Raisin Stench

Tushar: End of the Summer Trip

2010-08-24T11:12:00.006-06:00

From the defunct ski resort near Beaver you can hike Mount Holly "easily". So we pulled the kids away from the canoes and running wild, to hike. I thought the possibility of summiting an 11,999 foot mountain would be enough, but it took some serious cheerleading to get the crew up the mountain.

In the end, I was slightly bummed that we missed the peak I was hoping for. There aren't trails, so we ended up on the South Ridge which has a tiny rock fort and one of those celebratory rock piles, but no elevation sign. Just imagine the fam huddled around a sign. No one else seemed to care though. They all cheered up about 20 minutes from the top and stayed that way for the rest of the trip. Maybe it was the thin air.

Jonas: the rock-climbing mountain goat.
Macie: happy and cold.
Daryl: pointing out "the sandy shores of Puffer Lake." Thanks to the old Club Holly ads for all the laughs.
Forget the view, how about that fort!
Everyone happy
Still happy
The tired family sherpa. He carried Jonas a lot.
And finally, the kid caught some fish. Here he is about to eat a chunk of one.
He didn't want to eat them, but I said, "You can't fish if you don't eat your catch." So we grilled the two German Brown (the Rainbow Trout fell out of the bag and floated down stream). And guess what? He loved it, and would barely share a bite.

Back to School Olymipics

2010-08-24T10:35:00.005-06:00

Three Olympians competed in five individual events at these 2010 games. There were gold metals won and lost in mere seconds. Each competitor went home knowing they put forth their best efforts. After such a rigorous competition every individual now knows what he or she is really capable of. We should see great things in the coming school year.

Competitive Events at the 2010 Games
- Speed dressing (short track): Macie Christiansen, Gold
- Competitive Penmanship/coloring: Jonas Christiansen, Gold
- Morning Biathlon (Speed Eating/teeth brushing): Macie Christiansen, Gold
- Pledge of Allegiance, individual event (judged on form and accuracy):Beck Christiansen, Gold
- Dunce cap Stand Off: Beck Christiansen, Gold

Nemo is sick

2010-08-24T10:31:00.003-06:00

I love walking into a room and seeing this kind of thing.

Flush Warm Cookies

2010-08-24T10:09:00.006-06:00

Even though Mr. Incredible says elementary graduations are just another way to celebrate mediocirty, we love a good Kindergarten Graduation.

Macie kicked things off by welcoming the crowd. They sang "You Are My Sunshine" and recited the lines to "Everything I need to know I learned in Kindergarten".

One highlight was when a couple kids said, "Flush warm cookies. And cold milk are good for you". Rather than, "Flush. Warm cookies and milk..." They they ended with a super-cute song and dance, "First Grade, First Grade" sang to the tune of "New York, New York", and complete with chorus-line kicks and everything.

Two peas in a pod. Macie and Mrs. Winter

Principal Mr. Keunen

Tiny Bubbles

2010-04-29T08:52:00.003-06:00

Easter Morn

2010-04-04T22:53:00.002-06:00

Here are a few pictures from the hunt for the Easter Baskets.

Easter Eve

2010-04-04T22:29:00.003-06:00

Check out the waves in Macie's dye. Also we have twinner hair cuts now.

Wheeler Farm

2010-04-04T21:04:00.000-06:00

Pee into this

2010-04-04T20:57:00.003-06:00

Potty training sucks. So we just told Jonas we're out of diapers. First he found this tiny pink doll potty, and used it. If you're wondering, his bladder holds more than the toy pot.

Later, I found him sleeping in the sun. Nice boots, kid.

Zion in March

2010-04-04T20:44:00.004-06:00

We needed a break from the snow, so we camped in Zion for a weekend. We did some hikes we've never done with the kids, found some petroglyphs, lounged, ate, had fun, and got warm (well warmer).

