Christmas Morning

Christmas was fun this year. The kids were so excited to get different things, Paige kept on repeating "presents, presents". She loved all her dress up things, Tanner loved his new Optimus Prime (mom and dad don't love it as much-it is hard to transform!!!) and Jazz jersey. Kate didn't know what was going on but loved it all the same. Hope everyone else had a Merry Christmas.

More Photos

Perth Day 1 & 2

Kids arrived safely with little jet lag. Have only threatened to send Caitlin home once so far. She asked to buy a mood ring, told her not needed as she only has one mood, though we are working on that. Here are photos from the hotel and aquarium. Caitlin has promised to model her new bikini later.

Loaded January

Are we ready to rumble? Things are really starting to heat up as the last 8 days are left before super tuesday and the front loaded primaries. Who is going to come out on top for the republicans? If all goes to the polling both Romney and Guilaini will be the top two front runners. Huckabee will honestly probably only win one state. Iowa. The biggest upset could come from the democrats. Obama is now even with Clinton in the lastest polls and Edwards is a close third. This is going to be very interesting to say the least.
By the way John, you could probably sell the first valentine dog on ebay for big bucks. Just tell Ahsa that it was lost one day and then buy a new one when they officially come out. J/K. Chris if you spend that much on a house then you have too much. We all should be like Buffet and live modestly while making billions.

suprises suprises

suprise #1 i got an ipod touch for christmas.... itunes wont work. figures
suprise #2 haley mccarrell walks through my door saying she'll stay at my house for like a week (YESSSSS!!)
suprise #3 its like gusting 50 mph here...
suprise #4 im bored

Build A Bear

Asha went to Build a Bear in Singapore. After viewing all the choices for dog/bear she decided she wanted the one that was on display. Which happened to be the new Valentine dog that wasn't released yet. But the nice lady at Build a Bear got one out of the warehouse for her, so Asha now has the first and only Valentine Dog in Asia (the world?) Talk about spoiled kids....

Excitement

Well, I don't pontificate on this blog as I am sooo much wiser and smarter than all of you that I would make you feel insignificant if I added my 2 cents. So...here's some excitement. I threw a shoe at Kyrie and missed, but managed to break a window instead. How's that? The kids thought it was really funny. Wade brought home a flyer for a home for sale in Winter Haven, FL It is only 1.7 million. 5500 square feet, over an acre of land, pool, 6 bedrooms, 6 1/2 bathrooms, and lake front property with a dock and lift. Oh, and an in-law apartment so you can all come visit us whenever you want to. I would hope we could keep the cost under 1 million, but who knows.

'Twas the night before Christmas...

and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except for this rabid fruit bat that keeps slamming into my patio window and landing on the balcony....the paper today said Santa doesnt come to Bangalore because of bad traffic, poor infrastructure and high import/excise tax. What a Christmas to remember...

Boring

this is by far one of the most boring blogs I have ever read (or created). No controversy (e.g. who's having an affair?), no intellectual thought (other then Q) , everyone just leads boring lives.

Pris and I took a pre vacation vaction to Singapore over the weekend. We think we've found a nice apartment to buy if we can get the deal to go through. I'm in the market looking for another job as have decided 1) we hate India and 2) there is more to life than working 20 hours a day and making lots of money. Pris summed it up best by saying "we have everything, yet we have nothing" No this does not mean I'm giving up my wine collection, but we are looking to move presuming the house goes through. Have a couple of good job leads in Singapore, though will most likely stay here until something firms up.

That's all from us. We're looking forward to spending time with the kids in Australia and have lots of activities planned, as well as lots of down time by the beach. Yes Dad, there are sharks in Australia (great whites) though will try to keep the kids from getting eaten. Though they could trim a bit from my stomach, i wouldn't mind....

It's now 7:00pm on Christmas Eve and it dawned on us today that we have no tree and no gifts. Just not the same not being in Idaho or Park City for Christmas, is going to take some getting used to.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Channukha. And make sure my kids get on those flights on time. If there are any delays call and let me know. Mobile is +91 9980 666477. I will be on a flight late evening the 26th (1030am to 3pm Idaho time) which is when the kids are meant to be flying to LA. I don't have voice mail on the mobile, but will have my blackberry so you can email as well.

Setup for your very own voip extension.

Go here and download xlite. http://storage.counterpath.com/downloads/X-Lite_Win32_1011s_41150.exe

Install it. You may need to reboot. Start xlite. If the sip accounts window is not shown open it by clicking the down triangle at the top of the softphone.




