Wednesday, April 29, 2009

When Vampires Attack



Mike recently went to the doctor to have a mole removed. The mole didn't seem that big, but by the time the dermatologist finally removed the whole thing, Mike was left with a long line of stitches on his neck. While he tries to make it inconspicuous by keeping it covered with flesh covered bandages, inevitably someone will notice and ask what happened. The following are just a few of his current stories.
*Vampire Attack
*Neck Lift
*Knife fight
If you have any other ideas we would love to hear them. After all, the truth about most injuries is not usually very interesting....and where's the fun in that?

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Turbo Jam

James has recently discovered the wonderful world of calories. Next to light sabers it is his favorite topic of conversation. He doesn't view calories as you and I do, namely a thing to be avoided whenever possible, but in as a healthy amazing source of energy. Because of this, he is constantly trying to get calories so he can have energy to play, do his homework, or in today's case....do the TURBO JAM workout! On the way home from school today James announced that he wanted macaroni and cheese for lunch so he would have time to do the "20-minute workout" before lunch. After we got home he went down stairs and changed into his "workout clothes". Then he turned the workout on in my room, shut the door, and told me I was banished until it was over. Of course, I had to sneek a peak, and let me tell you if I could have gotten some secret video of him doing aerobics it would have been priceless!!! He is such a cutie. I love the enthusiasm this kid has!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Spring Is Here!


We celebrated the beginning of spring with a trip to the park with Auntie J. Anna, our little monkey, had to tryout all of her old tricks. I got them all on video so that I can tell her to not do them anymore because, after Ayzha's monkeybar incident, playground equipment has a whole new menacing image. Ellen was really fun to watch because last summer she was petrified of all park toys but, this year she finds complete delight in everything. It is so fun to watch her play. We followed our HOT (the kids were all dying of heat by the time we left) trip to the park with icecream of course! It was a really fun day. It was so nice to finally have a sunny day to play. Too bad it won't last.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Trip to the Museum




We went to the BYU Museum of Art for the opening of the Walter Wick (he does all the pictures for the I Spy books) exhibition, and happened upon an exhibit of installation art also being shown there. One of the installation pieces included a corner filled with packing peanuts which at various intervals would be blown around like sea waves by source of hidden air. James inparticular was very excited about this. He stood and watched it for several minutes...and then posed for these pictures. What a poser!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Winter Firsts





Because we live in a state famous for its winter sports we decided to introduce the kids to ice skating and cross-country skiing. It was a blast, even though we had our difficulties. These are definitely pass times that take practice. We had a great time learning together!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Pics at the park
















We found some homeless children at the park last week so we took some photos.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Ricardo Reincarnate



Mer has been spending many evenings in community theatre lately, which has given me some free time in the evenings after putting the bambinos to sleep.  What to do with free time?  Chop, weld, paint, and grease of course!

I purchased an 80's model ten speed at DI about a year ago made by an Australian company.  The name of the bike, emblazoned on the piping in white over green was "Ricardo" and this was soon well known to the neighborhood street kids.  After a few months of tinkering, cutting and rejoining, with a few added parts, ricardo became a sleek, lowriding, recumbant, reincarnation.  (The street children have accused me of forcing Ricardo's early passing from this life).

The most costly part of the project was the $24 i spent on 3 ten-speed chains to get the length I needed to circumcogulate the front and rear gears.  Otherwise, I went through parts from two DI bikes, and a steel bar or two from my neighbor Randy and grandpa Al. (Thanks!)

The final product is a 9.5 foot long roadster with about an 18 foot turning radius.  If you want to give it a ride, let me know!