Big Change for Big D

We've debated about it for a month or so.

People from both sides of the aisle have weighed in.

There were strong feeling for each position and no one was going to escape this unharmed.

Finally, last week our decision was made for us.

We were out to dinner with my parents.  As we were dining I noticed an elderly woman who kept staring at Dylan throughout the meal.  She was captivated by him.  Now, this isn't entirely new.  Dylan is a cute kid and people love his look.

As she got up to leave the woman stopped by our table and politely said, "You have a beautiful little girl."

That was it.  Time for a haircut Big D.

Dylan didn't even care about the whole process.  I think it was much harder on Tara than anyone else.  I guess there's something about cutting those curls that women struggle with.  In the end we got our son back.  He's still a pretty cute kid.  He's even a better looking boy!

Now, we just need to do something about keeping his face clean!

Snowed in New Harmony

Last weekend we took the family South for a relaxing holiday getaway to the warmth of Utah's Dixie. Friday was awesome as we hit the desert with Jason, Coleton, and my Dad for a little geocaching. Apparently there's a huge multi-cache out in no-man's land west of St. George. When you look at the cache from the aerial maps it creates a giant kokopelli. This was too good to pass up on a beautiful 60 degree day.

Unfortunately, the aerial maps don't give you an accurate depiction of just how large this area really is. With Kennedy and Alex in tow, we only made it up one of the kokopell's legs before fatigue set in. I knew they'd only last as long as the treats did, which was about an hour. Oh well, I guess there 's something to take us back to the desert in the next few months.

It's a good thing we hit the cache on Friday, cause that's when our desert getaway ended.

We awoke Saturday to a snow storm.

That never wanted to end.

It snowed all night and most of Saturday in New Harmony.

It snowed thru mid-morning on Sunday.

It took the power out for several hours.

It kept us inside the rest of trip.

With nothing to do on Saturday it became time to head to my parent's basement. Now, my parent's basement has been a topic amongst my family for years.

It's full of boxes.

Lots of them.

No one knows what's inside or where they came from, but they don't want to leave. Each time you go downstairs it seems there's more of them. It's almost like a 50's horror movie.

"The Attack of the Dollar Store Christmas Decorations!"

My mom finally relented and allowed us to help her go through many of the boxes. We sorted, trashed, organized, and moved more stuff than I could have imagined. Tara and Kristin deserve special commendation as they worked for hours going deep into the heart of the basement. They went after the Holiday room.

I was super proud of my mom.

She's never let us work on the basement before.

When the dust finally settled, progress was made. You could actually see some of the floor in the Holiday room. Now, we just need to get to the point where we clean off the ping pong table. If that happens I know anything is possible.

Peace in the Middle East.

A Woman in the White House.

Alex actually flushing the toilet and washing his hands (TMI - I know).

It was a great weekend. Thanks to my mom and dad for letting us invade their house. Thanks to Jason and Kristin for helping with our kids. Thanks to the man upstairs for making it snow so much we had nothing else to do.

Dylan's s Birthday in Photos

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from the crew.  We had a fairly calm day.  I spent hours making cookies for the entire neighborhood for some reason.  (Mostly visiting teaching people, but the list just kept growing).  Dylan helped in his own special way with the cookies.

The kids got tons of candy at school and a fun treat from mom and dad later that night.

A highlight for me was helping in Kennedy's class.  She is always sad that we don't get to help in her class like we did last year in the co-op preschool she was in, so it was nice to help with the Valentine's Day party.  We decorated cookies, made a craft and played some fun games.  The kids had fun and I was glad to help out.

Jared and I actually didn't do one thing for each other on Valentine's day.  Are we boring?  Yes, very much so.  Happy Valentine's day anyway, honey.  I love you!

Life with a Two-Year-Old

There are those moments as parents where you know they're up to something.

It's because there is prolonged silence.

And then you find...

Good thing Dylan wanted to help clean up the rice.

For Your Birthday

Dylan,

I honestly can't believe how much you've grown this year. You've gone from an infant to a toddler in the blink of an eye. Knowing you're our last child, it's hard to see the baby in you disappear. We have so enjoyed having you as our baby boy, but we look forward to seeing you become our little man.