Push the add button. Open the Account tab.



In the "Display Name" put what you want on the phone display. "User name" is your provided user name. "Password" is your provided password. "Authorization user name" is your username. "Domain" is sfmidaho.com. Leave Register with domain and receive incoming calls checked. Select target domain.



Hit the apply button, hit the close button. If you have problems with registering to the server you may have network issues. The can be solved by installing openvpn, which is another topic that will have to be covered later if necessary.

You need a microphone to talk to others and speakers to hear them.
To make calls to Idaho just dial the Idaho phone number. If you know the extension of another user on the system you can just dial the extension. Another way to call people is to call the Security First Mortgage main number 2084787587 and dial the extension.

The extension for the mission setup phone is 401 and the phone number is 2082397798.
Another cool feature that is setup is that voice mails will be sent to your email.

Dan's exten is 402.
Chet's work exten in 101.
My work exten is 102.

If you have questions let me know and I will try and address them.

Mission laptop setup and free calls to Idaho and each other.

I have just finished initially setting up the laptop for the parents when they are in the Ukraine. I set up a phone extension for them so they can call home for no money as long as they have access to high speed internet. If any one wants the phone number let me know. I'll email it to you. Now I only need to train them on how to use it.

Also if anyone wants to be able to call Idaho for free and has access to high speed internet let me know and I will post on how you can get setup. And anyone setup can call others that are setup.

COME ON DOWN!!!

So, I've reserved 2 tickets for the Feb 11th taping of the Price Is Right. It isn't a guarantee that you get in, so you have to get there early to get a priority #, but who is coming down to go with me?

Travel IQ

Level 11
453k
Beat That!!!!

American Politics and the Elites who run.

Wow! I can honestly say that there is really no one to vote for next year for the office of President. All are elitist, and all have grownup in wealthy families. Maybe Mitt or Fred, but that is really it.
All of the candidates have had moral issues that are making it hard to decide who to vote for. Mitt was for abortion and now has changed, which is good, but will he support any new pro-life bills or will he let them slid under the table. Giuliani has so many moral blockers that I don't have time to go into. This also can be said for McCain, Huckabee, and Ron Paul. Truly, Fred is the only one with the best answer to the abortion issue, "let the states decide", or let the people make their own choices and then let's put that to law. Would this happen, no, the media and evangelical Christians don't like the idea that Fred has put forth, why, probably because the "people" will be split down the middle. Easterners and Californians will be for abortion and the west and mid-west will be against. Heck all moral issues should go to the "people" and then government should create the laws that the "people" either voted for or against. This goes for, gay rights, abortion, capital punishment, etc. Government should not make these decisions for the people, the people should make these decisions for themselves. As the BofM says let the people destroy themselves and then the wrath of God will come down upon them.
Has this been the policy for the government, no, and this is where government has definitely gone astray. Instead of representation of the people for the people, we now have representation of the elite for the elite. Government policy should not be in the hands of the few, but in the hands of the masses.
What irks me the most is when the elitists, both republican and democrat, go out and say we represent the people and we believe in the people and want to listen to the people, when in fact their pockets are being filled from the coffers of elite lobbying groups. I am for lobbying, but lobbying should be curtailed and limited in what it can do. Wouldn't it be nice if the politicians acted upon their true natures and showed themselves as they really are? Then we would really know who to trust and to vote for.
Now campaign promises, here is an issue I love to discuss. When was the last time a President actually did what he promised to do during the election. I know of just one Ronald Regan. He followed through with his campaign promises, by cutting taxes, ending tyranny, and helping the economy get out of the hole. Yes, Bush 2 has done very well, but you get the feeling that he is manipulating the system behind the scenes and helping the NWO to come about more quickly. In the end what this country needs is a president that grew-up poor and fought his/her way to survive, who believes in freedom for the masses, and understands that government should be small, and that freedom and rights were God given. We need a Captain Moroni! What elitist best fits this, NONE. So I guess we vote for the second best. Again this is either Fred or Mitt, in my opinion.
Q

Forget the Elves, Bah Humbug

Wade' s the scrooge Mcgrooge

http://www.scroogeyourself.com/?id=1510316704

Chris is pretty mean too just ask the kids

http://www.scroogeyourself.com/?id=1510532482

but Jake is really cute

http://www.scroogeyourself.com/?id=1510627282

Mom and Dad spread the Cheer

copy and paste if it doesn't work.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1473190062

Bangalore Marathon - not quite right

A traffic cops inadvertantly letting traffic through the race route lead to a 10 minute delay when runners couldn't cross the road due to traffic. Though the winning time wasn't too bad, as the winner said "you always tend to run faster when there are dogs chasing you...."

