15 random facts

1. I dislike taking formal pictures, especially with kids, they never cooperate.
2. I enjoy taking road trips. It gives me time to think, reminisce, and be awed by Earth's beauty.
3. I learned how to rock climb from a book and just did it.
4. I have a phobia of sharks, in fact, I think one day if I actually scuba dive it will be the day a shark gets me.
5. JAWS and bad dreams caused this phobia.
6. I claim to have many ex -girlfriends but most people say a two week relationship does not count. UMMMM, it does if it meant something to you.
7. I believe my wife to be very talented but she claims she is not.
8. I love the smell of fresh cut grass, it brings back memories of baseball season starting. Though I don't care for baseball anymore.
9. My favorite sport to play is competitive volleyball, emphasis on the competitive part.
10. I have a broken pinky that I thought was sprained, never has been fixed.
11. I like to play role playing games on computers and board games. Arkham Horror for example.
12. I feel like I have been helped out a lot in my life and now I finally feel I can return the favors.
13. A Chinese star is not actually Chinese, they are Japanese. Crazy, I know!
14. I fell out a two story window when I was two, but I did not get hurt.
15. I once was able to bench 300lbs and the most I ever weighed is 180lbs.

Resolution to BLOG!

Alright! I am going to try and do this as well. I think it is an awesome way to re-evaluate life and get to know family and friends better. I feel bad that my wife blogs consistently and I never read her thoughts. So, it is time to get participating and stop hating.

day1 - yourself with 15 random facts
day2 - you and the person you used to be close with
day3 - the cast of your favorite TV show
day4 - the person you have "liked" the longest
day5 - your favorite memory
day6 - a person you would love to trade places with for a day
day7 - your most treasured item
day8 - something that makes you laugh
day9 - person that has gotten you through the most
day10 - person you do the silliest things with
day11 - something you hate
day12 - something you love
day13 - your favorite band or artist
day14 - someone you could never imagine your life without
day15 - something you want to do before you die
day16 - someone who inspires you
day17 - something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
day18 - your biggest insecurity
day19 - you, when you were little
day20 - somewhere you would love to travel
day21 - your favorite night
day22 - something you wish you were better at
day23 - your favorite book
day24 - something you wish you could change
day25 - your favorite day
day26 - something that means a lot to you
day27 - you and a family member
day28 - something you are afraid of
day29 - something that always makes you smile
day30 - someone you miss

Past happenings of destruction

I have some time on my hands so I have decided to post about some past happenings that needed to be mentioned. You see as a dad I am trying to allow my little girl to be like a boy as much as possible. I cannot allow her be too much of a princess, so, I allow her to destroy, because that is what boys do best!

I want to teach her to toilet paper friends or sworn enemies homes. Instead she toilet papers herself....such a girl thing to do. She doesn't want to hurt anyones feelings. She will learn the right way to do that later....it is called dating.

The next picture depicts Avery wanting to sew like her mom. A noble thing to do but it is not boyish, so, I am proud to see she decided to dump out all the contents and look smug about it. She is finally getting the idea of being more like a boy. It almost brought a tear to my eye.

The last act of destruction was pure jubilation for me. I wept openly as Avery and I built a fort out of couch cushions and played hide and seek. She truly is my little tom boy. However, you can see dresses hanging in the background. It always reminds me that Avery in fact is a princess and I love her all the same for it but a dad can hope for the Star Wars birthday parties instead of the Barbie ones.

Update on Life

No pictures tonight but I felt I should update my blog. A lot is going on of late with our family. We had an Easter egg hunt for Avery today and she was able to find all 35 eggs. Even more impressive...she was able to carry them all in her basket. The best part of the hunt is that my mom put dollar bills in the eggs and some chocolate. Avery could care less about the money, all she wanted was the chocolate. Kathryn obliged Avery's request for chocolate and took the money.

Kathryn continues to impress me and friends with her skill in sewing. She can make a skirt without a pattern in less than an afternoon. She just does it. It is truly a talent. I was asked the other day what talents I have or what I can do to help, since the request by the person was to unclog their toliet and I said I can plunge it and that is about it. I had to reply, "My talent is to listen and make people laugh." She laughed at that and I said, "See, I am already using my talent."

I have recenlty received a new calling at church. Actually, I received two new callings within the last two months. I was called to be the ward Sunday school president two months ago and this last week I was called to be the Stake Sunday school president. It will be a challenge but I am ready to serve the best I can.

As far as work goes I have been offerred a job to teach in China this year. I have accepted the letter of intent and I am getting things together to apply for a visa. Kathryn is being a very good sport about everything. She supports me and I am cannot ask for more than that from her. Things still are not 100% for certain yet but we may be in China as of August this year. I am excited but still know there is quite a few things that need to be settled here in AZ before we leave.

Halloween in Texas

Our trip to Texas recently was eventful and relaxing. There is an ever growing number of relatives who seem to be living out in Texas now. In fact Texas is trying to rival the state of Utah for housing the most family nowadays. No need to fret Utah family members as you are still the closest to us here in AZ and plus it seems like there may be another exodus of family members moving to the wonderful sunshine state of AZ with Dave and Kristy, we already stole Nathan. Anyways, I digress.

I must say the trip was a bit frightening as Avery was a bit of a terror due to her top teeth breaking through and having to sleep at three different homes. Plus, poor Jon had to deal with me losing his house key, a driver from his Frisbee golf collection, and putting a dent in his beautiful red Audi. That one still haunts me. Lucky for me, Jon seemed out of character and did not explode he just simply said okay. Freaky things happen during the Halloween season.

The weather was very pleasant during our stay and it was just what Kathryn and I needed as it rained on a number of days and the nights were crisp and cool compared to Phoenix. The Friday before Halloween we went to old Town McKinney and were rewarded with a fun evening of trick or treating and observing a large number of families dressed in fantastic costumes in celebration of Halloween. I missed the days when kids actually dressed up for Halloween and neighborhoods decorated their homes in spooky fashion to celebrate the festivities the holiday offers. One little girl in particular was dressed as a scarecrow. The costume was elaborate and just fantastic. Avery will definitely have to dress like this girl in a few years but for now the pumpkin outfit is great! (Thanks, Val)

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The WAVE

I was finally able to take a break from work for a week and was rewarded with a fun and adventurous trip to Southern and Northern Utah.

This trip was our first time away from our baby girl Avery for multiple days. We missed her but it was a relief not to have her on the hot hike we encountered near Lake Powell doing the WAVE.

I almost did not make it out on this hike. I was burning up and felt like all energy had been sucked out of my body. The hike is only 6 mile round trip but there is no shade anywhere. Kathryn ended up with a very burnt and red face and my chicken legs were toasted!

The WAVE was unique and the hike was different but I am not sold that it is worth a lottery win to go. Only 20 to 25 hikers are allowed to explore the area a day. I am not sure a single one of the other hikers we encountered were American. Mostly Europeans and Asians were found to be taking pictures and scurrying around the rock formations and sand stone.

Kathryn and I wanted to be more adventurous and I suppose we got wait we wanted, but that is to be expected when you hang out with Derek and Michelle. We stayed the night at Lake Powell and it was a pleasant place with a sand floor to sleep on and a cool breeze from the water. The facilities were great at Lone Rock Camp, though you need to share the area with RVs and other campers.

We enjoyed a fun night of playing BS with cards and munching on cookies. Kathryn and I took the time to go for a night walk on the sand. You could see a ton of stars and the moon reflected perfectly off the water. We became a little nervous when a high howling started very close to us by a coyote that looked more like a wolf. But I guess coyotes don't care for smelly campers.