What just happened to 2013?

It's Dec. 31st, 3 p.m. 2014 is only nine hours away. Where did the year go?

Evey at her 1st grade recital, back in... October?

I look at the blog... just the number of posts. This will be post # 101 on the year. My second-worst effort since starting the blog in 2007. Last year I blogged here 94 times. At least I did a little better, I suppose.

2013 was good, but at the same time it was too damn busy. I'm going to try to settle down some in 2014. Work got the best of me in '13... I took 25 business trips on the year. The magazine had a great year, our numbers were up across the board... but I missed too much of my family this year. I aged myself too much this year. Ate too many bad meals in airports. Drank too many microbrews in foreign cities. I've gone almost completely gray this year. Poor Boydee, he'll never remember his dad having one strand of dark hair.

We took family photos on Saturday. They took a photo of just Adrianne and I together. We knew we wouldn't buy it — we're there for photos of the kids. But they took it and showed it to us on their big flat screen. My response was, "Wow... no one wants a photo of Adro and her dad!" I easily looked 20 years older than Adrianne in the photo, maybe more. I was shocked, actually. I felt bad for my wife. As we get older, people are going to think she married this old guy for his money... then realize he has no money!

(A quick aside — I'm thankful my wife is so attractive and young looking. But it makes my premature gray look even more shocking. But mostly... I'm thankful my wife is so attractive and young looking!)

So what I'm saying is, sorry the blog sucked again this year. I know there are only a handful of people who read it, but more than anything it's a record of my family, for my family. I go back and read stuff and realize I've already forgotten things that happened only two, three years ago. That's why I like blogging abut the family so much.

You can tell my posting dropped off when I took my new job. Well, good news, I was able to hire two new staffers who are going to help me out a lot. But it's still a skeleton crew. I used to blog at nights when the kids were asleep. I'd grab a beer, and post a photo or two, then tell a recent story.

Now, when I'm at the laptop, I feel like I can't be there for fun. It has to be work related. Write something for the magazine. Write something for the magazine's blog. Respond to email. Do an expense report. Look at a competitor's magazine and see what they're doing.

Plus, I worry about not being around the kids, and being upstairs if the kids wake up. Taking 25 business trips in a year... let's say the average trip was three days... that's 75 days away from the family, not helping Adrianne with the kids at night. So when I'm home, I stay upstairs now and try to make sure the kids are good, and Adrianne isn't stressed. I might just be sitting there watching basketball, but at least I know I'm close by.

And I think Boyd is at a unique age, too, for sleeping. His bedtime is funky. Sometimes he falls asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow. Other times he's up late, unable to relax. Sometimes he crashes easy, but then is up just an hour or two later.

Anyway. If I had a new year's resolution... and maybe I'll come up with some by midnight... it would be to travel less, and work smarter, not harder.

And thanks to Adrianne for never sweating me while I was flying all over the world this year. Babe, January is going to be bad... three trips I think. But hopefully once the GIS comes and passes, I can get it down to one trip a month...

***

Jess and I took Mom home on Sunday. She's out of Sweet Life in Shawnee and now back in her own home. She had a knee replacement surgery six weeks ago. And if you talk to her, she won't let you forget that she also had her other knee operated on at the same time — that one to repair her meniscus.

I am worried about her. At Sweet Life she had people there to help her, to make her food, to monitor her recovery. Now she's on her own, with the occasional visit from a nurse.

When we left Mom's house, I didn't want to leave Mom there. It doesn't feel safe or smart. But I don't see an alternative outside of kidnapping her, selling most of her stuff, and then buying her a 2-bedroom townhome in DeSoto. Pulling off a blindfold and saying, "Sorry, that was me. But here's your new home!"

I think Mom will eventually cherish the surgery she had to repair her knee. I think it was a wise decision, and frankly, her only choice. It'll take some time for her to get to feeling better... but I bet my springtime she's happy she did it.

Until then, yeah, it's going to be a tough road for my mom to get to feeling good about her knees.

***

Hit the KU/Toledo game last night. Judy's friend, Penny, won tickets at a church raffle, and I scored some of them.

