tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65925374907022730412024-03-13T16:18:43.106-07:00Miner PlaceAngiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-5259493445596465392010-08-04T22:17:00.000-07:002010-08-05T16:18:33.192-07:00Yes, Finally a 2010 Update!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A Confession and a Problem: Where do I begin?</span></b></span></div><div><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I guess by admitting the obvious: I am a lazy blogger. I'm sure there is a 12 step program somewhere to help me admit I am a lazy blogger, make amends for lazy blogging and then having a spiritual awakening. Instead, good old fashioned guilt is helping me admit "I am Chris, and I blog lazily."</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; min-height: 19px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">January--a Sealing to Remember!</span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; min-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So January started off with a bang since we got to seal Will to us and bless him. Angie's parents and my Mom came down as well as Angie's sister Julie and her husband Steve and their kids. It was an amazing experience in the Temple. We were joined by so many friends and Will was so alert and intensely looking at each person as they hugged us.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At the Temple with a few of the friends that joined us:</span></span></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAsFbq6NI/AAAAAAAAAME/4EgrWxXIkdA/s1600/DSC04888.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAsFbq6NI/AAAAAAAAAME/4EgrWxXIkdA/s400/DSC04888.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502062495879850194" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Family shots:</span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtArw6shnI/AAAAAAAAAL8/Ofk_3R6s8l0/s1600/DSC04940.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtArw6shnI/AAAAAAAAAL8/Ofk_3R6s8l0/s400/DSC04940.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502062490372834930" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtArSeoGPI/AAAAAAAAAL0/pvs8ju6N7kU/s1600/DSC04898.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtArSeoGPI/AAAAAAAAAL0/pvs8ju6N7kU/s400/DSC04898.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502062482202040562" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chris' Mom and Chandler:</span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAq9YqfFI/AAAAAAAAALs/kwjepjgvcJY/s1600/DSC04959.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAq9YqfFI/AAAAAAAAALs/kwjepjgvcJY/s400/DSC04959.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502062476539886674" /></a><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">February--Revenge of the Dad...I mean Christopher!</span></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Can I just mention how much I don't enjoy the pinewood derby? It is supposedly about the boys except that the Dads all make the cars and then turn the testosterone up to 11 on race day. There is a lot of trash talking and even a few tears. Of course, my being "above" the pinewood derby comes from me....er....Christopher winning the derby this year! I can't give out any secrets but I did spend a lot of time and money researching and building it. This is because there were tears last year in the Miner household over some wobbly wheels, poor performance and hearing a little too much trash talking. I plotted for a year but I...er...Christopher avenged his performance last year!</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; min-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Christopher did have a cute design, an ice cream sandwich pinewood derby car:</span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAqTxjJOI/AAAAAAAAALk/mWQ-lTfATxI/s1600/IMG_0031.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAqTxjJOI/AAAAAAAAALk/mWQ-lTfATxI/s400/IMG_0031.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502062465369973986" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Angie was happy to point out the good news: I get to make one more car next year with Christopher and then two again in 7 years with Will! I wonder if I can recycle this same car three years?</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; min-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></span></p><div><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">March--It came in like Lion</span></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jackson and “The tree that blew down and sucked a day of our life chopping into tiny bits and hauling to the dump and also did I mention the workers of questionable documentation I hired from a neighbor to help me chainsaw said tree into bits.”</span></span></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAZfIQXAI/AAAAAAAAALc/xCR5ovlTl6Y/s1600/DSC04992.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAZfIQXAI/AAAAAAAAALc/xCR5ovlTl6Y/s400/DSC04992.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502062176360225794" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Random photos of Will being cute:</span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAY_aBTcI/AAAAAAAAALU/DA27qSBzv3o/s1600/26277_1287633124369_1636429866_693184_60831_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAY_aBTcI/AAAAAAAAALU/DA27qSBzv3o/s400/26277_1287633124369_1636429866_693184_60831_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502062167844801986" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAYtXlSvI/AAAAAAAAALM/wH0zKruEqas/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAYtXlSvI/AAAAAAAAALM/wH0zKruEqas/s400/IMG_0046.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502062163002739442" /></a><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">April--Fathers and Sons came early this year</span></i></b></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; min-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jackson and his best friend Andrew at Fathers and Sons campout:</span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAYMuTk1I/AAAAAAAAALE/Uqhx5Vnq8A8/s1600/DSC05069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAYMuTk1I/AAAAAAAAALE/Uqhx5Vnq8A8/s400/DSC05069.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502062154239677266" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Is it just me or does the dog tied up in the background look like a dog that should not be out camping? It looks like a sacrifice to the Mighty Kong.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; min-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The boys spent a LONG TIME throwing rocks into a river. I have to admit that the "adult" boys enjoyed it too. If we had a fire at the same time we would have been diverted for a couple of more hours just putting sticks in the fire. River and fire = hours of boys' fun!</span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAX2ndt5I/AAAAAAAAAK8/NRjHkwXsjRY/s1600/DSC05086.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtAX2ndt5I/AAAAAAAAAK8/NRjHkwXsjRY/s400/DSC05086.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502062148305401746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This used to be boys camping, a tent in the living room (I miss it!):</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtCB9iHtpI/AAAAAAAAAMM/tYqh1IZVj-s/s400/DSC00462.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502063971228169874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chandler almost got himself thrown into the river. We call this particular life lesson “Don't cross Jeff and Shane by splashing them with river water from large rocks you throw near them and expect them to do nothing--also don't expect Dad to intervene to save you, he will be taking pictures.” I admit the title of this life lesson is a bit wordy but it is very descriptive.</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtADE5M1SI/AAAAAAAAAK0/rMpFZPhcuyE/s1600/DSC05099.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtADE5M1SI/AAAAAAAAAK0/rMpFZPhcuyE/s400/DSC05099.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502061791360636194" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Speaking of Chandler, he joined the track team at school. We were so proud of him! (and happy he had something to do after school every day besides beg to play video games). He did the 100 and 200 meter sprints as well as the long jump and hurdles. He got to compete at a couple of meets and appears to have joined because he actually likes it, not as a way to meet girls. I guess that was just his Dad's motivation for sports back in the day.</span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtACtpMRtI/AAAAAAAAAKs/6_48ayDFGNo/s1600/DSC05114.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtACtpMRtI/AAAAAAAAAKs/6_48ayDFGNo/s400/DSC05114.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502061785119475410" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One thing I have always been impressed about Chandler is that he is always smiling-even when he is running hurdles!</span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtACAYQRdI/AAAAAAAAAKk/BVF99toTtsI/s1600/DSC05139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtACAYQRdI/AAAAAAAAAKk/BVF99toTtsI/s400/DSC05139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502061772968838610" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtABd69NMI/AAAAAAAAAKc/raOILmEkz10/s1600/DSC05147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtABd69NMI/AAAAAAAAAKc/raOILmEkz10/s400/DSC05147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502061763719148738" /></a><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">April and May--Baseball takes our every waking moment</span></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Baseball came in the spring and felt like it sucked up our lives for months. Jackson and Christopher both played. Jackson played outfield and second base and enjoyed a great season. Christopher played all outfield but his team won the championship for his division! I was able to help coach his team and we had a great time.</span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtABKIsNWI/AAAAAAAAAKU/QUl8HQqsgvg/s1600/DSC05224.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFtABKIsNWI/AAAAAAAAAKU/QUl8HQqsgvg/s400/DSC05224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502061758408045922" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last year I paid them for each hit and Jackson and Christopher hit so much that they were paid like small banana republic dictators. Baseball essentially turned into a massive wealth transfer system from Chris and Angie to Jackson and Christopher. I think the tax system collected fewer dollars than Jackson and Christopher. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We tried a modified pay-for-play system this year. They still got some money this year but I started skipping games that were "paid" games and paid them much less per hit. Luckily we didn't have a labor dispute or a strike!