Lil' Karl

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T08:36:00.000-07:00

My little Angry Bird... (wheeeeeeeee!)

Classic Cars and Karl

2011-05-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

Lil' Karl, 5, and his dad look at one of the Cadillacs on display. Both guys said they are big fans of classic cars from the 1930s and 1940s.

Vintage Cadillacs brought by the Cadillac Club of Kansas City were on display at the City Market, bringing out car enthusiasts Sunday, May 22, 2011, for the kick-off of the Art of the Machine car series. The series runs Sundays, May through September from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. (photo credits: JILL TOYOSHIBA/The Kansas City Star)

Here's how it appeared online and in the paper:

Celbrating Karl's Birthday at School!

2011-05-16T12:56:00.000-07:00

A note from Karl's Classroom: "Thank you to Mommy Heather and Karl's grandmother (Grandma Mayre) for bringing in a wonderful bag full of goodies for Karl's fifth birthday. After putting on "Hop" bunny ears, the children shared some funny family traditions which was followed by a reading of The Dumb Bunnies' Easter. Thank you!"

Happy Birthday (5 years ago today...)

2011-05-15T06:07:00.000-07:00

First thing he did this morning: opened presents from his Wisconsin relatives... he was so excited!

(Thanks GG and Auntie Diane and Uncle Marty)

OctoBooFest 2010

2010-10-28T13:35:00.000-07:00

OctoBooFest 2010 (...cont'd)

2010-10-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

OctoBooFest 2010 (...cont'd)

2010-10-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

At the end of the parade... a group pic!

OctoBooFest 2010 (...cont'd)

2010-10-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

OctobBooFest 2010 (...cont'd)

2010-10-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

Saying goodbye to his Grandma (and his viewers) ;)

Happy Birthday, Momma Heather!

2010-09-13T06:39:00.000-07:00

Doesn't everyone sound better singing in the shower?

Investigating Summer 2010

2010-08-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the final few days of summer at his school, Lil' Karl ponders everything from self-portraits, to using a typewriter to playing in the sun. (more to come...)

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-12T08:33:00.000-08:00

* SWAK * SWAK * SWAK * SWAK *

Hallowwen Party: Back in the Classroom

2009-10-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

All the kids mill about showing off their costumes and muggin' for the camera (among other things).

2009-10-29T10:36:00.000-07:00

Macabre March: 2009

2009-10-29T08:22:00.000-07:00

Lil' Karl takes part in his school's parade of ghouls, goblins and (most notably) mummies. His Mummy and Deady are so proud...

2009-10-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

2009-10-29T08:14:00.000-07:00

2009-10-29T08:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Mom

2009-09-12T07:06:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to Mom, happy birthday to Mom, happy birthday to Mommy Heather...
Love it!!

Karl's 1st Day of School (...part 2)

2009-08-31T13:12:00.000-07:00

Here's our little trooper as he finds his picture and places it in the area of the board that let's the teachers know how long he'll be in school that day.

(I just love the little double pat he does to his picture as he puts it in the designated place.)

First Day of School '09

2009-08-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that Lil' K is already starting his second year of school. 1st Day today. I just love hearing him talk...

(This video has had no editing done to it so forgive the rotten camera work... that guy has been fired.)

Lending a Hand

2009-05-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

Karl was a big helper this past Saturday as a whole group of students, teachers and parents from his school got together to add a little (visual) cheer to a friend's yard. She has been going through sooo much lately that this was the least we could do... and have fun doing it too! Lil' Karl was a real peach. Never slowing down, always wanting to help. I've known grownups that can't stay focused for as long as he did. What a trooper!

Drawing Thunder!

2009-02-20T19:33:00.000-08:00

Little Karl was drawing with sticks in art class and decided that he would draw... THUNDER!

You tell me, is this kid an abstract thinker or what?!?

Music and Movement

2009-02-11T12:09:00.000-08:00

Is there any wonder where he gets his rhythm? That's riiiiight... the Milk Man.

Karl Kisses Kindly

2009-01-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

School Has Started (and he's only 2!!)

2008-08-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

Lil' K is already (just?) two years old. As a result of this, he has begun to go to... school! Well, "Early learners'" which is like school but more fun and is like day-care but more structured. The best of both worlds really... I digress.

