The New Gourmet

Move over Emeril, Bobby Flay, and Alton Brown...there is a new chef in the kitchen. Over the past several weeks, Owen has insisted on being part of the cooking process with Brecken and I.

If he can't see into the mixing bowl or into the pan, he throws a fit. As a result, Brecken and I have started to give him a little responsibility in the kitchen. From adding ingredients to stirring, he is quickly becoming a kitchen whiz. He isn't very good with measuring cups or taking things out of the oven, but we'll work on that.

On Saturday morning, Owen played an active role in the cooking of his omelet...something we'll refer to as Omelet 101.


Note: The simple fact that you just watched a video of a 14 month old making an omelet says something. I'm not really sure what it says....something about me taking time to put it together? ...or something about you taking time to watch it?

Lazy Winter Days

Unfortunately for Owen, the snow didn't manage to stay around the city for more than a day or two, and the sledding has been put on hold.

Rather than bouncing around at the park or walking around the neighborhood, he has been coming up with some inside games, such as "hide behind the furniture,"or "stack the blocks/knock-down the blocks"

or the ever-popular, "can't a guy just lounge around."
If there isn't going to be any snow, Owen would rather mother nature just get on with things and bring on the spring. He'll have a close eye on Punxsutawney Phil this week. Cheers!

Let it Snow! Let me Sled!

Go Bears!

For this first time ever, Owen went sledding. For those of you that watched the NFC championship game, you'll realize that the snow was falling in Chicago on Sunday. Brecken and I took full advantage of the opportunity, pulling Owen around the neighborhood.

Whenever we would stop pulling, Owen would quickly sign "more" with his hands (see below) while murmuring "muh....muh." After a lot of pulling, Owen was still ready to keep going, but we called it an evening and headed back inside.

14 Months

For the first six or seven months, Brecken and I were very diligent about taking a picture of Owen every Monday afternoon on the rocking chair with his friend Mr. Bear. That tradition has faded away (lazy parenting), as is evident on the Baby Growth Chart link to the right.

However, this week we took another shot at it. As Owen passed the 14 month mark, we thought it was worth capturing another perspective shot next to Mr. Bear. Owen was not very interested in sitting around or smiling for the camera.

Instead, he took every opportunity to show off his climbing skills, his reaching for the lamp skills, and his "can I please leave my room now" skills. Something tells me that the 15 month photo might be a picture of Brecken and I in the chair with Owen behind the camera.

A Day in the Park

It may be January in the Windy City, but the temperatures have been unseasonably warm. As a result, Owen has gotten some unexpected time at the park. Whether digging..

...swinging, ...or simply climbing his way around the park...Owen has been loving the opportunity to get outside and have some fun. Cheers!

Sparty On!

A tale of two halves today in East Lansing, but the defensive effort of Walton and Neitzel proved to be too much for the Illini in the second half. Spartan victory over those annoying I-L-L...I-N-I. (63-57)

Go Green! Go White!

Despite early Spartan losses at Iowa and Indiana, Owen has not lost confidence in the green and white. Like a little Neitzel or maybe even Skiles, Owen has been busy working on his dribbling skills...

...and his passing skills.

However, more often than not, he simply hogs, or perhaps hugs, the ball. We're still working on being a little less selfish on the court.

Big game this weekend against the Illini. Hopefully the healthy return of Morgan has the Sparties heading in the right direction. Go Green! Go White!

Yes...there is a GSB!

Ok...so the number of comments over the holidays about the blog being inappropriately named ("What is the GSB?" "Why even include the GSB if you don't comment on it?" "Does Owen ever go to the GSB?") have convinced me to include a weekly update of what is going on at the GSB. Considering there are only two more academic quarters, it is probably a good idea to capture and share some of the events and activities of my MBA experience.
The Winter Quarter began this past week. For second year students with job offers already secured, this is when the mind seems to make a real transition. Mental cruise control is fully engaged. It is also a point at which people, including myself, realize that group projects are no longer that much fun. I won't miss homework and projects, but six months from now, I know that I will miss the flexible daily schedule.

My curriculum this quarter includes 4 courses, (i) Taxes & Business Strategy, (ii) Economics and Policy in the Telecom, Media, and Technology Industries, (iii) Cases in Financial Management, and (iv) New Venture Strategy. Should be a fun quarter with very strong professors.

On Friday, Owen made his first visit of the quarter to the GSB. Every Friday evening at the GSB is highlighted by a corporate or student sponsored social event with free food and drinks for students and their families. Owen enjoyed checking out the new sign out front of the building...
...and walking around inside. Here he is leaving finger prints all over the glass railing between the main floor and the lower floor. Yes, it is a little creepy, but he didn't hesitate to stand as close as possible so that he could see people down below. More updates to follow in the coming weeks.

Happy 2007!

To ring in the new year, Brecken, Owen, and I piled into the car once again and ventured to northern MI to join Kristin, Peter, Mack, and Pierson for a few days of adventure and relaxation.

If we think having one little guy keeps us busy, entertaining three for a few days revealed how much fun and how tiring it can be. Mack, Owen, and Pierson seized every opportunity to keep Brecken and I entertained.

For those of you that still think Owen has blonde hair...just take a look at him compared to Pierson. Owen no longer looks blonde. Brecken and I suspect that Pierson's dad has been using lemon juice or some other hair enhancing substance on poor little Pier Pier, but it was never proven.

Meanwhile, Owen was completely enamored with cousin Mack and his wonderful imagination. Mack quickly adopted Owen like a little brother, entertaining him and taking him on several household adventures, including this little chase under the dining room table.

Here's to hoping the rest of 2007 is as much fun and full of energy as the first few days with this crew. Back to the grind on Wed with a new set of classes. Happy New Year!

"Welcome Home, Mr. President"

During memorial services this afternoon in Grand Rapids, MI, Martin Allen, long time chairman of the Ford Foundation, stated that he greeted Mrs. Ford and the late President one final time, just as he always has, "Welcome Home, Mr. President."
As a native of the Grand Rapids area, I join everyone in West Michigan and around the nation in remembering President Ford. Brecken, Owen, and I made a brief stop during our holiday travels at the presidential museum to see the assembled memorial. God bless.