Welcome home! We made you a t-shirt.

So, a few weeks back Troy had a week-long business stay in less-than-sunny St. Louis. Hay and I were so stoked for his return, we made him these awesome posters. Hayley designed and art directed the project. She selected a blue posterboard on account of our Michigan fan-ship. She also was the sole copywriter on the project, coming up with inventive lines that worked hard to make the expected and mundane, unexpected and relevant. Ex: Peace, Love and Welcome Home We Missed You.













We also constructed the obligatory garage signage for high visibility and maximum excitement.



Hayley likes.




We Dryzgas are full of surprises. And what a great time to spring one on Troy. Hayley LOVED having the one-up on her Dad, knowing some super top secret information before anyone else (except Mom, of course). Here, she shields the secret message from view before Troy's return home.




When Troy finally arrived, Hay refused to allow him to unpack his bags from the car. She was in charge of delivering an important message that surely he would be interested in knowing. First, she presented Troy with his new shirt. "Dad" with the number "2" on the back. This befuddled Troy, as he was absolutely positive he is NO less than the #1 Dad and Husband. To clear up any confusion, Hayley revealed the message on her shirt. "Big Sister." Although, before Troy had the opportunity to read it, like an uncorked bottle of vigorously shaken soda, she blurted out "MOMMY'S PREGNANT."



So, here's the future big sis.




And here's a sideways picture of a future Michigan Fan at just 6 weeks. Today, we're at 11 weeks, and we've seen the heartbeat (it was beating to the Michigan fight song, obviously), and we've heard the heartbeat, and the doctor gave us clearance to tell our friends and family. So, mark your calendar for sometime between the Purdue and the Iowa game to meet the new family member.

Ironically, Troy's initial distaste for being "#2" (instead of the intended message that he would soon be the Father of Two) would be mocked (trumped?) by none other than Baby D.

Baby D is due 11/1/11. All ones. The apple sure doesn't fall far :)

Rewind: Hayley's Date with Big Blue

Feeling a little college nostalgia today, so let's rewind to Labor Day 2010 for our big spontaneous trip to introduce Hayley to Big Blue.

About two weeks before the first game of the season, Troy and I decided we would take Hayley to her first Michigan football game. Why THIS game of all games? It was the UM vs. Connecticut game, combined with a pregame official stadium rededication on account of the stadium remodel, and finally a special pregame feature on the Mealer family story which would end with Brock Mealer leading the team onto the field. This would be nothing short of the highlight of the season (er, unfortunately we'd find out later that this was in fact the season highlight... but I digress).

So HOW we would get from Arkansas to Ann Arbor, Michigan by Saturday morning would become our biggest challenge; how do we pick up Hayley from school on Friday at 3pm and manage to pull in to Ann Arbor for an 11a.m. Saturday kickoff? Losing an hour to the accelerated Eastern Time Zone and insisting on giving Hayley the full tailgate experience didn't make our mission any easier.

But, thanks to a near collegiate all-nighter and a boost of pre-game adrenaline circa 6a.m., we pulled into A2 with nearly two hours to spare before gametime. This provided sufficient time for golf course parking and pre-game rituals including heckling of opposing fans, 5-minute power naps, refreshments, snacks and a sobering game of Baggo.

A very, very special thank you to Jason for your support in helping us find (um, amazingly excellent) tickets that made Hayley's first Big Blue experience all the more exciting.


Hayley utilizes the tailgate feature of the Ford Flex, setting up camp in the hatch, and takes a 5-minute power nap in preparation for the big game tailgate.

Couldn't have posed this better myself.

And the obligatory wake-up call by Troy: Curling free weights at an estimated Hayley-number-of-pounds.

Following the initial shock, Hayley secures her position and says she doesn't hate this game.

No doubt the product of an Ad family. Coke, we'll take our product placement rewards in cash or cans.

Hayley made up a cheer. This was the finale.

Always an opportunity to share her support for world peace.

Here, Hayley assesses what atrocious Baggo players her parents are.

Not sure, but to me, her stride says, "If you must continue to humiliate me in front of these Connecticut fans, I will be obligated to throw the beans myself."

"Dad, You know we're trying to get the bags IN the hole, right?"




Brock Mealer walking across the field to open the game. Doctors gave him a 1% chance of ever walking again after a serious car accident that cost him half of his family. The strength and conditioning coaches at Michigan committed to him that they would work with him until he walked again.




Walking into the stadium. Hayley said, "I don't think there's a single seat left in here." With the largest audience in college football history, she would be correct.





Pre-game military flyover. Time to play ball.

GO BLUE!

Remember the Dryzgas? They were funny.

Wow. Worst. Blogger. Ever.

Pretty sure the #1 rule of blogging is to NOT go dark for four months. Apologies to all nine of our fans. Surely the hole in your daily blog reads left you feeling empty and unfulfilled. Here's to many more riveting lunch breaks that will surely keep you wondering what the Detroiters turned Country Cowherders could possibly be up to next.

Hayley's Halloween House Party

Our Little Devil

You know, as a parent, one of the most exciting times of year is Halloween. At least when you're in our family. We can't get enough of it. The decorations, the fall air, the candy (which my hips actually celebrate for months following). And, as a parent, one of the most anticipated conversations each year is that of the Halloween costume. Each year you see how your child's little personality has changed, how their interests have evolved and how their selection of Halloween costume has matured from one year to the next. Three years ago, Hay was Dorothy; two years ago she was The Wicked Witch; last year she was a cheerleader...

So when this year's costume conversation came around, we were stoked.

Do you think she'll be a doctor? She likes caring for her little stuffed animals. Or maybe she'll be a copywriter like mom! Course, there's no definitive costume that says "I have a mediocre salary and no byline so I'll never really be famous." She likes Harry Potter, maybe she'll be Hermione? Eh. Too overdone. Ooo! I got it: maybe, MAYBE she'll be God's little angel..."


Well, I don't need to tell you how that played out. Let's just say, Hayley subbed out the halo for a pair of horns and a wench dress. I mean, it's cool; we can handle it. She'll just go on and mock us with this blatant foreshadowing of her teen years.



Here's Hay as a teenager. I mean a Devil Princess.




I stopped by Hay's class for some pictures and a slice of pizza.


This is Hay's adorable teacher, Ms. Keovanpheng. I'd tell you how to pronounce that, but instead I'll let you share in that initial panic we experienced when we first met her, knowing surely she would hate us for screwing up her name. (Ms. Who? Maybe we can call her by her first name. What's her first name, Hayley? DaoKham. Crap.).




She's a chess board. Chess player? A ref? Something about chess.



This was the most well-behaved, quiet class I've ever seen on one of the most highly caffeinated days of the year. Ms. Keovanpheng had these guys under control. Totally amazing.

This is one of Hay's besties, Jessica.

Seriously, all quietly eating. As spooky as it gets.

The Dryzga Family Photo Shoot by The Shooting Gallery Photography