Four Random Things On My Mind Right Now

1. My poor neglected blog . I haven't even seen it for 6 weeks. Carrie has completely changed the format and at once made it much more attractive and much less manly. I feel like the guy who went away for a week long business trip and came home to find his "man-cave" turned into a sitting room. Not that this blog was ever an online man cave, goodness knows it exists to publish baby pictures and a few family updates. But it does feel much tougher to write about sports knowing that my insightful analysis is now flanked by decorative doily. Just saying.

2. Balloon Animals - Speaking of manly subjects I might as well come out and admit the least manly thing I do. I've gotten pretty darn good at making ballon animals. I've been at it for almost two months now and It's gotten to the point where I can twist anything if given directions and I have come up with a few designs on my own. See the pictures below for a few examples. My big question now is where do I go from here? Do I try and seek out balloon artists to learn from so I can do the most complex stuff? Do I increase my speed so I can knock out hundreds of single balloon animals for kids parties and start a side business? Do I want to endure my college friends laughing hysterically every time I mention balloons for the rest of my life? ( I'm looking right at you Todd) Not quite sure what the answers to any of those questions are yet, but for now I'll just stick to reluctantly admitting that yes I'm 28 years old and I enjoy playing with balloons in my spare time.

3. Old School Shaving - Badger hair brush, shaving cream in a tube, straight razor. I have decided to cast off fruity smelling neon cream and start my day like 90% of the great men of history have before me....with an old school shave. For my Birthday Carrie got me a shaving brush made of fine badger hair and a tube of shaving cream. These past few weeks I have been schooling myself in the fine art of producing and applying hot, warm lather with my brush. Every morning now starts with that soft facial massage and the aroma of sweet success enveloping my face. Soon I will be adding the straight razor into the routine ( I'm waiting until I have a few days in a row off, just in case I'm dealing with wounds that need stiches) To complete the cycle and join the club of those who've gone before me and shaved like real men.

4. American Idol - This season is making me angry. The top 36 format doesn't work for me at all. I feel like this show has gone from 30% manipuled by the producers to 75% with a quick format change. The part of American Idol that I liked was the honest competition portion, it usually began in these first voting rounds, but right now I feel like the only folks who stand a chance of winning are the folks they spent the most camera time on. In that past Folks like Ricky Braddy, who get zero camera time, but sing nicely can stick around a few rounds while we get to know them and see if they can perform week after week. Now, he's just gone. While folks like Michael Sarver get all the camera time in the world, and then advance with an average performance. We won't see him sing for a solid month, and when he does show up again in the top 12 there is a better than good chance we're going to say, "Boy that guy sucks, how did he get through?" He got through because the producers want him through. We get no chance to see how these folks do over the course of 3 weeks time. It makes me angry that you can't advance by just singing well, you have to sing well and be choosen by the producers to have your story highlighted. It really sucks and is killing my enjoyment of this round.

The Busy Snow Bunny

Well, it's been awhile since we posted, and though I recognize that Chris has more entertaining writing, I can at least give a quick update and some pictures. We enjoyed our holiday break and Christmas, spending lots of time with family and some with friends. We stayed in KC, Chris took quite a bit of time off work, and it was very relaxing. Now we are back in the swing of things, and with our new years resolutions in full-force, we've been going to bed early, putting our dishes right into the dishwasher, and other exciting new things!

As for little Cami, she is growing up fast. She is running around all over the place, sometimes only napping for an hour during the day, and making us very tired (though she is going to bed earlier at night, so she gets plenty of rest)! Still, she is saying lots of new words and it is fun to see her learning so much each day. She has recently learned how to fold her arms during prayers & it is so cute when she reminds us as soon as we place her in the high chair. She still loves books & asks to be read to constantly ("bok, bok!" with whatever she wants in her hands), but her favorite thing is to watch a Little Einsteins video ("rocket" sometimes followed by "no, no!" - because I won't let her watch it as often as she'd like, she for a time grouped the two together), sigh. I like to think she just likes the music, but I don't like to see her staring zombie-like at the TV for too long. Still, the pat-pat and blast-off moves are cute.

