Our CHRISTmas

We have a few traditions in our house. One of them is that on Christmas morning everyone must be up before anyone goes to see what Santa brought. This is a picture of the instant I said "OK, go!" We all see what Santa brought then have breakfast. After breakfast we sit down and take turns opening presents. This works well for us but it tends to point out who got the most presents that year (me this year). We all got wonderful presents and would mention them but won't for fear of leaving out one and causing consternation among the many gift givers. I will relate one incident however. Around one o'clock mom called to see how we all fared and to ask a question. She wondered if Hillbilly sis would be offended if she sent back the hot chocolate maker that mom got from her. She said that her and Glenn didn't drink hot chocolate because of the milk and the chocolate involved. I told her to keep it and to make HC for guests when they came by. She was in a regular dither about what to do. I continued to encourage her to keep it and have it for guests. Well apparently Hillbilly bro-in-law called later and mentioned that the HC maker was for us. You never saw mom more relieved when she learned the news. Even today mom mentioned to Wife how relieved she was that the dreaded HC maker was ours. I didn't realise how much worry a (very nice, thanks much H. sis) hot chocolate maker could cause in a persons life.
This is a view of the sunrise Christmas morning.

Just another Sunday

I asked Sparky to clean the table off for dinner. I don't think 'Leenie approves of how he did it.
I just found out that the Bowldoggs now have a blog. Is there anyone else out there who has a blog and not telling me? You know it's an easy way to keep everyone informed and a fairly good way to keep a journal too.

Busy night

It started before I even got home. I stopped to pick up 'Leenie from Wife's work but 'Leenie needed to have some more chow so I took a nap on the junior high stage for about half an hour while Wife took care of the situation. As soon as I got home G-man told me that Linc needed his game Jersey because he had a Freshman game at 5:30. Well I wasn't exactly sure which uniform he needed so I put all his stuff in a bag and took it to him. I got back and Holl started dinner. I left for the game after calling Wyo Sis. It was against JHole (Linc plays JV against them at Jack's son tomorrow evening). They had a 6'4" kid on their team (who fouled out in the middle of fourth) that Linc guarded. Linc had nine(9) points and ten (10) rebounds with three (3) blocked shots and I'm not sure how many assists with just two fouls. Alas it was in a loosing effort. Directly after the game we crossed the hall to 'She and Holl's concert. I drove Linc and Sparky home to be with G-man (who wasn't feeling well) then I drove back to the high school (for the third time) and just missed hearing 'She play in the 7th grade orchestra (she is first chair viola). I did get to hear the 8th grade orchestra play (sorry, but it sounded like several cats being pulled through a knot hole backwards, all be it to a beat and close to in tune). Fortunately Holl played last so I was able to hear her play. By the time we all got back home it was 9:00. I'm not commenting on how 'She played, I'm sure if I would have heard her play it would have been much better than the sound of cats being maltreated.
I have had bronchitis for a month and have been on medicine for several days with out any change so Wife got a stronger prescription for me today. The label said that I may get dizzy or drowsy (two dwarfs of mixed reputation). Hopefully this will fix the crud.

Update

Linc is home. He played in three games (Jailtown, Razertown, and Capital City Midpoint). Thursday they played Jailtown and won by a wide margin (71:27). Then Friday they played the Razertown Dromedaries and lost badly(100:29). However Linc had six points in the losing effort. Then Friday they beat the Capital City Midpoints by a slim margin(eight points) with Linc defending against "real big black guys" and making two points. *(the names have been changed to confuse the innocent)*

The pictures have arrived Lisvins!

L3g0's and B-ball

Here is another example of the boys and their thinking. These are "walkers" that G-man and Sparky came up with. If you look closely you can see what they are made of.
P.S. We haven't gotten our family pictures yet but then again I haven't gone to the post office yet today. Also I haven't written anything about Linc's trip to the "fire canyon" tournament at "Rio Verde" because he isn't home yet and S-I-L BL hasn't called with an update. (Brooker had a nephew and a brother-in-law playing on the same JV team) They don't announce the scores for JV on the radio so I'm in the dark about what has happened.

More like Huck-a-bomb

I thought this country was past worrying about what race, gender, or religion a person was and was more concerned about that that person stood for and what there values are. I didn't think we were electing a religion to run the country, I thought we were electing a person for president. ... My bad!

more 'Leenie

This was taken this afternoon when I brought her home from her daily trip to the middle school with mommy. She is doing so much better at sleeping through the night and is starting to smile some (might just be gas).
Linc heads out tomorrow to a tournament in "Rio Verde" for three days.
G-man found an ad the other day for our variety store that described a radio controlled car as being able to "go forward, backward and reverse!" That must be quite the car.
I thought I would also post a picture of the cat. You might be able to see that he is now striped. What you don't see is how he smells and how he ambushes people at the slightest provocation.