PS: Macie won 1st place in the Biology category at the Science fair

2010-02-13T16:41:00.001-07:00

Master Scientists

2010-02-08T12:41:00.007-07:00

Neither of the kids won this year, but they got a lot of praise from everyone and the judges. And they had fun.

Beck's Project: Lowercase vs. UPPERCASE

Beck tested whether people could read UPPERCASE or lowercase faster. It was a close call, but lowercase won and supported his hypothesis.

Here he is pretending to show the pretend judge all about his project.

Macie's Rotten Leftovers Project

Twenty one days of tracking mold was not nearly as fun as decorating her fridge/ science board.

I refuse to post stuff on the real fridge so she went all out posting stuff on this one, she even added a real gold slip. When I told her that was enough junk on the fridge she informed me, "This is nothing Mom. You should see some of the fridges I've seen! Wow!"

Leftovers, by the way, do not rot faster in sour cream containers. But thanks for the project idea Grandma Marie.

And here we have Jonas thoroughly enjoying being stuck at the school for hours.

"That's my name."

2010-02-04T00:27:00.002-07:00

Jonas drew on himself with a pen. When I asked him why he did it, he pointed to his stomach and said, "That's my name." Nice handwriting!

One day in January

2010-01-30T23:09:00.003-07:00

We fed ducks today. The kids think it's spring because you can see the grass in Salt Lake. When we pulled up at the pond Macie asked, "Mom, did you know ducks are birds?"

Jonas threw whole rolls at the geese and then laughed his butt off. I can't post pictures right now, so imagine Jonas looking a goose in the eye, squealing at it, and then chasing it down with a dinner roll. The geese weren't mean today, they were too scared.

Beck chose to feed only one bird--the one legged seagull. At first he did it out of sympathy for the hop along, but he quickly realized, "Seagulls are awesome, they can catch it in the air."

In other news Daryl informed me he brought home the bacon twice. That is true. On Monday and Thursday he came home with a package of bacon. Weird. I made bleu cheese bacon pasta, which is not weird at all. Yum. Thanks for the bacon.

Daryl's Head Concerto

2010-01-07T15:10:00.001-07:00

Jonas Etiquette

2009-11-13T08:31:00.001-07:00

Y go to Provo?

2009-11-13T08:13:00.005-07:00

Some have asked why we went to Provo.

To drive down the canyon and check out the leaves.
To hike the Y.
To Bowl for just pennies.
To gorge at the creamery.
It was fun.

Happy Halloween

2009-10-28T09:47:00.000-06:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

When life gives you pinewood, make a pinewood derby car

2009-10-15T22:18:00.003-06:00

The Black Widow took 1st place over all. Daryl...I mean Beck, was happy.

84098

2009-10-15T22:07:00.001-06:00

I got a cemetery

2009-10-12T08:36:00.003-06:00

I love cemeteries. I'm hoping to make it to NYC on Halloween to take the one day only, annual tour of that big cemetery that you can see from the train on the way to Coney Island. Until then, I'll (Beck and I actually) make my own in the front yard.

"I think it's my new PARTY dress!"

2009-10-04T11:14:00.003-06:00

Macie got some dresses from the neighbors. She tried them on and gave us a little fashion show. Thanks for the dresses Archibalds.

It snowed and now the yard looks perfect

2009-10-01T15:59:00.001-06:00

Taming a Forest: Year Two

2009-09-03T12:47:00.003-06:00

When I looked back at the pictures from last year, I thought this year was an improvement--except for that dyer's woad. I still want to kill you dead. Elsewhere in the yard we see little successes here and there. The wild flowers bloomed. The 25 cent mums bloomed. The dog wood grew, and more of them popped up. Five of the new baby pines are thriving. Sadly the aspens are struggling from neglect. And luckily only two baby pines died.

Not bad considering we don't have actual dirt or any horticulture know how.

A little better.

A little cosmos, I think.

Pure evil.