It has snowed quite a bit this year, so she also has had a chance to try out her puffy pink snowsuit. She seems very warm in it, but can't walk very well, so after a few waddly steps, she kind of flops over on the ground & we have to pick her up. While she liked the snow okay, she really enjoyed the chance to chase the cat, something she doesn't get to do often. Again, due to her mobility he got away.

So that is about all for now. Oh yes, we also just passed the four-year marriage mark. Don't ask me how, but we both almost forgot! It was actually about 1 PM that day, and as I was taking down the Christmas tree I thought, "January 6th, kind of late to be taking down the tree... well, not really that late... then, isn't that someones birthday or something?...oh wow, it's our anniversary!" So I made a quick phone call, thanks Mom, and we still got to go out that night. I guess you could say the romance is gone - just kidding Chris! Well, I think that is it -Chris just got back from Pinewood Derby - hope all is well :).

Here Cami is, enjoying lounging in her car seat - indoors of course. I think she'll actually be sad when we get that one back in the car.

Here we are playing in the snow, or trying to at least.

Finally, Cami chasing the cat.

Time for Q & A

You'd never guess it but this little family blog site drives some pretty good traffic. So, as a special favor to our loyal readship I have decided to take this space to answer all of your questions and comments that have come pouring in while I have been non-blogging for the past month. ( By your questions and e-mails I mean, Stuff I just made up so I could put it in this highly entertaining and easy to write format.)

Let's get to the mailbag!

Q: We really enjoy the Christmas Decorations in the front of your house, however the decortations in the back yard leave something to be desired. While from the street your house says, " Merry Christmas" from the backyard it says, " abandoned trailer park". Can you please tell us the meaning of these Christmas cardboard boxes in your back yard and when can we expect them to be removed? Thanks!

- your Backyard neighbors.

A: Thanks Backyard neighbors! Always good to hear from you. It's funny you mention the boxes ( which were removed this weekend incidently), about two weeks ago I piled a large amount of household trash into our garage in preparation for garbage day. That very same day a perfect stranger was coming over to buy our old dryer ( Thank you Craigslist!). In order that this potential customer might not see our garage and reconsider his purchase I decided to hide our mountain of trash in the backyard while the purchase was made. Well, I was so excited to get rid of the dryer I had forgotten about the trash, and a few wet and windy days later our entire backyard was decorated in cardboard and filth. No commentary was being made except one on my own laziness and stupidity. Thanks for the question!!


Q: We've heard you purchased a video camera. When is Cami video going to hit the blog.

A: As soon as we figure out how to post, right now we're still fiddling, ans still filming. Right now we've almost completed principal filming of the documentary Cami Diggins: My life toddling around and around in the living room. We can't decide on posting video of her singing jingle bells ( you heard me), hiding under the computer, or doing the pat,pat,pat Blast off routine from Little Einstiens. Leave a comment and let us know what you want to see. We'll put it up.

Q: Is there going to be a Diggins family Christmas Card?

A: We're in the process of procrastinating that decision right now! If we don't get it together this week it's not going to happen. It's actually much harder than it looks, finding just the right cheesey family photo and coming up with a whole letter's worth of information that won't bore all of you to tears. Actually, at this point I'm thinking of doing a fake Christmas card. Wouldn't it be much better for to get one of those long year-in-review letters full of fantastic lies rather than the standard updates? If you're even reading this you know all that stuff anyway, and in much better detail than I'll put in a letter. I'm completely sold on it, but Carrie is not. Stay tuned.

Q: No recent political or sports commentary. What gives?

A: Okay, here's my lists of one sentence comments on everything in sports and politics that matters.

