just something I'm looking forward to as a father. My sister found this clip on Google Video. I really do think that Google is going to take over the world.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1203131256789313701&q=spitting+up

Well, things are going pretty good. I turned in my thesis yesterday for formating check and for my committee to review. We get to go back to Provo for my defense on the 10th. I'm excited to see some friends and we get to see some volleyball as UVSC has a spring tournament that weekend. I'm really excited to have this thesis behind me soon. I have to put together a presentation for my defense and study like crazy so I can answer questions about every little detail. I'm pretty nervous. Not to mention that my advisor invited a retired professor who's area of expertise is exactly what my thesis is improving on. So I'm a little nervous that I won't be able to answer his questions.

Work is going well, the first drawings and specifications with my initials as a designer went out today for bid. That's a pretty cool thing for me because as an engineer, it's seeing your design get built that is really rewarding. This design was for an irrigation pump station in the city of Kuna. I also turned in a big report I've been working on for the City of Mountain Home. I really enjoy a lot of the work I get to do. I could bore you guys for a long time, just ask Anne. She's nice to listen to me when I come home and tell her about some of the cool things I get to do. I've actually been working on two projects or tasks for the city of Stayton Oregon. We do a lot of work for them and eventually Keller Associates wants to open an office around the area of Portland. So you never know, but that wouldn't happen until I can sit for my P.E. exam and get licensed in a few years.

Anne is enjoying coaching volleyball and was able to go to Salt Lake City this last weekend for their tournament. She is able to fell the baby now and was really excited to tell me today that the baby wasn't happy when she was sitting on the couch in a certain position. I know that may not be exciting for some who have a few kids, but it's amazing to me that there is actually a baby in there. I've been meaning to scan the last ultrasound at work so it is clearer, but will get to it soon.

Oh, i've gotta tell you about a funny moment at church. During sacrament meeting we were listening to the speaker and Anne leaned over and asked, "Does it smell like mashed potatoes, that sounds good." I looked at her and she realized how out of the blue the comment was and we both were all smiles in the middle of sacrament meeting. I tried to smell it, but couldn't see what she was catching with her nose.

Peter

"If we choose the wrong road, we choose the wrong
destination."

( Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Be Not Deceived," Ensign, November 2004, 44)

We finished fixing up the apartment for Gramma today and delivered her. Last seen she was having lunch, very enthusiastically visiting with two other women. Her apartment looks great...although we didn't get a great positive reaction. Her comment on my dresser that I gave her is that she thought the place could have given her a better piece of furniture. Oh, well, I guess this is our lesson in not needing credit for good deeds!!! Of course, she is convinced that she is giving us all of her furniture that would not fit. The last minute stuff this morning took longer than expected so...by the time we got home, she had removed everything from the drawers in her bathroom, put out the flag afghan to take, packed our wedding albums...etc, etc...a real mess. She commented on the way down that she had forgotten her clock (the clock that we gave Dad for his retirement). This change could not have been too soon. I am so relieved. This is the first time since November (except for when Lisa and Meredith came last weekend) that I have been home without her presence. She doesn't have a phone until tomorrow night so we fortunately will not hear from her. Dad is taking a phone over tomorrow night and I have to take her to the doctors on Thursday afternoon. She wants to try out her new ward so I will take her there on Sunday....it doesn't cross over our church. I don't think we will take her back here for anything for at least 3 weeks...Dad says never. This has been even harder on him than on me. It is really difficult to see your mother be so loony.

Well, I have to do bills, and clean up after her rampage today. I tried to do bills yesterday but she kept asking where I had gone...and I am sure driving Brent out of his mind! If I get like that...please, please put me in assisted living right away...don't even try to take me in your homes. I would not want to curse anyone with what we have gone through these past three months.

Love you all,

Mom

"Don't become weary in doing good. If we are patient, we can
experience the change of heart we seek. For most of us this will require
only a slight change of course, sending us toward true north. The
adjustments we must make are in those 'small things,' but that does
not mean they are easy. Too many forces are confusing our compass. But the
pull to the polar star is one we recognize. It is the direction toward
home."

( Sister Kathleen H. Hughes, "Out of Small Things," Ensign, November 2004, 111)

Just wanted to thank those who contributed to my lesson by responding to the question I posted...I ended up using all of your comments and it made a difference in the lesson. Thanks.

Happy Birthday to Buffy. We are so anxious for you to join Brent up here - the family gatherings just keep getting better and better! And congrats to Brent, again, for all that he has accomplished and all his hard work...and thanks for sharing the love with your discount at GAP! :)

Dave is at his ortho course again this weekend. He has great case studies in Taylor and Isaac! He is very close to being ready for the April marathon in Yakima. He ran 17 miles yesterday. We have a system...he runs til he hits the right mileage...then calls me and I come find him in the car. Pretty soon I think he will be running to Kenn & Barbs!

I think we have a busy couple of weeks ahead of us - a lot going on. AND we have about 40 boxes of laminate flooring in our kitchen waiting for us to install. We broke out a package last night and lay some of it down to see how it will look. I am so excited for it to be done, but not too exctied to DO it.

We went to a play last night at the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics - You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. It was a good performance, but I am really excited about the school itself. It is publicly funded and caters to kids grade 6 - 12 who are artistically inclined. There is a long waiting list and you have to audition, but we were walking around and were very impressed - Taylor would thrive in that environment. Anyway - pretty cool school.

Enough from me - love you all!
Adina

Happy birthday buffy! hope you are having a good one even without Brent!

Kim

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BUFFY,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.................." He's okay, a little lost for his companion; that is, a lot lost for his companion. Run Buffy, Run......get through the finals/comps and swish you way up here to the North country. Brent needs some balance in his life. Kenn

I am visiting in Eden this week and nailing down all the details for the reunion. It is going to be really great if I do say so myself. One thing that we are going to have is a directory of all family info including birthdays (with years included for the kids) If each one of you could send Cathy Connelly your info on the following it would be very helpful. We will probably print out a directory, but also plan to email out the file to all so it can be on people's computers for easy changes, etc. She needs the following - Email it directly to CMJCONNELLY@aol.com

Name
Address
Home Phone and Cell if you want
Birthdays and names of all family members
Email addresses (of all family members if applicable.

Also, looking into the boat thing - I know that Kenn did not want to be in charge - Would any body else be interested? I am looking at having a boat for 2-3 days - the company handles the - launch in and pull out each day - and the gas - let me know

THANKS! Lexi

Any thoughts on T-shirts...would you like them? Email me back at CMAlexis@aol.com

Wavy!! I have wavy hair!! I discovered this at my salon today!! With a new haircut! :)

New color with straight hair. Looks a little darker than it is.

"It has been said that the gate of history turns on small hinges, and
so do people's lives. The choices we make determine our
destiny."

( Thomas S. Monson, "Choose You This Day," Ensign, Nov. 2004, 67)

I have to teach this Sunday in RS - and for part of the lesson, I would like to demonstrate how parents want similar things for their children. Anyway - I would really appreciate it if all of you would help me with it.

In one sentence, please tell me what your hopes/concerns/wishes are for your kids.

You don't have to be a current parent to answer, so please share your thoughts!
Thanks!

Adina

President Thomas S. Monson on Gratitude for Others

"Have we thought on occasion of a certain teacher at school or at church who seemed to quicken our desire to learn, who instilled in us a commitment to live with honor? . . ."We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to all of those, past and present, who have given so much of themselves that we might have so much ourselves."