Next year, let's hope for no dyer's woad, lot's of wild flowers, bigger trees, money for some top soil, and of course more wood chips. Is it too early to mention that all I want for Christmas is a bunch of dirt and horse poop?

I finally logged on!

2009-07-27T23:16:00.004-06:00

Macie's private b-day tea party.

Jonas jumping on rocks, in his PJs, in the Uintas.

Macie and Kjersti at their 5/30 b-day party.

A Bunch of Munchkins

2009-05-10T22:19:00.001-06:00

Macie Advice

2009-03-18T02:32:00.001-06:00

A recent conversation with Macie: At breakfast everyone was complaining about something. Macie interrupted with, "Do you want my advice? Give up! Never try, never fail! Those are the words I live by."

It's a quote from "Robots", but the fact that she knew when to throw it into the conversation, and could say it with a straight face, is amazing and hilarious.

Macie and her friend snowshoeing

2009-02-22T22:28:00.002-07:00

(Pictures snagged from our friend's blog.)

Grrr

2009-02-04T14:19:00.002-07:00

Jonas scowled for two days, and our friend documented it.

Auto Math

2009-01-28T22:11:00.002-07:00

The other day we saw a Smart car and Macie chanted, "Smart car, smart car, tell me what 8+8 is." Beck thought it was so funny, he wrote it down.

A Macie t-shirt

2009-01-26T23:41:00.003-07:00

Macie could work for a Japanese t-shirt maker. Tonight at dinner she declared, "Farts are the apple root of dalmation sicknesses."

Later she told a joke that went like this..."Dine-a-co. DC. Exclamation point." Followed by only her laughing very loud, for a long time.

She's been big on the exclamation points lately. She also likes to say, "Certainly not."

Father Son Photos

2009-01-14T23:09:00.002-07:00

So Jonas does look like Daryl.

Jonas' Throne

2009-01-14T22:57:00.004-07:00

The little prince found his throne. He's obsessed and likes to rule his kingdom for long periods of time. However, we're pretty sure he doesn't know what this place is really for.

How lazy are you?

2009-01-07T10:07:00.003-07:00

On a scale of one to ten, how hard is it to mop a floor? Probably about a two--even Jonas can do it. But someone still invented the iRobot Scooba http://store.irobot.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=3334444&camp=Google, and I still want one. So I guess I am that lazy.

But it makes you wonder where we'll stop. What task is easy enough, not to be automated? On this 200th year anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, I've been reading one of his biographies. I wonder if his mom would have liked a Scooba. Probably not--they had a dirt floor.

So here's to using your own strength and ability to live life. (Maybe I should write this by hand, and mail it to everyone.)

Enjoy life with technology. And enjoy life without technology.

I wish I was Canadian

2009-01-01T10:41:00.002-07:00

A recent conversation with Beck (who hates ham, but loves bacon.)

B: Gross ham pizza.
J: No it's Canadian Bacon.
B: What's that?
J: It's like bacon without any fat.
B: Why, because Canadians don't like fat?
J: Um, yes.
B: Ah, bacon without fat. Then I wish I was Canadian.

Snip, Snap, Snute...

2008-12-30T11:34:00.004-07:00

Så er eventyret ut. The hair is gone, and the adventure is over. But only for now. I've got to buy some clippers and finish up the back.

Is it better than the old mullet?

Beck was on hand to photograph the event.

All Aboard!

2008-12-23T14:44:00.004-07:00

Brett and Susan gave us some tickets for the North Pole bound, Polar Express. So we went on an adventure last night and took a couple friends.

We saw the real North Pole and Santa and a pack of spazzy elves. We ate cookies and hot chocolate. We read the book, The Polar Express and sang carols. Everyone had fun. Beck's favorite part was the cookie. Macie liked Santa and the elves. And Jonas loved the bell and the condensation on the train windows. Daryl kept looking for Deer Creek Reservoir, which is no where near the North Pole. And I was looking for at least one other parent dressed in pajamas. There weren't any. I guess I was the only old person aboard with Polar Express spirit.

