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In addition to my freelance business, I have ventured into unique, custom-designed creations designed by yours truly. The entity will have a familiar moniker, DB+J Creations. Please visit my store at Café Press appropriately named, DB+J Creations Online . Currently, I only have one set of Christmas cards available, but I hope to populate the store with many unique items in the future. If anyone has suggestions for similar websites or objects to create, please send me an email. I'd love to make KU stuff, but I can't used copyrighted objects. I hope to find a creative way around it.

2008 UNDEATED Champions!

Please help me congratulate Nathan and his St Richard (7-0-3) teammates on being co-champions with Twin Oaks (8-1-1) in the West County CYC 1 Grade Boys Division. Even thought STR went undefeated they tied in points with TO due to the 3 Ts. They lead the division in goals scored with 41! (TO, 38) They were second in goals against, 4! (TO, 3) Nathan scored an amazing 6 goals this season. Way 2 Go Buddy!!! Keep up the great work!

Nathan will spend the off season preparing for spring baseball.

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Carter’s team will celebrate their season (5-3-2) with a bowling party tonight at Strike and Spare Lanes. Carter showed progress on the field. We are still aiming for aggressiveness. Most importantly all had fun and snacks!

Catching Up

Soccer
Wow, where to start. How about soccer? Nathan has been pounding the turf when is on the field. He added another goal on October 18 to increase his season total to 4. After the game, he told me he scored it for my birthday. Thanks buddy! Also his team is in sole posession of first place in his division. Carter's team has been struggling of late, but the kids are having a good time.

Oct 10 Weekend
For those of you in the know it was our 11th wedding anniversary, we were given a night out by my parents. We hit the Chase Park Plaza for a movie Burn After Reading (thumbs up) and dinner at the Eau Bistro (highly recommend). We then found ourselves at the Cupcakery for some celebratory mini cakes. It was a great night out in the Central West End. On Saturday the 11th (our actual anniversary), we had consession stand duty for Nathan’s team, quickly perused the STR Holiday Boutique, and then off to my cousin, Katie’s Wedding. You could tell ALOT of hard work went into their special day. Everything was great! Thanks for sharing your day with us Katie. It also didn't hurt that MU lost and KU won. Wha Hoo!

Oct 17th Weekend
On Thursday, October 16, I made my first journey to the Pageant to see Ben Folds. He supported his most current release, Way to Normal, to which most of the songs played that night came from.  I was glad to finally see him live. I do enjoy the current album, but I would have preferred to hear more, older tunes. (Side note, I would definitely return to the Pageant)

On Saturday, October 18, I received Star Wars’ Force Unleashed PS3 video game, Transformers movie on Blu-ray, Heart’s Greatest Hits CD and Weird Al Yankovic’s Dare to be Stupid CD. The boys wore out my audio cassette playing Yoda over and over and over again. I decided to spend my birthday at Lumiere Place. The newest casino in the St Louis area. We stopped by the the Burger Bar for some dinner. (yum!) After asking the casino if any tix remained for the show at their theater, we were surprised to be comped two tickets to see Steven Wright. I saw him in Lawrence a few years back and enjoyed him more then, but he still puts on a good show. (can't argue with free, though) On our way back to pick up the kiddos my mother-in-law, Judy offered to keep ’em all for the night. (Kaitlyn's first night away) SWEET! So the Mrs and I headed to Park Avenue Coffee for some late night drinks, gooey butter, outdoor fire and some conversation. (yes late night is 9pm) A great day!

Mom & Dad Cross the Altantic
I took my parents to the airport on Oct 15 to travel to Italy with the Albrights. They had a wonderful time!  I will try to give some more highlights and some pics when I hear & see more. They returned safely back to the states on October 26.

Halloween
Finally a decent night for bagging free candy!!! This year Nathan was Batman Begins’ Batman complete with utility belt. Carter opted for black SpiderMan, Venom, complete with built in pecs and washboard abs. Kaitlyn started her trick or treating career in a flower ensemble chosen by Christine. I will post pictures upon download. Stay tuned...

Report Cards

Kaitlyn appears to have a tough road ahead of her at St Richard. We could not be any prouder of our two overachievers. Nathan received straight A+s with one A++ in handwriting of all things. Carter also received very high marks (no grades yet for the K boys and girls). One room for improvement is SPEAKING UP in class. Both earned a trip to Red Robin and three round of indoor, glow-in-the-dark mini golf. Keep up the great work boys. 

November 1 Soccer
Nathan scores one goal to tie the CPOP game at one each. He ALMOST put in number two for the game winner. Great try, buddy. STR 1st boys (6-0-3) settle for a tie against a good CPOP (6-1-2) team. Carter’s team ran away with a win their opponent, Sacred Heart, 7-2. The highlights of the game were Carter’s midfield breakaway attempt at his first career goal (so close) and a save at the other end of the field while playing goalie. Good job boys!

