Grampa's Christmas Traps

When our kids were young, we had a tradition in our family called "traps". On Christmas Eve, Rusty would create an obstacle course down the hallway. On Christmas morning, the kids came crashing out of the bedroom, yelling and trashing it all as they ran. I'm sure they remember the traps more than the toys they received.

This year Grampa Rusty decided to initiate the Grandkids. Rusty and Jonathan turned the basement into a maze of plastic, with balloons, toys and candy on strings. Travis, an engineer like Jonathan, joined them for the finishing touches.

Carter, Cami, Brooke and Peter went thru the maze. I think that Spencer,6 wks, was having a snack. At first they thought it was scary - (Peter and I found it very claustrophobic),but soon there were giggles and laughter. By the end of the day the maze was destroyed, the basement was a wreck, and a new tradition was born.

Peter Gettin' Ready to Walk

Once Peter learned to crawl, it didn't take many weeks before he learned how to pull up, and try to climb the stairs. Now he's holding onto things and walking around - Batten down the hatches matey! ( Did you notice the tongue clucking?)

Peek A Brookie & Where the Wild Things Are

Two more older ones - I've always loved the way little kids say "Peek A Boo" and adorable Brooke is no exception.

You know you can always count on Rusty and Travis to stir things up with the Wild Bunch.

Carter's Birthday

Yes, I know it was last July, but I found these great videos of him and his dad at the swimming party. I think it was Carter's first time on a big waterslide as well as Rob's first time diving....

I Don't Like Getting OLDER

We went roller skating with David's friends from his day program last night.
When I was 16 I could skate pretty good. When I was 36 I could still skate O.K.
But at 57, you see that grimace on my face? Let's just say I was grateful for David's wheelchair to hold on to!

4 Generations of Lee's

Gramma Frances Lee/Hart came for dinner on Sunday. We managed to get a 4 Generation shot, with wild man Petey boy making #4.
Frances will be 90 years old this May. It's definitely time to plan a party

A New Job for Rusty

News release on the web site www.issfa.org -
"ISSFA Appoints Russ Lee Executive Director"

"ISSFA today named industry veteran, Russ Lee, executive director of the fabricator trade association. "

Since Rusty never brags on himself, I thought I should.

This new job is a culmination of 20 years of work, learning, struggle, and success. ISSFA stands for International Solid Surface Fabrication Association - a group founded to further the interests of Kitchen and Bath Countertop fabricators.

His job is to bring membership and interest back to ISSFA, which due to mismanagement had lost some of it's appeal to many of it's former members.
There's quite a story behind their reason for choosing him for this position.

For many years, Rusty built and installed countertops, and developed an extensive working knowledge and expertise in his field.

Most of you know that Rusty can build or repair anything. In his career he has worked his way thru most phases of home remodeling - painting, wallpaper, decks, porches, room addtions, storm windows, whole house remodeling, and finally - countertops.

He began in 1985 building countertops in our basement ( a highly flammable undertaking.) Over the next 10 years as he installed countertops, he also learned how to mix and manufacture the base material, and had a great eye for creating new colors.

Because he enjoys learning, and has an inquisitive mind he caught the attention of the owner of Solid Surface Magazine. Rusty's lifelong dream was to be a writer, and he began by offering to submit a humor article. It was well received, and he began to be assigned to do full article interviews. By 1997 his skills had developed to the point that he was invited to be the editor of Solid Surface Magazine, a position he held for 5 years.

During his time as editor he came in contact with hundreds of people all over the world. He interviewed manufacturers to learn about their products. He visited successful men who were willing to share their acumen with others. He constantly looked for ways to help countertop business owners learn how to increase their sales and customer satisfaction. He tested tools and products so that others could make informed decisions on their purchases.

During these trips, he also learned about professional photography, and most issues of the magazine contained pictures that he had taken.

His ability to write clearly about trends and products garnered the esteem of the shop owners, who felt that he was a trustworthy source for information. His honesty and personality created lasting friendships as well.

So, he is a man with plenty of 'street cred', and long term relationships that he will draw on to revitalize ISSFA.

As to what he is doing in the new job - right now it entails talking on the phone 10 hours a day, working on the computer for the other 14, a lot of traveling, and going without sleep as he juggles all his new responsibilities. Plus, he handles a lot of David's caretaking, vacuums, cooks, installed new countertops for me, and put up the Christmas lights without being asked. He's become a real life Superman.

It won't take long before everyone will be saying -"Why didn't we hire him years ago? He's fantastic!" Congratulations.

Baby Spencer at 1 week

The new little man is very alert when he's awake. He looks just like Cami when she was born - Later I'll have to scan a photo to show them side by side...
I wish I had taken a photo of Kristi today also. She looked fantastic and certainly does not look like a woman who had a baby a week ago. I expected at least dark circles under her eyes cause Spencer has his days and nights confused. He still wants to get up at party from 1-4 am. Maybe he thinks he's supposed to party like a rock star with Cami-she has a video below SPencer's.......

