The BlogShine

Jenn's Wedding Rehearsal

2008-11-17T15:36:00.000-07:00

Hike with the Kerbers

2008-11-17T15:32:00.000-07:00

The Kerbers

2008-11-05T17:59:00.000-07:00

The Kerbers came out for a visit last week, and we had a blast. We went to the Phoenix Children's Museum (I highly recommend it), went Trick or Treating, and did all kinds of fun stuff. Here are a few of the pics. Thanks, Kerbers, for coming out!

The Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-27T23:50:00.000-07:00

We took Colin to a local nursery. I never thought going to a pumpkin patch could be so much fun. We probably spent about an hour there. I guess a baby, a camera, and new flash doohickey I really like. Get ready. There are quite a few. :)

Even More Colin

2008-10-27T23:46:00.000-07:00

Colinville

2008-10-20T23:51:00.000-07:00

I guess it's our turn to inundate the world with our baby's pics. We pretty much have moved to the town of Colinville. And we think we'll stay. :)

He's been doing pretty well. Got half of his shots this week. Was scary for a bit as one thermometer read 104.7. Bought another one. It read 103.2. The fever eventually went down. He's been a little cranky since, but we are watching him close. :)

Hope you enjoy.

Let the Big Dawg Eat

2008-09-23T22:45:00.000-07:00

So, my alma mater came to town..along with 12,000 of their fans. Hopefully, they weren't too obnoxious. Going to Georgia and learning to spell dog, d-a-w-g, comes with a bit of tension. Running across other fans, you want to high five them b/c you just don't see the GA logo around here all that much. And you feel a sense of kinship with those wearing the red and the black. So as you pass one of them by, you smile, perhaps say, "Go Dawgs." But right about that time, you are also thinking, "I hope you aren't one of the racist, backwards GA fans that I really would like to distance myself from." For the most part, the GA group is a good lot. They are a passionate bunch for sure. ASU fans were blown away by just how many of us there were. And for the most part, I heard only good things. Oh, GA won. They are still #3 in the country. :) Here are some pics.

This was one of the first things we saw as we arrived in Tempe. On top was a sound system, a keg, and a microphone. Out of the speakers mostly came classic rock and some country. And when ASU fans drove by and flicked them off, all they ever said was, "We love you, too." But think about it...they had to drive this across the country. This ain't no local. :)

It was so fun to see the GA fans all decked out in their different garb. We just do it up right. Some get really dressed up. Some wear searsuckers to the game. Either way, they got style.

So, if this don't beat all...some of my dearest friends from Atlanta, The Hamptons, came out for the game. Mike and Sue (their son, Scott, was with them, too) became some of my most faithful supporters during my ten year tenure with Athletes in Action. God raised up these dear friends and ministry partners out of nowhere as I came on staff with AIA.

So, when they arrived, we got to go out to dinner, show them Colin, and have a great time hanging out the night before the game. As we were trying to figure out where our seats were the next day and if we were close to each other, it was sort of unclear. So, when I got home, I texted them our seat numbers. They texted back and told me they were literally directly two rows behind us. Right behind us was some other friends of theirs who were willing to switch seats with them. So, they literally sat right behind us. There were 12,000 GA fans. And they were right behind us. I'm sorry. That's a pretty big coincidence. Thank you, Lord, for such a sweet reminder that you are there.

Alongside me in the pic as well is my old fraternity brother, John Haisley. It was great to catch up and see a brother from the past.

After the game, the Dawgs came over to our section of the crowd to thank us for cheering them on. It was pretty unusual for an away game to seem like a home game so far away.

The Folks

2008-09-23T22:38:00.000-07:00

Oma and Pop Pop came to town...

With our friend, Patty...

Mas Colin

2008-09-05T04:02:00.000-07:00

The Little Man

Brother and Sister

Adoreeble

Grooming Time

Pop Pop

Oma

Colin James Krieger • 8/16/08 • 12:48pm • 8lbs

2008-08-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

Stories to come. Here are the visuals. :)

Kevin (Med Student), Amy (Supernurse), Dr. Spieker (Our OB)

Shortly After Delivery

First Bath Before & After

First Bath Up Close

Grandma

Grandpa

Kira's BFF, Jenn

The Uncle

Our Recovery Room (aka Hotel 1964)

The Browns

Glennifer (Soon to have many children of their own)(They're engaged)

The Kutskos

Emily (a friend and nurse and Lactation Expert)

The Kaechs

Think they're happy? :)

The face we are seeing most of the time. Welcome to the world, Colin

Just before heading home. He really is a miracle.

Flash Me

2008-08-10T21:30:00.000-07:00

So, it's August. And I've been trying since my birthday (mid July) how to spend my birthday money (thanks fam for my gifts!). I don't get a couple hundred bucks that often. So, I didn't know...should I get the 50mm/1.8 lens? The SB600 Speedlight flash? Or..a bluetooth headset (so I can drive and talk on the phone)? Or what? Well, I ended up getting the flash. And I think I'm glad I did. Here are some of the few first looks...