The seats? Let me tell you about the seats... six rows behind the KU bench! Dexter McCluster (Kansas City Chiefs) was sitting two rows in front of me, and Aaron Miles, Jeff Graves and Travis Releford were all sitting four and five rows in front of me. Bill Self was so close I heard him yell "Pull your head out!" to Naadir Tharpe. I took some photos, I'll try to post them eventually.

So thanks again to Penny, who set me up with those KU football tickets (the game we won, that I took Evey to) and last night's game against Toledo.

***

We had our end-of-season fantasy football party on Saturday at Rick's. We drank like we were young again! Good crew, too — Neuty, Stark, Dave, Gaus, Hendren and I were all there.

It's always good to catch up with Starky. We lived together for two years, and they were memorable times... we both met our wives at about the same time. It's fun to reminisce and recall some of the dumb things we did.

I woke up with a level three hangover the next morning... just in time to drive the truck to Mulvane. That was a brutal drive, let me tell you! I still don't know how much I feel like drinking for New Year's tonight!

***

Boyd got a basketball goal from Jess and Mark for Christmas. He loves that thing. But what's weird is he's super possessive of it. "Dad, it's mine!" he keeps telling me. He doesn't really want other people shooting on it.

But he still shoots a pretty good percentage from the floor.

Ball hog.

***

Evey's got her first rec league basketball game on Saturday. We're gonna get killed. These kids can barely catch or dribble. We work on dribbling every practice, and I stress to them they have to take care of the rock. But once they start scrimmaging, it's a free for all.

It'll be interesting to see how the game goes. I've already got in my mind to keep expectations low, and to just try to encourage the kids. We'll see how long that lasts, and how many Ts I get on the season.

Evey told me she prefers soccer, because you can just run around and chase the ball. "In basketball," she tells me, "there are so many rules you keep telling us about... and I've already forgot them all!"

Yup, it's going to be interesting.

***

Happy New Year! If you'd like to read my year-end column in Golfdom where I write about my best and worst moments of the year, click here. It's on page 6, and includes a fun Arnold Palmer story.

Merry Christmas!

Happy 7th birthday, Evey!

Two weekends ago we celebrated Evey's 7th birthday. We had a few kids join us at Laugh at Loud in Lawrence, where they got to run, jump and go crazy.

But as the world's most interesting man says of the two-party system, the AFTER party is the one you want to attend. The cousins (Jett and Marina) came over after the party and played with our kids, had some pizza and watched a little of the Sporting KC/ Real Salt Lake MLS Cup game. It was fun watching the shoot-out finish together.

Once the cousins left, we walked up the stairs, and Evey said to Adrianne and I, "Thank you for making my birthday a dream come true!"

Knock-knock!

The best thing to ever happen to me

Pictured last Saturday, following the Sporting KC championship.

Thanksgiving 2013

Couldn't convince Bubba to keep his eyes open. But he did eat like a champ!

Virginia is getting along well since her mini-stroke, if that is what it was. She looks good in this photo, for sure.

My mom is recovering nicely from her surgeries on her knees. She's got a long way to go before she runs any 5Ks, though.

You were the LIQUID PAPER

Happy birthday, Neuty! Glad we had a good showing tonight for your b-day... Bart, Hendo, Heathman, me and you. Seriously, at our age, that's a PARTY.

Sadly, we wrapped up the festivities by 10:15 pm. I was home and at work by 10:30 p.m. I'm clocking out now.

The magazine is due on Monday, Dec. 2nd, but I'm flying that day. The Golfdom Summit program is due tomorrow. Expense reports are due on Wednesday. 

BUT I'M NOT STRESSED.

I saw an amazing shooting star in the north sky tonight. I had just taken out the recycling at about 6:45, maybe 7 p.m. Turned around, and I saw this huge streak in the sky. It was so close, so brilliant, I could see the fire from the meteor breaking apart. Did anyone else see it? Pretty stunning.

Mom is doing OK. Still in a lot of pain. Tough to see the finish line when you're in a lot of pain.

 Check out this Harvey Danger song, and this Harvey Danger concert (above). This is a very tight band, and also literary. I enjoy the band's high-brow lyrics.