Filming for Sex and the City

We just saw Kim Catrell and the girls filming at Escada (think Rodeo Dr., but actually it's on the corner of Wilshire/El Camino kitty korner from Rodeo). I'm assuming they were filming a scene for the new movie coming out, but of course could be wrong. "Sam" was dressed in a white skirt, yellow shirt, with a blue purse and shoes.

Travel Quiz

Try this. My best so far is level 10 for a score of 358,000

http://www.travelpod.com/traveler-iq/game1?0b3e=f474

Just Go Elf Yourself!!!!

Shake it Bowb!!!


http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1401549058

Think about it?

Does God and healthcare mix? When most of us say our prayers we usually pray for the sick and being able to provide for our family by being successful at work, but where does the line get drawn. When I pray for success at work am I also praying for people to get sick? Because the only way for me to get O2 orders is for people to get sick. So should I continue to pray for the sick that they get well or do I pray for being sucessful at work and hope that people get sick for just a short period of time?

Q

Corporate America

Finally into the swing at work and learning that politics don't run corporate America, system failure does. For instance, where would you see a company release a new software program and train everyone on it just to remove it within one week; only in corporate America. (Microsoft excluded. They're the only company who would release useless software to the masses and still charge $500+). System failure I can assume costs companies million's of dollars per year. System failure is prevalent in communication errors where if someone would just repeat themselves twice you wouldn't receive ten cases of an item but just the 10 individual units that you wanted originally. System failures are also rampant in antiquated technology that corporate America insist that my 686 PC can run Windows XP. My favorite system failure has to be purchasing your own product, that you sold to another competitor, back at a premium.

On the bright side I love my job, not just the benefits. I love that I am no longer at the will of others and their schedules. I am now able to be at home at night. I love not being tied to a desk. I also like that fact that I get a salary. I also love that I am now able to return to school for that all elusive college degree.

Until next time Q.

What's so great about STARBUCKS?

So for Wade's office party everyone got a Christmas bonus...except for Wade. Go figure. But we did get the cute little Starbucks thermas and gift card that were on the table. Since I had it I figured I might as well use it.

Have you ever noticed how many Starbucks are around? I mean, I can now think of 5 all within 2 miles of each other and there is one in the front part of the parking lot at the grocery store I go to all of the time and I have never noticed it before. Does America really need a coffee fix that badly? Besides, the atmosphere is just okay, right now there is Christmas music playing. But who really wants to spend $4 or more on a cup of joe? even if it has been whipped, frapped, syruped, frothed, and blasted into outerspace (which by the way would more than justify the cost, Space Coffee)? Not to mention the calories and fat content of said drinks. Anyone for a Peppermint Mocha, only 280 calories for 16 fluid oz. and 3 grams of fat, or how about an Eggnog Latte 450 calories and a whopping 18 grams of fat for the same size? And that is only their medium, the venti, or large to those who don't know SB lingo, is even better. So I've tried their hot chocolate and pastries. They actually have small sandwiches and salads, and a few of the locations even had Egg McMuffin looking things for breakfast. The problem is, who wants to pay what they are asking? I'm surprised that each place I've stopped there has 1: been a line at every place 2: seating is limited as there are always too many people milling around, reading the paper, drinking their jolt for the day 3: been no parking but hey it is LA and 4: Daniel always wants to sit down in a seat and join in with the masses. What is up with that?

not quite right....

my daily commute... http://flickr.com/photos/37134561@N00/296185325/ quite funny to see four guys lined up taking a whizz....one of the walls actually collapsed from all the acid.....or the time I saw two guys strip down to their skivvies and take a shower from a water tank...in the middle of the airport runway while I was taxiing for take off.....incredible India....

MRI and Circumcision

You may be wondering what these have to do with each other. Both are great experiences at the local hospital. I had an MRI on my back today. Nothing like being crammed into a small tube for 25 minutes with a jack hammer going off inside. Not an experience that I'd like to repeat. At least it only cost $125....

So I had a kidney stone earlier and had to see a urologist. During the exam he non-chalantly picks up me privates and says " i see you've been circumcised" I said yes, to which he asked "how old where you when you were circumcised?" "is your son circumcised?" "how old was he" then he had a colleague come and check it out as well. was ready to turn my backside and ask if he wanted to examine my a-hole as well while he was at it.....

incredible india......

hn...

