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Jun 29 2007

Will's First Haircut

Eleven month old Will got his first ever haircut today.

670-first-hair-cut.jpg

In just a few minutes, Will went from baby curls to a handsome young boy.

Posted by Don | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)
Jun 28 2007

Vacation Bible School

quip.gifDrew attended Vacation Bible School, "Bless My Soul, the Seven Sacraments," this week. While only 3 1/2 hours long for five days, it was his first formal institutionalization. At least it wasn't a government program!

With the push to provide universal pre-school/day-care for younger and younger kids, if the trend continues, in the future you'll actually have to place your sperm and egg in a government approved institution before having kids. Because everyone knows society's problems are the result of not yanking kids away from their parents soon enough...don't get me started.

Anyway, back to the original purpose of this post. Today, when Mary picked up Drew, the following conversation took place:

Mama: Mommy and Will missed you today.

(A minute or two of silence goes by while Drew contemplates.)

Drew: But Mama...I didn't miss you today.

How depressing...but I don't think there could be better sign of a happy, healthy, mature, well adjusted...and honest 3 1/2 year old.

Posted by Don | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
Jun 27 2007

Will Plays Peek-A-Boo

Vimeo continues to upgrade and improve their video sharing service. I think it's superior to YouTube in a Betamax over VHS sort of way. Here is our latest upload:

Will is quite the peek-a-boo player. And, I guarantee you, he will remain interested in playing peek-a-boo long after you begin to wonder, "How long will he do this for?" That is...unless you get a camera. YouTube version after the jump...why, I don't know.


Posted by Don | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

star-wars-celebration-iv.gifUncle David and over 35,000 other people attended Star Wars Celebration IV, also known as C4 or CIV, in Los Angeles, California, from May 24 to May 28, 2007. The Celebration coincided with the 30th anniversary of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, the original Star Wars film which debuted on May 25, 1977.

Much like for Celebration III, David took hundreds of photos, which we've gone through and picked out the best. I then photoshopped them and David, using his unmatched knowledge of all things Star Wars, labeled them (with an addition or two of my own).

After updating, there are now 73 photos, click "Continue reading" to see them in the order they were taken (also known as no particular order):

C4-419-biker-scout-trooper.jpg
Biker Scout Trooper (VI)

C4-420-imperial-guard-tuske.jpg
Imperial Guard (II, III and VI), Tusken Raider/Sand People (I, II, and IV)

C4-422-clone-trooper.jpg
Clone Trooper (III)

C4-423-imperial-fleet-offic.jpg
Imperial Fleet Officer (IV-VI), Grand Admiral-? (Expanded Universe)

C4-434-fem-solo-slave-leia.jpg
Fem Solo (Your Dreams), Slave Leia (VI)

C4-441-darth-talon.jpg
Darth Talon (Legacy Comics)

C4-447-commander-cody-appo.jpg
Commander Cody (III), Commander Appo (III)

C4-470-storm-trooper-sith-p.jpg
Storm Trooper (IV-VI), Sith (Expanded Universe), Padme Amidala (II)

C4-471-darth-maul.jpg
Darth Maul (I)

C4-472-mara-jade-snow-troop.jpg
Mara Jade (Expanded Universe), Snow Trooper (V)

C4-474-sith.jpg
Sith (Expanded Universe)

C4-475-han-solo.jpg
Han Solo (VI)

C4-478-clone-trooper.jpg
Clone Trooper (III)

C4-479-quinlan-vos.jpg
Quinlan Vos (Republic Comics)

C4-482-mara-jade.jpg
Mara Jade (Expanded Universe)

C4-503-mandalorians.jpg
Mandalorians

C4-506-grand-admiral.jpg
Grand Admiral (Expanded Universe)

C4-507-rebel-fighters.jpg
Rebel Fighters/X-Wing Pilots (IV-VI)

C4-512-x-wing-pilots.jpg
Rebel Fighters/X-Wing Pilots (IV-VI)

C4-513-commander-gree.jpg
Commander Gree (III)

C4-557-boba-fett-rocket-man.jpg
Boba Fett/Rocketman (C4)

C4-574-slave-leia.jpg
Slave Leia (VI)

C4-577-storm-trooper.jpg
Storm Trooper (IV-VI)

C4-578-501st-clone-troopers.jpg
501st Clone Troopers

C4-583-lyn-me-leia-oola.jpg
Lyn Me, Princess Leia, Oola (Episode VI)

C4-593-mandalorians.jpg
Mandalorians

C4-596-darth-vader-jango-fett-boba-fett.jpg
Darth Vader (III - VI), Jango Fett (II), Boba Fett (IV - VI)

C4-599-gamorrean-guard-emperor-palpatine.jpg
Gamorrean Guard (VI), Emperor Palpatine (III, V, VI)

C4-606-padme-amidala-sundress-packing-dress.jpg
Senator Padme Amidala (II) Sundress and Packing Dress

C4-607-stormtrooper-clone-trooper-kir-kanos.jpg
Stormtrooper (IV - VI), 501st Clone Trooper (III), Kir Kanos (Crimson Empire Comics)