( "The Profound Power of Gratitude," Ensign, Sept. 2005, 4-5 )

I am not trying to compete here or anything with Brooke Schickedanz, but wanted to also add a website that I came accross when someone recommended it. If your into weight loss, fitness, etc. Doesn't cost anything either. The "My Food Diary" one looks very similar.
www.sparkpeople.com
www.myfooddiary.com (the one Brooke mentioned)

Dave

Ok, so I went to the first rehearsal for this youth road show thing and it couldn't have gone any, well, how do I say this... worse! The person running the thing (I know he's trying) has no clue what it takes to put something like this together even if it is real simple and he has no organizational skills. So I got there and with no introduction to the kids or anything, he said "Ok, Buffy is going to teach everything to you now go listen". First of all, only the boys were there and no girls for the 1st hour and I informed him this would be a problem... he didn't listen. So here I am, a short girl with a voice that doesn't carry over squeeking mice trying to teach a bunch of young men who have no interest in being involved and would all much rather escape than learn a routine to a song. The youth leader kept taking away and adding kids the entire time and my little voice did nothing to corale these kids. Then halfway through it after the girls came in, many of the boys walked out and I guess practice was over. I had no desire to compel anyone to do this thing since I don't even know what is going on so I too left.
Yikes!!! So I just emailed the guy in charge and said sorry man, I can't do this (in a few more words than that). I don't usually quit things but this was out of control.
Now watch I'm gonna get a calling with the next ward we are in to work with the youth!
Well, that's what happened and I thought I'd share since I mentioned it before. I don't know what I'll do when I have to see this guy in church even though I know I shouldn't feel guilty.
I know I've been blogging a lot lately but I know I appreciate reading all of your blogs!
Buffy

It is good to hear from you all. Again, I think this blog is ingenius. I don't think I have ever felt like I knew what was going on with everyone in our family so well (hope that made sense). Not to mention the Schickies, it'll make it so much easier to have fun at the reunion because we will already know what is going on in everybodies lives. Especially like the new term for Girl Scout cookies, aka Lardbutt cookies.

The family got back tonight from their trip to Fremont, CA. They had a good time down there with the Archuleta's but are glad to be back to normalcy. I sure missed them. Luckily mom, dad, mike, brooke and brent kept me busy a few of the nights. It's nice to have family so close to be able to hang out with. BTW, Brent, your patience of playing Nerts with Grandma "backseat playing" over your shoulder is commendable. I don't know if I could have held it in so well. I was just cracking up on the inside. She just wanted to be involved. Although, wait a minute, I thought....yeah, I thought there weren't face cards allowed in the Esther Stinchfield home, so how would she know how to play a "solitaire-like" game??? Huh Dad????! I now realize what a cop-out that is. No facecards in my house when I grew up....poop. We expect you to be playing next time.

We have really enjoyed having Mike here. I wish he were here for good and I wish they didn't have to go to Germany later this year or whatever. They'll be missed and I know our kids will miss the girls. Watched the first couple hours of Battlestar Gallactica via Mike. It was entertaining and it kind of sucked me in. So now with all the 'extra' time I have, I am going to have to figure out how to watch that show. What, three season's worth?? Crap.

Practice is going well. I am getting more and more comfortable with the existing patients and the staff. Really hard to get the loyalty of patients when all they have seen is Dr. Davis for the last 32 years. And many have. I am attempting to attract that younger family population though, because the over 60's aren't going to be there to support working in 20-30 years, need to look toward the future.

We are probably going to start Taylor on piano lessons soon. He has been begging for it and we can always find him at Papa's house dinkin' around on the piano. He seems like he would really have a talent for it...long slender fingers too.

I have the next session for my orthodontic stuff this weekend, so that is where I'll be on Sunday and Monday. Other than that, just continue to try and up my mileage in prep for the Yakima Marathon on April 1st. We'll see how it goes. Don't want to injure myself, after those long runs my body just wants to curl up and die. Getting better though.

Interesting drive up with Brent last weekend. I flew down to Sacramento on Friday night and arrived about 1100. We then started the drive to Washington, we were going to drive all night. I knew I was in trouble when I got in the car passenger seat and it was so far forward I could stick my tongue out and lick the dashboard without any effort. Brent drove until about 2:30 am, the whole time I was going in and out of consciousness... what a good help I was to keep him awake. Anyway, it seemed like he woke me up once and there were some snow flakes, then again and it was sticking, then again and it was 2 or 3 inches of snow, then a chains req'd checkpoint. So we stopped in Dunsmuir, CA, at about 3 am. Couldn't find an open motel with any vacancies, so we sat in the car and slept for a few hours. I slept, Brent said he did, but everytime I woke up, he was popping his head around watching or saying something. It was really surreal, twilight zone-ish. About 5 or 6 or so, we got chains and moved along with the trip. We had some good time together, will never forget Brent trying to put on the chains (the first crappy ones that we had) and me sitting in the car with the whip saying, "hurry up! hurry up!", no, I helped a little. Like I said, Brent has more insulation than me, and I think he was stronger at muscling those chains on. It was a strange, fun trip...and a quick one. Poor Brent has to do it again in a couple weeks. I'll be thinking of you Brent!!!

I love to hear from you all. Take care.

Dave

Hello everyone! As always, Tracey, I love to read the stories about Hayden! He is most definitely Tom's son. Crazy kid.

Things are going well down south. It has been a little chilly lately (meaning like 50 degrees, I know I am a wimp). It rained a couple nights ago but only at night. That's the way I like it. None of that stuff when I am awake! But I guess San Diego needs more rain because we are way below last year.

Anyway enough about the weather...work is good. I had a three day weekend this last weekend. I just stayed around town and played with my friends. I got my hair done on Saturday so it is back to my natural color with a little more blonde. I will post a picture of it when I get one but the ones I have tried to take it looks darker than it is. I will have to try to take a picture in natural light I guess. I really like it and I think I will keep it like this. Makes me look somewhat tan (if that is possible). Which reminds me, I had a dream last night that we were all at the old Ellingham house just hanging out in the front yard and Annie was tanning on top of the maroon Expedition and she got so dark she was like Mali Harrison. I remember being quite jealous as I have always been of Anne's ability to tan. And now I just remembered Adina said she had a dream about tanning too. I guess all the Stinchfield women have insecurities about tanning. I think whiteness should just come back into fashion! Then I will be set!!

I am starting to get everything ready for the Oscar Party. I pretty much have everything prepared for me but I need to work on getting the actually party ready. My friend Nicole is driving down with her sister from Utah next weekend for it and we are all going to go to Disneyland on the Monday after the show. Should be really fun. I have never been to Disneyland with Nicole so she is in for a treat :). After she leaves my old roommate, Sandy, who is an athletic trainer at Texas Tech will be visiting for her spring break. So I have some fun visitors to look forward to.

Anyway I should get back to doing some work. I love you all! Later!

--
Marnie

Just wanted to say hi. Things here are going well. We reinstated nap time for Hayden because his behavior was getting out of control and so far it's been fabulous. We stopped nap time because it was so hard to get him to go down for his nap and to go down at bedtime. So by eliminating the nap he went down easily fairly early in the evening. However, he wasn't getting enough sleep and his demeanor and behavior began to detiorate. Meaning it was constant tantrums and grouchiness! He stays up pretty late but it's worth it because at least he is pleasant most of the time. I'm really enjoying the time to myself in the afternoon. I am beginning to wonder how I was functioning without it! As always I want to share a funny story about Hayden. The other day he was supposed to laying in bed going to sleep and he wanted me to bring him a drink of water. After stalling for a while I took him one and he got a sweet sappy voice and gave me a cheesy smile while saying "See, you can do it! It's not too hard!" He has really taken to trying to act like me all the time. He frequently puts his arm around me and says "It's okay mommy." Today we got home from an activity at the church and he wanted to have Danica sit on the floor with him so he could ask her how her day was. Honestly, sometimes I don't know where he gets it! But of course, he is still 3 and he is still Hayden and today he pushed a little girl off the step stool at the drinking fountain because she was taking too long and he wanted his turn. Even after time out and going home he insists that he had to push her because she wouldn't stop taking a drink. Yikes...I am sure this mind set will be tough to break!
We are going down toward Colombus this weekend to Hocking Hills State Park. We have been there before and it has beautiful hiking and scenery. This weekend is sort of a last minute plan and we are staying in a cabin with several other families. We have also planned to go down there over Spring Break with some of our friends to stay in a luxury cabin. It should be a lot of fun. I guess we get to see how Danica does in the car since it is 3 hours away!
It's still cold here but the sun has been out a lot and I really have no complaints. This year is so mild compared to the past! I'm going to do a new style of posting pictures just because it's easier and I haven't downloaded Picasa to the new Mac yet. I am currently using the new Mac and it seems great, it will just take a little time to get familiar with everything. I love all the fun posts, sorry I don't get to comment much on the pictures and entries, it's easy to read them while holding Danica but it's hard to type! Take care!

