Robby & Jenesse

A Sunday conversation...

2012-02-19T14:21:00.007-07:00

Primary Girl: "Sister Kempton, when you grow up, you're going to be the prophet."

Me: "Oh, wow. That's...unexpected."

Primary Girl: "And when I grow up, I'm going to be a cheerleader-doctor."

Word for word, people. Gotta love the four-year-old class.

Romance Never Dies...

2012-02-15T21:10:00.015-07:00

4 years of marriage and I'm still trying to woo my wife... ;-)

Ness had to work late so I got to spend V-day alone at home blowing up about 6 bags of pink, red, and white balloons. Our apartment is tiny so they filled the entire room from floor to ceiling. :) I also plastered our front door with what I believe comes close to defining us as a couple. :) I love you babe.

Everyone should aspire to the love story of Carl and Ellie.

Everyone should watch this beloved show (especially if you're married)

Ah, Chuck & Ned...you made it work

Again, a show you've probably never seen but should!

Ness loves this movie. I...still don't get it.

Yes, we met and courted at work...

A Letter To Anyone Who Has Ever Read A Book & Then Saw the Movie

2012-02-02T11:46:00.006-07:00

Dear Book Lover/Movie Lover,

Since Hollywood has essentially decided to stop writing original screenplays they have turned to the literary world for their source of inspira...income. This is awesome in one regard and terrible in another. Awesome, because it gives books that we love exposure and gets people reading them more. But terrible because it could end up being simply awful.

The one KEY thing to remember when approaching a beloved book-turned-movie is this...a book is not a movie. Complex eh? To expound, say I give you a piece of paper with one sentence written on it. "The sky is blue." What images come to you when you read this? What shade of blue is the sky? Are there clouds? Is this sky over an ocean? Over a city? Over a field? Or maybe blue isn't a color but, rather, an emotion. The instant we read the words written in a book they immediately become OURS. Sure, the author can provide the framework and plot line but our brains supply the rest. We do this especially with the characters. A kind gentle old woman may instantly become our own loving grandmother. Or, a brooding loner becomes our own version of Johnny Depp.

This is why I approach book movies cautiously and carefully. I immediately tell myself that it is going to be a different experience..because it is. The biggest advantage a book has over a movie is time. Books can take (depending on the person) days to weeks to finish. During this time we get to think about the plot, the characters, and the imagery. We've built up the anticipation and projected ourselves as participants in the story. We don't have this luxury in the movies. It's the director that tells us, "Here is the sky, this is what shade of blue it is and it's over a city." There's no room for interpretation. The sometimes heartbreaking reality we must face is when they dare to cast an actor that we loathe as a character we love (I'm not going to mention Ann Hathaway because I'm classier than that...). Another advantage that books have is inner dialogue. Voice overs work for Arrested Development and a few others but overall we don't want the actors monologuing to us. We miss out on a lot of inner turmoil and personal triumphs because of this disconnect in movies. How many of us have gone to a book movie with a friend who hasn't read the book and started crying over a character while we speak incredulously to our friend, "You just...*sob*..don't understand...*sob*...what they've been through!" And somehow we look like the crazy ones...

I could rant more but I think the case has been made to treat books and movies as separate entities. One's interpretation of a book might be different than ours. It doesn't mean the book is ruined. Enjoy your own perspective and take the good points from the movie. Ideally, we'd all get to direct our own version of our beloved books but...they didn't ask us did they?

Post much?

2012-02-02T11:28:00.003-07:00

I'd be interested to see the ratio of blog posts of people with kids vs. people without. Or even people who like to take pictures vs. people who don't. I look back and see I really only post every few months. I'd like to say it is to increase anticipation of my next entry but I think most people just forget that I'm even around the blogging world. So, I am committing to blog more often in an effort to stay in touch with the blogging world. Just be prepared for rants, complaints, and general "why are people so stupid?" entries. Cheers.

Christmas Season

2011-12-16T15:16:00.003-07:00

I love every holiday. I love that we have several times during the year to gather together with family and friends to celebrate. Each holiday has its own songs, smells, and overall feel and I love celebrating them all. While its cliché and repeated often I can’t help but join in by saying that Christmas is the best time of the year. Perhaps, for me, it was once about the presents and the anticipation of Christmas morning but as I get older I have found the best part about Christmas is the season itself. It is an overwhelming positive time of the year. Of course there are those who will rant about the commercialism and greed that they say now defines the Christmas holiday. These people lament the disappearance of the Norman Rockwell Christmas. The picture of children gathered around the fire listening to Bing Crosby sing Christmas songs on the radio, their mother baking pies in the kitchen, while their father is tip toeing down the stairs dressed as Santa Claus. The magic this image creates in our minds isn’t gone it’s just forgotten. While our fireplaces may now be gas and Bing Crosby may be singing from an iPod we can still paint our own idyllic Christmas image. We just need to remember to slow down long enough to do so because if we don’t in 50 years from now people will be wishing Christmas could be like it was in 2011. The true spirit of Christmas surrounds us everywhere we go but it requires us to slow down long enough to take notice of it. This is the one time of the year that the world collectively celebrates the birth of their savior. We, as a nation and world, are turning our minds more towards Christ than at any other time of the year and everyone can feel it. Have you ever been in the presence of someone that was just so GOOD that you felt better by just being around them? This is how the world feels when true believers of Christ remember Him this time of year. The feeling that is created is felt by believer and non-believer alike so even non-religious people can share in a love of the Christmas season. So at this Christmas season it is my hope that we can all slow down long enough to create our own Norman Rockwell paintings. These lyrics of my favorite Christmas song express the Christmas message perfectly, “Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.” May we remember the Christ child who gave worth to our souls and share that message and feeling with everyone we come across this holiday season.

Mary.... Pumpkins?

2011-11-03T13:21:00.006-06:00

Before you go rolling your eyes at yet another nod to Mary Poppins...I will have you know this was Ness's idea. But yes, of course it's another year of Disney themed Jack-o-lanterns. :)

Happy...er...ANGRY Halloween!!!

2011-11-01T14:06:00.011-06:00

It was a great Halloween that we got to spend with our niece and nephew! Doug and Karen were nice enough to invite us to their trunk or treat and it was a blast. Hats off to Karen though for making AMAZING costumes!!!

Halloween Levity

2011-10-28T11:43:00.011-06:00

For those of you who are into music but never made the transition to Harry Potter here is the opportunity for our worlds to collide. These made me laugh though I think Steven Tyler wins for best in show. :)

Class Presentation

2011-10-14T11:36:00.002-06:00

I had to do a presentation for class today about how we judge people. I came up with a situation where you had to hire a teacher for your school. I had the class rank what teachers they wanted in order of which they would hire them. If you wanna try it read about each candidate and then rank them.

Candidate #1
This teacher graduated from Brigham Young University and has been teaching for 5 years. He comes with an excellent recommendation from his previous principal. He teaches strong moral values with emphasis on the family.

Candidate #2
This teacher graduated from Utah State University last year and is looking for her first teaching job. She is full of energy and gets along with everyone she meets.

Candidate #3
This teacher graduated from Utah Valley University at the top of his class. He was the first to be picked for student internships. He also went back and got his master’s in education. He has not been able to find a job for 3 years.

Candidate #4
This teacher graduated from the University of Utah. She worked for Teach Across America in east St Louis. After teaching all day she would volunteer at the local YMCA helping children who come from broken homes.

Okay now rank them. :)

Don't skip ahead eh?

Ok, here are some more details about each of the original candidates.

Candidate #1
He left his church 3 years ago and has been in a long term relationship with another man for 2 ½ years.

Candidate #2
In the interview she stated that her and her husband are actively seeking to start a family as soon as possible.

Candidate #3
He has been offered several jobs but he refuses them because they are in low income areas or areas populated with ethnic minorities.
Candidate #4
She is a former drug addict and alcoholic. She served 2 years in prison but has been clean for 15 years. She has three kids who she put through college as a single mother.

Ok, rank them again.

Did your answers change?

Ok, for the last step pretend like your son or daughter will be in this teacher's classroom.

Rank them again.

Did you change your answers??

This is just an activity to look at your own biases and examine what you believe...more of a thought provoking activity than anything. Something to argue about around the dinner table if nothing else. ;-)

Unrivaled Hilarity....

2011-09-12T11:18:00.012-06:00

This is by far the funniest thing I have read in a long time. The story is that this man who works for some sort of design company is sent an email from a secretary in his office about a cat she had lost. Just make sure to not skip ahead when looking at the pictures...I promise it's worth it. (I just looked at it and it looks like blogger shrank the images so you might have to click on them to see all the details)

Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.

This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news. Luckily I was sitting down when I read your email and not half way up a ladder or tree. How are you holding up? I am surprised you managed to attend work at all what with thinking about Missy out there cold, frightened and alone... possibly lying on the side of the road, her back legs squashed by a vehicle, calling out "Shannon, where are you?"
Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
I never said I don't like cats. Once, having been invited to a party, I went clothes shopping beforehand and bought a pair of expensive G-Star boots. They were two sizes too small but I wanted them so badly I figured I could just wear them without socks and cut my toenails very short. As the party was only a few blocks from my place, I decided to walk. After the first block, I lost all feeling in my feet. Arriving at the party, I stumbled into a guy named Steven, spilling Malibu & coke onto his white Wham 'Choose Life' t-shirt, and he punched me. An hour or so after the incident, Steven sat down in a chair already occupied by a cat. The surprised cat clawed and snarled causing Steven to leap out of the chair, slip on a rug and strike his forehead onto the corner of a speaker; resulting in a two inch open gash. In its shock, the cat also defecated, leaving Steven with a wet brown stain down the back of his beige cargo pants. I liked that cat.
Attached poster as requested.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
It's a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I am willing to overlook this faux pas due to you no doubt being preoccupied with thoughts of Missy attempting to make her way home across busy intersections or being trapped in a drain as it slowly fills with water. I spent three days down a well once but that was just for fun.
I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say lost.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww

Dear Shannon,
I don't have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend's cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter, I kept the cat in a closed cardboard box in the shed and forgot about it. If I wanted to feed something and clean faeces, I wouldn't have put my mother in that home after her stroke. A week later, when my friend came to collect his cat, I pretended that I was not home and mailed the box to him. Apparently I failed to put enough stamps on the package and he had to collect it from the post office and pay eighteen dollars. He still goes on about that sometimes, people need to learn to let go.
I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww

Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww

I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says "I haven't seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?" you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.
I knew someone who had a basset hound that had its hind legs removed after an accident and it had to walk around with one of those little buggies with wheels. If it had been my dog I would have asked for all its legs to be removed and replaced with wheels and had a remote control installed. I could charge neighbourhood kids for rides and enter it in races. If I did the same with a horse I could drive it to work. I would call it Steven.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Please just use the photo I gave you.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Fine. That will have to do.

Happy Post

2011-08-19T00:26:00.011-06:00

I had some pictures from the past few days and had to post because today was...just a fantastic day! I'll start with the pics from yesterday to begin. I'm sure most people in Utah have heard (and visited) the UP house in Herriman. We've been fairly busy lately and hadn't got the chance to make the trek up. But finally yesterday we had a day off and decided to see it before they took down all the fun extra features like the mailbox. The parade of homes was over but at least we got to get some pictures in front of it.

Self taken pics are always interesting...luckily this one turned out okay.

Love the mailbox, love the girl, LOVE this picture!

I have lived in Utah for several years but have never visited the copper mines. Since we were already all the way out in Herriman we figured it was about time to check that one off the list. I was amazed at the size of the place! It really was remeniscent of the Grand Canyon in a smaller "look how we destroyed this mountain and surrounding valley" sort of way. Not something to plan a whole day around but definitely worth the trip with the fam if you're looking for something to do.

The sky is blue, water is wet, and I will forever think I'm hilarious. Get used to it.

My two new besties!

So the above picture was the highlight of this week/month/year! I had been a fan of the Peter & the Starcatchers series for many years and I had since converted Jenesse to the magic! When we heard they were going to be coming to Provo Library we were bummed that we didn't get tickets. BUT!!! Our Primary President was at our house explaining our callings and she noticed we have a bajillion books and aksed if we had any recommendations for her daughter. I immediately grabbed the first book and told her to start with that one. A week went by and I got a knock on the door by a cute little 8 year old girl and she held out her hands and gave us two tickets to the event! We were ecstatic! Finally tonight we got to go and it was one of the coolest things I've ever gone to. We got there early enough that we got to sit in the front row and they both spoke for about an hour and a half. Their stories were hilarious and fascinating. We then got to shake their hands and talk to them as they signed our books (the whole set which was amazing). And I was just blown away at how down to earth and genuine these guys were. You could tell they were passionate about what they did for a living and loved talking to their fans about the books. Most people know Dave Barry but Ridley Pearson was just as funny and even more heartfelt. I brought a book that just he wrote on his own (Kingdom Keepers which EVERY Disney fan must read and own). When he saw that we owned all the Starcatcher books and all of his Kingdom Keeper books he genuinely thanked us for loving his books so much. I told him they would be read many times in our home and he looked at me and asked, "Can I please make this out to the Kempton Family too?" You could just tell he was so happy we made his work part of our lives. Basically I'm telling you all to go out and buy these books because they are great and they are written by great guys. Fabulous night!

