Bowl Standings

A Message From Jeff:

Let the peeps know that after 17 games.....the fabulous Sarah Jane was looking like she had the lead going into today...beautiful.....but Tex Tech had the greatest bowl comeback ever and now sitting at the top is Bill an dhis nemesis....the bookie at 12-5. Wes made a STELLAR comeback last night to get back into the race at 10-7, winning 6 of 7 (tied with 3rd), Sarah sitting pretty in second alone, and Shea and Steph looking
like they need a bit of life. Steve-o, was once 7-1, but after a streak of 6, has become 9-8. Watch out for Jake, a quiet yet cunning 10-7. Could Doc gain ground with his alma mater NAVY beating Boston College tonight???? The game tonight that will seperate a bit...Georgia vs. Va Tech. It will be Bill or Jeff on top when we hit the bed. Other key games....PSU vs. Tenn, Neb vs. Aub., and West Va vs. Georgia Tech.......all with very diversely chosen. Jeff's USC pick could bury him......Norm and Sarah' ND over LSU pick could bring them life and future cash (and I'm not talking the new BABE) ....a gutsy risk. The race really begins right now, as do the real games....Folks...you've heard the phrase,"Drive for show, putt for dough." Well, now is where you bring out the putters. Who will be the next TIGER of the G-L bowl series........

Your friendly bookie
Ben Gaines: Your picks left out the first 7 games? Call me...we can
talk....over some green.

Best of 2006

Music

1. Johnny Cash – American V (A Hundred Highways)
2. Bob Dylan – Modern Times
3. Sparklehorse – Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain
4. Band of Horses – Everything All the Time
5. Cat Power – The Greatest
6. Morrissey – Ringleader of the Tormentors
7. Belle and Sebastian – The Life Pursuit
8. Jenny Lewis – Rabbit Fur Coat
9. Gnarls Barkley – St. Elsewhere
10. Sun Kil Moon – Tiny Cities

Johnny Cash was an authentic, original, and honest person and this is really obvious when you listen to his last recordings on “A Hundred Highways”. The more I listen to this album its clear that these qualities are not often found in most modern musicians. The first track Help Me is as fragile a song as I’ve ever heard. I just read a great tribute article about him that highlights some of the characteristics that led us to name our son after him.

Best Books I read:

Simply Christian – N.T. Wright This book has been called the Mere Christianity of today. I recommend that everyone read it. Excellent.

The Way of Ignorance – Wendell Berry I’m convinced that if there are prophets today like Isaiah, Amos, or Hosea, then Wendell Berry is one of them.

The Brothers K – James Duncan A must read for anyone who grew up in a family of four boys who loved playing baseball. Andrew has my copy if anyone’s interested.

Best Movies I saw:

A Prairie Home Companion Robert Altman’s last movie ironically deals with coming to terms with death. I’ve liked every Altman movie I’ve seen so far. His style is so different than any other filmmaker’s.

An Inconvenient Truth The plot of this documentary is that Al Gore is awesome and we would have all been better off if we had listened to him, the sub-plot is that global warming is a serious issue that we should pay attention to. Anyways it was very interesting and worth watching.

Sports:

Was there any other sports story this year that compared to the Detroit Tigers? I still get the warm fuzzies when I think of Rogers torching the Yankees lineup or Magglio’s blast to put us in the World Series. Rooting for the Tigers is fun again. Here’s to you Jim Leyland!!

You Tube: 2006 was the year of youtube. Here are my top five web videos.

1. Home shopping mishap
2. Boom goes the dynamite
3. Pastor Mishap
4. Prison Mike – The Office
5. Skateboarding Bulldog - Ben, Becky you gotta make that happen!!

What a year 2006 was!! Here’s to Eden, Grace, Greyson, and Cash. I have this vision of us all moving to Brighton in 11 years. Norm comes out of retirement to coach the Maltby Bullpups one last season. Grace breaks the gender barrier and plays point guard. Greyson is dominating in the paint, Cash is jabbering at the referee, Eden is entertaining the crowd with his gunslinging after a basket, and Caleb is in the stands mackin the ladies!! Oh yeah. I predict two new additions to the Gaines-Lampi clan in 2007 who will it be????jk

Wes

FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

BCC Christmas Eve Service Quiz

This quiz is only for those who DID NOT attend the 2006 BCC Christmas Eve service. The winner will be announced at the end of this blog on Wednesday.

1. Who sang special music #1?

A) Sandy and the BCC Choir
B) Wes and Cash
C) Matthew's family
D) Dan Suminski

2. Who read this years Christmas Story to the children?

A) Dan and Christine O'berski (visiting from Fla.)
B) Randy and Angela Melanson
C) Nate Katono and Holly Jones
D) Jeff and Steve Lampi

3. Who sang Special Music #2 ?

A) Katie and Kesha
B) Matt & Amy Maiberger
C) Elizebeth Elliott and Megan Suminski
D) Dave and Jill Silver

4. Who gave the Christmas Eve Message?

A) Tom E. and Matt M. team preached
B) Dave Van Horn
C) Tom Elliott
D) John Elliott
E) Frtiz Schwass

Daddy and Grey havin fun on the Mac book

Photo 74
Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

As I suck my kid's face off, I realize I have never kissed someone so much in my life. He doesn't react so much though. No big smile yet or a "thank you." He more or less just sits there and looks at me like, "Dude, get away. I want some more milk. Then after that you can change my diaper." Love ya Grey!