Two weeks have zipped by and he has already enjoyed such monumental tasks as...

Painting & drawing (with a girl I might add...)
Crafts (glue, sand, scissors, etc.)
Played with his friends (& he wore his fun boots that look like frogs)
Listened to books
Washed his hands (trust me, he likes to do this!)
Made lemonade (with his left hand no less!)

And the fun continues...

A tradition continues...

2008-07-04T16:25:00.000-07:00

Here we are, one big/little happy family on our 3rd Fourth together. (I think the heat was getting to Lil' K...)

Wanna see a window to the past? Take a peek-

Winter Wonderland

2007-12-15T15:41:00.000-08:00

Lil' Karl and Dad go sledding right after a nice little snow storm which conveniently followed an angry little ice storm a couple of days before this pic was shot.

(Credit for this shot goes to Grandpa John... nice eye!)

Fancy Feet

2007-09-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

When it comes to playin' around, this boy owns the 'foot' category:

Looking cool in his mother's sandals as he strikes his best 'skater' pose

Wearing his dad's socks made me freakishly think of Irene Cara and Fame... yeesh! (I may never sleep again.)

Airports can be hell...

2007-09-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

...unless you're a grandpa with a little baby boy sleeping in your arms. Then, the hustle and bustle of air travel doesn't seem to hit you as hard. Know what I mean?

Milwaukee Musings

2007-09-02T14:07:00.000-07:00

Hanging out at Uncle Diane and Aunt Marty's place was swell. The food & drink were plentiful, the company was grand and when it came to just lounging around, Lil'K had one of the best seats in the house.

Can this kid get any cuter? I mean, all prejudice aside, I don't know if I've ever seen such a beautiful baby boy.

Milwaukee Wedding

2007-09-01T20:59:00.000-07:00

Lil' Karl made his first trip (on an airplane!!) up to Milwaukee to attend his cousin's wedding. Needless to say, the flights themselves left a lot to be desired but the wedding and the reception were well worth the trouble.

He got to ride on a giant Crayola Cow (or something... not really sure what it was) and dance with his old Dad out in the courtyard as we jammed to some jazzy juice.

Milwaukee Wedding (Reception)

2007-09-01T18:40:00.000-07:00

Lil' K decided that going to the actual wedding would be a bummer so he and his mother *(and Great Grandpa Bud) decided that they would spruce up a touch just before the reception.

(I think Lil' K was somewhat surprised to see that his Grandpa has even lighter hair than his...)

Doesn't Lil' K just look like the cutest thing in the world as he sits on that bed eating freeze dried corn?

An Angel visits his Grandparents for the weekend

2007-07-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

What a gorgeous young man! He and his Grandmother look so angelic, no?

I thought about being quippy and playful in my remarks but these pics are just too sweet to mess with. What a lucky father I am...

NO PANTS!! NO PANTS!!

2007-07-08T15:06:00.000-07:00

What about 'NO PANTS' don't we understand here?!?

This would seem to be the thought that is running through Lil' Karl's head as he sits in his stroller and contemplates his future as a 'streaker' at European/Australian futbol matches.

The Luckiest Day of Year!!

2007-07-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

While Mamma Ceph and Pappa Ceph were on a weekend retreat, Grandma and Grandpa looked after Lil' Karl. The weather was a bit on the 'warm' side so it seemed like the perfect time to sog-up some diapers (aka- take a swim, splash around... whatever you want to call it).
Isn't he (the baby, not the guy with the beard) the most cherubic thing you've ever seen?!?

Independence Day (v.2.0)

2007-07-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

Lil' Karl made a return trip (his second time) to the oft-revered Collins Park Parade. This time, he was awake for the whole thing and hooted and hollered and waved flags and looked like the perfect little all-American boy.

Here is where he was either telling me he didn't want his patriotism to be confused for being a jingoist or that he wanted the candy that was on the ground behind me... I can't remember.

A Quiet Reflection on Perfection

2007-05-25T16:10:00.000-07:00

There really isn't any need to go into any description or context for these pics, so... enjoy the 'World's Most Beautiful Boy.'

Birthday Scooter... Whu?

2007-05-16T14:02:00.000-07:00

As Lil' Karl learns to navigate his way around this world on his new birthday scooter, he begins to question the logic of his parents when he asks, "What do you mean that isn't a tunnel?" and "Who says I have to wear pants when I drive?"