What we've been up to lately...

2011-08-03T19:28:00.012-06:00

Been pretty busy with this liquidation nonsense...these pictures make me laugh and I wish I had thought of them. :)

An homage...

2011-07-12T11:26:00.014-06:00

Yes, this is the week that we all must bid farewell to the boy who lived. We all have been in denial since the last book came out thinking, "Well at least we have the movies to look forward to!" But here it is...the last hurrah! I will only let my "geekness" rant for a little while on this post but I think the books deserve a tribute here on our blog. I just re-read them in anticipation of this final film and I'm still blown away by the story and characters that JK Rowling invented.

So, as a fun starter in this Harry Potter Feast of a blog I thought I'd post a few of the characters and who I pictured in my head when I first read the books...some accurate...some just a little bizarre.

Harry Potter

Weirdly enough I don't have much of a mental image for Harry...I never usually do for main characters of books. I always see out of the eyes of the main character and don't really focus on their appearance...kind of weird but there you have it.

Rob...er...Ron Weasley

Yes...for whatever reason I placed myself as the freckle faced ginger of a sidekick. I'm not sure really what reason...I think it's because he diffuses a lot of the tension in the books by trying to be funny or just genuinely caring about his friends. I DO like to play sports but I hate when I get put on the spot and things get too competitive (I do suffer from nerves competitively). I also think Ron could have been a lot better at school if he just applied himself instead of sneaking off to play...little too close to home... :) Ok, self diagnostic rant over.

Hermione

At least in the beginning this is how I pictured her. She was described with buck teeth and for some reason I just gave her glasses (maybe to fit in with Harry). But until the 4th book she's never really portrayed as anything but brainy so...there ya go.

Neville

Poor sweet innocent Neville...yes you do remind of the pudgy timid Theodore from Alvin and the Chipmunks. Don't worry though...you grow out of it by the 7th book. :)

Hagrid

Oh the lovable oaf! For some reason he became the ghost of Christmas present from the Muppet movies. I think it's valid.

Umbridge

Oh the loathsome toad! I think the queen of hearts does the character justice...especially with the fowl temper of hers....

Sirius Black

Who wouldn't want their Godfather to be Harrison Ford?? I dunno why I picture him but I think it's because he's reckless and defends Harry like a real life hero...dunno but I'm sure Harry wouldn't complain.

Dementors

Yes, another Muppet Christmas Carol reference...must have been started by Hagrid. Pretty creepy though.

Slughorn

Yes, you better eat your oatmeal and get your diabeetus checked! Fat guy with a walrus mustache?? Who else could I picture?

Voldemort

Obviously in finding this picture I am not the only one who imagined Kiff from Futurama. Why...dunno...give him red eyes and it might be more believable.

Dumbledore

I REALLY don't post this to seem sacrilegious at all but...that's who I picture! I think it's because he was such a part of my childhood! He was the one with all the wisdom, humor, and subtleties. He was the one that gave me guidance and advice. I stand by it being a compliment.

I do understand that Harry Potter is not for everybody. Some people just genuinely cannot get into stories that involve any kind of fantastical elements. But the reason I love the books is not the spells, dragons, or potions. It's the characters, story lines, and above all the struggle of good vs evil. The characters are people from my own life. Every one of my friends and family members are reflected in these people whether it's through their humor, friendship, or generosity. The story lines are INCREDIBLE!!! When JK Rowling says she nearly had a nervous breakdown writing the some of the books, I can hardly blame her! They are crafted so well that little details from the 1st book tie in to the 5th book and the 7th with the 4th and so on...what a remarkable storyteller! Good vs evil? That's my favorite theme through every book. Every character is flawed and it shows how each character deals with those flaws (for good or for bad). I love it because it shows that they can be overcome! I don't really get emotional in books but everytime I get to the end of the 7th book I nearly lose it! It's not the deaths or anything sad...it's when EVERYONE shows up to fight. Awesome characters, flawed characters, EVERYONE shows up to do their part in battling the evil that has presented itself and they are willing to sacrifice everything to destroy it and protect the ones they love.

So farewell Harry! You have taken us on a long and delightful journey that we will re-live with our children and grandchildren. You have earned your spot on the bookshelf next to Aslan, Gandalf, Atticus Finch, and all the other classics. I will try to integrate you into my future classrooms so long as parents aren't close minded...but even if they are I might sneak you in anyway. ;-)

Happy Papa's Day!

2011-06-19T10:54:00.001-06:00

Here are a few "dadisms" that probably only my siblings will get but a tribute to the best dad ever nonetheless!

-"It's time to get up in the moooooorning!" (Sung to the tune Oh what a beautiful morning from Oklahoma)

-"Get up! Get up you sleepy head and get your hiney out of bed!"

-When requesting to get something to eat or drink and getting my dad to just stick out his thumb for you instead.

-"Don't Worry....Be Happy"

-"Let's Gooooooo" (hard to describe with words but the last syllable changes pitch mid "o". :)

-"I hink so" :)

-"Let's choose up teams and take a nap." A Sunday favorite.

-"I don't think Santa came this year!" Classic Christmas

-"It's gonna be scawwwy!" Always before the drop on a roller coaster.

-"WHO'S IN MY BED?" or any reference to what a grandkid is doing...with a deep loud void and slow pounding footsteps as the kids hide and scatter so Papa won't "get them."

-"Ittle girl."

-"Ish" When referring to the time when he'll be off work...

-"Sugar!" The closest I've ever heard to my dad curse.

And a myriad of others not lengthy to mention here. Happy Father's Day Papa! We love you!

Cool PSA

2011-05-26T12:27:00.004-06:00

I watched the first few episodes of Glee and actually thought it was a fun show but then it turned way too political/offensive/a number of other things. But I saw this PSA they are putting out from the show and I thought it was worth sharing. I've n ever liked the term "retarded." Especially going into Elementary Education it's even more of a sensitive subject to me. I literally cringe when I hear other students in my class use it...fearing that one day it could really do a lot of damage. Anyway...I won't rant...the message speaks for itself. :)

Hehe...

2011-05-19T18:06:00.003-06:00

No explanation....this just made me laugh and I wanted to share. :D

Holy Mormon Art Batman!!!

2011-05-18T11:13:00.004-06:00

So...I was playing Lego Batman the other day and noticed a painting in the background looked a little familiar. I think one of the Mormon designers took some liberties to have some fun. :D

It is my crack...

2011-05-02T12:45:00.002-06:00

It's always made me laugh that the things we do for fun as Mormons never really go above age 16. If you enjoy voting, renting rug doctors, or buying dry ice I suppose you can bump it up to 18 if you like. But it's hilariously true. Disneyland IS my drug of choice. I've also seen some of your blogs recently (you know who you are) and you know you don't go JUST because you have kids...

Pause for a homage...

2011-03-31T14:54:00.004-06:00

This week marks my finishing of the series known to select few...QI. My friend Amanda (to whom I am eternally grateful) introduced it to me last summer and I've loved every moment since! The hardest thing about loving QI is having to EXPLAIN QI. Is it a game show? Not really. So it's a talk show? Kinda. I still have no real explanation for it. Basically the show is hosted by Stephen Fry (world's smartest man) and he has 4 guests each week sit on either side of him. He then asks random trivia questions. Most of the time they are questions you think you know the answer to but are not actually true. A sort of Mythbusters game show. What's more is the guests get more points if they can share something that is Quite Interesting. So it leads to all sorts of hilarious tangents. I seriously have not laughed so hard in my life nor have I learned so much from one show. Notable guests you might ask? Emma Thompson, Eddie Izzard, Hugh Laurie, Daniel Radcliffe, and my favorite ranter David Mitchell...along with loads of other British people no one's really heard of here. You will also come to love Alan Davies...a true hidden British gem. Sadly they don't sell the DVD's in the USA so you have to find them online via youtube or other means (ie coming over to my house and borrowing them). Anyway...had to pay tribute to a really really great show. Cheers!

Highlights

2011-03-22T23:59:00.019-06:00

So here it is. After 3 months of secret keeping I am now free! I planned a surprise trip to California for Jenesse for our anniversary. I basically picked her up from work with her bags packed and we took off!! It sounds simple but only close friends and co workers know the deep levels of deviousness that this took to pull off. I'm exhausted...no more secrets for awhile. ;-)

I made friends with the front desk clerk and he totally hooked me up with a suite overlooking the Bellagio fountains...I hate Vegas...I LOVED this hotel room. :)

Dedicated to Matt. It was drunk in your honor. ;-)

Yeah...those are crickets going into her mouth...Jenesse tried them...I declined...bleh.

Another couple of characters to add to the hundred acre wood.

Ok...so Jenesse is terrified of characters in costumes (just the ones you can't see their faces) so you can imagine how proud I am that I finally got her to pose for these after 3 years of marriage! They're by far my favorite pics from the trip!

Jenesse gets to finally meet her hero!

Truly one of my favorite spots in Disneyland. Magical.

Alice In Wonderland 2?? Eh?? Takers??

I have to make fun of Jenesse for loving the rides that have less than a 5 minute wait. But we got to visit Monstropolous and 100 Acre Woods....several times. :)

We didn't quite make Toy Story 3...hoping for 4...

Charming Ladies...

King Triton has his own carousel? Sure!

Delightful.

World of Color is Disney's newest night time show....A-MAZ-ING! The Bellagio is like a kid blowing bubbles in a bathtub compared to this thing. I was blown away by all 30 minutes of it!

I don't understand the fascination with Tron but I'm glad Laura enjoyed it. :)

This was the first time I remember ever riding the Dumbo ride...it's actually a lot cooler than I thought it would be and it definitely completed the DISNEY experience.

Not going to lie...I totally bought this just because it looked awesome...luckily it tasted AMAZING!

Before the craziness.

Thank you Dramamine for making this moment possible. I was popping them all day in preparation for this moment...the things we do for love...

Happy (early) Anniversary!

2011-03-15T13:40:00.002-06:00

So...as always I can never wait to give Jenesse her presents. Our friend Laura is an art major at UVU and I had her teach me how to paint with oils. I decided to paint Jenesse's present this year. She really liked the lantern scene from Tangled so I figured...what the hey! Yes it does look like a child did it Laura but I had a lot of fun mixing colors and painting it and I made Jenesse cry when I gave it to her so I think I can call this a success. No, I will not be taking any commissions to do portraits of your family unless you want them to look like THIS.

Happy Pi...Pie...3.14....Day!

2011-03-15T11:28:00.003-06:00

So our friend Laura has an annual Pi party and she wanted to make t-shirts this year. She was trying to think of ideas and while I can't take credit for the awesome design...I can take credit for the idea. :D Maybe I'm the only one but I thought it was hilarious! Happy belated Pi day!!!

Come On....

2011-02-28T15:02:00.003-07:00

You know...just when you come to grips with the fact that you might not be the "conventional" student you get an email that says this:

Dear Robert,

The Office of Student Success & Retention has created a reporting system to help you be successful. This system allows us to be proactive in offering you advice in how to be successful here at UVU.

As a non-traditional student, a student who is 25 or older, research indicates that you may need additional assistance. UVU offers a variety of resources to our students that can be designed to meet your needs. Please be sure to take advantage of our Learning Strategies Support for help understanding your learning style and test taking. For more information, visit http://www.uvu.edu/learningstrategies/. If you feel you have received this e-mail in error, or you have additional questions or concerns, please contact me. I look forward to assisting you.

I AM NOT A GRANDPA!!!

Guilt...

2011-02-24T21:34:00.003-07:00

How can a picture of a fictional character that has no bearing on my life whatsoever make me feel so so guilty?

Blue?

2011-02-23T10:27:00.003-07:00

Jenesse & I came home the other night to find our cat had gotten into some blue paint...who could look and that and not think of this....

We all know....

2011-02-19T21:44:00.002-07:00

Watch...enjoy. We ALL know this person. People who work with me? I will not name names but I think we all know who this person is at work...enough said. Enjoy!

Come Home

2011-02-18T12:18:00.003-07:00

Several months ago a Sunday school teacher asked the class if there were one thing your Heavenly Father could tell everyone in the world what would it be? This lead to a discussion about various gospel concepts but for some reason this question stuck with me weeks after the fact. One message? Surely there are millions of things He would want us to know. But I imagined the core of what He would want us to know would have to be simple. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that what I was feeling was quite literally put into visual form. *WARNING* The following message is about to get cheesy.* I am a firm believer that the gospel is universal. Yes we learn about it mainly in church but it exists in practically every other facet of life as well. Which is kind of cool when you think about it. People who are extremely interested in music can essentially find truths through that music and learn something extremely personal through that effort. Others can find inspiration from nature or working with people or etc etc. If these things are true...it has to be true in everything right? So yes...as I watched the movie Tangled (don't scoff) I was really touched by the scene where the parents send out the lanterns to help guide their daughter home. That was it for me. "I love you so much....please please come home." That's what I feel would be the message our Heavenly Father would tell us. No matter where we are no matter what we've done...we are still beckoned to come home. There could be a whole myriad of cheesy analogies with what the "lanterns" could be in our lives but I thought I'd spare you. It was just a really nice visual representation of how I was feeling. Simple short post today. Like it or leave it. :)

...Eeyore?

