Bishop Family

We're at it again

2010-05-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

Moving that is. This will be our 7th move in our 6 years of marriage. Hopefully we are near the end of it for a while. Nick got a job in Boise. We will be moving in a couple of weeks. Also Bost got his tonsils out a month ago and did way better then I thought he would do. I think he was just excited to have popsicles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Kolson enjoyed this too. Can't give it to one and not the other. Here are a few pics from his tonsils.

And just for fun cute Kole playing with cars. He could do this for hours if his big brother would leave him alone long enough to allow him to.

My little boy is 4

2010-04-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

Crazy my little boy is already 4. We had a fun little party for him. My mom came to help celebrate his B-day and brought his cousin Kenlee with. For his special birthday dinner he chose steak with dip (A-1 sauce) and a basketball cake. What 4 year old choose's steak over all other food. His dad is teaching him well I guess. We are so glad he is in our family and wish that he would stop growing up so fast.

His special steak dinner.

He finally got his sword. He was very specific everytime we asked what he wanted for his b-day that he wanted a sword and tool belt and thats all.

Halloween

2009-11-03T14:22:00.000-08:00

Finally an update for any of those who are still checking my blog. Halloween this year was a lot of fun. Boston had so much fun with painting and carving pumpkins, making Halloween sugar cookies, and dressing up like a pirate. We asked him a month before Halloween what he wanted to be for Halloween and he chose a Pirate so he can have a sword. I always stress over costumes (my stress over costumes makes this Holiday my least favorite) but my mom was a life saver this year. Nick and I went costume shopping and didn't have much luck. My mom came to the rescue and put his costume together. A little bit of frugal shopping at DI and a little sewing (two things she is very good at) and voila the custest little pirate ever. Kolson was easy, he wore the frog costume Boston wore a few years ago. He was a very cute frog and wore it the whole night without a fight.

The best part of making cookies is licking the beaters. This is Kolson's first beater experience, it was a hit.

Halloween night we went trick or treating with Nick's brother and his family. They live in the best neighborhood for trick or treating, tons of houses and close together. In Boston's own words he got "plenty of candy." He had so much fun running from house to house until he got worn out trying to keep up with his 5 year old cousin Bryndee. He and Kloee were such troopers.

My little 1 year old

2009-08-12T06:45:00.001-07:00

This little boy has grown up way to fast. I can't believe he is 1 today. Looking back at his newborn pictures makes me want to cry. He is such a sweet boy (he probably won't like that when he's older) and we have loved every minute of him in our lives (except night time minutes). I don't know how Boston ever lived without his little broter as he calls him. Hearing them play and giggle together is the best noise, and it makes me giggle just watching them laugh at each other.

I love cuddling with this little boy and am afraid I don't have to much longer of it. Boo hoo.

Happy Birthday Kolson!!!!

We're still alive

2009-06-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the lack of blogging and leaving you all hanging. I've had some hate notes and phone calls about getting back on the blogging wagon. I'm ready and have a few posts that I will be working on for the next couple of days. Anyways for those who don't know we moved to Teton Valley. Nick still has his same job. The housing prices went down here over the last year and Nick has somebody to car pool with here. It has been a good move for us. When it's time to go home after spending the weekend with family Boston asks are we going to our old house or the fun house. I think I'm safe to say it has been a good move for him.

Kolson was such a trooper when we moved. He fell asleep in his jumper which is very unheard of.

The boys had so much fun playing in the boxes. Boston made a train with all the empty boxes.

Moved Back to Idaho

2009-05-30T09:07:00.000-07:00

More to come.

Friday Night Movie Night

2009-04-11T17:10:00.001-07:00

I love our movie nights. Nick started it with Boston when we first moved here. It has been a while since we have had one due to us being out of town for the past few weekends and not having any good movies to watch. We watched Bedtime stories and loved it. Very funny.

Popcorn + Lemon Lime Kool Aid + Chocolate Chip Cookies + Movies + Boston = Contentment

April? SERIOUSLY!!!!

2009-04-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

I am done with all this snow. Sadly I might have to deal with it for another 2 months.

This is looking out our front door. Does our driveway look a little deep? I don't care I am done shoveling snow for the year. (Good thing Nick has four wheel drive)

Kid pics

2009-03-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

The kids did suprisingly good with these pictures. I thought it was going to be a nightmare. We only had a few break downs, but nothing a sucker couldn't take care of.