Thanks for the tickets St. George Christiansens.

Jonas showing a little sibling love. (Macie is actually laughing.)

First thing Macie said to me this morning...

2008-12-19T10:32:00.003-07:00

"Oh! You didn't get eaten by a donkey, like in my nightmare."

Summit Park Weather Report

2008-12-16T16:31:00.002-07:00

Not as cold and more snowy than yesterday.

Take my picture...

2008-12-15T13:54:00.002-07:00

..and get this stuff off my finger.

It's a Marshmallow World

2008-12-15T13:47:00.004-07:00

We got 19" of snow. Here are some pictures of it from our windows. It's too cold to go out to play. But in a few minutes we'll walk "uphill both ways" to go pick up Beck from the bus stop.

Cheese

2008-12-10T09:32:00.002-07:00

Cheese is one of Jonas' new words. And here's a picture to go with it.

Hallelujah, baa, baa

2008-12-07T16:29:00.003-07:00

Macie was an angel, and Beck was a sheep.

Check out the footage on our friend's site Robisobcrew (link to the right.)

Merry Christmas.

Cute Jonas

2008-11-11T09:22:00.004-07:00

This may be one of his last pictures with his mullet. We're trying to figure out what to do with his hair.

Jonas says all sorts of funny things, but one of my favorites is when you try to tickle him, he crosses his arms over his chest and says. "Not."

Another good one is when he hears the word pray. He folds his arms, bows his head, and talks baby talk for about 3 seconds.

Macie Kay not Macey Grey

2008-11-11T09:16:00.002-07:00

Macie sang a solo in church Sunday. She got to do it because after the last primary program she said, "Next time I want it to be just me and Hannah's mom (the piano player.)" So Hannah's mom called this year and said, "I'm calling to make Macie's dreams come true."

She loved it and sang well--no fear. If I can figure out how to post the high-quality recording I made, I will.

at-whay?

2008-11-11T09:05:00.003-07:00

Poor Beck just found out that his favorite language is not really a foreign one. It was pretty sad to hear him ask, "At-whay, you mean Pig Latin is just something someone made up? They don't really speak it in a country anywhere?"

He took it worse than any news about anta-say or the unny-bay. (Picture taken a few days later.)

Preschool

2008-11-06T10:07:00.002-07:00

These girls are too wound up for school. They're super excited about something--the election results maybe?

Weird Weather

2008-10-31T23:25:00.005-06:00

It's always freezing, often snowing on Halloween (both in the valley and in the mountains). Even if the 30th is warm, the 31st is cold.

So what is up this year? Is it global warming or just a miracle? It was in the 60s this evening. We had snowsuits and moon boots worked into the costumes, but we didn't need them. Yaaaaahooo!

Ninja, puppy, and Snow White.

Why "The Best" Christiansens?

2008-10-26T21:31:00.002-06:00

Many have wondered, especially the little (or not so little anymore) nephews.

One time when Richard and Gaye went on one of their extravagant trips, we watched their kids. They used to think it was funny to leave all the munchins with newly weds. I'd say it was more entertaining. There was the time we told them we were lost and couldn't find the house because we ended up in Vegas. Or the time we tried to talk them into sleeping in by telling them it wasn't day yet. But the name for the site came from Matthew (because this was originally a blog for the whole family.)

The little punk beat us in a game of midget Nerf basketball. Even though he was only three he started dancing around the basement gloating and signing, "I'm the best, I'm the best, I'm the best!" Thus, "The Best Christiansens."

Most of the funny sayings in our family come from Matthew. Say any of the following in a little munchkin voice:

- "Change me! Change me! I pee peed and pooh poohed!"
- "I'm scared! I'm scared!" (Hint: don't pick up a kid who is yelling this even if it's 3:00 AM and just a few seconds earlier he was announcing the status of his diaper.)
- "Don't take my yummy gum!" (This was when Daryl tried to stop him from chewing gum he found under the table at The Pizza Factory.)
- "You be nice now, okay!"
- "I'm Brett Matthew Christiansen!"