2011-02-15T20:20:00.001-07:00

Yeah...it's been over two months since I've blogged and I plan to do so more in detail soon but I just had to share this....BEST comic I have seen in MANY years. Yes all you English freaks out there...you are welcome. ;-)

Marvelous Amazing Stupendous Hilarious

2010-12-14T22:40:00.004-07:00

I have yet again finished 11 seasons of M*A*S*H (over several months mind you) and I still can't get over how much I love the show. Like many of you, I thought M*A*S*H was for old people after TGIF was over and just as boring as the news. But my friend Matt made me sit down with his family and watch a few episodes. I resisted at first, rolled my eyes a couple of times, but by the end of my screening I was hooked. It was clever, charming, and completely hilarious.

My theory with tv shows is that you have to give them 2-3 episodes to really give them a chance. Obviously some shows are completely garbage and only seeing 2-3 commercials for them is enough to judge. This time allows you to get to know the characters and the style of the show. I mean...how many people loved Arrested Development from episode one with NO recommendations from friends? It takes a minute to say..."Wait...what's going on here?"

So here I am making an official blog recommendation for this tv show. It's seriously one of the funniest shows I've seen and also one of the most touching. I'm guaranteed to tear up a few times each season as well as cry with laughter. The key to the show is in its amazing characters. Each one develops in unique and surprising ways and by the end of 11 seasons they're pretty much your best friends.

I've never recommended something that wasn't truly great/enjoyable yet some people still doubt my recommending skills (you know who you are). So if you are getting tired of the umpteenth CSI or NCIS go back to tv's roots and pick up MASH season one (I'll even let you borrow my precious copy). As a treat I have included the following quotes from said tv show.

"What a unique device, the human tush. An architectural wonder, one of a kind...actually two of a kind. Designed to support our weight for a lifetime of sitting it also has the subtlety to do the samba. And when attached to certain members of the female species at a time when light summer dresses are worn can cause some of us to drive our cars straight up a lamppost." - Hawkeye

Seeing Hawkeye & Trapper punching Frank Burn's rucksack bag for boxing practice.

Margaret: "Isn't that Frank's bag?"

Trapper: "I thought you were Frank's bag."

Christmas Music...

2010-12-13T22:43:00.002-07:00

So this is a subject that comes to my mind every Christmas season and I still have not come to any resolution. Ok...literally wrote about ten different sentences and deleted them because they looked racist/bigoted. I just mean people who are not Christian singing Christian music....that's as toned down as I can get it. I COMPLETELY get the idea that Christmas belongs to everyone and can and SHOULD be shared with everyone but there are just some songs that seem almost ridiculous to sing if you didn't believe in Christ. Sure Jingle Bells is great, White Christmas awesome, but Silent Night? Away In A Manger? O Holy Night? These are pretty heavy laden Christian songs. I would find it difficult to sing several songs about a person I had no belief in...especially some of those songs that you really have to belt out. Maybe this is because I think singing and testimonies are very much linked together. Some people testify powerfully through speaking, others through their art, and others by singing.

It's not as though I think people sing these songs to be malicious or anything like that. I suppose it's like (in a very small way) hiring actors to go out and do missionary work. Of course someone professionally trained is going to look better and sound better but the real heart of the message is lacking in the delivery. O Holy Night is pretty well tied for my favorite Christmas song and if you pay attention to the lyrics it's such an incredible song.

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend!

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

It's such a triumphant song!! Everything....EVERYTHING was realized in this one night through this small child brought into the world. The world literally was hopeless without Him. And to shout "Fall on your knees" is such a visual representation on the gratitude we should all have for Him coming here.

So maybe if when people sing songs like these they are filled with even the smallest bit of the spirit I should just live and let live. Hopefully it can be a small way we ALL can grow closer to Him each holid...er...CHRISTMAS season. :)

Christmas Season

2010-12-08T23:47:00.005-07:00

In case the above video doesn't load...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTmhVrRzf5c

I'm not sure when Silent Night became my favorite Christmas song but anytime I hear a well done version of it I am instantly put into the genuine Christmas mood. I think I love it because it represents how things must have felt the night of Christ's birth. Of course it could be the romantic within me but I believe that there was a calm throughout the world on that night...as if every living thing was aware that after this night the world would be changed forever. It's the same reason why I believe that the world becomes a slightly happier place each Christmas season. If, even for a few moments, millions of people across the world think and remember Jesus Christ during the Christmas season...it has a positive effect on the world. Why do we go to church each Sunday? Why are we encouraged to go to the temple? It's all to be reminded of the central role that our Savior plays in our lives. And each time I remember that...I feel better, I act better, and I'm just plain better! And that's just one person! Times that by hundreds, thousands, and millions and pretty soon the world really is a better place. Even people who have no testimony of Jesus can feel something different/better during the Christmas time of the year. It's the light of Christ that can effect anyone for the better.

So please enjoy this very short simple video that I put together. It's not meant to change your life but hopefully remind us all that it was on a Silent Night night our Savior was brought into this world. The only people that found Him were the ones that sought Him ought. I pray that we will seek Him out ALWAYS and invite Him into our lives any chance that we get. Merry Christmas!

Change of address? Please?

2010-12-01T16:16:00.003-07:00

I think I have been to basically every part of the country with various moves and vacations so it always nagged at me that I had never been up to the northwest. But last week we had the opportunity to go up to Seattle to spend Thanksgiving with the fam! Of course the first time I ever visit they are having crazy cold weather with snow that "never" happens. Still, I was absolutely in awe of how beautiful it was up there! I suppose part of it reminds me of Maryland where I half grew up but the other part was my desire to see GREEN!! I forgot how cool it was to look into a forest and only be able to see about 15 feet into it! It reminds me of many childhood explorations and adventures. Just absolutely beautiful everywhere I looked.

I know part of it was because I was on vacation and things seem to take on a certain luster minus school and work. But I really think this is an area that I would like to end up in. And it's not that I really have anything against Utah but I think there is something to be said for creating a life for yourself away from home...especially in Utah. I think the most significant part of the trip for me was when we went to church on that Sunday. We only stayed for sacrament meeting but through the talks I could definitely feel like there was a sense of belonging that these people felt in their ward. Like it was a place of refuge to meet with loved ones who believe the same things you do. As we were leaving we were approached by three people welcoming us to the ward and asking if we needed help finding the right classes. The bishop even came and introduced himself and welcoming us. What an amazing lesson that was to see members acting so warm and welcoming. Sadly, in all the time Jenesse and I have been married we have never been welcomed to a ward like that. It took a year in our last ward to get callings and even in the ward now we've asked several times to no avail. I dunno...there's something about feeling wanted and more importantly NEEDED in a ward. It's something that I really haven't felt in awhile. It's not like I'd stop going to church because of it but it makes me sad that so many people do just that. Perhaps it was a lesson for me to say hello and talk to people I see at church even if I don't know them. Life lesson eh?

So, basically the trip was awesome! Beautiful scenery and good times spent with family! Seattle, you were awesome! May our paths cross someday real soon!

WHY??

2010-11-21T22:58:00.003-07:00

How is it that I have never seen this movie until tonight?? Funny, entertaining, and surprisingly touching. I blame you all for not recommending it sooner.

Romances of yesteryear

2010-11-11T14:16:00.011-07:00

Inspired by my cousin Alicia's post about dreamy animated male figures of the past, I decided to create my own of the opposite gender. So enjoy and if you have you own opinions, please share. :)

Oh Briar Rose. How you only had about three lines of dialogue and even those words were merely full of teenage angst. Sure you probably wouldn't spend hours in conversation but if you need entertainment she's got some crazy fairies that can provide that.

We neither rooted for Chip or Dale to get with Gadget because we secretly had our own longing for the brainy beauty.

Come now, beauty AND spunk!?! Yes please. Cute and spunky in rags and ravishing beauty getting dressed for the Russian ballet. But, alas, we all stood no chance for as Alicia stated...Dimitri was no one to compete with.

Sure deep down inside she was an ugly old creep but for the briefest of moments we were enraptured by long purple hair and a silvery voice! But it was only skin deep! Oh marvelous mad Madam Mimm, I hope by today she's learned to appreciate sunshine.

Okay okay I know she's not animated but she jumped into a chalk drawing! Close enough right? She was a little rough around the edges "firm but kind" but when she took her Jolly Holiday we realized why Bert always kept an eye up to the clouds nearby and took notice of wind changes. No wonder that it's Mary that we love!

Disney's foxiest lady! She can keep Robin Hood motivated AND can play badmitton in full dress. All the kids adored her and Robin Hood risked life and limb to save her. "You're very boo-tee-full." Possibly better looking than most live action Maid Marians.

One of the first Disney princesses who went out and didn't wait for her prince charming to come and get her! Beauty and can throw a snowball with the best of them...she definitely deserved the Beast...though probably not the "prince" he turned into.

Finally I have to add the one cartoon crush of my childhood who topped all the rest. And no it's not because of the sea shells...I was 7 at the time. I confessed to Jenesse that I would sneak kisses on my Little Mermaid poster in Germany when no one was looking. Maybe there's a reason why I got excited when Jenesse said she wanted to try dying her hair red.... ;-)

PS- Jessica Rabbit did not make this list on purpose and for a reason...two ridiculously oversized reasons...

Good Good Day....

2010-11-07T22:17:00.003-07:00

I think so often I use this blog as a way to complain about something or another...blah blah...Utah drivers...blah blah...rude customers...etc. Today, however, I am ecstatic to report something beyond wonderful. Thursday I had the opportunity to go to the temple with my wife and witness a few amazing things. 1) My Uncle sealing his parents together and then getting sealed to them as well. 2) Watching my parents act on behalf of my grandparents to be sealed together. 3) Most heart warming of all (biased opinion of course) to see my mom and aunt get sealed to their father and dear mother. If any of you know my mom or aunts you know that, aside from religious entities, there was no greater person to walk this earth than my granma. We didn't get to have granma with us as long as we would have liked but that's up to the greater plan that (sometimes?) we get to understand.

This day was so special for me for two different reasons. Number one was just witnessing the joy that it brought to my mom and aunt. I think they had been waiting for this day ever since the term "forever family" had been introduced to them. It's something that I think those of us who are already born into this faith take for granted. To know that you will always be sealed to your family for now and for the eternities to come is an incredible thing that I often forget about or really don't take the time to comprehend. So...lesson? Love your families!

The second reason this day was so awesome was because I could see the true message of the gospel clearly. The gospel of Jesus Christ is to help us become like Him. That concept applies to everyone...everywhere. Even beyond this life. My grandpa wasn't the model mormon in his life and didn't adhere to the gospel teachings. But on Thursday I realized that the blessings in this life, even if one misses out on them during the mortal part, can still be attained through other faithful members of the church. Our Father in Heaven wants us to come home and will make EVERY possible way for us to do so available to us if we take the time to seek them.

All in all it was a pretty incredible day. It almost seems ridiculous to stray from the path (in any way) after seeing the joy/tears/happiness/all the good stuff in my mother's face as she became apart of her (and therefore my) forever family.

PS- Apologies to my non-LDS readers out there if this didn't make sense. I am happy to answer any/all questions you might have (if I'm lucky I might answer a few right even). :)

:)

2010-10-14T21:08:00.002-06:00

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2010-10-13T12:27:00.002-06:00

Aced it!!!

Maybe I'm wrong??

2010-10-02T12:14:00.007-06:00

Perhaps I'm the only one out there who feels this way and perhaps I shouldn't care so much...but I do. Am I the only one who is annoyed/offended by the following products? It seems like we are always encouraged to conduct ourselves with quiet dignity and respect. I think the LDS church gets enough flak from outsiders without us giving them any more ammunition. What does one plan to achieve by asking fellow motorists via license plate frames if they too are LDS? Mind you these are the same license plate frames that consistently cut me off on the freeway. And the Angel Moroni on top of your Christmas tree? Really? I don't mean to offend anyone who has these things or think they are clever. I'm by no means perfect or an authority on what's acceptable within LDS culture but I'm going to guess that President Monson doesn't go to meetings wearing a "I can't I'm Mormon" t-shirt, driving his RULDS2 mobile, with his freshly baked "Chocolate Never Faileth" brownies, to share under the Angel Moroni Christmas tree.

PS- Oh, and the worst of it all is the full body cringing ads for Deseret Credit Union. Every year they air them during conference and I still am redered speechless.

LAY OFF ME!!!

