Hey guys, wondering if anyone has bought LOTR RTS yet? I don't want to get it unless someone else has it and is willing to play. As you all know, I don't really do the campaigns, I like to play with real people. So I need to know before I break out the greenback whether I will be playing with kin or be relagated to going face-to-face with some 15 yo from New Jersey.

Weather is nice, went for a long run this AM and was again feeling comfort in the fact that we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Especially after running in Idaho and Utah. I have nothing against them, but it was different. One word explanation of Boise: Monotony. Two words for South Jordan, Utah: Flat, Straight. Three words for Eden, Utah: Hot, Elevated, and Beautiful. So, of those places, Eden wasn't too bad except for one run that was miserable. It's a little tougher to run at 45oo ft rather than 45 ft. Hood to Coast is in 3 weeks, the 25th and 26th of August. Brent, would you be able to be a driver? Or Dad? It'll be a 24-30 hr stretch, stop and go, with some quick naps in sleeping bags possibly. Let me know.

Later,
Dave

Wow - I think I have finally convinced myself that the reunion is over and I have to wait some interminable number of years for that kind of fun again. Much thanks to Lexi and her helpers for organizing such a completely relaxing and enjoyable week - she has set the bar so high - I hope she doesn't plan on an early retirement.

We were able to catch up with Tom & Tracey in Provo before heading to Boise - we enjoyed some bowling and I was able to hang out with my brother and his current girl for a while. Then off to Boise where we were able to sneak a peek at Andrew - the kids are absolutely in love with him and we are all so glad we were able to meet him. I think my twisted boys will be sorely disappointed when he gets his thumb fixed - they think that is so awesome.

I went on my first obligatory run since my two-week hiatus. But - there's nothing like ten or so reunion pictures to give you that kick in the pants you need to get back on schedule. :) Dave is back to work, interviewing prospective hygienists. He is getting over a cold that plagued him the last few days. And while on the topic - Morgan has developed a lace-like rash on her cheeks, arms and legs, warm to the touch - following a cold - and we suspect Fifth disease. Nothing serious, but the timetable suggests she got it while at the reunion - highly likely since it is spread through coughs and sneezes. She is totally symptom-free, except for the rash, which should fade in a few days. Anyway - for those of you with little ones - just a heads up.

We take off in a week again for Fremont - August promises to be much like July - a blink of the eye.

Brooke - travel safely. We picked up Bailey, and besides needing a bath in a bad way, she did just fine. Let me know what you think about next week - taking care of her - if it is too much, then we will board her again.

Love you all...
Adina

Love the pictures Anne and Peter and anyone who posted them! Andrew looks so cute!

All is well in San Diego. The weather is calming down so that is a relief. It rained on Monday and yesterday it was cooler than it had been. It has been pretty cloudy ever since I got home. I am enjoying it though. And the humidity is calming down a bit which I REALLY appreciate. I can't stand feeling sticky all the time!

Work is good, kinda slow but that is always what happens in the summer. We are having issues today because there is a crazy lady that works at the building behind us and she went off on one of her crazy paranoia/terrets (sp?) outbursts this morning which I could hear from my desk which is at the opposite end of the building from her. So my boss has locked the doors just in case. Kinda scary and messed up but hopefully it will be resolved. My boss has talked to her boss who is on vacation and he said he would talk to her when he got back.

Anyway, I have been really tired since I got home. I guess the reunion took a lot more out of me than I had thought, but maybe it is just having to wake up early for work again. I am getting through it but it is probably good for me, going to sleep at 11pm instead of 1am!

I got V for Vendetta yesterday, it came out on DVD. Such a good movie. Tonight I am probably going to see a movie but I am not sure yet. I want to see Lady in the Water. I have managed to stay away from anything that would give anything away but I don't know how much longer I can do that. Speaking of movies and such, I have updated my website with a summary of what I saw at Comicon if anyone is interested. I still need to put on Saturday's events but I figure I should get something done that is work related!

I am trying to get into a photography class this fall at one of the community colleges. We will see if that happens but I hope it does. I have always wanted to get into the technical side of photography and learn more about it but I have never taken a class. I'll let you know about that one.

That's all for now.

Marnie

This link takes you to a free website for Andrew that is active for 60 days. If anyone is feeling like they want to they can probably copy and then post them on the blog instead of going to the link, but i'm tired and hungry. Dave and Adina just passed through. It was great to see them and show off our little bundle of joy.

http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage_view.asp?URLID=6U7E0N5Y9E

Peter

I have been checking on and off all day, as I'm sure we all have, waiting for those baby pics. Andrew is darling and despite what Barb said about not looking as much like a Stinchfield Jane and I both think he looks like Anne. So the Duker genes are dominating this time around- from what I saw in one pic at least. We can't wait to check it out first hand.