</span></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; min-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">June--A surprise trip to New York and Washington DC</span></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The family joined me for a business trip to New York and then we drove to DC.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here we are in Times Square:</span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_q6bZW4I/AAAAAAAAAKM/81DNFVq4e84/s1600/DSC05232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_q6bZW4I/AAAAAAAAAKM/81DNFVq4e84/s400/DSC05232.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502061376234412930" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We got lucky with Will--he slept good and was the least grouchy boy. The other boys took turns having meltdowns and fighting with each other. That said, they were actually great kids to travel with. I think we're wearing them down!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; min-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here are Chris excited to be on Wall street, 3 boys who just want to know where the nearest McDonalds is and one boy asleep in his stroller:</span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_qfUHPHI/AAAAAAAAAKE/VqX5Ui4GYFY/s1600/DSC05283.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_qfUHPHI/AAAAAAAAAKE/VqX5Ui4GYFY/s400/DSC05283.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502061368956107890" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At the natural history museum I offered Jackson a dollar if he would ask a security guard where they kept the dinosaur that came alive at night like in the movie Night at the Museum. Of course, this being Jackson (</span><a href="http://minerplace.blogspot.com/2009/01/jackson-day-trader-and-future-wall.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">he who fleeces his classmates out of their lunches through stockbroker-like trading</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">), he asked 3 guards and then demanded I pay him three dollars, one for each time he asked! Angie was horrified at both of us but really mostly at me...</span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_p0AcDpI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/pH_g6rO03EU/s1600/DSC05293.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_p0AcDpI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/pH_g6rO03EU/s400/DSC05293.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502061357330861714" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We got to see our old friends, Shane and Chyayn Fillmore. They are the best! They have 4 girls that are similar in ages to our boys and we are crossing our fingers that we can get them all to go along with the pre-arranged marriage contracts we cooked up years ago. The kids played kickball in the backyard, we roasted marshmellows in their outdoor fireplace and we made them pose for an updated group (engagement) photo.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; min-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Before we left New York for Arizona (2004):</span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_o1xYHTI/AAAAAAAAAJs/3ZiLPRXs7zo/s1600/fillmore-miner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_o1xYHTI/AAAAAAAAAJs/3ZiLPRXs7zo/s400/fillmore-miner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502061340624690482" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Visiting New York (2010):</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_VSaAGII/AAAAAAAAAJk/K3WUqQVEADA/s1600/DSC05365.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_VSaAGII/AAAAAAAAAJk/K3WUqQVEADA/s400/DSC05365.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502061004713891970" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jackson was so excited that Shane is a drummer in a real live band (</span><a href="http://www.myspace.com/highbench"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">Highbench</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-they are awesome!). He got Shane's autograph and had us listen to Shane's CD from New York to DC.</span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_U2XcRaI/AAAAAAAAAJc/QqNXWvUwIy4/s1600/DSC05363.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_U2XcRaI/AAAAAAAAAJc/QqNXWvUwIy4/s400/DSC05363.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502060997186962850" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_UVQngaI/AAAAAAAAAJU/aX1r6J0yves/s1600/DSC05355.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_UVQngaI/AAAAAAAAAJU/aX1r6J0yves/s400/DSC05355.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502060988299968930" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_UASdnYI/AAAAAAAAAJM/7WdL7zSXE48/s1600/DSC05358.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_UASdnYI/AAAAAAAAAJM/7WdL7zSXE48/s400/DSC05358.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502060982670564738" /></a><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We loved visiting DC!--</span></i></b></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Lot's of 11 year olds get lost in the Subway"</span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The boys had a surprisingly great time at the library of congress but they LOVED the </span><a href="http://www.moneyfactory.gov/"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">Bureau of Printing and Engraving</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Something about watching millions of dollars being printed spoke to them!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jackson and Chandler with $1 million:</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs-1No6DeI/AAAAAAAAAI8/ADf19qagaHQ/s400/DSC05421.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502060453678419426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The three musketeers at the Smithsonian:</span></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_ThgJrOI/AAAAAAAAAJE/DltEw9L6pWo/s1600/DSC05385.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs_ThgJrOI/AAAAAAAAAJE/DltEw9L6pWo/s400/DSC05385.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502060974406479074" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Angie in reflection at the Vietnam memorial:</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs-0iPHi6I/AAAAAAAAAI0/mZejbIqXhZE/s1600/DSC05495.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs-0iPHi6I/AAAAAAAAAI0/mZejbIqXhZE/s400/DSC05495.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502060442027527074" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">PDA at the Washington Monument:</span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs-z0jXiNI/AAAAAAAAAIs/49vWHPBDKaY/s1600/DSC05510.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs-z0jXiNI/AAAAAAAAAIs/49vWHPBDKaY/s400/DSC05510.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502060429764430034" /></a><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; min-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We only had one hiccup in Washington DC: we lost Jackson in the subway. I know what you're thinking, no big deal, right? Wrong! As the metro car pulled up, Jackson got on and the doors suddenly closed while the rest of us were on the platform. I was at the doors and saw the horror on his face as he realized he was trapped on the metro by himself. It was scary. As the subway car pulled away, I yelled at him to get off at the next stop. He nodded and began to well up. The car pulled out and was gone. Angie was right behind me. I tried to play it cool. "Lot's of 11 year olds get lost in the Subway". That did not seem to calm her for some reason. It seemed like forever before the next metro came. We got on it, each of us praying to ourselves that Jackson had gotten off at the next stop and was ok waiting for us. Angie was trying to keep it together but that is a lot to ask of a mom! As we pulled into the next station, Jackson was standing on the platform with a very nice family that had seen the whole thing and got off to be with him. There were lots of hugs and a few tears. Thank you random family that helped us with Jackson!</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; min-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; min-height: 19px; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Angie’s 40th Birthday--the pressure was on!</span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For Angie's birthday in June, I had to do something big. It was her big 4-0 (don't tell her I told you). I surprised her with front row tickets to the Yankee/Diamondbacks game where we sat literally on the Yankee dugout so she could politely nod at me while I talked and she stared at Derek Jeeter. We had such a fun time together it was easy to remember why I love her so much!! Lucky for me Derek had other plans after the game.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; min-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Later that weekend, a couple of Angie's girlfriends kidnapped her for an overnight at a resort (shopping, movies, etc) and the next night we threw a surprise birthday party for Angie.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My favorite moments:</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; min-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">->seeing Angie get embarrassed as the 15-person stretch Hummer limo pulled up</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">->taking the neighborhood kids for a quick ride in the limo and hearing Logan Wicke yell out the window "Ha Ha. I'm rich!"</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">->Seeing our friends in matching Manchester United t-shirts for Angie</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-></span><a href="http://thegoodapple.blogspot.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline; letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">Melissa's</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> amazing cake with Angie's favorite things: the New York Yankees, Manchester United, and a Kindle [with an edible typed story about us!]</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">->the drunk Englishman at the English pub dropping 15 f-bombs when he saw the aforementioned Manchester United shirts [he was a Liverpool fan, it figures]</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">->talking Angie into getting a fake tattoo</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Melissa's amazing cake!</span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs-zSmNH6I/AAAAAAAAAIk/rTts5TSQHVw/s1600/IMG_1940.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/TFs-zSmNH6I/AAAAAAAAAIk/rTts5TSQHVw/s400/IMG_1940.