2010-09-29T20:52:00.003-06:00

Why is it even after making this discovery long ago, I still am not able to consciously fix it? Today my mood began to descend rapidly into grumpiness after about 2:00. Add a math class and going into work to deal with coupon grasping customers and things only got worse. It wasn't until I went on my break that I went and got a sandwich and BAM...I'm a happy person again! I'm not sure if this is a sad commentary on my life...that my mood so drastically depends on a meatball sandwich and a Dr. Pepper. I just need a wristwatch that tells me to eat/drink so I can stay consistently happy. So if you ever see me and I'm looking like I might hit someone...will you please just give me a cookie?

PS- Every time I get food grumpy (frumpy?) I will forever think of this clip.

Long time coming....

2010-09-23T17:16:00.002-06:00

Was going to wait until Christmas but couldn't do it....giving her to Jenesse tonight. CANNOT WAIT!

Good time for a transition...

2010-09-10T11:50:00.004-06:00

Just a suggestion for you Oprah... I could get used to the paycheck and my friends could enjoy free swag...win win!

Preview...

2010-08-19T23:18:00.008-06:00

Most blogs (at least the ones I write) typically are about something of little or no significance, just me ranting about something or another. But I really do love to write. I'm not sure why. But I think it's finding an emotion within myself and being able to convey (or at least try) that emotion in words. It's a rush (I know...real thrill seeker here) when you've gotten something perfect and it looks just the way you want! Whether that emotion is humorous, depressing, thought-provoking, etc...it's a cool process that I've enjoyed and still continue to. SO as lame as it sounds for a bookseller/ex-English major to be writing stories...I'll gladly wear the lameness crown. :) I've been working on a project and recently "finished" (nothing is ever finished because every time I re-read it I change something) the introduction to a story (I call it a "story" because "book" is even more presumptuous and lame). Self-degradation aside, I'd love for anyone/everyone to take a look at it and let me know what you think. I know on some level we all would sell a piece of our souls for comments on our blogs but never publicly say so...but in this case I'm definitely soliciting them. :) If you enjoy it, please pass it along and if you think it's worse than Twilight then please tell me and I'll vow never to write again. It's more for critique than anything else for I realize I am not great when it comes to grammar. I use too many commas and ellipses amongst other things... I'm not rushing publishers or anything...it's more of a personal project than anything else. So, turn on some relaxing music (the Pride & Prejudice soundtrack might capture the mood well), make some hot chocolate, and find a cozy corner to read for here is my first official preview.

That Snow, That Bench, & That Face

If asked to recall their earliest vivid memory, most people would express fond recollections of a worn down teddy bear, “You know, the one with its left eye missing,” of that gargantuan yellow slide at the playground, “I dare you to go down it backwards,” or even that sinister house down at the end of the road, “I swears I seen somethin’ movin in the attic.” These are the memories of a normal, if not stereotypical, childhood. I can’t say slides or teddy bears were an integral part of my upbringing. Keats and Milton were my bedtime fairytales and the only sliding I did was on the pavement of a city I’d never heard of in icy weather. Oh I’m sure if I scrunched up my face tight enough I could recall an image or two of strollers or fuzzy blue blankets but those are fragments at best, nothing complete.

To be quite honest, my first real memory sits roughly one hundred yards from Westminster Bridge in London between an out of order drinking fountain and a rusted lamppost. Now, I use the word “sits” because I could never imagine using a word like “stand” to describe something that’s main function is used for sitting…anyway…it was there and sitting is what it did. “It” was an old bench, more than likely one of thousands of government issued and in no way discernable from any other, except one. It was enchanted. I don’t mean to say trolls and unicorns had afternoon tea beside it but rather that it represented…something mysterious and unexplainable. To this day I can’t tell you all of the reasons why it made me feel this way. All I can say is that from the first time I came in contact with it my life has never been the same. And while its mythical qualities still remain a mystery to me I can tell you how we first became acquainted. Some of the memory is gone now but I do remember the feeling of cold wet metal against my face as I lay silently watching my father work.

It was on one of those nights that he decided he needed to get out to find his muse. Dad was always looking for places to work that took him outside the limitations of four walls. I remember asking him why he insisted on finding these places when it was so much simpler, and many times warmer, to merely stay in. He looked at me and said, “Some of the best and most lasting pieces of literature were first thought of while seeking a quiet place to think, just look at Moses.” It hardly seemed worth arguing considering, at the time, I couldn’t remember if Moses was the one with the big boat or the fig leaf.

In the end dad almost always got his way and we set off. Early in my life I would resist these ventures out into the night air because it took me away from whatever I had occupied myself with at the time. Luckily dad pushed, or rather shoved at times, me out the door. He dressed in his usual grey tweed jacket, fitted driving cap, tartan scarf, and a cane that he always carried when going out because he said, “Folks are always much nicer to people with canes…and you can usually get away with a lot more.” Personally, I thought he carried it because he enjoyed thumping me upside the head with it. His appearance was never a number one priority. In fact, I’m pretty sure Dad stopped buying clothes ten years before I was born. The only piece of clothing that ever changed was his shoes. As oblivious as he was about buying new clothes he couldn’t avoid wearing down his shoes. Not when he spent the better part of his life walking around the world. It’s a strange way of measuring but I could probably date my life by the shoes my father wore. Tonight they were simple brown loafers, perfect for walking.

We walked for what felt like hours, all the while my father telling stories. And not just any random stories, these stories were tailored to the cityscape we were walking through. In Paris, it was The Hunchback of Notre Dame; Denmark told tales of Hans Christian Anderson, Africa came with Kipling’s Jungle Book, and countless other tales. Tonight was the tale of Sherlock Holmes that held my attention, perhaps a bit too much at times. We passed through a city hundreds of years full of history and the only thing I could focus on were my feet and the sound of my father speaking. It was his voice that won him over with so many, it was familiar and reassuring and probably reminded most of their own fathers. He never stumbled or paused (unless he was hamming it up) and every word was enunciated perfectly. I had the great privilege of hearing most, if not all, the classics through its rich and resonant tones. It made the long walks, train rides, and bus trips seem to pass by with ease and particular enjoyment.

There seemed to be no limit my father’s literary knowledge. If there was a book worth reading he’d have done so. I suppose that’s what made him such a renowned author. You see, that’s why we travelled so much. Either dad was being invited to some foreign dignitary’s home or else we were in a distant country researching for a new book. It was hard for me to understand why so many people made such a fuss over him. Dad never read anything of his own to me and he didn’t keep any of his books or articles at home so I was never able to see for myself what he did or why so many cherished him. Some might say it was because he was humble, or he didn’t want me to be brain washed to his way of thinking, but I think it was much simpler than that. I think it was because he just wanted to be “dad” to me and nothing other than that.
He would always talk to me about what he was writing; mainly asking me why I thought people acted the way that they do. It seemed he consistently would tell me to try to see life from another’s eyes and never get stuck to one way of thinking. And although my father did most of the talking he always took the time to listen whenever I had something to say or add. But mostly I listened in admiration as the rest of the world melted away like tonight’s London cityscape.

Sherlock Holmes had just entered Parliament to accuse his suspect when my father paused and I suddenly became aware of my surroundings. He (my father, not Sherlock Holmes) was looking up at the very building to which he was describing. At night, with all the lights shining all around, it looked quite majestic. I turned away after a few moments but my father continued to stare on. This was a frequent occurrence. He’d go very silent and still for ten, twenty, thirty minutes, sometimes up to an hour! If I ever tried to interrupt these moments a silent finger would raise urging my continued silence. I learned to leave him be until he was finished and he’d pick up right where he left off in conversation or stories. It was during one of these moments that dad stood leaning against the railing that I found that aforementioned bench (though at the time it was just merely a place to sit). I used the sleeve of my jacket to wipe off the condensed fog but all I did was smear it more. I sat for awhile until a few moments of waiting turned into several dozen minutes of waiting and I changed positions so that I was lying on my back.

It was then that I had one of those “in-between” moments. The kind where you’re halfway to falling asleep and halfway to waking up, still trying to decide which way you want to go. Everything seemed a blur as I looked up into the night sky to see a single white flake float down and rest on my cheek. It made me think of something my dad had said to me when it first started to snow back home, “Always remember to look for something remarkable to happen with every first snowfall. Spring and summer’s residual warmth slowly subsides until that one perfect moment where nature creates a sudden chill that mixes with a single droplet of moisture that gives us our first snowflake. Nature itself has created the perfect moment and if you look hard enough you’ll see the rest of the world has trouble not following in its footsteps.”

This is when all the night sky went dark, well not dark really, more like…pink. I found myself sitting upright wrestling off a face full of pink tassels. The scarf had evidently been dropped by someone passing by and as soon as I looked to see who it was a girl was running toward me, hand covering her giggling face, and blushing behind locks of honeycomb hair. I panicked for all of a sudden I forgot—everything. Nothing was going through my brain, who I was, what I was doing there, even breathing seemed a foreign concept to me. Speech was most certainly out of the question. My whole body seemed to focus all its energy at one thing. That face. I’d seen thousands of faces in all shapes, sizes, and colors but this one…enchanted me. She came over and took the scarf out of my outstretched hand and turned to run back before I could say anything.

All I managed was a very feeble, “Buh…”

She ran to, what looked like, her mother who bent over and whispered into her daughter’s ear. My body went back into shock mode as she ran back to me.

She pushed her hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear and said, “I’m sorry…and thanks!”

Her eyes darted from side to side as if for visual confirmation that she had completed her task to her mother’s satisfaction. Then without any warning she darted off again into the night air.

I blinked and finally found that breath of air my lungs were desperately awaiting. The world seemed to turn back on. Lights in the distance became clear again and I realized it had begun to snow quite heavily. When I turned back I saw my dad walking toward me.

“I’m sorry I took so long. It seems I sort of dazed off. But on the bright side, first snow of the season! See anything amazing?”

Pink! I saw pink! Wondrous, glorious, splendid, magnificent pink!

“…buh”

He gave me a confused sort of look but didn’t press me any harder. Perhaps he thought I had been tired from the night’s walk because he insisted that we head back to our hotel. He placed his arm around my shoulder and guided me in the opposite direction as the girl had gone. I looked over my shoulder hoping among all the yellow light and black shadows I would catch even a small glimmer of pink. Nothing. I saw the bench, glowing softly in the lantern’s light.

Shake yo umph...show 'em what you got!

2010-08-18T21:43:00.003-06:00

Ness and I went to Dave Matthews last night (thanks again Paul & Katie!) and it was a great show, great music, and great company. But as entertaining to me were the people all around us. I'll describe by asking...what is the deal with (many) women at concerts? Superman needed a phone booth and a cape to change his identity completely but all these women need is a GA ticket to (I would assume) any concert. Respectable Kindergarten teacher by day, public copulating drunkard by night. I think it has something to do with the combination of beer, pot (or pot fumes), and massive crowds. Add these together and inhibitions will be lost and someone WILL get flashed (PS...it's never anyone you'd want). And if you add the element of being outside on a lawn...forget about innapropriate fondling and making out...that's amateur stuff...straddling each other and rolling around in the grass truly makes you a concert afficionado (might I add class as well?). That aside, I found entertainment in the women that let their cares melt away in the rhythm of pelvic thrusting, hand grooving, and head twirling. Guys, don't attempt to keep up for you will risk looking like the bleached blonde "straight" (he winks to the audience knowingly) guy to our right. Please just stick to your head nodding and foot tapping...it's where you belong. And to all the women out there (you know who you are) I would advise finding an outlet for all of this pent up aggression you have toward the world. Find a hobby, go jogging, go yell at a bookstore employee for not matching prices with Amazon.com, start a blog that makes fun of random people you don't even know. Whatever it is, I hope you find it so you don't have to spend $50 every time you need a little release.

PS- If you think the rule "Whatever happens at concerts stays at concerts" applies...it doesn't...I saw what you did.

I COULDN'T care less...

2010-08-01T13:46:00.004-06:00

My cousins (being English teachers) have written several blogs about their "less than intelligent" students making errors in spelling and grammar. I have no such degree (or any degree come to think of it) in the subject but I do get annoyed with similar mistakes. So here is my contribution (and by "my" I mean I took it off youtube). I get annoyed when people get sayings messed up...ie..."I could care less!" Not acceptable. Please watch the following video to see why. Oh, and if you need a laugh (or several dozen) just type "David Mitchell Soapbox" into youtube and you will see tons of videos just like this one on several different subjects. He is by far one of the funniest people I've seen of late. Please enjoy!

Okay, just one more... :)

....?

2010-07-24T10:21:00.004-06:00

So, as most of you know, I've resumed my old job at Borders Books while I finish my long awaited degree at UVU. Honestly, it probably is my favorite job I've had. Not everyday is a joy but I love the atmosphere and helping people find "the perfect book." Of course there are days I get talked down to like I'm an idiot but then there are days like these where crazy authors come in for signings. This guy had arguments with his puppet...even when no one was around to watch. And even creepier the puppet looks like the pedophile on Family Guy. In short, one day I'd love to write a novel but if you see me at a bookstore doing a signing talking to a puppet...please kick me. :)

PS- I don't feel guilty about stealing this picture from Kim's blog because I'm the one who snapped this moment of awkwardness. :)

It Will All Work Out...

