Greetings from Greece.

Hey family.... Here is a pic from my first day in Athens!! It is crazy and beautiful and old.... and a bit dirty, okay, a actually pretty dirty, but beautifull!!! And there are tons of HOT HOT HOT men. Like really beautiful. Like even when they are wearing fanny packs they still manage to be amazingly beautiful.

More to come... just checking in from this side of the globe!! Have to go get dinner before it gets too dark! (So far the jetlag hasnt been too bad!!)

LOVE YOU ALL!

The remodel

Our house remodel started last Monday. It is amazing at what has been accomplished so far. Mostly a lot of destruction. But we now have a new roof and a dormer. We were grateful for sunny skies and hard work (mostly done by others).

Rafting pics (continued)

Here are pics from the second camera. I don't think Max will ever be able to follow in his dads footsteps politically with that wierd nipple picture. Don't ask, you don't want to know. I still need to finish off a roll from the second trip, then I will post pictures of that. Enjoy!!

Pics of rafting (1 of 2)

This is a best of from one of my cameras, and feels like it took me like an hour to get this online, and since I have plans today (GO DUCKS!) you will have to wait for the other camera. Enjoy!

September 16th

I called the state board today to find out that my file will be reviewed on September 16th during the qualifications meeting. I will be on the phone during the time they review my file to answer questions if need be. I am a little nervous and super excited. Please keep us in your prayers that all will go well.

I have a long list of things to blog about:
Haley's first birthday
Rafting/Camping
Passing my CPA Exam (it may be old and lame but it is still on my list of things to do)
My plans for my half, first and triathlon.

Yesterday I had even a longer list but we will see how this one goes. Let's hope that I find the time to do it.

I still love Rutabagas... Do YOU?

I thought we were revitalizing this blog?


Where are all the 2009 rafting photos?


Anyone want to post some PG-13 Harry Potter pick up lines?


I am leaving for Greece in one month from yesterday.






So could someone please go put these out??

When do we go again? I cant wait!!

Would you believe....

... it takes me approximately 17 minutes to drive my car to work and I made it there on my bicycle this morning in 23? Plus the advantages of exercise, enjoying fresh air and nice weather, and being accosted by about 20 pathetic junkie losers begging for change (tomorrow I doubt I will take the route that goes by the methadone clinic).

Deep thought or senseless blather?

Remember that bumper sticker you used to see all the time (or at least I did) that said "Practice Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty". Sounds nice, right? But think about it, what exactly is a senseless act of beauty? Can anyone name me something that would be a senseless act of beauty? Seems like a lot of feelgood crap by pinheads, for pinheads.

I had a fabulous time in Eugene this last weekend.

by popular demand

So yesterday I was riding in the car with Jennifer and Erin and Erin says something about not knowing what she would do with all her free time if she didn't have either school or a job. So I mentioned what I did. They expressed an interest in seeing it, although I am sure only to laugh at me. I had thought to mention it to Gina, but I am sure with three busy children she doesn't need any time wasters.

It all started with Taylor. He got some coloring books like Batman and Star Wars and when I would go over to his house and he wanted to color, all the pictures I wanted to color he would say "I was going to color that." So I went online and found these pictures, printed them out, and took them over there so I could color cool pictures. I found I really liked it. It may sound silly, but I felt pride at doing a good job with it. Each of these pictures represents probably half hour to an hours worth of work. I would blend colors and try to do shading and stuff. After putting all that work into it I didn't just want to have them sitting in a pile on my table or something, I wanted to see them. So I hung them on my wall.

P.S. I am really glad this blog is still going and I am not the only one posting on it in the last 3 weeks.

Go Morgan!!

Congrats to Morgan for having both the teams in the championship game on her bracket! The best I can to is 5th place if UNC wins and I pass Max. I checked this blog a few days ago, after not checking it for a couple weeks. The last post I had seen was the suggestion to delete this blog. I am glad it wasn't deleted. I am glad the Portland clan went on a fun springbreak vacation. My job is going well, I feel pretty comfortable that I know what I am supposed to be doing most of the time and that other people there are pleased with me in my work and my attitude. Does anyone know who Chelsea Hemmdinger is? I got an email that she tried to friend me on Facebook, but since I don't go to facebook I haven't a clue. I assume that someone else who added me (mom and cam) from my ancient account had me on their page and I was seen through that.