I was just wondering what it looks like when I post a picture this way... this is Lexi Debaltzo holding Danica.

I just got back from Curves...went for my run (I'm not as dedicated as David or Mike. When it is below 32 degrees I don't run!!!!) Now I am waiting for Grandma to finish her "spit bath" so I can help her get dressed and to put her compression stockings on. I found out yesterday that the services I provide Grandma have a market value of over $1100. I think I'd rather have a regular job that pays more than that!!!!

Anyway, Grandma had her assessment yesterday and she "passed" but we also found out the cost of her assisted living portion which was a bit more than I estimated. It is still a very bit less than the foster adult home and I think she will be a lot happier here. We will be moving her furniture etc in on Saturday...hopefully with Mike and David's help...Brent has to work (lucky dog!)...then she will move in on Monday morning.

Well, at that point, Grandma finished her spit bath so I had to help her get dressed....since then I have gone visiting teaching, had lunch with Grandma and some other Relief Society sisters...and just set up her phone for her new apartment.

I am feeling really rotten about Brian...I guess you guys really do have to watch out for your flaky parents. We are giving Grandma our old dressers so we needed to buy new ones for us...it was either that or buy new ones for her which seems kind of silly...and costs her money she doesn't have. Things will be a bit exciting until her house is sold in California.

We had a very fun evening last night with Mike, Brooke and girls, David and Brent. We watched part of the first segment of Battlestar Gallactica...a bit racy, but Mike says the rest of it is not that bad. Then we played a rousing game of Nertz(alias Pounce). Dad collapsed early since he had a full day of work today and then an evening of implant training.

Love you all,

Mom

Well Adina, I'll never forget the last reunion when we both were in San Diego and decided we would go to a tanning salon before we went. Well, I ended up going twice and realizing that I am sooo white that 10 minutes in one of those things burns my skin and then there was Adina who had a great tan at the reunion. hehe. I too can't wait for the reunion.
Maybe that is a plus that Brent and I are ending up in the Northwest... no one ever gets a tan there so I won't stick out!
I am sitting in our mostly boxed-up apartment watching ice skating on TV and icing my hamstrings from a crazy workout this evening (icing a muscle you know you over-worked reduces how sore you get the next day). I am taking an advanced therapeutic exercise class where we get different guest lectures/ workout sessions and this evening we all went to a PT clinic and did a super hard circuit training type of workout and we all were having hamstring cramps from it.
Anyway, somehow I got cornered into "choreographing" the dance stuff for our wards' road show thing. I tried very hard to get accross the point that I am totally busy trying to do school, work, and pack our apartment (and I have no idea what a road show is) but "NO" was apparently not an option. I know that we are supposed to share our talents but right now I'm really just wishing no one knew my talents so they couldn't exploit them!! I don't know how it will all work out but I guess we'll see.
Ok, I'm tired and frozen so I guess I need to finish this. I miss you all and especially my husband!! Have a good week,
Buffy

Cool and sunny here in Fremont - but some snow in the mountains. We were going to go to Santa Cruz today - the Mystery Spot - but I think we will wait til this summer. Brrrr. I'm off for a run at Lake Elizabeth, then lunch with my sisters, then bowling with everyone - always proves to be fun - or funny, at least.
We wish Dave could be here - Isaac gets teary every time he talks to him on the phone. Last night he got teary and I asked what was wrong. He said, "I keep thinking of Dad all alone in the house."
Anyway - that happens when you have a "perfect" Dad, I guess. :)
Thinking about the reunion a lot - I just can't wait to see everyone! The other night I had a dream that we were there and Tracey arrived with a golden tan. And I thought - "Man, how did she get such an awesome tan in Cleveland?!" Weird, I know.
Well - love you all.

Adina

Yeah, you are right, david is there perfect brother. Let me throw a few more things in there, he is the perfect husband, soccer coach, dentist, friend, and church member, wow, is there anybody else in this family besides him?
Tom
all in jest.

It is Saturday here in Santa Clarita and I am officially a single gal. Brent left here yesterday at 4pm to head up north. I can't say there weren't tears but I'm sure we will be fine with how busy we both will be. Dave was nice enough to fly down to Sacramento last night so Brent would have a driving buddy most of the way. I believe they got stuck for a few hours in northern Cal (around 2:30 AM) where it was snowing and the chains we bought the other day for the car apparently did not work... so they had to park it for a while till it was safe to go. I talked to Brent this morning at 8 and 9 and it sounds like they will be in Vancouver after 1pm. I don't know how they can stand to drive for that long but at least they have each other for company. I don't think I want to do that crazy drive all at once when I go up!
I know that Brooke's family is having a party, but I don't know if Brent or Dave will be coherent enough to go... but happy birthday Ellyn and welcome home to the other Ellyn!! (I don't remember the spelling difference)
Well, I need to get ready for work so that's all for now. Give Brent a hug for me when he gets up there!!!
Buffy

Kim,
Make it a happy birthday. Tracey sent out a card to you so I hope you get it soon. Here it is like 9 degrees so we are pretty cold. Hopefully it is warmer there. We love you.

Ohio Stinchfields

Happy Birthday Kim - card on the way!

Just an FYI - Dave flew down to Sacramento to help Brent drive up to Vancouver last night. I spoke with Dave this morning and they were just entering Oregon. I guess they hit snow near Weed and had to stop because they didn't have chains. They cat-napped in the car and when gas stations opened, they picked up some cables and got on their way again. Anyway - they are still hours away from home. Maybe give them a call occasionally to make sure they are alert - so I'm not the only one calling and bugging them!

We made it safely here to Fremont - must have just missed the snow that Dave and Brent hit. Off to see Curious George today with the clan. It is cool here, but nice and sunny.

Love you all.

Adina

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIM.

Don"t try any funny moves with your snowboard.

Could cost you the gold! Snowboarders, Whew! Destroyers of the course.

Alpine is where it is at!

L, Dad :)

Happy Birthday Tom and Buffy and Peter and ME! We are busy right now with school and work right now! Thank you mom and dad for the shirts and the shoes! They are great!

We are going snowboarding on Saturday with a bunch of my friends for my birthday since it is 30 dollar lift tickets for a full day and treven's rental from the school is only 25 bucks for everything! And you can put it on your campus account to pay later! Sweet! Anyway, I am excited to go! Especially since it hadn't snowed for 2 weeks and it has been snowing this whole week. Fresh snow!

I just got my second 100 percent on my Spanish test. I am scared for the final though because it is worth 1000 points that is ten of our tests. Anyway, I have two other test this weekend so I am definitely study my butt off! Anne, Love the ultrasound! It is awesome to see! Treven and I will be coming out soon since you are only 4 hours away or less.