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502060420649525154" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">July--Will has a birthday and won’t blow out the candle</span></i></b></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">William had his first birthday and wouldn't blow the candle out. Instead he just smacked it with his hand to put it out. That's what I like, a doer! Will aged big time around his birthday. He started walking behind a little walker he pushed around the house and won't stop eating (just like his old man).</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yes, that’s all!</span></i></b></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That is about it for 2010 so far. I am a recovering lazy blogger and will get on the updates. In our next edition, Steve and Julie move into our house from Las Vegas [that's 8 boys in the house!] and buy a house in our neighborhood (yeah!), school is about to start (bigger yeah!) and Will appears to have little interest in walking on his own (boo!).</span></span></p><p></p><p></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021573410193121755noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-88613502969552657432009-12-29T22:27:00.001-08:002009-12-29T23:16:12.685-08:00End of 2009<div><div><div>Where do I start to catch up 2009? Here we go in order from our last post:<br /><br />Will was a Zebra for Halloween. He was happy, as always, but obviously is too young for candy. That didn't stop his brothers from collecting candy for him--they just didn't share it :) </div><p align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr2wbk7ZmI/AAAAAAAAADk/rhMfSNRpla8/s1600-h/will.halloween.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420916413390612066" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr2wbk7ZmI/AAAAAAAAADk/rhMfSNRpla8/s400/will.halloween.jpg" /></a></p><div></div><div><br /><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>As holidays approached, Angie made the cutest gingerbread houses with the kids. She even had some of our friends over. She is amazing!! <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr3G-gFVzI/AAAAAAAAADs/kgq1XyaA1tI/s1600-h/chan+cam+gingerbread.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420916800722655026" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr3G-gFVzI/AAAAAAAAADs/kgq1XyaA1tI/s400/chan+cam+gingerbread.jpg" /></a><br /><br />In early December Chandler ran his first Triathlon with Chris (Chris' second). Chandler was second in the pool, top 10 on the run and did awesome!! He wants to keep doing them with Chris.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr3SpWYSCI/AAAAAAAAAD0/IA7CdIaumlo/s1600-h/chris.chan.tri.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420917001203238946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr3SpWYSCI/AAAAAAAAAD0/IA7CdIaumlo/s400/chris.chan.tri.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr3XbphqHI/AAAAAAAAAD8/AnDV89kC9OU/s1600-h/chanswim.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420917083424794738" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr3XbphqHI/AAAAAAAAAD8/AnDV89kC9OU/s400/chanswim.jpg" /></a></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div> </div><div>On Christmas Eve we have our own weird traditions: big dinner, talent show, nativity, singing carols and of course, desert! We used to mix in bowling and a movie but we've had to spread Christmas Eve over a couple of days. It was too exhausting as it was. Angie's talent this year was making jam for people (last year she compiled a Christmas caroling song book). Jackson and Chandler baked (cake and cookies, respectively), while Chris and Christopher both did stand up routines. There were jokes ranging from knock knock jokes (Christopher) and material about "Mrs. Claus is so lazy" (Chris). Jackson enjoying some dinner:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr3kvNYo9I/AAAAAAAAAEE/TmObJgRPHMk/s1600-h/jacksonsmasdinner.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420917312013771730" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr3kvNYo9I/AAAAAAAAAEE/TmObJgRPHMk/s400/jacksonsmasdinner.jpg" /></a><br />Will got to be baby Jesus for the Nativity. Chandler was Joseph, Jackson was a wise man and Christopher was a shepherd. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr3zPsFJPI/AAAAAAAAAEM/hDIPFFa5gMA/s1600-h/chan+will+baby+jesus.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420917561250620658" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr3zPsFJPI/AAAAAAAAAEM/hDIPFFa5gMA/s400/chan+will+baby+jesus.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Christmas day brought wonderful presents for all. They all loved opening presents!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr4FJrRh6I/AAAAAAAAAEU/yqOTVRRomeo/s1600-h/xmas+presents.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420917868874270626" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr4FJrRh6I/AAAAAAAAAEU/yqOTVRRomeo/s400/xmas+presents.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr7R_fuqII/AAAAAAAAAE8/4WQ4C11ahoA/s1600-h/will+xmas+present.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 152px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420921388014676098" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr7R_fuqII/AAAAAAAAAE8/4WQ4C11ahoA/s400/will+xmas+present.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>This week Will's adoption was finalized in Utah. Here we are with the Judge that approved and finalized the adoption. We are so grateful! It was more of a hearing than either of us knew. We testified, the adoption agency testified and the Judge asked a few questions. In the end we both got a little misty-eyed when the adoption agency and the Judge both said they found it was in Will's best interest to be with us. Here we are with the Judge after the hearing:<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr4dbte72I/AAAAAAAAAEk/VKyze-LojDw/s1600-h/adoption+hearing.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420918286032236386" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr4dbte72I/AAAAAAAAAEk/VKyze-LojDw/s400/adoption+hearing.jpg" /></a><br />Finally the boys got to enjoy playing in the Utah snow. Here is Chandler sledding with a cousin (Hinckley):<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr4jolCMdI/AAAAAAAAAEs/8lxmYfg-P4k/s1600-h/chandler+sledding.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420918392565674450" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr4jolCMdI/AAAAAAAAAEs/8lxmYfg-P4k/s400/chandler+sledding.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div>Here is Jackson taking a nasty spill:</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr4svshKlI/AAAAAAAAAE0/RD7CyV-ifOQ/s1600-h/jackson+crash.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420918549094935122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/Szr4svshKlI/AAAAAAAAAE0/RD7CyV-ifOQ/s400/jackson+crash.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>Here is a link to a youtube video of Christopher taking a big jump: </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nIKtrqVh_U">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nIKtrqVh_U</a></div><div> </div><div>See you all in 2010!</div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021573410193121755noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-25755022344670186912009-10-19T23:45:00.000-07:002009-10-19T23:59:00.412-07:00Our Beach Vacation<div><div><div>We had a great beach vacation for fall break. It was one of the first times I was sad to come home. It was such a relaxing week. The boys spent 4 days boogie <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394572182323674194" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/St1e0XKbPFI/AAAAAAAAAd4/lLGlLup-_HI/s320/DSC04475.jpg" />boarding and playing in the sand, Will spent 4 days sleeping on the beach <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394571758188212242" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/St1ebrIpsBI/AAAAAAAAAdw/8Ban-IcZKA4/s320/DSC04454.jpg" />and I spent 4 days reading on the beach. We also spent some time at Sea World<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394571747034676066" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/St1ebBlcO2I/AAAAAAAAAdo/Btt3nZTZl74/s320/DSC04502.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394571734660341554" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/St1eaTfK3zI/AAAAAAAAAdg/mSiYyGYkL2I/s320/DSC04490.jpg" /> and caught the BYU and San Diego State football game. It was a fantastic vacation!!!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394571729093972418" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/St1eZ-wC0cI/AAAAAAAAAdY/Mk_fQUDs1q8/s320/DSC04508.jpg" /></div></div></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-71981811132242551912009-09-08T16:15:00.000-07:002009-09-08T22:27:09.817-07:00Our Month of AugustAugust was such a fun month for the Miners. It started with the boys going back to school. That is always a good thing for Mom:). Chandler is in 7th, Jackson is in 5th and Christopher is in 4th. Will and I are spending lots of quality time together.<br /><br /><br /><br />Chris participated in his first triathlon up in Show Low. He swam 25 laps, biked 12 miles and ran a 5k. I think he did great. We loved watching the race. Me and the boys sat on a hill by our hotel and watched him bike up this huge hill. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379246946639529282" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SqbsmPWNxUI/AAAAAAAAAcA/ab749ISST6M/s200/DSC04236.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379246953851008146" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SqbsmqNkNJI/AAAAAAAAAcI/TiVyv9Vjr3A/s200/DSC04277.JPG" /><br />Chandler is loving 7th grade. He said it's really easy (luckily his grades are all A's). In his math class he has only missed one point so far. He also got his reading level tested. No surprise- he is reading at a 12th grader in his 9th month of school. I don't know where he gets his love of reading.<br /><br /><br />Jackson is loving 5th grade. His teacher is great and he is being really diligent in his homework. He also earned his Webelos badge this month. He worked really hard over the summer and earned almost all of the Activity badges. He only has 3 left.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379246962233686626" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SqbsnJcJumI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/o9pv5BCPXxc/s200/DSC04287.JPG" /><br /><br />Christopher is doing great in 4th grade. He is really getting older. He has also finally got the reading bug. He has been finishing a book a week since school started. I am so happy. I love our house full of readers.<br /><br /><br /><br />Will is such a great baby. He was 14 lbs 1 oz at his two month check-up. He is also sleeping great. He is usually sleeping through the night which has been great for his "older" parents who were having a rough time with the multiple nighttime feedings. He is so cute and really talking up a storm now. The boys are amazing with him. We are very blessed that he is in our family.