Park City

Last weekend we all got together in Park City to hang out for a couple of days. It was fun to be with the family for a short while. Peter kept us entertained with his comedian bits (Home Depot and INS) and all of his ENT stories. I have never heard anyone use the term "dirt bag" since the 80’s movie Police Academy. It was also funny that Heather, Peter, Wendy and I had all been to Eubank’s institute class. Back when Wendy and I were dating Wendy would comment that she did not care for his class. I would respond that I thought he was entertaining. Heather was telling me how he calculated how much soil I would get in my cube during the millennium. That one was new for me. I always found him interesting but some of his theories are out there. No wonder they didn’t like his class.





Eric and Josh playing cards
















Swimming

















All the cousins eating dinner















Mom and David Looking Cute

Misc Stuff

Favorite Scripture-- I swear I have never read this until recently: Luke 18:1-8.


Priesthood meeting-- In our priesthood meeting at Stake conference a guy gave a great talk on the tree of life in the Book of Mormon. It was an excellent talk, but he kept talking about how we are not doing a good job on selling the benefits of the fruit to our children.

I don't like the word sell. Growing up my Mom and Dad (who I regard as the best parents ever) never tried to "sell" me anything with the gospel. Maybe I will have to expound on this later. Note to self--this should be a topic of conversation at the next family reunion.


Went bowling with Shannon a few days ago -- cousins bowling together:








David loves to be held by Grandma Saundra.











Lisa and Eric with Luggage

Day Off

Wendy traveled to Phoenix in the afternoon to look at some real estate we are interested in. So, I took the day off to watch everyone. I had been looking forward all week to spending a day just having fun with the kids. So I slept in, then took Lisa to the bus stop. She thinks it’s the coolest thing ever to have me walk her to the bus stop. Side note—Last week Lisa was going on and on about how excited she was to be the “helper” at school on Friday. She even picked out an outfit that she thought would be good to wear as the helper. Anyway, then I came home and asked Eric if he wanted to go to the store. He said yes. On the way out, David had a tantrum because he wanted to go. Going outside is D’s favorite thing, and he bolts out the door and is gone before anyone can catch him if not careful. So I took D and Eric. We went to the Nursery, and then to Lowes. We bought some fertilizer for the grass and some different stuff for our apple and peach trees. Then we went to DI (one of my favorite stores). Then we drove home, unloaded the stuff, took Mom to the airport, then came back, picked Lisa up from the bus stop, went home had lunch. Then we spent all day out in the yard, washed the truck, and fertilized the yard. We all had a lot of fun. Eric helped me turn on the weber water or what ever they call it here. This is amazing for him. He never helps me do anything except wash the car. Lisa said “Dad, I love it when you are here because we do fun stuff.” It was a fun day. Wendy’s flight arrived at 10:00 PM and I got the kids out of bed to go pick her up. It was funny because David was bright eyed and just wanted to play the whole time. He kept me entertained while waiting for Wendy. Lisa was half awake. Eric was sleeping the whole time. But the next day He was confused because he was not sure how mom got home and did not remember going to the airport at all. ************************************************************************************* *****************************************************************************************One week before easter.






***************************************************************************************************************************************************************David will often come up to me and either want a hand shake, a high five, or knuckles. He likes to give Lisa and Eric High-fives.

The kids

Stuff the kids have done recently:

Lisa “I’m going to skooch right up next to you.”

Lisa noticing every time I change my shoes or clothes.

Lisa telling me my black shirt and blue pants don’t match.

Lisa trying to pee in Eric’s trash can in the middle of the night.

Lisa obsessed with watching conference in her Pajamas because Bishop Isaacson said “ The best thing about conference is that we can watch it in our PJs.”

Eric frequently asks if he can watch “Squad 51” and “Super Friends” I have the kids convinced 70’s and 80’s television shows are cool. I'm such an awsesome Dad!

If Eric doesn’t want to eat something on his plate “ I don’t love this”

Eric deciding he is going to coach soccer instead of play it. So he gets a chair, sits down, and starts bossing everyone what to do.

Eric spending most of the day in time out.

David following me around on the basketball court with his ball that is bigger than he is.

David giving me high-fives

Lisa and Eric asking David questions like “do you love Batman?” or " Do yopu have a girl friend" and David nodding his head yes. All three thinking it’s the funniest thing ever.

Sunday School Story

Everyplace I have worked, I have associated with coffee drinkers and I admire the energy most of these people have to get things done. I drink too much Coca Cola, consume a lot of sugar, eat red meat, blah, blah, blah. But this is an interesting story.