If only you knew how true that was.... D: so yeah people come look @ my blogggggggggggggg.

Incredible India - just not quite right

Have decided to post daily "funnies" about life in India. Two for today as I missed yesterday.

Went to the new food court near the office, which happens to have a KFC. Ordered the set meal (sandwich, fries and drink) and was waiting for my food. The girl who took my order comes over and says "sorry sir, we're out of fries what else would you like." I told her I was fine waiting for them to cook some more, to which she replied "no more fires". They were out!!! A fast food restaurant had no more fries.....my friend and I were in such shock we just laughed...only in India

And today we went out to do laundry and discovered that the dryer plug has melted. Not sure how this has happened, but worried about the rest of the wiring.

If I can will copy the front page article from yesterday's paper on the religious ceremony where they throw babies from the roof of a temple and catch them in blankets. Only one missed and landed with a dull thud.....

A Terrible Two Year Old's Daily Exploits

Here are some other formerly infamous 2 year olds...








Daniel's expoits

• put anything I can into the sink or tub when they are full of water (at least it's not the toilet)
• cut my hair, yet again, with scissors I found in sissy's room, yet again
• climb ontop of the counter and yell until I am rescued by mommy
• pinch sissy's bum that is hanging out of her jeans
• write on mommy's wall, yet again, this time with black crayon
• attempt to cut things open with a steak knife I got out of the dishwasher until I am discovered by biggest brother
• throw around the big can of hot chocolate gramma gave us for Christmas
• keep asking for drinks of water only later to show mommy that it is all getting dumped down the heat vent in the kitchen
• keep asking for juice only to spill it every time onto the floor making mommy decide that I can go thirsty from now on
• smack big brother with a toy sword, yet again
• strip down naked twice, but get caught before I can do my business on the floor
• wake mommy up at least 6 times last night for num numms
• take out cherry tomatoes and squish them on the carpet
• take my noodles into the front room, hey big brother and biggest brother are both doing it, and smear them all over the floor
• hit bigger brother again with the toy sword
• remove more ornaments off of the Christmas tree

Mommy is tired, but Danny the energizer bunny just keeps going, and going, and going...

And more pics

Okay, here are the rest.

Finally some Pictures

The boys, including Wade, and I all went to Medieval Times for the dinner/show Saturday night. It was a lot of fun and a great way to drop $300 for the evening. This place must be raking in the dough because it is always packed and adult tickets are $51 each. It was expensive, but a great thing to do once. There is also a pirates dinner show we will have to try sometime after we've recovered from the sticker shock of the other place. Daniel and I also visited the temple grounds here to look at the pretty lights. He really liked them. Now you know what a palm tree looks like with lights. (Okay, more pics to come soon, I keep getting an error message when trying to upload them and have to run. Will try again later)

Emails

Hey guys, I've changed the settings on our blog so only those who are invited can look. I'm working on giving everyone permission, just give me time.

New Layout

So, as if you haven't noticed, but I put a new Christmas Layout on our blog. Hope you don't mind. I lost the link to Trummy's blog, so if you'll add it back on someone who knows it. Thanks

POTC 3 Quotes my favs

Captain Teague: It's not about living forever, Jackie. It's about living with yourself forever.
********
Officer: Which ship do we follow?
Lord Cutler Beckett: Signal the Dutchman to track down Sao Feng. We follow the Pearl. How soon can we have the ship ready to pursue?
Officer: [Captain looks back towards a cracking sound, and watches as the large mast falls down. He turns his head and looks on towards the Black Pearl] Do you think he plans it all out or just makes it up as he goes along?
*******
Jack Sparrow: Why would he do that? Because he's a lummox, isn't he? Well we shall have a magnificent garden party and you're not invited!
******
[Jack is about to eat a peanut when a shot is heard. He falls to the ground to reveal ANOTHER Jack Sparrow]
Jack Sparrow: [picking up the peanut] MY peanut!
*
Jack Sparrow: Gibbs, you can come, Marty, Cotton... Cotton's parrot, I'm a little iffy... At least I'll have someone to talk to... Who are you?
[to Tai Huang]
Tai Huang: Tai Huang. These are my men.
Jack Sparrow: Where does your allegiance lie?
Tai Huang: With the highest bidder.
Jack Sparrow: I have a ship.
Tai Huang: That makes you the highest bidder.
Jack Sparrow: Good man. 'Weigh anchor all hands. Prepare to make sail.
[takes out compass]
Jack Sparrow: [Cotton's parrot] 'Weigh anchor.
Barbossa: Jack... Which way ya goin' Jack?
*
Captain Ammand: [about Barbossa] Shoot him!
Captain Jocard: Cut out his tongue!
Jack Sparrow: Shoot him and cut out his tongue, then shoot his tongue! And trim that scraggly beard!
*
Lord Cutler Beckett: You can fight and all of you will die, or you can not fight... in which case only most of you will die.
*
Elizabeth Swann: I propose an exchange. Will leaves with us. And you can take Jack.
Will Turner: Done.
Jack Sparrow: Undone.
Lord Cutler Beckett: Done.
Barbossa: [to Elizabeth] Jack's one of the nine pirate lords. You have no right.
Elizabeth Swann: [with defiance] King!
*
Jack Sparrow: Now we're being followed by rocks. Never had that one before.
*
[Sao Feng holds a knife near a frightened Asian man]
Captain Sao Feng: Drop your weapons, or I kill the man!
Barbossa: Kill him, he's not our man.