2010-07-22T09:37:00.003-06:00

Sometimes I feel like life gets overwhelming. The list of all we worry about seems never-ending some days. We worry about money, health, jobs, school, family, friends, future, etc... It is during these times that I'm always reminded of a quote by Gordon B. Hinckley. He had such a way of making you feel better about life and that anything was possible.

"It isn't as bad as you think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us...If we will put our trust in Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."

Inception

2010-07-19T14:55:00.003-06:00

If you haven't seen this movie, do it...right now! I know everyone is hyping this movie up and I hate to be one to jump on the bandwagon but....YEEHAW! It was original and mind blowing! It quickly jumped to my top 5 favorite movies of ALL TIME! I love original concept movies. I won't say anymore about it but definitely don't go to this movie tired cause you'll need your whole brain. :)

She & I...we're in a club

2010-06-22T13:37:00.004-06:00

This was a belated birthday present for Jenesse. The movie Up has always kinda been our thing so I had our friend Laura paint this for her birthday. This is the same painting that hangs above their fireplace. Anyway, I thought it was amazing and just had to share! Thanks Laura!

Job search??

2010-06-20T19:48:00.003-06:00

Jenesse found this when she was searching for a job down here in Utah County. I promise I did not edit this in any way whatsoever. Please please enjoy.

Actor to Teach an Important Lesson to Preschoolers (Provo, UT)
Date: 2010-06-17, 11:52AM MDT
Reply to: job-mqpay-1796952923@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

I am a teacher at Tears on Gethsemane Preschool, one of the top christian preschools in the county. Recently I have heard some of our preschoolers taunting one of our Jewish children. I am worried about this trend and wanted to teach our preschoolers an important lesson. My idea is to have you dress as the reanimated decomposing corpse of Adolf Hitler. I think this will be good because we have just finished a unit on WWII and so the children will be familiar with Mr. Adolf Hitler. Must explain that you are condemned to wallow in the pits of hell because of your hatred of Jews. We need to teach them that even though Jews killed Jesus we still have to love them. I also need help coming up with a convincing reason why the reanimated corpse of Hitler would be visiting our preschool (I am so left brained!). Must have a good understanding of European history from the 1900s-1940s and an ability to speak with a German accent is preferable. Stipend for Make-up and Costume will be provided. Contact Ms. Thompson in the front office if you have any more questions.

Oh so punny!

2010-06-10T09:48:00.013-06:00

So I found this new website that almost always makes me laugh. I'm not sure if it's because the jokes are so dry or that they remind me of something my brother in law would say...but here are some highlights. Some might take you a minute to figure out.

Our home...center of the arts.

2010-06-10T09:42:00.003-06:00

So it wasn't but .05 seconds after our friend Laura found out that we were allowed to point the walls in our apartment that she said (screamed?)"Can I paint a mural on your bathroom wall!?!" So of course we said yes and the above picture is what she came up with! Amazing right?? I'm not sure I'm going to have the heart to paint over it when we move! *sigh* Oh well, we'll enjoy it until then! It is truly amazing...although I did ask her to paint Hogwarts...this painting will do. ;-)

Author's note- The Hogwarts thing was a joke...I do have my limits....maybe our next apartment.

P90x ain't got nothin' on a U-Haul

2010-06-06T15:27:00.002-06:00

You know that Greek myth where the guy's punishment is that he has to push a boulder up a hill for eternity? I think my own personal hell would be packing and unpacking a U-haul...FOREVER.....*shudder*

Some of you may have heard via whisperings and rumors that we have moved. Indeed it is true. I am still amazed and shocked at how fast the process took! I won't bore you with all of the major details (or minor ones for that matter) but here it is in a nutshell. Ever since the summer semester started I had been feeling fairly uneasy for some reason but went ahead anyway. It wasn't until I was in class only a week ago that I really began to get anxious and borderlining freaking out for some reason. I just began to look at my schedule, finances, tuition, etc...etc...and realized I had 6 semesters at the U and each one would cost us about $4,000...totaling $24,000 to become a teacher!...ie....repaying student loans for the rest of our lives. On a sheer whim I decided to check at my associate's alma mater, UVU, to check the situation there. I met with a counselor and found out I can complete my degree in 4 semesters and less than $2,000 per semester....totaling less than $8,000. Upon this discovery and deciding with Ness that this was best for us....I realized I had already bought books and was enrolled in summer semester! I instantly hopped online and found out that the last day to drop out of classes and return books without penalty was when?? That very day! Holy cow! Yeah...we are definitely watched over. So I got out of classes and began to start the transition in getting us moved.

We had one month left at our current place and I tried posting an ad on craigslist just to see if we could even get out of our place. By the next day about 20 people had responded! I had found a place down in Orem that Ness and I both really loved and we just wanted to transition ASAP. So a couple came by on Monday and said they loved it and would take it from us as soon as we got the okay from our landlord. By Tuesday morning everything was A-okay and we rushed down to Orem to sign a new apartment contract, rented a U-Haul, and began packing it up the same day. Sadly this was Ness's birthday....gotta make that one up sometime. :) I was able to get most of the stuff in the truck by myself but there were a few pieces of furniture that I couldn't do alone. So what did I do??? Hire a random guy off the street of course! Yeah...no joke. He got $15 out of it and I got our U-haul packed! :) The next day I had the wonderful help from Ness's cousin whom I'd never met before. The guy was amazing. He helped unload from the very first box until the very last. Never would have survived without him! The rest of the week was spent painting the kitchen (red delicious and it looks AWESOME!), painting the family room (creamy buttery yellow), hanging pictures, and unpacking boxes. And as of a couple of pictures being hung this morning....we're ALL MOVED IN!! What an insane crazy week.

Although this was not in our plans (we loved living and being in SLC) we know is what's right for us right now. We look forward to being closer to family and friends to spend good quality time with them before we take off again. :) Hopefully then it will be somewhere out of state and REALLY exotic...like...Ohio? Come visit! We have tons of space and even a pool!

Come to ZION!!

2010-05-31T09:59:00.018-06:00

Little late in posting this but oh well right? Last week Jenesse and I went with our good friend Laura down to Zion National Park. I'd been down there once when I was in HS but hadn't been back. I truly forgot how AMAZING it is!! Laura kept saying, "This is real??" Just because the scenery of cliffs and sky was unreal. We thought we were going to do the narrows until we found out that the water was 40 degrees and running really high and fast....so we just looked at them from afar. It's cool though because we got to see the Emerald Pools instead. The next day we did Angel's Landing which I had always wanted to do! This hike wasn't enormously strenuous but I'll tell you now...if you have ANY fear of heights this hike is definitely not for you. They had that posted on the signs but I just thought they were being over cautious but when you get up to the top you realize they mean business. There are literally chains that you hold onto so you don't fall off either side of you and fall thousands of feet to your death. Crazy vertigo but amazing amazing views! We had an awesome time! And what did I do to celebrate the day's workout of calorie burning fun? Dairy Queen's chocolate banana malt! :)

Just realized I did these in the wrong order...oh well....this is us climbing in reverse!

Jenesse upon conquering Angel's Landing.

The chain that saves lives.

Some parts you literally think to yourself, "WHAT ARE WE DOING???"

There really is no camera shot that can convey how amazing that view is and how freaky.

I still look at these pictures and feel like I'm going to fall off.

Angel's Landing from the first lookout point.

We took detours through some crevasses.

I dunno...what do you do when someone tells you to make a dramatic pose?

IS THIS REAL???

We're hilarious.

View from our campsite.

Went into town to see the kitsch. Elton John, fly fisherman, and guy who feels left out.

We fed elk, buffalo, as--er...donkeys, and this guy.

Cool waterfalls on the way up to emerald pools.

The very cold and very fast moving narrows hike.

Inappropriate...

2010-05-18T16:05:00.003-06:00

Some days you just have to post an inappropriate picture on your blog. Today is my day.

To President Obama

2010-05-13T17:11:00.003-06:00

You have appointed this (wo?)man...

Who looks just like this British comedian...

Thank you for making politics sexy again.

~Signed~

A Fan

I Love you alot!

2010-04-16T09:02:00.003-06:00

For any of you who were English majors, teach English, or just are bugged by the grammar of today's internet age...this is for you. I wish I was the one to come up with it but alas I am not. Read it, enjoy it, and love it! ;-)

The Alot is Better Than You at Everything

As a grammatically conscientious person who frequents internet forums and YouTube, I have found it necessary to develop a few coping mechanisms. When someone types out "u" instead of "you," instead of getting mad, I imagine them having only one finger on each hand and then their actions seem reasonable. If I only had one finger on each hand, I'd leave out unnecessary letters too!

If I come across a person who seems to completely ignore the existence of apostrophes and capital letters and types things like "im an eagle and im typing with my talons, so dont make fun of me cuz this is hard," I like to imagine that they actually are an eagle typing with their talons. It would be a hassle if you had to hop in the air and use your feet to karate-chop two keys simultaneously every time you wanted to use the shift key to make a capital letter. Also, eagles lack manual dexterity, so I can understand why they'd want to leave out apostrophes. Eagles are all about efficiency.

But there is one grammatical mistake that I particularly enjoy encountering. It has become almost fun for me to come across people who take the phrase "a lot" and condense it down into one word, because when someone says "alot," this is what I imagine:

The Alot is an imaginary creature that I made up to help me deal with my compulsive need to correct other people's grammar. It kind of looks like a cross between a bear, a yak and a pug, and it has provided hours of entertainment for me in a situation where I'd normally be left feeling angry and disillusioned with the world.

For example, when I read the sentence "I care about this alot," this is what I imagine:

Similarly, when someone says "alot of _______", I picture an Alot made out of whatever they are talking about.

If someone says something like "I feel lonely alot" or "I'm angry alot," I'm going to imagine them standing there with an emo haircut, sharing their feelings with an Alot.

The Alot is incredibly versatile.

So the next time you are reading along and you see some guy ranting about how he is "alot better at swimming than Michael Phelps," instead of getting angry, you can be like "You're right! Alots are known for their superior swimming capabilities."

Where's Walt? :(

2010-04-15T21:43:00.003-06:00

Didn't plan on doing this blog until I saw my quote of the day was from these two.

Sometimes what's right isn't as important as what's profitable.
- Trey Parker and Matt Stone

I don't want to come off as one of those mormons that hates everything and everyone that says something against the church or makes fun of the church. I'll be the first to admit there is a lot to make fun of! I just really do get disgusted by people sometimes. This quote just represents to me how and where this world is going. It's like, "Yeah we know it's wrong but look at all this money we can make by offending people!" Admission #1 yes I have seen a few episodes of South Park and can appreciate the really funny satire on current events but on the whole it's just horrible. I may not be muslim, jewish, or any of the other religions they make fun of on this show but it still offends me that they take sacred beliefs of other people and flaunt them as entertainment. And I think their argument of "but we make fun of everybody!" is a load of garbage. As if this makes everything okay. It's sad that this country really is being lead away by people with very few morals and making those "fools who believe in religion" feel like outcasts. And I'm sure if they read this blog they'd feel oh so proud that they offended one more person. Oh yeah...they are also making a Broadway musical all about Mormons....that's gonna be truly tasteful. We've gone from Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, and Sound of Music to Avenue Q and Mormon mocking. Classy guys...classy. So to sum up this rant...there's nothing to be done to stop people like this and the more of a fuss you make the happier that will make them. I just truly have no idea how you can be in a job where your sole function is to offend people and find new ways of doing so. What a way to be remembered. End rant. Please come back Walt...

Missing: Mystery Book

2010-04-13T19:45:00.003-06:00

Okay. I've been searching for this book for literally over 10 years. I was probably about 10 years old when I visited the Orem Library. The librarian gave me this book telling me that I would probably love it. I read it, loved it, and that's what got me started in my love of reading! I have since tried to find it with absolutely no luck. Here I will dedicate a post in the hopes that someone, somewhere will know what I am talking about. Here are the few details I know about the plot.

-Main character is a young girl.

-Girl goes to live with her aunts (might be good friends of parents and not relatives)

-Things seem normal except the girl is forbidden to read from a certain book the aunts have.

-One day the aunts get kidnapped and the girl must go into another world to find them.

-The girl has a companion that is a little dwarf, gnome, or other weird creature.

-As the girl progresses in her journey she learns new spells that help her progress.

-At one point the girl must get a new guide given to her by the bad guy (maybe) but she knows a spell that forces her old companion to tell the truth if the new guy is trustworthy so she gets a different one.

I know these details are really random but perhaps a random google search will get some stranger's attention and they can help out. Or maybe one of you have just been holding out on me! :)

Babies....x2!!

2010-04-08T09:09:00.005-06:00

Thought I'd share in the joy of new babies! I'll let Kristin announce the names herself but here are some pictures of these little miracles!

THEY ARE HERE THEY ARE HERE THEY ARE HERE!!!