Culver's

2008-08-02T15:12:00.000-07:00

So, a friend of ours told us about this fast food place based in the Midwest. And it did not disappoint. We've probably been back to Culver's four or five times in the last few months. It's a frozen custard/burger place. EEzzz good.

I'd highly recommend it.

A Long Time Comin'

2008-08-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

It has been heckishly long since my last post. I just haven't been shooting as much. With Jeff Jr. due in a few weeks, I'm sure things will pick up here quickly. :) Meanwhile, here are some shots from an incredible baby shower some friends at Kira's work, The Bump, gave us. It was amazing.

Sexy ladies....

Much props to Angela (far L, below). She made all of the favors include handmade chocolates. Yeah, I told you it was amazing.

This is Kira's boss, Kara. She started The Bump from scratch recently sold it to The Knot. Quite a lady.

Fun in the Sun

2008-06-19T12:27:00.000-07:00

Went to watch Vanderbilt play at ASU...

Our Trip to Cinci

2008-04-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

We went back to Cincinnati a few weeks ago to get trained to teach a class at New Valley. And it was great. We were able to visit a lot of Jeff's friends and where he used to work. Kira even got to try Cincinnati chili. :)

Our friend Dave Huff. Dave is a graphic designer for Athletes in Action. Muy talented.

Post Skyline Chili (that's why Jeff's face looks so fat). Dave and former AIA Staff and good, good friend Val Zimmerman.

More good friends. From L to R, Eric (lived with Kira and I for a summer), Christine (Eric's primo chick), Dean (Jeff's old roommate)

Post dinner ice cream at Cincinnati's famous Graeter's. I recommend the Rasberry Chip (as does Oprah). L to R, Carter (frequent Phx visitor), Jeff, Kira, Dean

Still more. Former roomie and one of my best friends (along with Dean), Derek. His wife Kelly and their Annie and Kelsey.

My old church, Crossroads.

Our Trip to MD/DC 3

2008-04-23T00:18:00.000-07:00

National Portrait Gallery

Kira and Art

Our Trip to MD/DC 2

2008-04-21T14:33:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pics from our trip two weekends ago to MD and DC. After the surprise party, we headed to Aunt Sandy's where my Aunt Wanda and Grandma were staying. Aunt Sandy and Uncle Tim live right near Annapolis, MD. So, spent a little time visiting the Naval Academy...even though it was cold and rainy that day. :)

Taken during our layover...

There was a PB&J restaurant at the Detroit airport. Lots of choices. Not sure I would pay 5 bux for a pb&j sandwich again, though. :)

This is Kira's Uncle Butch. He used to be a model back in the 70's. He is quite the character (in a good way). We really enjoyed our visit with him.

Artsy shot of Kira. Can't remember where this was...

Aunt Wanda keeps Quinn entertained. I always learn a few kid things when I visit with my Aunt Wanda.

Kira's Aunt Gail, Uncle Bill, and Grandma (and bro)(Sorry about posting one with your eyes shut, Kira. It's the only one I had). :)

Jeff's cousin Joanne, her daughter Kelsey, Jeff's aunt Laurie, and Jeff's nephew Quinn

Jeff's Aunt Wanda and Aunt Sandy (great ladies)

A cute house in Annapolis

Naval Academy Chapel

Flowers at Naval Academy

Old Glory

Our Trip to MD/DC

2008-04-16T04:14:00.000-07:00

Last week we had a great time traveling back to our homeland - Maryland. Ironically, both of us were born there. Well, Jeff was born in DC and lived in MD the first ten years of his life. And Kira was born in Baltimore and lived there until the ripe ol' age of 2. But we still have tons of family there...some whom we have not seen in a long while. So, it was great to see everyone. Thanks to all our family who made our stay a very relaxed one. We felt very taken care of. :)

The main reason we head eastward was Kira's mom was turning 60, and her family was throwing a surprise party for her with all her old friends. She was totally taken aback when she walked into the room and saw family, old work friends, and even her AZ family as well.

It all started on Thursday night when we threw a little dinner bday party for Mom at Kira's brother's house (here in Phoenix). During dessert (Carvel ice cream cake), Kira gave her a few extra gifts...airplane peanuts, a Delta Sky magazine, and an apple. They all served as clues that she was to be whisked away (that night) to NYC by her hubby. LIttle did she know that NY was just a diversion for the real plan..the bday party. I (Jeff) was pretty impressed with the planning of it all. :)

Mom's welcome in Bal'mur

I think I put a pic in here twice... :)

It sort of felt like a wedding as different folks from different worlds that mean so much to us were able to meet. Here Davy (Kira's brother) is playing with Quinn (Jeff and Kira's nephew)

Our grandmas bond...

Who says priests can't have a good time? :)

More pics from DC to come!

A QB is On the Way

2008-04-03T11:22:00.000-07:00

If You Didn't Know It, I'm an Official Suns Fan

2008-03-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

So, I went to the Suns game today.