Bowling

2009-02-25T13:18:00.001-08:00

This last weekend we went home to get away from the snow. Silly that we go to Idaho to get away from the snow but compared to Wyoming, Idaho has nothing. The plan was for us to go Friday night after Nick got off work but Boston and I were getting major cabin fever and were ready to get out of here sooner so Jordan and Kenny picked us up Wednesday night, which I was so grateful to them for doing that. We didn't want to have two vehicles in Idaho, especially if it snowed over the weekend (I don't like driving in the snow, especially through Palisades). We had a great time while we were there. Saturday night we decided that we really wanted to take Boston bowling. He had so much fun and he did so good. I was nervous he was going to be a little wild and that I was going to have to help him each time it was his turn, but he was so independent and mature about it.

Boston was so funny. He usually runs from the camera when I pull it out but he was totally posing with his orange bowling ball. He keeps telling me he wants to go bowling again with his orange ball.

I don't know if you can tell from this picture but Nick is on the first screen initials NT with a score of 63. Boston is on the second screen BB with a score of 65 and SG with a score of 80 (Boston played in place of Grandma Sherry, she'd rather watch Kolson then bowl, duh). Yes he kicked his dad's butt. Nick was kind of having an off night to say the least. And then there's me, AS at 112. I think that is probably my best score. I was winning until I choked on the 10th frame. Kenny came from behind to win. Oops, Jordan did get a higher score than me but that doesn't count when using bumpers, sorry Jord. And I do have to add my dad did very well. It's been years since he has bowled and Iwas actually impressed and surprised. When I told him I was surprised by how good he was my mom had to add, "I'm not. He has big muscles" oh gosh mom.

And I can't forget our cute little crazy haired Kolson. He was so good the whole time.

Kelsey didn't get to go bowling with us because she had the Valentine's dance at school. She looked so pretty. I'm proud to say she's my sister for so many reasons, not just because she's so cute.

Kolson update/first hair cut

2009-01-14T12:41:00.000-08:00

This post is way past due, I've been working on it for a week now but better late than never. Kolson had his well baby check appt last Tuesday. I believe it was suppose to be his 3 month check but he is now 5 months. I'm a little behind and am playing catch up now with his shots. He weighs 15 lbs. 12 oz. (50 percentile) and is 26 3/4 in. He is a very healthy little boy and is growing like a weed. Before I know it he is going to be a little toddler running around with Boston. So sad, but I am also excited for Boston to have somebody to play with or fight with (hopefully more play).

Kolson had his first hair cut a couple of weeks ago. He just had a little trim off the top (not that noticeable). Firsts are always such a big step for me in my kids lives. They are always kind of bitter sweet moments.

Before

I Just had to add this picture. He was playing with his feet while I was getting a before pic and I think it is so cute when babies play with their feet. Boston never could touch his feet because he was such a chubby or he just wasn't flexible enough.

After

Haha, I don't know if you can see the hair that well, not much

there but thought I would share anyways.

PURPLE BOOGERS?

2008-12-07T20:49:00.000-08:00

It is a tradition of our's to decorate gingerbread houses each year around Christmas. Ashley and I were each working on our own and Boston was helping out where he could. Included in the gingerbread house kits we were using were small round hard candies like this one.

Boston was helping me put these on a Christmas tree (upside-down ice cream cone covered in green frosting).

Both Ashley and I became distracted while Boston continued playing with the bowl of these candies. A short while later Boston started picking his nose (not uncommon). Ashley began telling him to stop picking his nose, but to no avail. He picked and picked and picked some more. Then he began saying that his booger hurts and that he wanted to get it out. I stopped what I was doing and took him to the bathroom to get a Q-tip in order to dig the booger out. After he told me which nostril it was in I stuck the Q-tip way up to try to extract the menace. When I pulled the Q-tip out, naturally I looked to see what was giving the kid so much grief. Nothing...... Just a purple Q-tip. I thought to myself "Maybe he had purple on his fingers from playing with the candies.....?" Then I pulled the kid's head back and took a gander up his nose. And....