Life of Liesure = Milk Man?

2007-05-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhh... Lil' Karl just loves to hang out in his parents' room and sip from the cup of life as he lounges in the lap of luxury upon their bed. Oh, to be 1 year old again...

(Actually, we taught him how to hold his own bottle so we could get ready for work faster. Shhhhh. Don't tell him that though.)

Arrrrgh, yer havin' a Birthday!!!

2007-05-15T18:19:00.000-07:00

At last! Lil' Karl 'rounds the corner' and turns 1 year old! How do you celebrate something so momentous without breaking the bank? I'll tell you...

You have a Pirate's Plunder Party!! We 'ye-vasted' and 'ahoy'ed' with the best of 'em. Nobody shivered any timbers but we did feast on some dead fowl and then tore into a hapless pie.

Oh, that poor banana cream pie...

Birthday (continued...) Booty

2007-05-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

So, after "Mr. Pie-face" gets cleaned up, we decide to crack into the treasure trove of toys.

(Notice the neat little pirate ball at the feet of our Lilliputian Land Lubber?)

Ahhhh... a fire engine that doubles as a toy chest! Brilliant!!

Marvelous... it is also a step-stool and a mode of transportation.

Birthday (continued...)

2007-05-15T18:17:00.001-07:00

Knowing that Lil' Karl is a studious young man (his babysitter doesn't call him The Professor for nothing), Grandma Mayre got him an old-fashioned desk and chair.

(He's going to have to figure out how to sit at it and use the desk surface, which just so happens to be behind the seat, after he learns how to dissect the historical significance of such a construct.)

Meanwhile, to entertain his guests and to thank them for coming to a party in his favor, he decides to showcase his mastery of the living-room piano. A bit jazzy and free-form but the crowd was wowed... including Grandpa Hunter, who just had to give that boy a hug!

How could anyone resist? Really...

'Twas the night before birthday...

2007-05-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

This is just a note to let everyone out there know that Lil' Karl almost slept through the night. Did you hear me? ALMOST SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!

He woke up around midnight, 12:30 or 1:00 AM and proceeded to fuss a bit but when he noticed that no one was coming into his room, I think he decided he'd rather sleep instead.

Mamma & Pappa Ceph almost had a full night's sleep. And right before his one year birthday. Such a nice present to give his parents, no?

Mother's Day at the ZOO

2007-05-13T13:58:00.000-07:00

Momma Ceph decided she wanted to spend Mother's Day at the 'World Famous Topeka Zoo' where Lil' Karl could experience such wonders as the Gorilla Encounter and the tropical rain forest.

He saw all sorts of birds, a sleeping sloth, otters and a crocodile.

The gorilla took some time to come over to the window, sit next to Lil' K and then rest her hand on the glass next to his head. She was looking right at him and appeared to have a maternal interest in his well being. The world just sort of stopped for about two or three minutes as the gorilla and Lil' K shared a quiet and intimate moment. A moment in time I will never forget.

After that, we took a ride on the train around Gage Park. Lil' K just couldn't believe all the wondrous sites. Even though the day was bit warm, he never let it flag his enthusiasm. What a trooper!

Grandpa's Day at the ZOO?

2007-05-13T13:57:00.000-07:00

While we were gallivanting around the rain forest, Lil' Karl took advantage of seeing things from a different perspective riding atop good ol' Grandpa.

A nice time was had by all... even if Lil' K did pull out all of Grandpa's hair (he used to have a full head of hair 'till Karl rode up there).

Sweep Walking

2007-05-11T16:05:00.000-07:00

Just the other day, Lil' Karl and I were hanging out on the front lawn (admiring the dandelions) and decided to sweep the walk. Lil' K surprised his old man when he stood up and proceeded to help push the broom back and forth in front of the house.

We did this for about a dozen trips from one end to the other. That front walkway has never been cleaner!

Pop's a Pushover

2007-04-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

In his efforts to best Edmund Hillary, Lil' Karl thought he would practice on his old Dad.

(What a couple of grinnin' goom-bahs.)

Handsome Lad

2007-04-24T14:56:00.000-07:00

What a good looking young man! I can't believe he is almost one year old.