I saw them in concert once, when I was really young... maybe 20. The lead singer misjudged his forward-roll on the stage, and kicked me in the stomach.

The photo is of Bub playing with his Arkham Asylum playset.

True story: Evey's never seen the Jayhawk football team lose. Click here for details:  http://especiallyevey.blogspot.com/2008/09/rock-chalk-64-impala.html
 
"I tend to forget when I drink... I'm doing it again I think."

Knee replacement

My mom had her knee replaced... Here's a photo of her and Boyd together while she recovers. Get well soon Mom!!!

Best part of the weekend

The best part of my weekend was taking Evey to the football game on Saturday. 

We intentionally went late so that way we wouldn't worry about how long we were at the game. We stopped at Rick's and saw some of my old friends. Then Evey and I played Buckhunter and X-Men pinball. 

(Evey is getting really good at Buckhunter by the way.)

After a few video games we went ahead and went to the stadium. We caught all the second-quarter including that 60 yard run by Sims.

We stuck around for half time so we could watch the band play. Evelyn kind of enjoyed that, especially because it was Disney music.

With the wind whipping, we did leave at halftime. But we had already had a fun adventure by that time.

I asked Evey and she said she would go with me to another football game anytime. So I'm looking forward to the next game so we can keep this winning streak alive!

Sent from my iPhone

He's only 2!

And already the women of KU are relying on him!?!

Let's go KU!

Looking awesome against West Va!

Boydee the Jenga champion

Evey and I were playing Spider-Man Jenga (really, it's a Spider-Man version) last night before Mom and Boydee got home. We were nervously pulling each block... it took two minutes every turn...

And then Adro and Boyd get home. Boyd walks right up to the Jenga blocks, and pulls three blocks out. Put them right on top. Took him 30 seconds. Didn't even make the tower twitch!

It's possible we have a Jenga savant here at the Jones house...

***

Evey looked good in Kung-Fu class today. She hadn't been in a few weeks, so she was a but hesitant on some of the moves, but she did well, from what I watched.

***

Finally got a phone call on the Z. Showing it to a guy tomorrow. Finger's crossed!

***

I keep track of my workouts on my iPhone. Today was my first appearance in the gym since May 22nd... I almost went six months to the day without hitting the weight room!

I still play hoops on Sundays (when we get enough guys) and mowing the lawn is a little bit of a workout. So I haven't been a total lazy-ass. But yeah, I'm hopeful to be less of a stranger at the rec center.

***

I'm coaching Evey's basketball team. Our coach's meeting is this Saturday. We're having a draft for the players!

I don't know many of the kids in Eudora, other than the kids whom I've coached at soccer. But I'm looking forward to the draft. It'll be a lot like my fantasy football draft, I'm assuming. I'm bringing a 12-pack, I'm gonna heckle people when they make picks I don't like, I'm going to do a shot when we get to the midway point, and when the draft is over, I'm going to start ranting about how my last pick was the "steal of the draft!"

It's going to be a GREAT season.

How 'bout them apples?

Really thought KU would lose to Duke by 15 tonight, based on the preseason.

And thanks to the Tweeters tonight (Jason, Lerv, Carrie) who agreed/told me I called it when I said Perry Ellis would be the talk of the game. Good stuff. Nice win. Perry Ellis is playing GREAT.

SO... what else is new?

Kids are doing great. Boyd gets tired, he gets grumpy, FAST. Evey is scorching her spelling tests.

Momma is busy at work, but doing well.

I've added a new staffer (arguably two) to my team at work, and it's helping. Not as busy as I was three weeks ago.

May or may not have been asked to MC an event in West Palm. Should could be fun.

Camaro posted to Craigs List. No emails yet.

And at this moment I am happy. HAPPY.

Great November weekend

Wow, we had a great weekend here. I hope your weekend was as awesome as ours.

It started off by (mostly) putting the November issue of Golfdom to bed during work on Friday. Only the TOC and cover remain for tomorrow morning... about 30 minutes of work, max.

