(11.16.08) Welcome to the Digital TV age. Yes we finally broke down and bought a DTV receiver for our bedroom analog TV, and am quite pleased with the results. Quality is improved and we get some quality Canadian channel now! Yesterday Claire made and baked a most delicious cake all by herself. Dad started putting up red LED Christmas lights on the house tonight and has begun assembling a Christmas Gift Idea's page in hopes Santa has a computer.

(11.08.08) It's good the have the kids back home after a week away farming at the Galvin Farmstead. Rain may have hampered some of their outside activities but the kids had a fantastic time. The grandparents purchased a trampoline which the kids enjoyed. Mom and dad found it difficult to cook for two again so we spent most of our nights eating out.

(10.31.08) Halloween week was filled with lots of fun. Daycare was closed so Dad got to spend extra time with the kids. We spent the extra time making cookies, playdough, paper spiders and pumpkins out of plates, trick-or-treating downtown, and of course carving pumpkins. Halloween was unseasonably warm and brought out swarms of kids and parents throughout the neighborhood. Snow White and Spiderman saw many of their neighborhood friends and hauled in a pirates ransom of candy.

(10.18.08 & 10.25.08) Cannot believe we bought season tickets to watch the Cyclone football team struggle like this. Two horrible loses and a winless Big-12 campaign this year. Things have not been this bad since my college days. If ticket prices increase again next year we'll begin enjoying the games from the comfort of our home. Perhaps the Athletics Department should stop concentrating on the logo and color change out and focus more on restoring the mens football and basketball teams to their former glories. Keep those donations coming in! :-)

(10.05.08) After church today we took the kids to Ledges State Park for a picnic and hiking on a perfect fall day. The kids had a great time playing in piles of leaves, and crossing the stream that runs through the park.

(10.03.08) Took the kids to the ISU v/s Kansas football game. After an amazing first half the team pulled a classic Cyclone letdown and blew their lead and lose the game by 2 points, again. The kids were great and cheered their best.

(10.03.08) An impromptu gathering in the back yard allowed us to meet two other neighbors and their kids, both boys Garrett's age. After dark we started a fire and made smores with a neighbor girl. The kids were sweet as the sang songs and told us stories until they were tired enough for bed on their own.

(10.02.08) Kids has a great time making pumpkin pies last tonight. Eggs, milk, crust, and filling. When it came time to eat the pies neither kids were fond of the pies, leaving lots for mom and pop.

(09.27.08) Guy's and Gal's night out. The gal's went for a movie while the boys went for fishing and a special McDonalds meal. The fishing was great fun and Garrett caught his first fish entirely on his own and was mighty proud of himself.

(09.22.08) Laura and I spent a wonderful time at Lost Lake Lodge near Brainerd, MN. We both enjoyed two of the best tasting suppers of our entire lives at the lodge restaurant. We enjoyed the local culture, hiking, canoeing, paddle boating, basketball, foosball, wine tasting, and even learned to play shuffleboard.

(09.16.08) Fall is approaching, some leaves are turning, temps are cool, and the garden is ripening. Claire's enjoying her second week of pre-school. Garrett's coming into his own, his personality is blossoming. Laura's birthday is coming up and we're taking a weekend alone to celebrate. The kids are excited to spend some time with my parents and see their cousins. Hi to Grant & Laura who have recently begun reading the site, and prompting me to keep the sites updated.

(08.18.08) This morning we're back into the routine after a weeks break. The kids quickly discovered "kids toys" outside a house in our backyard. Two new families moved into our neighborhood, each with kids Claire's age. Usher in a new era of parenting as we now have multiple neighbor kids playing in our backyard or our kids disappear into neighbor houses. It's great for both kids to now have peers to play with but dad's going to miss all the attention. :-(

(08.17.08) Another Butterfield Steam and Gas Engine Show is complete. The kids really enjoyed the train and tractor rides, plus all the animals and other hands-on fun. The weather was perfect and the camping enjoyable this year. Click here for pictures.

(08.10.08) We're trying something new this week. Friday night we stayed up and watched the amazing Olympic opening ceremonies. Sunday we took the kids to the Albert City Threshermen & Collectors Show where we left the kids with Grandma and Grandpa Rosenberg. The kids will spend the entire week with them. C will attend vacation bible school this week and G will enjoy lots of Grandma and Great Grandma time.

(08.02.08) Tent camping in the yard was the name of the game. After a fun day shopping for shoes and swimming we finally got a break from the heat wave. The kids and dad fared the slightly windy night well. Mom had a camping breakfast ready to go in the morning.

(07.20.08) Galvin Reunion time. Started the morning out with a visit to one of the windmill's as we headed into town for a game of golf. The kids loved driving the golf cart. Next it was to the reunion for fun time with our cousins. The family added 15 second cousins on Glen's side this year.