SV vs. SR

Well they gave it a good try. It was 31 to 51 with the Asp Creek Kitties winning. Linc wore #44 but the other Freshman also wore #44. After several minutes of the first quarter the refs noticed the problem and called a technical foul and had the other kid change his shirt. Well it was a losing effort but Linc had 4 offencive and 2 defencive rebounds with two blocks and several shot attempts with no luck. He feels bad that he isn't scoring points but he is getting lots of playing time (about 20 minutes a game). I think the coaches see the potential in him that I do and are trying to get him as much experience as possible.

'Pelier

Just got back from over the hill and Linc's JV game. They won 39 to 32 in a rather low scoring deal. It's interesting watching Linc play against a 6'8" Junior. He held his own when it came to fighting for position but the extra 5-6 inches was a challenge to him. He also played against a kid who looked about 6' and 220 pounds. Anyway he did well and had one assist, one block and two rebounds. He took three shots but couldn't buy a point. I think he felt good about what he did at least I hope he felt good about it. He has another game tomorrow at 12:30 (did you read that Wyo Sis?). The roads over there were snow covered and slick but there had to be close to one hundred SV people there. Some didn't even have any kids playing but just came to watch. I will try to get some pictures tomorrow.

Another game

50 to 45 over the Red Mephistopheles. Linc had two points and many rebounds and blocked shots. This was a Freshman game. Friday is another one at Bear Lake then another one Saturday here.
They tell me I did a good job talking at Mama Grahams funeral so I guess I did OK.
More later.

More traditions

Since Wife and I were only engaged we had the tradition of going into the hills after our own Christmas tree. We have had to travel four hours at times but we have to the best of my middle aged memory. (my dear kids have corrected me and have pointed out that one year we had a fake tree. Wife claims that we had a real and a fake tree at the same time but what ever.) We usually go out the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving but it is a week late this year. We have had some interesting times doing this such as the time we were almost broadsided by a mine truck in our van and the time we were stuck behind a pick-up and trailer that was stuck in the snow. This year was rather uneventful with only about four inches up the canyon that we went. We took our dog and he seemed rather happy to get out and run his little heart out. We were even able to catch him relatively easy. We went a bit nuts and bought some more lights for the house and the tree (this is what constitutes nuts for us).
In sports; Linc went to a game in Ogden and played a team from Vernal. He had three points and I think six rebounds at least that is what I remember hearing at 1:30 this morning when he got home. Did I mention that he (a Freshman) is playing (Starting Center) junior varsity this year? He has a game Friday in Montpelier and one Saturday here then the next week he goes for three days to a tournament at Flaming Gorge (I think that is around Green River).
in weather; we are starting to get some snow an I suppose we need more or rather the spud farmers want us to get more.
In other news; mom seems to have some kind of sickness. Glenn came over this morning to escape for a few minutes and ask a question about their fireplace. I haven't heard from Rob yet but see that the funeral will be on Tuesday. I hope they have good driving weather. Holl had a sleep over at a friend's house. She went home on the bus with her and ended up staying the night. She used her gym cloths as pajamas ("I don't sweat a lot in them") and brushed her teeth with her finger (not a new thing for her). She too stayed up until 1:00 or 2:00. Two tired teenagers in the same house with a newborn and two tweener boys- pure joy!

Another one graduates

I heard some sad news today. My best friend's mother died today. Growing up she was like a second mother to me. She was under 5' tall but you didn't want to give her any back talk. She never had much of an easy time in life and in the end it was rather tough. She was loosing her mind and would talk of off the wall things and mix up peoples names and things that happened. Earlier this Fall she had a stroke and lost the ability to take care of herself. She had just been placed in the care center yesterday. Linc would mow her lawn and do odd jobs for her in the summer as well as help her sister. It's sad that she died but I feel that she had had enough of this life and was ready to move on. She managed to raise five kids and with permission of her husband go to the temple and after he died of brain cancer went on a mission.

--I really have lost my writing mojo and am having a lot of difficulty getting my thoughts written.--

P.S. I have just been asked to talk at the funeral. My mojo had better get working by Tuesday!

'Leenie's blessing

This is for all the family that wasn't able to get to the blessing and in a sense for the ones that were there. This has been quite an event full Thanksgiving for us. Thursday We went to Wyo sis's for Thanksgiving and all of her children were there plus mom and Glenn and Pi-man and his boys.

We found out that the Dogg family will add a puppy in May which is great news.

Friday night we all went to the new family movie then had seven boys for a "sleep" over. Our own Linc, G-man, Sparky, with Logue and Ad, plus Jk and Mace. Holl wisely fled to her cousin She's for the night. We inflated an air bed that we borrowed from mom in the TV room and turned them loose.

Logue and Jk were up 'till 1:00 or so playing monopoly while G-man and Ad talked until the wee hours.