Friday night our family met the Mosher family out for dinner at Tres Mexicanas (or Tres Amigos, as I like to call it.) Brandon was my assistant coach for soccer for three seasons. I think this last season might be the end of our soccer coaching careers for now, as neither Evey nor Landon seems interested to play more soccer.

I wanted to treat their family since in Eudora, if you head coach, your kid gets to play for free. Assistant coach still has to pay. That didn't seem fair to me, since Brandon did as much for the team as I did (OK, much less yelling on Brandon's part) so I wanted to treat as a thank you for his help over the last year-and-a-half. (See, it pays to be friendly to me -- you get a $20 dinner FOR FREE every other year.)

After the dinner we hustled home and I got to watch the Jayhawks hoop in the peace of my home. This team is going to get whipped by Duke on Tuesday. And clearly, Piper and Armstrong have drank the Wiggins Kool-Aid. But yet it is great to be able to watch KU hoops again. I love college basketball.

Saturday morning I made breakfast for the family. Jonesy scramble, color-by-numbers style. I cook everything separately so Adro and Evey don't have to freak out about there being onions in their food. And by the way, I NAILED the breakfast potatoes. So good.

Then Evey and I went to Lawrence so I could get a haircut. Last time I got my haircut was when I was in Philly, and that guy butchered my head. So it felt good to get back to my normal cut. Then Evey and I went to Hastings and Cork and Barrell. A fresh keg was purchased for Dad, two new Junie B. Jones books were purchased for Evey.

Got home in time for Adro and Boyd's nap. So I started working on the yard. Took full advantage of the nice weather and cleaned up the yard one last time before winter sets in. The front and back are looking good, mostly due to the wife's landscaping and gardening.

Recorded the Sporting KC game. Watched it. A 0-0 tie is almost a win.

Saturday night I grabbed some beers with Ted Bokern, who I haven't hung out with since, we figured it out: game six of the NBA finals. That was the game when Ray Allen knocked down that huge step-back three to steal the game from San Antonio. Literally one of the most exciting NBA games I've seen in several seasons.

Woke up Sunday morning with a level-two hangover (level three, as you know, is the worst level.) And Adrianne took it easy on me and let me sleep in as she got the kids ready for work. I'm telling you: I'm living right these days, my friends.

Shook off the cobwebs after waking up at 10 a.m. Sunday morning. Got ready for some NFL football. Dinked around the house all day. Family was home by 12:30. Boyd took a 3-hour nap (see: living right.) Caught up on some laundry. But mostly relaxed.

I think I'm ready for Monday!

W cuz Melissa

Cousin Melissa came to visit the Joneses tonight and we went to Jeffersons and had some dinner!

More from B.J.'s B-day

Here are a couple more photos from Boydee's birthday party...

Boyd is having troubles going to sleep in his crib lately. I almost admire his ability to cry and bitch about being in his crib with the lights out. He starts crying, "Momma -- hold you!" and Adrianne may or may not respond. Then it's "My baneenee!" He's thrown his pacifier, and wants it back. Then it's, "Mom, I need water!" or "I pooped in my diaper!"

Tonight he added, "I have a moco!" which means, "I have a booger!"

I want to ask him, if you can stress about pooping in your diaper when it's the middle of the night, why can't you NOT poop in your diaper in general? I don't know, maybe I overthink things.

***

Have you seen this yet? Uncle Drew chapter 3. Not the best one... the over-dub of Maya Moore's audio is a little jarring. But still fun!



My favorite thing about these videos is seeing mere mortals trying to guard superhuman basketball players. "Lights" is Nate Robinson, I think he lists at something like 5'9"... and look at how the guy jumps! And Kyrie Irving... those spin moves blow my mind. So quick with the ball.

Isn't that Kevin Love they show at the end? But they already picked him up in part 2...???

***

I went to pick up Evey from school today, and at 3:15 p.m., broad daylight, a white-tailed deer ran right past my truck. Kind of cool.

***

"Don't reach, young blood!"

Business professional

Eudora Aligators

One more game to go. We're doing OK. I think we're 1-2-1 now.

Evey is way back in the back in this pic. Next to the boy wearing the Chiefs jersey.