This kid is so photogenic. He didn't get that from his parents...

Oh, I see!

2007-04-22T14:48:00.000-07:00

Lil' Karl just couldn't figure out how so much sound came out of one person... so, Carson opened up and showed him.

(The poor boy hasn't slept through the night since.)

Cuz Chris & His 'Intended'

2007-04-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

Cousin Chris came to visit us this weekend and he brought his fiance, Michelle. Lil' Karl showed them around town (while looking sporty in his hat) and even shared some wine and cheese with them. (What a generous guy!) It was an entire weekend of eating and drinking and making merry.

Lil' Karl can't wait to drive to Grandma and Grandpa's house while Mamma & Pappa Ceph hang out in Larry-Land with Cuz Chris & Michelle so they could enjoy some fine brews from Freestate.

Here, Lil' K is directing the photo shoot and then suggests that Chris and Michelle pause for a pic with Grandma 'Nette.

It sure was great to see them. Here's hoping that we can return the favor and visit them in the Windy City in the not-too-distant future.

A fine day at the Nelson

2007-04-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

The weather was grand and the Nelson-Atkins had just finished taking down all the construction crud around their new addition.

It was time to introduce Lil' K to some of the finer things in life... like rolling around on grassy hills

and comparing the contrasting elements of architecture between the classic lines of the old building and the new 'construction trailer' (his words not mine) aesthetic of the new building.

He is just so smart!

Lil' Tiger

2007-04-12T11:36:00.000-07:00

How old was Tiger Woods when he learned how to golf? I'm thinking Lil' Karl is going to give him a run for his money.

We'll have to come up with a different moniker for him... Champ? Putty? Mr. Short Game? Iron Man? Baaah! We'll figure it out later.

Little Bunny Foo Foo

2007-04-08T13:13:00.000-07:00

Aside from fighting off an infection that our doctors didn't tell us about (yet all our friends and neighbors pin-pointed it with uncanny ease), Lil' Karl seemed to have a good time on Easter weekend. He really liked spending time with Grandma & Grandpa.

The Easter Bunny surprised Lil' K with his very own golf set (including a driver, an iron, a putter, six balls, a hand-cart and two holes with flagsticks). The boy is a natural. I think Grandpa was just as excited about this (if not more so). :)

Day at the beach

2007-04-03T11:44:00.000-07:00

If there was ever any doubt as to who the cutest little boy in the world was, these pics should put those musings to rest. (That red hat... CUTE!)

Even though Lil' Karl isn't really at a beach (a park sand-box had to play that role), he doesn't seem to mind one bit. He's perfectly content to sit, play, examine and contemplate his surroundings. No wonder his baby sitter calls him the 'Professor.'

Flapjacks are Pancakes?

2007-03-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

Mama Ceph and Lil' Karl are soaking up the atmosphere (and the syrup) at his very first pancake feed. Let me tell you, this isn't your average 'flapjack fest.' It comes replete with sausage, fruit cups, milk (regular and chocolate), coffee and juice... not to mention the endless supply of 'griddle cakes.'

Is there any wonder they look so dern happy?!?

Pizza Eater or Singer?

2007-03-08T14:36:00.000-08:00

No one will ever know if this child is happily eating the crust from a piece of pizza or if he is singing one of his favorite songs. No matter, for all we know, it could be a song about a piece of pizza.

Learning to Crawl

2007-03-03T20:40:00.000-08:00

As Lil' Karl begins to explore his surroundings under his own power, the compelling nature of a big empty box is too hard to resist.

I have to admit that it was kind of funny (in a touching sort of way) to hear him fret when he would get hung up on one of the cardboard flaps. You could say it was kind of like a giant mouse trap. Too cute...

Proud Parents

2007-01-01T13:45:00.000-08:00

This little boy is the best New Year's promise we could ever hope for. Mamma Ceph & Pappa Ceph couldn't be more proud.

Okay, enough glowing. Maybe we should all work on our resolutions now...

Happy New Year!!

2007-01-01T08:30:00.000-08:00

Lil' K welcomes the New Year with his very own dance. It's called "Hey, I look like a Charlie Brown drawing."

This is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen... today. (Don't worry, he'll top this with something else. He is just too much fun for words.)

This can't possibly be legal. Maybe we should ask Aunt Fran.

