B-U-R-L-Y-F-A-M-I-L-Y

July 4th, 1976

2011-09-29T15:58:00.001-07:00

Found this stuffed into a photo album. Click on it for a closer look.

Poppa and Grandma's "new home"

2011-09-26T04:40:00.000-07:00

This is the "little house," now sided and on the other side of the pond. Cute. Perhaps I'll post a pic of Grandpa Doug's "new home" sometime too. A pop-up camper.

Cutie Pie

2011-09-25T07:32:00.000-07:00

Indians vs. Mariners in the rain with the Acebals

2011-09-25T07:17:00.000-07:00

And a pic at the Great Lakes Brewery gift shop.

Picture by Sam

2011-09-25T06:22:00.000-07:00

September, 2011.

Hiking at the Ledges in the Cuyahoga Valley

2011-09-07T05:36:00.000-07:00

A word about coffee

2011-07-28T04:29:00.000-07:00

As a former barista at the coffee holy land, St. Arbucks, I believe that I should be forthright in my observations regarding coffee preferences among the peoples of the world who imbibe. Some people like acidic coffee. Therefore, they may enjoy a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Not all people who like acidic coffee like Dunkin' Donuts, though. It's complicated. Some people like a coffee with a

Could they be having more fun in Canada?

2011-07-27T04:42:00.000-07:00

Two more days until we see Ben and Luke. Three more day until we see Sam (he's at summer camp - and in the picture, he's waiting for the bus).

Laid back

2011-07-27T04:38:00.000-07:00

Go Indians!

2011-07-26T05:12:00.000-07:00

Last night I saw the best MLB game I've ever seen in person (which isn't very many - I've been to six MLB games - this is my second time seeing the Indians). I went with my friend Pat last night after work and sat in some great $11 bleacher seats to watch an incredible game. Jason Kipnis, the hero of the night, was brought up from the Columbus Clippers recently. In May, I'm sure I saw him play

Steve Nash is my favourite Canadian celebrity

2011-07-22T04:45:00.001-07:00

From pile o' dirt to wildflower garden

2011-07-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

And the weedy lawn makes the wildflower garden look all the more beautiful.

Redecorating the basement ... again

2011-07-20T16:55:00.000-07:00

Due to the recent arrival of a "new" Craigslist sofa sleeper, here's the redesigned basement to fit our couch and original sofa sleeper. The other one is in the living room. We're ready for your visit (unless you're a stranger ... then ... not so much).

IT'S NOT YOU, IT'S ME!

2011-07-19T05:27:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: I've actually just changed my settings to not allow commenting. This is to aid me in not being driven to follow every notification. I have changed my Facebook settings. Here's what I have posted for all my friends who no longer have access to my "wall" (because I'm not using it anymore!): "I'M NOT JUST BLOCKING YOU. DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY! I'm changing my use of Facebook. IT'S NOT

My Girls on My Birthday

2011-07-06T04:07:00.000-07:00

Sam's First Soccer Goal Today

2011-05-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

Actually he scored two. This was the first one.

Things that I Love - Cleveland-ish Edition - 56 West Restaurant

2011-04-25T05:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Dad/Grandpa Doug took us to what seemed to be a hole-in-the-wall at 56 West in Lakewood, Ohio about two miles from our house. Simply. Rockin'. Here's a review from the interwebs: "Delicious hamburgers, neat ambiance. The food definitely tasted fresh, each ingredient was delicious and complimented the entree. We went for burgers, but the specials that night sounded scrumptious. Will

Happy Easter!

2011-04-25T05:28:00.000-07:00

Fun, Crazy Times

2011-04-09T08:21:00.001-07:00

Sam Reading

2011-04-09T07:30:00.001-07:00

Funny Stuff

2011-03-06T09:25:00.000-08:00

Sam's Recent Artistry (Plus Bonus Pics)

2011-03-06T09:20:00.001-08:00

Can be found over at Sam's First Grade Portfolio blog.

Ben at One Week

2011-02-06T11:24:00.001-08:00

I think Eve looks like he did at that age.

Eve Elizabeth Fancy-Schmancy Video - First Draft

2011-02-05T14:11:00.001-08:00

Pretty Little Girl

2011-02-05T11:30:00.000-08:00

Sam feeding Eve

2011-02-04T16:07:00.001-08:00

Playing with Cars

2011-02-03T12:09:00.001-08:00

Eve Elizabeth Video

2011-01-29T18:03:00.001-08:00

Welcome, Eve Elizabeth!

2011-01-28T15:05:00.000-08:00

Born around 4:45 pm today. 8 lb. 15 oz. 19 and 1/2 inches. Mom and baby are doing well.