So BYU Idaho is proposing the idea of making our semesters only 14 weeks and making the summer not just 8 week block classes & making it an actual semester. (offer more classes) If they do it then we will have all of August off which is great! But it will go into effect starting Winter of 2007. Our new President wants to "Rethink Education" (Our motto for BYU Idaho) so he is letting the faculty decide on the above ideas. I think it is a great idea though because once they make the summer an actual semester then we can get more classes done. The other idea is changing the general ed requirements so that the GEs actually apply to our life in someway and will help us out. It all sounds good so we will see!

Have to go study and do some english! Have a great day and weekend everybody! Love you all.

Kimberly

Those will be the words ringing in my ears all day Friday. The kids and I take off to drive my mom back to Fremont and to visit for a few days with the rest of the family. Looks like the weather will hold out for us - no precipitation on the horizon - but just in case, I did familiarize myself with chains for the van today...amidst some cursing, of course. Thank you, K&B, for letting me use those (although I'm really hoping I don't have to).
Tom - Happy Birthday. I think I have the day marked wrong on the calendar - we did send out a card, but it will be late. Dave said he gave you a call...so I think that makes up for it.
Enjoying all the news on the blog, as always. But - I need my "driving all day tomorrow sleep", so good night.

Adina

Happy birthday, Tom. Hopefully you got your card in time.

Really liked seeing the ultrasound. I wish I had those when I had you guys. How exciting at this early stage to see the baby moving around!

Treven, I forgot to comment on your biology test. Congratulations! Getting good grades is self perpetuating...it feels so good you want to do it more!

Better go down and get dinner. I am going to Kathryn Bonewell's shower tonight...she is Kim's friend from high school and is marrying one of the other guys who was always around.

Love to all,

Mom

Happy Birthday to:

Ellyn
Tom
Kim
Buffy and
of course PETER!

I just wanted to make sure you all know we are thinking of you amidst our busy schedules. We love you all and hope to see some soon!

Love, Anne (and Peter)

Here is Baby! It was too stubborn today at the 4 month appointment to let us see if we could find out the sex of it. It is obviously carrying Peter's genes. Anyways, this is the updated ultrasound, it is curled up on its side with its head resting on its hand. Seriously once I figured out what the picture was actually showing, I was cracking up. Hope you like this picture! Love, Anne 

The big 2-8, huh? Man, you are sure gettin' up there! Have fun!!

--
Marnie

Hey Tom,

Hope you have a great day. Happy birthday!!! Stay warm!!!

Brent

Ok, first on the Blog with birthday wishes. Hope you're enjoying today and not too bogged down in work to not enjoy a good evening with your family. Have fun with the snow. Mike showed me his 360 performance on the Bennett's TV and I was impressed.

Take care, love, Dad

I want to wish everyone...if I missed anyone yesterday...a happy valentines day. I hope it was a good day for all. Poor Dad had a really hard day so he was very tired when he got home. ALL of his patients showed up which is rare and his favorite dental assistant was out for the day. In spite of that, we travelled the length..and width of Clark County to deliver the treats for the young ones...which was definitely worth it.

Happy birthday to Ellyn...although we will be celebrating it on Saturday with the Bennetts. LeAnn went over to Finland to pick up Ellynn from her mission and will be arriving home tomorrow. So Brooke is having an Ellyn-Ellynn party on Saturday night. Brent will be here and David....unfortunately Adina and kids will be down in California taking Debbie back home. David has been doing some of her dental work and she has been enjoying the family for the week.

Lisa and Meredith are coming on Friday until Sunday to surprise Grandma. She will be really surprised....and happy although I wonder whether it will just magnify the confusion on where she is. But it is definitely worth it. I have arranged for her to take them down to see her new apartment. I am counting the days and trying not to even respond when she makes bizarre statements. Not sure whether it is the right thing to do but Dad wants to make sure and not upset the apple cart when things seem to be going smoothly. She does really like the place...and I think will like it even more when she gets moved in. The transition may be hard since she is now of the mind that everything in this house is hers but we'll be getting her apartment fixed up without her help so it will be all set up when she comes in on the 27th. (12 more days...who's counting?)

Anyhow, I need to get busy on my day...

Love you all,

Mom

Also Happy Birthday to Ellyn from both Kim and I. Kim got me Jack Johnson and friends CD for curious george. GREAT CD and great for kids too! Anyway, we aren't doing anything big since Kim's birthday is on Saturday and we are going snowboarding. Pretty exciting because it finally snowed again after a week of nothing so it should be good snow. Also because it is my first time snowboarding. We will see how I do!
Kim's first official day (after training) was last night and she said it was great. This job seems to be a great thing. I am going to try and get a job there as well because they do allow spouses working together just different teams. Bath and Body Works just isn't giving me enough hours and the only hours I do get are on Sundays. So I am looking for another. Let's see what else? I got a 100 percent on my first Biology test so that looks good to me! Kim is helping me study though!
Kim had her 2 wk after surgery appt today. The doctor everything is looking great. It is still hurting her but the numbness in her tongue finally went away. Well everything is good! Again I recommend the new Jack Johnson Curious George CD!
We love you all and miss you lots!

Treven

Happy Valentine's Day to all. Hope you all got your last minute treats/cards for those you love. And, just one thing...Paige Leary should seriously be writing books. That is no joke. Maybe one about "real" motherhood? I don't know, just hilarious...
Dave

Hey Folks,

Well I officially have about three days left here in LA. We took the cats to the vet today to get them their shots and check up, along with sedatives for the trip up in a couple of weeks. They did a good job but were a little stressed out. So we are starting to get the place packed up and ready to go for the move. I am leaving on Friday to drive up to Portland. Dave has been kind enough to fly into Sacramento to meet me and drive the rest of the way up with me. We should arrive in Portland late morning on Saturday. I am spending an extra special Valentines day with Buffy and kind of celebrating her birthday early since I will not be here for that on the 26th. Happy Birthday Ellyn and we hope you are having fun with your dad. I can and can't wait to get up there. It will be great to be with family but I need my sweetheart with me. I know the time will fly for both of us with work and school keeping us busy. Anyhow have a happy Valentines day and Buffy and I love you all. Also I am listening to the Da Vinci Code on CD in the car while I commute. Great book!!!

Brent

As I sit at my desk surrounded my Valentine's paraphenalia, including a stuffed lion that purrs with a mane shaped like a heart, I felt that I should wish my family a good and happy valentine's day! So to you all, I love you very much and I wish that I could see you all more frequently but I am very glad that I have this blog so that I can feel a part of everyone's lives. So have a great day and give all the little ones a kiss for me!

And Happy Birthday Ellyn! You should be getting something soon. I sent it to Mom&Dad's house because I didn't have your address, Brooke. So they should be getting it to you!

Love,
Marnie

I rock. That is, I just completed all the songs on medium difficulty for the greatest video game evah! Guitar Hero! If you don't have a PS2 now, you might want one, so you can rock like me. Dave, Adina, and Isaac got a taste of the rockstar life. Even Dad was knocking out some wicked tunes from ZZ top. Rock on!

So we had a lot of fun last night. It is great being home, of course. I finally gave into playing "Nerts" or "Pounce" after years of pressure from Brooke. It was a lot of fun despite my score reaching absolute zero within 5 hands. Tom, I am afraid the game might be a bit much for your competitive urges. I was getting pretty frustrated myself. Apparently Adina won long after I bowed out.

The visit to Brian and Paige's place, despite the long drive, was well worth it. Truly a beautiful home, but more than that, the floorplan just makes so much good sense. It was good catching up.

Brooke is still at Ellyn's first preschool session. We really hope this does the trick to get her up to speed.

Today is a pretty slow day. I have to go mail some packages to myself of stuff I ordered and had sent here. Then tonight, Brooke and I are going out for dinner with Dave and Adina. Brooke has indicated this is the Valentine's occasion, so I guess I better figure something out.

