Off the Charts

About a week ago Tara and I were up in the middle of the night. It wasn't due to illness, not because of stress, can't claim insomnia (sort of)- Kennedy wanted milk, at 3am. Now, I know that we've been guilty of trying to satisfy her desires in the middle of the night. "We don't want her to wake up Alex" was the usual mantra. Problem is, in keeping her quiet - we've created a midnight monster. No more.

We've set up a little system for sleeping through the night. We no longer go to her in the middle of the night when she has a nocturnal milk fetish. It's not that we don't care, we simply need to regain the routine we had a few months ago. Bad parents, I hear from the peanut gallery. Maybe. Still we're trying to help Kennedy take control over certain parts of her life. In addition to sleeping through the night, hitting other people and using the potty have been issues of late. With all this in mind, we created the "Kennedy's Big Girl Chart."

Every time Kennedy 1)Sleeps through the night 2)Uses the potty 3)Plays with other kids without hitting them - she earns a sticker. Five stickers in any one category and she earns a reward. So far we've met some mixed results. No stickers yet in the potty and pounding categories, but she has earned four stickers for nighttime tranquility. The fourth sticker was earned last week and you wouldn't believe how proud little DeDe was of her accomplishment. "I slept through the night" was becoming our new mantra. Still, it's been three days since the last sticker and we haven't gotten there yet. I will say that progress is slow (we didn't make it again last night), but we're still hoping one day we're off the charts!

Mission Impossible

All of my excitement from yesterday is gone. Speed dial didn't matter. Bookmarking the ticket purchasing page was useless. I got onto the phone and computer at five minutes to 8:00 this morning and finally got through at 1:10! It took hundreds of phone calls to the ticket window and refeshes of the site to reach a automated system for purchasing tickets. Five hours on the phone and computer!

Still, that's ok right? We finally got through. I only needed 5 tickets/ game for consecutive games. I went through the entire ordering process and when it game time to select my seats I started high and kept going and going...eventually receiving 4 tickets in the upper bleacher. As you can see from the picture, we'll have to rely on the PA Announcer to figure out what's going on in the game. I still don't know what we'll do for the last ticket, or for the other night. I guess eBay will play an important role in getting us into the game. I love the Sox, but I hate trying to get tickets to go to Fenway!

Getting Ready

A few months ago at work we began talking about summer conferences. Every year we are encouraged to attend a national conference for our own professional development. For the past 3 years I've gone to NECC, but with the conference being held in Atlanta (not someplace I'd like to be in June!) I started looking around. Someone mentioned that the Blackboard conference would be a good one for me to attend since we use that software in our online classes. Guess where the Blackboard conference is being held this year - oh, I don't know..could it be...BOSTON!!! I guess I'll take one for the team and head back to Beantown.


In preparation for the trip I've been looking into the essentials: Red Sox tickets, hotel, Red Sox tickets, travel, Red Sox tickets, Red Sox tickets. Did I mention that I'd like to see the Red Sox play while I'm out there. Anyway, tickets go on sale tomorrow morning at 8 am so I'm getting ready. I've already entered Fenway Park into my speed dial and bookmarked the ticket page on my computer. There's no way I'm missing out on tickets this year. It should be quite a conference!

SLC Barbie

I received this email earlier today and thought it was too good not to share. You've got to love life in Utah.

SLC Barbie

Mattel recently announced the release of limited-edition Barbie Dolls for the Greater Salt Lake City market:

" Park City Barbie"

She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade Handbags, a Lexus SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Honey and a million dollar home. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with the augmented version.

"Draper Barbie"

The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Wind star Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost easily and has no full-time occupation.Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately.

" Kearns Barbie"

This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is onlyavailable after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small, untraceable bills) unless you are a cop, then we don't know what you are talking about.

"East Bench Barbie"

This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her own Starbucks cup, credit card and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. You won't be able to afford any of them.

"Riverton Barbie"

This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a NASCAR t-shirt and tweety bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Bud light and a Hank Williams Jr. CD set She can spit over 5 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken's butt when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.

