Our New Little Bundle of Joy..........

We have a new addition to announce to the Ivanlam clan..........born March 18th, a husky we have named Ambrose.

Tiffany has been saying she would like a new puppy for the kids to train over the summer and we had been checking the newspaper classifieds. All the husky ads are priced $350 and up. But Friday I noticed an ad that had husky pups listed at $150. A phone call was made Friday night, the breeders were in Stockport, IA, a farm community about 50 miles east of Burlington. So we made the 2 hour drive Saturday night to pick one out.

Abbi and Elli thought we were visiting some old friends, when we got to the farm they saw the dogs in a kennel and I told them to go take a look and to pick one out. They were pleasantly surprised! We picked one out and headed back home with our nameless dog.

Tiff and I had been writing names down out of some old baby books, and Gabe gave a few choices as well. The ride home we narrowed it down to seven...Ace, Zeke, Gibson, Samson, Xander and Marshall, (McLovin' didn't make the cut!!). But the kids felt very strong about one name....Ambrose. So, following a short family meeting after the power when out during a Sunday morning storm, we decided to make it official.....Ambrose was the name.

He is white and has some color around his face and back that is a mix of brown and grey. He spent all his time outside on the farm so he is slowly adjusting to life inside. His first night was OK, he slept in his kennel next to Abbi who slept on the floor. A couple times during the night he started howling, Tiff noticed Abbi had rolled over so he couldn't see her face. She rolled Abbi back over and he fell back asleep.

He has eaten a couple times and has been drinking water but he has spent more time sleeping than anything else. I made a short film of our first 24 hours with Ambrose which is below. Abbi talks in a soft voice about his birthday, being so close to the kids' birthdays, saying "He is already part of the family because our birthdays are in March". Birthday week just got a little more crowded!!!!

Spring Soccer Clips

We've got some video of the girls playing soccer last weekend for your viewing pleasure. It's been a strange season, they have had 2 games postponed due to wet weather, so the season was extended into June, last game is this Saturday.

I have weaved some highlights of Elli and Abbi into one video. A few weeks ago I promised Whiteys to each if they scored 1 goal, $20 for a second goal and a new car for a third goal in a game. Elli scored, Abbi came very close! Thanks to Elli we all enjoyed malts from our favorite ice cream place. Both had chances in the film below.

Elli's friend Carly scores a goal, it's cute to see them celebrate! Also, notice Abbi take a girl down as she stops the ball with her foot.

Ool Open

Notice there is no P in it? Lets try and keep it that way!

Memorial Day weekend we lifted the cover off the pool to get it ready for the swimming season. In February the cover ripped a giant hole in the middle, so getting the water clear and clean was not going to be easy. We spent two days vacuuming and netting and changing the filter but we got it ready! Last Saturday Abbi and Elli could wait no longer, so we let them jump in. It was an 80 degree day, but it usually takes a few 80 degree days to warm the water up. The water temp in the pool was 68 degrees.....a little too chilly for me!

Soccer Stud

Yesterday Gabe and the Freshman/Sophomore Blue Devil soccer team hosted Burlington at the Davenport Dads Club soccer complex. Any time we are there you can pretty much choose one of three different types of weather patterns....wet, windy or cold. Tuesday was windy!

Central used the wind in the first half, scoring a goal early. But the wind picked up stronger in the second half. Burlington used the wind at their back to score 3 unanswered goals for a 3-1 win. The strong breeze made it harder for Central to move forward, they didn't come close to scoring in the second half. Gabe played the entire game at his customary position, left back defense man. Here are the highlights:

We'll try and get some film of Abbi and Elli playing soccer and Elli at Little League later this week.

Reesey Pooh

Last Sunday Marcia and Tiffany held a baby shower for Ally here at our house. About 20 of Ally's friends and family showed. They were treated with some snack foods and played games for prizes. Ally looked like she was very happy with the turnout and she even got to take home some cool gifts for her and the baby.

Before the party started I got to take this video of the girls playing with Reese. You'll hear the name Reesey Pooh mentioned a couple of times, if you are wondering there is a story behind the name, which Gabe came up with. But not for baby Reese....for his choir teacher Mr. Reese!! It seems back in February Gabe found Mr. Reese's cell phone out of sight from Mr. Reese. Gabe got the number and started texting and calling him....Reesey Pooh! Mr. Reese didn't know who it was until a few days later when Gabe couldn't keep the secret to himself any longer. Enjoy our little Reesey Pooh...awake and animated!!!!