Just got back to Miami this morning and am waiting in the MIA for our flight to Charlotte, NC. Then, the Chicago, then home. Back about 2200 tonight. Larry and Keri have to go via Atlanta and those flights have been getting cancelled about 3/5 of the time. Currently, they are scheduled to go but will have to wait and see. I think we're ok but Chicago worries me a bit. NC may not be good, either. Enclosing some photos but will have more when we get home, hopefully tonight.

Yes, I do watch Lost and yes, I do feel like the island doesn't want me to leave! I have never felt so far from home and so isolated. Tom is back in San Diego at a dental training and then heading up to Washington on Thursday to spend about 10 days. The kids and I were hoping to catch a free military flight, Space A, so that we could go to Utah for a week and then meet up with Tom in Washington. Supposedly this is a great time of year to catch those free flights because there aren’t many people traveling. I spent all week packing, prepping and doing everything that goes into trying to leave the country for a few weeks. Apparently, lots of available seats isn’t the case anymore and they didn’t end up taking any extra people on the flights throughout the weekend. It made for a really long, emotionally charge weekend with showing up at the airport and waiting around for hours only to find out we weren’t getting on the flight and then more attempts the next day and the next... So needless to say, I am really sad to miss seeing family and sad to be stuck here alone with the kids for two weeks after thinking I was going to be on vacation. Tonight Danica asked when Tom is coming home and I said two more Sundays and she said "I'm really going to miss daddy" and then she interrupted my family prayer and said "make sure to say "bless daddy to come home safely." She is such a sweat heart!

However, I luckily don’t have much time to stay depressed with tons to do and the knowledge that I am truly blessed in so many ways. I had a friend point out there are certainly worse place to be stuck...it is true. Today was great, sunny in the 70’s. This afternoon I hooked the bike trailer to my bike and towed the girls while I went on a nice ride with Hayden. Then a friend had us over for dinner and we had great food and company. Lately we’ve had a lot of fun around here, here are some highlights:

Karaoke! We found a great place, really close and reasonably priced and you just rent a big room for your group to sing it up. However, I think they would have made more sound proof doors if they were expecting such loud groups of crazy Americans! I don’t have video of any of the really good songs, hopefully I’ll get them next time!I actually don't sing when we go to karaoke but I enjoy the fun and food. This new place had some real genuine Japanese cuisine including pizza with mayonaise and octupus, lots of squid and raw ham salad...I stuck to basic curry and rice!

Wago Family Land- it’s like a version of Chuck E. Cheese but way better! Things are crazy and fun, there are no worries about safety or litigation. We had a blast! This video of the balloon room would be a dream come true for most kids!
He just rolled around and around!
Awesome zipline that took itself back up to the top to the next kid waiting!
The kids just hung on as the tree swung around!

At the end of January, Sesame Street Live came and did free show. We had a great time once Alyssa got over being terrified! Alyssa has her hair in a pony tail because for a week straight she insisted on it every day! She was obsessed with having her hair in a pony tail!

Off the ship this morning and out on a catamaran to sail into oblivion, around a few islands then drop anchor to snokel for about 1.5 hrs. Then, back aboard for some more sailing and then to a small beach with lunch and some relaxing before heading back to the ship. Spent the evening at a stage show, dinner (Italian), and then walked around the ship until about 2300. Ready to hit the sack then up for a 0930 debarkation at Tortola. No tours planned; just wandering. That is it for today. KnB

So we get in the car after church yesterday and I asked Andrew as I always do ""What did you learn about in sunbeams today?"

Andrew: "Jesus and Tooting and Laughing"

Needless to say we had the talk on the way home that tooting and burping in Primary are not reverent and you don't do it. Meanwhile Peter is chuckling and so proud.

-Anne

Got up this morning and rowed 3000 meters. Mom ran 2 miles around deck 13. I had a sports massage/deep massage that found every ounce of lactic acid in my muscles. Later today had a trip to a Beijing trained acupuncturist who placed 5 needles on each ankle, on each leg one at mid calf, at head of tibia and two to knee. Two near umbilical, one between naval and sternum, one at sternum, one at bridge of nose between the eyes, two on dorsum of left hand and five on dorsum of right hand. Fun. Left me alone for 30 mins and, hip is currently pain free and has been so all day. ??? I just don't get it. Wanted to put me on herbals but my one a day aspirin stopped that prescription. The four of us got a couch in a cocktail lounge to watch the entire Super Bowl game. Very good game. Then up for quick dinner and "dog" before bed. Now, it is midnight and we're off to bed to get ready to go into Samana, Dominican Republic, on the same island as Haiti at the Northeast corner of the island. Go to St. Thomas on the next day. Moderately rough seas but having a wonderful time with Keri and Larry Krout. More to follow. KnB