Money, money, money

Bad time of year to have to pay a $1000 comprehensive deductible for hitting a fox. Brett has a broken radiator, bumper and inside casing. We still don't know the extent of it until they really get in there. Drivers beware.

Mi Siki Ook Too

I've been sick too. I blame Amanda. Had a fever and body aches yesterday. It wasn't a whole lot of fun. Yesterday was crazy busy at work too. We had six cases. A lot of people were just dropping dead. I think it was the snow. I was actually out grocery shopping with Amanda, long after my shift had ended, when I got a call from the lady, Ann, at IDS. Really nice person. She needed some help with a case. So I agreed to go back up to the Eye Bank to help out. I ended up staying for another two hours. I would like to say I did it soley out of the goodness of my heart, but truthfully, we need the money. It also snowed down here. A lot. I was so wanting to skip work and go snowboarding yesterday, but we're too poor for me to be doing that. School is also about to end. I'm so excited.

Hitting a Fox

Brett is convinced that while driving home on Friday night from the Jazz game, going 70 mph on the highway, that he crushed something. He said the buddies he was with saw it about 1 second before he did, and he saw it just in time to grip the wheel steadily. Luckily he did, otherwise, if he had tried to swerve, he probably would have flipped the car. His car is beat up. It cracked the grill on the front of the car. He said his car smelled like fried animal, plus it also starting smoking. He is afraid he cracked his radiator. He pulled up to the first stoplight and his car started shaking violently. I can't believe all this damage could be done by a fox. It will cost us a pretty penny to have it fixed. Maybe now we should just call him a "Foxy Lady".

Post to rid another

So, no one has felt the need to post for a while, and I am getting tired of looking at the old one, so I decided to put up a new post. Kate and I have had awful colds with ear infections!!! Yuck. I think that is also what Amanda had. So much family love spread around with the Holidays. Paige had her birthday yesterday and is convinced that she is 4. I have had arguments with her, to no avail. It is hard arguing with a 3 year old who is somewhat bull headed and independent. (Don't think I haven't heard what is coming next, either). We went swimming for her birthday. Indoors of course seeing how we probably got 8 inches of snow yesterday. I imagine the mountain resorts are loving it. Maybe they will be able to open up after all.

This One's for Chris

I couldn't resist. Of course I found this on a page that wasn't so BYU friendly, but I thought it was only appropriate in light of our recent weekend. Thought all might get a kick out of it. We love you.

Celebrating Lackey Style

I think we would all agree that this weekend will be one remembered. It was chaotic, as usual, but how wonderful it was for almost all of us to be together on such a special occasion. Mom and Dad did a wonderful job speaking on Sunday. I don't think there is anything that can make one more nostalgic than speaking of the past, present, and future and then speaking of ones fears to go with it. We truly are blessed and have been ... "Given Much". There is much adversary out there but if we can teach our children what mom and dad taught us, I think they will all come out on top. I hope you enjoy the pictures from the weekend. There are some from most of the festivities. From Thanksgiving dinner, to Lightening after it, to Christmas with the grandkids, and Christmas with the kids. There are pictures from Santa Claus coming and from Dora the Explorer getting beat with a stick. And then there are pictures from the dinner on Sunday, and just some of kids playing with kids. I tried to get some of everyone, but obviously missed a few. But they are definitely moments to be remembered and cherished and placed in our hearts. It will be a couple of years before we have a gathering of sorts again. And hopefully, with answered prayers and a watchful hand, we will only have grown in numbers. Until we meet again... God Speed.

