Pancakes, Church and Baseball Combine For Great Father’s Day Fun

Sunday morning pancakes with my syrup-y sons.

I don’t think there’s a better way to spend Father’s Day than with my boys in church, at the ballpark and eating steak.

You will find no complaints from me about being home alone with the boys. I’ve spent a few Father’s Day working, this one just happens to be in the middle of YBHA XI.

Noah and 100 of his closest VBS friends helped pack Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Services at 530p on Saturday, 8, 930 and 11 on Sunday morning) to belt out those Operation Overboard songs one more time. A special thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Freeseman for joining us in church. We welcome all, including Methodists, to our party. It was good to have Wil with us and not in the hospital like he was two years ago on Father’s Day.

Take that, Noah!

After Levi allegedly took a nap, we loaded up on the sunscreen and headed to the ballpark. We sat in the sun for nine outs before retreating to the shade and the conversation with Bill and Ron, our regular row mates. We stayed to run the bases just like Anthony Rizzo when he hit the go-ahead home run in the eighth to propel the Iowa Cubs to a win. Even Levi wanted to run and not be carried. He did well rounding first and heading for home.

Finally, we tried something new on the grill for supper. A flank steak that ended up as the base for our fajitas. Thanks to Aunt Kris for joining us and convincing Levi to try steak. He ate it and apparently liked it. He did try a freshly picked raspberry, but quickly spit that out.

Guess who is the aggressor of these two?

Backyard baseball ended in tears, but they were quickly washed away by the hose. You remember my little hose buddy, right?

Mom called to make sure we were alive and upright. Yes on both accounts. She didn’t ask though, if our clothes were dry.

**Speaking of someone spending more daylight hours with his family, best to John Walters on his new gig at Iowa State University. He’ll be headed to Cyclones.TV. John signed up from ABC5 on Friday night. WOI just won’t be the same. Maybe we’ll see him in Ankeny more often.

Double Booked

Noah let the Cardinals put him to sleep.

We have a couple of nights where we are going to be double booked with the boys’ activities.

Tuesday was one of those evenings.

Noah had VBS at six. Levi had Kindermusik at six.

We borrowed from one event to make both work during YBHA XI.

That is what happens all the time with families. We are just now entering the double booking time of our lives.

Nothing eventful other than Noah was a little wound up before bed. He tried falling asleep for 15 minutes, then walked down the stairs saying he couldn’t fall asleep. That may have been because I read Dr. Seuss’ “The Sneetches” to him in an active way before bed. He may have been a little wound up after my reading. Oops. My bad.

After Noah came downstairs, he was able to watch the Cardinals lose to the White Sox. I think Noah could tell the Cardinals gave up in the game.

He was asleep soon after the last out was recorded.

So much for my exciting read of the star-bellied sneetches. The excitement before bed thing is why we don’t let the boys watch “The Incredibles” before bed.

A few more things

Grandpa Fish with Levi and Noah following inspection of the tractors.

I have to make a second post in 2012 that says I’ve been busy.

What happened in May?

I was elected president of the Iowa Broadcast News Association.

Started coaching Noah’s tee-ball team for the second time. The Reds are playing good ball.

Went to a few Iowa Cubs game.

Planted a garden after cutting out a bunch of sod.

Had a Go-Pro camera run over twice on Uncle Gordon’s farm.

Checked out the Lego’s in a Reiman Gardens.

Continued work on the Call Committee.

Didn’t have a chance to tell you that Brooke Bouma and Megan Salois are pregnant.

Watched Noah “graduate” from Kindergarten.

Went north to the great town of Elgin.

Spent time on the farm.

And to start June, a friend and colleague Mark Pearson passed away. I hope June gets better.

What has happened?

I have no excuses. I’m not going to claim an active lifestyle on my lack of blogging.

I guess I’ve cashed in on the nice string of weather. For one thing, days on end of 80 degrees in March have finally come to an end. And that’s only because we are now in April.

Thank goodness.

I was getting tired of always being outside, drawing on the sidewalk, playing baseball or soccer in the backyard, going to the park and not wearing a jacket.

Seriously, what has happened?

Well, to sum it up easily, life happened.

Amy returned from Europe earlier in the month.

We played outside.

I mowed my lawn 3 times in the month of March.

Amy and I bought bicycles and actually tried to use them. I guess exercise is important to good health, who knew? Amy does, but I’m still getting used to it.