Do I need to go on? There it was. A small (not so small compared to his nostril) round purple candy. Ashley and I freaked out as we often do in times of "crisis". Somewhat reminiscent of the time Boston pepper sprayed himself. Thoughts of the ER bill that would be mailed to us in a few days made us cringe. I continued to try to get it out with the Q-tip but to no avail. We tried tweezers but the candy was too far back and his nostrils were just too small. Ashley tried nose drops to help the candy to dissolve but Boston didn't like that. About 15 minutes after the original discovery and several failed attempts to dislodge the candy, we finally came up with the idea to find something that we could bend like a hook and shove up there to pull it out. So I took the scissors and cut off a piece of Ashley's Christmas garland. I bent a small hook in one end, shoved it up his nose and the candy slipped right out. We both sighed a sigh of relief that we didn't over react by taking him to the hospital. Boston learned his lesson and right after the candy came out he said "I'm sorry" and gave us both hugs.

RESOURCEFULNACHT (Thanksgiving)

2008-12-07T19:54:00.000-08:00

Bryndee, Kloee, and Boston watching Rudolf with Pa Rob.

For a full explanation of this post's title, click here.

THE ART OF THE TACKLE

2008-11-09T21:37:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: No children were hurt in the making of these video clips. Please do not report me to Social Services.

HALLOWEEKEND

2008-11-03T06:31:00.000-08:00

This Halloween was an especially fun Halloween. It was so fun watching Boston, he loved being a football player. Thanks Talia for letting us borrow your costumes. Kolson was a monkey for about 30 min and I'm glad we just borrowed his costume. He didn't hate it but it was just too much work taking it on and off every time we got in the car, so it was mainly for the parents sake that he did not wear it. We went to Idaho Falls for Halloween. We decided to carry on the tradition of trick or treating with Nick's siblings but before meeting up with his family we met my mom and siblings at the park so that my mom could see all of the kids in their costumes. We then met at Nick's sisters house and had pizza and hamburgers. Then we were off to trick or treat. It was a fun night. While we were in Idaho Falls Nick and I decided to go to a movie. We went to Eagle Eye. It is a must see. Nick can hardly stop talking about how good it was. I am a little depressed about being home now after such a fun weekend but at least I have Thanksgiving and Christmas to look forward to.

Trying to get a good picture of all the kids is impossible. Especially since my child was running around.

Boston wore his costume all day. By the end of the day he didn't want to wear his helmet. This is the best picture I was able to get with it on.

Isn't he the cutest little monkey. I'm obviously bias. (Shani this picture is for you.)

Kolson's blessing day

2008-10-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

Kolson's blessing day was a perfect day. All of my family and Nick's family were able to be there even though the weather didn't cooperate. It snowed about 6 inches in our part of the woods. Nick did a great job with the blessing. We had lunch at our house after church. It was great having all of our family there, but you can imagine what it was like having 12 kids and 17 adults in our small duplex. Boston was in heaven with all the kids and they all played pretty good together. It was a pretty good day, thank you everyone who came.

THE APPLE NEVER FALLS FAR FROM THE TREE

2008-09-08T20:36:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to get Kolson's pictures done professionally for a while but couldn't ever make it work when I was in Idaho Falls and I couldn't find anybody in Wyoming, so Brandi took some pics of him. They turned out really cute. Thanks Brandi.

Catching up

2008-09-08T13:40:00.000-07:00

I think it is time that I take over our blog. Nick has always done it in the past but as you can see he has been slacking with the detail. He likes posting pictures and it ends there. I made him put the captions on the last pictures. But I am grateful he has at least been doing that much. (Nick your the best husand.) So first of all I will catch you up a little bit with Kolson. We named him Kolson (not Kohlson) Drake Bishop. We had to do some compromising with the spelling. We basically made a science project out of it. He was 7 lbs. 7 oz., 21 in. long. We went to the dr. last week and he was 9lbs. 4oz. 21 1/4 in. long. He is getting so big and doesn't look like a newborn anymore, it makes me want to cry. Nick thinks I am so silly, but he thinks they are boring until about 4 to 6 mos. so he's excited for him to get big. He has been the best baby, especially compared to Boston. Boston loves being a big brother. The other day Kolson was laying on the floor in Boston's room, I left him and Boston to put something in the kitchen and was gone only seconds when I heard "I'm holding him". I go into the room and Boston is sitting on the ground with Kolson in his arms. He did really pretty well except that Kolson's head was flopped backwards. I'm always having to keep a close eye on Boston because he loves to smother him and hug on him.

Lately.......

2008-08-23T18:37:00.001-07:00

The love of his life.

Picnic and marshmallow roast at Grover Park.

