82 degree Arizona

I had some time off because I wasn't teaching the week of Thanksgiving so we loaded up and headed to Tucson on a ROAD TRIP!! to visit Adrianne's sister and family. With stops at Kanab and the Grand Canyon we headed to Tucson. It was nice to be back to 80 degree temps and full-time shorts again. Tanner kept complaining that it was too hot. We all got to experience being on an Air Force base (Christian enlisted awhile back). We shopped at the Commissary - great prices. The barrell (Sanguro) cacti were cool - I don't remember ever seeing one before. We then hit a wild west town and gun show - Jake was the hit as he beat the roper at hit own game. We didn't get to watch the BYU game but I found out I didn't miss much except a few interceptions.

The Pima Air and Space Museum was very cool. With Uncle Christian, the boys accidentally opened a hatch in the monster NASA plane. We tried to avoid the B-17 bomber memorial because of all the naked ladies on the wall - it was a quite trip to see the "flying fortress".

It was then back to home. We stopped at a motel on Route 66 in Flagstaff and had a memorial experience. Anders actually went poops on the potty all by himself - it was quite the celebration, we went to Taco Bell to celebrate. We visited the Lowell Observatory - this is where Pluto was discovered in 1930. They all feel sad that it is not considered a full-fledged planet anymore.

Adrianne then had a crazy, spontaneous idea. She suggested staying the night in a Navajo hogan just outside Zion National Park. And so we did. We were the only folks brave enough to do it at the Village of Many Nations. While it was freezing outside, with a small fire inside we had 70 degree temperatures. It didn't fall below 50 degrees even after the fire went out. These are very well insulated. This was the highlight of the trip. Jake and Tanner both said they will never forget this road trip. Therefore, we had a successful trip. Staying in the hogan just before Thanksgiving reminded each of us of the blessings we have. This is a great country that allows all of us to be successful in anything.

Weekend games

I'm just sitting here listening to "The Cricket in Times Square" with the kids and blogging - I guess blogging is a new type of hobby or pasttime. I'm not very good at it - still a greenhorn and I don't even know the right phrases that have been added to the Websters Dictionary for this new hobby.

We spend Friday night with Adrianne's brother's family (Richard, Rachal and their son, Noah). The boys have been wanting to play the limited edition of Lord of the Rings Risk board game. Rich found one on Craig's List. After about 1 hour of explanation and set up, and pizza and salad and dessert, we started an epic game. Jake and I were of the land of Mordor and Tanner and Rich were the Fellowship of the Rings. Long story short, the good guys destroyed us after about 2 1/2 hours.

Monday I tried a game I've never played, marbles. The boys have been playing marbles for a long time and have quite the collection. I'm not very good. McKinley is the best lagger upper and has a great touch. The one photo is Mac getting her shot in.

The other photo is election night as we watched the results come in. The kids used red and blue crayons to color in a map as Obama picked up the win. McKinley didn't quite make it past Ohio. I never remember being interested in this stuff when I was their age. We could never get excited about McCain - he is actually very annoying. We hope Obama has success and that our country can get back on her feet again. All of our support is behind this new administration (at least for now). Do you think Rocky Andersen will ever attack another president like he did Bush? That is one of the many good reasons to have the Bush administration coming to an end - no more ranting from Ross Andersen

Good things come to those who wait

We were explaining the "good things come to those who wait" philosophy to our kids this weekend. It was a good/wait weekend. Unfortunately some of the benefits came from businesses that are going out of business...so is it really so good? Then, Anders decided to prove the point that good things really do come to those who wait.

Who wants to potty train their forth child? It has been on the list of things to do, but it has had a hard time making it to the top. We finally broke down and bought a potty at IKEA (one of our good things that come to those who wait--it was only $3.99). We have been waiting even though Anders has been asking. I mean, am I really ready to drag a 2 plus year old to every potty everywhere we go? Am I ready to do potty on Anders time and not on my own? There is a certain convenience that comes with diapers.

Then today while we were reading as a family Anders announced that he was going to go potty. Not moving from my spot I removed his diaper and told him to go. The mini-mom of our house accompanied him and made sure he was doing okay. I went up to check a couple of minutes later and mini-mom announced that Anders had official gone potty. I missed it. He did it. The proof was there.

Good things really do come to those who wait! If anyone questions that philosophy you can ask Anders next time you see him.

Halloween 2008

We had quite the party here in Sandy. Adrianne's family came up for dinner and trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. We even hit a couple of neighborhood spook alleys. For local, free spook alleys, they were pretty good. Check out the Jack-O-Lanterns. Jakob carved the wolves and Adrianne did the cat. Cool stuff!!!

