While we were away

So apparently when you are gone for a couple weeks your kids go ahead and grow up without you. Lily turned one, started walking, grew a mullet, and began dispersing kisses. Jack grew an inch, improved his verbal skills, turned into a negotiator with said verbal skills, figured out he can escape from crib, and also grew a mullet. They didn't miss a beat carrying on with their happy selves thanks to the excellent care and attention from all their favorite people. Thanks everyone!

W had a blast in Asia. I will eventually get around to posting more about it so stay tuned. Just be thankful for the break, the longer I go the more I forget and the less verbose I will be.Kristin had some great photo sessions with the kids. More can be seen here on her blog.

Little Big Girl

We will be gone for Lily's first birthday on the 26th. So we baked her a cake and had a small celebration on Sunday. Here is the birthday girl picking blueberries off her cake.Just two of the best moms around.Cousin Kru, who is two days older than Lily (yes I said DAYS), made sure to get the frosting worked into a good lather before applying to Lily's hair and back.

Stay Tuned for Engrish Lessons

Beth and I are leaving in the morning for two weeks in Asia. We are super excited and only Beth is only kind of freaked out about leaving the kids. At least we know they are in the good hands of Grandma and Grandma McEuen, Aunt Marci and Uncle Morgan, and Grandma and Grandpa Emmett and Aunt Kristin.

The trip is part of the Executive MBA program I am finishing in just over a month. My trip is included with my ridiculous tuition but we have the option to bring our spouses. As long as we pay for them. It is a great opportunity and we couldn't pass it up. Here's a rough itinerary of what we have to look forward to and fodder for future posts and tweets.

May 22-23 Depart and arrive in Osaka, Japan
May 24-26 Kyoto, Nagoya, Tokyo, Japan
May 27-28 Seoul, Ulsan, Bulsan, South Korea
May 29-31 Beijing, China
June 1-3 Hong Kong
June 4-6 Bangkok, Thailand

T.V. Season In Review

Now that the 2009 television season has wrapped up I feel it's safe to give a few of my thoughts. I previously didn't want to influence so many people's opinions through my blog. I mean our blog. "I did refer to it as OUR nausea" -Buster Bluth

Lost and 24 are still far and away the best shows on T.V. They are the only two shows that no matter what is going on I will not go to bed on Monday or Wednesday without watching. A couple months ago I read this article in USA Today about the two shows. (On a side note I just love that newspaper. I honestly believe everything I read and agree with all of their reviews. It could be because they do such a great job appealing to those with attention paying disorders. Short, colorful, and almost no "continued on page 10" garbage. Reminds of the "Yada, Yada" Seinfeld episode) At that time I didn't quite share his complete and total enthusiasm for the two shows.

Lost was really ticking me off. I have never been a fan of time travel. In fact I have openly spoken against time travel whenever asked. It wasn't until this conversation between Hurley and Miles that I lightened up and appreciated the ride. It felt good to see the writers seemed to be having fun with the at times ridiculous ideas. I will always hang in there with this show no matter what because of the characters. I'm addicted to them. I can't think of another show that has relationships this well formed and developed. I still think the love story between Sayid and Nadia was fantastic. George Lucas really could have used these people to help write the Anakin-Padme disaster. Ben is one of the best bad guys ever. I loved when Desmond pounded his face in. Actually Bianco said it best in his review "Lost is one of TV's best series not because of the intricacies of its myth but because of the depth and richness of its characters."

24 this season was back (finally!) to their old tricks. That's why we always come back. The whole Tony is good Tony is bad thing was messing with my mind but I think they did a good job of resolving his motivations at the end. I'm one of the few people in the world that doesn't care for Chloe and yet has no problem with Kim. I know I'm weird but at least Chloe seemed to have a smaller role this year and Kim helped defend herself against all the haters by turning into an actual asset. It's too bad Jack is dying and won't be around for next season. I wonder who they will get to replace him. My vote is Jason Bourne.

