First day at the new building

Hello all,

All the usual quirks are in effect today. The lights are controlled by a motion detector. That is a problem when most of the people in a section are not standing up and moving around. When that happens, a bank of lights turn off. There is also the problem of getting the IP addresses changed on our dev servers. They have been updated, but no one has told us what the new IPs are. It is just a comedy of errors today.

-Andy

Kids ill

Hello all,

Zac has a bug. Jen is feeling a little under the weather. Ali is so so... I just want it to leave me alone...

-Andy

Finally Mowed

Hello all,

I finally mowed the yard today.

Someone drove through my yard last night and created some ruts in my front yard. I wish I could find the kid that did it. I would like to understand why they are having so much fun at my expense.

-Andy

Last day at the Plaza

Hello all,

Today was my final day at the 4900 Main building at the Plaza. I'll miss the gym and the park near my office. I'll miss Planet Sub next door. It always provided a quick lunch for a good price. I'll miss the fresh air, too. I will not miss the drive. I'll be working at 10th and Broadway on Monday. That will be a short simple drive to work and home.

Good-bye Plaza!

-Andy

Need to Mow the Yard

Hello all,

Yikes! It has been a week and I have not mowed my yard. The rain has kept the yard growing faster than it normally would be at this time of year. It doesn't look like I'll have time to get to it today. I hope for better luck tomorrow.

-Andy

Getting Cooler

Hello all,

It is getting cooler outside now. I turned out AC off over the weekend and it has not been back on since then. Fall has arrived. I can't wait to start seeing the leaves turn. It is my favorite time of year!

-Andy

Royals Game

Hello all,

Zac G. did it again tonight. He had 16 strikeouts in a game. What a performance! I didn't think I would ever be at a game where a pitcher looked that dominate. He only gave up three hits and one walk. It was amazing. Dad would have loved it.

-Andy

Making Dinner

Hello all,

Tonight Jennifer and I made dinner for a friend from church that had surgery today. We made a big pan of lasagna, salad and apple pie for her family to eat tonight while she recovers. Ali carried the salad and card, Jen the bread, I carried the lasagna and Zac carried the apple pie. It was a good night of helping out our church family.

-Andy

Thank you Andy Tillsworth

Hello all,

A big thank you goes out to Andy Tillsworth today. He was nice enough to come over to my house and take a look at the water damage and suggest that I call in a professional. The tub has been leaking for some time it appears and it is not getting any better. At least I only have a small deductible to cover my part!

Thanks again for your help today Andy!

Fun at the T-Bones

Hello all,

Unimed took all of its employees to the T-Bones game out at Community America ballpark tonight. It was a lot of fun to go out and watch some minor league baseball. I almost caught a foul ball. It went of my left hand while I was holding my phone in my other hand. Ahh! If I just would not have been checking the score of the Royals game I would have had it!

-Andy

Water Leak

Hello all,

A tub 19 years old...

My luck...

Water Leak...

It was bound to happen sometime. The tub in our master bathroom started to leak tonight. We had water coming out of our canister lights in our living room. It looks like one of the water jets has sprung a leak.

Fantastic!

-Andy

Walkthrough of the new building

Hello all,

Today I was able to take a walk-through of the new building I'll be moving to on August 31st. I'll be on the 10th floor and facing the North. I should have a good view of the Missouri river and Air Show when it comes to town.

-Andy

Up And At 'Em

Hello all,

The kids were dressed and ready to head to school today on time. It was a great morning. Zac and Ali were eager to go to Adventure Club and have some fun before school started. It is nice to have happy kids that are ready to learn. I hope it holds up all year long!

-Andy

First Day of School

Hello all,

Good morning! What a great day to go back to school. Ali was up first. She was up and dressed by 7:00. Zac was less than eager to get out of bed and get moving this morning, but with some encouragement he did manage to get dressed and downstairs. We went to Kate's Kitchen for breakfast. It is a family tradition to go out for breakfast on the first and last day of the school year. After breakfast, Jen took Ali to Clardy and I took Zac to Gashland.

Zac did great! He walked right to his classroom and found his desk. It was perfect. I took a few pictures and then slipped out the classroom door when he was busy coloring his assignment. What a great kid! I can't wait to hear about both Ali and Zac's first day of school!

-Dad

Last Day of Summer Vacation

Hello all,

The kids spent the day with Grandma Diane today. Well, the day started with Ali going to the dentist to have her appliance removed and repaired. It broke in the pool last week. The right arm that was lost in the 13 foot deep pool. It's gone.

After the dentist, I went to work and the kids went to Diane's. They went to the park and played. It was a great time.

For dinner we went to Texas Roadhouse for our end of summer blowout. It was nice to have some fun tonight.

The kids are in bed now. Jen is reading a book and I'm writing. I should get to bed. Tomorrow is a big day.