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379247210064348002" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/Sqbs1krlg2I/AAAAAAAAAco/NM0yUfcfb6A/s200/DSC04344.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379246971803733586" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SqbsntF1DlI/AAAAAAAAAcY/-eRH9jc_RG0/s200/DSC04299.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379246978357807730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SqbsoFgcSnI/AAAAAAAAAcg/4otY59WkDH8/s200/DSC04339.JPG" /><br /><br />Now that August is over- the craziness begins. Soccer every night and on Saturdays. I hope we are up for it :)!Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-65765524683453324612009-08-10T18:58:00.000-07:002009-08-10T20:17:28.755-07:00The End of SummerSummer is officially over. Chandler started Jr. High today and Jackson and Christopher start on Wednesday. We had a great end of Summer! Chandler experienced his first summer scout camp. I got the call that every parent dreads getting. "Hi, Chandler was in an accident and they are taking him to the hospital"--my heart droped and I started hyperventilating. Chris then finished his sentence"he cut his hand and they think he may need stitches." My heart started beating again and I thought- no big deal only stitches. He ended up with 5 stitches. <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368534398043230610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SoDdl1_VEZI/AAAAAAAAAa4/1qSFAYKauWI/s200/IMAGE_083.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368534391011336850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SoDdlbyy4pI/AAAAAAAAAao/d2KZ9RhMJUc/s200/0_IMAGE_082.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368534395655773282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SoDdltGHXGI/AAAAAAAAAaw/UgAxKZmfIuk/s200/0_IMAGE_085.jpg" border="0" /><br />Jackson has been trying a new sport this summer. He has started fencing. He has been begging us for 2 years to try it so we finally found a fencing club for him. He has really enjoyed the new sport and is really starting to get into it.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368535862930078082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SoDe7HHkeYI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/WkplwMPzRNw/s200/DSC04177.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368535858057225330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SoDe609ypHI/AAAAAAAAAbI/qACM1y3IG7w/s200/DSC04176.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368535850415001954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SoDe6YfvkWI/AAAAAAAAAbA/L61GhAjisxc/s200/DSC04173.JPG" border="0" />William has become the center of our family. The boys run into his room as soon as they wake up and most of the family fights now revolve around who gets to hold Will. He has 3 great big brothers who are very helpful.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368536891310070786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SoDf2-Id3AI/AAAAAAAAAbY/3s29FyDm1w8/s200/DSC04178.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Will loves to sit in his new high chair while we eat dinner.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368536918612084818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SoDf4j1xiFI/AAAAAAAAAb4/Yi435ryo6S0/s200/DSC04204.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Christopher holding Will so Mom can have a little break.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368536913566666194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SoDf4RC2jdI/AAAAAAAAAbw/gHkDIU4h9p4/s200/DSC04197.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Will and his favorite look. He has started smiling and talking to people.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368536908395064930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SoDf39x2LmI/AAAAAAAAAbo/tJEbH6rk76I/s200/DSC04207.JPG" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>Jackson loves holding Will.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368536897433561762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SoDf3U8a6qI/AAAAAAAAAbg/MjSXPGBmyIE/s200/DSC04188.JPG" border="0" />Will is getting bigger and bigger. He is now 6 weeks old and weighs about 12 pounds. He loves to eat!!!</div><div> </div><div>It has been an amazing summer and we feel very grateful for everything that has happened. I am also very happy that the boys get to experience a new year in school :)</div></div></div></div></div></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-8034627943059193722009-07-07T10:43:00.000-07:002009-07-07T11:03:58.871-07:00What A MonthHere is a quick recap of the last 4 weeks in the Miner family. My Grandmother passed away on June 15th. I think she was very happy to go. The timing led to a tricky situation. We had a scheduled vacation at the end of June and so I decided to drive up to Utah and stay an extra week. Chris was able to fly back and forth so he didn't have to miss too much work. It was wonderful seeing all of the family at the funeral. My Grandma had 56 grandchildren and 53 were able to attend. It was quite a sight. After our time in Idaho we headed back to my parents home for a quite week before our vacation started. <div><div><div><div><div></div><br /><div>On Wednesday, June 24th, I got a call around 5:00pm. It was the adoption agency that we have been working with. They had a baby being born the next day. Was there any way we could come to Utah for the baby? Everyone was a little shocked to learn that we were already in Utah. The birth mother was induced at 7:oo am and William Hand Miner was born at 1:35pm. He weighed 7 pounds 1 oz and was 21 inches long. We signed the paper work on the 26th and brought him home(to my parents house) on the 26th. While we waited for all the legal stuff to happen, we went ahead with our vacation. A week at Aspen Grove. This was heaven! The boys had activities planned for them for the whole week, there was a great cafeteria, Chris got to play lots of sports and I got to play with Will for a week. It was the perfect way to spend our first week together.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355779603300990498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SlONLE4JviI/AAAAAAAAAaA/h-icqLDqlOc/s200/DSC03788.JPG" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355779607110311906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SlONLTEXX-I/AAAAAAAAAaI/tm2LkHsWdDk/s200/DSC03803.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355779617444238322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SlONL5kKk_I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/88W4oCzlfe4/s200/DSC04136.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>After Aspen Grove finished on the 3rd we found out that all of our paperwork had either been finished or was not going to be necessary so we could leave as planned on the 5th of July.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355779623296218370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SlONMPXYtQI/AAAAAAAAAaY/Bkzt3F525fY/s200/DSC04154.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355779631166527986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SlONMsr0GfI/AAAAAAAAAag/wOFIWIqtFQw/s200/DSC04163.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div><div>So after 2 1/2 weeks in Utah we attended a funeral, had a baby, spent a great week on vacation and spent time with 6 of my siblings and all 3 of Chris' siblings. It was an action packed trip!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-1815806778704768282009-04-20T16:51:00.001-07:002009-04-20T17:11:57.021-07:00Trip with the girlsJust wanted to give a quick update of my trip to England. Most people who know me know that England is my favorite place on earth. I certainly enjoyed this trip. I got to drive on really narrow roads, see Stonehenge, eat digestives, eat English sausage, see lots of castles and old buildings, travel to Paris and see Wicked.<br /><br />Stonehenge<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326929537952479122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/Se0OMQUxd5I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/ly9JzxYlmek/s200/DSC02550.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Roman Baths in Bath<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326926848212889170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/Se0LvsQ4blI/AAAAAAAAAZI/QgraZpFxMFY/s200/DSC02584.jpg" border="0" /><br />Abby in Bath<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326926843177278354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/Se0LvZgTG5I/AAAAAAAAAZA/6ifYFQZ7Tao/s200/DSC02563.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Notre Dame<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326926846688433666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/Se0LvmlbFgI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/t8vmlBzZWU0/s200/DSC02628.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Eiffel Tower<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326926850380171426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/Se0Lv0VmiKI/AAAAAAAAAZY/2hP0aa4ao4A/s200/DSC02668.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Parliment in London<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326927791617873650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/Se0MmmuKFvI/AAAAAAAAAZw/T8BQkthZecU/s200/DSC02714.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Yeomen at Tower of London<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326927787245268290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/Se0MmWbpbUI/AAAAAAAAAZo/lMmzGZIwiYo/s200/DSC02760.jpg" border="0" />Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-88989850069511020732009-03-30T13:25:00.001-07:002009-03-30T13:54:40.688-07:00Angie is in England!!Angie is touring around England this week with some friends and I am attempting to manage the boys by myself. If you are a wife and giggling at the thought of your husband trying to do it all you may be on to something.<br /><br />I am beginning to suspect that there is a lot more that goes on at home than I am aware of. Apparently there is no a meal fairy that cooks meals, or dishwasher fairy that emptys the dishwasher or homework fairy that tutors the boys through their homework. I think Angie may do some of that stuff!?!?!?<br /><br />Little things have already stopped working right. Angie was gone less than one hour when I looked up at church and noticed our oldest passing the sacrament with white ankle socks underneath his suit pants. Clearly something that someone (Angie) would have noticed and fixed under normal circumstances!<br /><br />This morning was our first school morning on our own. I had to make executive decisions about after school activities (yes), book reports (next week when your mother is back) and whether or not batting practice in the backyard could take the place of piano practice this week (yes again--sorry Angie!).