Brooke is enjoying Battlestar Galactica immensely. I'm telling you people, this show is awesome and well worth the cash you would spend on the first season DVD, since it is better than most movies in theaters and provides 16+ hours of content. Locals can borrow from Brooke after she is done. The second season is even better, but this is one, like Lost, where you absolutely have to start at the beginning. BTW, it also gets a lot less "risque" after the first season.

Well, Brooke just got home and apparently is disappointed with the preschool. Bummer. Well I love you all, and hope to see as many as possible before I head back to Korea.

-Mike

So the Olympics have begun which means that I am now pretty much permanently glued to the television set when I can be! I have already lost a bet though. I said that Michelle Kwan would win a medal and Matt said that she would not make it, or fall, or something bad would happen. So late on Friday night I got the news that I had lost the bet, Michelle Kwan has pulled out of the Olympics. I guess he will be enjoying his double double. (the bet was for dinner at In-N-Out) I was pretty sad that she pulled out but it is better than taking the spot from someone else when she can't win. My friend Michelle was pretty upset about it. She loves Michelle Kwan. She says that this all has happened because she didn't put out her Michelle Kwan snowglobe! Crazy kid.

Otherwise things are nice in San Diego. This weekend was gorgeous. It was actually hot yesterday. I contemplated bringing out my fan! (Sorry clevelandites, I promise I am not trying to rub it in). I am looking forward to this weekend because I have Monday off and I am not working at Sport Chalet on Saturday. Hopefully I will find something fun to do!!

I hope you are all well and I love hearing from you all!!

--
Marnie

We just wanted you to know that we are reading and enjoying your bloggs, even if there are 4 in a row! It sounds like you all had a fun time last night, we can't wait until we get to be close enough to come too!

Well, we just got home from church, we gave our talks and everything seemed to work out okay. We wanted to be early so I could get Danica fed (it's a half hour drive) but it was really snowy today. At one point we actually slid and almost hit the curb when trying to make a turn. Luckily we made it there safely and I was done with Danica in time to go into the chapel right after the sacrament. Danica slept through the meeting and Hayden did pretty well. Tom talked about following the prophet and Hayden kept breaking out into song everytime Tom said the words, it was funny.

I'm starving now though and I have put off making dinner long enough so I better end this and get to it. I hope you're all enjoying your Sunday!

Tracey

Things here are good. It snowed this week and will probably stick around for a while this time. But consider how awesome January was I really am not upset about having some snow now! Tom and Hayden went out in the backyard yesterday and built a snowman, it was really cute, I'll post pictures later. Danica has started to smile in response to her toys and other stimulation; it’s really fun to play with her. Every time she wakes up Hayden gets excited and starts yelling “She’s awake, she’s awake, now I can play with her!!!” Danica has a little cradle cap on her head in the front where she should have hair but actually doesn’t so it looks a little funny. Today I used the special cradle cap shampoo I had for Hayden and that seems to have helped a lot. Hayden is cracking me up lately because he is constantly using the word “suddenly”. He loves to retell every event that happens and when he talks he says everything happens suddenly, it’s pretty funny. Yesterday we were driving to the library for story time and he started the following conversation with me:

“Mom, heaven is up there.” (Pointing at the ceiling.)
“Yep, that’s right Hayden.”
“Heavenly Father lives there.””You’re right, where did you learn about that?”
“I learned it in singing time with dad.” (Tom was his substitute teacher this past Sunday so they must have learned it in sharing time.)
“That’s great Hayden.”
“Mom, does Heavenly Father have a house?”
“Yes, he probably does.””Well, what color is it?”

And on went the conversation about what he thinks. Just so you know, he figured his house would be green. He’s such a funny kid! He is obsessed with being the bad guy in all the scriptures stories. We were at a friends house to watch the Superbowl and someone made him a balloon sword and so he started to run around saying he was King Laban. He also likes to sing the song about Nephi’s Courage while acting like Nephi’s older brothers. I just keep telling myself that this is a phase! Right??? Oh yeah, one more story to prove my point that Hayden is always listening and absorbing everything (Barb saw this first hand when she was out here)Anyway, on Sunday a guy in the ward that we know what bearing his testimony. Hayden had not even looked up from his crayons and toys, I figured he was oblivious to what was going on until the guy mentioned something about his wife. Without skipping a beat or looking up from his drawing Hayden said to me “Was her name Debbie?” Sure enough, that is his wife’s name! He really was listening! It’s very scary to think about what he watches me do all day!
So I made the mistake of bearing my testimony on Sunday so we got called to speak on Sunday. I think Tom mentioned this. Speaking in church is terrifying for me but I just keep reminding myself that everyone is so busy with their kids they won’t even remember my topic. We were going to bless Danica last Sunday but a few of Tom’s friends that he wanted in the circle were not going to be in town. So we were going to do it this week but now that we have to speak we don’t want to just be worried about our talks and unable to enjoy the special blessing, so who knows maybe next week… maybe things will keep coming up and we’ll do it at the reunion…

Okay, one more thing. I discovered the down side to writing comments is the extra time it takes to login and write the comment, or to click on the comments link and wait for it to pull up. If you really are planning to sit down and post something then it probably is easier to just add into what you’re writing. Anyway, just thought I would add my observation since I had mentioned about the comment option earlier. There certainly are pros and cons and times it makes more sense than other times.

I am excited today because I get to go to IKEA for the first time. We need a new little computer desk for Hayden and they have some cute ones online so we are making the trek to Pittsburg (2 hours away) to do some shopping. I hear such great things about the place that even if we buy nothing it will be a fun little adventure! We thoroughly enjoyed Lost last night, hopefully you all did too! Marnie we saw you on Ellyn also! We watched it in slow motion and could see you running! Pretty fun! Glad you had a good time! Keep in touch!

Well, we recorded Ellen and actually...by pausing can see Marnie in the riff-raff room. We could have seen her better if she had stayed sitting down...but it didn't look embarrassing or anything. Pretty exciting!! Next time... get there at 11am and we can watch you dance!!!

Thanks for not spoiling Lost, Tom. As soon as Dad gets back from Mutual, we're going to watch AI and then Lost!!!

Love you all,

Mom

Lost is back, that is all I will say.
Tom

So yes I went to the Ellen show yesterday and yes is it going to be on today. So, the story begins...

We got to LA at around noon but we had to go to this little cupcake place on Rodeo Drive that we love. It is called Sprinkles cupcakes and has really cute and delicious little cupcakes. So we had our fun little walk down Rodeo Drive with our cupcakes and then we were off to pick up Matthew and go to lunch at this trendy little restaurant called Cheebo's. Well, let's just say that I felt like we were in a sweat shop/sauna because it was so hot and the tables were so close together! Not to mention that the entire restaurant is painted bright orange! It was very LA. So after my $12 BLT I decided to not indulge Matthew so fully when we has ideas for where to go to lunch. By the time we were done with lunch it was about 2:15. We were planning on getting to Ellen by 2pm because the taping starts at 6pm, you have to be there by 4pm, and the line starts at 11am. So we were gonna be a little late.

