DCing it

I hope this video works - put it together last moment. I don't have the patience to put together something more professional so this is what you get. Jake, Tanner and Adrianne joined me in Washington DC. While I conferenced it, they enjoyed the city til I caught up with them later in the day. My favorite spots were Mt. Vernon, listening to a boys choir from England at the National Cathedral, Lincoln Memorial at night and the Changing of the Guard in Arlington Cemetary. An amazing, historical city.

Nightly Skiing

This has been a fairly good ski season and we have been able to enjoy the resorts. Our latest excursion was night skiing at Brighton. Matt, Logan and Justin joined Tanner, Jake and me for some serious tree runs. Even Logan joined us on a few of them. He did very well. Jake and Tanner are starting to ski very impressively by working on their paralleling and slip stops. Enjoy the photos and video of the tree trails.

Falling Snow

Just hanging out with the family on a Sunday afternoon - kids are making the universe (in a puzzle), McKinley is making the Solar System (again, puzzle) and Anders is frustrated that he doesn't know how to do it. But a rice krispy treat solves that problem. I didn't think I would miss snow on the ground in January but I did. However, just as soon as the snow melted completely from our front yard, it started to snow again today. The resorts needed it. We skied twice last week and the ice was becoming a bit much. Boy are we spoiled here in Utah. It is a good thing the boys are skiing better and can go off less skied runs with me. We hit more tree trails than I can count and almost got lost in one. I took Jake and his friend Caden Stewart on a really cool run at Alta named Razorback. This sits on a ridge to the east of Sugarloaf lift overlooking Cecret Lake with Greeley Bowl above it. Even though it wasn't crowded to start the day, hitting this run made us feel like we were totally alone. The thing that made my day was something Tanner said as he and his friend Reed were riding up the lift with me. He said "Dad, your dream came true." I didn't know what he was talking about so I asked, "What do you mean?" "Well", he said, "it has always been your dream to ski with your boys, and now we are good enough to do it." He is right. One of my dreams has come true - and it is in the form of two 70 lb. packages barrelling through tree trails and over humps and jumps while strapped to a pair of boards made to navigate the white stuff we call Virgin when at its very best. Yes, it was a very good day.

Worth Watching

If you every need a pick me up, move 'em forward reminder here is a clip that you need to watch.
I received it as a forward from my mom, and have been in awe of this man and the message he shares. Take a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MslbhDZoniY

Christmas documentation

I couldn't believe it - I went to download the photos we have of Thanksgiving and Christmas and realized we didn't have have for Christmas. Not a single photo of our Christmas holiday. We forgot to take the camera to Midway, didn't take any on Christmas Eve or Day and nothing for the New Year's Eve party at Matt and Amanda's home. I'm such a visual person, without photos, forget the details. But at least I got Christmas Day documented on the video camera - I haven't missed one since 1997. I only get about 10 minutes worth because our camera battery is shot after 12 years and I'm too cheap to buy a new one.

Here are some photos of our latest happenings (minus Christmas). One was a spill by Anders that led to the first 5 stitches in our family (Steve excepted). He'll have a great looking scare - covered by his hair. McKinley held onto her first loose tooth as long as possible. When I went in to grab it from her mouth, I barely touched it and it fell out. She couldn't believe it - I wished I had a photo of her face just after I took it out and she realized it was out, shock, amazement, wonder and relief that now she could eat and brush her teeth normally.

Cost Cutters

Adrianne has been cutting the boys hair in this family for a long time. Anders doesn't love the haircut - he loves the candy that comes with the haircut. I used to be the "Distractor", you all know, the one you makes the funny noises and tickles before a flu shot. However, I lost the distraction battle long ago and press forward to fight other battles. Adrianne does a fantastic job and saves us about $45/month. Add that to the annual salary she should be paid of approximately $135K for "homemaker".

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.