<br /><br />Luckily for me, I have low expectations of myself this week. I will consider the week a success if we can make it through the week with the boys wearing clean clothes to school every day and without starving one of the pets (goldfish or Shaggy the dog). I am going to give myself bonus points for anything else that gets done such as laundry, boys making it to scouts on time, boys playing less than 2 hours of Guitar Hero per day or us eating out no more than once per day.<br /><br />So if you see my boys wearing the same clothes this week, you will know I have failed miserably and there is a good chance that one or more pets at our house needs to be replaced.<br /><br />Thank you in advance for your prayers!!<br /><br />-ChrisChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021573410193121755noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-84585949831716767332009-03-09T19:37:00.000-07:002009-03-09T19:53:36.954-07:00A Busy MonthFirst I apologize for the lack of pictures. My laptop is broken and I am too lazy to transfer the pictures to my desktop.<br /><br />We started the month off with a fun trip to Las Vegas for my nephews blessing. The boys loved playing with the Shaw boys and I loved holding baby Jacob. He is a beautiful baby.<br /><br />Jackson turned 10 and had a fun birthday. For his party he wanted to have a nerf war. So we got some boxes and duct tape. The boys made forts and played steal the flag using their nerf guns. It was a fun but easy way to entertain the boys for a couple of hours.<br /><br />We also finished up our basketball season. Christopher and Jackson both had a good time playing and Christopher was very happy to beat his scoring record from last year.<br /><br />Chandler turned 12. I don't know how I feel about this but there was nothing I could do about it. He was very excited to turn 12, receive the priesthood, go camping with the scouts, and have his mormitzvah.<br /><br />My parents came to Arizona for Chandlers big day. We were very happy to have them and keep trying to convince them that Arizona is a great place to retire. I was very happy to have them here. During their visit they got to see they boys pinewood derby, 2 basketball games, 2 baseball practices, Chandler's mormitzvah, a day of church and a nice Sunday dinner.<br /><br />Chandler's mormitzvah is a fun little tradition that we have started. When a child turns 12 we have a little party and call it a mormitzvah. He had to do some fun things: feats of strength, a blind taste test, shave a balloon, recite 5 generations of his lineage, recite a Hebrew phrase and sing a song in German. He did great!!! We are really proud of who he is and the decisions he has made in his life.<br /><br />February was exhausting and I am hoping that March will be a little calmer.Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-28029481185902373352009-02-18T13:12:00.001-08:002009-02-26T10:50:24.363-08:00I miss summer....(vacations)I ran across this picture of Christopher on our computer and it made me really antsy to be done with winter. I love how fun and carefree Christopher looks. It's hard to look like that in winter!<br /><div><div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SZyNMf1AFzI/AAAAAAAAADE/r1XA36_kc6k/s1600-h/christopherbeach.tongue.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304269706977351474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SZyNMf1AFzI/AAAAAAAAADE/r1XA36_kc6k/s400/christopherbeach.tongue.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I know that Arizona has pretty mild winters and it is 1,000 degrees (Farhenheit, only 600 degrees celcius) in July, but summer has vacations and sneaky three day weekends that involve getting out of town.</div><br /><div>That was all I had. Oh, and I took Chandler to the Suns game the other night and he got to high five Shaq, Nash, Amare and all the players. He was very excited.</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>I was a little surprised they handed out packs of cards to us when we walked in. I thought it would be normal playing cards but they were Suns Dancers cards! Can you believe they handed these out?</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SabkJzpuEkI/AAAAAAAAADc/Du_JEBBfOH0/s1600-h/sunscard.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307180068037857858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 219px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SabkJzpuEkI/AAAAAAAAADc/Du_JEBBfOH0/s400/sunscard.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SaW6w-BweDI/AAAAAAAAADU/kOJy7Eu51nw/s1600-h/sunscard.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SZyOSwyIX3I/AAAAAAAAADM/ttYu3Pm3Rko/s1600-h/sunscard.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div>I had to get 3 packs just to make sure they are all the same inappropriate cards.</div></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021573410193121755noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-76102071854172247652009-02-05T18:24:00.000-08:002009-02-05T18:39:15.090-08:00Just a little updateI know- it's about time. It has been a month since our last update-but it seems like it was just a couple of weeks. I can't believe it is already February. Things are a little busy around here- but as always we cope. Jackson and Christopher are in the middle of basketball. Both are doing great. Christopher has improved about 1000%. He has some great coaches and they are very supportive. <br /><br />Jackson always has to be doing something. This week he met with the principal of his school to try and start a new school club. He wants to start a "Green" club. He created the hand-out and he and his friend met with the principal to present their ideas for the after school club. I was very proud of his ingenuity. <br /><br />Chandler is counting down the days until he turns 12. He is going on his last 11 year old camp out next week and he is very excited. He is preparing for his birthday and is really excited to receive the priesthood.<br /><br />I am just trying to keep my planner updated and make sure I don't miss anything.Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-30300044211986122022009-01-09T11:59:00.000-08:002009-01-10T13:52:19.010-08:00Angie is throwing up and we visit a hospital!So Angie woke up feeling sick yesterday. Around 1 pm she began throwing up and did that several times an hour until 8 pm when I threw her in the car and we went to my new favorite hospital, <a href="http://www.gilberter.com/">Gilbert Hospital</a>.<br /><br />Before I go on, I know what you are all thinking: "What? Chris, the FedEx BCS National Championship football game was going on and you stopped watching to take care of Angie? You are a Saint!"<br /><br />I appreciate your kind thoughts, I really do, but nothing is too good for my Angie! Plus she was puking a lot! I knew our good old friend, Dehydration, would be coming for a visit soon.<br /><br />The people at Gilbert Hospital could not have been nicer! They gave me a nice chair, they put the football game on a nice small flatscreen in the room for us to watch and they have a soda fountain right there in the ER! Free Diet Cokes all night long! And as an added bonus, they took really good care of Angie.<br /><br />We were there for a total of 5 1/2 hours with all kinds of tests, IVs, doctors, nurses, etc. The long and short of it is that she was really dehydrated, had a nasty virus and has to stay in bed on various drugs for a couple of days.<br /><br />The only sketchy part of the whole evening was near the middle of our stay in the hospital when she was dehydrated and starting to go in and out of being lucid. I knew she was totally out of it when she turned to me at halftime of the game and said "If I die, you can remarry."<br /><br />This was not what I was expecting to hear from my poor sick wife. She wasn't THAT sick, but she felt like dying. I copy the exchange below. Now all you women with perfect husbands can cast the first stone. If not, don't pretend your husband isn't the same!<br /><br />Angie: If I die, you can remarry.<br /><br />Chris: Don't worry, I wouldn't remarry.<br /><br />Angie: Seriously, it's ok and I know you--you can't be alone.<br /><br />Chris: I didn't say I would be alone, I just said I wouldn't get remarried.<br /><br />Suddenly it was like a flash of white hot energy went through her entire body. She had a heaven-sent source of adrenaline! It was a hospital miracle! She was going to live!<br /><br />When the doctors pulled her off me she was still screaming "I am beating you on behalf of all women" over and over. Luckily the drugs kicked in soon after and she was able to rest.<br /><br />If she asks me about it today I will tell her she was dreaming and that the entire night was a blur of pain, drugs and football.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021573410193121755noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-71875028575123450542009-01-09T11:28:00.000-08:002009-01-09T11:59:24.907-08:00Jackson the Day Trader and Future Wall Street BaronA quick one while Angie recuperates:<br /><br />I usually make the boys school lunches (unless they get hot lunch but they are all so picky and for some reason the school doesn't offer pizza every day). This morning Jackson made his own lunch before I got up.<br /><br />Christopher, sensing an opportunity, immediately alerted me that Jackson had not made a "normal" lunch. Here is the exchange:<br /><br />Chris: Jackson, what did you pack in your lunch?<br /><br />Jackson [confused by the question]: Nothing.<br /><br />Christopher [running up to me]: He only packed cookies! He only packed cookies, He only packed cookies!<br /><br />Chris [turning to Jackson]: What? How many cookies?<br /><br />Jackson: 8.<br /><br />Chris: [only sputtering noises came out of my mouth]<br /><br />Jackson [very defensively]: What? Do you know what I can trade those for? I can have the best lunch in the school.<br /><br />Sensing he was correct, I let it go. I admire his business acumen. Plus Angie was asleep so I couldn't get in trouble for letting him leave the house with a lunch consisting solely of 8 Oreo cookies.<br /><br />I'm sure somewhere a mother or two or three lovingly packed some nice lunches that were all eaten by my son Jackson. It's not all a loss, though, as your son(s) and/or daughter(s) probably got a couple of Oreos out of the deal.<br /><br />The street value of this pile of Oreos can only be calculated in an elementary school lunchroom:<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SWeqIDYSh3I/AAAAAAAAAC8/LZQ0XSutHrs/s1600-h/oreos.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289383342692796274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SWeqIDYSh3I/AAAAAAAAAC8/LZQ0XSutHrs/s320/oreos.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><hr>Jackson's future employment:</div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SWep0pb3DoI/AAAAAAAAAC0/rIdTCYIa-ec/s1600-h/wallstreet.