The Office and 30 Rock are my next two favorite shows. It was weird this season because about a month or two into the season 30 Rock surpassed The Office in what I wanted to watch first when I got home from class on Thursdays. It made me laugh more and laugh harder. But then the two shows slowly switched places again and The Office was back on top. I do look forward to finding out what the big secret was the Dr. told Jim and Pam that kept them from returning to the volleyball match.

New shows that I hope return include Better Off Ted and The Unusuals. The best new show in this house is Phineas and Ferb. You gotten check out this show. I still haven't quite nailed down when it's on but sometime during Playhouse Disney before Tigger and Pooh and after Little Einsteins. Not only is the show funny but it is hilarious to hear how Jack says "Phineas and Ferb" when you ask him what he wants to watch. I actually caught myself wanting to watch an episode I hadn't seen when the kids were already in bed.

T-T-T-Tag

So I was reminded recently that I had been tagged. And by reminded I mean completely minded! (Dr. Doofenshmirtz anyone?). I tried to forget and then I tried to pretend to forget. Eventually too much time passed and I couldn't do it anyways. I couldn't take a "candid" picture after more than a week. I would look too good, too put together. Plus I overheard one woman at work tell another woman at work how to look good in self portraits. You hold the camera up high and look up, this avoids the double chin.

But then I remembered I kind of did it while trying to figure out how to upload to Twitpic on my phone. It was 6:00 a.m. and I was trying to stay warm before the triathlon started by seeking shelter in a port a potty. I actually didn't want to leave because this particular port a potty had never been used and it was really sad knowing what it would be like by the end of the day.

Anyways you can go here if you wish to see my unflattering photo per the rules of the tag.

I tag the three people least likely to pass it along. Or most likely to ignore. Or most likely to let it die.

Dad
Trevor
Scott

Poundsies

Jack came with me to packet pick up at the St. George Triathlon and got in on the body marking action. He went with #2.

Slightly Biased

Isn't she just adorable?

Not normally very good at taking photos it has been especially tough the past couple weeks since misplacing our camera. Is it at your house? In your car? Please let us know. Here are a few from the past couple weeks taken with the backup.

Lily had the hugest smile while sleeping the other night in the car. I am sure she was dreaming about when daddy comes home, the other time she busts out that smile.

At her Grandma Emmett's house in her new dress.

Perfecting the backwards navigation of the stairs.

Jack, not one to normally be shown up, puts on a show by demonstrating that he too can go down stairs backwards on his stomach.

Family photo op before church Easter Sunday.

Pops are out right?

We got to spend a spring break of sorts in California over Easter. Beth and her sisters and mother drove down together and I was able to join them over the weekend. They were able to keep busy doing the usual and even made a field trip to Disneyland. It was certainly a nice break from the extended winter going on around here.

Here's a few photos from the park.

Lily having fun and not so fun on the slides.

The female version of this photo. Same sweater and everything.

We found a handball in the bushes at the school and got busy. Which brings me to the subject of this post. Pops are out right? Beth and I disagreed on this fact. Probably because she is the one who hit it. Here I am busting out just one of the moves from my childhood. Cucumbers! Not even a surprise Watermelon! could catch Beth. She is a handball wizard.

Girlfriend Rock

According to my resume (anybody know how to get the ' over the e?) a few of the things I have to offer the world include "Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to think critically and analyze information to produce results. Effective team player and motivator."

I've always thought that if there wasn't some crazy hard rule about a resume only being one page I could include some of my real skillz. Maybe I could just edit experience and take out "#1 fastest drive-thru attendant at El Pollo Loco summer of 1995." One of those skillz would be "EXCELLENT mix maker."

I was reminded of this a couple weeks ago after a letter from my little brother Elder Michael. Apparently earlier that P-Day he had borrowed his Mission President's computer and made a quote "sweet mix" and asked if I remembered all the "sweet mixes" we used to make. Do I remember? Of course I do, I made one that morning as well. His mix would probably only be considered sweet by other missionaries or mothers on a Sunday afternoon but still. Upon further thought I wonder if it's hereditary. The next best mix makers I know are my little brothers, both tied for second.But will we be able to teach Jack?