So we finally got to the Burbank NBC Studios at about 2:40. We got in line and they gave us numbers and said....the main studio is full, you will be in the riff-raff room!!! We were demoted to mere riff-raff!! I was rather upset to say the least. So after complaining for about an hour in line outside the studio they let us go into the lot by the studio and sit for another what felt like 5 hours. Needless to say I wasn't too happy by the time they let us go inside at about 5pm. So we finally get inside and they tell us, even though you are in the riff-raff room and don't get to see anything but screens the size of your television at home you need to be excited and dancing because then you MAY get on the camera! Woohoo... So we obliged and danced up on the furniture and stuff and tried to make it a little fun. While we were dancing some of the producers were going around to everyone and talking about the grammy's and who they thought would win and everything. One guy talked to my friend Kat a lot and took her picture and got her name but wouldn't tell her what it was for. He made sure that all 4 of us were together and that we were all from San Diego, then he left. So we danced a little more but progressively walked over to our stuff on the other side of the room. So I was looking towards the camera when all these ultra-bright lights come on and the people I am looking towards start looking at me and saying "oh look!" so I was a little confused because, I mean, how do they know that I am famous? So I turn around and Ellen was standing right there acting like she was looking for what everyone was looking at!!! It was pretty awesome. She started dancing a little and said hi and that she had to go. She was right in front of me. Pretty cool.

So then they did the show and we lounged in the back room watching Queen Latifah and Bonnie Raitt. This audience control guy came around with a box full of random CDs and said that they didn't have enough of the prizes they were giving to the audience so they would give us these. It was pretty retarded. I got a Genuwine CD or something...I gave it away. So just after that the producer guy from the beginning of the show comes up to us on the couch and says, "this is a fun show and we are doing a giveaway thing so everybody needs to pay attention and if you hear your name you need to jump up and scream and run up the stairs." So then he leaves...comes back like 5 minutes later and says, "ok so you hear your name and you scream and run up the stairs and onto the stage, ok?" So we all say ok great...then the debate began...do we all run up to the stage or just Kat because it is her name being called?? I was sure that he meant all of us because he kept making sure that we were all together and he looked me in the eye when he said that we would jump up and run up the stairs. Matthew agreed but Michelle said that she would only run if they said Kat and group. So...it gets to the point where they are doing the giveaway and Ellen says, "We are giving away 2 Grammy tickets to someone in the RiffRaff room and it is...Katherine Rowe!! (my friend)" so Katherine AND me (utter embarassment) jump up and run to the stairs! I was so excited I barely stopped to think until something told me to see if Matthew and Michelle were with me...so I looked back and there they were sitting on there seats and laughing at me, looking at me like I am a moron. So I made a quick switch to "Oh I am so excited for my friend!" and walked back over to the couch. Kat meanwhile was running onto the stage and meeting Ellen and looking great! (i swear i am not bitter, just excited for her) So she got the two grammy tickets and we ended up getting the free stuff that the audience got! She is going with Matthew today because I have to work and I don't really know anything about the grammy's anyway and Matthew is obsessed with it. So it should be really fun for them.

So it turned out good. I got to see Ellen in person, we got the free stuff (just a Bonnie Raitt CD and some random Grammy stuff), and Kat got Grammy tickets and we got to relax in the backroom during the show!

Sorry such a long story but I thought it was fun. So enjoy! Maybe next time we will go during Oscar time and I can score tickets to that!!

Glad I missed the drama on the blog yesterday but I still love you all! Don't forget to watch today, there may be a shot of my retardedness in the riffraff room when Kat's name is called!

--
Marnie

I would advise all to just not expect responses necessarily. We all are guilty of looking at a blog or pictures and really enjoying them but then not responding either in the response or in a new posting on the blog....and many of us have been in the situation of wanting a response and not getting it....and still not responding to someone else.

I thought I would share the philosophy I have developed on Mother's Day's and my birthday. Keep your expectations low...expect nothing...if you get something then it is a delightful surprise...if you don't, you still really know your family loves you and you already did not expect that your wildest dreams would come true!!! It really worked and eliminated those events when what was offered might not have met my unrealistic expectations!!

I love you all...responders and non-responders!!!

Mom

Well, guess I started something huh? I am not angry or mad as it may have come across. I was just stating what people have felt. I understand you have busy lives and people do read the blogs. Thank you. I also think that the fact that it was 1 in the morning may have done something to how I wrote it. I don't know what to say now. I just had seen it over the last couple of months with people in the family. Anyway, just wanted to say sorry! I didn't mean to make it seem that I was super angry or mad. I knew I should have just blown it off like it was nothing.

Anyway, I started my training this week and it has gone well. It is 6 hours everyday this week so with school and that, it is getting busy. Well I have to go to Spanish and take a test then off to take an American heritage test. Sorry again...

Love you all
Kim

Kim, if nothing else, you did that. I got on the blog this morning and BANG, everybody blogged! Some by choice, some by force. Really, just enjoy the blog for what it is, a way for everybody to see what is going on in everyone's lives. Blog if you want, we would love to hear from you. Comment if you want, we would love to hear your comments. But, come on now, don't have a hissy-fit (I know, a strong term, but fits perfectly) over it. Kim, I am not singling you out on this one. This happened by other parties several times before, so have comfort in the fact that you are not alone (maybe it's just a girl thing, I'm gonna get nailed for that one, I know). RELAX people!

Sounds like y'all in Idaho are enjoying life and the cold. You would hate to hear that it is sunny and in the 50's here today, very nice. I know it probably isn't as warm as Sun Diego, Marnie, but it is a breath of fresh air out here. And Brent, you'll soon be able to cool down. We are anxious for your arrival, though we know we probably won't see much of you while you are busily being trained and commuting to Woodburn. It's too bad Brian and Paige don't still live in Tualatin (Sp?), you would be able to stop by occasionally and see them.

By the way Brian, I am going to run the Yakima Marathon on April 1st up there and guess where it ends? That's right, in Selah. So we will invade you for that weekend if you don't mind. Let us know if you have anyone else visiting that weekend so that we can make arrangements. Should be fun!

Went running this morning and pulled some dang muscle in my back. You know, the one's where if feels like the wind has been knocked out of you and you are kind of gasping for air in short little breaths because if you take a big breath it is kind of uncomfortable. Anyway, very uncomfortable, but it is slowly subsiding. I need to go take advantage of that massage that mom got me for Christmas. That would feel great about right now.

Isaac's guitar lessons are coming along well, mine too somewhat. We are both enjoying it. The boys are going to do a baseball camp for the 1 week during their 2 week spring break (they have "year round" school, so the have long vacations and a short summer break).

I have my new sign up and all. It looks great. It isn't as big as I thought it would be up there, but it is by far better than the old one. It is finally starting to feel like I am part of the practice. Yesterday at work I finally started seeing patients for second checkups, which is nice because you aren't always introducing yourself.

We are anxious for Mike's arrival and hope to be able to see him a lot. But, Brooke and the girls should have much more time than us with their husband/dad.

You are all missed and loved! Don't let lack of posts/comments get you all bent out of shape, just as I am sure each of you know, we all have busy lives and are unable to post/comment on something. Look at the visits to the site! Over 11,500 visits in one year! That's about 1000 a month, or about 33 visits a day, so you know your stuff is being read and looked at!

Love,
Dave

That I took up your whole viewable blog space:-) and Tom, oh king of recommended tv viewing...I rented 24 - the 4th SEASON by accident...do you have the 1st or 2nd season to loan to me by chance? We will be in Kirtland on Thursday night and maybe could swing by...let me know -Lexi

Reunion 2006

News and Update



Dear Family –



We are now officially a mere 5 months away from the gathering of the Duker extended family! I really can’t wait to see everybody and to reconnect. My kids are equally enthused and it is very satisfying to see them anticipate “the gathering of the cousins” as I did and do still.



The numbers I have so far indicate that we will have 51 adults, 25 youth (4-18) and 5 little ones (3 and under).



The families that have committed to attend are listed below. If you are aware of any other family members that are coming to the reunion or if my “family” count is off – please let me know at once since I am getting the meals/activities arranged. There are still a couple of rooms available in the lodge for reservations.