We actually used vacation days with the boys in a trip to the QC. As you can see in the picture, we just sit in hotels playing on the iPad and DS.

It was on that trip that I learned a good friend from my Girl Scouts Night on Broadway, died. Brian Nelson (tribute story by another great friend David Burke) was such a great person and talent. It was awesome to stand next to him to get my part. No one can replace that voice in the show and it makes my decision to return last December all the more meaningful, as that was my last time talking to the copy editor of the QC Argus/Dispatch before he passed on March 17.

We saw old friends in new places and entertained along the way.

Then there were trips to get frozen yogurt.

I suppose Call Committee at church took a little time. We are looking for a new pastor for care and discipleship.

We hosted two members of the Ritterchor from Wartburg College. Our guys were communication arts majors. They weren’t even at the house 10 hours, but we still managed to bore them to tears with tales of Castle Singers and KWAR. The group was well received at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. We hope they remember us in Ankeny the next time they drive by.

I did get to meet the new director, Lee Nelson. He’s an incredible talent and Wartburg is lucky to have him.

And now this week, baseball begins. The Iowa Cubs will open the 2012 season to some of the coolest weather we’ve had in weeks. The boys are summer are getting the same luck as last year, great weather in Des Moines when the team was on the road, but when at home, bring the cold, rain and snow.

We did have some family health issues with Grandpa Bob Lehmann attempting to play Superman and ending up in the hospital. Mom and Dad survived a month together in Florida and Kris was able to return with them, hitting every 3rd McDonald’s along the way back to Iowa.

And maybe I play Words With Friends a little bit….

But being a dad is what I love to do. Spending time with the clowns is the best medicine for any day. Amy gets attention, too. You have to keep the boss happy.

Maybe next time we’ll get back to the business at hand, telling you who is pregnant on what TV station and maybe dig up some old hat pictures to keep you entertained.

Until next time, good knight.

Game night adventures in YBHA VIII

A boy and his stickers are deeply connected.

Going to an Iowa Cubs is an adventure for our family. And that’s with two parents, not just one. Why I thought taking the boys would be a good idea, I’m still not sure. But that’s what you do when you’re in the middle of YBHA VIII.

Thank goodness the game started at 635p, so I had a chance to get the boys into the stadium and see a little bit of baseball before they melted.

Levi was content removing stickers from a book, lifting his shirt and applying them to his belly.

Then the national anthem arrived and Levi remembered he was as the ballgame. From that point on, he was up and down for rest of the night.

Noah questions Gordon how Iowa Corn could go so long without answering questions about that statue. Bill and Ron were pleased to not be in the middle of the exchange.

Noah wanted his own seat next to Bill. They were talking when Uncle Gordon arrived.

Noah wasted no time in asking the Iowa Corn member about the organization’s Iowa/Iowa State trophy. Noah just couldn’t believe Iowa Corn waited so long to call a press conference to remove the pewter family. He said it was a good idea they finally talked about it, but understands they may have been the ones left holding the bag.

Noah said his talking points and went on to bothering cousin Maddox and his brother. Just like old times sake.

We created a little attention, mostly when the boys were dropping items off our ledge to the ground below. Just normal little boy stuff.

The boys wanted peanuts. I obliged. Levi would keep putting in peanuts in his mouth, chew them, but I had a feeling he wasn’t swallowing them. Eventually they came out of his mouth and it was time to go.

Just another fun night at the ole ball game in the Yeager Boys Home Alone.

Caption This: Late Night Baseball (And a chicken)

What's your caption for this photo?

This week was filled with baseball for me.

The Iowa Cubs returned home for their longest home stand of the season with 13 on the schedule. The first 5 are against the Memphis Redbirds, the Triple A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. These are the games I can wear Cardinal gear into Principal Park.

Wednesday night a double-header was scheduled to begin at 505p. There was rain for most of the day, but light enough to not wash out the game. The game did start with an hour plus delay until 615p. Then the game went into extra innings (the 8 because the PCL plays 2, 7-inning games in doubleheaders).

So, the second game didn’t begin until 920p.

Throw in the fact it was a damp, cool, mid-week game, the crowd was thin.

Then the first game ended and more than half the crowd departed.

Four of us from our section were at the game. We made our way from the protected overhang to our normal seats. Plenty of good seats were still available. If I had to guess, there were no more than 140 people in the stands at the start of the second game. Some of the brave souls had liquid encouragement and were not afraid to let comments fly.