Say "Good-Bye" to 2006

2006-12-31T12:24:00.000-08:00

As we settle in for the last breakfast of 2006, Lil' Karl decides to entertain us with one of his yarns. He sure can spin a tale of intrigue and fascination.

Sometimes he talks so much, he gets thirsty.

Piano Man

2006-12-29T08:08:00.000-08:00

Lil' Karl has been tickling the ivories ever since his Grandpa got him this little piano/sound studio for the holidays.

The kid is a natural. Some people in the family want to equate Lil'K's skills in the direction of Liberace... *yikes* I'd rather place more of a focus on Ben Folds or Billy Joel (pre 'Glass Houses'... what a crappy album!).

Post Festivus (continued)

2006-12-26T20:21:00.000-08:00

That night, we visit with some family friends and Lil' Karl tries to participate in their 'finger nibbling' ritual (when in Rome...)

He's thinking, "Wait a minute, who is this joker?!?"

Post Festivus

2006-12-26T10:15:00.000-08:00

The morning after, Lil' Karl wakes to find that the army of penguins have followed him home and are guarding his breakfast.

He is so flummoxed by the ordeal, he tries to grab whatever Pappa Ceph is eating...

Festivus Morning (continued 2)

2006-12-25T22:02:00.000-08:00

As the day draws to a close, we end up at home and decide to take a quick family pic before Lil' Karl has to dream of more sugar plums.

From left to right: (Grandma Mayre, Lil' Karl, Mamma Ceph, Pappa Ceph, Great Grandma Betty Jean & Aunt Fran)

Happy Holidays & Good night!

Festivus Morning (continued)

2006-12-25T09:04:00.000-08:00

Lil' Karl sneaks around the corner to see if he can spy any hefty elves...

But instead sees a beautiful tree!

Then, we stop over at Aunt Marjean's and Uncle Eddie's place (where Lil' K encounters a very spooky mechanical Santa).

Festivus Morning

2006-12-25T09:03:00.000-08:00

A progressive holiday, we spent the morning at Grandma & Grandpa Hunter's...

(Lil' Karl is still so tired, he can't tell if this guy is Santa or his Grandpa.)
Time to open presents (...and then look confused as an army of penguins surround our little hero).

Holiday Spirit

2006-12-22T19:43:00.000-08:00

Here are some fun little holiday cards that we made. They didn't make it out to as many people as we had hoped. I guess having a kid really does eat up your time. He's worth it though, best present I've ever had.

Lil' Karl wanted to act as conductor to the chorus of stuffed animals in the front room. I can honestly say that I didn't hear one bad note out of the whole bunch. That's the spirit, Karl! (Um, why do all dogs do that?!?)

Sunday Funnies

2006-12-10T11:11:00.000-08:00

Lil' Karl and Mamma Ceph woke up on Sunday Morning to a comfy, warm bed and the joys of reading the paper before it was a week old. (That boy really needs to cheer up...)

Santa needs to put on some lbs!

2006-12-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

Lil'K and Pappa Ceph think they hear someone on the roof of the house... (or maybe it was Mamma Ceph 'cutting' something in the kitchen. tee hee)
I keep telling Karl not to worry about the size of his hat, its what's inside that counts.

Elf in Training

2006-12-02T19:31:00.000-08:00

As Karl gets the hang of the whole 'Holiday Season' he begins to work his way into the inner circle of 'Secretus Elfos Toy-playitus.' Before long, he'll be 'product testing' for the fat man up north.

Indian Summer

2006-11-25T15:51:00.000-08:00

Finally, home after a long road trip to Wisconsin! Honestly, Lil' Karl was such a great traveling companion. We couldn't have asked for a better baby.

He is perfectly happy to be in the front yard, soaking up the sun and playing with the leaves. (He better get used to this. As he gets older, it'll be his job to rake the yard.) :)

When is this guy going to sleep through the night?

That's a LAKE?!?

2006-11-24T14:39:00.000-08:00

Lil' Karl and Momma Ceph take a stroll along Lake Michigan during a trip to Milwaukee for Thanksgiving. (Oh yes, it was cold.) The 'Professor' (as Lil' Karl's babysitter likes to call him) looks on and ponders such questions as "How come Mom doesn't have to wear a hat?" and "Who honestly believes that is a lake? I mean, honestly, come on!"