Boyd fell back all of 6 inches today, from a sitting position, and hit the back of his head on the corner of two walls. Had a good-sized lump on his head right away. Poor guy! He also threw up a bunch this morning. He's been sick all day. I think we're going to be in for a long night... I foresee a sick day for Boyd tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Adrianne and I's 7-year anniversary. Yeah! Awesome. Seven years. It's gone by fast. I was cleaning the Camaro out today, and I found the two movie tickets from our first date -- "Along Came Polly." The tickets are dated January 17th, 2004. I love you, Babe!

Some cool moments from this weekend:

-- Virginia teaching Adrianne and Evey how to make homemade tortillas
-- Attending a surprise birthday party for my old boss Ed Hiscock
-- Hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to win the last pick-up basketball game

I hope you have a kick-ass week!

Boyd's techno dance ends badly

Look like someone you know?

I showed this photo to Boydee and asked him who it was. He shouted, "Boydee!" So count Bubba among the people who thinks he's my mini-me.

I think I was 4 in this photo.

Basketball Jones

Boydee had his 2-yr check-up today, and everything came back perfect! Such a good feeling... Blessed to have two beautiful, healthy kids. We'd love them the same if they had three heads, but thankful they're healthy and happy, you know?

I had a bus ride last week with a little boy who was on his way to Disney World, courtesy of Make-a-Wish. Broke my heart. Note to self: make donation to Make-a-Wish.

Grandma JoJo, 1927-2013

   

Grandma JoJo (Joyce) passed away last week. She was 86.

Here's her obit.

Grandma used to make me enchiladas when I was in college. And she made the best enchiladas.

Grandma really loved my kids. She enjoyed seeing them. She even came up to Lawrence for Evey's birthday last year, which was a real shock.

I wasn't as close to my grandma as my cousins were, or my second-cousins. Maybe because, like my sister, I moved away from Wichita when I was 19. Most of the rest of the cousins stayed in that area, so they could visit her more frequently. 

But I was her only grandson, so I had that going for me. And I know she was impressed that a half-Mexican could grow so tall.

No more worries, Grandma Joyce. Rest in peace.

I like that song!

Adro was driving home with Boydee today and Bush's "Glycerine" came on.

Bub busted out a complete sentence when he said, "Mom! I like this song!"

Evey's first day of 1st grade -- with Dad and Bub

Boydee, Seth and Evey on Evey's 1st day of 1st grade.

Here is a shot of the three of us on Evey's first day of 1st grade. Good times. I'll post the photo of the three of us from last year as well, so we can see how much the kids have grown (and how much weight I've gained.)

Boydee, Seth and Evey on Evey's first day of kindergarten. Peace!

WOW! Look how much both of them have grown. Evey is up to my armpit now. And Bubba has grown a full-on Rod Stewart hairdo. So cool!

Pic from the dance recital

This photo is so old... Was it from May? April? (Checks photo info...) JUNE 14th! Wow. She's changed so much since then. Crazy.

Don't know if I posted any of the photos from that weekend or not. This summer went fast.

Evey told me today that she's "starting" to enjoy 1st grade. That's good news.

Boyd was sick for a few days, he's finally eating again. That's good news.

I got sick last night, but I think I've shook it by now. That's good news.

***

Had a few beers with Neuty tonight. Good times. We laughed, because we have so little in common some times... yet we're good friends.

For example, Neuty hates all things sci-fi. Thinks comic books are dumb. UFOs? Stupid. Season two of ALF? A farce. (I made that last one up. Everyone knows season two of ALF was epic.)

But we have sports, beer and women in common. We both agree that: Sports are awesome. Beer is good. We married good women.

And that's a good foundation for a friendship, right there.

When the aliens land, Neuty owes me a beer.

***

The September issue isn't done yet. This stresses me out.

***

I'm in the middle of four straight weeks at home without any business travel. I don't think Adrianne knows what to do with me. Hell, I don't know what to do with me -- I keep setting my plate outside the front door whenever I'm done. And it's still there in the morning.

***

"It's been the ruin of many a poor boy... and God, I know... I'm one."

Spotify is awesome. House of the Rising Sun, baby.

Up next: Dire Straits, Sultans of Swing.