1. Will someone remind the President-Elect that he should not hold more press conferences than the actual President.
2. I want a bailout too!
3. Why is my 11-1 College Football team so much worse than your 11-1 College Football team?
4. I truly could care less who wins the Heisman
5. If you never thought you were doing anything wrong why are you spending the last three months or your presidency apologizing?
6. The last 4 weeks of the NFL season: Leave it , the last 4 weeks of the Fantasy Football season: Take it!!
7. CC Sabathia will be the most hated man ever to squeeze into a Yankee uniform after he shows up to never year's spring training pushing 340 lbs.
8. Goodbye Fox News! It was while it lasted, but everything is much too depressing now. If you need me I'll be downstairs organizing my food storage and ammunition.

Cami's 1st Birthday

On Saturday Cami turned 1, so being the incredible parents we are we threw her a birthday party that she won't remember and where she didn't really know what was going on. Basically a weeks worth of work for a 3 hour photo op, but what a great photo op! We had a small party with just family (If you can consider a Rowe family gathering small) Her cousins came over and we had games, and cake, and presents, and a good time. I've decided that kids parties are a lot like fireworks, lots of time and expense in making it happen for about 15 seconds of pay off. Still, she seemed happy and we hope all the kids enjoyed themselves. Here's Cami on her Birthday morning. One year older and wiser too!

Her Birthday party theme was " A Bookworm Birthday" Carrie made the book with the worm cake herself ( very good) and I frosted the cupcakes ( Very bad)

Cami, just figuring out what this Brithday Cake and singing thing is all about.

Here she is enjoying a well smashed cupcake.

We cleaned up the basement and had games downstairs. This is my niece Ashlyn taking her turn on "Pin the Bowtie on the Bookworm" With Claire, Aubrianna, and Ethan looking on.

Story time during the party. BTW, we asked the kids to dress up as their favorite character from a book. Nice outfit Mom Rowe!!

Blog Therapy

A few hours ago I just watched Penn State's football season go down in flames. I'm trying to look on the bright side, because they will still probably win at least a share of the Big Ten title and go to a BCS game, most likely the Rose Bowl, which has a great time slot on New Year's Day. But, mostly I'm completely depressed and I'm thinking I might not see them win another National Championship in my lifetime. No matter how hard I root, or how much stuff I buy, no matter how good recruiting or what ever is...it's just not ever going to happen. I get a few highlight films from the eighties and that's it...I love my Lions, but It's hopeless, I just can't think about it anymore.

So in an attempt to lift my spirits I'm trying a little blog therapy, just a few short bursts on anything not related to football, just to remind me there is more to life. So here it goes.

1. I've lived in a lot of different places and been fortunate enough to travel all over this country during my lifetime. I mention this because I'm sure that I can say without a doubt the state of Kansas has more vanity plates per capita than any other state in the union. I don't know if it's cheaper here, or if it's a weird cultural thing that I haven't realized yet, but every other car in this flippin place has a vanity plate. They aren't even significant things like last names or college affiliation, mostly it's stupid stuff like , "IGOT12" or "2Fst4U" . It really is crazy, has anyone else picked up on this.

2. If that's Eggland's best then Eggland really has to step its game up.

3. I know that Barack Obama's daughter is allergic to dogs. I still don't know what he means by Change.

4. If Crusoe doesn't figure out that he has everything he needs to build a raft and get out of there within the next 3 episodes I'm out. If he gets caught in a storm, or they come up with some other similarly stupid reason to keep him on the island, whatever, just make the attempt or I walk. This is my final offer.

5. In the Cook vs. Archuleta "who has the better career" contest I am awarding round 1 to Mr. Archuleta. His song , "Crush" isn't in my wheelhouse, but it is very catchy and the sort of thing he should be doing. David Cook's new song sucks. It sounds like he found a guitar riff he liked and then made up some words as he went along. It's truly garbage, but his voice sounds great recorded and I have high hopes that he'll get a better song to work with in the future.

6. This Christmas, "High School Musical 3" is holding the handgun and parents everywhere are emptying their pockets and putting their hands in the air.

