So, only a year or so hiatus... in the scope of the span of universal time, that's a blink of an eye. Well, that is how this past year has seemed, although I've tried my hardest to slow it down. Audrey has helped with that. Immensely!

 The impetus for me writing on this particular day has been good friends of mine over in Turkey. Jake and company, know that we are praying for you and your safety. Your friendship means a great deal. As I've aged (sometimes reluctantly), I'm continually reminded more and more often of something my father said to my siblings and me in an after-dinner conversation around the island in our kitchen. True friends that last a lifetime are extremely rare. That's why you must work hard and cherish those you wish to keep. (Dad was eventually eluding to keeping your siblings close, which is true, but I'll keep that for a future post). So as an update to friends that I need to work harder to stay close to, here is a video that I compiled for Audrey's second birthday.

I'd love to hear (or see) what is happening in your life.
 

 In closing, I just read this from the Tao Te Ching this past week that seems appropriate today.

 "Thirty spokes meet at a nave; because of the hole we may use the wheel.
Clay is moulded into a vessel; because of the hollow we may use the cup.
Walls are built around a hearth; because of the doors we may use the house.
Thus tools come from what exists, but use from what does not."

 Coach Campbell

Reflecting with Baby A

I am writing this post with one arm happily wrapped around a growing baby A. The Christmas tree is lit up in front of us with 'naners' in our belly.

As we get excited like old times for Audrey's first Christmas, we have been thinking how fast she has grown these past 6 months. Here is a short compilation of videos and pictures we thrown together.

New milestones

We just got back from a great Thanksgiving up at Tracey's dad's place in northwest Iowa. These past couple of weeks have been incredible as far as all the nuances that Audrey has picked up. She loves to fake cough and blow 'raspberries', as Tracey calls it (I'll upload a video soon to show the world what that means).

Did I mention that Audrey loves that I am sporting the No-shave November? 

Here is Baby A learning to drink earlier today.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Audrey's first shot at 'real' food.

Happy 30th to my amazing wife!

It's been a while since I've unleashed a video/photo montage. Here is a salute to Tracey's last 10 years.

Love you babe.

First Laugh

I was explaining the concept of emotional contagions today in my Organizational Behavior classes. Luckily I had this video of Audrey to help prove my point.

Enjoy!

Coach

Audrey's Days of Summer

As this cooler weather has been making Iowa even more enjoyable this summer, it is a reminder that summer is passing, fall (and football season!) are approaching and for students and teachers out there, that the time to buckle down is only a week or two away. For Tracey and I the 'end' means that we have to leave Audrey at daycare for 8-10 hours a day.

Typically this thought of the last days of summer cause way more anguish than the actual end of it. In reality it is not an end at all. I really enjoy the school year, even if I'm not looking forward to forgoing the luxury of spending my days with 'Little A'. My guess is that this slipping feeling is engrained into me from grade school years.

Even though Audrey is partly the root cause of this finite feeling, she is helping to change that. We've been able to spend great time together the last couple of days, enough for her to let me know she's numero uno  and teaching me a thing or two.

• Enjoy the little things... and pretty much everything is a little thing. Passing gas is apparently one of the funniest things in the world. I've forgotten that, until now.  

• Getting up early with a smile on your face is the best way to greet the day.  Plus it totally warrants a good nap later!

• Speak and sing as often as you please. 

• Positive energy is contagious. 

Enjoy the day,

Coach Campbell