***

Syria.

The Z and me

Z, you've been a good ride. 12 years, 99,000 miles, a lot of hard turns and zipping through traffic...  we even got to drive on the Kansas Speedway once! Your 8 cylinders have been the best ride I've ever had, including that time I rented a new Corvette. Pure horsepower, that's what you are.

I don't think the Camaro will be mine for much longer. I think our time has come to an end.

So why, if I love the Z so much, am I planning on selling it?

Multiple reasons. I don't think two kids fit very well in the backseat of a Z, first of all. Secondly, Mom still has Dad's truck... and it's a decent truck (a V8 Dodge Ram with a few issues) and I feel like maybe I should drive Dad's truck for a few years. It's just sitting there at Mom's house, and that depresses me whenever I see it there. Dad and I took that truck fishing, you know?

Once I get Dad's truck, I'm sure no one will be happier (and yet a bit melancholy at the same time — guy code) than Copy Jesus and Neuty, as I won't need to borrow their trucks any more.

And, yes, if you ever need help getting a jukebox or pinball machine to your house... it's my turn to be that guy with the truck. I'm prepared to offer help -- Lord knows I borrowed trucks more than a few times in the... 18 years I've been driving Camaros (the Z is my third Camaro, but first Camaro with the Z 28 package.)

It was a good run. And it'll be nice to have a truck for once. I look forward to the first time I casually throw my golf clubs in the bed of the truck, as opposed to trying to figure out how I'll get my clubs to the golf course...

Oh, and if you've coveted my Z for years and years (you know you have, and I don't fault you) the Z Blue Books at $8,800. It's a 2002, 35th anniversary edition, with 99K. I'm looking to get something near that ballpark. I've owned the car since it had 9 miles on it, it's never been in a wreck and for a long time it was invisible to police. (Now it's just mostly invisible, so at times you have to watch your speed.)

Cheers, Z! You've been a heckuva ride.

Can I read to you-you-you?

One of Boydee's favorite things to do these days is to sit on your lap and have a story read to him. His favorite books are "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "Twinkle, Twinkle." He also likes "baby's first word" books -- books where there is a photo of a ball, and the word BALL is written underneath it.

What is really cute is Boydee's way of asking us to read to him. He'll grab a book and start trotting towards you (Boyd's walk right now is hilarious... he falls back and forth on each leg when he's holding a book, looking like Frankenstein.) Then he'll say, "Can I read to you-you-you-you?"

We think this comes from us saying to him, "Can I read to you?"

But he doesn't know how to rephrase it to "Can you read to me?" So instead he added another you, thinking "you" is the right pronoun for "me."

I thought this was funny, so I started making fun of it, and adding a bunch of "yous" in there. "Hey Bubba, can I read to you-you-you-you-you-you?" Then he jumps in my lap with a smile for a story.

So now he's adopted the multiple "yous."

It's become the favorite phrase over here at Jones casa, along with "Dinner is ready!" and "American Ninja Warrior is on TV!"

Me and my boy

First day of 1st grade vs. first day of kindergarten

Evey started up school two weeks ago. She seems to enjoy her new class and her new teacher.

She did tell me that at Montessori School and in Kindergarten, all they did was have fun. And now that she's in 1st grade, they expect her to LEARN.

I told her yeah, that is pretty much the deal.

She let out a big sigh.

***

Evey's teacher is Miss Reilly.

She only has two kids from her class in this year's class. And of course, one of the two was a kid she was really hoping wouldn't be in her class.

I also told her before she even went to the first day of school, that that was also pretty much the deal.

***

Just got back from a few days in Half Moon Bay, Calif., south of San Francisco. Was there for a conference. Got to stay in a Ritz-Carlton, golfed, etc. Pretty good trip. I think I gained 10 pounds while I was out there.

Evey's first day of kindergarten

Evey's first day of 1st grade.

A big THANK YOU to Adro for taking care of both kids on her own this week (Grandma Judy was coincidentally in San Francisco at the same time, meaning Adro had to do drop off/pick up the kids all on her own.)

