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...
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Mission Valley Shopping Center
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Mexico
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University of San Diego
92 golf courses, including Torrey Pines
The coastal communities of Del Mar, La Jolla,
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Don't miss this chance to enjoy the Oscars. I've been there. ITS A HOOT!

Awards Venue