Grandma Sherry dressed them both.

Boston thinks every vehicle should have a trailer behind it. He had me rig this up with a shoe lace.

Part 1 of Boston riding in the park.

Part 2

Kohlson (Middle Name) Bishop

2008-08-12T20:19:00.001-07:00

"The Real Stump Creek"

2008-06-24T20:26:00.000-07:00

My boss told me about a great fishing spot a short distance from the Idaho/Wyoming border just west of Auburn, WY. Mitch (brother-in-law) and I attempted to find it last Friday but failed and were battered by mosquitoes (don't be surprised if the next entry is entitled "West Nile"). I went to work on Monday told my boss that we got skunked and pulled up Google Maps to show him where we went. Turns out we were too far upstream to catch any fish that were fed by a hatchery a mile or so away. So... Ashley, Boston, and I made the journey Tuesday night back across the border to Idaho (good, since I have yet to purchase a Wyoming licence) and we hit "The Real Stump Creek". Less mosquitoes + more fish = family enjoyment.

Seven and a Half Months Pregnant and Still Hotter than a Roman Candle!

2008-06-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

I Love you Ashley.

Grover Park

2008-06-22T16:45:00.000-07:00

Ashley's family came to town to visit this last weekend. On Saturday morning we went on a four-wheeler ride in Grover Park, which is a short 5-10 minute drive from where we live. There were 11 people (8 adults and three children) on 4 four-wheelers. Sound crowded? It was. Nonetheless, it was extremely fun. The kids did great and nobody was hurt..... badly. Jay and Sherry were graceful enough to leave one of their four-wheelers with us (since that is the primary mode of transportation out here). Boston has been elated. Ashley and I have been annoyed. On Sunday morning Boston awoke before we did. (The sound of tiny footsteps running from his room through the kitchen into ours) "I wanna ride the four-wheelel." I am sure that is what the kid dreamt about last night. He will not stop talking about it or taking a peek at it out the front window. By the way, I think a bear got into our garbage last night.

New house, why not a new bed?

2008-05-14T18:41:00.000-07:00

As of Saturday May the 10th we are residents of rural Wyoming. Bedford, Wyoming to be exact (Do not try to look it up on an atlas or even google map it because it will either not be there or it will be mapped incorectly). We will blog more about this new adventure next week when we upgrade from our measly dial-up connection (it took about a half an hour to upload these two pictures).

We figured that since we were living in a new home that it would be a good time to graduate Boston from his crib into a real human bed. I guess all the change was too much for our son.

Boston had been screeming in his bed for over 20 minutes.

Once we place him in his crib.

Coming Soon: "The Valley of the Stars"

2008-04-25T07:32:00.000-07:00

Coming Soon: "The Valley of the Stars". In the meantime, if you have any connections in Star Valley please let us know.

Conference, Cabin, Cousins

2008-04-07T21:38:00.000-07:00

Ready.....

Set.....

FLY!

Final Score: Boys 3 Girls 1

2008-04-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

Any suggestions as to what we could name him would be greatly appreciated.

Boston - Tagged By Teegan Miles

2008-03-04T19:56:00.000-08:00

1) Boston has recently become obsessed with "choo-choo trains." Santa gave him a "Thomas the Train" set at the Bishop family Christmas party. He has to play with it every day. Brandi gave him another train the other day that plays music (the music sounds like a chronic asthma patient playing a cheap recorder). Thanks a lot Brandi.

2) Boston loves basketball. Well, most sports but especially basketball. He tries so hard to dribble his basketball on the tile. Most of the time it gets away from him after the first bounce but there are occasions where he will get two bounces in.

3) He does not like to watch T.V. (unless it is basketball). He hates it when his parents watch T.V. because he knows we are not paying attention to him. He will often run up to the T.V. and turn it off and stand there and smile at us.

4) Boston loves waffles, rice, applesauce, breakfast (which is what he calls Nutri-Grain bars), and candy.

5) Boston likes to take naps and go to sleep at night.

6) Boston thinks any snowmobile, four-wheeler, tractor, truck, etc. belongs to Grandpa.

7) Boston is mischievous. To date he has gotten into and or eaten Goo-Gone, Pepper Spray, Vick's Vapor Rub, Diaper Cream, and food out of the garbage. (Wow, we sound like negligent parents)

8) Boston moans when he is falling asleep and he talks when he is asleep. Grandma Sherry heard him ask "Where did Mommy go?" one night when he was sleeping at their house.