 ***

 Look how big Boyd is getting. He's so much fun. He is saying shorter phrases now, and he'll chat a little bit on the phone. He's really good at "Hi Dad!" and he says it very excitedly.

Adro told me that on the way home today, she told Boydee that I would be back home tonight.

Boyd's response?

"APPLESAUCE!!!"

Weekend of 8/9/13

Note from Seth: This post was originally written in the early morning hours of Monday. But it was written in a rum and Coke haze, so I took it down in case I said anything crazy. I just reviewed it. Nothing too crazy, but I really probably should have tried to get to sleep rather than writing a 1,500-word post at 3 a.m. (Need to get caffeine-free Coke, apparently.)

***

What a great weekend for the Jones family.

My only regret this weekend? I didn't talk to my mom or my sister. I miss them both.

And I'm worried about Grandma Joyce.

***

We did a little bit of everything this weekend. I know Adrianne and Evelyn especially had a nice weekend.

Evey watched a lot of movies, including "Despicable Me 2" on Friday afternoon with Grandma Judy. Then on Saturday, I sprung for manicures for both Adro and Evey. They enjoyed that experience, I think. Saturday night, everyone was so tired, the kids and Adro conked out early...

Sunday, church for the wife and kids, breakfast at Mirth, back home where Boydee napped and Adro and Evey gave each other pedicures. Crazy. They were both smiling a lot.

Oh, also, I busted out the telescope my mom got us for Christmas, and Evey and I looked at the moon a lot. And a few other stars/planets.

***

I have a magazine deadline looming over me right now. I'll be really satisfied when (if) I get this issue pulled off. It's been rough.

In this publication cycle I've been in England, Texas, Illinois and Minnesota. I've hardly been in the office. Plus, my senior editor, Beth, had her last day on Friday. So I'm on my own right now.

It's been a challenging issue. Tomorrow morning is going to really suck. But once it's done, I'm sure I'll look back at it as a rewarding issue.

OR, I'll look back at it as the issue where the wheels came off.

One or the other.

***

I bought a Sporting Kansas City jersey this weekend. It looks awesome on me, it really does. That's not the booze talking, that's generations and generations of evolution talking.

It was on clearance for $30. Don't tell anyone.

***

Had some drinks with Neuty on Saturday night. Always good to catch up with the 'Boom.

Nice to drink with people in Kansas, really. Seems like every time I find myself in a social situation these days, I'm far, far from home.

Neuty and I killed a couple schooners at Louise's Downtown. Those will never, ever get old. (Unlike us.)

***

Mowed the heck out of the lawn this weekend. Even cut the front yard twice (north/south, then east/west.) We've had so much rain lately, it was like a jungle.

But it looks really good right now.

How weird has this summer been? How many days have we had that were 105?

It's been an awesomely mild summer.

Awesomely.

***

Had burritos at Freebirds on Saturday.

We agreed we'd give them a second chance (the price was right.) But my carnitas burrito wasn't very good. It was all seasoning, no carnitas. That's a bad sign, if you ask me.

The guys there were nice, though. The signs say kids eat free Monday and Tuesday, so maybe we'll pop down there again soon.

***

Check out that photo of Boydee and I together in the barber's chair.

We were in McAllen, Texas. Boyd needed a haircut. We took him to a "Just a Cut."

Don't ask for anything else at Just a Cut. They'll punch you right in your kidney.

At Just a Cut, Boyd got a sweet haircut. He's still rocking it. I should have got my gray mop knocked down at the same time.

I look at that photo, though, and it makes me proud. I look at my old ass, sitting there, all gray hair, overweight and weak chin. And I look at Boyd and I'm like, "That's my son??? BADASS!"

It's pretty cool that Adrianne and I can have cool kids like we have.

I mean, we're kinda cool yeah, but... our kids are amazing. (Don't tell them I said that. I don't want them getting big heads. Especially Boyd -- his noggin is already huge.)

Most of the time we watch these kids and laugh. That's pretty awesome entertainment right there.

Because soon, they won't want a thing to do with us!

***

As Boydee would say... "Applesauce."

Evey at Jefferson's

She came with me to make a run to FedEx.

Grabbing an early dinner because tonite we go meet her new 1st grade teacher!