Since blogs are an excellent forum to share bits of wisdom I thought I might occasional share a mix. This particular one is called Girlfriend Rock. If you can't figure out why take another second. Yes these were all on my computer, including Elton John and Avril Lavigne. With the exception of Ocean 11 I'm sure they are all available for download (now $0.30 more!). I haven't been able to find them since the glory days of Napster.

1. Rock 'n Roll -- The Sounds
2. Girlfriend In A Coma -- The Smiths
3. The Rock Show -- Blink-182
4. Even Hitler Had a Girlfriend -- Mr. T Experience
5. Rock Your Body -- Justin Timberlake
6. Ex-Girlfriend -- No Doubt
7. Rock Lobster -- The B-52's
8. She Has a Girlfriend Now -- Reel Big Fish
9. Punk Rock Girls -- The Queers
10. My Girlfriend's Dead -- The Vandals
11. Solid as a Rock -- Ocean 11
12. Swiss Army Girlfriend -- Mr. T Experience
13. Crocodile Rock -- Elton John
14. Girlfriend -- Avril Lavigne
15. Rocksteady -- Ocean 11
    

Best Friend?

*Note from JohnE - after a couple weeks this is the best I could come up with for my 100th post.

One of the things I love about living in what some consider the middle of nowhere is the excellent recreation available. The cycling, running, and swimming around Heber Valley is an absolute treat (OK maybe not in Winter). On a run you are more likely to see an Osprey, Sandhill Crane, Bald Eagle, or of course the Hawk than a pigeon or a crow. However, there is a potential danger to running in the country. Because of this danger I have been become quite literally a scaredy cat, always on the lookout. I switched earphones because noise canceling earphones open me for not so sneak attacks. What is this danger you ask? It's the country family dog.

Now I am a dog lover and a former dog owner. I hope to one day own a dog again. I just have to wait until my kids are old enough and I can trick them into wanting a dog so bad they'll sign away their life promising to care for and clean up after it. But I was and will be responsible about it, no matter how "nice" or "loving" she is. Cheyenne, while crazy, wouldn't hurt a fly. Actually that's not true, I once saw her eat a fly out of the air. But whenever I was outside with her she was either on a leash or tied up, because other people don't know she's crazy friendly. Apparently this common courtesy doesn't apply to families that own more than one acre. Once you hit the acre mark it is no longer required to fence or tie your dog. I have a couple favorite routes and have over time learned and named every stinkin dog. Luckily I've never been attacked let alone bitten. At least not since the mission but then I was actively trying to get onto properties so I guess it was bound to happen.

My short run is an excellent out and back. It's 4 miles to the top of Memorial Hill and back. Plus from the bottom of the hill to the top is exactly a mile so if you want a good 10K you just run the hill twice. Here is who you need to be on the look out for:

1. Grendel (Mile .67 and 3.4) - This house is actually the worst I have come across. Grendel is an Irish Wolfhound. If you haven't ever seen an Irish Wolfhound think Shetland Pony but instead of ridiculous think terrifying. The size of a small horse and looks of something bred to kill wolves. And it's not just Grendel because also at the Nielsen's is . . .
   
2. Killer (Mile .67 and 3.4) - Killer is a champion German Shepherd. Very pretty and almost jet black. For a period I was the Nielsen's home teacher and know both these dogs to be gentle giants but it still doesn't help when they come running. They are only outside if someone in the family is working in the yard which is amazingly often when there is 3 acres to tend. Plus I know Killer is employed by Wasatch Search and Rescue. Whatever his intentions may be his job is literally to hunt humans and that is scary.
3. Tad (Mile .75 and 3.27) - Tad is a six month old Golden Retriever and reminds me of my dog growing up. I guess I spoke too soon when I said I hadn't been bitten because Tad (who is a tad) did run up to me and do that jump on and mouth thing puppies are so fond of.
4. Bucky (Mile .88 and 3.14) - Bucky is the ultimate pound rescue mutt. Even though he doesn't wear a collar it does look like he treats the property as an invisible fence and just gives a few warning barks.
5. Danger Zone (Mile 1-3) - You aren't in the clear once you get to the hill. Like any road with no one and no houses around this is where people come to walk their dogs who need a leash without a leash. Just be ready if you see any cars parked at the bottom.