Notice how everything has an exclamation point? That indicates extreme volume.

Now Macie has taken Mathew's place as the loud kid who says funny stuff. They are very similar even though Macie was scared of Matthew for awhile. She said, "He's scary because he has bras on his teeth. " I agree that would be pretty scary.

We've Been Down Graded

2008-10-26T21:24:00.002-06:00

A few weeks ago, we got a letter from the water company informing us that our water had been contaminated, for just one day. They insisted it wasn't a big deal because it was "just one day". The worst part is, they now have to chlorinate our nice mountain water. Now when we visit Grandma the kids won't ask, "Why does Grandma's water smell like a pool?" Cause our own water tastes like a pool. Too bad.

Grooming a forest

2008-10-23T22:12:00.004-06:00

As I surveyed our lot from inside the house and decided how to landscape, it seemed easy. I wanted it to look natural, but still be under control. That meant adding a few retaining walls, some ground cover, lots of trees, and removing anything dead or noxious. Next we hit the fall clearance at Lowe's. For just $30 we got a ton of hardy mountain vegetation. So far--very easy.

The people next door (the nice ones) hired a crew of landscape people who showed up for over a week with their Mini-Exs, Bobcats, and other machinery. And the place looks good. Three weeks later, our place looks about the same. Probably the biggest accomplishment is the mini Machu Picchu-looking wall by the drive way. It better hold.

Planting a tree is so hard, it's amazing any of them ever sprout on their own. Some of these mountain plants are pretty resiliant. We've got something that looks like a strawberry plant (without the strawberries) growing through the concrete that someone pumped out into the forest. So if something can grow through a mound of conrete, I hope the stuff I plant on purpose flourishes.

Macie and some "onions" (bulbs) she planted.

I still have so much to do I kind of hopes it snows soon so I can stop.

One of the perks of living here...you can call "Casey the Woodchipper Extraordinaire" and a couple hours later, he'll drop off a heap of pine chips. Smells so good.

One of the down sides of living here...the guy next door accuses you of killing trees to build your house. Lucky for him, he just happened to find a nice open space to plop his giant wooden house. And he didn't have to kill a single tree! Everyone is a conservationalist after they build their house.

Mediocre pictures of a "funkis" house

2008-10-14T16:08:00.007-06:00

Mies van der Rohe said “Architecture starts when you carefully put two bricks together. There it begins.”

Well, we didn't use bricks, and I know some of those contractors weren't careful, but we did begin last summer, and we did build a house. Here are some pictures of what the Urtons call, the house that Daryl built.

Living room with the nephews' favorite red chair--the same chair Richard told Daryl he's not sexy enough to sit in.

Master bath with a glimse of the famous shower.

Master bedroom. Yes, we know we need new bedding.

Another shot of the famous shower. I heard the inspector back there laughing during the final. I don't see what's so funny.

Another shot of the living room.

The office is behind the glass partition which also doubles as our cinema paradiso (the projector shines on the glass screen from behind.

The genkan, aka a room designed for storing shoes. And in this case, also for storing junk we still need to install in the house.

kitchen. Sorry it's not clean, but the batteries in the camera were dead the one day the kitchen was clean.

Dining room where we will feed any of you who come visit.

The giant rotter (which, by the way, does not currently contain any rotten food.)

Many have asked how we clean our concrete floor. If we clean, we use this big yellow janitor mop. Jonas loves it. Maybe he'll grow up to be a maid.

When the inspector saw this he said in a rather disgusted way, "What is that?" Macie took over telling him all about Ikea where we bought the lights and where you can get mac and cheese and diam candies. He started talking to her about meatballs and didn't seem to mind Daryl's homemade light after all. Thanks Macie.

