I've been told that I don't blog enough about my twin boys. Those people are probably right. So here it goes. (Maguire's the one on the left in the picture. Alex is the one on the right. Not that you couldn't figure that out from the first sentence. Sorry.)

So, we're closing in on 7 months already with Alex and Maguire, and it gets more interesting every day. The newest development is crawling. Alex has it down, and flies across the floor. The kid can barely sit up by himself, but he can cruise like a little missile across the carpet. I've had him watching the Olympics. Maybe he'll be a gold medal sprinter. Then I can retire on his endorsements.

The crawling doesn't come without its hazards though. We had a little incident the other day when he plopped down a couple of stairs. He was scared, but mostly unscathed. It was a good reminder to mom and dad that baby gates are a necessity now. The game has definitely changed.

Maguire's not crawling just yet, but you can tell he's jealous every time his brother takes off. He gives him a longing look as if to say, "Seriously...I need to learn that. It looks like a good time." But we're not rushing him into it. One mobile baby is enough for now. We're easing into it.

But on a serious note, they bring more and more joy to our lives every single day. No matter how bad of a day I have, I'll see a pair of little faces smiling at me and it all goes away. It's not easy, but it's been a blast. It's incredible how fast the time can pass, so we're just enjoying every second of it.

I'll try and make my baby posts a little closer together next time...so to those people...and you know who you are...sorry!

So I haven't watched much of the Olympics, and I'm not too happy about it. I watched a little of the opening ceremonies, then was out of town all weekend, so I didn't get to tune in much. But last night I stayed up too late watching the swimmers cut through the water.

It truly amazes me how dedicated these people are to their sports, and how incredible they are at what they do. I watched Michael Phelps annihilate the field in the 100 meter freestyle last night. The funny thing is, I literally hold my breath during swimming events. I don't really know why. Maybe it's because I see people in the water, and want to hold my own breath. Or maybe not. Maybe it's because when you're talking hundredths of a second are the different between gold and bronze, it's intense. It's almost like an action movie, when you are all tense and don't breathe. It's like that for me.

Anyway, because of the Olympics I didn't get to bed until late, so if you watched the morning show today at all you probably saw my eyes were a little saggy. That's probably true most mornings to tell you the truth, I just try really hard to hide my tiredness (is that a word?). I probably don't do a great job of it either.

But it's worth it I suppose, the loss of sleep that is. The Olympics is something that the whole world is involved in. Just think of the scope of that. People from just about everywhere are there. The athletes could care less about the political junk that goes on between countries, and that's what I love most about it. They just get out there and try as hard as they can to beat the other guy, or the other girl. Overall it's pretty cool. I just wish I didn't have to get up so early, or I'd watch a lot more. Who am I kidding, I'll still stay up late and be tired in the morning...again.

This morning I put my hand in my pocket to find a couple of crisp (and newly washed) dollar bills. I haven't worn these pants in awhile, and they went through the wash some time ago. But it's such a nice surprise when that happens isn't it? You find some money that you didn't know you had, and so you can spend it however you want. In my mind that means I can spend it freely without guilt. I mean really, I didn't even know I had it, so why not spend it? My wife might have a different opinion. She'd say something like, "You know, that could buy 10 diapers..." or something similar. We usually think about money in terms of diapers since our twin boys were born. But it was only $2 afterall.

I wish it would've been more money hiding in my pocket. But then I suppose I would've realized earlier that I didn't have a $20 or something, and spent hours looking for it. This way I get a nice surprise, I don't spend time looking for it, and everyone's happy.

I'm just glad money can stand up to washing machines. Or I'd be out a lot of cash in my lifetime. I better go, I hear a Mountain Dew calling my name from the vending machine. And since I have 2 bucks, maybe some Twizzlers too...