"The Bell's Palsy Challenge"

2008-02-23T22:00:00.000-08:00

In November of 2005 I was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy. Prior to being diagnosed, I had very little knowledge of the disease. Although the annual occurrences of Bell's Palsy are about 20 in every 100,000 people, I have found that there are not many who are aware of this ailment. Basically, this is what Bell's Palsy did to me physically (please do not laugh too hard):

For those of you who think I have been "two-faced" at times.......

......well, you're right.

Bell's Palsy is caused by paralysis to the facial nerve. This paralysis causes an inability to have control over facial muscles on one side. Either side of a persons face can be affected by Bell's Palsy. The comforting (sense the sarcasm) thing about Bell's Palsy is that it is idiopathic, meaning that the "idiots" who have studied the disease have yet to come up with a conclusion as to what causes it.

There was some minor discomfort that came with the disease. The muscles on the paralyzed side of my face became sore, especially my cheek muscles. My right eye watered constantly due to the fact that I couldn't completely shut it. Drool would escape the right side of my mouth and oft times in public. Aside from the paralysis and these trivial symptoms, I was not significantly physically affected by the disease. On the contrary, Bell's Palsy was one of the most challenging things I have faced mentally and emotionally. I never realized how something as small as not being able to express myself with my face could limit me. My self-esteem took a major "Hiroshima," if you will (I apologize to any of the Japanese readership who find that analogy offensive). I remember feeling so frustrated that even though I was smiling, there was no way on God's green earth that whom ever I was smiling at was interpreting my smile as such. I found myself smiling (or attempting to) less often. When carrying on a conversation with some one I was always wondering if they were able to understand what I was trying to express. I am not the kind of person that takes things too seriously but I must admit that this is the closest I have come to being "depressed" in my life.

It took about 2-3 months for most of the symptoms of Bell's Palsy to leave me. I can still feel a slight amount of weakness in the right side of my face and when I press on my cheek muscle I can still feel the soreness. Being able to smile again made me feel so fresh (like how you feel right after you get the best hair cut you have ever had or after an enema). I regained my confidence and was able to communicate with people without hesitation. That was my "Bell's Palsy Challenge."

So here is my "Bell's Palsy Challenge" to you (participation is voluntary but I highly recommend it): Go a full 24 hours without using facial expressions (whether you work, chase kids around, go to school, pull dying people from car accidents, or watch Telemundo all day). If you would like to attempt to only use one side of your face to express yourself that is acceptable as well. After doing so blog about it, comment about it, email me about it, call me about it, send me a postcard about it, or tell me about it at the next family gathering.

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” -some Vietnamese monk

(This blog is dedicated to my fellow members of the Bell's Palsy Club, Ryan and Britt. May our faces never resemble that of Popeye's again.)

Teaser.......

2008-02-20T09:11:00.000-08:00

Stay tuned for "The Bell's Palsy Challenge."

Vomiting vs. Merely Dry Heaving

2008-02-13T22:35:00.000-08:00

(Warning! If reading about vomit or dry heaving makes you vomit or dry heave, then DO NOT READ PAST THIS POINT or you may vomit or dry heave or both)

A good friend of mine (Steve Stone) and his fiance (Daniela Garcia) are moving from Arizona to Idaho Falls. As a Realtor I have been helping them find a home. This last Saturday we viewed a good handful and they narrowed it down to "the one." As we made our way around town Steve and I took the opportunity to take a walk down memory lane. We did a good amount of "revisiting" old times and we often ended each experience with tears in our eyes (from laughing so bloody hard.) One of the moments we revisited was the "Emotion Bowl" (we both attended Skyline) of our Junior year. I recalled how some Idaho Falls students made their way into our crowd and released a fair amount of pepper spray. Everyone began coughing, choking, dry heaving, and me, well I was "wet" heaving. Since I was standing next to a girl and didn't think it would be too impressive that I puked on her, I covered my face with my coat. I threw up all over the inside of my coat and down my arm. Now, you may be asking why am I bringing this up. Well, I bring it up because of on odd coincedence. Here is what happened later that same Saturday:

After the home search I met my wife and son for dinner and then we met back up with Steve and Dani at the Destinations Inn to write up the offer. For those who are not aware, I manage the Destinations Inn (sweet deal on gift certificates right now by the way). Steve, Dani, and myself were in the lobby filling out the necessary paper work and my wife and son were behind the front desk with my wife's sister Jordan, who also works there. My son , Boston, had wandered into the back office behind the front desk. Suddenly, we hear phssssssssssssst (no, that is not a curse word). It sounded a lot like air freshener, or Febreeze, or silly string, or PEPPER SPRAY (we keep a can on site for the night clerks). It took us a while to figure out what was going on. Well, it took us right up until Jordan screamed "Pepper Spay!" Like any loving mother and father would, Ashley and I faaaaaareeeeeaaaaaaked (emphasis added) out. I do not remember how I got behind the front desk to the back office but Ashley pointed out that I got there faster than she did and she was already behind he desk. Obviously Boston was in some major discomfort. He had no idea what was going on or what was causing this intense burning in his mouth and nose. Amidst the screaming he kept trying to wipe his tongue with his hands (which were bathed in mace). Thankfully he did not get any in his eyes. I, on the other hand was not so lucky. The dry heaving and pepper spray caused my eyes to water and being the genious that I am, I wiped them with my hands.

The lobby was like a scene straight out of "Saving Private Ryan" (clean flicks version). People running every which way, coughing, crying, dry heaving, casualties (well, not really). We were able to get Boston outside and after a few minutes the burn subsided. Steve and Jordan did a stellar job under pressure to get the mess cleaned up and keep dry heaving to a minimum. After about 20 minutes with the lobby doors opened we had relieved the building of the pepper spray.

I am delighted to say that it did not take us long to laugh about the ordeal. Can't say I am anxious to relive anything remotely close to it though. So, here is my question. Think about it, blog about it, comment about it, or just plain ignore it: What would you rather do? Vomit or merely dry heave?

The Snow Came Down and the Floods Came Up

2008-02-13T19:24:00.000-08:00

Thankfully we have two entrances into our driveway. This drift is blocking one of them.

The Disfranchisement of "We the People"

2008-02-05T21:45:00.000-08:00

When a toilet won't stop running (mine is doing that at this very moment) you shake the handle until it stops. If a tooth has a cavity you go to the dentist and get it fixed (and then pay him/her a lot of money).

It is my belief that our election process (oh, and what a process it is) is kaput. I will even go as far as to say that the process is disfranchising "We the People." This is not the type of disfrachisment that by law prohibits indivudials from voting due to criminal conviction. No, this type of disfranchisement does not take away our right to vote at all. This type of disfranchisement takes away the right for our vote to be meaningful. When I say meaningful, I mean well-informed and consequential. The vote should mean more than "I like that dude" or "She is a chick, I will vote for her."

Here are a few of many reasons why:

1) The current media situation: How can America choose their next president when the majority of the information presented to them is offered in a similar way Entertainment Tonight covers celebrity gossip (which I absolutely loathe). I also have a difficult time beleiving that the media is "fair and balanced" as they boast.

2)The primary debates (or any debate): There a a few moments of light in these debates but they are few and far between. As I watched most of the recent debates (Democratic and Republican) I tried to do so with an open mind. I attempted to see what all had to offer but I found it very difficult to ever come to a conclusion about any of the candidates, even those that I had already preconceived notions (good or bad) about. I wondered how in the Sam Hill (who is this Sam guy by the way) could the undecided average American ever come to a well-informed conclusion. They likely couldn't. So they go back to the "likeability" factor. "He made the funniest jokes, I will vote for him," or "He talked about Jesus, I will pull the lever for him." Oh, and after every debate the representatives for each candidate declares that their candidate won the debate and rightfuly so.

3) The process itself: Now, I do not understand a lot of things. Especially those things that are not understandable. Who decided that Iowa and New Hampshire should go first? Who decided that Texas (a super big state) does not participate in super Tuesday? Who decides how many delegates go to each state? Who decides that some states are "winner takes all" states? Who decides that some of the Democratic caucus states (Michigan for example) award zero delegates to the winner when America Samoa (UHHHH?) award delagates to it's winner? This is not right. The toilet is running over.

4) Celebrities: Chuck Norris..... please! Why should I vote for somebody because they are endorsed by a celebrity? Celebrities are so out of sync with reality and the real America that if they were do endorse a candidate that should be a great reason NOT to vote for their candidate. Unfortunately, that is not the perspective of the rest of us.

