Finally the house is getting new lights in the kitchen. We wanted to move the chandelier 12″ plus add additional pendant lights to the island. Chop chop to the ceiling – what a project. It turned out great!
Category Archives: Family
Christmas in Ohio
We took a trip to Ohio for Christmas. While visiting my father, the twins saw some woodworking. We all went to eat at Georges. The twins dressed up and went to a Victorian tea party with my mother and Heather.
Dating my Twin Daughters
As a father, I find a lot of joy taking my twins out on “Father Daughter” dates. The twins take turns having a special activity with just Dad. When Rachel goes out of a date with Dad first, Alexis stays home with mom doing something crafty. On the date, Rachel would buy something for Alexis as a gift. Then vica versa for the other’s turn. The dates are not typically to the same place for both girls, but always in the same week.
It’s important to love my daughters individually. We build memories and have lots of fun. I’ll sing silly songs, hold hands, and take them on small adventures. The twins talk about nothing important but always interesting. Maybe, if I show them genuine love as a father, they will be know how to be loved when that inevitable boy comes their way. Most importantly, it’s an opportunity to model God’s love to my daughters.
Holidays
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What a wonderful time of year to celebrate all that God has done. Better still is to say thanks and to remember Christ’s birth along side of family. Indeed there is nothing more meaningful than worshiping God with one’s family through the holidays. We had a very simple Thanksgiving this year with just the immediate family. No big meal nor rushed schedule. Just playing with the twins, a little housework, and prayers of thanksgiving. Today we will put up the Christmas tree and do a little decorating. I’m sure the twins will enjoy the holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving
Merry Christmas
Foreign Exchange Student – Egypt
Heather and I are liaisons for an Egyptian foreign exchange student. We have hosted in the past but the twins slowed things down. As liaisons, we “supervise” the host family kinda as an middleman between the host and the AFS organization at large.
Meemo, the Egyptian boy, spent a night at our house recently so I decided to give him some boy activities that he has not experience since he is from Cairo. First, I had him use my Stihl gas power leaf blower. That was fun. Then I used my tablesaw to repair a broken couch. Notice that I ran the tablesaw not Meemo. Nonetheless, he had never used a saw before so it was interesting. In fact, Meemo has never swung a hammer so even driving some springs into the couch frame was a new experience. We later watched a movie, slept the night, and had breakfast. The next day we learned how to shoot a .22 rifle. Meemo had difficulty using my narrow scope so I removed it. After a dozen shots he go the hang of shooting and hit his target every time. Good stuff and what a wonderful cultural experience.
Things I’m proud of but didn’t get credit for doing
What would it look like if a person attempted to take a snapshot photo of someone’s life. Of course, many formal roles and accomplishments would surface. These are the items that appear on a resume, certificate of appreciation, or during a job promotion. Other meaningful items that contribute to the character of a person often go unnoticed.
So, here are some of those hidden yet meaningful things I’m proud of but didn’t get credit for doing.
- Husband of the world’s most beautiful woman
- Father of adorable twins
- Learned new Technology skills such as web design, Adobe software using Total Training DVDs, live sound reinforcement, operation of all technical equipment, etc
- Built my own house – except the top and garage.
- Landscaped my vast and beautiful property – including a fountain
- World traveler to 12 countries
- Hosted a foreign exchange student from Russia
- 40% of my responses were chosen as “Best Answer” on Yahoo Questions
- robsoukup.info ranked #1 in a Google search for “Rob Soukup” in July 2007
- Taught many teens how to drive a standard transmission car.
Happy 4th of July
Our family went to the Independence Day parade this morning. There was a “kiddy” parade before the main parade. The kiddy parade consisted of a police car, a boy scout troup of seven boys, and two yellow buses. That was it. We showed up with the twins an hour early to see the kiddy parade. My guess is that we were in the wrong place at the right time.
The main parade was great. The twins are now in the phase where they don’t like loud noises. Poor girls had to cover their ears for every fire truck and redneck pickup truck that went by. However, they loved the candy. By the end of the parade they were covered in sticky goo from Tootsie Rolls and grape suckers. What fun.
There was a huge thunderstorm that lasted all but fifteen minutes. Yet it dumped buckets of water on my lovely grass. I was taking a nap when the rain arrived. My intention, of course, was to mow the grass after my nap. I guess this is why the Bible warns us to redeem the time and to consider the ant and to work while it is yet day…etc. I’ll take a nap over cutting the grass anyday.
I am having summer Bible study tonight. Who knows how many students will show up – if any. Nonetheless, I’m gong through with it all the same. I’m sure God has it figured out.
Mowing the lawn
Here I am on a beautiful day mowing the lawn. I did not have much time in this video so I strapped on my running shoes, sharpened up the mower blades, and pushed with all my might. It’s a good thing Heather had a cold glass of water for me on my break because I was really moving. Enjoy the video.
By the way, I am for hire. Contact me if you would like your lawn mowed really fast. I can do up to 739 lawns in an hour depending on the number of trees and pink flamingos in the yard.
Grandma Pat’s Visit
So my mom and Dave came to WI for a visit from Ohio. Here’s a video of her reading Curious George to the twins. Go mom!
Dad the photographer
Photos are a great way to capture memories. My family and I love to look through our photos and relive walks in the woods, special events, and hours of play with nothing better to do than take photos. The twins and Heather are beautiful.
It’s not all that uncommon for the dad to be the photographer in the family. Guys are just naturally prone to photography and gadgetry for some reason. Sure enough, one is hard pressed to find dear ol’ dad in many of the family photos. This is the case in my family. Such is life.
For all my friends and family out there who read this. Please join us and snap some pictures of my entire family. We are in need to whole family photos. It will be fun.