We all could hear their comments which made for almost more entertainment than the game itself.

Our crew was lively and started our own in-house caption contest. Then we opened it up to cyberspace.

Here’s what you all came up with.

Kristine W.: “The quarterly meeting of the Bob Vander Plaats Fan Club”"

Luke Baldwin: “‎”Free Umbrella Night” Proves Unsuccessful In Luring Fans To the Ballpark”

Kristin Roberts: “Ganett’s remaining workforce @ the Register…”

Kristin Roberts: “‎@ Austin…Sorry for the typo, but they fired the proofreaders. “

Julia Jones: “Rapture- June 22nd, 2011″

Brian Stocking: “A good attendance night for the Florida Marlins (last in MLB attendance).”

William S E. Coleman: “I was among the weather wimps.”

Brian Stocking: “A vivid recreation of the crowd at the end of a blowout NFL preseason game.”

Paul Yeager: “Come as your favorite empty seat costume contest a smashing success.”

Scott Harves: “The Pujols effect.”

Bob Palmer: “Boy…people like to stay after the game, right?”

Tony Lutz: “Someone is sitting in my seat without permission.”

Beth Haag: “Where is Ryno?”

LuAnn Weber: “Free Beer?????????????????”

drewmurphy00, Drew Murphy: “The iowa chops have returned as a baseball team.”

Trundlebedtales, Sarah Uthoff: “The few, the loyal, the brightly dressed.”

RHS76, Romelle Slaughter II: “The average crowd at an Oakland A’s game. Until the Yankees come to town.”

and “Apparently, Bernie Madoff Bobblehead Night didn’t go so well for the Mets.”

Any new entries?

The Famous San Diego Chicken works the crowd.

Earlier in the week, the Famous San Diego Chicken made another appearance at Principal Park. He did some of his classic bits to entertain the crowd. He works the field, umpires, players and the dugouts.

Some of the antics may seem tired, but he’s been doing baseball rounds since the 1970s. You’d be tired, too.

I enjoy this baseball throwback to the 80s when I grew up watching the game and the antics of the mascots was the main cutaway on the sports highlights. It was pre-ESPN going mainstream.

The Chicken will sign every autograph (for free) until the crowd is gone.

But really, he’s working the crowd. The Chicken loves the fans. He offers trinkets for sale, but he will sign everything for free after the game.

According to his website, I know the chicken having a website seems incredible, he once signed autographs until 220a in 90 degree Texas heat.

He was doing his bit with the fans in Des Moines as well. He had the long line and was making the kids laugh.

I know I did.

The Fonz Swings a Bat

Alfonso Soriano at the bat.

One of the benefits of going to Triple A baseball games is to see future major leaguers. Sometimes, you get to see current major leaguers sent down to rehab before they come off the disabled list.

This week, 3 big leaguers were at Principal Park. Jeff Baker, Reed Johnson and then Alfonso Soriano all donned the Iowa Cub blue.

I saw one Chicago Cub fan say he was glad to have Soriano in Des Moines, he didn’t have to go all the way to Chicago to boo him.

Soriano battled third, going 0-3 with a ground out, infield pop up and a fly ball about 8 feet from the LF wall. He did get a nice greeting from the crowd. (If you want to hear more about the game, listen to AM 1650 in Cedar Falls on Monday morning. I heard the station had a correspondent at the game today. I wonder how sports director Jesse Gavin pulled that off?)

After Fonzi left in the fifth, he missed all the fun. A couple no-calls, grand slams and a plunked Algona, IA native, this occurred.

Here’s the link if the embedded video doesn’t play.

Supper is another hot dog? Sign me up!

The boys didn’t see the fight, but if they had, Noah would have given this face to the fight.

A quick note on Noah, we are coming up on the last game of his first tee ball season. The Angels will close out the season this weekend. It has been fun to see he and his teammates grow and learn more about the game.

We took Noah and Levi to the Iowa Cubs game Saturday night. Noah ate supper at the ballpark. He enjoyed yet another hot dog.

I have no idea where he learned that face. Must have been something he learned at school.

He’s got a way

Fran Riley and Paul Yeager in the KWQC-TV6 Newsroom in September of 2006.

There are few like him in the world, let alone in the media.

I can’t begin to fully describe Francis J Patrick O’Riley to you. My stories will be the same as anyone who’s ever met him, worked with him and most importantly, watched him in KWQC.