2010-04-05T23:07:00.002-06:00

About a month early but that's just cause we couldn't wait for them any longer!!! Welcome to the family and congrats to Mom and Dad Leavitt and OLDER brother Adam!!!

March Madness...

2010-04-05T21:09:00.003-06:00

Nothing is cuter than listening to your husband in the other room cheering for a certain *ahem* basketball team to win PURELY so his four year old niece can win March Madness...

@#*%!

2010-04-05T16:03:00.002-06:00

I've been thinking about this lately probably moreso because I am eventually going into the teaching world. What do people consider bad language? I never considered myself to use bad language but I'm sure there are those that would look down upon some words that I sometimes use. Here I list words of question:

Crap

Butt

Stupid

Bugger

Suck(s)

There are probably more but I can't think of any right now. It's funny because if I hear anyone over the age of 16 ish use said words they don't bother me. But hearing little kids use them really does! Does that make me a hypocrite? I suppose a lot is generational and what you were brought up hearing. I just don't want to get into trouble with parents if I slip up and use the above offensive language. :)

PS- I am aware of the obvious curses but did not feel it necessary to list "those" words as well. :)

Tea Cup Video

2010-04-01T11:33:00.002-06:00

A video of the tea cup adventure. :)

Spring Break Part 7

2010-04-01T10:52:00.016-06:00

It took me about 100 pictures to get a good one of the fireworks.

I think you can see Matt's brain up his nose.

Awesome awesome castle.

Riding the Carousel.

Bleh. Tea Cups.

Splash Mountain!

Angry Farmers?

!Hola!

Truly Beauty & the Beast

Bonjour!

Ness making a call to the states. She says this doesn't count as our trip to England.

Matrix water show.

The Flower sculptures they had were amazing!

Epcot!

Last Disney Day *sniff* We spent a few hours at Epcot just to see what it was like. Pretty impressive but not quite worth a full day. The French pastry shop was AMAZING! It was pretty cool to walk around the world in only a couple of hours. To end the day right we headed back to the Magic Kingdom for some more rides. We added a few more rides on Splash Mountain. Matt also decided he wanted to spin the heck out of Ness and Stacy on the Tea Cups. I opted to film it. We also got a great spot to see the fireworks. Perfect end to a great Disney trip!

Spring Break Part 6

2010-04-01T10:43:00.008-06:00

Terrorized by the Tower!

I don't think I've taken a picture with Mickey. First one!

Our little trip to Narnia.

I'm singin' and laughin' in the rain...

Jenesse hates characters with their faces covered so this is as close as I could get get to Eeyore.

Us with Mary Poppin's horse!

Start of another great day!

Disney Studios day. If you are a fan of movies this is a great park. It gives you a behind the scenes look at a lot of what goes on at Disney. Not to mention 8 rides on the Tower of Terror. :) Jenesse is usually the one doing the rides I won't but this one made her nervous and I was the one excited for it. :) After a couple times we both were loving it equally. Fantasmic was also at this park and it's always a great show to watch. Good good day.

Spring Break Part 5

2010-04-01T10:29:00.010-06:00

At least these 2 survived Expedition Everest. I think I was on the floor for this picture.

The boys with the boys.

This picture was taken a lot closer than felt comfortable with this guy.

FYI Don't pick up your wife's open mustard packet and shake it.

This tree is amazing. The carvings on it are incredible.

By the tree of life...no rod nearby.

Opening ceremony of the park.

Cool park.

Early rising the next day! Animal Kingdom was pretty cool and a must for any animal lover. We started the day with Expedition Everest. I had no idea what to expect. Everything started out great until the ride came screeching to a halt and I had the horrible feeling that the ride was about to go backwards. Rob doesn't do backwards rides. I survived and stupidly I thought I could do it again to not be the lame one...bad choice. A bottle of Sprite and a half hour lay down later I recovered for the most part. But the rest of the day was great! The River Rapid ride got us SOAKED! And the safari ride was awesome getting to see so many animals up close! It was a really cool park!

Spring Break Part 4

2010-04-01T10:17:00.011-06:00

After just getting splashed.

Ride #...6? 7?

Yeah, we think we're hilarious.

I think we saw this show 12 times.

The Cinderella girls.

We made it!

The Laugh Floor. I think this is Jenesse's favorite. Anything Monster's Inc. :) It was pretty funny.

We were at the opening to each park every day! No better way to start the trip than being greeted by Mickey!

To make up for the day before we had a day at the Magic Kingdom!! You gotta love this place! I truly am a fan of both Disneyland and Disney World and both are pretty equal in my eyes...except the castle! Holy cow! It's so great! I'm still amazed at how many rides we went on considering the crowds there. But the grand winner was Splash Mountain...12 times...and awesome each time. We tried variations of making it different each time. Eyes closed, facing backwards, boys in front, girls in front, etc. My personal favorite was sitting in the front and leaning way forward staring straight down the chute! Awesome! Seriously one of my favorite places in the world.

Spring Break Part 3

2010-04-01T10:11:00.006-06:00

The fort was pretty cool.

The reinactors were...interesting

The old city gates. Where dreams start to be destroyed.

*sigh* The disappointment of the trip. St. Augustine. Our travel books lied to us about this place. It is the oldest inhabited city in the United States. There are ruins of an old fort and old pillars of the city. Sounds cool right? That's what we thought. What we found was old ruins surrounded by cheap filth and tourism not to mention an extremely risque lingerie shop with very large windows. Horrible. If we looked at the fort and then left we'd have been better off. Skip this place and spend another day in Savannah. Trust me.

Spring Break Part 2

2010-04-01T10:00:00.009-06:00

One, two, three....Awwwww...

Our mighty steed (the horse)...

Very cool cathedral heavily influenced by the Irish population.

HUGE trees! Loved 'em!

Old buildings by the river district.

Maybe one day we'll fix it up and move in.

Big suspension bridge leading into Savannah.

Our next stop was Savannah. I had never been there and only heard things about it. We're always up for exploring new places! I loved, loved, loved, LOVED this city! It's one of those few places where you can feel how old it is. In fact, we took a carriage ride (don't make fun 'til you try it) and when there were no cars around you really did feel like you went back in time. The Spanish Moss is everywhere and is gorgeous! Seriously...if you are ever nearby you have to check it out and spend a day or two there. We loved it!

Spring Break Part 1

2010-04-01T09:46:00.007-06:00

The view from our hotel room. Amazing!

Preview of coming events? Two old men on their rocking chairs.

Ness taking on Kayaking for the first time and she did awesome! We didn't get a picture but a dolphin was literally inches from our boat before it swam under us. Crazy!

The kayaking group! Definitely got burned 1st day of vacation. :) Totally worth it.

Oh nothing...just an alligator (one of MANY we saw) lying out in the sun...

You know what's slightly difficult? Coming home from a trip with over 600 pictures and deciding which ones to post. So rather than trying to fit them all into one posting I'll try to divide it up by places. :) We got to spend 10 days on the east coast with my friend Matt and his wife Stacy. He's in the Army so we rarely get to see him so we decided to annoy them on their turf. :) First off was Hilton Head, South Carolina. I kind-of stumbled across this place. We were trying to find a place to stay between North Carolina (where Matt & Stacy live) and Orlando where we were driving to. I kind of knew it was a beach type place but I had no idea there were so many trees! I like beaches okay but with my skin type too much sun is no bueno. But you can literally walk off the beach into completely tree covered area. Amazing. Not to mention alligators right outside. Way way cool.

Demon Primary Kids!!!

2010-03-08T14:42:00.002-07:00

So Ness & I have been teaching primary for a couple months now. Most weeks go okay...others...oh boy! :) We actually found out the one of the girls in class has a dad that is an artist. One of my favorite series of books is Artemis Fowl and evidently he designed the new cover art. Pretty cool! Even funnier that this above picture is modeled after the girl in our class. So...yes...we have a demon child in our class. :) Ironically she's one of the few that give us the least amount of trouble.

IT'S PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME!!!

2010-03-01T16:07:00.003-07:00

FYI According to a girl that sits next to me in class...there are no peanuts in peanut butter. That is all.

**Author's note** Before getting sued by someone there are, in fact, peanuts in peanut butter. Cause if there aren't I'd hate to find out what makes crunchy peanut butter crunch...

Seriously???

2010-02-23T18:37:00.002-07:00

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

|||||||||||||||||||||

Wasn't this supposed to end in Jr. High and High School? Yes I am in the middle of class but I'm just getting bugged. I sit next to a pair of "cheerleaders" and anytime someone makes a comment they whisper about their looks or how geeky they are. REALLY? Who are you? These are the people I see getting together to get Cobb salads and gossip over their neighbors and what's happened to their friends from high school. *sigh* I'm sorry that some of these people are going to be teaching your children. People are different...deal with it.

PS- No offense to any cheerleader friends from high school...unless you are like these people. :)

BYUVU

2010-02-22T20:19:00.002-07:00

I've posted before about how much a hate the U of U vs. BYU rivalry. So in an effort to show unity (mainy just in our family because I can only combine so many colleges) I've created this new logo. Feel free to download and create into bumper stickers and flags for you convenience. :) Go UTAH, BYU, UVU, and ASU!

Just have to laugh some days...

2010-02-22T15:51:00.002-07:00

I saw this and it made me laugh. It then reminded me of a Simpsons episode (what doesn't right?). Enjoy!

Birthday bash!

2010-02-22T12:30:00.007-07:00

This year was a cool lax birthday! It was President's day so I had the entire day off but unfortunately Ness did not. Luckily we have great friends and Laura came out to hang out. We walked around Salt Lake in the rain and took pictures...etc. I think by the end of a 2 1/2 hour walk she almost killed me with a rather steep hill....but she conquered it! :) She's funny because for Ness's birthday she made a fun striped bag for her so a couple days before she came over I joked that she had to make me a M*A*S*H bag to be fair. Little did I know she actually spent several hours doing it! So I am the proud owner of a M*A*S*H medic bag....I think it will be perfect for all of our primary stuff. :) Thanks Laura! In the evening we had siblings, cousins, and friends over for junk food and games. It was a fun laid back night!

Color Me Mine

2010-02-22T12:25:00.006-07:00

Ness's brother Devin gave us a gift certificate to Color Me Mine for Christmas and last week we went and used them. Neither of us had been there before so it was a new experience for the both of us. We had a blast!!! We only had an hour before they closed so our paint jobs were a bit rushed but it was more about having fun right? Of course I was the Disney geek and Ness was the artsy one. We had a lot of fun and plan to do it again sometime soon (though I can see how expensive of a habit that can be). It's a fun date night or family night and we highly recommend it!

Boogedy Boogedy Boo!

2010-02-20T00:31:00.005-07:00

Anybody remember the movie Mr Boogedy? I randomly found this on Youtube tonight and it brought back some weird memories. Kind of a freaky Disney movie for little kids. It freaked me out a little watching it again! Anyway...this might be a little bit wrong but the statue on Temple Square always creeped me out a little bit...and this is why!!! The statue above Boogedy's grave (sorry bad picture) is just a little bit too similar for my liking. Anyway...random post but I know at least one person knows what I'm talking about right?? Right??? :)

Oh Bee Kay Bee!

2010-02-15T09:22:00.003-07:00

I had extremely high expectations for this evening. I mean, with years and years of listening and watching his stand up comedy and The Cosby Show I couldn't help it. Above and beyond! That's all I can say! I was literally laughing and smiling for two straight hours! I took this picture before the show started and pictures were prohibited. One of the best parts is that he came out in University of Utah hat, sweatshirt, and pants and did a little fashion show. :) He discussed everything from, Stove Top stuffing, stroke victims running track, and sucking necks to basically everything to do with getting old. It was seriously one of the best nights of my life! Maybe I'll find a bootleg copy to relive it all over again. :)

BEST....WIFE......EVER!!!!

2010-02-08T21:32:00.003-07:00

My birthday is Monday the 15th. This man is performing on the 12th. I will be in the audience. Why? I have THE best wife ever! This has been one of my top ten things to do before I die!!! Holy cow! Hours upon hours have been devoted to listening, watching, and especially quoting this man. My best friend Matt will be ENORMOUSLY jealous!! Wow....still getting over it....

Now?

2010-02-08T13:41:00.003-07:00

Are you open now? How about now? Now? Tomorrow will not do it so....how about right this very second? You do realize your sole function is to facilitate my fan-obsessed geek brain so....open.....now!

WTL???

2010-02-08T13:36:00.002-07:00

I hereby submit for your approval adding the term "WTL" into all of our vernacular. Only Lost could invoke such a response....EVERY week! Maybe the last episode will leave us all satisfied but knowing JJ Abrams....we will all still exclaim...WHAT THE LOST??? Still confused as ever and loving it. :)

To "tie" into our last blog...