Girl Rock Star

Today Cami played Rock Star ?(or was it Guitar Hero?) for the first time. Cami is Kristi and Jono's daughter, and she is 5. Within 10 minutes she was copying all the moves, kicks, facial expressions - and, SHE BEAT ME. She got 75%, and i managed to get us booed off the stage.....

He's Got a Name!

I talked to Jonathan tonite - Baby Boy Lee is now officially Spencer Jonathan Lee!
Dad says he's a 'mellow' little guy, and things are still going well. Kristi was able to get some rest today since her mom and dad have had the girls at their house for two nights.
Kristi told me that Spencer still has his schedule turned around a little - during the pregnancy he liked to be active during the night. Last night he was awake from 1am til about 4. Let's hope that changes soon! She also said that he was happy in the rocking chair with Jonathan.
He's also not that interested in eating, sort of a sleepy (or lazy? baby. If he is anything like his daddy, that will change pretty soon. Fun, fun fun.

A New Baby Boy!

On Friday at 5:40 am, Kristi and Jonathan became the parents of their first baby BOY!!! He weighed 7 lb 14 oz, and was 19 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great, while Dad was "about to bust his buttons" with pride. On Sat.afternoon, the new arrival was unnamed- his parents have narrowed it down to a short list, and are scrutinizing Baby Boy Lee for a couple of days to see what best fits his little personality.

A happy mom looking at her beautiful new boy. Kristi had a fairly easy and short delivery, but there were some frightening moments. The docs realized that the cord was wrapped around his precious little neck, and there was a knot in it! How grateful we are for their good care of both mom and baby. He is perfect in every way......

While the Grandparents Fielding get their turn to ooh and ahh,

Grampa Rusty is entertaining Cami and Brooke with magic tricks,

and the newest nephew has a first snuggle with a smiling Uncle David.
We'll post more photos as soon as we can!

Tracie's baby shower

Tracie is almost 30 weeks pregnant with a little girl. Due to complications she has been on bed rest for most of that time. She and Rob are thrilled that the baby is in great health, kicking and twirling around. 32 weeks was the initial goal - just two more weeks, and anything past that is a miracle on top of miracles!

Last Saturday she felt good enough to enjoy the company of friends and family at a baby shower given by Whitney, Michelle and Vicki.
She received so many beautiful gifts, but the biggest surprise was from Rob. He arranged for the arrival of her two best friends from Indiana - Karen Saturday and Eve White.
Rob also found a cool place to get gourmet cheeses with procuitto and freshly made crackers. He accomplished all this stuff while having a badly injured shoulder and taking care of Carter while Tracie has been stuck in bed. Good job!

Just want to mention that Rob is scheduled to have surgery to repair his shoulder this week. He's been through the wringer this last year too, first his knee, now the shoulder. We hope this will be his very last major injury.

The happy time caused Baby Girl to get a little too excited, giving Tracie some serious contractions, so they finished out the afternoon in bed. Thanks to everyone for making it such a nice day for Tracie.

Halloween

Everyone in our family loves to dress up for Halloween - adults as well as kids. Here's a few photos of the fun.

David went to his STEPS party as a SWAT team policeman. Ladies love a man in uniform!

Tracie was a pro boxer who "got knocked up", and she magically transformed me into Snow White.

Rusty was an Alien, doing a great job creating a costume at the last minute.
Rob was decked out in full Mozart regalia in honor of his all time favorite movie - "Amadaeus". Carter, in yellow, was the cutest of the mighty Transformers - Bumblebee - that boys LOVES costumes any time of the year.


Meanwhile, in their own neighborhoods, Michelle and Travis took Peter out for the first time as a little tiger, er, I mean Tigger! He's got the bouncy part down pat.



Cami was the queen of all the Disney Fairies - Tinkerbell, and Brooke was theh cutest lady pirate to ever said the 7 seas.
Jono and Kristi get the award for Best Laugh Out Loud - In honor of her pregnancy, Jonathan was 'the bun maker' and Kristi had 'the bun in the oven'. Cracked me up!

SO much fun for all involved - I'm inspired by all this creativity around me - next year I want to be Malificent, the green wicked witch from Sleeping Beauty - she's my alter ego on bad days. Or maybe an opera diva - I do like to sing. Or a couch potato - that's what I will look like if I don't get up off my duff instead of spending hours on end on blogs.........

Family Campout

After trying for 3 years, we finally managed to have a family camp out! Everyone but Tracie was able to attend, and even tho he didn't feel great, David was able to skip a night of dialysis. The kids favorite activity was climbing in and out of the tents, while the adults played horseshoes or tossed a baseball around. Thanks to Kristi we got our tummies full with huge silver turtles, and thanks to a rapid drop in the temperature we 'bout froze that night. Still, a good time was had by all.

•