting (double sigh). But we all made it home alive, and I even got the boogers to cooperate long enough to get a couple of cute pics ;)

Ninjas

Vincent's been involved in Taekwando for about a year now. He's improved so much, and I've noticed a big improvement in his self confidence and behavior since he's started. His coordination and balance has improved too and he has good role models to look up to in his class. He's learning personal achievement, self discipline, perseverence, and the value of hard work for reward. Jade and I have spent many many hours watching him - and she's been asking for months to join too.

Today I let her, and she was stoked. She entered her first "Tiny Tigers" class full of gusto. She did so well and picked up on what she was supposed to do so quickly. She had great focus, followed the rules, and did a fantastic job. She was so tickled about her new uniform and how she did that she insisted on calling Auntie and Grandma right then and there to tell them about it before we could even leave for home.

Here's to hoping eventually I'll have two black belts, who can use the skills and values they're learning today to better themselves as adults (helps the resume too!)

Good job guys!

I Finally Did It...

It's a dream I've had for years and years - to own my own Harley. I almost did it when I got my job and moved back to Valparaiso, but apparently the stars weren't in line for me at that point. The motocycle got put on hold indefinitely. I went through periods of wishing I had one, to periods of being perfectly content that I didn't. I've seen friends get hurt on them, and I've seen friends have the time of their life on them. I've spent a considerable amount of time on the back of one this summer...

And then it happened.

I was passing the car lot in Demotte that always has more than a few Harley's for sale. I always turn my head and glance, and then something caught my eye. I saw this bike and instantly fell in love. I couldn't help but think about it all day, and after work, decided to stop and take a look. I figured it would be unaffordable, but I still had to check. Turns out it wasn't.

So today I became the proud owner of a 2009 Harley Davidson Super Glide Custom. And I'm elated.

Party Success

Well we pulled off the big 0-5 for Miss Jade this weekend. We had family and a lot of friends over to help celebrate and the kids had a ton of fun trashing my house playing and being perfect angels.

Jade cashed in big (way to go girl), I didn't even burn the cake (what 5 year old wants a home baked cake? *sigh), and everyone ate and laughed and had fun. Thanks to everyone who took time from their weekend to help us celebrate and make her day so much fun; Mom, Auntie, Mike, Rick, Combs, Baileys, Schnicks... and, Great, you were sorely missed -

Jade, you are getting so big and the things you do and say just crack us all up. I haven't quite figured out where you get your goofy attitude from just yet, or your sass, or your strong will... but it fits you well. You are so smart and so pretty and so outgoing and caring. We love you to pieces and hope that you had the bestest birthday ever!

<3, Mom

Blue

Hope you catch many tennis balls, take endless rides in the box truck, and enjoy friendly pats on your head from great grandpa... rest in peace good buddy.

Summa!

So lately I've spent some time on the back of a Harley. Both the four legged and the 2 wheeled type. I finally broke down and went out and got some stuff to actually ride safely - a helmet and some riding glasses...

We had a good time today at the dealership, looking and admiring what they had on the showroom floor. I took a particular liking to this one! Sedona Orange, a totally hot color...

None the less, I think I actually prefer being on the back as an accessory :)

Chicago

Awesome! That's all I'm gonna say about that!