Oh... mah... gawd!

2006-11-11T16:59:00.000-08:00

Has there ever been a cuter baby in the history of the world? I think not!

The Big Chair

2006-11-05T12:42:00.000-08:00

Lil' K just can't help himself from nestling down in one of the big wing chairs in the front room and soaking in the warm afternoon light of a November afternoon.

Too bad Mamma Ceph and Aunt Fran had to come in and 'disturb the peace.'

Little Punkin'

2006-10-31T17:56:00.000-08:00

One of the many joys of being a child is that people get to dress you up with silly little accessories and pose with you as they pretend you are merely a prop in this play we like to call 'Life.' Adorable, isn't he?

(Grandma Mayre isn't above dressing the part too though.) Um, is that a pig in a costume that Mamma Ceph is holding? Must belong to Grandma...

Odd Duck

2006-10-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

Again, with the Jacob's Ladder thing. Kind of creepy, kid. Oh well, it is getting close to Halloween. Lil' K should be entitled some latitude. (He just does that too well... *shudder*)

Blurry Wedding

2006-10-20T12:35:00.000-07:00

These pics are so blurry, you'd think that wine was flowing like wine at this wedding. Not so. (The tea and coffee weren't bad and the BBQ was stellar!)

I did manage to snap off a couple of semi-non-crappy pics of Aunt Dee, Great Grandma Betty Jean and the lucky couple (cousin Matt and his blurry bride, Julie).

Lil' Karl is doing his best impression of the special effects in Jacob's Ladder.

Fruit Farms and Arborea

2006-10-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

Around this time is when Karl started to eat semi-solids and in this instance, he was enjoying some green stuff that we liked to equate with the 'Stump Monster' in the movie Flash Gordon from 1980.

On our way to visit the Grandparents, we stopped at Rees' Fruit Farm along Hwy24. It was a place that we liked to go to as children and now Karl can partake in the nostalgia right along with the rest of us.

Four Generations

2006-09-16T21:33:00.000-07:00

Really, this pic speaks for itself... (Grandma Mayre, Great Grandma Betty Jean, Momma Ceph and Lil' Karl)

Trip to Grandma & Grandpa Hunter's (continued)

2006-09-13T14:23:00.000-07:00

Momma Ceph feeds the little squirt and then Grandma Hunter wakes him from his nap. This boy is living a rough life.

Trip to Grandma & Grandpa Hunter's

2006-09-13T10:33:00.000-07:00

When Lil' Karl gets older, I'm not sure if he's going to be more angry at his Grandmother for buying this outfit or his parents for taking pictures of him in it. (He just looked so cute! Like a little French pastry... I wanted to take a big bite out of him!)

Cousins Upon Cousins

2006-09-06T11:31:00.000-07:00

Let's see here, Momma Ceph's cousin Stacy is visiting with her two urchins, Elijah and Sydney. Aren't they a good looking group?

Lil' Karl and Elijah were born on the same day. (Can you guess which one is older?)

Therefore, we have cousins of cousins mounting a complex tangle within the family tree that has forced Lil' K to look on as though he has the 'thousand yard stare.'

I feel your pain, K.

Zzzzzzzzz

2006-08-21T07:21:00.000-07:00

Sleeping on Grandpa Hunter. It's hard to tell who was happier with this situation, the baby or the grandpa.

Too Cool for Poo(h)

2006-08-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

Lil' Karl is such a hip cat that he's just too cool to care that he has Poo(h) on his pants. What a card!

Proud Papa

2006-08-05T10:47:00.000-07:00

I'd swear that there are times when it feels like the world has been placed on 'hold'... even for just a short while. I'm one heckuva lucky guy.

Doesn't it look like he's smiling back at me? Huh, huh? Doesn't it?!? What's that? No, I DON'T think he has gas...

Uncle Wes (that just sounds too funny)

2006-08-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

Uncle Wes decided to come up to 'Central America' from the blast furnace he calls home (Arizona) and meet his new nephew (or as Aunt Fran likes to call him... 'Newphew'). You can tell Wes has that special kind of affinity for holding a child that only a 17 year old can exude. Try not to hurt yourself Wes... smiling has been known to bring the painful affliction of 'happiness' to those that attempt it.