CASH

Bonding with mom.

Cash, contemplating the meaning of life outside the womb.

The Gaines Family

A little video of our boy!! WATCH

We're home and loving being parents. We love our boy, Cash. You always hear about what its like when you become a dad or mom but, wow it is blowing us away how much love we have for our son, there is nothing like it! The long and short of the story Jeff mentioned probably has to do with me blacking out in the delivery room, incredible yes, Sarah endured over 24 hours of back labor, with contractions lasting up to 3 minutes in length and its me who almost passes out in the room as she is getting a much deserved epidural. I was supposed to be in front supporting her, but the next thing I knew I was literally seeing stars! The midwife took one look at me and knew what was going to happen, "Alright Wes, you're outta here!" So I waited in the hallway with my head between my knees sipping on Sprite recovering from my near collapse. I made it back into the room and redeemed myself during the big push. I'm a wimp, Sarah was awesome. We can't wait for the rest of our family to meet Cash.

William Cash Gaines

Welcome to the world, William CASH Gaines. 7lbs 10oz., 20 in. 10:54 am. Benny you were one minute early on your phone message! Cash and mom are doing awesome. More pics and videos to come!!!

Overtime

The route to the hospital is set, our bags are packed, the phone list is ready, the baby has dropped, but WE'RE in OVERTIME!! One more week of spicy food, long walks, and jumping jacks. Hopefully this baby comes this week. If not we go in next Tuesday to assess the situation. The baby did excellent on its first "physical" or "stress test". For some reason I pictured a stress test as Sarah on a treadmill that was steadily inclining Rocky IV style. I was wrong. We'll keep y'all posted.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL...BETTING!!!

Calling all men and women who want in this year's most excellent GAINES-LAMPI BOWL SERIES PICK 'em!

Rules: Anyone who is blood Gaines-Lampi (18 and over) + extended family members (JOEL etc etc) (ok kin like Brus' too)

What: obtain bowl games schedule from any search "ncaa bowl games" and e-mail/blog me by NEXT SUNDAY the 17th! Gives you a week or so to read up...or not.
****email me at jlampi@pcs.k12.mi.us (pass this on to

ThE clincher: 2 bucks to get in/person this year. Ok..Pray for me.

First PRize: 75% of pot
Runner-up: 25% of pot
*** Total Games PLUS GIVE TOTAL POINTS of CHAMPIONSHIP (ieOSU 34 FLA 21 = 55 pts)

So if we get 20 people at 2 bucks a pop = 40 bones
First place gets $30.....second...$10

The question is....are you in and willing to pay the piper. Pray for me...gosh...addiction

I am the bookee...I like power positions like this...thats irrelevant...."will you be the one to answer to this call" (this is redemption for me....I was dead last in 06)

I'll keep track of your "sheet and scores" and at some pt. SEND ME YOUR $2 (or + spouse...$4)

Jeff Lampi
616 Moorland
East Lansing, MI 48823

already I see some smack coming from the West coast....some inspiration and LUCK charms coming from the brand new daddies (Mid-town/Fort)...and some sleeper ladies putting the men to shame.... IT'S ON!

Who is already in: Straight outta the Greek Mafia...THE DOCTOR, myself, Steph, Steve-o, Shae, Norm, Debs, this guy I met in greektown last weekend (jk), Big Daddy Sniper Stelter (shea's paps), and many more... the more the merrier...and green (pray for me again)

Ange, I better get some German love homie!

(The views expressed by the author of this blog do not infer any new habit or guilty pleasure....NOT)

29

Happy Birthday Joel, and thanks for yet another classic picture.

Santa Gramie (posted by Anna)

To all Gaines Family - I need all your initials as fast as you can get them to me. I am helping Gramie with her Christmas shopping (and there may be some monogramming involved - don't ask...). Please e-mail them to me at annajinkins@yahoo.com. Thanks
P.S. Today is Joel's Birthday - Happy Birthday Little Brother!

Sleeping

IMGA0015
Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

this is what he does 20 hours of the day. he's really good at it.

Nice hat kid

P1000370
Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

The hat they gave him kept sliding of his head. As you can see it was huge and his conehead didn;t help the situation.

The day Greyson was born

P1000373
Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

December 1st evening view from hospital window. Definitley winter here in Michigan. The first big snow of the year.

Greyson William Lampi

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Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

He was a big boy.

What Child Is This?

Here's a sneak peak at our baby boy/girl, the next counterpart to Caleb, Eden, Grace, and Greyson. We had an ultrasound today because the little guy/girl is taking his/her time. Everything looks great, he/she just isn't ready to brave the cold yet. Best line in the ultrasound room was me saying, "look at its little hand Sarah" and the ultrasound lady responding actually that's its thigh. So based on that Sarah had no faith when I thought I saw "something". To which our technician responded, "everyone sees something, I didn't even go down there!" Strike two. Needless to say my guesses don't mean anything but I'm switching to boy even though I thought I had a prophetic dream signifying a girl. We'll see... So let's hear your final predictions based on this pic, and we'll find out soon.

Greyson is here!

P1000386
Originally uploaded by stevelamps.

Here he is. I will get more pics out later, but here's our little boy. he so fun and loves to keep us up all night. Get ready Ft. Wayne.