Recipe

I don't have an exact recipe and I don't even know what it is called but for all interested in a super easy casserole that feeds a lot, I didn't have enough sauce in Idaho, it usually is better.

1 package of egg noodles
1 lb of hamburger, browned
1 16 oz carton of cottage cheese
1 16 oz carton of sour cream
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
shredded cheese (I use cheddar)

boil noodles, layer in bottom of casserole dish (atleast 9x13)
layer browned hamburger on top
mix cottage cheese and sour cream together and layer on top
pour spaghetti sauce over top and sprinkle with cheese
cook 30-45 min at 350 until bubbly,
stir together and serve

Sup

So hello. I'm at school, bored at the moment. I just wanted to say that I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone at Thanksgiving/Christmas. I can't believe that it's here already. I'm also looking forward to having good material to blog about. I'm sure that something crazy is bound to happen this weekend.

Turkey Wrestling

Check out this link for a funny commercial....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0OZvjeMiUM

New Info on Christmas

I sent emails out again. WE are doing an exchange of some sorts. Let me know what you want to do. Does anyone but Chris and I check this thing out? I need feedback.

INSTRUCTIONAL SOULJA BOY VID (by the man himself)

heheh.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sLGLum5SyKQ

The Soulja Boy for TMan

Sarah,
check out this link for an idea of what that is
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?vid=188940

Goin on

I guess I hit return after that last title, and it felt the need to publish it. Anyway, I just wanted to let all know that not many gave any input on what to do for a gift exchange, so it seems we will be doing a sub for santa again. Plan on helping out Thursday morning somewhere, we have a few options. I can't believe Christmas is next week, oh, I mean Thanksgiving.

Not so Much

Brazilian JiuJitsu and the Aquarium of the Pacific

Kade and Jacob have started Gracie style jiu jitsu lessons at the Beverly Hills JJ club. The family that owns and operates it is from Rio. It is where the likes of Vince Vaughn and Guy Ritchie train. They are really enjoying it. Daniel even runs around and "plays" while they are in class and the owners don't care. It is pretty cool.

Yesterday the boys and I went to Long Beach to the Aquarium. It was a lot of fun. We got to see and touch manta rays, sharks, birds, and a ton of fish and living coral. Then we took a 3 hour tour out onto the ocean and went whale watching. We actually saw a fin back whale. Unfortunately he/she wasn't feeling too social and we chased it around for a while but never got really close to it. The boys had a good time though and the sunset was beautiful. We froze a bit but still way worth it. Next time, note to self, bring jackets.

I Know I Look Young, but COME ON!!!

so the boys and I ride our bikes to school a couple of times a week. Danny sits in one of those seats behind me hooked to my bike. All of the schools have crossing guards at the main roads around them (for some reason they are all african american, heck I think it would be a pretty decent job, two hours twice a day during the school year, anyways, thats another subject) back to my story. For some reason the new crossing guard at one intersection told us we had to walk our bikes across the street. We've been riding since the beginning of the school year and nobody else has ever said that. I kind-of gave her this look like, "What, why". She said, students have to walk their bikes in the cross walks. Kade and Jake got off and I just gave her this look and she says, "are you a student?" Come on. This is a school for K-8th grade. I know I look young, but 13? Plus I had Daniel on the back of my bike.

New Driving Stats

So, these past 2 weeks I only spent 26 hours driving and managed to get a whole 280 miles this time. Wow...must be a record. That is dripping with sarcasm if you can't tell.

Thanks-Christmas-Giving

I sent an email out to all about our upcoming celebration. It is only 2 weeks away and we need to get moving on a few things. So, read the email and let me know what you all are thinking. Oh, have a very merry Christmas.

Rude, Rude, Rude

So let me just tell you how rude people are here. It is absolutely unreal. I think nobody worries about anyone else except for numeral UNO and they are all so inconsiderate. Even the kids. We ride bikes or walk to school for the most part and parents and kids alike will be walking across the entire span of the sidewalk and instead of scooting over or walking single file to let someone by you have to go around off of the sidewalk or onto the street. Drivers don't give pedestrians and bikers the right of way unless they absolutely have to and they will let you know you are in their way by honking or using sign language if you get my drift. When we do drive to school it is just as bad as LA has to have the worst drivers in the country here. People dropping their kids off will pull over to the side and then when they are ready to go they just pull out and go regardless of any car right next to them. My fear is I am becoming just as rude and impolite as I drive around in the madness. It is really hard to remain cheery when everyone else is just the opposite.