Saturday we went to the parade of lights and Pi-man handed out these glasses that broke the light into the spectrum and it was amazing to watch with those on.
Sunday we blessed 'Leenie and then had a lunchen. Sledhead Brad and his growing brood came up with their new boy who is just two weeks younger than 'Leenie.

In all we had a rather eventful four days.

This is for the ones that were there.

Bring on the family

Well they (you) are on their (your) way to grandma's house. We have the standard crappy weather to travel in but it could be much worse. I grow tired of all the standard news stories that seem to come along this time of year:

• The cost of dinner has gone up $**.** this year.
• The cost of driving home has gone up $**.** this year.
• "Blank" many people are going hungry this year.
• Heating your home will go up $**.** this year.
• Gloom, doom and maroon!

Linc (a freshman) will be playing on the JV basketball team this year. I'm proud and concerned at the same time. I'm proud of his abilities but concerned at the extra stress this move will put on him. He's had bronchitis for a week now and has missed some practice but I'm sure he will be up to speed very soon.

We plan on naming and blessing 'Leenie in church Sunday and have invited all family to the event and should have a fair representation there.

Work is somewhat more interesting lately since I have several new parts to program for and prove out. The stability of the company is still a question in my mind however.

We had parent/teacher conferences the other day and had four different schools to go to. Wife and I split up the chore and found out that, yes, we have very exceptional children who are a delight to teach.

I found out recently that my buddy Dave is planning on moving to Texas, just because. He's been in Arizona for ten years and his last boy is headed out on a mission in February so he's got itchy feet. He is self-employed so can work anywhere.

Well folks will be a arriving soon so I'd better go.

The complete set

We have a bit of a family tradition. That tradition is that we take the shirt given to the child from the hospital that they were born in and put it on a stuffed bear. 'Leenie is still using hers at least for a few more days. We will have to find a light colored bear (like the second from the right that is Holl's) to put the new shirt on.

I started this entry with the highest of intentions of making a very interesting read but alas as you can read it fall short as a French dictator. We have some sickness and all around crudiness abounding in the household so I will once again defer to a later time.

And what did you do Saturday?

This is pretty much what we did Saturday what did you do?

The only one that did anything interesting was Holl who was in the play.

Band member

Last night we went to the high school play. It was the music man and the reason we went was that Holl was in the grand finely as a band member. The show was rather good as far as high school plays go. The leads were rather good and the mayor was the show stealer. I at first wondered why they picked who they did for the lead female but once I heard her sing I understood. There are some real talented kids at our school. I even recognized a few of the actors.

I have to include the picture of 'Leenie that I think looks like Sagehen. At least I think she looks like her.

Roof and party

This is Wyo sis's new roof

I decided to post this for her so that all could see what she has been talking about.

These other pictures are of the combined birthday party for Linc and Sparky but as you can see it was mostly about 'Leenie. You get a glimpse of the "goat" that Glenn has been growing. Plus you can see rare photos of the more camera-averse family members of the family. Looking at mom's hands and the way she is sitting on the couch I can sure see her father's daughter there. We (Linc) broke tradition somewhat by having cheesecake instead of regular cake (mom however made d*mn sure we had a real cake). We put Sparkey's candles on the real cake and Linc's candles on the cheesecake. I was going to add a picture of 'Leenie that had her looking like her namesake but four pictures on this entry took me approximately half an hour to up-load so perhaps next time.

Holl is going to be in the high school play as a marching band member (real stretch for her there) playing the flute in the grand finely. I suppose I will get to go to the play and slumber through to the end where I can watch her preform in the finely.

Correction!

BB's bambino was born on the second of November right between Linc and Sparky. Thanks Utah spud (you do realise that that will be your blog nickname from now on) for the correct info and thanks 'Chell B. for picking an open day so as not to complicate the calendar. You really didn't have to hold our that extra fifteen minutes. Another note to M.I.L. your comment didn't take apparently but I appreciate you viewing and trying to comment. Sorry you lost your hero, Dave. This has been one nasty, nasty fall for you. Well the time change and 'Leenie has me needing slumber so more later.

Didn't you read the back of your calendar?

More little girl pictures.

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Linc turned fifteen yesterday. That means that he can get his learners permit to drive. He has been looking for this day for quite some time. Something else happened yesterday, Linc got another 1st cousin for his birthday. BB's wife had a baby boy yesterday exactly two weeks after 'Leenies arrival. This is their second kid and their first boy. I would add more info but I haven't talked to them yet, I only heard it from Linc who's seminary principal is the grandfather on the mother's side. Anyway, I think Linc had a good birthday he got a nice pocket knife from the Tooele boys and a tie from his grandma S. and cash from grandma W.