Computers have revolutionized the world, I know, I get it. But man can they waste your life away. It seems like once you get on and visit some websites, then you get sucked into another site, that leads to another site. But the biggest waste in my mind? Games. But they're so addicting that I can't stop myself from playing. Over and over again. Endlessly. I found this numbers game, and I can't stop playing it. If my bosses ask, I don't play it at work. And don't tell your boss where you found the site either, that way we're both covered.

So here's the link: Numbers Game

It has Asian writing, but after you click on "Start" you basically have about a second to look at a series of numbers, then they go away. Then you have to click on the circles where you think the lowest number to the highest is hiding. Then you get the score after like 10 boards or something. The best I've gotten so far was a 20. I think it was a fluke. Usually I'm in the 25-28 range. It's pretty crazy how fast you can get addicted.

One of my co-workers (who shall remain nameless) is addicted to a game where you type the alphabet as fast as you can and you're timed.

Here's the link to that: Alphabet Game

He plays it over and over again. It doesn't seem like it would be that hard, but trust me, it's not easy. So there you go. I've fulfilled my duty of wasting part of your life away. But it can be a nice release from the work day right? Enjoy yourself...just minimize fast when the boss walks around.

This is the story of my shot at a $1 million. Probably the best chance I'll ever have. And now...the story...

It was a warm and sunny day. Barely a cloud dotted the baby blue sky. It was hot, but not too hot. The greens were perfect, the fairways pristine. The course at Dell Rapids was primed and ready for a hole-in-one worth a cool $1 million. I walked up to hole number 3 at Rocky Run Golf Course. The biggest question of my life (well, not really but it makes the story better): Should I use my 7 iron? Or maybe my 6? Which one would get it there, but not too much? I don't want to be short of the green, but I don't want to blow it by either. I just don't want to embarrass myself, and maybe I'll get lucky.  

I ask for a ball from a golfing buddy. He dials up coordinates on the ball (just put his finger on it and pretended to push buttons...he's a little off I think) to assure the right shot. I push my lime green tee softly into the warm tee box soil. I take one last look at the green. The hole is 180 yards from my ball. Then I take another last look at the green. I take a practice swing. And then one last look at the green.

I push the blade of my 6 iron (I chose the 6, I didn't want to be short) to the ball. I don't feel too nervous surprisingly. My back swing is smooth, I try not to think too much. I strike the ball with ease, and the ball takes flight. Off the club I hear some cheers. It felt good, and right now it looks pretty good. It flies toward the hole. I hit it high, but was it too high? I couldn't tell. The sun took the flight of the ball from my eyes, then I saw it hit. It was on the green. But there's no roll. Not even a bit. It stuck on the green, about 15 feet from the cup. The million bucks wasn't to be, but it was fun to have a shot.

The whole thing was part of a fundraising tournament to benefit Dell Rapids St. Mary's schools. It was a blast, and that warm sun left my neck and face a nice shade of scarlet. (Good thing I can wear makeup...well it's sort of good I guess.) It was for a good cause, and it'll probably be my best, and last, chance to win that much money. Unless they invite me next year...(hint hint...I want another shot!)

I'm not much of a world traveler, or a national traveler for that matter. I've been on a few airplanes in my life, and have never had a scare. So I can't even imagine what I would do if I was on a plane that had a huge hole in it. If you didn't hear about the story of this Qantas Jumbo Jet, just click here to read about it. 

What would you do if all of a sudden the plane just started dropping? If the oxygen masks started falling from the ceiling? I'm guessing some people would scream, others would try to keep them calm, and others may pass out from fear. It's hard to say exactly what you would do. I have an idea about the reaction I would have, but you never quite know until you're faced with death. Thank goodness the people on that plane made it down safely. I can't imagine what kind of reaction I'd have when my feet touched the ground.

I don't especially like to fly either, so that could make it worse. I always get a bit nervous on takeoff and landing. But usually it passes as we get high in the air, and then as soon as the wheels touch the tarmac. That's when I breathe again, and then check my pants real quick to make sure...well...you know.

I wouldn't characterize myself as much of a "Bob Vila" sort of guy when it comes to home repairs. Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor's more like it. Except I don't try as hard as he did.