The room where Daryl spends all his time. Thanks Takagi.

Macie's closet, sans glass door. She put all her clothes away by herself. She really does want to grow up to be a maid. She told us, "I love cleaning more than anyone in the family except Mom."

Beck's room.

A sideways image of the guess powder room.

A nice blue picture of Jonas.

quote of the day

2008-10-14T14:06:00.002-06:00

To anyone (Daryl) who thinks the olfactory system is not the supreme judge...

“The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it,” Rudyard Kipling 

!05 Crestview Cricle

2008-10-04T11:13:00.003-06:00

We passed our final (building inspection--not midterm. Some people were confused.) on Sept. 5th, and moved into the house the next day. We still need to clean the yard, build some retaining walls, paint some accent walls, and install some shelves, but we're finally living here. Photos coming soon. Until then visit us anytime.

Rabies

2008-08-27T08:22:00.003-06:00

In our homeless travels we stayed at some friends house who own a Retreiv-a-poo (I think the real name is a golden doodle.)

The animal control people weren't helpful at all. It turns out if your dog bites a bat, he needs a rabies shot and to start quarintine immediately. Now poor Casey is looking at a 6-monthquarintine because he didn't get an $8 shot the 1st day.

I think we're all okay, but everytime Jonas bites us, we hope he doesn't have rabies.

Homeless, homeless

2008-08-27T08:07:00.002-06:00

We're like a good Michael McClain song--homeless. We're having a final inspection Friday. Hopefully they'll let us move in even if it doesn't pass.

In other news, Jonas walks. He learned a couple of weeks ago. We have no pictures because we're homeless.

Beck started school Monday. He already hates the homework. But the people we're living with wake at the crack of dawn so, at least he's getting up on time.

Macie decided she wants to be a cleaning lady. But before that she wanted to be a vet, I think. Here's the conversation...

Beck: I finally decided what I want to e when I grow up. I want to e a florist.

Macie: I want to be a vegetarian.

Jennifer: You mean a vetranarian? (explain the difference.)

Macie: Oh yeah. I want to be a vet because I could kill the animals and eat them.

Our first garden produce

2008-07-09T22:50:00.002-06:00

These are called Easter Egg Radishes, and they are very spicy. Beck and Macie both cried when they tasted them.

BC & MC wearing DC's childhood uniforms

2008-07-09T12:33:00.002-06:00

Biking photos

2008-07-04T13:50:00.003-06:00

Nice ski helmet and snow boots. Sweet sharp turn!

New birthday wheels.

Should I?

Happy Birthday Macie

2008-07-04T11:01:00.007-06:00

Macie turned four and celebrated with a fancy tea party with all of her boy cousins. Even though all the food was tiny and pink, the boys still liked it. Macie loved it. (More pictures to come when I get them.)

After the tea party we marched at the tail end of the Centerville Children's Parade. Then we went back home for ice cream cake and presents. Macie liked it all.

Macie at 1 day.

Macie at 7 weeks.

Happy Birthday Jonas

2008-06-27T13:38:00.004-06:00

At one year old, Jonas crawls, cruises, goes up stairs (and sometimes comes down) has eight teeth, loves baths and swimming, eats lots of grapes. He rarely speaks or signs. He usually shrieks or babbles like he's talking.

One of his greatest accomplishments is drinking through a straw. One of his worst accomplishments is taking off his own diaper.

Occasional words: dada, mama, ba (beck), bye bye, water
Occasional signs: milk, finished, more

Jonas one day old

Jonas 6 weeks old

Hotdog Trivia

2008-06-26T23:55:00.003-06:00

I forgot to bring the Trivia Quiz to the hotdog party, so here are the questions. I'll post the answers later. One of the most important questions isn't even on the quiz. Does the Vatican even have a snack bar?