He’s a great co-worker, storyteller and most importantly, friend to all he’s dealt with over his nearly four decade career.

Right now, Fran Riley needs our prayers and support.

This week, he underwent surgery to remove a tumor on his brain. The doctors think it is the non-cancerous kind. I guess that’s good, but the words “brain tumor” get my attention.

Fran Riley's official KWQC-TV picture.

Fran was on a story last week with photojournalist Mike Colon. The pair was on assignment in rural Whiteside County near Morrison, Illinois. Following an interview, Mike took the camera gear out to the KWQC car and was waiting for Fran to join him to head back to the Quad Cities. But the interview subject came out to get Mike, saying, Fran didn’t seem right. Fran was dizzy, couldn’t stand up and was having a little trouble breathing. Fran was taken to the Morrison hospital where the doctors determined he needed to go to Iowa City for further treatment.

There, the doctors confirmed he had a brain tumor. He would have to stay in Iowa City to get ready for surgery. Fran is no stranger to hospitals as he’s been there before to have his heart worked on.

Just like before and now, Fran’s demeanor took over. He’s been in excellent spirits his whole life, including right now.

If there’s ever a case for “laughter is the best medicine,” Fran would never so much as have a headache.

Fran Riley2 KWQC It

Fran is a rare breed. He’s from Boston, Massachusetts and loves living in the midwest and he’s a good guy reporter. He’s been in the QC for almost, gulp, 40 years. He started as a weekend sports anchor at WHBF-TV before he was later  named sports director.

Following the one of thousands shown the door at Channel 4, Fran landed right side up across the river at KWQC-TV6 News. Fran reported and anchored for several years, anchored Saturday morning’s 630a and 9a newscasts. Those shows are memories right now, but Fran is not.

Mr. Riley’s been asked to cover every type of story. His best, are the features that put him in the middle of the singing valentine’s or school children’s good project. But he could knock a breaking news live shot out of the park with his clipboard and tape recorder in hand, all the while keeping his hair perfect.

The stories I remember most are Fran’s Saturday morning stories. After he would anchor the 9a news, he would head out, more times than not, to a parade. Everyone loves a parade, including Fran. He would sing Christmas carols at the Festival of Trees parade, the monster mash during Halloween parade and kiss the blarney stone, breaking out his heritage’s hits for St. Patrick’s Day. He’s be hanging out at the Bix, or a carnival or just plain laughing with people while putting his arm around them.

When I would arrive for the evening weekend shift, Fran and I would talk about the Cardinals or Cubs and usually did a little play-by-play with each other. We did this for six years and it was one of the best things about the job.

I’ve laughed with this guy during and now after my time in Davenport. I can hear his laugh today and have thought about it a lot this week. We were a family at 805 Brady Street.

Photo: Submitted Fran Riley, here with wife Marilyn, had surgery for brain cancer this week. Despite what he's dealing with, his always-sunny attitude is intact. (QCOnline.com)

He’s got help now in providing smiles all over the Quad Cities. His wife, Marilyn, is a bright ray of sunshine herself. Marilyn and Fran are two incredible people together who have been through a lot in their lives apart and now are dealing with another tough chapter, together.

There was a nice story by John Marx of the Argus/Dispatch about Fran. Great work, John. Here’s the link to that story. (The surgery was Thursday and was going to be at least an 8 hour procedure).

The doctors said they would only have to make a smaller cut to get to the tumor. So, his blond hair should stay and will soon be blown about in a live shot.

My best to Fran Riley, KWQC TV6 News.

Summer is fading fast

We all have to finally admit, summer is over.

The kids are back in school.

Football season is here.

The Iowa State Fair is over.

Now minor league baseball is done.

We went to the final Iowa Cubs regular season game on Monday. That was the bookends for us on the season as a family. We made it to the first and the last. Sure, we hit a lot in-between, but this is a good chance to see how the boys have changed in the season.

Noah at I-Cubs opener 2010.

This is how Noah looked on opening night back in April as we were bundled up for the Iowa Cubs home opener. He was in a stocking hat, a winter coat and he needed it as it was cold that night. We also were there to see that Sandberg fella. Ryne was in his first game as manager of the team. There was a bit of extra excitement in the air.

Levi's first baseball game.

Levi was in a winter get up as well. This was his first professional baseball game. He was born in late September, so he had to wait almost 5 months before he could attend his first game. Levi was very bundled up that night.