7. I live within 2 miles of the best Red Robin in the United States. On a Friday night they were properly staffed. We got our food fast and fries Red Robin hot, "If you've been then you know Red Robin fires have their own level of hot, with the crispy outside and the insides the just about to burn your mouth, but they don't quite burn your mouth so you talk yourself into eating a few more with some Campfire/ Fry Sauce thinking they will soon cool down but they never do and you wonder if they are too hot or not for the first 15 minutes of your meal." Good service, and they even let us take a few cups of the campfire sauce home because we like it so much and we were willing to embarrass ourselves slightly by asking. Great experience, and I'm glad we've got them so close by.

Halloween Facts

Cami's first Halloween was a great time, made better because it fell on the same night as the Rowe family fall festival. Here are a few pictures, followed by a list of things I've determined are facts.During the Rowe family fall festival Carrie's Dad gives hay rides around the yard with his tractor. Cami was a little worried at first, but once the hayride started she absolutely loved it. She stood and clapped for the last few minutes so you could tell she was really impressed. ( For those who don't know our sweetheart, standing and clapping really isn't as dramatic as it seems. Those are two of the four or five things she does when she gets really excited, so she wasn't so much moved as she was very joyful and trying to find a way to let it out. She also stands and claps for "When you're happy and you know it." )So after the hay ride was over we had to snap a few family photos because she was in SUCH a good mood after being in SUCH a bad mood the hour before. Who knew a cart full of hay could bring someone so much happiness.

Here Cami is trick or treating in her stroller. She rolled along with her cousins as we went around in grandma and grandpa's neighborhood. Which brings me to my list of random and unrelated facts.

Fact: I have absolutely no problem going up to a house to trick or treat when my daughter is less than one and both myself and the owner of the house know the candy is really for me. At the first few houses we went to this sense of slight awkwardness / shame didn't come into play because we hit the door at the same time as the 13 other cousins, so it was mass panic and we were able to "smash and grab" without the homeowner thinking twice. However as the older kids pushed ahead at a faster pace, and we were left with the younger children in the back of the pack, we would have to go to door individually, and caught and evil eye here and there. I will endure that evil eye and any snide remark they may share with their spouse for a piece of candy. Everyone has their price and now at least I know mine.

Fact: BBQ is a right not a privilege. On Wednesday night I had a sudden thought that grew into a mild obsession ," I need a rack of ribs." Needless to say within 24 hours I had my ribs. Maybe it was that I was trying to eat a little less and the forces of BBQ would not let me go on a pseudo/secret diet for one second longer. Maybe it was the great deals we got on Soup and Hot Dogs that causes me to choose to have Soup and/or Hot Dogs one to many times. Either way, I haven't had a fix'n like that in some time. In the end we ended up getting some of " Big Bubba BBQ" a smoke shack 3 blocks from our house because We've wanted to try it and Gates was too far away at the time of said BBQ attack. Overall a quality rib, not quite as juicy as gates but with a nice smokey flavor. Their pulled pork and smoked sides were good as well. Overall a solid meal that took care of the craving.

Fact: You should never blog about food on fast Sunday

Fact: Obama is going to win. I've moved past the ," Oh please don't let this happen" stage of the election and moved on to the ," I wonder if I should take out my 401k to invest in guns and food storage" stage. You know you've got some great candidates for office when your biggest concerns stop being the economy and abortion and start being " Is my tent big enough" and "How much generator do I really need". What makes this year's election so tough is how the media has just out and out stopped serving the people. There has alway been bias...but this bad? They have gone out of their way to make Sarah Palin seem stupid and underqualified. They have drooled over Obama because of his good looks and his ability to speak. Getting a report on how the election is going from any media outlet is like asking a Ford dealer which Chevy to buy. I usually end up choosing Fox news because if the media has deciding to be bias then I might as well choose the bias that I like right? It's a dangerous road we're on, an unquestioned dictator, media that serves only as propaganda, and culture that doesn't allow the questioning of leadership. Prop 8 loses in California and we're heading for really tough times. Just Saying.