A popular long run is 10 miles and is sort of a half tour de heber. It's a picturesque run over the river, through the woods, to grandma McEuen's, by the lake, along Soldier Hollow, and home. These roads are particularly populated by families with many acres therefore not required to follow the guidelines set by society. Here is a quick sample of who to look out for:

1. Orange Lassie (Mile 1.64) - A descriptive name but I actually haven't seen the Hyde's dog in a while so maybe the obstacle has been handled.
2. Ren (Mile 2.61) - The first of two annoying toy dogs on Casperville Road. About the size of shoebox this dog has the best hearing of any dog I've seen. No matter which way the wind is blowing you can't sneak by Ren. Ren is persistent and doesn't stop barking but because of his size it wouldn't bother me if it wasn't for his effect on . . .
3. Stimpy (Mile 2.64) - Stimpy is a yellow lab and honestly would not give a care if it wasn't for the noise his friend and neighbor makes. If Ren is out then Stimpy gets up and puts on a show. If I run up and see Stimpy alone all he does is lift his head look to Ren for instructions. If Ren isn't around then Stimpy goes back to sleep. Gotta love old labs.
4. Napoleon (Mile 2.83) - This dog has made me madder than any dog. A miniature pinscher with a true Napoleon complex. This dog actually chases and tries to attack cars. Napoleon is also one of the few dogs that I can run faster than. The annoying part is he doesn't give up. Unless you turn and face him at which point he turns and runs like he just got beaten. But eventually he turns around and starts chasing again only this time a 1/4 mile behind.
5. Grizzled (Mile 3.35) - This is a true cattle dog and looks like he is about 20 years. Even though he sits right on the road he doesn't bother to investigate. Which is a good thing because despite his age I would pick him in any scrap.
6. Amigo (Mile 4.3) - Amigo is a border collie mix. After a few initially intense moments where he thoroughly checked me out and began following just behind me (forcing me to keep my head on swivel) I invited him to come run next me so I could more easily watch him. He ended up keeping me company for over a mile at which point he turned (hopefully for home). Since then he has joined me one more time.

And it goes on with 5 more named unfenced dogs before mile 8 and the civilization of downtown Midway. Sure there are pluses like I get to work on my neck muscles for swimming and I've heard that running backwards is good cross training for something. I guess I'm just jealous that I probably won't ever get to be one of the those people the rules don't apply to.

Spring Skiing

Original plans to do a complete post of our day at Beaver Mountain were scrapped. I'm lazy and my dad did such a good job here that I'll just send interested parties to Emmettville. Special thanks to Norda's for the new gear and the original Norda for filling in on Lily duty. A couple money shots:

Four Generations of skiing the Beav.

Jack rolling solo. Still has no idea how to stop.

Jack's first season pass, free with the purchase of an adult season pass. Beth and I laughed at this picture for days.

Dear Mr. Hawk

COME ON! I know it was my first ride of the year but am I really that slow? Did it look like I might keel over any minute and provide a tasty treat? What about that large doe and raccoon I passed earlier? They were already dead. It's really disconcerting and slightly depressing to see your shadow constantly circling me for the entire climb up S.R. 32.


Regards,
Not so fast

skithebeav

Check out the first couple photos at skithebeav.com.

Annoucement: In less than 9 months . . .