Another one bite the dust...
Nathan lost tooth number 4 on Monday, November 3. No Picture yet but stay tuned for the toothless wonder.

Wow, I am tired. ;-) Until next time...

A Weekend Update

Soccer season is in full swing and I apologize for slacking off on my soccer reporting. The boys are doing great. The St Richard 1st grade boys are second in their division. Nathan is quickly becoming a powerhouse at forward, three goals on the season so far an itchin’ fer more. He had three chances on Saturday for number 4, but failed to slip one by the goalie.  The boys faced the division leaders, Twin Oaks, on Saturday, but came away with a tie (0-0). It was a hard fought battle on both ends and a great game to watch. Carter is starting a career at goalie. Not easy for a boy who shies away from ball contact. We'll keep ya posted. Carter missed Saturday's game due to illness and was unable to attend his first game make up on Sunday due to a family event (read later). I'll post the results and scores when the information is available to me.

While Nathan was playing soccer, Kaitlyn underwent her first photo shoot. An ex co-worker, Mike Cook, has a female photographer friend, Nicole Whelch. She traveled to our house and took some portrait and lifestyle shots of Kaitlyn and family. See the sneak peek of some photos below. We will post a link to the full gallery when available if anyone is interested in purchasing some photos. Nicole did an awesome job, please feel free to see more of her work at nicolewelch.wordpress.com.

On Sunday, we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of a close family friend Sr. Raymond at Epiphany Church. Grandpa Bischof was allowed to concelebrate the ceremony. It is a great pleasure to call her a friend of the family. I know what your thinking... who? Here is a little background. She became friends with my Aunt Betty when they worked at St Richard together. She taught me fourth grade religion at STR and supplied me with a great memory I will NEVER forget. She is also very close friend of my first grade teacher, Mrs. Richardson whose husband works for Ford Motor company. She left St Richard when her husband was transferred to Kansas City. Fast forward. Our St. Louis Cardinals went to the World Series in 1985 to play our neighbors to the west the Royals. Sr. Raymond was visiting the Richardson family and was offered two tickets to the opening game. At the time, I was as big of fan of the Cardinals as my son, Nathan, is now. So out of the kindness of her heart not only did she invite me to the game in KC, but she drove all the way back to St. Louis to pick me up!!! We watched the Cards beat the Royals, 3-1, the day after my 12th birthday. It was awesome. Thanks Sr Raymond. ( I refuse to ruin my nostalgic past with the awful truth about the incident at first base or the roll of film) We love ya, Sister!

Check out the new photos in our album

Be the first to see one of four new albums added today!

Almost there

Today I've posted a landing page for my company. Fell free to check it out. DB+J Design 

I would love for the header to go away, but its being hosted for free at the moment.

Nathan Scores in Home Opener

It was a great morning to kick off the new season. Within minutes of the opening whistle, Nathan opened the game with St Richard's first goal. It was a fantastic lob kick from the left side of the goal which sailed past the goal keeper's reach to enter on the right. It proved to be the only goal STR would need, but the team wasn't quite finished. More details later...

In other sporting news...Carter's game was cancelled to due unfavorable field conditions.

STR | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 ||6
STLFC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 ||0

Carter starts New Chapter!

Carter started Kindergarten at St Richard School yesterday. He has 16 classmates including a set of girls who are twins. His teacher is Mrs. Stinnet. At dinner Friday night he expressed what he will always remember about his first day of Kindergarten was “wearing his back pack”. Good Luck to you!

In other academic news, Nathan began first grade two days ago. He started the year with two new classmates, both girls. His teacher is Miss Rothery. She has already called him a “math whiz”. Continued success at STR.

Shameless Self Promo for FS Challenge

If you happen to find yourself at an Applebee's, Buffalo Wild Wings or Hooters (or local pub), keep your eyes open to a banner promoting "FS Challenge" & Sign Up Today! I worked with a local agency and Miller Brewing to create this football fantasy sports league.  It was created to be SUPER easy to use for anyone NOT just fantasy sports junkies. If I get a list of more chains or local restaurants, I will post. If you do join, please tell what you think so we can improve the game. Thanks!

Nathan Loses First Tooth & Second!

Nathan "FINALLY" lost a tooth on July 29th just as he laid his head down to sleep. It was an event he'd been waiting for a LONG time. Alot of his kindergarten classmates were loosing teeth periodically throughout the school year and Nathan being one of the younger kids didn't get his chance. The Tooth Fairy allowed him to keep the first one for sentimental reasons, but said she'll be back for the next one. Nathan made out with a dollar.

He lost the second tooth on 08/08/08 during dinner. The pictures are deceiving because in both cases the permanent tooth was already arriving. The Tooth Fairy had difficulty retrieving the "tooth in a bag" due to the movement of the pillow, but he still came out richer with another dollar bill.