Hotdog Trivia Quiz
(Info from the National Hotdog and Sausage Council)

According to hotdog etiquette, how many bites should it take to finish a hotdog?

Which US airport sells the most hotdogs?

A meat marketer in Pennsylvania is currently trying to develop a hotdog with what unusual ingredient?
- Mushrooms
- Liverwurst
- Peanut butter

Rank the following hotdog cooking methods in order of America’s favorite.
Pan fry Microwave Grill Boil

In 1939 FDR served hotdogs and beer to which White House guest?
- King George VI
- Winston Churchill
- Norman Rockwell

True or false:
Weight Watchers includes hotdogs in its medically approved regimen.

NASA has approved hotdogs as a regular menu item on many space missions.

Hot dogs are sold at the Vatican Snack Bar.

The 2nd Triennial Hotdog Party

2008-06-26T23:35:00.003-06:00

For anyone without access to a dictionary--triennial means reoccuring once every three years. The best guesses include:
1. Daryl will have three parties in his lifetime and this is the second one.
2. Daryl is turning 30.

Here are the pictures.

Daryl, nephews, and the hotdog cake.

D enjoying a dog.

Jonas digging into his baby hotdog cake.

Anagram fun

2008-06-26T00:36:00.002-06:00

There are something like 6278 anagrams for the word "Christiansen". Our favorite is Raisin Stench. If I ever have a band or write a book, I've already got a great title.

We Need a Greenhouse

2008-06-19T22:39:00.001-06:00

Two nights in a row an animal attacked our plants. The second night they smashed and shredded the little peat pots. The destroyer didn't eat anything, it just destroyed. And it probably laughed while it worked.

Toll Canyon Hike

2008-06-12T14:16:00.003-06:00

Photos by Beck

2008-06-12T14:10:00.005-06:00

Something pretty.

A beautiful tree.

Something yellow.

The house in June

2008-06-12T14:04:00.005-06:00

The house looks blue, but it's dark gray. The garage is earthy red.

Jonas crawling and cruising

2008-05-21T15:52:00.003-06:00

May 21st @ the Bus stop

2008-05-21T15:50:00.006-06:00

Hiking in Zion

2008-05-21T11:03:00.006-06:00

This picture is of the kids and their friends shortly before Daryl had to carry Beck and Macie because they couldn't handle the heat.

It's snowing

2008-05-21T10:42:00.004-06:00

We spent the weekend in St. George and Zion. It was over 100 F. We're glad to be back to some good weather. It's snowing.

Beck's 1st Pinewood Derby

2008-05-21T10:31:00.001-06:00

It's Pikachu.

Funny 3-year-old girls

2008-04-25T10:46:00.001-06:00

An actual conversation I heard between Macie and her friend Emily...

E: What's in your cheeks?
M: I don't know what you're talking about.
E: I said, what's inside your cheeks?
M: Bones.
E: Also there is squishy stuff.
M: Yeah. And there's a tunnel from your nose to your cheeks. That's how you swallow yogurt.
E: Oh. Where do the boogers come from?
M: There's a tunnel in your nose for boogers.
E: Do the boogers live in your forehead?
M: Um, yeah, I think so.
E: Let's go play.
M: Okay.

Beck's Book Club

2008-04-19T00:07:00.002-06:00

For Beck's book club this month we read "My Father's Dragon". At the book club we did all the tricks Elmer did to the animals. This is everyone sucking a lollipop that was attached to a crocodile (our green sled). Sound weird? Read the book--everyone loved it. Macie is wearing a yellow shirt and Beck is in army pants.

Cool Classic Cars

2008-04-12T20:16:00.005-06:00

Everyone by a Cadillac. Check out those fins.

Grandpa and Beck between a Delorian and a Hupmobile

Macie by a Studabaker

Dad trying to guess the type of car...a Rolls Royce.

Jennifer and Jonas by a cool car. Photo by Beck.

Happy Easter

2008-04-05T12:55:00.002-06:00