Video Review: BOLT

My parents gave the kids BOLT for Easter a couple of weeks ago and it reminded me to look up Kennedy's movie review from back in November. I hadn't seen the movie yet so I wasn't sure what to make of her disgust for the man with the green eye. Now, it make s total sense. Take it away Kennedy.

Meet the Minivan

We've officially entered into a new chapter of our lives as a family. On Saturday we bought a minivan. I know it doesn't come as much of a surprise to many of you. We knew this day would come eventually. As soon as we learned of Dylan's impending arrival the prospect of cramming three kids into the back of the Xterra made less and less sense.

A few months ago we started debating about what 7-8 passenger vehicle we would purchase. Sure we looked at Suburbans, Highlanders, Durangos - everything that was big and wasn't a minivan. I just couldn't justify having a V-8, 4X4 that Tara would basically be driving to the grocery store. The issue became: could Tara see herself driving a minivan and becoming a "MOM".

I think this is a real issue for a lot of 30 something ladies. You still feel hip, young, "with it". Buying a minivan seems like throwing in the towel on all those things and simply turning into a "soccer mom" - more interested in the number of cup holders than the 6 CD stereo. After much soul searching Tara decided that the minivan made sense and we narrowed our focus to which minivan.

We ended up buying a Kia Sedona from the Car Cafe in North Salt Lake. A few years ago I couldn't imagine buying a car from a small dealer along side the road, but KSL cars has changed all that for me. I was way more interested in getting the best deal, rather than shopping at the biggest dealer. Brad gave us a great deal on the minivan and we left feeling satisfied with our purchase. I know that Kia didn't finish first in our minivan poll, but we saved about $6000 over what it would have cost us to get an 08' Honda Odyssey.

So, now we begin life as a minivan family, let's just hope this doesn't mean the world is about to end...

Photo of the Day: Life on Uranus

This morning I went in for my annual biometric screening at work. Let's just say nothing's really changed from last year. I was fat last year and I'm still fat. Funny, when you eat poorly and don't exercise often you don't lose weight. Strange. Needless to say I was feeling down about my weight until I hopped onto the solar system scale at the Clark Planetarium and I discovered the difference if I lived on Uranus.

I want to live on Uranus!

Big D

A few days ago Kennedy started referring to Dylan as "Big D". I thought the name was incredibly appropriate considering his recent visit to the pediatrician. When Dede was 2 months old she weighed in at 14.2 pounds. At the time we thought she could compete for the "fattest baby in the world." Well, Big D has her beat. On Tuesday Dylan weighed in at 15.1 pounds.

The one consolation to Dylan being in the 97 percentile for weight is that he's also in the 97 percentile for height. At 25 inches long he truly looks like he has the family genes, funny as that is to us. Right now Big D is really growing out of his clothes. There are several 3-6 month outfits that are a bit snug on him, still we don't want to give the boy a complex so he continues to wear the I'm a Big Hunk ensemble - even if he looks like an even bigger hunk these days....

1000 Caches for the Crew

Last week we reached a little milestone in our geocaching obsession. It took us over 5 years, it took us through 14 states, and it cost us - well, let's just say we've spent a few dollars looking for other people's junk. Still, we made it - 1000 caches found. I know a lot of people think we're crazy for running around the state hunting tupperware containers, but we've had a great time. The kids love looking for toys to trade and we love getting out and spending time as a family. With three kids our pace has slowed quite a bit, but you're still likely to find us out on the weekends looking through the brush or hiking up the side of a hill.

Book Review: Mormon Scientist

About a month ago I picked up a book I didn't really know anything about. I had heard of Henry Eyring. I knew he was a famous scientist and that he had written a book entitled Faith of a Scientist. I knew that the Chemistry building on campus is named for him, but I don't venture over to that side of the U very often. Mostly, I just knew Henry Eyring as the senior to Henry B. Eyring, 1st Counselor in the First Presidency. Reading Mormon Scientist has opened my eyes to this wonderful scholar, teacher, and leader.



I think the best part of the book for me was reading of Eyring unwavering faith in God. He didn't need to know how God created the Earth, he just knew that He did. He wasn't concerned with solving the Evolution vs. Creation debate, rather Eyring simply proposed that God is the Creator and that he could create man however he chose. It's amazing to consider that someone who has spent his entire life trying to understand the nature of matter can acknowledge that it isn't necessary to comprehend everything with regards to the beginning of man and the Earth.

I've always appreciated Henry B. Eyring's down to earth way of speaking and I can attribute that to his father. Someone who was so gifted and beyond most intellectually and yet, he was willing to work with everyone and found time to explain concepts on your level. Not only that, but I love the fact that he would actually race his students and other faculty. I have to imagine if I was a student twenty years earlier at the 'U' I would have found my way over to President's Circle to take a course from the distinguished Professor Eyring.

Easter Weekend

Easter weekend started this year with a fun family egg coloring night Friday night. It was a quick egg coloring project, but the kids had fun.