So for awhile now my roof's been leaking when we get a big rain or a lot of snow. I've climbed up on the roof before to clean out the gutters and tried to investigate. But I have no clue about stuff like that. So what do I do? Usually ignore it and hope it doesn't happen again.

But last weekend my parents came to town for a visit. My dad and I are on opposite spectrums when it comes to home improvements. He's put new siding on both houses I've ever lived in, replaced countless roofs for friends, even worked as a handyman for awhile. So let's just say he's better at that kind of stuff than me. He taught me to change the oil in my truck in high school too. Needless to say I haven't changed my own oil since.

Anyway, he jumped on my roof to check things out. He found the trouble spots in about 1.5 seconds. Then we went to Menards and bought some stuff to fix the roof. Caulking and some liquid tar pretty much took care of it.

So I thank God for my dad. He's always been there to help me out when I need it. Even now that I'm an adult (which my wife would say is debatable sometimes) he's still there to lend a hand. So thanks dad. I appreciate it. Hopefully that caulk will hold, or else you'll have to visit again.

So yesterday was my birthday. I don't make a huge deal about it anymore, mostly because every year gets more depressing. Isn't it funny that as a kid you can't wait for your birthday, but as you age you don't like it so much anymore. Anyway, the best part of my birthday yesterday? I spent part of it at the dentist's office.

I'm not one to run to the doctor or dentist every time I get a little pain. For one, I don't like to spend money (on doctors anyway), but secondly I feel like it'll just go away with time. But over the past week and a half or so, I have barely been able to open my mouth because my jaw is tight and sore. That can pose a problem when you talk for a living.

So my mom and dad were in town visiting this week (for my birthday, which was a nice treat), and my mother kept saying, "Call the dentist!! Call the dentist!!" So, I finally did.

It wasn't the worst thing ever. Filling out the paperwork took just as long as the actual visit. But he just told me that the muscles in my jaw were tight, and put me on a muscle relaxant. So if I looked a little loopy on TV this morning, that was why.

I still don't exactly know why my jaw is so sore. I think I slept on it funny or something. But it made for a good excuse on my birthday. I had to eat a couple extra pieces of my ice cream cake because the dentist said, "Only soft foods..." And I always follow doctors orders...

This is a little late notice, but if you're not doing anything tonight (Thursday) come down to the Canaries Stadium in Sioux Falls and watch a little South Dakota Amateur Baseball. It's a shameless plug, but I thought I'd write about it today.

I play for the Brookings Cubby's, and we're taking on the Renner Monarchs tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the Birdcage. It's a rematch of last year's state championship game, so it should be good. We beat them earlier this season in a close one, 1-0.

So if you're up for some good baseball, and maybe a  cool beverage or two tonight on this steamy evening, come on out. I'll be the chunky one trying to play 3rd base, and trying not to pully a hamstring.

I've been advertised to my entire life. If you were born after television came to be, you're a victim of advertising. I guess for me, advertising pays my mortgage (since I work at a TV station and all). But the reality of advertising is showing through in my little 3-year-old daughter more than I'd like to admit.

I know a lot of people say you shouldn't let your kids watch much TV or a lot of movies. I don't think my wife and I let her watch too much television (well, maybe sometimes) but it's funny (and slightly concerning) how much she soaks up.

A few weeks ago she came to my wife and said, "Mommy, my hair is shiny and soft, I have Pantene hair." Pantene of course being the shampoo. Then not long ago she told me, "Daddy, I have prickly legs, I need Veet." I had no idea what she was talking about (since my legs can be described as furry rather than prickly) but apparently Veet is a hair removal product. There are other examples, but you get the idea.

I've said it before, I'll say it again, advertising people are some smart cookies. They know exactly where and when to advertise products, and are selling more products for moms during Dora The Explorer than they are to the kids.

But it seems my daughter is going to be another victim just like her dad. Which I don't think is such a bad thing...even though others definitely might...