Family photo

Taken in late July, 2013, McAllen (Texas) airport. Evey 6 years and 7 months, Boydee 1 year and 9 months.

Great Lolla weekend!

What a great time! Can't believe I still can do this at age 36! Thank you babe, for letting me fly away for a weekend! (Wish you were here!)

Tonight's art

Drawing comics with Evey

Right before bedtime....

Vacation's over

We're back from our Texas trip. We had a blast! Definitely the best trip to the beach ever.

As we drove over the bridge to South Padre, I took a deep sigh... I knew what I was in for: a sunburn, sand everywhere, and Evey upset about having to leave, no matter how long we stayed.

None of that happened. No sunburn (copious amounts of sunblock!) sand didn't get everywhere (but most everywhere), and Evey suggested we leave for the hotel at the end of the day (I must have really wore her out!)

It was fun with both kids -- Evey, because she loves to play in the waves and has a sense of adventure; Boydee, because this was his first trip to the beach, and you could see his sense of wonder kick in.

We had a cooler full of beer. We rented umbrellas for shade. We went to Wanna Wanna for some excellent cheeseburgers. We had it all.

Adro would play with Boyd while I played with Evey. We'd switch kids every once in a while. It was a good system.

What fun!

Arrhhh!!!

Bob'z World, outside South Padre Island.

Moment in time

3:14 pm CST. South Padre Island, Texas.

Dropping me off at the airport

Here is a photo of the family taken last week as they dropped me off at the airport for my weeklong trip to England.

Kids are sick

Get better soon, kiddos!

Tales of Suspense # 59

The next Black Belt Jones.

Can you believe this weather? We've got the windows open... and it's July 2nd! I've grilled out the last two nights, because it's been so nice out. This weather has been amazing. I hope it keeps up.

On the menu: Cheeseburgers, dogs, brats, porksteaks, corn, baked potatoes and jalapeno poppers.

***

We're having an awesome summer so far. Evey just finished swimming lessons, where she passed "Level 3," much to our surprise. The instructor prepped us for failure, saying many 6-year-olds won't pass the class, but she learned quickly, and pulled it off.

Most exciting to me is that Evey repeatedly jumped off the higher diving board during class. There were a lot of kids who were too afraid to do it in her class. Only a few had the nerve. So Evey and two of her classmates had free reign of the higher diving board, jumping off it and swimming to the side to repeat this as often as possible, while the other kids watched. Plus, she was one of the younger kids in her class... so, nice work, Evey!

***

How do you like Bubba's Onesie? Sharp-eyed readers will recognize the Crayola interpretation of Tales of Suspense # 59, the first issue marking Cap's regular inclusion as a co-star alongside Iron Man. Nice look, Boyd!

***

 July is going to come and go fast, isn't it?

***

My sister started a new job last week. Congrats Jess! I'm sure you're going to do great there.

***

Special shout-out to Pat Von Feldt, who hooked us up with a Sierra Nevada Summerfest keg recently. So good!

***

Black Belt Jones died recently. He was a bad-ass, and smooth, like most of us Joneses. I had an awesome T-shirt of Black Belt Jones years ago, but it disappeared many moons ago. Today would have been a good day to break it out.

Tip of the cap to Black Belt Jones!

"Batman, mutha*****!!!"

U.S. Open trophy

That's me and the U.S. Open trophy. I didn't win, no, but I did ride the shuttle bus with it.

Also, here's our most recent entry into the Wild West Film Festival... we shot this a few weekends ago, and they showed it on Saturday at the Lawrence Community Arts Center (or whatever it's called -- over there by the parking garage.)

It was fun, and turned out alright. Eric getting thrown into the dumpster got a great reaction from the crowd, and I think it was the single best "stunt" of the evening.
Lastly , here's a video of Weezer covering Radiohead's "Paranoid Android." I don't think I've ever posted this before.

What impresses me about it are two things:

1. How spot-on the band is with playing the song (that shouldn't surprise me, there are good cover bands everywhere, but still... they nail it)

2. How different the song is with Rivers -- also a great vocalist -- singing the song instead of Thom.