5) Shenanigans: (See previous blog entitled "Son of a "Bee") Shortly after blogging about my baptist friend I found out that the reason Huckabee won West Virginia was that "Juan" Mcain (knowing that he had no chance) had encouraged his supporters to throw their votes the way of the former evangelical minister. They did. By doing so they gave the delegates (18 I believe) to Huckabee. How mad would that make you if you were a West Virginain voting for Romney? If that does not discourage a person from voting I don't know what would. If I were Huckabee I would feel a little embarassed about this one. He did give a great victory speach afterwards though.

It is reasons like these that I (and many others) feel disfranchised. So, here is my question to you. What would you do to fix these issues. A "winner takes all" decathalon? An election where every single person votes (not caucuses) on the same day? A one time event where each candidate on both sides are hooked up to the lie detector test and asked about the issues? Blog about it and entitle it "We the People".

Son of a "Bee"

2008-02-05T12:02:00.000-08:00

Huckabee...... More like son of a "bee." The Arkansas gonverner has really done it. By "stealing" the 18 delegates in West Virginia, son of a "bee" has given Juan Mcain a win. To make matters worse his victory in W. Va. was a slim one. The tone has been set for the rest of the day. I think that the election should be decided by the poll that I have had on this blog which gives Romney a slight lead over "your mom". Happy super liberal Tuesday friends.

Stay tuned for: The Disenfranchisement of "We the People"

A Prophet in Jamaica

2008-02-02T14:00:00.001-08:00

Here is my tribute. There are two men that I have never "personally" met yet they have had an extremely personal affect on my life thus far. The Lord Jesus Christ and President Gordon B. Hinkley.

While serving as a missionary in Jamaica President Hinkley visited the island on his way to dedicate a temple in Brazil. All of the missionaries and membership of the church and many others gathered to an outdoor amphitheatre in Kingston. This was the first time that a prophet of God had set foot on the island. Sister Hinkley, President Faust, and President Hinkley all spoke to the congregation in that order. Towards the end of President Faust's address I looked up at President Hinkley as he sit on the stage. His eyes were closed, his head was bowed, and he was mouthing the words of a prayer to Heavenly Father. I will in no way ever forget that sight and the feeling that came over me as I watch a prophet speak to his Heavenly Father. I suppose that he was petitioning with the Lord for the nation and it's people and asking for inspiration as to what these people needed to hear.

As missionaries we had an idea of what issues the Jamaicans face personally and as a nation. When President Hinkley spoke to the congregation and he addressed all of those issues and gave counsel that we knew our people needed to hear. President Hinkley is absolutely a prophet of God. He spoke to Him and for Him that day.

Three Little Birds.......

2008-01-31T20:43:00.000-08:00

There are certain experiences that I have had in my life that no matter how much time goes by or no matter how many times I think of them still make me laugh. I mean literally and physically laugh. These moments revisit my mind with no regard of where I am, who I am with, or what I am doing. These "revisitations" often happen when I am driving down the road thinking about absolutely nothing (which seems to also be coincidentally when I get speeding tickets or t-boned as I run stop signs). The great thing about these revisitations is that regardless the condition of my spirits at that moment (high or low) they are always sky-scraping come post revisitation. I hope that at least a few of you understand what I am talking about. If not, well, my wifes family will not have far to travel from Groveland to visit me at Blackfoot South Mental Hospital. Here are a few of the moments that I am referring to:

Circa 1996: Jordan (now my brother-in-law) and I were at the home of a friend (girl but not girlfriend). I had been "digging" (we were sophomores and I dont know what else would call it) a certain girl that was with us and several other friends that night which just happened to be Valentines night. I was sitting on the floor in front of a television as I play All-Star Challenge on Nintendo. Jordan was to my right sitting in a chair. The girl I had a thing for and her friends were all sitting on a couch behind me in front of them was a coffee table with a large bowl of conversation hearts on it. I was cleaning house on Nintendo and I am sure thinking that I was impressing the females by doing so. The game was close but I was able to squeak in a win. Well, that was not the only thing that squeaked. After I sunk the last second shot I gave a "Michael Jordan" arm thrust and as I did I ripped one. Everyone heard, including the girl. Jordan fell out of the chair laughing. All of the girls behind me laughed. Worst of all, the girl I dug reached her hand into the large bowl of conversation hearts and as she yelped "Sick!", she chucked the Valentine candy at me.