In Sunday school a couple of weeks ago, our instructor (Roger) told a pretty cool story about the blessings of obeying the word of wisdom. Roger’s grandfather fought in the South Pacific during world war II. While stationed on an island in the pacific, an unknown disease was infecting the American soldiers. The disease was unknown and was extremely contagious. If a soldier started exhibiting symptoms of the disease, they were immediately quarantined. The survival rate inside the quarantine was 0%. Because of the low- or no survival rate, one of the tasks the soldiers performed in the quarantine was to write letters home telling loved ones how they cared for them, clearing up any matters, and to write a final good bye to their families.
The doctors tried desperately to figure out what this disease was. The doctors conducted several experiments, giving some soldiers a certain drug, taking another group and giving them other drugs. The doctors would have some smoke cigars, some drink coffee, and some drink alcohol. Eventually Roger’s grandfather contracted the disease. He was placed into quarantine, wrote his letter home and worked with the doctors to try and cure the disease. The disease eventually progressed, and in desperation the Dr. finally told him to drink coffee X times a day, so he did. After a week he wasn’t getting any worse. Then he started to get better. Finally he recovered and he left the quarantine. Of course after this they started to give everyone coffee. But it didn’t help the other soldiers.

The grandfather thought he was blessed because he obeyed the word of wisdom his whole life. Then he drank coffee as a medicine and it did something to his body that healed him.

FHE

We decided to let Lisa conduct FHE a couple of weeks ago and we let Eric conduct the week after that. It was funny to watch how they react to different situations.

Lisa

Lisa spent all day making a program. Then, by hand, she copied the program so everyone had their own copy with their own name on it. It was placed in the assigned seat Lisa wanted us to sit in. Lisa conducted, had Eric lead the music, Mom said the prayer, and then Lisa gave a lesson on politeness. The lesson was fine. It had a little participation by Mom and Dad to keep it going in the right direction. Then she had us play a game she made up, and we had treats. It was fun to watch her plan all of this.

Eric

It was Eric’s turn the next week. Lisa made a podium (made out of empty diaper boxes) to stand behind and rest papers on for the lesson. So Eric stands behind the podium, welcomes us, and tells us if we are sitting in the right place. Then he picks the song and leads the song. At this time, Lisa kind of gets an idea of what is going on (that Eric is controlling absolutely everything) and she refuses to participate, folds here arms, and looks irritated. Then Eric announces he is going to say the prayer. After he says the prayer he gives a lesson which really ticks Lisa off because Eric is doing everything. Then he gives about a 30 second lesson on the scriptures. So we all took turns getting behind the podium and sharing our favorite scripture. Lisa still does not want to participate. Then we play a game, which Eric explains, leads, and referees. Then he says the closing prayer. He knows the right way to do things but I was too amused to argue with him.

Skull Valley

I took Eric and Lisa to Skull valley on Saturday. I didn't take any pictures but it was a lot of fun. The Weather was kind of cold. Eric would not answer me unless I called him "fire-fighter Eric". That is who he pretends to be now days. Lisa spent the day trying to convince me we need horses. I finally asked her what she would do with horses. She said "look at them and pet them". Of course the neighbors on both sides of us have horses so she can look and pet them. We may have to compromise and get a dog. Maybe.

The women in the neighborhood regularly get together, stay out late, and talk (under the guise of book club). This week I guess the guys thought they wanted a turn. So on Tuesday we went over Nate's house to watch the Jazz Lakers game. It was a blow out. So at half time he gave us a demonstration of his mome theatre system that lasted the rest of the night. It was an impressive set up. I have never seen a sub woofer so powerful and so crisp. I started to hide in a corner becasue I don't like it too loud. Even from the corner, the pants by my shoes were moving as that thing was pushing air through the room. Unbelievable.

Last night we built a fort in the living room for Eric and Lisa to sleep in. They have been asking to do this all week. Of course, they didn't make it through the night. Lisa came in every 10 minutes complaining that Eric was destroying the fort. When I would come in Eric would pretend like he was sleeping with a smirk on his face. They are both fun kids.

Basement

Basement Information

Pool Table Room -- North Wall. Measurements to drill hole through wall if we ever decide; measurements to drill hole in foundation if we choose this option. I don't like the idea of drilling into the foundation. Foundation goes up 67 inches. foundation is 23.5 inches from north wall. studs on west wall measuring from north wall: 15.5 to 17 31.25 to 32.5 47.25 to 48.75.



Home theatre room-- Throw distance from projector to wall - 182 inches. 2 inch smurf pipe to accomodate future technology. HDMI wire.

Kitchen wiring -- electrical outlet to island.


LM

Parties

No more messing around--Let's eat some cake!

Eric and his disguise at Shannon's party on New years 2010.