So, as we got to our hotel (Inn) in Miami last night (Friday), we were greeted by two young men at the front desk. And, I do mean young. Their vocabulary was that of what I would refer to as "gangland" diction. Dressed nicely in black suites, white shirts and ties..but, their activity and discussions were what I'd expect to hear from down in the back streets of some LA hood. What added to the dimension was the constant influx of very young teenagers who approached these two young men and got their welcome of, "just take the elevator to room 223. That is where the party is". And, this wasn't just two or three scantly dressed teens, but at least a couple of dozen. The young men freely bragged that this was a party set up by one of them at the desk. I overheard comments like, "thanks, Enrique, for setting this thing up for us, man", etc. Larry Krout and I sat in bewilderment at the "living room" watching an NBA game, looking at each other like, "is this really happening?". We felt like we were in the den of iniquity.

Then, when we left to go upstairs, we got in an elevator and as we headed for the third floor, suddenly it stopped at the second and two young women (15-17) got on the elevator with us, giggling in their other language and smelling extremely strong in the Essense of Alfalfa, I think...or that could have been the dreaded, Mary Jane?

Anyway, we slept well, no noise during the night and are up and readying ourselves for some time in Miami then off to our ship at the terminal.

More to follow as the time goes on. Love you all, Dad

It's been a while so here's the update. School has begun and I am slowly getting into the groove of having classes again (need to get into that groove faster!). This semester I am taking four classes, three of which are Marketing classes and the last is fulfilling a corporate responsibility requirement that the program has. I like all of my classes so far although one could be questionable based on the first two lectures but I'll survive regardless. The subjects are New Product Management, Internet and e-Marketing (my favorite so far), Sales Management (the questionable one) and Corporate Governance. I'm sure those all sound so fabulous to you all. :)

It is interesting to be back at SDSU after all the CA budget cuts have been put into place. There are furlough days that are mandatory in each class and a lot less classes being offered. I definitely notice the pressure on students and professors. I'm just glad that I only have this semester and my one "culminating experience"/"thesis equivalent" class this summer, which I am definitely going to be enrolled in and then I'm out!

I also am happy to report that I interviewed and was placed in a paid internship for this semester. I'll be working with a local small business that is a sort of marketing agency (like an advertising agency that does all marketing functions for a variety of clients). I will mostly be working with their clients to help them gain a presence on the internet, specifically in social media like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. So the work is up my alley and I think the company should be really fun to work with. I just found out that I got the position a couple days ago so I'll probably start up with some work sometime next week.

Other than school and job searching, I have been finishing up organizing my life in SD, enjoying time with my friends and catching up with people I haven't seen since I've been back. I am having so much fun living with Michelle. She is such a good friend and a great roommate. Only problem is that it is affecting my sleep patterns since we end up staying up till all hours of the night hanging out and talking!

Random stuff - LOST is back and it is bittersweet. I've decided that I'm not going to be critical about it and I'm just going to enjoy what is left, which is probably pretty frustrating to my friends that want to analyze everything but there is so little left that I want to soak it all in.  And also, random, but at the end of this month I am going to Palm Springs with Kristy to see a concert that Adam is giving. Her mom got us both tickets as a surprise gift so I am really stoked to get to see him doing his own music and not just American Idol stuff.

Ok, enough of that. Well, I'm really excited to see Tom in a couple days for the little while that he'll be in San Diego and I'm trying to get a jump start on the reading I have to do for class this week before he comes so I will have time to hang out without getting behind on everything. Guess I should get on that...

As you were.

Yah! It is finally Friday and I'm so glad the weekend is here. I just hope Noah will see the end of his health issues soon. He had yet another puking incident today after Brent fed him some french fries... he had not eaten anything all day which should have been a clue.

Just to let everyone know. I officially am a store manager again. I was promoted today to take over our Hillsboro store. It is kind of ironic as I was at the Hillsboro Sports Authority. We have been having a great week (other then the last few days of Noah puking. For know we have settled on a name for our baby as Avery Madison. Of course this could always change, but that is what it is right now. Love you all and cant wait to see everyone.

Just a quick update since I have a moment to sit down...

Love my new job. Absolutely love it so far. Love who I work with, love meeting new people, love the work itself. The only thing I don't love is the early mornings. We've always stayed up at night until midnight or later - now I have to try to get to bed earlier (Right now, somewhere, Dave is reading this and laughing because he has been trying to tell me this forever). I am having to get up at 5:00 some days to run before work. I know, I know - some of you have been doing this forever - and hats off to you - you are all amazing. I actually caught myself yawning during a run last week - I was so tired - never had that happen before.