Chewey

2006-08-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

Be careful Lil' K, don't eat him all at once, he's the only Grandpa you have!

Unconscious Carnival

2006-07-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

How can anyone sleep with this much visual stimulation around them?!? I know for a fact that I'm going to have nightmares just thinking about this much stuff floating around my head.

(Maybe he'll continue to sleep this well as he gets older... nah, I'm dreaming!)

Collins Park Parade

2006-07-04T11:09:00.000-07:00

Independence Day, 2006- Lil' Karl attends his first (of many, I'm sure) Collins Park Parade. A family tradition that dates back to when the past was in the present and things that cost more now were less then, older people were younger and we still believed that we put a man on the moon.

Lil' Karl got to witness (when he wasn't sleeping) old cars, lots of dogs, candy raining from the sky, and the marching band of bag-pipers. Pappa Ceph and Aunt Fran like to loom over Lil' K's slumbering frame and wonder what it must be like to be able to sleep through the din of crowd noise and back-firing antique fire trucks.

Aunt Fran's Return

2006-07-03T07:26:00.000-07:00

Today marks the return of Aunt Fran as she decided to visit us here in 'Central America' and leave the hustle and bustle of our nation's capitol behind (especially on the same weekend as the 4th of July). She also mentioned something about wanting to meet her 'new-phew' for the first time or some such blather... (I think she just wanted some really good BBQ.)

On a side note, when an infant is sleeping on you this deeply, you really can't help but relax and watch the rest of your problems or distractions just melt away. Wow, this kid has a gift! I wish I could hold him like this forever...

Sleeping Beauty

2006-06-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

I know that many of you will get tired of seeing pics of a sleeping baby. But when that baby is as adorable as this guy, in my estimation, one just can't enough of it. I could stare at him all day.

(Besides, I fear that it will take a miracle to get him to sleep through the night and so these images are just a placebo for the exhausted state of my very being.)

A Proud Grandpa & A Casual Uncle

2006-06-27T09:55:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Hunter couldn't look any more elated if you told him he'd just won an exemption on the Champions Tour.

Uncle Ryan, on the other hand, is as cool as a cucumber. He's thinking, "Yeah, this is all fine and dandy now, but when this guy goes poo, I'm handing him over."

Going for a walk

2006-06-19T07:11:00.000-07:00

It may not look like it but there is a baby in there (no, not in Momma Ceph). We decided to get out of the house and show the slumbering superstar his neighborhood. I thought for sure he'd grow tired of being all squished into his BabyBjorn but he didn't seem to mind all. That is a good sign since we plan on doing a lot of walking with him in tow...

Sleep: Oh the promise...

2006-06-16T07:01:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that Lil' Karl is sleeping in this delicate chair that vibrates like a naked mole rat in the Wasatch Mountains during ski season.

You plug about 3oz. of formula in this kid and he's out like a light for a couple of hours.

(I sure hope it'll be this easy to get him to sleep as he gets older...)

Plethora of Grandmothers

2006-06-12T13:07:00.000-07:00

You'd think it was raining Grandmothers or something... (This kid is popular with the ladies)

Uncle K visits Nephew K

2006-06-08T14:58:00.000-07:00

It really was nice to have the brother of Lil' Karl's namesake stop in for a visit. I think this was the first and only time that Uncle Kurt has ever been to the house (even though we've been living there since September of 2000). Go figure, it took a baby to lure him up from the compound in Gardner. Crazy days.

He says he doesn't understand why we didn't name him 'Kurt' and that he was never very fond of the name 'Karl'... something to do with a childhood trauma in Salt Lake City. (Who doesn't have trauma in SLC?!?)

1st Bath and a Visit from Grandma

2006-05-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

We really thought Lil' Karl would hate the whole 'bath' thing but once we started to wash his hair, he couldn't have been more contented. And since this is all about his contentment, a visit from Grandma Hunter never hurts either.

Who is this 'Billy Reuben' fellow anyway?!?

2006-05-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

Being 'yellow' isn't part of the plan so we get to take this little cherub to the doctor. They are planning to 'bleed' him and determine if all of the demons have been forced back over the Missouri border.

From Hospital to Home

2006-05-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

So, this little guy is going to be living in our house with us, huh? I sure hope he knows what he's gotten himself into.