We're alive!

In case any one wonders if we have fallen off the planet - we haven't.  We enjoyed a great get-a-way for spring break.  Then have returned back to reality.  Work, or not working, school, etc.   Everyone is doing well.  I am finding that being unemployed isn't as fulfilling as I imagined.  I am trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up - because I think it is right upon me, so I need to know!  Does anyone have any suggestions.  I only know that I have ruled out a few things.

Hey Kristy!!!

Good luck tomorrow. I will be thinking of you and imagining you getting an A+++++.

I was also thinking of your story about when you were at your work picnic. Check this website out. My twitter friend John Mayer told me all about it. http://www.r-word.org/

Home again home again jiggety jig....

This is a picture that I took in my old apartment.


Here are pics of my new apartment:

WELL WHERE ARE THE POSTS????????????????

So, I'm thinking that we all don't want the blog to end, but no new posts. What's up with that?? Here is my past few days. On the way back from Spokane we stopped and picked up Taylor to have him for the week. What fun we had. Again he about wore out Gramma, that little guy is full speed ahead from wake up time till bedtime. He was such a good boy while he was here. Of course he missed his family, and there were times of sadness because of that, but generally he was so happy. What a sweet spirit he has, good job there K, and Cam.
Wed, AM Gramma took off with him to Newport to spend the night with Grandpa BOZO, from all reports they had lots of fun at the aquarium, and at the beach. Wish I could have gone with them.
It is about 4:30 pm on Thursday, and they are on the way back to Eugene, then after a quick stop, Grandma will be on her way home for some much needed rest.
Have a good weekend all.

Cancel

Naw, I think we should regroup and maybe post more often. I know I checked for days on end and there was nothing new. So I say keep it going if people will post once in a while.
New word: BALDERDASH, WHAT IS IT????????

The Blog

I am thinking we should probably just delete this thing. What say ye?

Family

This blog was created to be fun so we could all interact together. Where the heck are you all?
So here is a shout out.

We miss you Aunt Susie.
I haven't learned any new words Ben.
I haven't seen xo xo in a really long time Momma.
I have no idea what Gina is doing not working. I hope you are living it up.
Max how is the new years resolution coming. Are you still getting rich?
Jason new job and then what you fall off the planet.

I hope to hear from you all soon. I love you!!!

Taylor's B-Day

Taylor turned 5 yesterday. It was a great day filled with sugar. The day started with donuts (his choice). At roughly 3:00 we brought Cake to school. It was a bubble gum party. We had a rule no gum until you are 5. He is going gum crazy right now. The cake had bubble gum ice cream in it. The grown ups that tried it thought it was disgusting. We went to McDonalds for dinner with the Thompson's and then came back for presents. Taylor got a WII. I don't know how late the boys stayed up but it was late. Here is the funny thing this morning he is changing all the little mii's to have the same color blue shirt. What the heck is that about? Let's hope this doesn't turn into something more.

I can't believe that this little guy has turned 5. He has brought such tremendous happiness and laughter to our home. I can remember when he was brand new sitting out side his door listening to him cry and crying myself. How I am glad those days our gone but I also miss them. He has become so independent and smart.

This year has been a busy one.Taylor began swim lessons and has been in advanced flippers for 6 months now, he has to back float for 20 feet to move on, he'll get it.It is great to see him progressing and learning.

He has started doing very simply adding and subtracting. He loves to read books and we find him night after night curled up under his covers with a flashlight reading.

He is a great example to us. He has really started to pray for things. Sometimes they are a little goofy but it is great to hear. He won't go to bed without saying prayers and if mommy and daddy say it's to late to read scriptures he puts up a fight.

His little sister arrived in August and he has adjusted amazingly. He loves her so much and I just can't wait for her to start taking his toys. He caught his very first fish this year and loves fishing.

