Month: February 2007

We had a good weekend. Michael and Alison came in late Thursday night to hang out with us for a few days. The girls were really excited and tried to stay up to see them, but they were asleep before long. I took Friday off work and we went up to Sundance for an afternoon of skiing. There wasn’t much snow driving up the canyon, but there ended up being enough for a great day. I didn’t know that Ali had never skied before. She and Michael spent the first hour or so going up the rope tow thing. After a few frustrating times down the hill, she decided to brave the lift. I have never seen a newbie *not* fall off the lift on their first try. By the end of the day, she was cruising down the slopes. I was amazed. I ended up taking one trip to the top of the mountain. The snow was great up there. We had a good day.

The rest of the weekend was filled with all kinds of excitement. We went to a place called Fat Cats in Provo on Saturday for some bowling action. It ended up being a great thing for all the girls. They had this metal thing that Lucy could put her ball on and push it down. She and Grace both used it. So they were really able to be a part of things, which was good.

Sunday we went to church, where Julie and I were promptly asked to sub for Grace’s class. So Mikey and Ali were fed to the dogs of RS and EQ. I got the feeling that they survived — barely. Sunday night Abby started feeling pretty sick. She was down and out by Monday morning. Then Grace got it today, so they both stayed home from school.

Somewhere along the line over the weekend we got out the old super Nintendo. Michael killed me in Street Fighter (Ali was very proud). I was (and am still) more sore from playing that dumb game than I was from snowboarding! Crazy stuff.

We took them to the airport last night after a final meal. The girls have been asking since Sunday when they’re going to come back, so fun was had by all on this end. I’m sure for you guys it was an eyeopening visit, but we enjoyed it. Lucy felt a little displaced at first, wondering why Ali and Michael were in her bed. And I found out that Alison got an unwelcome visitor one or two nights. But by Monday night, Lucy was asking why Alison wasn’t in her bed so she could lie down by her. Thanks for taking the time. We all had great fun.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/

This is Jules. What is it with those conversation hearts. They don’t taste all that good but they still make me smile like they did in grade school. You know what I’m talkin’ about…like when the boy you liked put the I’m yours, I love you, or kiss me conversation heart in your Valentine it made your whole week. TRUE BLISS!! Speaking of my Valentine, I have been trying to get reservations for two weeks now in Utah Valley and as of this very minute–no reservations! I forget that many get engaged up here on Valentines and it is a big deal (popular holiday)–I’m always a day late and a dollar short.

This morning was eventful. I laid out Valentine’s shirts & necklaces and hair bows (Great minds think alike, Grandma Elcock)! It was so much fun to hear Abby & Grace–their squeals. But even more fun was that I actually was able to write them a heartfelt note that they could understand and read themselves (a first). I just told them how proud of them we are and what amazing girls they are. They gave me big hugs. Grandpa Jenkins bought the little girls a giant teddy bear. Lucy has latched on and Gwen is scared of it slightly because it’s double her size. He is so soft & cute. Grandma & Grandpa Elcock sent an exciting Valentines package a couple days ago. They girls looked so cute in their shirts and necklaces yesterday and Lucy and Gwen love their sweaters–A big thanks. Loved the Valentine’s card–Steve–it means a lot.

My sister, Amy and I were able to get together on Monday to set the date and location of next years family reunion. It is a daunting task in that there is a possibility of 80 people. Lodging and food for that many is in the thousands and we are scratching our heads a bit. It was good to be with Amy and spend lunch with her, my parents, Brian and the kids at La Famous, Los Hermanos. Any ideas are welcome…I’m starting to think cruise… because it’s an all inclusive deal.

Lucy keeps sneaking the cupcakes we made yesterday. When she eats a cupcake there is no disguising it. I don’t know how she does it but usually there are crumbs all over the house and she still has sprinkles in her teeth hours out. She is loving music school and is starting to get the whole beat and rhythm thing. She is learning to share & speak a little bit better. The girls started ceramics yesterday morning and will start chorus tomorrow. They are thrilled because at school today all their valegrams will be sent. Valegrams are little notes you can buy with either balloons, pencil bouquet, gummy bouquet, or sucker. I love these little extras this school does. Speaking of school, Brian went to parent teacher conferences last week. Grace’s teacher was oozing about her and saying she is the model student. Brian quickly asked if there was drama and crying and she reassured there was not. Amazing how they can be so different at school. At any rate, the teacher said that by the end of Kindergarten they like the students to be at a level 3. Grace scored level 20 her first day here. We were both shocked. I guess Abigail’s reading to her has paid off. Abigail continues to excel and do well in school too. She is making new friends as well.

Well, I tend to jabber on and on. I don’t know where Brian and I will end up eating tonight but I do remember 11 years ago today we ate in my little tree hut while my mom served us. Good times! Some things never change through time. I married the love of my life, and I’m happier with him now more than ever. He is my best friend, my partner, the AMAZING father of 4 beautiful girls and my soul mate. I love you, Sweetie. You mean everything to us! BE MINE! so cliche but that’s ok.

For the photos click http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/

Just a quick update for all you loyal followers. Aaron and Krisanne have started a blog: http://laughingas.wordpress.com. The initial post is aptly titled: I have no clue. Aaron, I don’t think truer words have ever been spoken! 😉

Enjoy.

Speaking of, I haven’t seen anything from Sean: http://sean.photographykeepsakes.com. Promises, promises . . .

More later.

Gwenyth has the gumboo. She started throwing up last week sometime. Lucy got in on the action during the night at about 2AM. She completely emptied out, but hasn’t had anything since then. I guess she was feeling left out or something. Gwen has been feeling pretty lousy for quite a while. We thought that she was on the up and up, but tonight at dinner she really lost all of her cookies. And she’s supposed to have a doctor’s appointment this week to see how we’re all coming on helping her gain some weight. Well, doc, she’s probably lost some weight this go-round. Go ahead and call CPS or whatever it’s called here in Utah. And, while you’re at it, go pound sand as well. Anyway, the poor little girl hasn’t had a very good week, though she has tried to be cheerful through the whole thing. Like the other girls, it’s hard to hide that she’s not feeling well. They all show it in their eyes, especially Gwen and Abigail.

Lucy has her second installment of the Art City Music Academy tomorrow. I think that she’s pretty excited. She started asking about it tonight and was wanting to perform some songs for us. It was great. She’s really going to love it. I get to come home from work tomorrow for an hour and a half or so in the morning while Julie takes Lucy. We didn’t want Aunt Marilyn to come over and get Gwen’s bug. So since I already have it and am immune by now, I’ll take one for the team.

Work is starting to get really busy for me. We’re working on a big project for a company called SanDisk. They’re the ones that make many of those little USB flash drives. It’s been interesting dealing with a new technology product that no one seems to know how to use (including the company that released it, Microsoft) and an outsourcing team that hasn’t really delivered what they’ve promised. So we get caught picking up the pieces while the muckety-mucks at the top figure out how to cover themselves. It’s good experience, if nothing else.

Julie wanted to change the theme of the blog. It was too masculine, or too “Brian” for her tastes. So now we have this pink thing. Such is the story of my life. I don’t really like this theme, but it’s more for technical/nerd reasons that none of you could care about I’m sure.

Thanks for your letter, Grandma. It was good to hear from you. Our weather has sure warmed up. We’re supposed to be near 50 all week. Then it’s supposed to rain/snow for a few days. Hopefully some snow will drop up in the mountains for Mikey and Alison. I hear that they got a little wet at the Superbowl in Miami. And the Bears lost on top of that.