2010-01-26T23:27:00.005-07:00

So for those of you who didn't know, Disney has the greatest idea ever this year. They are trying to encourage 1 million people to donate a day of service. To encourage people to do this they are offering a one day free pass to one of their resorts (considering a day pass is about $80 it's a pretty amazing deal). Obviously we should all be doing service for others with no compensation on our end but every little bit helps. I think getting kids to learn how to serve others is such an amazing thing that kids across America now are asking their parents, "MOM!! When can we go do some service so we can go see Mickey?" Hopefully the service itself is a great experience for kids as well.

WELL!!! These two kids (always a kid when it comes to Disney right?) found an opportunity where you can make blankets for children. So Ness and I went to the fabric store and spent awhile having some fun picking out fun patterns. Ness makes fun of me saying that I really want a puppy because both of my blankets were paw prints and puppies. :) I suppose there may be some truth to it. Ness picked some smiling monkeys and a comfy plaid one. After awhile of matching up, cutting out corners, cutting hundreds of strips, and trying hundreds of knots...FINITO!!! We had a lot of fun doing this together and look forward to when we drop them off so they can keep little kiddos comfy and warm!

So if you haven't yet...sign up! Even if you don't plan on going to Disney you can take your free pass and donate it to Boys & Girls clubs and help underprivileged kids get a fun filled day at Disney. And let's be honest...a childhood without a day at Disney is just so so sad. ;-) Here is the link so you can start your fun filled adventure!

Preview of things to come...

2010-01-24T16:31:00.003-07:00

Can't even describe how excited we are!

CHRISTMAS!!!!

2010-01-11T14:40:00.020-07:00

It's definitely the best time of the year at the Kempton house! Last year we were in the middle of moving Christmas time so this year was the first time we got to decorate. To explain the tree? You know that scene in Christmas Vacation when they get the tree in the house and he cuts the rope and limbs go everywhere?? Yeah...little bit like that. It looked perfect at the tree lot but we didn't realize how...full it was, "...little full...lots of sap...looks great!" But...it really was a gorgeous tree and it fully deserved half of our living room space. :) Jenesse once again amazed me with her mad skills. She MADE this garland with about a thousand bows and dozens of ornaments. It turned out beautiful and well worth the glitter that still remains in our couches and carpets. It was a great Christmas and Jenesse gave me an UP themed Christmas complete with grape soda badge. It was absolutely perfect for me to only be topped by a Mickey Mouse snowglobe (I love snowglobes and Disney so....double bird killing stone!). I got Jenesse a display case for all of her mug collection as well as some other knick knacks. It was pretty much an amazing Christmas filled with family fun and good eats! Let's do it again...say...December?

It's been a wild ride...

2009-12-31T16:52:00.012-07:00

December 31st...the moment before most of us push the restart button on our goals, ambitions, and well...pretty much everything sometimes. It's always fun to watch TV shows that do countdowns on the recapping moments of the year. Some sad moments, some courageous ones, some blissfully amazing ones, and other really confusing and befuddling ones (has anybody REALLY figured out what this healthcare crisis is all about?). But this year is even cooler because it caps off a decade of most of our lives. So...it really got me thinking about how much has happened in the last ten years of my life...the sad, the happy, the courageous, and mostly...confusing ones. I'd like to say it's a top ten countdown but that would require that I A) think of ten things and B) put them into some kind of order. So how about I just list them off and if I get to ten...great! I suppose this is more for me than for anyone else so read on if you wish. Happy 2010!

1) Graduating and finishing high school! That's seriously such a strange thought for me. On one hand it feels like eons ago that I walked the halls of Mountain View High School...on the other I still feel like I've just been on a really long summer break and should be going back any day now. It's such a weird transition to make I think. One day you're worried about getting the good locker and prom and then the next day you have to worry about finding an apartment and paying for...well...life! Though I will admit most of us bounced back and forth from that idea to our parent's. :) I think the one thing that sticks with me from those years are the friends

that I made and I wish I stayed in contact better than I do now (facebook you do not count). Maybe I'll just invite some of you over one of these days out of the blue...who knows.

2) College! Yes I do realize most of you have finished your degrees and have probably moved on to careers and/or master's programs...*sigh* But some of us have taken a little longer on the road of figuring out what on earth we want to do (I use the word "us" because I don't want to feel alone in this way of life). :) Que sera sera though eh? I have officially attended three different universities and have had...let's see...5 different majors. Well...technically only 4 since I came back to the original on I started with. But I can say that I've learned a great deal fr

om each. The people I have come in contact with have been hilarious and sometimes a little intimidating...but that's what I love about life. I love getting to know people and their backgrounds and what they love, who they want to be, etc etc....that's probably why I love reading and watching movies so much. It's getting to know different kinds of people and why we all do what we do.

3) Jobs! I just counted today that I have just finished my eleventh job. I've never been fired or let go so I'm pretty sure I have some sort of occupational ADD. Among the best I've had? Helping start and launch the Woodbury Museum in Orem, being an EFY counselor to some pretty (albeit sometimes obnoxious) amazing youth, and getting to work with one of my favorite things in the world...BOOKS! I got to be apart of the biggest book release known to mankind! It was kind of a blast! I think it took about 11 months to get the "temporary" red hair dye out of my Ron Weasly hair but definitely worth it! Among the least favorite? Mentoring an at risk youth who was gay and preferred to be called Sexy Lexy....oh the memories, doing the most boring work at Clean Flicks, and having to be yelled at on a daily basis about insurance claims. Though I think the one constant I have found to be true is that work sucks and people are what make it all bearable.

4) The mission! I think many of you can put this on your top ten list of things of this decade and if I asked you to sum up this event in one word I'll bet each one would be completely different. And that's the way it should be. Each mission is unique to not only other's needs but to our own as well. While the main function of a mission should be complete and utter dedication to other's and to our Heavenly Father...we also get to benefit from them as well. What kind of benefits? Too many and too varied to explain I'm sure. What word would I use to sum it up? Fulfilled. Many of you might not know how long it took me to come to this conclusion in my life. My mission was cut short because of health reasons and I was not able to complete my mission the way I had so desperately wanted to. Feelings of guilt and self loathing came on me wave after wave. It was no easy road for me...nor was it one that was over quickly. It was a road that wore me thinner emotionally than I have ever been in my life. After a very long time of listening to myself I finally opened up and listened to my Father In Heaven and it was such a simple answer, "I'm in charge, not you. Things need to be done my way, not yours. Trust in me." I was living my life by a checklist and was awakened to the fact this is not how life should be run. 1.graduate high school 2. go to college for a bit. 3. go on a 2 year mission 4. come home and get married. etc. etc. etc.. Not that these are not excellent goals to have but they are not ones that you do because they are on your list waiting to be checked off cause guess what? When one doesn't go like you want it to...you kind of get lost. I got lost and never intend to do so again. Lessons learned? Infinite. So much of who I am came from that experience. As painful and horrible as I felt...it's exactly what I needed to help me forge another part of who I am. God knows what He's doing...we're the ones who haven't got a clue. Match your life to what He wants it to be and you'll be okay...no...more than okay...you'll find the true joy in life. So to the Elders, Sisters, Mission Presidents, members, non-members, investigators, and even the downright anti-Mormons in the Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission and Orlando Florida Mission...thank you. It was unquestionably the hardest and lowest part of my life but it also set me up for so so so SO much more. I've never been closer to my Heavenly Father and I have never felt the healing power o

f the Atonement in my life than in those moments. Again...nothing I would ever have chosen for my own life but something I am so much better for having gone through.

5) Travelling! I was just talking about this with a friend lately. There are few things that give me the same fun as planning a trip! No joke! I love researching areas, finding the little hole in the wall places, seeing nearby towns to travel to for some obscure reason. I love finding cheap air fares and comparing if it would be cheaper to fly or drive. And I swear ONE day I will take a train somewhere...overnight in a compartment if possible. :) I love seeing what cool hotels they have in areas and what relatives live nearby so I can stay for free... :) Even better than planning is when you get to the destination and NOTHING goes to plan and you have to improvise what to do and where to go. Kind of sounds backwards but...I love it. So far this decade I have been to Southern California (with my family it's almost a bi annual trip), San Francisco, Tijuana, Boise (x4), Mountain Home, Phoenix (x3), Tucson, Las Vegas (x3), Rexburg, Cancun, Memphis, Graceland, Louisville (x2), Orlando, Ecuador, DC (x3), New York (x3), Palmyra (x2), Boston, Canada, Niagara Falls, Utah? There may be more...that's all I can think of for now. What I hope to add to the list for NEXT decade?? Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, France, (seeing a theme here?) Italy, Greece, Denmark...etc. We'll leave it at Europe for this decade...maybe in decades to come we'll expand to Africa and Asia... ;-)

6) Marriage! Obviously the most important thing of the decade but I did want to save it for last because really...how could I top it? March 22nd 2008 I was able to take my best friend and sweetheart by the hand and be sealed to her for time and all eternity in the Logan Temple. Joy. That's the kind of joy that Heavenly Father has in store for all of us. It's the joy that waits for those even in the deepest darkest pits of the world and within themselves. If going through every trial, every heart ache, every pain, and every horrible thing somehow qualified me for this incomparable moment...I can't express how worthwhile it all was! I'd willingly go back and do it 10, 20, 30 times again if I knew what would come from it. Jenesse is everything to me. To steal a quote she is "...the butter to my bread and breath to my life." She's definitely the Ellie in my real life story of Up. :) I've never before had anyone in my life "get me" as much as she does...and even better she still loves me! I can be my complete self with her, dream with her, plan with her, and 95% of the time we are always on the same page (ok...maybe 94%..:) ). I can tell her anything and even if she doesn't understand she does everything she can to try to. There no one I would rather spend the rest of my life with and no one I would have more fun with on our many to come adventures. Here's to the rest of our lives together and many more decades full of nothing but the good stuff. I couldn't have imagined a better way to end the decade than with you by my side. I love you forever.

Will Never Understand....

2009-12-05T12:21:00.003-07:00

"Hello. My name is Rob Kempton..."

"Hello Rob."

"...and I am a student at the University of Utah and I feel no ill will toward BYU."

Do I need to feel like I belong in some sort of support group for this? To the end of my life I will never understand the bitter rivalries not just between these two schools but others as well. I think it's fun to have a playful smack talking etc from both sides when it comes to a big game. I mean...it's what makes it fun to go them sometimes. But there is such GENUINE hatred that exists....for NO REASON! I mean....does it really affect your life if BYU beats Utah or visa versa? Go to the game, get riled up, cheer for your team, feel betrayed by the ref, eat your peanuts, win/lose, and go home. Somewhere along the line winning has become synonymous with whether or not you enjoyed the game. I really enjoyed watching the game last week. Did my team win? No. Did we have some awesome plays? Absolutely! Was BYU's last winning play amazing? No doubt! Does that make BYU better than the U of U? In that game...sure...they did win. Every school is amazing in its own regard and people should recognize that more. Somehow I think the viewpoint is that Utah looks at BYU as "Holier than thou" people and BYU sees Utah as "those heathens in the north." Do a few people fit in these categories...oh absolutely. Would I say it's more than a small percentage...no. This is not a yearly Nephite vs Lamanite war....promise! It just makes me feel sad that if I wear a U of U shirt down in Provo I get hissed and scoffed at...and alternately I would expect someone wearing a BYU shirt near the U would get similar treatment. And more than likely if you asked the said "hisser" why... they could only say because you go to a different school than they do.

Anyway...rant over...it is just one of those things that is ridiculous to me. I just wish it was more about fun than bitterness. So I shall close by saying, "Congratulations to BYU and their fans. Well played and I do not nor will not ever hate you."

*Author's note* Yes I would still have written this even if the U had won. ;-)

Good news that makes me tired thinking about it... :-)

2009-11-03T13:08:00.003-07:00

The good news is that we'll be around Utah for awhile to hang with friends and family. We'll get to see the downtown project finished and TRAX expanded...all these SUPER exciting things happening to our city. ;-) And while these things are cause ENOUGH to stick around (not to mention glorious jobs at IHC & Moochies)...can't say it's our primary reason. Ok ok...to the point.....looks like I'm going to be in school at the U for a couple more years. I JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH!!!! This is something that has kinda been nagging (maybe prompting is a better word) for awhile now. I really enjoyed and had fun with my major....but i had trouble really getting into and and trying to fathom a career with it. And the thought that always came back to me was that the one time I was passionate about actually going to school was when I was in the education program. Anytime I read something fun or find something interesting I've always subconsciously been planning on how to make a lesson plan around it and make it fun for kids. During the time I did student teaching...it was like "yeah...this is awesome and I love it!" So why did I stop way back when?? I hadn't finished my math and that was the last credit I needed to apply for the program. I was so behind in math that it would take me three semesters of JUST taking math before I could even apply to the program. Slightly deterring...but I did finish my math and by that time I'm not exactly sure what happened that I didn't go back. I've met with a counselor and she really liked me and was very enthusiastic about having a male in the program. The bottom line is...I'm finally excited about school again and EXTREMELY optimistic for the future! Jenesse is absolutely wonderful and MOST importantly...patient with her husband and I am so grateful for her support. And for those of you with kids...beware...and please don't be one of THOSE parents. ;-)

So....can anyone tutor me to take the PRAXIS exam?? Anyone??