More Shots of You Know Who

2008-02-25T15:02:00.004-07:00

Something I Have Never Seen in My Life

2008-02-25T10:20:00.003-07:00

Kira and I were headed to the grocery store to pick up some things for our first annual church picnic. And this is what we saw...honest to goodness...

Yes, he rode on the back. Yes, he has goggles. Yes, this actually happened.

Random Shots

2008-02-25T10:05:00.009-07:00

Been messing around with past images. Enjoy...

This is me mum...

This is me dad...

This is me pooch...

More Vegas Pics and Photoshop Fun

2008-02-19T08:14:00.007-07:00

Vegas

Inside the Bellagio, they had this really cool Japanese garden..

Kira and Sugar Ray

At the Hoover Dam..

This store sorta gets your attention. Was in one of the malls.

Photoshop Fun

Vegas, Baby

2008-01-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

I hadn't been to Las Vegas in over 20 years. I heard that it got pretty gross, that it was way overpriced now, and that you would explode on contact because of how much sin was in Sin City. Well, I'm happy to report that my experience was different from that. Kira and I had a great time celebrating our 2nd anniversary there. Here are the highlights.

The Best Things on our Trip to Vegas

1. The Shower in Our Room (West Wing/MGM Grand)

I wish I had taken a picture of this. Not sure why I didn't. Because, let me tell you. I never thought a shower would keep me in a room, but it did. We were told upon arriving that we had been "upgraded" to the West Wing. I had read about it online. The reviews said it was small but hip. Having already walked about 20 mins from our car to the hotel check-in, we decided to not wait for the room we reserved. When we got in the room, I felt a little closed in. One guy in the hallway even said, "This feels like a cruise ship." But let me tell you. That shower. It had dual heads with one of the heads sort of being a water pik that you could move pretty much anywhere you wanted. And, not to get too gross. But I did. Oh, the joy of a good cleanse. It led me to ask Kira how much it would be do build a bidet in our home. Ok, tmi. Let's move on.

2. The Buffet at Planet Hollywood
You would think (at least I did) that anything to do with PH would be a cheese factor of 11. But I was very much surprised by the hotel itself. Really cooly designed, not a ton of people, and voted the best buffet in town. I hadn't gone to a buffet in years either. And this was no joke. For about 22 bucks (we had the Sunday Champagne Brunch), it was by far the best I've ever been to. They had different stations broken up by different food genres..Italian, Salads, Seafood, American, Middle Eastern, Desserts, etc. My fave was the Middle Eastern section. Tandoori chicken pulled off a skewer, baklava, chutneys, gyros, you name it. I think we spent a good three hours just hanging out, eating slowly, calling family. Oh, I guess it didn't hurt that the Miss America pageant contestants were eating there, too. Not that I noticed. Kira said she heard them ordering, like, a "piece of cheese" while she gorged at her plate. Actually, Kira did like it, but she didn't do much gorging. :)

3. Our meal at Fammia
I guess you can tell I like food. Yeah, I really have to watch it. But this was a great meal. We had a $25 credit at the hotel and $30 from Grandma K (thanks, Gma!!!) to go towards a meal. So, we splurged a little. Fammia is located in the MGM Grand. Another coolly designed atmosphere. Kira got Spaghetti and Meatballs (the meatballs were made of Kobe meat. yum.) and I had a chicken dish. For dessert, they brought out homemade donut holes with three different kinds of dipping sauces. And then, to top it off, they brought some sort of raspberry liquer to cleanse the palate at the end. I was stuffed. And now I must exercise.

4. Visiting Sportsbooks
Like I said, it had been a while since I'd been to Vegas. And one of the things I (and every guy) loved to do was visit the Sportsbooks at each hotel (kind of like a big sports bar). I have to say, though. A lot of them weren't that up to date. Even the bigger hotels had screens with pics whose color was faded. But again, and you wouldn't think it, but Planet Hollywood, I thought, had the best Sportsbook in Vegas. It felt more like a living room than a stadium. And it had all new TV's. Very nice.

5. Watching Kira Climb Stairs
I married a hiker. And I'm glad I did. No matter where we go, Kira hates to use the elevator or escalator. She loves to "feel the burn". And Vegas was no exception. I took a pic (from the escalator) whenever she went hiking.

6. Shopping
I had heard a little about shopping in Vegas, but I thought it was probably a chick thing. But it was pretty cool. I think b/c I just like good design, I liked parts of Vegas. The malls were a little Disney-esque in the way they had themes and ceiling painted as skies. Stuff like that. Here are a few shots.

7. The Strip
Yes, there were people handing out cards for strip clubs and prostitutes (to which my response to them typically was, "Um, I'm married. I like to introduce you to my wife. She's right here.") But it really is a fun atmosphere. Where else can you see Elvis singing while driving on a tourbus going by?

8. The Drive
Granted, Kira's folks (for some crazy reason) let us borrow their Lexus (thanks so much!). So, that didn't hurt. But it really was a pretty drive. Especially Hoover Dam. Had never been there. Very picturesque. Thanks so much to everyone that helped make this a great anniversary trip.