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289383009310936706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 176px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 176px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SWep0pb3DoI/AAAAAAAAAC0/rIdTCYIa-ec/s400/wallstreet.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021573410193121755noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-88050026131907561012008-12-30T21:57:00.000-08:002009-01-09T11:26:34.588-08:00Village Inn ripped me off!! (but it might be my fault)<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SVsOIUcKwsI/AAAAAAAAACc/O9ug7_xWI7M/s1600-h/blank.jpg"></a>OK, so Angie and I went out shopping last night and stopped by <a href="http://www.villageinn.com/pies/">Village Inn</a> to pick up some pie to eat at home. We have never really gotten pie from Village Inn but the <a href="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/">Cheesecake Factory</a> was 15 minutes further away.<br /><br />It went wrong from the very start.<br /><br />There was a nice young woman behind the counter. Here is the exchange; you tell me where it went off the tracks:<br /><br />Village Inn Girl: "Can I help you?"<br /><br />Chris: "She would like a slice of Cherry pie and I would like a slice of Chocolate Peanut Butter."<br /><br />Village Inn Girl: "That will be $6.50."**<br />**take note that my slice of pie cost $3.80<br /><br />I swiped my debit card and the machine instantly asked me if I wanted to tip 15% or 20%. We have now been in the building 3 minutes. I saw Village Inn Girl move out of my line of vision as she headed to the back to get our pie, so I turned my head slightly to Angie behind me and out of the corner of my mouth uttered:<br /><br />Chris: "Tip? 15% tip? 20% tip? How about zero?"<br /><br />It is at this moment I realizeed much to my horror that my superhero-like spidey-senses have detected Village Inn Girl right behind me. She whispered in my ear:<br /><br />Village Inn Girl: "If you want zero just hit zero. That's fine."<br /><br />I was mortified; Angie was mortified but it was too late. Village Inn Girl gave us our pie and I slinked out.<br /><br />When we got to the car I opened the pie container to make sure she hadn't spit in my food. What I found was almost as bad: I had received the smallest piece of pie I have ever seen at a restaurant. And I had paid $3.80! Here is a dramatic recreation using Village Inn's website (click to enlarge):<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SVsOSCZLD-I/AAAAAAAAACk/SlhRoODwPnI/s1600-h/chrispie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285834290692296674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 182px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SVsOSCZLD-I/AAAAAAAAACk/SlhRoODwPnI/s320/chrispie.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In the interest of social studies, I went to my friend Kimball's house and "talked him" (ie, had to pay him in pie) into going to Village Inn to order pie as well. This time he was ready to tip big. He ordered, he got a bigger slice.<br /><br />Angie and I want to make the world a better place. Friends and followers of this blog know that we both want to teach others our valuable life lessons.<br /><br />Here is what Chris learned: Drive the extra 15 minutes to the Cheesecake Factory if you can. It is so loud there that they won't hear you announcing you won't be tipping.<br /><br />Here is what Angie learned: stop going out in public with her husband.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021573410193121755noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-85069389400386340072008-12-15T22:18:00.000-08:002008-12-15T22:45:19.313-08:00A Little CultureLast week we took the boys to the Hale theater to see "A Christmas Carol". I didn't actually tell the boys where we were going until right before we left for the play. To say that they were not happy would be an understatement. Chandler sulked up until the play started, Jackson just wanted to know what candy he could buy and Christopher ran around outside throwing rocks. I was afraid it was going to be a huge disaster. <br /><br />We have taken the boys to see musicals before. They have seen "The Lion King" and "Wicked" and they loved both. So I was a little surprised at their reaction to this play. It was almost magical to see how they all softened during the play. It was a great show!! The music and actors were really good. During intermission Jackson asked if we could sit in the balcony next time we come and see a play. Chandler thought it would be cool if we could get season tickets and Christopher decided he wanted to be an actor. <br /><br />I was surprised that the boys didn't know the story of Scrooge- I guess I have been slacking in my parental duties--but they really got the point and loved the play. I loved the play and think we are going to make it a new Christmas tradition. So at this Christmas time I say "God bless us, every one."Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-43213348754141855982008-12-03T21:43:00.000-08:002008-12-03T22:21:26.500-08:00The End of an EraAlert- If you are 12 or younger or think Santa is the most amazing person ever please don't read this post.<br /><br />Tonight when I was bringing Chandler home from scouts we had an interesting conversation. Here is how it went:<br />Me: How was scouts?<br />Chandler: fine. <br />Me: What did you do?<br />Chandler: We went to the High school and played football.<br />Me: Sounds like fun. So how was school?<br />Chandler: Fine.<br />Me: So- What do you and your friends talk about at school?<br />Chandler: Nothing really. <br />Me: Are you excited about Christmas?<br />Chandler: Of course<br />(good thing I learned how to ask find out questions on my mission or this would have been a very short conversation).<br />Me: What do you think Santa is going bring you?<br />He kind-of gave me a funny look.<br />I repeated the question- again the funny look. <br />Me:Chandler- do you and your friends talk about Santa? <br />Chandler: sometimes<br />Me: what do you talk about?<br />Chandler: we mostly talk about if he is real.<br /><br /> Now I know that Chandler is almost 12 and we probably should have had this conversation a couple of years ago- but I was hoping to hold off one more year. <br /><br />Me: Do you think Santa is real?<br />Chandler: well I don't think he can be real. I mean who believes in Santa. Of course he is easier to believe in then the Easter bunny. I mean really, who would believe that a huge bunny hops around the world delivering candy.<br />I sat in stunned silence. <br />Me: so you don't believe in Santa? (I asked it like it was unbelievable that this could be true)<br />Chandler: well kind-of<br />Me : what do you mean kind-of? <br />Chandler: I kind-of hope he's real.<br /><br />The rest of the ride home was quiet. I have to admit that I was a little teary to see my baby begin to see the world as a teenager. How I have enjoyed the innocence of youth. How I have enjoyed watching them as they look at things through eyes that think anything is possible. It makes me sad to see a little bit of that belief lost to the reality of the world. I wish I could keep them young forever and that they would have the absolute belief in all things good.Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-21842562631886878962008-12-02T19:28:00.000-08:002009-01-09T11:26:22.242-08:00Bobby Flay Loves MeOK, so my post about being in New York and meeting Bobby Flay really starts with trying to explain a monumental injustice in the world (not monumental like children starving in Africa or testicular cancer but still...).<br /><br />A couple of years ago, we got together with the <a href="http://wickeworld.blogspot.com/">Wickes</a> and the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Shilo-Maynes-Richins/1495244212">Richins</a> to recreate the TV show the Iron Chef. Have you seen <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/iron-chef-america/index.html">Iron Chef</a>? Famous Chefs are given 1 hour to create meals using a secret ingredient revealed to them only moments before the 1 hour starts. The girls picked a secret ingredient (sour cream) and Kimball, Thomas and I had to create a main dish and a dessert in 90 minutes. We had to shop, gather supplies, and cook in the same kitchen in those 90 minutes. We called it Iron Chef Mesa.<br /><br />Long story short, we made the mistake of having Thomas' brothers be the judges. There was a controversy involving a simple shake with a sprig of parsley being declared a winner over stuffed crepes, yada yada yada, Thomas wins the desert portion, splits the votes and leaves Kimball as Iron Chef Mesa.<br /><br />Fast forward 3 years later: Chris is in New York City trying to put the ugly memories of Iron Chef Mesa behind him while drowning his sorrows in Diet Cokes. I was walkiing up 5th Avenue near Central Park and who do I see coming my way? None other than famous Iron Chef Bobby Flay:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/STYFyvd3ojI/AAAAAAAAACE/yTTcvuD97Cc/s1600-h/chrisbobby.small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275410382804460082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/STYFyvd3ojI/AAAAAAAAACE/yTTcvuD97Cc/s320/chrisbobby.small.jpg" border="0" /></a>I quickly explained the facts of Iron Chef Mesa to him. His eyes grew large in disbelief as I regaled him with the ins and outs of the culinary horror that robbed the world of Iron Chef Miner. I could have sworn that I saw one lonely tear roll down his face. In our minds, we hugged goodbye, one Iron Chef to another. Both being germaphobes, however, we kept our goodbyes to a nod of the head and a picture taken by a passing old man.<br /><br />Once I knew Bobby was on my side, my day perked up. I put down the Diet Coke and saw the city in a whole new light. The grass was greener, leaves were goldnener and the taxi drivers swore less.<br /><br />Here are some pictures I took in Central Park:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/STYIr2OwnII/AAAAAAAAACM/5YlgO4HOGmM/s1600-h/essexhouse.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275413562895932546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/STYIr2OwnII/AAAAAAAAACM/5YlgO4HOGmM/s320/essexhouse.jpg" border="0" /></a>Pretty, eh?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/STYI575THzI/AAAAAAAAACU/WShVbUsXQGs/s1600-h/park.lake.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275413804934700850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/STYI575THzI/AAAAAAAAACU/WShVbUsXQGs/s320/park.lake.jpg" border="0" /></a>In the end, the trip was good since the conference I was in New York for was excellent and I was able to get some new purses for the girls through some tough haggling with Nigerians selling counterfeits on the streets late at night. Plus I will always have Bobby...Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021573410193121755noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-11110893302702930742008-11-06T20:46:00.000-08:002008-11-06T21:00:29.536-08:00BraveheartI have my own Scottish Highlander. You know how I love Scotland. My brave highlander actually walked the streets of Mesa on Halloween night. I am sure he was there to protect me and the boys. What a brave soul he is.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265774920373879234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SRPKZAwLwcI/AAAAAAAAASg/WVGxzfxRe_M/s200/DSC01780_edited-1.JPG" border="0" />Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-50338871119861210012008-11-06T20:27:00.000-08:002008-11-06T20:45:17.669-08:00A Little ObsessedI have become a little obsessed with canning. About a month ago I went a little overboard canning peaches and pears. I bottled 36 quarts of pears and 36 quarts of peaches-no one in my family likes peaches. Last week I canned apples. This was the first time I have ever worked with apples. I ended up bottling 24 quarts of apples and 24 pints of applesauce. It was a lot of work-but it ended up being a lot of fun because I did it with a good friend. Chris is now worried that I am going to fill every closet with fruit.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265770290632665714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SRPGLhn3KnI/AAAAAAAAASY/L1TVhbe9FbU/s200/DSC01779.JPG" border="0" />Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-59058790576288038222008-11-04T20:32:00.000-08:002008-11-04T20:54:36.761-08:00Artistic PumpkinsCarving pumpkins was so much fun this year. The boys were very creative, their level of pumpkin carving is getting very high. Even Chris created a great pumpkin. Guess who he carved?<br /><br />Here are the before, during and after pictures.<br /><br />Christopher hated cleaning out the pumpkin- I thought he was going to throw-up. It was so funny watching him clean it out.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREj0viI97I/AAAAAAAAARY/cu26z99GsBY/s1600-h/DSC01723.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREj0viI97I/AAAAAAAAARY/cu26z99GsBY/s200/DSC01723.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265028828392650674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREjz8OOL-I/AAAAAAAAARI/UX7CpFPzTN8/s1600-h/DSC01725.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREjz8OOL-I/AAAAAAAAARI/UX7CpFPzTN8/s200/DSC01725.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265028814618898402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREj0ZBPtLI/AAAAAAAAARQ/ozFEB2dhT24/s1600-h/DSC01727.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREj0ZBPtLI/AAAAAAAAARQ/ozFEB2dhT24/s200/DSC01727.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265028822349100210" border="0" /></a><br />Jackson tried a very difficult pattern which didn't work. He adapted well and changed his pumpkin to a spider/throw-up design. I think the inspiration came after he ate some raw pumpkin.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREkgmHPTrI/AAAAAAAAARo/1ReZGcqalag/s1600-h/DSC01722.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREkgmHPTrI/AAAAAAAAARo/1ReZGcqalag/s200/DSC01722.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265029581778144946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREkgKzcRvI/AAAAAAAAARg/Mhd4aUDhFPk/s1600-h/DSC01729.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREkgKzcRvI/AAAAAAAAARg/Mhd4aUDhFPk/s200/DSC01729.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265029574447351538" border="0" /></a>Chandler chose to carve a skull. I didn't think it turned out very well until it was outside and lit. It was amazing!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREk-kD-33I/AAAAAAAAARw/-GR3pTwclWg/s1600-h/DSC01720.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREk-kD-33I/AAAAAAAAARw/-GR3pTwclWg/s200/DSC01720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265030096623689586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREk-2FwwlI/AAAAAAAAAR4/yg1vHRlkxHg/s1600-h/DSC01728.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREk-2FwwlI/AAAAAAAAAR4/yg1vHRlkxHg/s200/DSC01728.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265030101462991442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREmyvSspyI/AAAAAAAAASQ/0CKFONoPGF0/s1600-h/DSC01758.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREmyvSspyI/AAAAAAAAASQ/0CKFONoPGF0/s200/DSC01758.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265032092503025442" border="0" /></a><br />Chris worked very hard on his pumpkin. We are very proud of his pumpkin carving skills. Of course he couldn't help himself- he had to do the throw-up joke. That really caught on with the boys--thanks Chris. Can you tell who he carved? That is my cute little bat in the background.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREl43-t-MI/AAAAAAAAASA/p8ANa66n-JA/s1600-h/DSC01721.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREl43-t-MI/AAAAAAAAASA/p8ANa66n-JA/s200/DSC01721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265031098402732226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREl5LZSpLI/AAAAAAAAASI/uioVXUXJB3I/s1600-h/DSC01735.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREl5LZSpLI/AAAAAAAAASI/uioVXUXJB3I/s200/DSC01735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265031103614461106" border="0" /></a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-15367893466069651342008-11-04T20:20:00.001-08:002008-11-04T20:32:33.160-08:00Piano RecitalSo I have been quite a slacker when it comes to our blog- so here comes some updates.<br /><br />The Boys had a piano recital a few weeks ago. I am always so proud of the boys and how hard they work to memorize their music.<br /><br />Christopher is always a hoot. Everyone watches to see what funny thing he does. He is always soooo serious.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREgXfsYAoI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/LqRsZ9vaGHE/s1600-h/DSC01717.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREgXfsYAoI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/LqRsZ9vaGHE/s200/DSC01717.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265025027389522562" border="0" /></a><br />Jackson played so well. He worked very hard this year and I am glad I won't have to hear the song "The Train" any more. The train whistle was very loud at 6:30am in the morning.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREgXuS4tQI/AAAAAAAAARA/444fPM9lfWA/s1600-h/DSC01718.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREgXuS4tQI/AAAAAAAAARA/444fPM9lfWA/s200/DSC01718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265025031309145346" border="0" /></a>Chandler always takes his recital so serious. He practices hard and is very responsible. He didn't really want his picture taken and rushed out of the room so the picture is not great.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREgWsz8-tI/AAAAAAAAAQw/XipObFnSqF4/s1600-h/DSC01716.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SREgWsz8-tI/AAAAAAAAAQw/XipObFnSqF4/s200/DSC01716.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265025013731097298" border="0" /></a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-73836425469619562282008-10-28T22:19:00.000-07:002009-01-09T11:27:27.692-08:00NBA is FANtastic!So last week a former (law) partner of mine gave me 4 center court tickets to a Phoenix Suns game. Of course since there are 5 of us in the family we had a major decision to make. Should I leave a boy home? Should I stay home and Angie go? Should we give away the tickets since we can't all go?<br /><br />We decided to settle it the old fashioned way: Angie and I arm-wrestled for the right to take the boys to the game.<br /><br />Here is the first picture of the night that the winner took. Can you guess who took it?<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SQf2RX5D11I/AAAAAAAAABk/S2ibv4A6edo/s1600-h/cheerleaders.small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262445467937265490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SQf2RX5D11I/AAAAAAAAABk/S2ibv4A6edo/s320/cheerleaders.small.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />What can I say? I love dancing. Just kidding. Long story short, Angie let me go even though I lost the arm wrestle. Plus she had book club that night. Now in most marriages it would be no sacrifice for a wife to skip sports and go do girl-talk with appetizers. In our marriage however, Angie is a HUGE sports fan and although I love sports, I am also happy to spend an evening yacking it up and eating finger foods.<br /><br />Thanks for sacrificing Angie. The boys and I had a great time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SQf2kO7cwVI/AAAAAAAAABs/3AnESknCTf0/s1600-h/boys.game.medium.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262445791948882258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SQf2kO7cwVI/AAAAAAAAABs/3AnESknCTf0/s320/boys.game.medium.jpg" border="0" /></a>The tickets included passes to all the clubs at the Arena and the area underneath the stadium between the floor and the locker room. At half-time and after the game we gave the players high fives as they ran into the locker room.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SQf3Gm6joaI/AAAAAAAAAB0/q1WkXmrILKc/s1600-h/players.medium.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262446382503141794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SQf3Gm6joaI/AAAAAAAAAB0/q1WkXmrILKc/s320/players.medium.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After the game we talked Amare Stoudemire into stopping and signing autographs for the boys. They were so excited!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SQf3WCPAw-I/AAAAAAAAAB8/4y2c2hhJWiI/s1600-h/amare.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262446647534732258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SQf3WCPAw-I/AAAAAAAAAB8/4y2c2hhJWiI/s320/amare.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />All in all it was quite a lot of fun and hopefully the boys remember the good time we all had with Amare, Shaq, Nash. And the Suns dancers. OK, I don't want them (or Angie) to remember that part.<br /><br />-ChrisChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021573410193121755noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-34182797097912132352008-09-30T16:03:00.000-07:002009-01-09T11:28:03.812-08:00Camping = Fun!!<span style="color:#000000;">So Chandler and I went on our first 11 year old Scout campout this past weekend. Fate, sickness and vacation schedules had conspired to keep us from going on earlier scout campouts.<br /><br />Needless to say, Chandler was so excited to play with friends in dirt and lake water. How could I deny him?<br /><br />We went to a place north of here called Apache Lake:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SOKwyM7EEYI/AAAAAAAAABM/b575s-zSYHw/s1600-h/apachelake.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251954491976323458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SOKwyM7EEYI/AAAAAAAAABM/b575s-zSYHw/s320/apachelake.