Fast forward through hot days and a lot of fun with Ron, Bill, Gordon and Chandler and we’re at the end of the season.

The boys of summer entertained us well as the season came down to the last game Monday. Win, and the I-Cubs go to the post-season. Lose, and the opponent, the Memphis Redbirds advance to the play-offs.

Noah's last baseball game of 2010.

Here’s Noah as we walked up to the stadium on Monday. He had a few nights where he didn’t want to go, so I left him at home. He did say as we were leaving Monday that he wants to go to more baseball games next year. No foul balls or t-shirts for him this year. But, he did get his picture with Cubbie Bear.

He did get to be some of the entertainment of Section 10 as a group noticed he was a confused child most nights wearing a Cubs hat and a Cardinals shirt. I guess I can get blamed for his issues that he’ll resolve in therapy later.

Levi's without his winter hat.

Our youngest boy Levi will have the most noticeable change. He did not make a lot of games this year as the grabby hands stage doesn’t do well in sitting through a baseball game. I did take Levi to the fountain today to cool off a bit.

Levi spent most of the game day ‘drinking’ puffs. He didn’t want to sit, but he did enjoy his brother. But, I’m not sure his brother enjoyed him.

You be the judge.

Brothers don't shake hands....

But this will be the picture I remember. Me and my boys at a baseball game. At least one of us was happy. Will we see Ryne Sandberg as manager next season in Des Moines? Did we see Jason Dubois and Bobby Scales play their final professional game? We’re not sure. But we’ll check it out next season from Section 10. The Yeager boys will see you then.

Me and my boys.

My birthday

There's always reason to celebrate one's birthday. Especially with the old box that keeps things cold and Mike G.

I’ve reflected a bit as this birthday approached.

Not about my age or anything, but how I’ve celebrated July 1.

Each year around the holidays Amy and I try to remember what exactly we did for last year, the year before and the year before that. After awhile, they start to melt together. We don’t do the same thing each year, so the tradition is always slightly in motion.

My birthday is the same way. I can’t quite remember each one.

Here’s a look back at a few of my birthday memories that I can recall.

Birth: arrived around 11 AM so my doctor could enjoy the 4th of July. Mom was tired.
1st: Had a big bruise on my nose from falling down a few days before.

A few I’m not sure on the exact year:

Returned from Ewalu Bible camp to attend the funeral of a classmate’s sister.
Went to Applebee’s for a birthday lunch. I think that was the one and only time someone sang Happy Birthday to me at a restaurant. This is why I never dine with friends on my birthday. Especially places that sing.

I was in driver’s ed on birthday when I turned 16, but didn’t get my license for a couple of days until the class was over. So, no ‘driving on my 16th birthday’ to write about here.

Waterloo's Riverfront Stadium.

The high school baseball season was always in full swing on my birthday. We usually had a game. One year we played at Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo against Ed-Co. The boys from Edgewood and Colesburg joined us for the fun that day. I think we won both games pretty easily.

Wolfman Jack died on this day in 1995.

1995 I was working at KWAY radio in Waverly when we found out Wolfgang Jack died. Always fun to be in radio when a radio legend dies on your birthday.

1996 I turned 21 and celebrated with a nice dinner at Christopher’s in Des Moines with my sister Alane. No 21 shots in 21 minutes. I saved that for the night before Michael Graham’s wedding.

2001 Started my first full day as Mr. Paul Yeager. Amy and I started opened presents and took off on our honeymoon that day. We had a nice cake to celebrate with those stuck watching us open place settings, mixing bowls and picnic baskets.

My 4th sister Lis and I having our 30/30 party.

When I turned 30, I celebrated with my 4th sister Lis as we had a joint 30th party at the Erickson ranch in Denver. That was probably the biggest party I’d had.

There’s been a few other trips to the ballpark in Davenport and Des Moines. I think that’s where I’ll end up tonight to see the I-Cubs.

Other notable things about July 1? Princess Diana was also born this day. Also Dan Aykroyd, Alan Ruck (Cameron on Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) and Pamela Anderson.

It’s also the day new laws take effect in Iowa. That’s always fun.

Have I been with you on my birthday? What did we do?

Also today, my pal Frank will be laid to rest.

Thank you to all for the kind words, cards, gifts and celebrations over the years. It means a lot. Including this greeting from my boys.