For you Office Fans...

2009-11-02T13:36:00.002-07:00

This made me laugh and I had to pass it along...if you need help in the world of idetifying vegetables...that is a beet.

Koller/Kempton Kollaboration...

2009-10-30T00:37:00.011-06:00

We met Erin & Ryan Koller because I work with Erin at IHC. And since we are basically the only two normal people there...we get along just fine. ;-) Tonight we all went out to eat at Biaggi's (DELICIOUS!!!) and then we came back for some good 'ol pumpkin carving. I'm not sure you can tell but Ryan did the Screaming Man painting (which turned out awesome) and Erin did a spider. Ness did get a small pumpkin she wanted to carve but this thing was rock solid! I could barely stick a knife in! So she just drew hers on and helped me do ours. I am still blown away by Ness's pumpkin skills. She draws and I carve...I think we make quite the duo...just like Tigger & Eeyore! Good times good times. :)

Be our guest, be our guest, be our guest!!!

2009-10-30T00:29:00.003-06:00

After many years of me sleeping alone on my mattress I had created something of a deep sink hole. This became a problem when one person in bed became two. Most nights we start on our own sides and then gravity pulls us down down down to the middle. :) Solution?? We bought a new mattress! Better news? We turned our spare bedroom (which basically collected all our junk) into and ACTUAL bedroom! We got a nice memory foam topper for it and it really is comfortable...just not as a consistent mattress. What does this mean to you? Early morning flight? Waiting for a conference session? Want to get out of Utah County? You can now stay with us rent free!!! ;-) Yes...this does make us feel all grown up. Seriously though...we love and welcome guests anytime (you don't even have to spend the night). Hope to hang soon!

VIVA U2 IN VEGAS!!!!

2009-10-30T00:08:00.013-06:00

So...whenever a concert opportunity rolls around I always think, "It'd be fun but it's basically just the same as listening to it at home or in the car." And then I go to a concert like this....and I'm basically left speechless and incredibly grateful that we went. HOLY COW!!!! Firstly...we have an AWESOME brother who basically waited outside the stadium all day to ensure that we got PRIMO seats. And by PRIMO I mean...come on...look at these pictures! They were not taken by professionals but by us...a few feet away!! I am still in awe at how U2's music still moves me...such energy...such passion....such....amazingness? The video doesn't capture it but it's a taste of what this was for us. If they are ever in town....GO SEE THEM!!! And invite us... ;-)

Why??

2009-10-21T14:05:00.002-06:00

Why do I hate this book series and therefore the movies? Is it because I think it's stupid and a waste of time? Is it because I feel it boils down to nothing more than a ridiculous teenage Saved By the Bell moment of wondering "will Kelly end up with Zack or Slater?" Is it because I find the thought of 40 year old women fantasizing about 17 year old boys disturbing? Is it because I can not nor do not care how perfect she thinks this guy is? Is it because I think Edward & Jacob are so "sensitive" that they may be happier together than with a woman?? These things I cannot answer nor do I think I will be able to answer. I really just want to let it go and be happy for people and their reading obsession. But deep down I know that my love of the Harry Potter books and movies, while outwardly seeming the same as Twilight obsession, is better and Twilight fans are stupid. :)

Too good to GLEE true?

2009-09-11T12:08:00.000-06:00

Hm...as you can see by the last post we were pretty excited about Glee. However, Wednesday's episode was slightly disappointing. My biggest fear is that this will turn into yet another sex filled teen drama. We'll see though. I'll give it another look and see if it gets better. That is all. :)

Don't Stop Believin' !!!

2009-09-03T22:57:00.005-06:00

Ok...just previewed and watched the first episode of Glee on tv tonight with Ness and Kim. I have to recommend it for two reasons. 1) It appears to have well developed and thought out characters and that is KEY to a great tv show. So many shows just pick the same characters you've seen a million times before ***cough Two and a Half Men***. 2) I'll admit it...the music on this show is really fun and amazing. The girl who has the lead vocals is by and far PHENOMENAL!!! I was just blown away at her performance. Basically this show made me smile for nearly the entire time and that's something to be desired. Watch it...no pressure to like it...I know it won't be for everyone but I think some of you out there will think it's great. And seriously...there's nothing else on anyway. ;-) Fox Wednesday nights...premieres next week.

Adam (the movie not the nephew... :) )

2009-09-03T22:48:00.002-06:00

One of Ness and my new favorite things is to go town to this independent cinema by our house and see the lesser known "indie" movies. Our good friend Kim will almost always come up and join us if we give her enough notice too...in fact I think we've seen most with her (we love you Kim!). Anyhoo...we went and saw the movie Adam tonight and I was really blown away by it. Basically it's the story of a grown man who has Asbergers and has to learn to live by himself after his father dies. He gets into a relationship with a neighbor of his and she learns more about dealing with his condition. I can't really put into words how amazing it was to watch Hugh Dancy's performance. I don't know anyone who has this syndrome but I thought his portrayal was incredible. It's definitely one of those movies that make you cringe but it also has an amazing amount of heart. The main reason I love movies so much is because they allow you to experience something you never would have before and gain insight into another way of life. This movie definitely did that and I COMPLETELY recommend it to anyone out there.

PS- Kim...I'm sorry for squirting mayo all over your foot....though it brings me joy at how much that made me laugh. ;-)

Man vs. wild....aka....couple trying to find a campsite

2009-08-24T08:13:00.005-06:00

So we decided to get a little adventurous this weekend and we did some last minute camping. Jenesse had never been before so it was doubly exciting. Oh...and as an FYI... making reservations ahead of time makes things MUCH easier. Needless to say we started looking for a vacant campsite at the base of Big Cottonwood Canyon and we ended up at a campsite right next to Cascade Springs...by Provo. :) Fun drive though! My biggest criteria for camping is that it needs to be by trees and some form of water (preferrably a river of somesort). So when we pulled up to this site and it had both...I was overjoyed. We got there with enough daylight to go colect firewood (and by collect firewood I mean hanging on branches of dead trees until the whole thing came off). And with the magic of lighter fluid we had a roaring fire in no time! We spent the evening eating s'mores and enjoying nature. Jenesse kept asking what you do when you go camping and I just kept saying, "Nothing." It wasn't until we were there that she fully appreciated the "nothingness" that is camping! We slept to the sound of crickets and a rushing river and even the sound of rain and thunder. We woke up and sat and read by the river for a while, packed up, and enjoyed one of the most gorgeous drives in the pouring rain I've had in a long time. Oh...and we saw a momma moose and a baby moose on the drive....though Jenesse swears one came and nuzzled our tent during the night.... :) So...great trip...who wants to come next time???

Happy Birthday Adam!!!

2009-08-24T08:06:00.004-06:00

A couple of weeks ago we got to celebrate Adam's 4th birthday with the Hawkes, Leavitts, Robisons, Woodcocks, and Kemptons! It was such a great time to play with the nieces and nephews! We just love these kids! Each one is so adorable! Aunt Kristin made a REALLY cool pirate cake too! Happy Birthday Adam!!

In our secret moments....

2009-08-21T13:53:00.002-06:00

Um...please please please read this...it made me laugh out loud MANY times....it's sad but hilarious...you just THOUGHT you were the only one who did these things.... Enjoy!

I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you
realize you're wrong.

I don't understand the purpose of the line, "I don't need to drink to
have fun." Great, no one does. But why start a fire with flint and
sticks when they've invented the lighter?

Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're
going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to
be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the
direction from which you came, you have to first do something like
check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to
yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're
crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.

That's enough, Nickelback.

I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard. This
recently became all too apparent to me and consequently I will never
be ending a work email with the phrase "Regards" again.

Do you remember when you were a kid, playing Nintendo and it wouldn't
work? You take the cartridge out, blow in it and that would magically
fix the problem. Every kid in America did that, but how did we all
know how to fix the problem? There was no internet or message boards
or FAQ's. We just figured it out. Today's kids are soft.

There is a great need for sarcasm font.

Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and
suddenly realize I had no idea what was going on when I first
saw it.

I think everyone has a movie that they love so much, it actually
becomes stressful to watch it with other people. I'll end up wasting
90 minutes shiftily glancing around to confirm that everyone's
laughing at the right parts, then making sure I laugh just a little
bit harder (and a millisecond earlier) to prove that I'm still the
only one who really, really gets it.

The other night I hit a new low at an open bar. I had already hopped
on highway blackout when, inevitably I had to find a bathroom.
Eventually I decided it was probably on the other side of the bar so I
tried to walk over there, but ran into a guy coming the other way. We
played that, Both go left, Both go right game to no avail, so I
finally put out my hand to guide myself past and that's is when I
realized, yup, that's a mirror I just tried to walk through. And the
guy on the other side is me. Even cats can recognize their own image.

How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can
think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell
my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves
me.

I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than
take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear
your computer history if you die.

The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

A recent study has shown that playing beer pong contributes to the
spread of mono and the flu. Yeah, if you suck at it.

Was learning cursive really necessary?

Lol has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else to say".

I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

Answering the same letter three times or more in a row on a Scantron
test is absolutely petrifying.

My brother's Municipal League baseball team is named the Stepdads.
Seeing as none of the guys on the team are actual stepdads, I inquired
about the name. He explained, "Cuz we beat you, and you hate us."
Classy, bro.

Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart", all
I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart".

How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod
and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?

I love the sense of camaraderie when a n entire line of cars teams up
to prevent some jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!

Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using 'as in'
examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete
idiot. Today I had to spell my boss's last name to an attorney and
said "Yes that's G as in...(10 second lapse)..ummm...Goonies"

What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow each other?

While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and
instinctively swerved to avoid it...thanks Mario Kart.

MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I
know how to get out of my neighborhood.

Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the
shower first and THEN turn on the water.

Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty,
and you can wear them forever.

I would like to officially coin the phrase 'catching the swine flu' to
be used as a way to make fun of a friend for hooking up with an
overweight woman. Example: "Dave caught the swine flu last night."

I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

Bad decisions make good stories

Whenever I'm Facebook stalking someone and I find out that their
profile is public I feel like a kid on Christmas morning who just got
the Red Ryder BB gun that I always wanted. 546 pictures? Don't mind if
I do!

Is it just me or do high school girls get sluttier & sluttier every year?

If Carmen San Diego and Waldo ever got together, their offspring would
probably just be completely invisible.

Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go
around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly
nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be
a problem....

You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work
when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything
productive for the rest of the day.

Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after DVDs? I don't
want to have to restart my collection.

There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are
going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me
if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I
swear I did not make any changes to.

"Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this ever.

I hate being the one with the remote in a room full of people watching
TV. There's so much pressure. 'I love this show, but will they judge
me if I keep it on? I bet everyone is wishing we weren't watching
this. It's only a matter of time before they all get up and leave the
room. Will we still be friends after this?'

While watching the Olympics, I find myself cheering equally for China
and USA. No, I am not of Chinese descent, but I am fairly certain that
when Chinese athletes don't win, they are executed.

I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?
Damnit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and
goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone
and run away?

I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing
anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste..

When I meet a new girl, I'm terrified of mentioning something she
hasn't already told me but that I have learned from some light
internet stalking.

I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle,
then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.

Why is a school zone 20 mph? That seems like the optimal cruising
speed for pedophiles...

As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers,
but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.

Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not
know what time it is.

It should probably be called Unplanned Parenthood.

I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to
answer when they call.

I think that if, years down the road when I'm trying to have a kid, I
find out that I'm sterile, most of my disappointment will stem from
the fact that I was not aware of my condition in college.

Even if I knew your social security number, I wouldn't know what do to with it.

My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad what would
happen if you ran over a ninja?" How do I respond to that?

It really pisses me off when I want to read a story on CNN.com and the
link takes me to a video instead of text.

I wonder if cops ever get pissed off at the fact that everyone they
drive behind obeys the speed limit.

I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or
Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.

The other night I ordered takeout, and when I looked in the bag, saw
they had included four sets of plastic silverware. In other words,
someone at the restaurant packed my order, took a second to think
about it, and then estimated that there must be at least four people
eating to require such a large amount of food. Too bad I was eating by
myself. There's nothing like being made to feel fat bastard before dinner.

Striped Pajamas...

2009-08-16T16:46:00.002-06:00

So...I have always been drawn to stories that take place during the Holocaust and I'm not sure why. I think it's because I have this unquenchable desire to know how could something like this happen?? Oddly it was Jenesse that placed this movie in our queue though. I really "liked" this movie. I put like in quotes because how can you really like a movie about the Holocaust right? But I thought it was a very well done movie. The perspective of these events from the perspectives of one German boy and one Jewish boy was really really cool. Jenesse and I kept looking at each other and asking how could people be so stupid and getting emotionally into it...it's not easy to watch and it's a Holocaust movie so of course it doesn't end well....but MAN!!! Talk about emotionally gripping! Watch it...it's amazing, saddening, heart warming, heart breaking...etc.