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#000000;">It was a bit of a drive to get to the lake but on the way we stopped when the scout leader spotted a rattlesnake laying on the road. Like any good scout leader, this one got out and bothered the otherwise comfortable snake until he started to rattle. The leader wanted the boys to hear what a rattlesnake sounds like when it is ticked off and rattling so that the boys could be warned and on the lookout. This makes perfect sense to me as a carrier of male chromosomes. Angie, of course, was horrified at this retelling. Her reaction went something like this:<br /><br />Me: "Wasn't that a good idea?"<br /><br />Angie: "What? Are you fully retarded or just slow?"<br /><br />Me: "I'm all man, baby!"<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Angie: "I will take that as fully retarded."<br /><br />If that wasn't cool enough, later on the drive we saw a tarantula. A huge tarantula in fact. So huge that we had to pick it up and let it walk on us. First the boys petted it (yes it was that big) but then they got brave and let it walk on them.</span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251955888451127074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SOKyDfMmhyI/AAAAAAAAABU/BtadenaVJ6U/s320/trantula.jpg" border="0" /><span style="color:#000000;">You can all imagine what Angie's reaction was when I told her about this part. It won't surprise you that she has asked my employer if there is a special "short bus" that can take me to work since she doesn't think I should be allowed to drive.</span><br /><p><span style="color:#000000;">Once we got to the lake Chandler was good about helping me get the tent up, dinner, etc. Luckily the 11 years old scouts are still 11 and were oblivious of the girls in bikinis in the next campsite over. Just to be safe I decided to keep an eye on them and make sure they didn't wander into our campsite and frighten the young boys. You're welcome, Angie. Chandler was safe!</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">Of course Chandler wanted to get up at 6 am and fish which was fun except for the really smelly bait. We didn't catch any fish but we saw a couple steal the bait. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">All in all it was a fun campout and we can't wait to do it again. In case you were wondering-don't worry, the bikini-clad temptresses were not out early Saturday morning. I checked several times just to be safe. </span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">-Chris</span></p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021573410193121755noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-53838663555357364752008-09-17T22:11:00.000-07:002009-01-09T11:28:38.762-08:00Anarchy in the UKSo poor Angie had to deal with us driving all day last Sunday back from vacation in California just in time for me to get on an afternoon flight to London. I was gone an entire week for business. It was tough leaving Angie and the boys right after vacation (not that it's easy to leave any time!).<br /><br />I spent the first couple of days just outside of London. I realized as soon as I landed that I had accidentally left my jacket in hot Phoenix and it was rainy every day in London. A cab driver and I shopped a thrift shop and I found a nice wind breaker for 5 pounds (about 10 bucks). It had a little school insignia on the jacket but I didn't worry about it until I got back to the office and looked up the <a href="http://www.wendoverhouse.bucks.sch.uk/">name of the school</a> and realized it was a school for teenage boys with emotional and behavioral problems! How fitting, some of you are thinking! I just hope that people who saw me walking around with it thought that I was a teacher and not a student :)<br /><br />I did get into London for some meetings but I also had a nice dinner with my friend Adam who lives in London. He and I started at the <a href="http://www.dpw.com/">same law firm in New York</a> many years ago. Later when Angie and I were in Frankfurt, Adam's future wife, Karen, was dating him in London on the weekends and working in Frankfurt during the week, where we met her also. Anyway Adam and Karen now have a cute house in London and a cuter new baby and it was wonderful to catch up. It was also fun to walk the London streets again and see the tourist sites: parliament, Westminster, Big Ben, etc. Mostly I missed touring with Angie!<br /><br />Later in the week I went North for several days. I did get to play hooky on a Friday afternoon and trained to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York,_England">York, a beautiful old city</a>. Here is the York minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in Europe outside of Italy:<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SNHmlySWA0I/AAAAAAAAAAc/VXicadmFfzc/s1600-h/DSC01757.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247228577691599682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SNHmlySWA0I/AAAAAAAAAAc/VXicadmFfzc/s400/DSC01757.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is a medieval street in York called the "Shambles". Notice the rain and the crooked buildings down the street:<br /><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SNHoVsjRNqI/AAAAAAAAAAk/AwZIJ6zNDu8/s1600-h/DSC01756.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247230500297324194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SNHoVsjRNqI/AAAAAAAAAAk/AwZIJ6zNDu8/s400/DSC01756.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />On the train I met a man from Zimbabwe, where the inflation is so bad because they just keep printing money. You have to spend money as soon as you get it because prices double every day. He gave me a 50 billion dollar note, currently worth about 50 pence (or $1):<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SNHqhQB2TZI/AAAAAAAAAA0/r5KF_G5cw70/s1600-h/dollars.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247232897822641554" style="CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SNHqhQB2TZI/AAAAAAAAAA0/r5KF_G5cw70/s400/dollars.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />On Saturday I went to a football/soccer game in Newcastle. The Newcastle fans were in a near riot with protests and chanting because the coach had just quit and fans blame the owner so it was a lot of fun and quite a scene! Here I am with my new football friends (notice the Newcastle team Jersey and school jacket):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SNHr2n6p8bI/AAAAAAAAAA8/ZHWrUOWGMc0/s1600-h/DSC01764.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247234364523803058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SNHr2n6p8bI/AAAAAAAAAA8/ZHWrUOWGMc0/s400/DSC01764.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The home team lost 2-1, but I did get to see Michael Owen play. He is a fantastic player for both Newcastle and the English National team. He is also very popular with the girls. Angie is a fan of his soccer skills!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SNHsy4dkWBI/AAAAAAAAABE/cXg13NQ7mXg/s1600-h/DSC01770.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247235399757355026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5C9Bz9dKm1c/SNHsy4dkWBI/AAAAAAAAABE/cXg13NQ7mXg/s400/DSC01770.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I am so excited to be back home and have the best wife for putting up with trips like this. Traveling just isn't as fun without her and I can't to get back to England with her!!Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021573410193121755noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592537490702273041.post-29488608416665834412008-09-08T13:41:00.000-07:002008-09-08T14:18:09.762-07:00Relaxing in CaliAccording to our kids, we finally went away for a "proper" vacation. We took a few days and headed to California for a quick trip to Disney Land, a day at the beach and a MLS soccer game. I don't usually let the boys miss school for vacations- but I would say this was worth it. There were no lines! We basically walked up to every ride. On Splash Mountain they let us keep riding-we didn't have to get off-it was great. The boys had a great time and we discovered we have an daredevil-Chandler. He loved all the scary rides. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWTg3_u9xI/AAAAAAAAAP4/bb2muIPaxbs/s1600-h/DSC01647.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWTg3_u9xI/AAAAAAAAAP4/bb2muIPaxbs/s200/DSC01647.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243759534139176722" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWUs6eOEKI/AAAAAAAAAQo/lsSK3HzVvUU/s1600-h/DSC01596.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWUs6eOEKI/AAAAAAAAAQo/lsSK3HzVvUU/s200/DSC01596.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243760840473972898" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWSM0qD94I/AAAAAAAAAPY/blsAnxTw2aE/s1600-h/DSC01629.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWSM0qD94I/AAAAAAAAAPY/blsAnxTw2aE/s200/DSC01629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243758090133960578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWSNIxZ-TI/AAAAAAAAAPg/cA10oh27LNM/s1600-h/DSC01635.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWSNIxZ-TI/AAAAAAAAAPg/cA10oh27LNM/s200/DSC01635.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243758095533472050" border="0" /></a>We also had a great time at the beach. It was a perfect day. The boys spent the day boogie boarding and I spent the afternoon reading/sleeping under the umbrella.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWTh7rUnyI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/kh6J6PxHB3c/s1600-h/DSC01710.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWTh7rUnyI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/kh6J6PxHB3c/s200/DSC01710.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243759552307175202" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWThGIEfrI/AAAAAAAAAQA/Fn3RYK86dO0/s1600-h/DSC01687.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWThGIEfrI/AAAAAAAAAQA/Fn3RYK86dO0/s200/DSC01687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243759537932238514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWThvPyOyI/AAAAAAAAAQI/_XZmvKS5irw/s1600-h/DSC01706.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWThvPyOyI/AAAAAAAAAQI/_XZmvKS5irw/s200/DSC01706.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243759548970449698" border="0" /></a>We capped off our vacation with a LA Galaxy game. It was fun-we were a little sad that Beckham was in England- but we enjoyed the game even without him.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWT6jLvGOI/AAAAAAAAAQY/-cirifU7VQk/s1600-h/IMG00003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YPVX_g6cR4/SMWT6jLvGOI/AAAAAAAAAQY/-cirifU7VQk/s200/IMG00003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243759975228971234" border="0" /></a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16640243400628319088noreply@blogger.com9