Anna Opens Presents

2011-01-24T17:58:00.001-08:00

About a Month to Go

2010-12-22T05:17:00.000-08:00

I Picked this One for You

2010-12-19T12:32:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-19T12:30:00.000-08:00

Whaddya Think?

2010-12-17T05:26:00.001-08:00

"I don't get upset when salesclerks don't say 'Merry Christmas' because I'm a fan of the 3rd commandment." - @jaredcwilson via Twitter. Here's commandment number three in an old school version (King James): Deuteronomy 5:11 "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold [him] guiltless that taketh his name in vain."

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

2010-12-10T05:11:00.001-08:00

Sam Quote 12.9.2010

2010-12-09T16:46:00.001-08:00

Ben was sent to bed early tonight. He asked if his brother, Sam could join him upstairs. I said that I'd ask him if he wants to. When I asked Sam, he said: "Of course, he's my best buddy." In an unrelated story, Anna started sleeping on a mattress on the floor of her room two nights ago. A make-shift "big girl bed." Working well so far.

New Siding on Old Townhome

2010-11-17T05:48:00.000-08:00

Long time no post. For those who remember our old townhome, the outside was UGLY! Almost as ugly as this moustache. Check out the new siding on one of the units. This is what it looked like when we lived there. And this. Also, the moustache only lasted a few hours.

Sam's Portfolio

2010-09-06T14:11:00.001-07:00

This is mainly for his teacher at the Ohio Virtual Academy, but enjoy this new blog.

More Bruce Mines 2010

2010-07-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

Wearing 'em out

2010-07-22T04:59:00.000-07:00

We shipped the boys off to Canada - at their request - for three weeks (before we arrive). Week one is over. Grandma and Poppa and Heidi are wearing them out (and perhaps vice versa). Everyone is having fun. They've picked raspberries, gone swimming in the lake, helped mow the lawn, ridden in the "little truck", gone to a kids camp, etc. Anna has been a little ornery, though. I think she

Serving Blogginess for Five Years

2010-07-09T05:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Blogiversary to the B-U-R-L-Y-F-A-M-I-L-Y weblog. You light up all of our lives.

Slate Tiles

2010-07-06T03:53:00.000-07:00

We're [rather, our contractor and Poppa Ron] building an 8' x 8' mud room. I searched Al Gore's inter-webs and found this picture of what our tile looks like. Ours will have a darker and gray-er grout (sp?). Also, the countdown begins. Three days until the fifth anniversary of this weblog.

Did I Mention that Naomi's Pregnant?

2010-07-02T05:04:00.000-07:00

I mentioned it elsewhere, but forgot to mention it here on the beloved weblog. She's due in mid-to-late-January. She's been feeling sick. We will be finding out what the gender of the child is. In unrelated news, this weblog will be five years old in a few days!

Things that I Love - Cleveland-ish Edition Miscellaneous

2010-05-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

It was a wild weekend - and mostly good wild – except for the fact that our friend, Steve Trenta (who’s “fine”) broke his leg. We went biking with Steve and Melinda and the kids last weekend. On Friday, Erich & Lisa Sulzbach arrived for the weekend from Chicago-ish. We went to dinner at Dewey’s and then came back home. While we were letting our stomachs take a break, Sam found a five dollar

Biking & Cute Kid Pics

2010-05-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

We went with the Trenta family to the tow path and had a great time. Enjoy these pics from the train ride and other family pics this morning.

mmmmm ... Fresh Mulch and Mow ...

2010-05-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

"Lose Interest Forever"

2010-05-10T15:29:00.000-07:00

Sam has gotten in the habit of writing down stories re: his real life. Tonight he spilled his bowl of casserole all over the floor and had to clean it up. In response to this incident he said: "I’m not going to write down this story. I’m going to lose interest forever and I’m going to hate it."

Sam Quote, May 2010

2010-05-06T04:58:00.000-07:00

The other day, Naomi was reading Sam a story about a person who was thought to be able to predict the future (this was not a story regarding Biblical prophecy – it was something else – I didn’t pay close enough attention to all of the details of the story). So Naomi asked Sam if he knows what’s going to happen in the future. He didn’t quite understand. She asked him if he knows what’s going to

New Bikes

2010-04-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Ma and Pops ...

Belated Easter 2010

2010-04-28T16:15:00.000-07:00

Took a trip to Lake Erie (1 mile away) on Easter. It was to be followed by ice-cream at Mitchells, but alas it was closed. The Phillips saved the day by providing fudge-cicles ...

Before and After Wardrobe

2010-03-25T04:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Poppa Ron, we have before and after pics of the wardrobe in our living room. Also, thanks to Poppa Ron, the look of the green wardrobe has been "ruined."