Jakob got the most comments because of his unique costume. He was an ATT (Automatice Trick or Treater). He come up with it all on his own. Tanner was Ned Nitrogen from his Adventures of the Elements learning activities. McKinley was a fairy. And Anders was our famous dragon that has been passed down to each kid. Tanner's and Mac's costumes were made by Grandma Poulsen - she does such a good job helping them out. Anders really thinks he is going to get all the candy he has, think twice my young, green monster dragon - that is all for my office goodies. Enjoy the photos!

Side Swiped at Seventy

This is going to go down in history as one Halloween to remember (I did like Melissa's fainting incident though). Have you ever been side swiped by someone going 70 mph. Here's the story. We were traveling to the SLC police station to trick or treat. Heading north on I-15 in the carpool lane I had 2 cars behind me - well behind me. There was no traffic at I had cruise set on 70-71 mph. Out of no where, the truck behind me decides to tailgate - really close, less than a car length. I got agitated and tapped my brakes. He did not back off or go around me. He used his signal thinking that was telling me to move over - remember, this is the carpool lane. He comes up pulling into the fast lane and nearly hits me going there - then comes back into the carpool lane cutting me off. He forgot he had a big dually F-350 man truck - he clipped us pretty good sending us into a short wobble. He obviously knew it because he took off. I wasn't going to let this bozo get off that easy. I speed up and the Pilot performed great reaching some high speeds so we could finally get his license plate and call 911. The adrenalin was rushing now. After about a mile at higher speeds, he knew he wasn't getting away (and his wife was probably yelling at him) and I didn't want to lose him because then no one would pay for this damage he caused, except me and my insurance. We followed him all the way to Redwood Rd. and SouthTemple to a parking lot where I kept my distance. He knew we had the cops coming. About 15 minutes later the cops show up and get our stories. It was a no brainer decision for them. They cited him but I don't know what citation he got. Turns out, he thought the lane was the "Express Lane" to the airport and told the cops we were only going 50 mph. Damage to the Pilot was minimal but that can still mean over $1000 to my fender and rims and tire. The best part was this guy and his entire family missed their flights. And it was his son's truck. Any body know a good body shop?

How's that Fall

We really love the Fall in this household. It seems that everyone holds up at home or the shopping center and leaves the mountains to us - or the deer hunters. Last year we got stuck mountain biking in prime deer hunting areas without the 400 square inches of required hunter orange on body and head. But after seeing how most people hunt - we were turned off. This year we headed to Customer Appreciation Day at Snowbird for a free tram ride - with 6 cans of food. Snowbird recently had 4 inches of snow but it had melted by the time we got there. The kids loved the ride up especially when you go past a tower - and the whoosh and sway of the tram car. Jake didn't feel a thing but I think everyone else had some stomach churning going on. I usually ride the tram up, but going down was a different story - it seems like you are going twice as fast.

The photo of McKinley and Anders on the back deck was a random shot of those two just having fun. If you didn't know, Mac can go "cross-eyed". It really looks funny on a 5 year old. I could do it at that age. The parents told me it would hurt my eyes - but look, I'm one of the few Thygersons without glasses or contacts. I love watching Anders being intrigued by everything. Right now his favorite thing is his Thomas the train. He takes it everywhere including to bed. We played some soccer tonight and he lost Thomas in the grass - but luck was on our side and I nearly trypped over Thomas running after a ball.

Yes, we love Fall. Our Mountain is ablaze in fully glory. Even the Quercus gambelii (Gambel's oak) is looking sweet.

If Only Life Were a Cartoon...

Okay, I debated about whether or not to post this. We have talked about how we could do an entire post just on things that McKinley says. She says some pretty "incredible" things. So the lastest is titled "If Only Life Were a Cartoon."

We were headed down to the BYU football game. We were going to drop the kids off at the grandparents' house and head out for a rare day on our own.

From out of nowhere McKinley asked, "Mom, why did you marry that man?"

I wasn't sure where she was going with this and replied, "Why, should I have married someone else?"

Her startling reply was, "You should have married someone that was more handsome."

I was a little shocked and struggled for a response. Then, it dawned on me that everything is fairy tale prince and princess in her five year old girl world. So I asked, "You mean someone like Eric."

"Yes, someone like Ariel and Eric. You should have married someone more handsome." The train of thought continued.

"I prefer the real man, not the cartoon," was my comeback.

She was not to be swayed, and I was undaunted because I had Steve sitting next to me in the car. Steve finally called the conversation quits, and neither McKinley nor I had the final word. I was satisfied with my choice of a marriage partner, and McKinley was determined to find Prince Charming for her wedded bliss. While my fate is chosen, only time will tell what McKinley's fate will be.

McKinley, be forewarned this story will find its way to your wedding party. We will welcome Prince Charming with open arms. I just wonder if he will find it charming.