-Andy

Sunday

Hello all,

I wish I could report on something cool that happened today. Not much did. I didn't even do laundry. Jennifer and I are stressed about school starting on Tuesday. We are worried that the kids will not like their new schools. All of these questions are rolling around in my head. I wish I could fast-forward to Tuesday and see the smiles on their faces to know we did the right thing.

-Andy

Dinner for Eight

Hello all,

Tonight was a success for the first Dinner for Eight for Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. We had Charisma, Tony, Julie and John over to our house tonight for a backyard cookout. Plans had to change when the rain moved in for the evening. The burgers and bratwurst still had great flavor even though it was pouring rain while they were cooking. After dinner, we each enjoyed each others company. What a great first night. I can't wait for next month's dinner!

-Andy

Change of Schools

Hello all,

A lot happened last night that is difficult to explain. In short, the kids will not be going to Oakwood Manor this year. Jennifer and I have decided to enroll them in their original schools of Clardy and Gashland. There is a lot information about our decision that I will not go into right now. I know that we are making the right decision. It will be for the best for Ali and Zac.


Good-night,

-Andy

Mom's Day with the Kids

Hello all,

Today Jennifer brought the kids down to see me at DST. I was able to introduce my kids to John and the rest of the team. The highlight of the visit was riding in the elevator to the 7th floor. Thanks for bringing them to see me Jen.

-Andy

Home with Ali and Zac

Hello all,

Today I stayed home with Ali and Zac and played all day long. The kids and I went to the pool after meeting mom for lunch at Bravo. It was a good afternoon in the sun. Tonight we are having chicken on the grill. Yummy!

-Andy

One Year at DST

Hello all,

I have been at DST for one year today! It has been a great year. I've learned a lot and am looking forward to learning more in the years to come.

-Andy

Monday...

Hello all,

It was an early morning. I didn't want to get out of bed. Last night we had some very loud thunderstorms roll through the area and I didn't sleep very well. The workday went well, but I was still ready to hit the door and get home. I miss the kids and want to spend as much time with them as I can this week before they go back to school.

-Andy

Swimming

Hello all,

This afternoon we went to the Gladstone pool to get some relief from the heat. The cool water felt great, but the sun was brutal. I am very tired from being in the heat all afternoon.

-Andy

BBQ at the house

Hello all,

Tonight Jennifer and I had some friends from school over for a cookout with our families. It was good to see Jason and Amanda as well as Chris and Ruby again. All of our families are growing quickly. Jason and Amanda have three children and Chris and Ruby have one daughter. The house was REALLY rocking tonight. Everyone enjoyed the burgers, hot-dogs and bratwurst. Yes, the food was not the best for all of us, but it did taste great. After dinner, we went outside for a game of wuffle ball in the back yard. Once the sun set, the lights came on and the game kept going. There is something to be said about playing baseball at night under the lights. How many kids can say their dad is as cool as me?

-Andy

Kids are Home!

Hello all,

The kids are home. The world is back to normal. The NOISE is back in the house again.

I love it!

-Andy

Dinner

Hello all,

Jennifer and I went out to dinner tonight -- Just the two of us. It was nice to just have a night out. After dinner we came home to a quiet house and started to think about Ali and Zac. We called Nana shortly after we came home. Ali was very happy to hear from us. Zac let us know he was ready to come home. I was able to cheer him up when I told him we was going swimming tomorrow in the Malvern pool. That seemed to put a bounce back in his step.

Good night kids!

-Dad

Quiet House

Hello all,

This is the first full day without Ali and Zac in the house. It is VERY strange to not hear the sound of feet running upstairs. Dinner is quiet, too. Jen and I could actually carry on a conversation without having to police the kids at the table. It nice to have that time with Jen, but I must say I do miss the kids.

-Andy

Kids Leave for Iowa

Hello all,

Today my kids left for a few days to spend in Iowa with my mom. They are both VERY excited to get away from Kansas City and go play on the farm for a while. Ali is looking forward to driving the lawn mower. Zac is just going to "go crazy" and run around the farm. Oh... What has Nana gotten herself into this time?

-Andy

Monday came quickly...

Hello all,

After a late night on Saturday and driving most of the day on Sunday, getting up this morning was not as easy as I had hoped. However, with a cup of coffee and a smile from my wife, I was ready to get going and make the best out of a rough start.

The day went well after I found my groove and started to make progress on my tasks. Before long, it was time for lunch and then a late afternoon meeting. I was on the road home by 5:00. Some days you just need to keep your head down and get through them. I am glad to be home with my family.

-Andy

Scott Reunion

Hello all,

It was a long day of driving, but great to see everyone again. I have some great pictures of my family on my phone. I can't believe how much our kids are growing! Dade, you are just too cute! You and Zac are best buds... Thanks for playing so well with him.

-Andy

Night Out

Hello all,

Tonight I am going out with a fraternity brother for his birthday. We're heading to Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse for dinner and then out for a few drinks. I'll let you know late of a night it was tomorrow...

-Andy