I am anxious for more fair weather so Dave and I can get out more on our bikes. We've had one good ride together, but schedules and weather are making it tough. Last week we went out, only to have it start raining pretty hard a few miles in. When we stopped at one point, I tipped my head forward and a waterfall came off my helmet. But - I love the bike - it's just not as easy or convenient as running. And I'm a little afraid of dying at the hands of a careless driver.

Things at the practice are changing on a daily basis. We just had the interior painted and it looks so much different - more open and bright. We are in the process of replacing the furnishings in the waiting area, which is proving to be a challenge with our busy schedules. Fortunately, we are both excited about the improvements and don't mind spending a lot of spare time at the office. The exterior is going to be painted in the next week or two. Couple all that with the new landscaper we have, and things are looking good. Dr. Davis is making his exodus, which leaves Dave as the sole provider until Tom arrives. More hours, but more control and more harmony in the office.

Kids are great - totally adapted to my new schedule. They don't need me as much as I like to think they do. Isaac & Taylor are participating in the Dance Festival for our stake and seem to be having a good time. Isaac has a cute partner, apparently, and Taylor is just relieved he doesn't have to dance with any girls, since he'll only be a deacon. Parker is still the most forgetful and scatter-brained child I have ever encountered. The phrase, "He would lose his head if it weren't attached" was made for him. But he's adorable and hilarious, so it's okay. Took Morgan to the doctor today for her recurrent stye on her eye. Not only did we get some antibiotic ointment, but I think she took a fancy to her doctor. All the way home: Mom, Dr. Miller was so nice. Dr. Miller is so smart. I liked Dr. Miller, Mom.

Looking forward to Tom & Tracey's visit - and to Anne's move up here - and to summer. I am having sunshine withdrawals.

Adina

Yes I actually work for a living. But I am not late. Thanks for being a wonderful father who has taught me a lot and a even better papa to Noah. We love you.

Brent, Buffy, Noah and TBA

P.S. We will have an announcement later today on the baby.

I beat Brent. I am not the last. I would just like that to be known.

So anyway.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!!!! You are literally the best dad in the world. I hope you know that. I love you and always will!

Love,
Marnie

We actually did get you a gift, should be there by Friday. We love you.

Mike, Brooke, Jane, Sadie, Ellyn, Sawyer

Happy Birthday Dad/Papa! You are an amazing father, father-in-law, and papa. You are such a great example to us and we are so thankful to have you in our lives. We love you! Have a wonderful day!

Happy Birthday and we can't wait to be able to terrorize you on a regular basis. We love you and thank you for all that you do for us and the support that you give. You are the greatest Dad and Papa.

Love,

Anne, Peter, Andrew, Beck, and baby Camie

Dad, thank you for being so awesome. You are an eternal fixture in our minds and in the minds of our children. Thank you for your example over the years. You are one of a kind. Happy Birthday.

So I thought I would send out an invite or a feeler to see if anyone else is interested in joining me on some races.

Well, the end of another great visit to Elko Nevada and the Cowboy Poetry Gathering. As much as I talk about not coming back as it gets close to time to come out here, getting back to familiar faces, family and friends plants me back at the front desk signing up for our room for next year...and, rejoining the Folklife Center membership for another year. We've had a wonderful time with Dick, Martha and Richard Webb. We've met many wonderful people who have shared with us their work, stories of their life's travels and just genuine hospitality. It is a phenomenon. You may laugh at us for thrusting ourselves into something that is so 180 degrees out from our normal life. But, if I may use the old phrase, "you don't know what you're missin'".

When the trials of raising a young family push you into these decades of your life, I'm most certain you'll reach out to events like this to enhance your understanding of the rest of the world, the cultures out there and what is really the makeup of your inner-self. I'm absolutely convinced that the old family genes continue to affect our image of ourselves. I know that the many, many ancestors that we follow have had something to do with our reaching out to those lifestyles that were important to them.

I'm sure my great great grandfather is jumping up for joy to see one of his descendants take hold of the spirit of what is offered here and inculcating some of these lifestyles and expressions into our lives.

Are Dad and Mom going crazy? Don't believe it for a minute. This experience is giving me a much greater appreciation for the wonderful things the Lord has given all of us to enjoy, to examine and determine for ourselves what is most important to us. Important to me is my wife and family, our extended brothers and sisters and the wonderful grandchildren who will follow in our tracks. We love you all. Be advised that we are not losing our minds. We are just enjoying the sweet breads of life that have been placed in our tracks.

We love you all....just let us "do our thang". KnB

...my room is complete! or at least it is for now. Here are some pics. A little different than Norway, eh? I'll post some of the rest of the apartment eventually but it is not clean enough at this moment for that. Now I'm off to enjoy my weekend.

This is the surveillance camera view of our newly painted walls at the practice. Doesn't do justice, but you can get an idea.