Welcome Braylon Christopher Shaw!

Today we welcome Braylon Christopher Shaw to the family. Joni and Chris had him this morning at 4:32 am and everyone is doing well. I thought I would post a few pictures to show off this beautiful baby boy, but I'll leave the details for Joni and Chris to share.

New Look Hawkeye Garage

So I got tired of the ragged Tigerhawk that I painted on my garage 2 years ago, so I decided to fix it. Truth is that when I did the original tigerhawk, I hurried through it and settled on something I wasn't real proud of. Well, those that know me, know that this wasn't sitting well with me. I hated looking at it when I would walk into my garage. I was also quite annoyed that I have been painting other people's garages and my garage looked the worst. Thought I would share what I have done. This was also a way to help me forget about my swelling gums. I used the same template as the helmet I made for my neighbor's boy, so you will notice they are the same, with the exception of the size.

Close up of the original tigerhawk on my garage wall. Looks pretty shitty in my opinion.
Another picture of the original tigerhawk. Still looks shitty from a distance.
The "new look" garage, the hawkeye football helmet.
Another shot of the "new look" garage.

Passing Time to Forget My Pain

What started as a sinus infection, soon became my worst nightmare. On Saturday, I started having some pain in my sinuses, so I got some meds to fight off the sinus infection. Once the sinus infection was gone, I still had some pain in my jaw, so I went to the dentist. Turns out I had a couple fillings that were out and some teeth that needed repair. So I had to get one of my wisdom teeth pulled and had a decision to have another tooth root canaled or pulled. I chose to have that tooth pulled as well because the root canal was quite a bit more expensive than to just have it pulled. So with a world of pain in my mouth, I am spending most of my day resting, due to pain medication and the rest of the day trying to find things to do to take my mind off the fact that my mouth hurts like hell. So I decided to make a Hawkeye Football helmet for my neighbor boy, Dylanne Harris. I used cardboard, crayons and black paint. I thought it turned out pretty good and it beats buying one of those "Fathead" things in the store (which go for about $100). Here are some pictures of the finished product.

Micheala visits Hawkeye Nation

Today I got to take Micheala, John Harris and Dylan Harris down to Iowa City to tour the Hawkeye Football facilities and the Iowa Athletic Hall Of Fame. I felt it was important to teach Micheala the inner workings of Iowa Football, as well as giving her a history lesson on the legendary Hawkeyes. Ryan Neilsen gave us a tour of the football facilities this morning. We got to see all of the offices, locker rooms, film rooms, weight rooms and even the press box. Micheala really liked the visitor's pink locker room (go figure). She also thought the pool in the training room was cool as well. Next we went to the Iowa Athletic Hall Of Fame. Micheala liked shooting baskets on the old Hawkeye floor and enjoyed the touch screen history lessons on the Hawks.Micheala at the entrance of the Hall Of fame posing with Hayden Herky.
Micheala shooting baskets on the old Hawkeye basketball floor.

Center Point Urbana Free Throw Shooting Contest

On Saturday, Center Point Urbana Elementary School held their annual free throw shooting contest. This was Dylanne's first year to participate. The object was to make as many free throws in one minutes time. For the younger kids, they lowered the basket, moved them closer and had them shoot with a smaller ball. Dylanne practiced a couple times throughout the week and it was very frustrating for her, but she decided to go through with the contest anyway. Much to our surprise, Dylanne got first place for her grade, making 4 baskets in one minute. She got a trophy and was so proud of herself. Heather and I were very proud of her as well and hoped that she learned a lesson in trying things she's never done before. Thanks to John and Denise Harris for helping out as well with practicing. Both of their kids, Dylan and Jay got first place in their grade level as well.Here is Dylanne with her trophy.
All three of the kids with their trophies. Dylanne, Dylan and Jay. Good job kiddos!