My Absolute Very Favorite Dancer

This is for those of you who don't check out my blog. I can't resist. It makes me laugh.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!! BOOOOO

Trick or Treat

It has been a pretty slow night for trick or treaters. I thought that might happen so I decided to pass out regular sized candy bars. I still have a box left. Come on by if you want one. The kids had fun going out. I am just glad it is finally over as much as I love it. But, with that, Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner.

Bumblebee

If anyone is interested in winning the 2009 Bumblebee camaro you simply need to go to chevy.com/camaro to enter. It's easy to do and would be fun to win.

The Great Move

Amber and I have finally decided that moving is no longer for us. For some reason this move has been the toughest and the hardest so far. Perhaps it is the fact that we are not only packing but repacking boxes as our little ones remove items from boxes. But one thing is for sure. we only have three more moves in us and then we are done. How John moves as much as he does, I could never, nor do I want to. At least we are moving for a job that isn't 100% straight commission; finally! We will see you all in Pocatello again this coming week.

Cough, cough, hack, cough

So, since southern cali is burning down around us, we have to deal with the smoke. Admittedly that is much better than dealing with the fires or having our house burn down. However, the smoke is so thick in the mountains, hills, that I can't see downtown or the hills. Ashes were falling form the sky Wed., but haven't noticed any today.

Ghost of the Bayou

We went to the zoo today and had a most enjoyable time. The weather was perfect and the kids were well behaved. The animals were all fairly active and we even got to see the ghost of the bayou, one last time before he leaves. He isn't albino, he has a rare genetic mutation that makes it so he has no skin pigmentation and he will die if exposed to uv rays. Just click on him to get a truly great showing of what he really is.

How to spend time in LA doing nothing...

So my trip meter in the mini-van has just informed me that in 23 hours of driving I've gone a whole..........wait for it it is exciting.......320 miles!!!! 320 miles in 23 hours of driving. There is something seriously wrong with traffic here!!!

Oz here we come...

Chris/Sarah - Boo and Caitlin are going to need to leave SLC for LA on the 25th. They will fly into LA on the evening of the 9th, but wont be able to get to SLC until the 10th. Can you confirm if you're still ok with this. Am going to need you to put them on the planes and pick them up.

Dads look alike contest

My Angry Face (wade just said I needed a boob job) celeb look a like

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

School Lunch Prices

Even though they just raised the price of school lunches this year, they will raise them again in Nov. due to "the increased cost of food and paper products"

K-5 $3.00
5-8 $3.75
9-12 $4.00

I mean, I could go to McD's or TacoBell and eat for that cost. It's crazy. I remember paying 70 cents in school. in Alabama I think lunches were $2.50.

My Celebrity Morph

%1

I think the result is pretty impressive. What do you think?

Found at last. Part of it at least.

If you are curious about how much information about you is available on the internet just put your name in Google and search. I do this every once and a while and tonight I got a surprise. Something that was taken from me six years ago has been found. Well kind of found. You see when I was living in Phoenix someone stole my motorcycle. It was fun, it was fast and it was lost. Not to get anyones hopes up but the entire thing was not found. The Phoenix police department has my name on an unclaimed property sheet that turned up in a Google search. Waiting for me if I want to claim it is a Kawasaki Engine. Maybe I'll just make a trip to Phoenix and pick it up and put it my garage with the rest of my motors I have lying around. If I'm lucky it might run. Has anyone noticed that when you type google in the text editor it flags it as misspelled? But Google works just great.

Board Exams and Jogging

Wade passed his boards yay!!!! Everyone can celebrate for us. He has offers for interviews at many places including the Mayo. Who knows where we will end up next year?

I bought a jogging stroller and Daniel and I took our first jog on Thurs. Can I just say that I really hate jogging. I don't know how distance runners do it. I really prefer sprinting, but seeing as I need a cardio workout that lasts around an hour, I figured I better sprint more than 100 yards. We've been out a few times. He seems to really enjoy it and I grumble my way through. Feeling some muscles that have been neglected all summer....

Scary Monsters!!!

