Vedders Chronicles » Zachary

A Spring Walk downtown

Gregory Vedders — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 01:37:07 +0000

A warm March evening inspired the Vedders Family to take a walk down town. The boys started out on their scooters and Mackenzie slept in her stroller while Monica and I walked behind. Other than some tired feet (and some blistered feet ) everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. For our first real walk outdoors we did pretty well, 2.27 miles in 59 minutes. Thanks to Motion-X GPS, some stats from our walk are listed below.

Name:		Track 001
Date:		Mar 31, 2010 6:20 pm
Map: (valid until Apr 30, 2010)		Google Maps
Distance:		2.27 miles
Elapsed Time:		59:00.6
Avg Speed:		2.3 mph
Max Speed:		6.4 mph
Avg Pace:		26′ 03″ per mile
Min Altitude:		404 ft
Max Altitude:		666 ft
Start Time:		2010-03-31T22:20:47Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	42.966509° N
	Longitude:	85.694228° W
End Location:
	Latitude:	42.966548° N
	Longitude:	85.694108° W

Download GPX

From the Adventures of Nate and Zach

Gregory Vedders — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 23:08:25 +0000

If you’ve ever wanted to tweak your photos to add interesting effects, but don’t have the time (or desire for that mater) to master Photoshop, now there is a site for you. BeFunky is an online photo editing tool that promises to offer online photo editing in a simple, easy to use format. From the BeFunky site: “BeFunky Photo Effects allow everyday people to easily create photographically rich and artistic results from their digital images without the need for any technical knowledge. These “one-click” photo effect options produce desired results effortlessly and each effect comes with the option to make simple adjustments.” Be sure to check out BeFunky to add artisitc effects to your own photos.

Letter From Santa

Gregory Vedders — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:00:26 +0000

Merry Christmas everyone!

The Vedders Family had a quite a surprise when we awoke today. Down stairs waiting by an empty plate of Christmas Cookies we found a note from Santa himself. It read:

Merry Christmas Nathaniel and Zachary! The cookies you left for me were very yummy in my tummy…I can tell that you made them fresh for me just before I arrived. I know you two have had trouble listening to Mom and Dad a time or two this past year, but for the most part you were very good. I know you guys will work on it for next year. Thank you for taking the time to visit me at River Town Crossings Mall. I really enjoyed talking to you. For being so good this past year, I’ve brought you just what you wanted…Zachary, a guitar and crash car and for Nathaniel some animal daycare things. Just so you know, the blue paper and the green and white Santa paper are Nathaniel’s presents and the green paper and the red Santa paper are Zachary’s presents. Well boys I have to run, I’ll be sure to say hi to Rudolf and all my reindeer for you. Keep up the good work and I’ll see you next year.

Love,

Mr. C

That Mr. C, you really can’t get anything past him. It’s almost as though he sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, and he knows if you’ve been bad or good. All I can say is, be good for goodness sake!

Blue Elmo

Gregory Vedders — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:30:48 +0000

As previously twitted, tonight as Zachary was getting ready for bed he pulled out his Cookie Monster stuffed animal turned to me and said, “Hey Dad! Look, it’s Blue Elmo.” Knowing that 1). Zachary has seen Sesame Street on too many occasions to quantify and 2). Zachary really loves his cookies, I would have thought he would have known right away as to who Cookie Monster was. Apparently the older Sesame Street characters don’t get as much attention on TV as they once did. Perhaps kids don’t remember him as well as previous generations do because of the continuous featuring of Elmo or maybe it’s because of the shift in focus behind his new campaign that says “Cookies are a sometimes food.” At any raite, tomorrow I’ll be pulling out one of my all time favorite Christmas specials, the classic Christmas Eve on Sesame Street so that I can reintroduce the characters to him.

See Who made Santa’s List

Gregory Vedders — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:53:42 +0000

Just the other day I was wondering how Nathaniel and Zachary were doing on Santa’s Naughty or Nice list. It just so happens that the Jolly man himself happened to send me a video explaining how they were doing. Feel free to check for your self to see how Nathaniel and Zachary stack up on Santa’s list. Oh, and one more thing, you better watch out I know Santa is watching you too.

Super Sliding Fun

Gregory Vedders — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 15:54:08 +0000

Fire Prevention Week

Gregory Vedders — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:54:42 +0000

On Monday, we visited Walker Fire Department’s Station #2. In honor of Fire Prevention Week the Walker Fire Department opened its doors to the general public in the way of an open house. When we arrived at the station the first thing we noticed is that they pulled their hook and ladder out of the garage and pointed its long ladder high into the air.

There were lots of things to do at the station. Out front, Nathaniel and Zachary had the opportunity to put out a “fire” using real fire hoses. The department had set up a wooden house with hinged flames in the windows, door, and chimney. With the help of one of the department’s firefighters, each of them got the chance to put out the fire. Inside the station, they had their pumper truck open so that you can climb up to see what it is like in the cab behind the wheel of a firetruck or in the back where they suit up en route to a fire. Nathaniel and Monica worked together with another firefighter on creating an escape plan for our house. Meanwhile, Zachary found a table loaded with cookies and juice and proceeded to fill-up on them. They also had a display on medicines and how they often look like candy…don’t worry though, Nathaniel knew they weren’t M&M’s®.

All-in-all we had a great time at the open house. Nathaniel was very excited about creating an escape plan…he personally showed Monica and I the tree we need to meet at if we ever have to put his evacuation plan in action.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Children of All Ages…

Gregory Vedders — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 03:42:17 +0000

The Vedders Family went to see the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus at the Van Andel Arena. In our opinion, there is now wonder as to why this circus is referred to as the “Greatest Show on Earth.” To begin with, we got to experience an incredible pre-show on the arena floor. During the pre-show, we got to talk to clowns, watch elephants paint, watch exciting acrobatics, and skillful riding of uniquely bizarre unicycles. Zachary go to sit on one of the motorcycles used in the Globe of Death. Nathaniel got to dance with a clown and even learned a new dance using his arm as an elephant’s trunk.

After the one hour pre-show we grabbed our seats and enjoyed the show. Be sure to check out The Circus of Dreams on their website for a full run down of the show. One last thing, if you get a chance, be sure to catch the show…it is definitely worth it.