Duker, Marilynn (3)

Duker, John (2)

Dew, Betsy (2)

Connelly, Cathy (4)

Harrison, BA (2)

Schickedanz, Martha (4)

Schickedanz, Sean (2)

Shapiro, Beppie (1)

Stinchfield, Tom (4)

Stinchfield, Brent (2)

Anne (2)

Kim (2)

Moran, Christie (3)

DeBaltzo, Lexi (7)

Gardner, Mali (6)

Schickedanz, Brooke (2)

Rourke, Ashleigh (2)

Leary, Paige (6)

Broderick, Peggy (2)

Schickedanz, Brian (6)

Moran, Jim (5)

Morgan, Nancy (4)

Moran, Cathy (2)

Stinchfield, Barb (2)

Stinchfield, David (6)





As noted before, breakfast daily and 6 dinners will be arranged for. Everyone is on their own for lunch and for 1 dinner during the week. While it is impossible to meet everyone's favorite meal - please let me know if there are any food allergies out there:-)



What group activities are you interested in having?



Thoughts...

Game night

Skit or Lip Sync Night

Family History Night

Lagoon (Amusement park approx 30 minutes away)

Alpine Sledding

Hiking

Boating



Input would be great - I am headed out there in a couple of weeks to visit Mom and Dad and line up some details for the reunion.



Cathy Connelly has volunteered to put together an electronic format "Address Book" with all family info. Look for an email from her requesting information...home address, phones, email, birthdays, etc. This is more easily updated than a hard copy directory and each family can print out as desired.



I have received 2nd deposits from the following, I need ALL 2nd DEPOSITS by next week! - so if you are not on the list, please email me and I will give you your total due at this time. Thanks in advance - and yes, check or Visa, MasterCard or Discover is fine...



Marilynn Duker

John Duker

Cathy Connelly

Tom Stinchfield (paid in full)

Christie Moran

Nancy Morgan

Cathy Moran

David Stinchfield

Brian Schickedanz



It will be here in no time - CAN'T WAIT! If you do not see an email listed above with someone that should have received this...PLEASE FORWARD and copy me on it so I can get my email list updated...


Love-

Lexi

The answer to your question is yes, I really am that heartless. I have become this way because of my environment. Tracey is constantly amazed at how cynical I can be, I am not sure that is the right use of the word, but, I am. 24 was decent, not the best one I have seen. I can never see them getting to the level they were at in season 1 and 2. I am just to "cynical"(word of the day) about it now. I am skeptical, doubtful and distrustful of Jack Bauer. I cannot not believe that he is still alive, American idol closes out tonight with the try outs. For the most part I am not real entertained by it anymore. I watched them, but, basically now I think I have heard bad singing and I they would show those the whole time instead of the good ones. They only showed a handful of good try outs so it is hard to put my finger on one person. The blonde girl that lives with her grandfather has my vote for now. She is pretty, has a great voice and and great story going for her. So, we will see. The iMac came to our house on Friday and there was something wrong with the video on it so they are overnighting the other one so I should get that tommorrow probably. but I must say, the machine is incredible. So, Hayden, now finds himself as the youngest Stinchfield to ever own a computer. He has the record. I am not surprised, I am hoping to have one for Danica by the time she is 1. So, that record may be temporary, but he uses it more than we do, and he loves his games. Now he has headphones to we so not even have to hear him. It is like he is not even there. They are all learning games for the most part. Don't think we are bad parents, it is just cold here during the winter and at some point Tracey just needs some time to herself, and so, it is working well for that. Nothing else to say for now, I could not be happier with my life right now, everything is amazing. And I we get to speak in Church on Sunday, So, I guess that is all, Marnie, i cannot watch the oscars, I am too self absorded myself, no room for all the other self absorbed people on the read carpet, but, it sounds like a fun activity.
Tom

I will start by saying, I cannnot always find something to comment on in every picture, I just assume when I post a picture that they are being looked at and enjoyed. I think we all respect and love each other in this family. Further reinforcement of this should only be a plus, not a requirement. I did look at the pictures kim, I did look at the ultrasound pictures, I did look at marnies invitation, So I enjoyed all of them. This post is dedicated entirely to confirming that.
Tom

Hey Guys,

I apologize first and for most for not commenting on any pictures that people put up, but last time I check I did not receive a congratulations for my new job from Kim, Just Kidding. Please do not get your feeling hurt for no one responding. I am sure we all loved your pictures and we think that the apartment is very cute. Anyhow, I have two more weeks in this hole called L.A. It is burning like something else that is really hot. GAP is great and I am excited to get to my own store. I will be in Vancouver on the evening of the 18th. Keep up the posts and make sure you tell Kim happy birthday on the 18th or she might get mad (HEHE)

Love You all especially Kim

Brent

Okay, If somebody post pictures, I am sure that all of us like to have some kind of feedback on them from their family. It is nice. Thank you mom for doing that! But sometimes you need a little bit more than just Mom. I am sure that all of us feel that way sometimes. Anne felt the same way about the ultrasound pictures!
Just say a little comment just to know that you guys care about what is going on in other's lifes when somebody post is great! Not saying that I don't forget.

There... it is out!

Kim

Marnie, I loved your invitations for your Oscar party...I wish we could come this year but with the situation with Gramma...and leaving her that next week at the assisted living, I think we will have to pass. It will be nice when we get her into the assisted living full time and we can come and go without massive prior arrangements. We'll try to make it next year...if you want some old folks there!!!

We had a great birthday/Superbowl party last night with the family here. Dad's apron with the handprints is wonderful...just the perfect gift! We ate way too much which I regreted all night...when will I ever learn? I started WW last week so today is a real catchup since I am going to be weighed tomorrow. The only downer to the party was the game results...everything was going against the Seahawks, the officials, the fans...and their kicker!!! Oh, well, there is always next year.

I had a RS lesson yesterday which I only have to do quarterly so I am glad that it is over. We are getting ready for our first Enrichment meeting of the new year in March...on the 21st. It will be tricky since I'll just be coming home from the trip to Idaho and Utah...but I should be home midday on the 20th.

We're looking forward to Mike arriving on Thursday...but not quite as much as Brooke and the girls!!!!

Love you all,

Mom

The Promenade’s refreshing ambiance and abundance of community amenities is accentuated by its outstanding location in San Diego’s Mission Valley. From the Rio Vista Trolley station within The Promenade, it’s an enjoyable and carefree ride to many of the region’s most popular attractions...
Miles of golden beaches
Mission Bay & Sea World
Historic Old Town
Qualcomm Stadium
Petco Park
Fashion Valley Shopping Center
Mission Valley Shopping Center
Little Italy and its famous restaurants
The newly revitalized Seaport Village
San Diego Convention Center
Downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp District
Mexico
...and thanks to The Promenade’s central location near major freeways, you’ll be within an easy drive of numerous destinations throughout the county...
San Diego International Airport
Miramar MCAS
The world-famous San Diego Zoo
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Romantic Coronado Island
Balboa Park & its many museums
and theaters
UC San Diego
San Diego State University
University of San Diego
92 golf courses, including Torrey Pines
The coastal communities of Del Mar, La Jolla,
Solana Beach and Carlsbad

To visit The Promenade from Interstate 8, exit at Texas Street/Qualcomm Way and proceed north on Qualcomm Way. Turn left on Rio San Diego Drive and look for The Promenade immediately on
your left.

From Highway 163, take I-8 east and follow directions above.

From Interstates 805 and 15, take I-8 west, exit Mission Center Drive, turn right on Camino del Rio North and continue straight. Turn left on Qualcomm Way, then left again on Rio San Diego Drive and look for The Promenade immediately on your left.

Don't miss this chance to enjoy the Oscars. I've been there. ITS A HOOT!

Awards Venue 

Are the commercials out of hand when there were some instances where there was one play on the field in between two commercial breaks.