C4-610-darth-talon.jpg
Darth Talon (Legacy Comics)

C4-614-slave-leia-darth-vader-jedi-padme-royal-guard.jpg
Slave Leia (VI) (Amira Sa'id), Darth Vader (III - VI), Jedi, Padme Amidala (II), Royal Guard (II, III, VI)

C4-615-slave-leia-darth-vader-jedi-royal-guard.jpg
Slave Leia (VI) (Amira Sa'id), Darth Vader (III - VI), Jedi, Royal Guard (II, III, VI)

C4-619-slave-leias.jpg
Slave Leias (VI)

C4-623-count-dooku.jpg
Count Dooku (II & III)

C4-624-asajj-ventress-count-dooku.jpg
Asajj Ventress (Clone Wars Cartoons & Republic Comics), Count Dooku (II & III)

C4-630-slave-leia-han-solo-jedi.jpg
Slave Leia (VI), Han Solo (IV - VI), Jedi

C4-632-darth-nihilus.jpg
Darth Nihilus (Knights of the Old Republic II)

C4-633-scout-trooper.jpg
Scout Trooper (VI)

C4-635-commander-bacara-imperial-fleet-officer.jpg
Commander Bacara of the 21st Nova Corps (III), Imperial Fleet Officer

C4-636-queen-amidala.jpg
Queen Amidala (I)

C4-637-durge.jpg
Durge (Clone Wars Cartoon & Republic Comics)

C4-700--commander-cody.jpg
Commander Cody of the 212th (III)

C4-703-slave-leia-jedi.jpg
Slave Leia (VI), Jedi

C4-707-leia-boushh-c3-po.jpg
Leia as Boushh (VI), C3-PO (II - VI)

C4-708-sand-trooper.jpg
Sand Trooper (IV)

C4-710-koyi-mateil.jpg
Koyi Mateil (III)

C4-711-queen-amidala.jpg
Queen Amidala Celebration Dress (I)

C4-712-tie-fighter-pilots.jpg
Tie Fighter Pilots (IV -VI)

C4-713-commander-gree.jpg
Commander Gree of the 41st Elite Legion (III)

C4-714-queen-amidalas.jpg
Queen Amidala's (I)

C4-715-commander-cody-jango-fett-boba-fett.jpg
Commander Cody-212th Clone Trooper (III), Jango Fett (II), Boba Fett (IV-VI)

C4-716-commander-cody-jango-fett-boba-fett-clone-trooper.jpg
Commander Cody-212th Clone Trooper (III), Jango Fett (II), Boba Fett (IV-VI), 21st Nova Corp Clone Trooper

C4-718-senate-guard.jpg
Senate Guard (I & II)

C4-724-boba-fett-rocketman.jpg
Boba Fett-Rocketman (IV-VI)

C4-726a-aurra-sing-imperials-marching.jpg
Aurra Sing (I) and Imperials Marching

C4-726b-aurra-sing-imperials-marching.jpg
Aurra Sing (I) and Imperials Marching

C4-726c-imperials-marching.jpg
Imperials Marching

C4-726d-imperials-marching.jpg
Imperials Marching

C4-728-aurra-sing-imperials-marching.jpg
Aurra Sing (I) and Imperials Marching

C4-737-queen-jamillia-senator-amidala.jpg
Queen Jamillia (II), Senator Amidala (III)

C4-739-kyle-katarn-jan-ors.jpg
Kyle Katarn and Jan Ors (Dark Forces)

C4-799-shadow-trooper.jpg
Shadow Trooper (Expanded Universe)

C4-893-republic-commandoes.jpg
Republic Commandoes (Expanded Universe)

C4-898-republic-commando.jpg
Republic Commando Omega Squad (Expanded Universe)

C4-906-slave-leia-han-solo.jpg
Slave Leia (VI) & Han Solo (IV-VI)

C4-925-padme-amidala.jpg
Padme Amidala (Clone Wars Cartoon)

C4-926-anakin-skywalker.jpg
Anakin Skywalker (III)

C4-932-lobot-r2d2-padme.jpg
Lobot (V), R2-D2 (I-VI), Padme Amidala (Clone Wars Cartoon)

C4-933-slave-leia.jpg
Slave Leia (VI)

C4-934-ewok-gamorrean-gaurd.jpg
Ewok & Gamorrean Guard (VI)

C4-943-x-wing-fighter-pilot.jpg
Rebel X-Wing Pilot in X-Wing

C4-945-trooper-captain-snow-pilot-boushh-imperial-fleet-officer.jpg
ARC Trooper Captain (Clone Wars Cartoon), Rebel Snow Pilot (V), Boushh (VI), Imperial Fleet Officer

Posted by Don | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)
Jun 17 2007

Father's Day 2007

691-fathers-day-caps.jpg

I had a great Father's Day today! As you can see from the photo, Mary got matching embroidered baseball caps for me (Dad), Drew, Will and Pa. In addition to some other gifts, Drew gave me a list of his favorite things to do with Daddy:

     My favorite things to do with Dad are:
          1. Play bad guys
          2. Get a treat (Jamba Juice or milkshake)
          3. Have a pillow fight
          4. Play purple ball
          5. Play Buzz

While the idea was Mama's, Drew came up with the list and order all by himself.

