Jack was taking a shower tonight. By the way he is 4. From the shower he curiously said, "Dad I have a ball." A few seconds later laughing, "Dad I have two!"

Priceless. :)

Benjamin David Schill was born at 2:54 PM, Tuesday, December 13th. He is 8 lbs 5oz and 20.5 inches long. Benjamin and Jenny are both doing very well. Jack and Emmy were very excited to meet thier new brother yesterday. Dad is proud too. :)

On Tuesday, November 8th, voters in Ames overwhelmingly approved an $18 million bond referendum for a $20 million remodeling and expansion of Ames Public Library. The measure earned 3,960 yes votes to 1,235 no votes, or 76.23 percent approval. I am proud to have played a small part in making this happen. 

Since my first day as a Library Trustee we have discussed this project. Our Board has worked diligently, listening to public and following a vision to assure the Library keep up with technology and serve the growing Ames population.

Our family has a passion to give back to the City, so we have took on the Library expansion project seriously. Jack and I were all over the place attending meetings, walking neighborhoods, dropping of literature and talking to everyone about the project for the last two years.

To have a bond referendum get passed the first time through with this much support blows me away. While optimistic through the whole process, the team still knew this could fail, but it didn't. It passed because the community came together from all wards and all walks of life.

This vote on Tuesday was great for the Library and all that love it, but to me it is sign of change in the City of Ames. It proves that we can all get together and make an impact and move the City forward. 

 

 

Put's your hands up!

At the begining of the year we took the kids to Arizona to visit Jenny's Grandma and Aunt. It was very memorable trip so I wanted to be sure to capture the trip in this slick Animoto video. :)

 

Tonight we were talking about the baby in Jenny's belly with Jack, she due in January. Jack paused for a second and then asked, "Mom, how did you find me?"

Jack and I went to the Iowa State vs Iowa game on Saturday. Definitely one of the best all around games I have ever been too. Jack and I were one of the first few to rush the field seconds after the triple overtime touchdown. As you will see Jack was a little freaked out. It could have been the intense crowd, the size of the football players up close or my obnoxious rendition of Sweet Caroline. Regardless it was quite an incredible memory!

Today Jack went to his very first day of school. The best way for me to communicate his excitement is in this video. :)

On Friday, Jack, Emmy and I headed to the backyard for our yearly back yard camping trip. Yep, we were really roughing it. Emmy didn't make it the whole night, but it was a great time.