Other half time show observations:
No one of that age should have a chain as a part of their wardrobe that is not a necklace. Did anyone else see the EMT's in the front row in case of heart attack? Did anyone else see the portable defibulator and oxygen tank each band member disguised in their outfits? Is Mick dancing or is he having a seizure? Are they the rolling stones or are they the step-slide.....step-slide stones? Did anyone else see the "emergency response" bracelet Mick Jagger is wearing now?

Really I'm just jealous and wish I could shake it like they do. I won't comment on the game 'cause I'm not sure wether Mike has seen the outcome yet. Go Hawks!

Treven sledding 

Bathroom 

Living Room 

Turbine is doing GREAT in the snow! 

FIRST SNOWMAN! 

2nd Living 

A Snowy Day 

Kitchen 

Apartment building 

Another Happy Birthday! Hope you are having a good one even though you had to go to work! I agree with Marnie with the vette!

Kim and Treven

Well Anne I would come visit except you are in a little place called Idaho...and it is winter...those things do not mix with Marnie.

Thanks for the ad on baby oil. Maybe I will try it out! I really like the inshower lotion things. My last semester of school we did an ad campaign for lotions. We had to come up with our own original line with something that isn't offered much (we did men's lotion), but anyway, I had to do a lot of research on lotion. The in-shower lotions were really big at the time. they were just coming out. They are sorta like a body wash but you just put them on in the shower and rinse them off and when you get out dry normally but you don't have to reapply lotion! Very nice. I really like the Bath and Body Works kind but I am sure there are other good ones. Anyway, now that we have two lotion ads in a row...enjoy!

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Marnie

Ok I know this may be a weird blog. A couple weeks ago I saw a commercial for Johnson's baby oil saying that it locks in 10x more moisture if you put it on when still wet after a shower. So I thought since I still have not found the best way to keep me from scratching b/c of my eczema that I would try it out. Well it is great! I shave less often and normally I have really gross heels, all scratchy and everything from volleyball and such (I know some of you all have them too). Well with the baby oil my heels are not scratchy anymore and they are so nice to have soft. I know this sounds like a commercial but I know some of you have complained of the heel problem before and I thought I would put my discovery on th blog.

Happy Birthday Dad! Hope you have a good one. So when you all gonna come visit??? We have a bed and a blow up bed so we can fit lots of people.

Love,
Anne

Hope you have a great day!!! Take the Vette for an extra spin! You deserve it!!! Got the new whatever-you-got-for-it yet?? Have fun!!

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Marnie

Hey everyone,

Our address is

13542 W. Meadowdale Dr.
Boise, ID 83713

Anne cell (208) 921 8571
Peter cell (208) 921 8570

-Anne

Last night we went to the Cavs game and had tons of fun with Hayden. He sat through the whole game! I can barely do that! We took Danica to the Debaltzo’s and I was pretty nervous about it just because she is so little, but I didn’t want to take her to the game because she is so little, and anyway it of course worked out fine. Today Hayden had a friend over and then I had some friends over for lunch so it was a lot of fun. This afternoon we went for a walk and we planned to have Hayden use his new Fisher Price roller skates at the park but it started to rain so we had to come home. It’s been a fun and social day and as a result the house is still a mess but I have decided I don’t really mind because I could spend all day, every day cleaning and it wouldn’t make much difference.

The buzz around our ward is what everyone is going to do for preschool next fall because it’s registration time and such. I couldn’t decide whether to have Hayden do “real” preschool or just a simple coop like I did this year. So I looked into several programs and decided I would wait and have him do "real" preschool when he is 4. But then I just found out about a girl moving here for her husband to attend Law School. Her husband is in the Air Force and just going back to school now so she already has elementary school age children. Anyway, she is going to teach preschool at her home, just two days a week which is perfect. I talked to her on the phone for about an hour and she has an awesome program that she is currently teaching and just plans to do that again when they move here. So after much thought and prayer we have decided to sign Hayden up for her preschool. I think he will love it and Danica will enjoy a little bit of time to be in the spotlight and the focus of my attention. As you can imagine Hayden does a fairly good job of keeping my attention.

Okay, so here is a thought. My friends from high school do a blogg and they are really big into making comments. I am sure you have all noticed the option to comment (Tom and Kim just used it) and it’s been done a few times but not very often. Anyway, I found on the high school blogg that the frequent use of comments is really nice. Here are the benefits:
1. When you write a post you can simply give an update of your life without trying to remember everything you just read that you wanted to comment on.
2. You don’t have to worry about accidentally leaving someone out when posting comments and questions for everyone.
3. It makes it easier to just simply write a comment without needing to write a whole blogg. You can make comments, ask follow up questions, etc. even when you don’t want to write an update on your own life.

Now, I know I don’t need some sort of special permission to start making comments but it will do me no good if people don’t know to look for them, plus I will feel silly if I am the only one that does it. So give it a thought and see how it goes.

Well that is all, except that I keep forgetting to tell Marnie thank you for getting me addicted to Sudoku! It is so much fun! If Hayden didn’t monopolize the computer I would be playing it all the time! And Adina, I doubt this will help because Morgan is older but when Hayden was afraid to sleep in his room it was because he thought monsters would get him. We could not convince him that monsters were fake so we finally we convinced him that monsters were not allowed in our house so he didn’t need to worry about them. Miraculously it worked! He doesn’t get up in the middle of the night anymore. Do you let her CD player run all night on repeat? We’ve done that to so that when he does wake up he feels comfortable. Good luck with it! We loved the ultrasound picture; Hayden kept laughing his head off and sitting on the ground trying to act like the baby in the ultrasound! Hmmm…all of those items would have been good to put in as comments instead of in my post, next time I’ll do it… Okay now here is my question- how do I deal with the fact that Hayden can almost make it through the day with out a nap but not quite…Should we cut it out or insist he take one? I’d love any input!
Take care!

Tracey

Hey,

Our Address is 697 Trejo Street #121 Rexburg, ID 83440. Also if you don't have our phone numbers. My cingular one is 360-901-7270 and my verizon one is 360-635-2864. Treven's verizon is 360 904-4247. Oh and one more thing. for those who don't know Treven's birthday, it is May 27th.

Thanks hope that helps!

Kim

OK, highly transient family...

I need some addresses - I apologize if you have posted them already, but I can't find them and I'm too lazy to look further. So - could I get addresses for Kim & Treven and Anne & Peter? Buffy - I need somewhere to send your B-Day card, so let me know what that address will be. By the way - the place you will be staying sounds awesome: pool, tennis courts...can I come stay there, too?

Anyway - thank you. And thanks to those who gave me some advice on Morgan's night-time wanderings. I put a CD player in her room and she falls asleep in her bed without a hitch - but she is still waking in the night. Ah well - if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Love you all...
Adina

We are really enjoying this - every time we check the blog, there is something new to read!

T 'n T: Parker was thrilled to get his card...he ran around the house with those bills in his little clutches shouting, "I got dollars! I got dollars!" Quite happy. Thanks.

Mike & Brooke: I imagine your schedule is filling up with people who want to see you and do things with you when you get here. Just leave a night open for us - we really do want to go to dinner. Adults only, of course. :) My Mom is visiting from the 9th to the 16th - then we (kids & I) take off for the Bay Area til the 22nd or so. When do you go back? Let's find a good night and pencil it in...

For anyone out there with advice: Morgan has recently become afraid of sleeping in her room. Even with the light on. She always ends up in our bed at some point during the night. We love her dearly, but I've never seen a kid sleep so spread out like she does. We always end up with a foot or elbow in the back, or awake to a slap in the face as she moves around. Not to mention, I don't want her to be afraid of her room. Any advice?!

Now to begin our day...more rain in the forcast, of course. Still love it here. That says a lot, I think. Hope everyone has a great day!

Adina