And in keeping with the theme, Kevin Gleeson pointed out this excellent piece:
Boys to Men - Raising three sons has helped me appreciate the masculine virtues.

Also, Uncle Matt recently reminded me of the truly amazing father and son team, Dick and Rick Hoyt.

Posted by Don | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

689-computing-with-friend.jpg

690-teaching-baby-bear.jpgThe other day Drew was doing some computing with Baby Bear.

After hearing what Mary thought was Drew talking to himself, she saw Drew teaching Baby Bear to use the mouse and was able to capture the moment.







Posted by Don | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Yesterday's celebration of Flag Day pushed my original YouTube video, "National Anthem: Star Spangled Banner," over the 20,000 views mark! As of this post it has 20,257 views, 74 comments, a rating of 84/100 and has been favorited 101 times.

[Update 7/9/07: 25,000+ views]

[Update 8/28/07: 30,000+ views]

[Update 10/14/07: 35,000+ views]

[Update 11/16/07: 40,000+ views]

[Update 12/18/07: 45,000+ views]

[Update 1/16/08: 50,000+ views]

[Update 4/25/08: 75,000+ views]

Posted by Don | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
Jun 14 2007

Flag Day 2007

Danz Family Flag

It's Flag Day! Are you proudly displaying Old Glory at your home? If so, I'd love to add a picture of it to the American Flag Project where I am collecting pictures of the American flag flying in front of people's homes.

American Flag Project

Email the Flag Project

So send me your picture and I'll add it to the collection. Happy Flag Day!

Posted by Don | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

688-thomas-recall.jpg

A recall was announced today of various Thomas & Friends wooden railway toys sold from January 2005 though June 2007. Pictured are the pieces we have that are being recalled: James Engine and Coal Tender, stop sign, railroad sign and the 2006 Day out with Thomas car.

Here is a complete list of each piece being recalled:

* Red James Engine & Red James' # 5 Coal Tender
* Red Lights & Sounds James Engine & #5 Coal Tender
* James with Team Colors Engine & #5 Coal Tender
* Red Skarloey Engine
* Brown & Yellow Old Slow Coach
* Red Hook & Ladder Truck & Red Water Tanker Truck
* Red Musical Caboose
* Red Sodor Line Caboose
* Red Coal Car labeled "2006 Day Out With Thomas"
* Red Holiday Caboose
* Red "Sodor Mail" Car
* Red Fire Brigade Truck
* Red Fire Brigade Train
* Deluxe Sodor Fire Station
* Red Coal Car
* Yellow Box Car
* Red Stop Sign
* Yellow Railroad Crossing Sign
* Yellow "Sodor Cargo Company" Cargo Piece
* Smelting Yard Ice Cream Factory

More information can be found at the recall website. There is also a helpful list with pictures. And, here is the form you will need to send in your recalled pieces to be exchanged.

Lead is very useful in paint as it speeds drying, increases durability, improves appearance and resists moisture. In fact, it's still commonly used in industry and by the military. But, as everyone knows lead is extremely toxic and is especially dangerous to small children in which it causes nervous system damage, hearing loss, reduced IQ, kidney damage and other developmental problems.

So, guess where the lead painted Thomas toys were manufactured. Any idea? Take a wild guess. I'll give you a hint, the country just recently exported poisoned pet food all over the world resulting in the death of thousands of pets and the recall of 5300 pet food products. Yep, China. Anybody else getting a little sick of that country?

[Update:] I noticed there are a number of reddish pieces in our set that are not included in the recall, but that there is a tree which is the exact same color as the pieces which are included in the recall. A little after 6 pm, I sent the following email to the manufacturer, RC2 Corporation:

I have the Deluxe Sights and Sounds set and will be exchanging a number of pieces from the set as part of the recall. I could not help but notice that at least one of the trees from the set appears to be the same shade of red as the other recalled pieces. Would you please confirm that the red tree should not be part of the recall.

Don Danz
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Just after 8 am the next morning, I received this reply:

Dear Don Danz:

The red trees are not part of the recall.

Consumer Service

I imagine they are being deluged with inquiries so I'm pretty impressed with their response time to my question. The Danz Family will remain big Thomas fans!

Posted by Don | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)
Jun 11 2007

Boys at 10 Months

687-boys-at-ten-months.jpg

Wow, you really can't tell these guys are brothers! On the left, Drew at 10 months (2 1/2 years ago) and on the right, Will at 10 months.

Posted by Don | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

686-third-birthday.jpg

Today the Danz Family blog is 3 years old. We've had the website since March 9, 2001, but didn't start the blog until June 10, 2004.

To date, there have been 454 entries, 1556 comments, 57 trackbacks, approximately a half-million visitors and a million page loads. Not a bad first three years. Thanks to all the commenters, viewers and linkers and to Drew and Will for making this so much fun.

Here's to the next three!

Posted by Don | Comments (0) | TrackBacks