Lily will double in age. How cool is that? She had her 9 month appointment this week and although I don't remember the details I do remember she was in the 25th percentile across the board. I'll probably come back and insert the actual numbers so I have them available for reference. Earlier this week I couldn't remember how much she weighed at birth and came back to the blog to check. I was shocked to find out she was over 8 pounds! That just seemed too big for the little girl.

She loves pulling herself up onto anything, especially her brother if he stops long enough. Luckily she really hasn't experimented with stairs yet, at least beyond the first stair. She did seem to inherit the same toughness as Jack which comes in handy for all the face plants she pulls off. While trying to play with her cousins she made it up the first step only to roll off onto the hard wood floor. 4-year-old cousin Porter ran to report to Beth that she fell down the stairs and didn't even cry "It was like a trick!"

Her first tooth is making good progress and I can't think of any food she hasn't liked. The Green Pea baby food causes her to make funny faces but she'll eventually open her mouth up again.


Showing off her tooth to mommy.

Car trips are fun especially in Aunt Marci's minivan. Gives her a chance to get those darn socks off.

One of my favorite things to do is have two-year-olds give each other 5. They both want to be the one giving the 5 and end up whiffing several times. Porter understands a little better that someone has to take the 5.

Ice Cream treats at the Dairy Keen.

Jack finds out he's not the only "heaby" one.

Spring Forward

You know Spring is on it's way when Nativity scenes start showing up for an encore.
(one of several I've noticed that probably haven't been seen since the Christmas day storm.)

Good day

While I'm firmly in the iPod Love Group I've had quite a turbulent relationship with the little miracles of late. Amazingly we've owned 7 iPods (six models) but only ever bought one ourselves. That is what happens when you work in sales for an organization that figured out salesmen will do anything short of trading their first born into slavery for a chance at a free iPod. Sure the promises of hitting quotas, increasing job security, potentially $1000s in commissions, pleasing bosses, and job promotions are all nice but fleeting. However, give someone a whack at $149.00 of hardware in a cool box and watch them line up to run through fire.

In just the past few months the iPod gods have been angry:

1. The iPod video was removed from my back pack with what appears to be a bullet hole in the screen. But not a bullet from a gun, more like a bullet pressed at a slow speed with someone's palm. Or maybe it was from a gun and it actually saved my life. Maybe the iPod gods weren't angry. For $179.00 the Apple store can try to fix it but no promises. Or you can buy a used one eBay for way less.
2. While flying from Irvine to Dallas I had a layover in SLC. Jeff was on the flight so I put out the seat occupied card and walked with him off the plane. 15 minutes later I return and my iPod Touch and iPod Shuffle are missing from the seat back pocket. The cleaning crew was nice enough to leave the gum wrappers. When contacted by the airline the crew had no recollection of finding two iPods.
3. I kept the original iPod shuffle in my gym locker at work. A few weeks ago I couldn't find it only to later find it in my pocket. Of course it was after my shorts had been through the washer and dryer.

Now we were down to the originally purchased iPod mini* and the newly won iPod nano. Until yesterday they have been more than sufficient for the two of us. Turns out I own a lot of crappy music and don't need 60 GB to hold it all times. 8 GB is plenty. Plus my running shoes had Nike+ and I have loved connecting to the nano. I don't know about anyone else but I am terrible at estimating how long and far I have been running. I guess I could wear a watch or chart a run ahead of time but whatever. I would usually return after 27 minutes and 3.5 miles thinking it was more like 45 minutes and 6 miles. Nike+ has been 99% accurate on distance for me. (Disclaimer: this is for workouts in unknown territories, I'm not that big of an idiot at home).

Back to yesterday . . . I started really wanting another shuffle to keep at work. They are so convenient with the clip and the size. While thinking this I looked at the shuffle that had been washed, spun, rinsed, spun, and tumble dried. I had repeat visions of plugging it in and melting my own hard drive but decided to try it anyways. Nothing happened for several seconds and just as I thought I better not push my luck the orange light turned on. I then held up the earphones and pushed play, again nothing happened for several seconds until I hear the sweet sounds of The Mr. T Experience. I was so stoked to be back in business and immediately called Beth with the news.