No school today, so the boys and I went to Universal again. Danny and I hit Disney on Tues. Disney was still crowded even on a weekday morning. Universal was light today and fun. The weather was in the low 90's, so it was warm. Kade and Jacob enjoyed having their faces painted. Kyrie is there tonight with a church friend for the Halloween Horror Nights or something like that. Looks fun. Am trying to talk Wade into going with me tomorrow night. I did the Return of the Mummy ride today. It was freakin' sweet!!!

moi blog

http://thepinkanenome.blogspot.com/

whatever

yeah hi whatever. im bored and i cant go to one of my friends birthday parties cause my mom is a freak. =]

Investment Banking

I was just curious to see what any of you knew about investment banking? I've heard a few things about it recently here and there and that a good majority of the bioengineering graduates from Duke actually go in to investment banking upon graduation. I just am wondering how that works and how it would work with an engineering degree...

Our Own Blog

Just in case all of you haven't noticed, Amanda and I started our own blog. The link can be found near the lower left half of the family blog. I blame the S in BS for starting this new addiction of mine. I do find it to be fun and interesting to hear what everyone has to say at times.

Change URL

I changed the url to our own blog. I hope that the wife doesn't mind but I felt that something more appropriate was need, something more catchy. Hence...thewhackylackeys was born.

I Feel The Need to Rant

So, here goes. I've been reading a lot of MD blogs lately. I find them to be a refreshing insight into the life of a physician, one that I currently hope to live someday. Amongst the many issues that they typically blog about is the one on universal health care. I've also grown weary of the issue in the media, etc. Especially amongst my peers at the collegiate level. When did everything in this world become a "right" and/or entitlement? I'm sick of it. Why can no one accept responsibility for their own actions. Why can't people realize that if they only gave up their smokes, booze, cable tv, cell phones, new cars, big houses, name brand clothes, yadda yadda yadda, and expect some personal responsibility at some point in their lives? Is it too much to ask? I also wish that they would give up the expectation for me to pay for their errant ways. I'm adult, and therefore I should be able to make logical and informed decisions. I simply don't want more government interference in my personal life. I don't want to have to pay the government more taxes to run a program that they will screw up. I don't want to have to pay for other people's bad habits. If I want to eat and McDonald's everyday, then fine. I'll at least have the decency to pay for my own health care when the time comes. And why in the world did Al Gore win the Noble Peace Prize? The reason, whatever it may be, is far beyond my own personal level of understanding. I thought that the majority of Nobel Prize winners didn't receive said prize until YEARS AND YEARS after their research, ideas, and actions, and making an actual contribution to society in general. Yet, for some reason, Al Gore can win it after peddling around the world in his private jet while given speeches on why he isn't a hypocrite. There, I've said it. I'm done.

Special Musical Number for "Farewell"

Hey everybody...I was wondering if we could arrange to have the grandkids sing "i hope they call me on a mission" as a special musical # for the farewell. Do you even have a date for that yet mom/dad? Now, if you don't use my suggestion I will be very hurt

Technological Geniuses. . . or just Lucky

Yesterday, Paige decided to call Grandma Janie. Both of my kids know how to call a few people on my cell phone because they are programmed into speed dials.

Conversation between Brett, Paige, Grandma and Sarah:
Paige: Hi Grandma
Gm: Hi Paige
Paige: We're having a Strawberry party, with ice cream
Gm: A what
Paige: A party

In the meantime, Tanner decides he wants to talk and Paige doesn't want him to so she starts running and screaming

Paige: Hold on Grandma, I'm calling daddy
Gm: Bye Paige

Paige: Hi Daddy
Brett: Hi Paige
Gm: Hi Brett
Brett: Oh hi, when did you get into town?
Gm: I'm not, where are you, you're not at home?
Brett: No, I'm at work, Paige go get mommy
Sarah: Hi mom
Gm: Hi Sarah
Brett: Hey hun
Sarah: How are you on the phone?
Brett: I don't know, your daughter got us both on the phone
Sarah: Do we have conference calling?
Brett: I have no idea, but she did it.

Still don't know how she did it but she did.

Hallelujah!

So today was my last day at Chase and I'm really excited about it! I'm way excited to start my new job tomorrow! Just thought you'd like to know...On the other hand, school is back in today. It was painful to go back. I had one two hour class that drug on forever! Oh well, the semester is half way over now, so that's nice! One semester closer to the end.

Universal Studios Hollywood

We went to Universal today. We are all in agreement that we prefer this to Disney. Not as crowded, much closer to home, and cheaper. The rides are more the older kids speed too. It sure has changed in the 20+ years since I was last there. We had a good time and if you come visit, we have discounts for 6 so hurry on down to sunny L.A. to come join in the fun.