Fact: Penn State is playing for the national championship if it wins out. Look, it's a bad system. However it is working out for my team for once so I don't care. Yup there are some really good teams that have one loss in the Big 12 and SEC, but they will not leapfrog and undefeated PSU team no matter what the computer polls do because the human polls will never deny Joe Pa one last chance. There are some people out there that think this is a point to be argued, it's just a fact and if you don't like it it's too darn bad. Folks that argue that it should be th BIG 12 champe vs. the SEC champ no matter what Penn State does are like little kids at bedtime. They may complain, scream, try to bargain , but at the end of the night they're in their room at eight. Sorry Ohio State ruined you on the Big Ten, but that's just too bad because you're going to get the Big Ten in the championship game again. Argue all you want, Facts are Facts.

For the record: Penn State, Florida, Alabama, Texas, USC, and Oklahoma are all probably good enough to win the title this year, but on any given day any one can beat any of the others. Too bad we don't have a playoff to sort that out for us. At the end of the day, Texas beat Oklahoma and Florida plays Alabama, so that takes that out of the mix. If the system was tweaked even a little bit we'd have a four team playoff that included the Big 12 champ, the SEC champ, Penn State, and USC. That's all the playoff I'd need, that's a true national champion. I don't ask for much.

A Day at the Pumpkin Patch

This Saturday, we took a family trip to Shaake's pumpkin patch in Lawrence to pick out some pumpkins. We had a blast and took some really cute pictures. They took us out on a hayride into the patch, where Cami had her first pumpkin encounter.Here is Cami with Mommy after getting comfortable at the patch. When first introduced to the pumpkin, Cami wasn't so sure she wanted to touch it, so Daddy helped her out a bit...

Then she patted it on her own, and finally, she plopped right down amongst the pumpkins, happy as a clam.

As we are planning on making a return trip next year, we thought it necessary to document how tall Cami was this time around, measuring just over 2 ft.

To wrap up the day, Chris launched a couple of pumpkins 100 yrds into the air... or so he says! As you see, he had perfect technique. Cami actually enjoyed watching him quite a bit.

You might have noticed his Penn State hat, which leads us into our next topic, where Chris will take over...

Thanks Carrie, actually there isn't much to report on the Penn State front other than that win was huge and if we hang on to these last three games we're playing for the national title. However, I would like to make an appeal to everyone reading who doesn't have a college football team or is perhaps a disaffected Cougar fan and doesn't have much to cheer for the rest of the year. ( Quick tangent. When they finally publish the long awaited book ," How to suck at your job" I'm positive that KC Cheifs GM Carl Peterson and Mountain West Commisioner Craig Thompson will be the co-authors. The worst BYU can possibly finish is 10-2 again and what will be their reward? Another fine trip to the ALPO Dog Food bowl, or something with even less prestige. If the Mtn. West is really almost a BCS league you've gotta have better bowl tie ins. Period.) I think you should start rooting for Penn State, if for no other reason than Joe Paterno. at 81 years old he's given his whole life to Penn State, given practically all the money he's made back to the university, has a hard time walking and getting from place to place but can still find the energy to coach a Major college football program. Now at the end of his career and probably near the end of his life he has a shot to win one last title. This isn't a season, it's a major motion picture..."Something for JoePA" I can see it now ( Those familiar with PSU or old movies probably get the movie title, if not then don't worry about it and just move on.) Anyway, I just wanted to put it out there that the PSU bandwagon is big enough for everyone and if you're waiting for an invitation then please hop aboard!

Other than that, Carrie and I Tivo'ed two episodes of the NBC show Crusoe..We watched them both this last friday after an exhausting night for shopping for Cami. Anyway, The point is I have never seen a show jump the shark so quickly. The Premier was alright, medicore action show, but the second show made no sense and was about finding somebody bones and putting them out to sea..crazy. Anyway, after two shows too much has happened to make me take this show seriously anymore. If Crusoe can build a sweet house and booby trap the whole isle you're telling me he can't build a ship can just sail off? Anyway, waste of time and I'm looking for a new action/drama to watch if you know of any good ones.