"You broke another one?"
"This is the one that went through the wash."
"You put your iPod through the wash?"
"I told this, remember?"
"Which one the blue one?"
"No it was the white one."
"The video?"
"No the shuffle, the one that looks like a thumb drive."
"Oh, hmmm . . . good day."

Yes. Yes, it was.

* Looking at the iPod mini today brings back memories of Macs in elementary school. Little gray screens used to play Oregon Trail (that game owned!). But the mini to this day still has something the other iPods with screens don't, a clip that works. What is up with that? Why do we either have to use the arm bands or have it bouncing around in a pocket. The sweet spot on the arm bands is impossible to find. Either it's a tourniquet or it's falling down around my wrist. I just want to clip it to my waste and not have to dislocate my shoulder to adjust the volume.

First Tracks

This was one of the most exhausting ski days of my life. And it was only for an hour. And we never left the rope tow. The recent warming trend finally forced me to load Jack up and take him on a proper ski hill. We went to Sundance where you can ride the rope tow for free, as long as you can get to it. It's just a short hike up the mountain with your skis and a two-year-old who will tell you himself every time you pick him up that he is heaby (it's not a typo, it's a quote.)

The trip started out bad with Jack refusing to wear his snow coat and REALLY wanting his mom to come. He doesn't get the Lily is sleeping excuse. Well if Lily is sleeping then you are free to come with, right? If Lily is sleeping then we must therefore take full advantage of our time without the little shadower. Probably a good thing he didn't wear his parka because it was warm and that kid runs hotter than anyone I know. Not one time this winter has he played in the snow without sweating profusely. Just like his uncle Michael.

But the trip ended well as I decided to quit while we were ahead, leaving him wanting more. A little trick I learned from George Costanza. Plus our liftie friend Creed gave Jack a giant chocolate chip cookie to "sweeten the experience."

This is actual footage of Jack's first trip down the hill. It is a total roller coaster of emotions. First it was the apprehensive "whoa! daddy! whoa!" Then after 30 seconds he is feeling good and gets into his tuck to pick up speed. Then a near death experience prompts the ever popular "up! up!"

A couple more short videos toward the end of the session. He's getting good at the green part of Red Light Green Light but needs a lot of work on the red.

At one point I did start to wonder if he was tolerating the downhill just for another opportunity to ride the rope tow up.

Snowmassssssssssspen

We were able to join the extended Miller family for a few days of the annual trip to Aspen last week. Per Grandpa's rules no kids under 7 unless they are still attached (literally) to their mom. Luckily my mom was nice enough to accept our Christmas gift of a plane ticket to come watch Jack for a few days. Aren't we awesome gift givers?

The trip was great as usual. It started out fantastic with Jack basically pushing us out the door so he could watch The Incredibles with his grandma and Lily sleeping for more than 4 hours of the 5 hour 20 minute drive. We had three days of fun skiing and excellent lunches with each day getting a couple inches of new snow. Unfortunately we missed Thursday and Friday which turned out to be the only blue bird and powder days of the week. The drive home did not go as well as Lily's lack of sleep gave us flashbacks to 2007 and a horrible drive home with Jack. I still need to ground him for what he did as a four month old.
Lily has since gotten a haircut to reduce the effect of the widowhawk.

The after skiing schedule went like this. 4:15 Swimming/Hot Tub, 5:45 Meet for dinner, 8:00 make every effort to avoid the family "fun" card games by playing Wii, Guitar Hero, reading, blogging, or in extreme cases homework.

This is about as close to an action shot that was captured of me.

Cami was just one part of the army of helpers with little Lily Ann. Thanks everyone!

Pizzas the first night in Snowmass. I love any place that still puts enough cheese on the pie.

Beth and Grandma Miller on the balcony.

Finally a special thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for making it happen and letting us come. Also Amber for watching Lily so Beth could get some runs it. We love you!