" Emigration Canyon Barbie"

This collagen injected, rhino plastic Barbie wears a leopard print outfit and drinks cosmopolitans while entertaining friends. Percocet prescription available as well as newly built high rise condo.

"Tooele Barbie"

This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of Butler Barbie's house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top. Also available with a mobile home.

" The Avenues Barbie"

This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, arch-less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her Willow . She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Avenues Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.

" West Valley Barbie"

This Barbie now comes with a stroller and 2 infant dolls. Optional accessories include a GED and bus pass. White boy Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant.

" Provo Barbie"

She's perfect in every way. We don't know where Ken is because he's always at church meetings.

32

Well, I've had another birthday come and go. At this point there's nothing extremely memorable about one over another. I had a nice weekend to get ready for the big day. Tara and I went to a movie on Saturday and then came home for some nice Dragon Diner with the kids. Sunday was a family party to celebrate Jason and my birthday. Again, some good food was at the center of it all. I actually forgot how much more I like beef enchiladas over chicken enchiladas. MMM, Beefy....

Today was actually a pretty boring birthday. I basically spent the entire day at work, since I promised Ian that I would fill in at the Gym last night. The highlight for the day came when Tara and the kids showed up at East Millcreek to surprise me with a little treat. That made my day (even though Kennedy ate most of the taco they brought me).

I guess if there was a theme to this birthday it was all about books. I made a list of several books I wanted to read for Tara and so that's what I got. The reading list includes:

• The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama


• Why My Wife Thinks I'm an Idiot by Mike Greenberg


• An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore


• U2 by U2 by U2

Just so you know I'm starting out with The Audacity of Hope. I'll keep you informed. Thanks everyone for the great books and for another birthday.

New and Improved

I've felt a bit guilty that the photo pages for Alex and Kennedy were so out of date. I know you don't check those pics often, but Alex would still be a month old if you had. Well, no more. I've updated both of their sites. So don't be shy, come take a look at the new and improved Alex or Kennedy photo sites.

Put it in my Box

Another semester of Integration of Educational Technology started last week and I'm glad to be back with the undergrads for another class. I'm hoping that I'll do a better job this time, having one course already beneath my belt. Things went well in the Fall, but I think I can do a better job this time. So far, we're two weeks into the class and I'm amazed how many students take this course. I wish I could say it's due to my superb abilities to inspire the next generation of educators, but I think the class is simply a requirement towards graduation in Elementary and Secondary Education. Oh well.

In preparation for this semester, I went to the T & L office downstairs to make some copies and I realized that I actually have my own mailbox down there. I've been doing this since August and this was the first time I'd seen my little space. Of course it was completely empty, but still - it's the first sign that I actually do something for the department. I'm dying to see if I can go another entire semester without receiving a single paper in my box. Perhaps I can set some kind of record!

Down and Out

Sunday was just another day. Sure it was colder than usual, due to the temps dropping, but still nothing that would make you shake in your shoes. Still, all throughout church I found myself sweating and aching. I knew that something wasn't right. I came home and immediately went downstairs and curled up on the couch. I don't want to get into any details with my illness; let's just say I don't want to separate from my good friend, the WC, any time soon. Two days and several useless hours of tv later, I've come to the conclusion that I don't like being sick. Here's the run down on the too-sick-to-move TV guide.

Air Force One (with limited commercial interruptions by NyQuil)
Intervention (I can't believe how crazy this show is - real reality tv)
Top Chef (Bravo was having an MLK marathon)
Jazz vs. Wizards (Don't get me started about the Jazz!)
Finding Nemo (Kennedy joined me for a bit)
The Real Housewives of Orange County (I don't have anything to say)

I desperately need to go back to work tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Pardner

After we went to 4 different restaurants to celebrate Coleton's birthday we finally settled on Ruby River. Everything was great - even though I couldn't eat that much food in a week, let alone a sitting. Best of all, Coleton had a good time. I don't he quite fits into the 10 gallon birthday hat. Still, you can't argue with a free slice of asphalt pie. Happy Birthday Coleton.