Saturday was the annual Houtz family Easter Egg Hunt. The weather wasn't great, but we were able to squeeze in the egg hunt in between rain showers. It was interesting trying to fit all of us in my parents house for lunch, but we managed. Even Uncle Dick got into the egg hunting action, finding this one in the tree. I've never seen anyone climb that tree so fast!


The kids loved the Easter egg hunt. Alex made sure he opened his first egg and ate the candy, then decided to get as many as he could. He's finally getting the hang of this egg hunting thing.




Kennedy is already a pro, of course, and had her Easter bag full within minutes. They each scored with lots of candy and a couple of dollars each. Kennedy is already planning on using her money on the ice cream truck that seems to come way too often down our street.


Kennedy had a blast playing with her cousins. Aren't they all so cute!

Dylan spent the day sleeping and being admired by all the family. He is such a good, easygoing baby. That's a good thing, with being the third child and all!


Sunday started with Easter baskets and playing with a few toys that the Easter bunny brought. Dylan scored some formula and binkies-how nice of the Easter Bunny!

Then we headed to church, well, Jared and Kennedy did. I had good intentions of taking Dylan to church for the first time, but Alex was still recovering from his cold with a nice runny nose. I decided the nursery wouldn't appreciate me dropping him off there with a yucky nose. Anyway, we did make it to Sacrament meeting and I managed to make it through the entire meeting without any major meltdowns.

After sacrament meeting we came home and got ready for another egg hunt in our yard with Coleton, Chloe and Liam. Once again, there were lots of eggs with candy to be found and the kids had fun. After the egg hunt, we went to Evan and Alicia's for a delicious Easter dinner.



I had hopes of having a little spiritual time with the kids to talk about the real meaning of Easter and actually talk about Christ and his resurrection, but of course, by the time we got home from dinner, the kids were having meltdowns and it was time for bed. I guess at least Kennedy got a nice Easter lesson in church. But I'm pretty sure she still prefers the Easter bunny and candy.

Inspiring Videos

I don't normally like to post YouTube videos on the blog but these two clips are too inspiring to pass up. I've kind of avoided the entire American Idol craze. I don't really like the show. The fact that you have to be under 30 was my first real turn off and most of the contestants seem to be cookie cutters of one another. Yesterday, I came across an article about Susan Boyle, a 47 year old woman from Scotland. She auditioned for the show Britain's Got Talent and took the show, and the world, by storm. One look at her and she would be easy to dismiss, one listen to her voice and you can't help but pay attention. Take a look at the entire video here.



If you like that video here's one from a couple of years ago. Paul Potts was a cell phone salesman, until he went on Britain's Got Talent and sang opera. I absolutely love it when you see the ordinary transformed into something extraordinary.

Photos of the Day: Easter Portraits

Conference Moment

I know that many of you spent part of the weekend watching General Conference. The talks provide us with inspiration, answers to our questions, insights into doctrine, but what about backing us up in our arguments?

Tara and I were discussing finances as the first session of Conference began. She had a expense she wanted some money for and I wasn't sure where the funds would come from. Both of us made good points, but I finally said, "If you want the money for your thing it's going to have to come from somewhere?!"

Since we were at a bit of an impasse we sat and started watching Conference. Elder Hales was talking about money and limiting the amounts we spend. As we talked about the need to be thrifty he said, "The four most caring words you can say to a loved one are -We can't afford it."

See I told you so. Conference really can solve our disagreements.

Old Friends

Friday night I went to an open house for my old mission. The Philippines Cabanatuan Mission may no longer exist, but the friendships I made there can never end. I haven't been to a mission reunion in almost ten years, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The open house was announced on Facebook and several of the guys had mentioned their intention to attend, but you never know.

I showed up at 6 pm and found President and Sister Lawrence very much as I membered them. Age has slowed them down a bit, but it was fantastic to see how wonderful they looked. Also in attendance were the Francises and the Olsons. I have such fond memories of all these people. The Olsons and I traveled home from the mission together and Ralph was so excited he screamed out "Yee Hah!" as we boarded our plane. Who could forget a moment like that?

We sat around and talked for a couple of hours, sharing old stories and catching up on former friends. I returned home from the Philippines in 96' and now, it almost seems like a dream. Even though the country is far from my mind, the people never leave. My mission was a turning point in my life, and these good people have inspired me beyond description. I truly love them and am grateful for the positive influence that each had, and continues to have in my life.

No Foolin'

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A few days ago I built our last fire of the season in the basement. I hadn't noticed but there was some left over wood which immediately started to smoke. It billowed out of the stove and filled the house, causing every alarm to go off and forced us to take the kids outside. I figured that the worst part of our little experience, until I came home the next day.

I guess I accidentally left the poker on the fireplace and Alex discovered this new toy. Apparently he took the poker and decided to test its "poking" skills. Several minutes later we came downstairs and found the damage. Alex had poked holes in about 8 different ceiling tiles, ruining all of them. I love having a two year old boy.....