March 2010 Adventures Part 1

2010-03-15T07:03:00.000-07:00

After lunch at the Cosmic Cantina and frozen yogurt at the yogurt pump, we went to the Children's Museum yesterday ... other pics are from Saturday morning before leaving Brian & Heather's house (kids Garrett and Emily). Brian was my roommate from my Sophomore year of college through my year after graduation ... and I travelled with Heather (and others, to be clear ;o) ) to Spain (study abroad)

Who Is This?

2010-03-15T06:51:00.001-07:00

Ben Quote 3.7.2010

2010-03-07T06:45:00.001-08:00

"I don't want to be a crocodile, because I don't want to eat people." - Ben

b-u-r-l-y-k-i-d-s Artwork

2010-03-07T06:36:00.000-08:00

Saving things digitally sure saves space ...

Dressers, etc.

2010-03-07T06:28:00.000-08:00

We now have an adequate number of dressers and closet space for all of us ...

b-u-r-l-y-f-a-m-i-l-y Update 3.3.2010

2010-03-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

First of all, Naomi is NOT pregnant. Giving an "update" might make one think that, simply because I've been negligent in my postings as of late. So, let's turn back the clock a couple weeks. We'll go from mundane to dramatic and perhaps back to mundane. We decided to actually have enough dressers in the house to fit everyone's clothing. So, over the past couple weeks we bought two on

Me and My Girl

2010-02-18T05:31:00.001-08:00

Anna Sings

2010-02-17T16:00:00.001-08:00

Baby Doll Meets Cardboard Croc

2010-02-15T08:02:00.000-08:00

"Why did you put the baby in the crocodile's mouth, Ben?" - Daddy "Because she's a bad baby." - Ben

Okay, Seriously Crazy

2010-02-10T15:15:00.001-08:00

Mike's selling the fully renovated house near us for $139,900. WHAT?!?! He's lost it.

Ben's Birthday Pics

2010-02-03T17:47:00.000-08:00

You saw this pics from the party. This is from his actual birthday. The computer pics are of us "skyping" with Aunt Rebekah (and my mom and dad) while he opened his presents from them. Ben said he's going to spend his money from Grandpa Doug on groceries.

Refinished and Rearranged

2010-02-03T17:41:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Poppa Ron for bringing the wardrobe down (and refinishing it while he was here). Naomi then rearranged the living room. And a special bonus for all of our faithful readers: A picture of the wall in the bathroom that I painted awhile back. It's called earthen jug. Aren't you lucky that I posted it for you.

He's Gone Crazy

2010-02-03T04:57:00.000-08:00

Our friend and person-who-sold-our-house-to-us (not in that order), Mike is selling this house for even less. He's gone crazy.

Blu-Ray

2010-01-29T07:49:00.000-08:00

Deal-of-the-day at Amazon. $89. I've already got a Blu-Ray player, but I just wanted to pass along the opportunity to you, my dear readers:)

Happy Birthday, Rebekah & Ben!

2010-01-29T05:23:00.001-08:00

On a wholly unrelated note, this is the 803rd blog post.

Caught on Camera Being Mean

2010-01-27T15:53:00.000-08:00

It's okay to laugh.

Happy Birthday, Rebekah!

2010-01-27T15:49:00.000-08:00

Aunt/Sister Rebekah shares a birthday with Ben. I'm posting it two days early to be sure it actually works!

Bean Bag Game at Ben's Birthday Bash

2010-01-26T17:37:00.000-08:00

Child Dedication

2010-01-26T16:57:00.007-08:00

For Luke and Anna at Providence Church.

Ben's Birthday Party

2010-01-26T16:50:00.000-08:00

Anna's First Birthday

2010-01-23T08:42:00.000-08:00

Pirate Party Prep

2010-01-23T08:36:00.000-08:00

Ben's party is at 1 pm today.

Happy First Birthday, Anna!

2010-01-19T05:02:00.001-08:00

May you have a wonderful day and may your antibiotics work well on your double ear infection.

Construction Workers and Fireman

2010-01-16T17:02:00.000-08:00

Painting Pirate Ship

2010-01-16T17:00:00.000-08:00

For Ben's birthday, the boys were prepping props by painting the pirate ship for the pirate party.

Little Matthew

2010-01-15T17:26:00.000-08:00

Giving to Haiti Relief Efforts

2010-01-15T10:01:00.000-08:00

Naomi has had direct involvement (through a summer internship) with this ministry and this one. Both have paypal options for donations (and they send you receipts via email). They are not near the capital, but sadly (understatement) the capital is a disaster area and they are able to help from afar. Hosean Ministries is working to bring 45 people from the affected areas to their area (Pignon,

More Pics of Mike's House

2010-01-14T11:36:00.001-08:00

Can be found here.