Says it all

I was just looking at an article about Flickr for work and it said to type in your name and see what comes up. In addition to little kids, a wild frat guy, Subway man, and the guy from Prefontaine - there was this little gem.


Do you agree with Jared? Do you?

In the Sun he Melted....

Our little friend the snowman had a rough day today. The temperature got up to around 50 degrees, as the calm before tomorrow's storm. Overall, he lost about half of his BMI - I only wish it worked that quickly for me! You'll also notice that Kennedy finally figured out that his mouth was made of chocolate chips. If you look closely though she did manage to leave Snowman's nose laying on the ground beside him. I guess carrots aren't as appealing as chocolate.

Big Boy

There's not really a reason for this post except to show a couple new pictures of Alex. I can't believe how much he's grown over the past month or so. We've been trying to work with him to develop an interest in different toys. I think we found a winner with the bounce chair. Even though his feet don't touch the ground, he loves everything he can get his hands on!

Another milestone for "Little Al" came on Friday as we tested him with rice cereal for the first time. Needless to say he polished off the bowl and was ready for more! It is so fun to watch him grow and develop. Unfortunately, it is all happening too fast. Pretty soon we'll have to call him "Big Al!"

Frosty the Snowman

Kennedy and I took advantage of the fun snowstorm today to make a snowman. Kennedy wasn't much help, but she sure was interested in the hat we were going to put on him. She immediately put it on and wore it the entire time we were outside. She kept saying "I'm a cowboy-yeehaw!" So when it came time to put the hat on the snowman, of course she wouldn't give up her new hat. We found another one for the snowman and Kennedy was happy. She was also quite happy to eat the leftover chocolate chips that we used to make the snowman's mouth.


On another note, the snowstorm today left about 6 inches of heavy snow. It was a gorgeous storm. I can say that since I didn't have to drive in it. The trees are all covered in snow and it is beautiful outside. I helped Jared shovel the driveway tonight and the nighttime scenery was amazing. Every once in awhile I would take a break to just look around (and catch my breath-I think I already mentioned that the snow was heavy.)

Diary of a Jazz Fan

Last night I went to the Jazz/Sixers game with the YM/YW from the ward. When we first got the tickets last month it looked like a great chance to see Allen Iverson for the first time. Of course, AI was traded a couple weeks ago so now we got to see the likes of Willie Green and Kyle Korver (you know who they are right?!). The game was pretty average with the Jazz leading throughout. Basically the Jazz would go up by about 12 points or so, then Philly would cut it to 7, with Utah responding to go back up by double figures. Nothing really to write home about.

The real action was in the stands. I've never gone to a game before with 20 teenagers, but that's a group that can't sit still. Every 5 minutes I would have to stand up so someone could: 1) Go get a Churro 2) Go use the restroom 3) Go get a drink 4) Go see where Sarah's at 5) Go see where the Jazz Bear went......I thought the only ones who got up during the games were the guys on the beer runs, but no - a 14 year old with 10 dollars in their pocket gets up way more!

Enjoy the Show

Yesterday we took Kennedy to her very first movie at the theater. We've been a little hesitant, but the opportunity presented itself (my dad volunteered to watch Alex) and we couldn't refuse. Of course, half the city also thought it was a good idea to catch a flick to start out the new year - oh well. On the whole I'd say Kennedy did pretty well. We figured we had picked the right movie, Charlotte's Web, since DeDe loves the animals in Babe. Sure enough, she kept talking about the different creatures - through a good portion of the film. What can you expect from a 2-year-old at her first movie?

I'd say the film was pretty enjoyable. It was fun trying to figure out which actor played which animal. I had to wait for the credits to figure out that Robert Redford, Oprah Winfrey, and Cedric the Entertainer were part of the cast. It was pretty easy to identify Julia Roberts as Charlotte though. Still, I won't let my dislike for her movies influence me on this one. It was a fun show and I'm so glad Kennedy was able to enjoy her first trip to the movies.

Happy New Year!

Here's hoping you received a kiss from someone special as we entered 2007.

Happy New Year!