Showing off the Twins at the New Student BBQ

The New Student BBQ is one of the more relaxed events Student Council hosts each Summer and Fall. In the past we have always enjoyed good food, good games, good company but not until this year did we get to enjoy TWINS!!!! Yes I may be very biased but having the twins at the BBQ made the event so much better. Quite simply I thought it would be a great opportunity to show off our new babies and indeed it was.

The BBQ itself was a big hit reaping as many attendees as in times past. The food was great, the games were fun and the new students appeared to enjoy themselves.

For me personally however, the BBQ was a good hit for another reason, I got to show off my new babies. I truly enjoyed watching my sweetheart talk about the twins with my peers and even some of my professors. In fact I think some of my professors assisted Kristy with changing some diapers. Certainly good times were had.....

Twins...Variety Pack...to go

Our TWINS have arrived!!!!
Life in graduate school is so crazy in and of it self. The thought of simply being married in graduate school is by far a maniacal endeavour. Add a job and now you have the making for a ticking time bomb. So how about throwing in a variety pack of twins, now that is what I call FUN!!!!

Our twins arrived without any problems. My sweetheart did such a wonderful job and she has made me so happy. Our baby twins are a far greater blessing than I ever expected to obtain in graduate school. I am not sure if I have Forest Institute to thank for my twins but all the same they arrived while I was smack dab in the middle of my doctoral education.
I certainly have many concerns with sleep, being able to study, maintaining my employment and of course hanging on to sanity, but look at these babies!!!!!! It is all so worth it.

From a family of 4 to a family of 6 in a matter of 3 minutes :)

Twins, variety pack, ready to go....

A Transition Item

According to certain theories of psychology a transition item serves to assist an individual with a dramatic life change. The item serves as a means to assist in coping with the many adjustments that will be a result of the life change. In terms of our situation, while Mommy and Daddy are busy with the twins, Molly and Neleha will be busy with their transition item. At least that is the plan......

Thanks to our local Sam's Club we were able to purchase this very unique cabin style playhouse. Having Dale, Tove and Gary here to help me put it together was most welcomed. Relatively, it went together pretty quick, especially the roof, of course it had begun to rain and Gary, Tove and myself didn't feel like taking a warm Missouri shower if you know what I mean. The kids loved it and we got it just days prior to Kristy's scheduled delivery, perfect timing for a transition item.

Earlier.......

Firefall .... A Concert in the Sky

I have heard about this Firefall event hosted by the city parks department ever since the first week I arrived in Springfield. For the last 2 times we have allowed the opportunity to pass without regard. This year however, I think we have caught the American Independence Spirit. We decided that this would be our year. The event takes place near the Springfield Airport and so we headed out for the short drive across the city. I am not sure what we expected but I know what we found. An $8 fee for a carload and a massive gathering of families all gathered in a big open farming field, sitting in their lawn chairs and listening to local bands set up on a grand stage. The great gathering was encircled by many fair style food vending wagons which included my favorite carnival food, the giant corn dog.

Although the food and music was nice and relaxing, we of course were gathered for a "concert in the sky"as they put it. A concert was indeed what we got. Not only was the fireworks truly a joy to experience the show was accompanied by the Springfield Symphony playing tunes in sync with the exploding fireworks.

The event came at a great time as we just entered our Summer Break. Certainly a wonderful way to begin our short, but well needed, vacation from class.

photos obtained from www.news-leader.com

Springfield's World Record "The Giant Fork"

In front of the 3-story building inhabited by Noble & Associates, a Springfield ad agency, the "World's Largest Fork" is appropriately stuck in a garden of leafy greens. . Originally placed in front of a restaurant that failed on South Glenstone, it was purchased and moved to its current location. The brick and glass building is the company's "Idea Center" -- Noble does a lot of work for the food service and retail industry, so the fork makes sense...

There are no signs directing anyone to this magnificent monstrosity yet it is not far from the Forest campus and so I tend to bring any of our visitors to see our local claim to fame. This week my sweetheart's grandpa got to cast his eyes on the biggest utensil ever.

The 35 foot stainless steal fork is certainly a sight to see.

World's Largest Fork
Address: 2215 W Chesterfield Blvd, Springfield, MO

Directions: From FIPP go East on Battlefield then turn south on Kansas Expressway after about one block; turn right on W. Chesterfield. Turn right on Cox and then into the Noble & Associates parking lot on the right.

Springfield's 4th Replaces a Mall

When I first arrived in Springfield there were 2 malls, one we shopped in and one we avoided. We no longer have to worry about avoiding the North Town Mall anymore however, it no longer stands. What is left behind is far from a vacant lot, in fact, in it's place is a massive, energy efficient, 184,212 square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter.

Although this is a new Supercenter it is actually just an upgrade from the store pictured above. It was the last of the regular Wal-Marts left in Springfield. With the Grand Opening of Springfield's newest Supercenter the count is now up to 4, one on each corner of the city. I know some are not big fans of this retailing giant, but I have a very long and personal history with Wal-Mart. Because of this I could not be anything but ecstatic that this Superstore was opening it's doors today. You can of course bet on the fact that I was there, opening day, to enjoy all 184,212 square feet.

Short Drive for a Fantastic Adventure

A short drive north of the city limits will bring you to a world away from the hum drum of graduate school. It is not too often one can find a nearby place to go to simply sit back and enjoy a relaxing ride through a majestic series of underworld artistry. In fact there is only one place in America, it happens to be right here in Springfield at "Fantastic Caverns".

Our family finally decided to see just how fantastic this cavern really was and to our surprise we loved the adventure. For a wonderful 40 minute tour we entered a massive cavern carried on a red Jeep drawn tram. We learned the extrodinary history of the cave and many scientific facts regarding cave formations. We truly enjoyed our relaxing tour of Fantastic Caverns so much that we paid the additional $5 to upgrade our single tour ticket to an annual pass. Well worth the money.