Circa 1997: As a junior in high school I was often called upon to drive to lunch. So my friends would often pile into my periwinkle blue Ford Ranger and we would fly to lunch and back. This particular occasion it was just myself and my friend Joe Thomas (we had a secret handshake). As we made our way out of the parking lot I became distracted (loud music or jovial chit-chat or both). At the end of the road leading out of the parking lot there is a stop sign that I failed to stop at. The girl in front of me did not. I rear ended her fairly hard. The reason I know it was a decent collision is that I was looking at my friend Joe when it happened. I saw his entire body take to the air. His body made contact with the dash board. His head made contact with the windshield. As he settled back into his earlier position facing me in his seat we looked at eachother. The look on his face was invaluable. I began laughing and although he must have been in pain, he began laughing as well.

Circa 2007: My brother-in-law (Mitch) and I were diggin a tunnel in a large snow drift/pile outside my in-laws cabin in Island Park. If anyone asks we were building it for our sons even though they had long since gone inside. But there we were making good progress taking turns at chopping away at the ice and snow. We had made the tunnel about as deep as it would go due to the fact we were digging towards a redwood deck. We decided to start digging from the top of the pile and make the tunnel open up on the deck. Mitch continued digging away as I went to the top. I am not sure if I stepped where I shouldnt have or what but the tunnel collapsed on Mitch. I first I must admit I kind of freaked out. There was a good amount of snow/ice above him and I wasnt sure if he was going to be able to breathe or not (I have heard alot of avalanche stories). As I jumped down off of the top of the deck I could hear some inaudible noises (probably the funniest part of the ordeal) and I saw Mitchs head poking out. He was able to breathe but unable to move due to the fact that he had a 200 lb slab of ice sitting on him.

Alright. Everyone blog about their own revisitation moments and title it "Three Little Birds...." Who knows? Maybe reading about eachothers revisitation moments may become one of our own revisitations moments.

Dudes Blog Too.........?

2008-01-28T20:22:00.000-08:00

Call me "metro sexual." Call me what you will but I thought I would dip into this "phenom" they call "blogging." I highly doubt that Ashley will participate much. She is not much for the written word unless it is a "romantic vampire novel"....? (All females in the audience know exactly what I mean). I do believe blogging should have a purpose. Sure, I could tell you (as if anyone would be interested in my life to read this) my wife is smoking hot or that my son has a sweet jump shot at the age of 1and ten twelfths, but I think a blog should perhaps contain a little bit more. I have read some blogs (branden raisenloaf) that are so incredibly satisfying (yet thought provoking) that after I read them I feel darn near violated (in a good way). So here is my hypothesis:

By nature I am not a funny person, nor overly interesting, nor smart. Why would anyone read my blog? Besides to look at the pictures and see how chubby I have become? That is why I believe in a little principle called "synergy." Ever heard of it? Well, I have. My good friend wiki puts it like this: Synergy (from the Greek syn-ergo, συνεργός meaning working together, circa 1660) refers to the phenomenon in which two or more discrete influences or agents acting together create an effect greater than that predicted by knowing only the separate effects of the individual agents. (emphasis added) It is originally a scientific term. St. Paul used the word in his Epistles (Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 3:9) to illustrate a dynamic conception of human, divine and cosmic cooperation: "I did the planting, Apollos the watering, but God made things grow . . . We are fellow workers (synergoi) with God; you are God's farm, God's building."

Get where I am going with this associates? I could blog about politics (which I likely will), I could blog about my extreme dislike of Tom Brady (or anything Patriot-ish), I could blog about my visits to the gastroenterologist (which my wife wishes I wouldn't but I probably still will), but if we want to optimize our blogging experiences (synergize, if you will) then we must debate, reply, make fun (followed by an increase of love), agree, expound, etc.

This could be my first and yet the very last blog I ever write. If it is then I will join with the late great Patrick Ewing in declaring "If you can't win a championship then why play anymore?"

Welcome to my blog!!

2008-01-25T13:15:00.000-08:00

Well Shani, this is for you and obviously wasn't created by Ashley. I did my part, now you just have to keep nagging her to update her posts. Anyone else who happens upon this blog, don't give up on her. Leave her some encouraging comments. She has a dang cute kid who does hilarious stuff, her husband who is just about as funny as Boston, and some pretty hilarious blonde moments of her own.