(07.04.08) 4th of July excitement. Dad's truck was entered into the parade again, and the patriotic skeleton brought out of the closet. This year we tossed out candy and mini frisbees. The kids sat in back of the truck with battery powered bubble guns to supplement the bubble machine mounted on top of the truck. The parade was well attended and kids loved the cloud of bubbles coming down the street. Come evening we enjoyed a nice fireworks display that took forever to start.

(06.29.08) Back from family weekend camping trip. Three days of exploring and trying new things with the kids. Kids had lots of fun swimming, exploring Niagara Cave, biking, sleeping in bunk beds that look like trees, hiking at the Austin Nature Preserve where we saw deer and the big-bad-wolf's house, and playing on the beach at Clear Lake.

(06.25.08) Wow, I'm back to the site. Spent a couple weeks ill back in May, then a couple moonlight jobs went long, lots or rain and flooding, a trip to the Omaha Zoo, some time at the Galvin Grandparents working on the south farm house, and now we're preparing for a small vacation. We've been busy.

(05.06.08) It's a boy! Welcome baby Robert Douglas Vanbeek, 8lbs 2 oz. Congratulations Doug and Brenda on the birth of Robert. We think he's a spitting image of Doug. We'll be out soon to visit!

(04.20.08) Dad's first sunburn of the summer and I could not be happier! Our warmest day this spring allowed me to get the kids swing set stained and fixed up for the summer. The sandbox has been refilled and new toys have been brought out. The weather was warm enough for visits to the local playground and a local park, It's hard to express how happy we are to have Spring back!.

(04.19.08) Look for Claire's name in lights soon! Saturday was her ballet dance recital debut. She's so big now and we are all proud of her. She did a dance to the song "I Just Can't Wait to be King" from the movie Lion King. Though the girls in the group sang the word Queen instead of King. Precious memories were had by all. For more photo's click here. Movie clip coming soon.

(04.07.08) Why do things happen in clusters? As if today was not somber enough, Dave Edsall from IT passed away this weekend. I just took a week long RHS333 course with him two weeks ago. God speed Dave.

(04.06.08) God speed Alice Waldo, a long time Galvin family friend passed away this weekend after a sudden stroke. The world is less witty now and you are truly missed. Alice named my brothers and I "George" because our names all started with the letter G and she could never keep our names straight. Our prayers go with your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

(04.04.08) Mom and dad broke down and bought Claire a new bike we've been eying for awhile. An 18" Misty. Her first night of riding was a complete success. Claire made multiple laps around the block unassisted and happy as can be. Mom and dad are going to have trouble keeping up with her now!

(03.31.08) Spring rains have arrived, and Garrett has had his first brush with the law. After an uneventful morning at dad's office the kids and I went to leave. As I was grabbing the last bag Claire can be heard shouting "No Garrett!" just as the emergency doors slammed shut and the building fire alarm is activated. You got it, G-boy pulled the fire alarm, disrupting classes and forcing the building occupants outside into the rain. G knew he was in big trouble, and sat silently until the police officer arrived. Hopefully that will be the last fire drill, and police encounter, we'll experience.

(03.01.08) The long winter blues were broken with an extended weekend swimming vacation at Bridges Bay in Okoboji. Great rooms, warm water, kid friendly pool, and family accented the weekend. For more pictures of the fun click here

(02.24.2007) Claire's first kids birthday party - Tinkerbell was the theme. Claire invited a mix of kids she knows from preschool, church, and daycare. Good times were had by all pinning tails on donkeys, whacking at an indestructible pinata, making princess crowns and pirate hats for the boys. In the end no tears were shed during the 2.5 hour party and all kids had a wonderful time. Click here for photo's.

(02.14.2008) Happy Valentine Day! Busy day of cards, pre-school parties, flowers, and romantic candlelight dinner at home for four. Mega cold again tonight - don't think I can recall a recent winter that's been so cold, so snowy, for so long.

(02.09.2008) End of an era. Doug and Brenda VanBeek have left Ames for greener pastures near Sioux Falls, SD. We'll dearly miss having them around the Ames area after nearly 15 years in the hood.

(01.31.2008) Garrett surprised me this morning by picking up "The Foot Book" by Dr Suese, one of his favorite stories to hear, and he started reading the pictures back to me.

(01.27.2008) Extreme cold snap is over so kids and Dad could get outside and enjoy all the snow that's accumulated! Snowman making was simple with a foot of snow and 40F temps.

(01.08.2008) Garrett is now 2 years old! Dad made breakfast and stayed to help open presents. We're also proud to announce the arrival of Glen's new niece today, 8 lbs, 21 inches.

(01.06.2008) Garrett has his new big boy bed! No more crib. Also posted are additional photos from Christmas 07, and new photos from New Year's Eve.

(01.01.2008) Welcome to 2008! Claire got a digital camera for Christmas. See her page to see what Christmas looks like through the eyes of a nearly 4-year old.

View our old postings here