You pick up new things so quickly - it's amazing to watch you explore and learn. Words, ideas, relationships are all growing your in your life. Even though your energy is overwhelming at times, it encourages us, as parents, to "step up" our game and meet your needs.

Big D, please know how much our family loves you. You have added a great deal of love to our home, as your brother and sister adore you. Mommy and I can't get enough of our time with you. I wish this period of life could last forever, but I eagerly await your continued accomplishments. This is going to be a big year for you Dylan and we hope we can help you along your journey.

I love you D, Happy Birthday!

Daddy

End of an Era

Jerry Sloan resigned as head coach of the Utah Jazz this week. It's weird to even write those words. For much of my life the Jazz have been there, with Coach Sloan along the sidelines. I grew up a huge basketball fan and loved watching hoops from an early age. Even though I didn't start out as a Jazz fan, I watched many of the games cause they were the ones on TV.

It took me a few years to recognize and value the way the Jazz played the game. Truthfully, I didn't become a Jazz fan until after my mission. As I watched though I loved the toughness and exactness of Jazz basketball. I knew this was because of Jerry Sloan.

You could tell things weren't going well this season. There have been reports of disputes in the locker room and players complaining about the coach. None of that is news. This stuff happens every season and it normally gets swept aside as strong willed people who hate to lose. Then, it went to a new level as headlines circulated that Sloan was done.

Is Deron Williams to blame? I'm sure he didn't do anything to help the situation, but I don't consider him a coach killer. Truthfully, I think Coach Sloan was a little tired this season. Come on, the guy is in his late 60's and I can't imagine the pace that NBA life requires. My dad couldn't stay awake during the games when we was in his 60's and that was after being retired for years! I'm sure the demands of coaching were catching up to Sloan this year.

Still, I think everyone can agree that we all wanted Jerry Sloan to retire, not resign. There was something disheartening about watching his press conference and seeing the dejection this season has caused. I know everyone put on a brave face, but that conference was about resignation. The coaches that resigned from the organization, the organization that resigned itself to its players, and a new coach that is resigned to the rest of a difficult season.

So long Coach Sloan, it's been great having you as part of my basketball life.

Best Super Bowl Commercial Ever

I saw a website listing the 12 best super bowl commercials of all time. This one was definitely on my list. It's been a few years since Terry Tate graced the airwaves, but this commercial is worth another look.

"That's a long distance call - Doug!"



Enjoy the game everybody!

Pre K or K, That is the Question

Several years ago we thought we had the answer to this question in the bag. With Alex's birthday being at the end of July, the circumstances surrounding his in utero development, and the proximity in age to Kennedy - we were going to give him an extra year of growth by holding him back a year in school.

Now, it's time to fill out paperwork and make it official. Only, it's not as easy.

Alex has been doing well in Preschool. Part of me is beginning to think holding him back is a bad idea.

If he can handle it, he should be in Kindergarten.

Still, I read Outliers - come on, who doesn't quote Outliers anymore. I know there are huge advantages to keeping Alex back a year. Still, I'm torn. I think he could be in Kindergarten next year.

I guess I still don't have an answer.....

Happy New Year Again?

Today marks my year in the Chinese Zodiac. I'm a Rabbit. Someone sent me an email to remind me of this fact. I've never paid a lot of attention to any of the astrological signs and their meanings, but since it's Chinese New Year let's see what my up with the Rabbit...

The Rabbit is the happiest sign of the Zodiac -- gifted, nice to be with, discreet, refined, reserved, ambitious but not too much so, and virtuous in the bargain. Nobody ignores Rabbits, for they are good company and know how to make the best of themselves. Unfortunately, however, Rabbits are superficial and their good qualities are superficial also.

The Rabbit is a social creature, tactful, cool, and sensitive to others. Yet this calm can become aloof, the sensitivity can be quirky and thin-skinned, and the intelligence can become dilettantish. The Rabbit is lucky -- with brains and only a little hard labor, the Rabbit can go far.

It's like looking in the mirror (ok, not really).

Happy New Year!