His aunt Erin cheers for the Emerald All Stars and Taylor enjoyed many a Saturdays watching competitions. He learned how to do a pineapple jump. It drives Cam a little bit crazy so I of course love it.

Taylor thanks for being an amazing brother, an awesome cheerleader (he he), fun loving, a great listener and an awesome kid. Daddy and mommy love you so much. You are the best and we are so proud of you. Keep up the good work.I can't believe what this next year holds, we will get to play t-ball which we are all excited for, soccer, swim and we start Kindergarten. Oh my goodness.We love you!!!

Flakey... flighty... non-comittal

So I bailed on my forty new things.

I was actually really excited about it when I first had the idea. But then I encountered problems. First of all I could only come up with 30 items for my list. And they were all big expensive things. So I picked a new more personal Lent experiment and so far it is going well. It is nice to be taking a moment for some self sacrifice and growth.

Life in Jenville is pretty much same as always. I have been working almost 60hr weeks for the last month. The remodel on the second half of our unit was completed. You may remember last summer I was crazy busy when they finished the first half. I have been the lucky winner of organizing all things office related and ordering new supplies and troubleshooting anything that comes up in those departments. It is funny how much I LOVE organizing other peoples business, yet on my couch right now I have a ten foot pile of clean laundry to fold. Although that could be directly related to the 60hr work week. Plus there was shopping involved. You might not think buying staplers and pencil cups and dry erase boards is exciting... but it is. I still got to shop with someone elses money, right? So it is finally finished.. patients have been moved and the new stuff is all in its pretty place and life can mostly return to normal.

Next week I am hoping to move. Would you all be surprised that I am staying in my building, but just moving one floor up? The tenants in the one bedroom above me are SO loud, so I am glad they are leaving. Plus I am 96% sure that I will take that apartment. It is 800sq ft, (twice the size of my current apt) and a real one bedroom. Plus it is only slightly more expensive... and I am maybe ready to not live in the murky basement. Plus with 400 extra square feet, my laundry might find a home that is not my couch.

Hope you are all well! I am off to fold laundry while I watch The Visitor! Anyone else seen any good movies lately?

Funny Things and then some

Well it has been a long time since I have blogged. Please forgive me ahead of time for the lengthiness of this one.

Cam and I tricked Taylor into believing that he had Jedi powers. He had an amazing power over the car. He can lock and unlock it on command. When Taylor figured out that Cam might possibly be using the clicker he started making Cam take his hands out of his pockets. Then I started unlocking the car. Just picture out little dud standing three feet away from the car with his hand stretched out.

Our next baby will be named Luke. Taylor was quite upset when he realized that some mom's actually like there kiddo's and name them Luke. He actually asked me why I didn't name him Luke. He decided that maybe it would be okay if our next boy could have the luxury of being named after Luke Skywalker.

Haley had her six month check up. She is absolutely beautiful. I will have to figure out how to get pictures of our camera. We took some really cute photos of the two little kiddo's today.
Height 27 inches 87%
Weight 16lbs 14 oz 54%
Head Circ 17 70%

She is super cute and has been very busy lately. We expect her to start crawling any day. She loves fruit but doesn't enjoy the vegetables as much. She does like green beans and peas. Well she is being fussy and I should go make dinner. So I will try to do better at the blogging thing.

My All Time NBA Team and Favorite NBA Players

Here are my picks for my all time NBA team and my all time favorite NBA players. My decisions were based on each player during their prime as well as a bias to guys that I watched play while I was growing up. So here it is:

All time NBA team with 10 players:

Point Guard: Magic Johnson


Shooting Guard: Michael Jordan


Small Forward: Larry Bird


Power Forward: Karl Malone


Center: Shaq


And here are the backups:

Point Guard: John Stockton


Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant


Small Forward: Lebron James


Power Forward: Charles Barkley


Center: David Robinson or Hakeem Olajuwon




My favorite NBA players:

Point Guard: Gary Payton


Shooting Guard: Michael Jordan


Small Forward: Scottie Pippen


Power Forward: Shawn Kemp


Center: David Robinson