Sparky's birthday is tomorrow and he has been bouncing off the walls for weeks now. He is now a full fledged bicycle rider now. I was trying to quiet 'Leenie (because her dinner was out shopping) when Sparky came in with a scrapped elbow. It isn't very bad and I washed it off and had him hold a towel on it for awhile. All is OK now.

We carved pumpkins Monday and this is the result. We are "halloweenies" in that we barely acknowledge the holiday at all. You can't see it but the pumpkin with the screw in it's head (to the right of the cowboy) also has it's tongue out.

I.F. trip

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'Leenie went on her first trip Saturday. It was to I.F.. We went down there to get a car because the last time I drove the van (here after referred to as the brick) it started an intermittent knocking somewhere in the engine compartment. I managed to limp the brick home and spent the rest of the week driving the durango because Wife really didn't feel like going anywhere. Our little I.F. jaunt was one little fun-fest to be sure. We went to a large dealer and told them of our requirements which were:

• Good mileage
  
• Low miles
  
• less than 3.5K

You might say that it was a fools errand that we were on and the large dealer's salesman more or less indicated that. He directed us to the no-name-other-side-of-the-tracks dealership (Quite literally, the other side of the freeway too) that was owned by the large dealer but didn't have their name anywhere near the place and had us ask for Travis or Juan. This dealership was rather interesting in that when we arrived we noticed that the stereo was turned to a Spanish station and was at a rather high volume. They obviously were catering to the Hispanic community. We saw a 2000 Sunfire that had 75K on it and was in our price range. It had a manual shift which would help Link learn how to drive a manual and looked rather nice. I took it for a test drive and found that is had a click or bump in the steering when I turned the wheel. The salesman tried to convince me that it was an easy fix but I took a pass besides I could barely fit in it. We then went across the street to a mom and pop place but they didn't have anything in our price range. We had lunch then decided to try the rental car sales places. We pulled into the place and was talking to the salesman when a girl in a pick-up started backing up and almost ran into the side of our durango. We hollered for her to stop and she did. She then pulled up and again promptly headed for the side of our car again this time coming within three inches of hitting us. I wisely jumped into the car and moved it as fast as I could. With that crisis averted the man told me that all he had was worn out pieces of rust in that price range. Link in the mean time continually looked at the sporty (they had to have a stripe on the hood) cars that were at least three times what we could afford. We then drove down the road and cruised through an other "best price in town" lot and didn't see anything in our price range but some in Link's taste range. We then proceeded on to one of those lots that has a trailer on it and not much else but cars. We looked at and drove a Japanese car that gave me a crick in my neck and the kids could hardly squeeze into the back (the little ones at that) and a Mopar car that did the same. The salesman then directed me to a Chev that was listed at 6K. I test drove it and couldn't find anything wrong but that the brakes squeaked. I found out later that the business was only going for about three months and was started by a couple guys that left one of the bigger places to start their own enterprise. One of the owners came out and told us the story of the car. He said (note: he is a used car salesman) that the car was bought new by his partners in-laws from his partner who was working the afore mentioned big dealership and was meticulously taken care of by said father-in-law who was a retired teacher. It had 90K and was a '97 so had relative low miles on it. We did the "come into my office and I'll see what I can do." thing and he came down to 4.2K (K means thousand) It was more then we wanted to pay but it seems that you always pay more than you plan on. We decided to get it and signed the papers and all that. Wife was worried that they wouldn't take a personal check but I told her before that if they didn't then we wouldn't get the car. The bonus to all this was that Wife had a screeming headache for most of the day and barely managed to drive home. Anyway, it's in our driveway now and I think we did good but as with everything time will tell.

'Leenie had her first bath today.

" 'sup!"

Concert fun

This was my view of Holl at her concert last night. Flute players by the nature of the instrument requires a certain posture. This causes an unfortunate view of the last flute player in the row. This also makes it difficult to see Holl. I suppose the seating order is dependant on ability rather than back width but you would think that they could take some aesthetics into consideration when assigning seats. It was just me and M.I.L. because Wife stayed home and the boys weren't all that interested in listening to the concert. I was saved the cat-torturing sounds of the orchestra as well as the choir. I must say that the difference a year makes was plainly evident in the two bands that played. The high school jazz band also played and Holl wanted to watch them so we stayed to that. They played some familiar tunes and seemed to have a good time. I think Holl may want to be in the jazz band but she may be playing the wrong instrument unless they play lots of Jethro Tull tunes. (Jethro Tull is a rock band that features the flute). She is trying to teach herself the trumpet so maybe she could play the trumpet in the jazz band. My' is doing good as are we all. I promise more baby pictures soon.

More fotos

We have a built in helper with Holl. I haven't hardly gotten to hold My' at all since she came home. We haven't had to cook a meal since Thursday with all the many people who have come by with meals and goodies. In our ward a baby is such a rarity that when someone does have a kid it is almost suffocated with all the love that is lavished on it and the family. Thanks everyone!