We arrived safely in Denver at about 8:00 last night. We left Provo a bit later than planned yesterday, if you can imagine Ellyn and I had a fitful night sleep (1-3 am then 6-8:30 am). She slept all day in the car yesterday as I popped "Stay Alert" pills. Anytime I thought about the night ahead I would start to tear up (sleep is REALLY important to me) and say a little prayer that she would sleep well. The good thing is that we were sleeping in the basement at the other side of the house so I wasn't worried about her keeping anyone else up, just me. Well my prayers were answered because she curled up next to me and fell fast asleep after a viewing of Lion King. I couldn't have been more grateful.

We are having a wonderful stay. I'm hoping we aren't stressing Mindi out too much. At least she knows she only has one more day of us. Sadie is sitting beside me holding baby Tristan. Jane has held him almost all day, except when he's nursing, she is going to be such a good little mommie. The good news is that neither of them are pressuring me for more kids. Sadie told me our brothers are waiting for us when we get to heaven and Jane said she liked the size of our family. Phew for that! Ellyn has taken most of the day to adjust to her new surroundings but she's wandering around happy as a clam now.

The drive out here was absolutely beautiful and it took all of my willpower not to detour out to Moab and explore that area. If I wasn't in Dave's car I'm afraid I wouldn't be home till the last week of August. Education Week, an Autism conference I saw advertised for Aug 12-19 in Park City, ... I think my kids would go a bit crazy.

Anne and Peter, we are so excited for both of you and our new little nephew. We will be there Thursday afternoon. I will give you more details later in the week.

Lexi, thank you so much for all of your efforts. The reunion was absolutely wonderful, many very meaningful events. Can't wait till the next- with Mike.
Well I'm off to spend time with my brother. We love you all. Love, Brooke

Come on mom, not THE BULB!

Happy Nanna B.

Photophobe. What's with the bright lights?

A worn out Annie! Whew. She remembered Martha's advice, "Focus".

Per Peter's request, I have added a few photos from the birthday of Andrew Peter. Dad

Well, we knew it was a boy the whole time, but he was able to surprise us with an extra thumb to help him in counting. While all the other kids will only be able to count to 20....Andrew will be able to make it to 21. What an awesome baby! I tried to get more pictures but in about an hour and a half, this is the only one I could get on and the mass email I've tried to send out does not get the pictures attached correctly. You all may just have to wait until tomorrow when Anne can handle getting the pictures on the blog. She is doing great and Andrew is also doing great. We have great visions for his six finger hand such as the best guitar player, major league pitcher with the best curve ball, etc. But we're told that it is not uncommon and will not be hard to correct. I'm off to make my way back to the hospital to be with Anne, Andrew, and Barb. Family sure is a blessing, we enjoyed having Brent, Buffy, Kenn and Barb here to share the experience with. We look forward to the Dave & Adina family arriving tonight and Brooke & girls arriving later this week. I've really tried to get these pictures on for those not around these parts, but alas I am not a Stinchfield and therefore are not blessed with that sixth sense.

Peter

First of all, congratulations to Anne and Peter, we are so excited for you and can't wait to see you three in a couple of days.
We are now in South Jordan, UT with some friends from dental school. I finally got a good connection so I have posted a lot of pictures. We will be here until tomorrow morning (Monday). We will then go to Provo for Monday to spend it with Ray Jr. (Adina's brother). We will leave there in the late afternoon and head for Boise. We'll be staying in one of those hotels there, but will come over Monday night to see Anne, Peter and Andrew unless you are still at the hospital and we are too late for visiting hours. We'll play that one by ear. Tuesday late morning we will leave for Washougal, picking up Bailey before 5pm and getting out of the suitcases. I work Wed, Thurs, Fri. Then essentially back to normal schedule. Though we are planning another trip from August 10-15 to Fremont for Ray and Deb's 40th wedding anniversary. Then back to normal schedule and school starting. Maybe camping August 18/19. My Hood to Coast is August 25 and 26th, Dave Matthew's September 1 and 2. Wicked September 9th, and the Top of Utah Marathon on September 23 in Logan, UT. It'll be a busy couple of months.
We had a blast at the reunion, I can't believe it is already over. All that anticipation and it's already over. We are really looking forward to the next one in 2 and 4 years. We love you all and already miss you. I hope you all traveled safely and arrived home safely.
Dave