"Now Can I Have My Picture Taken?"

2010-01-09T17:56:00.000-08:00

Why not, Sam and Luke. These were taken at the same time as the prior post.

It Was Bound to Happen

2010-01-09T17:53:00.000-08:00

A phrase we've said before and will likely say again. This time re: one of our children (Ben) coloring all over himself. And then Sam joined in and drew ribs on his back.

Firefighters

2010-01-09T16:45:00.000-08:00

In Johnson Township (Ontario, CA) over Christmas.

Scared

2010-01-08T06:47:00.000-08:00

Sam's latest masterpiece.

Buy this House, Please

2010-01-04T09:58:00.000-08:00

Mike isn't even paying me to post this. I just know that we've enjoyed the fruit of his labor in the home we live in that he renovated. This one is dropping in price. However, I'd low-ball him if I were you and only offer him $158,000.00. I know, I know. You like living in a sub-par, underfinished home that requires lots of care and maintenance. But you'd be our neighbor!

Resolved

2010-01-04T06:24:00.000-08:00

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." -- 1 Corinthians 2:2

I Aught to Tell You

2010-01-02T18:06:00.001-08:00

I'm pretty excited about calling the last decade the "aughts".

Best Post on the Internet in 2009

2010-01-01T09:55:00.000-08:00

This post was voted by some people as the best post on the internet in 2009.

Challenge Complete

2009-12-31T04:11:00.000-08:00

So, I blogged for 31-days straight. I'd like to thank Miles Travis for proposing the challenge. I'd like to thank those who read the blog. I'd like to thank Blogger for supplying the blog format. I'd like to thank the people who posted pictures on the internet for me to borrow for some of my posts. I'd like to thank my family members for being in some of the pictures and videos. I'd like to

Blowing Snow

2009-12-30T05:06:00.000-08:00

I pulled this thing out on Monday evening. Blew four or five inches off the sidewalk and drive. Always fun the first time of the season. We'll see if the fun lasts. No snow on the ground this morning, but it's a bit brisk. 18 degrees and feels like 9 degrees.

Favorite Movies of Other Decades

2009-12-29T03:16:00.000-08:00

I recently posted my faovorite movies of the decade. Here's my top three for the 90's, 80's and 70's: 1990’s: 3. Waiting for Guffman 2. Dumb and Dumber 1. Mystery Men 1980’s: 3. The Karate Kid 2. Back to the Future 1. The Indiana Jones series (minus 2 and 4) 1970’s: 3. Star Wars 2. The Muppet Movie 1. Rocky Honorable mentions for the 2000's, by the way, include Iron Man, Star Trek and

Christmas Morning 2009

2009-12-28T04:55:00.001-08:00

Sleds & Snow

2009-12-27T20:46:00.000-08:00

Well, we made it home right 'round 11pm tonight. Just in time for a blog post. No more commentary. Pictures say enough.

Gettin' Towed

2009-12-26T16:59:00.000-08:00

Some Pictures are Great

2009-12-26T16:33:00.000-08:00

Some pictures are not so much. Ben looks great, though.

O Come, Let Us Adore Him

2009-12-25T12:32:00.000-08:00

HT: Jared Wilson via Steve McCoy Merry Christmas from Canada! We're having a great time wandering on the back 58. I'm borrowing Naomi's Uncle David and Aunt Mary Ann's internet (thanks!).

Family Photos: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009

2009-12-24T15:01:00.000-08:00

Painted Dansko Clogs

2009-12-23T04:27:00.000-08:00

These are rad, dude. I don't think Naomi's seen these yet. On a wholly unrelated note, we (me, Naomi, Luke and Anna) are heading to Canada today. I think we'll be stopping here along the way.

North of the Border

2009-12-22T05:02:00.000-08:00

The boy on the right and the boy on the left went to Canada with Auntie Heidi yesterday. She came for the weekend to hang out and to take them up early. They are having a fun time chasing Phoebe the cat around the house. They stopped just north of Ann Arbor to play in the McDonald's playland and then in Birch Run to share a HUGE sundae. The boy in the middle leaves for Canada with his

No More Lies

2009-12-21T04:16:00.000-08:00

Tell the truth about Santa. A lot of people say that you shouldn't lie to your kids about Santa. I agree. Tell them the truth. Tell your kids every time they're bad, Santa kills an elf.

Favorite Movies of the Decade

2009-12-20T05:47:00.000-08:00

Others I know are posting their favorites/best movies of the decade. Let me be clear that this is not a list of the best. In a very particular order, here are my top three: 3. Nacho Libre 2. Zoolander 1. The Bourne Series The Bourne Series takes pride of place, because it never gets old for me. The first and the third are my favorites and I can't choose between them.