Pioneer Day 2008

This year's Pioneer day was a total blast! I hope you are all willing to check out my sister's blog here because she has given a great recap of the evening at my parents' house. Rather than even try to match the sweet blog entry they have, I'll just refer to hers and add these few pics. Oh ya, I'll also add the clip of Tyler's song he made up for his favorite firework, The Sky Spider.

I do have more to add from that morning. Jamie wanted to get out and try an open water swim in preparation for our Spudman race on Saturday. So, we packed up the kids and went to Deer Creek where we met up with Jamie's sister, Tracy. They both swam and we had the kids out in little blow up rafts. Marcus loved throwing little rocks in the water and Tyler, of all things, enjoyed pulling me around the shoreline while I lounged in the boat. It was so great!

I was a little bit of a scrooge the night before. I didn't really want to get up early on a day off, pack everything up, etc. However, I'm glad we went as I had as good a time as anyone.

A Visit from my "Blood" Brother

Seems crazy, but it was about 9 years ago that I was looking for a roommate for my junior year at BYU. I just happened to start talking to this wacked out West Virginian who was living in my complex, but surrounded by slobs. Well, that meeting literally turned the next two years of school on its head.

Dan Blood and I became roommates and did about everything together for the next two years. Of course, this stunk whenever we met new people. They would inevitably ask about our majors. Dan would say, "I'm studying Chemical Engineering." They would respond with "Wow, you must be smart." Then I would say I was studying Chinese and they would tilt their heads and say "what are you going to do with that?" I often felt like pulling out a stick and beating these people, but that would be impolite. So instead I would say, "Actually I'm the smart one, for all you know Dan here is failing out of Chemical Engineering."

Turns out they were right after all. Dan is a successful Nuclear Engineer working on the U.S. submarines (at least they better be our subs he is working on.) Meanwhile, the last time I spoke Chinese was just so Tyler wouldn't catch on that we were planning on putting him to bed a little early.

Dan and I really were a great pairing. We were even both born on April 8, "The Divine Day", and enjoyed nothing better than humor at our own expense. We were never the best looking duo in any of our wards. But on more than one occassion I was asked by a girl if I could get them a date with Dan because they heard our creative dates were a blast. Who knew dates that cost so little, like making boats to race downstream or marshmellow-gun wars at the park would be so fun.

Dan and I are both a little more grown up now. I still love hearing him tell stories of the crazies he taught in New York on his mission. I even think he still likes hearing me tell some of my "classic" missteps. This past week Dan and his beautiful wife and daughter were in town. It was so great seeing him again. You know you are really good friends when you can go a full six months without contact and pick right up where you left off without the need for apologies.

Dan is also still just as skinny as I am. Somehow the topic of the show "the Biggest Loser" came up and we both feel discriminated against. So, if anyone in TV show land is reading. You should seriously consider a show called, "The Great American Bulk Up." Dan and I would make great contestants.

Pool Party!

Not a lot to say on this post, but had a couple cute pictures and a video I wanted to share. This summer on several occassions we have pulled out the big blow up pool and borrowed the neighbors slide. Our boys seem to love cooling off in the water. Marcus surprises me with how much he seems to enjoy the water despite being so young. Tyler is constantly putting his face under water because "it feels cool." Both of our boys inherited their Uncle Carl's love of water and water fights. I love that I can already have a water fight with Tyler without his complaining when I get him. (The same can't be said for all the kids in the neighborhood, including some quite a bit older)."

Me and My Boys

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How My Parents Fell in Love

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Tyler's Water Belly

Last night was one of those parental moments that you could never see coming. Being the baseball junkie that I am I was watching the All-star game when Jamie and Tyler went for a little walk. When they came back Tyler drank a ton of water to cool down. We then sent him to get his PJs on. About two minutes later he came sprinting out of his room with a huge smile on his face and acting really excited. I thought maybe he had found a long lost toy or something. Instead he says, "dad wanna hear something so cool?" How do you say no to that. He then proceeds to do some little jig and asks, did you hear that? I was totally confused and he could tell so he did it again. His little belly made this very loud swishing sound and then he giggled over to his mom to show her.

He spent the rest of the bedtime routine (brushing teeth, scriptures, prayer, story etc) taking pauses to swish his belly around and each time he did it his face would light up and he would giggle for a solid minute. What a little nut!


I'm sure this is one of those experiences that you sorta had to be there to really appreciate, but I know Jamie and I definately appreciated our little Water Belly Boy.

Here is a little video we took, I don't think we caught the actual sound of the belly very well. However, Tyler's reactions are pretty great.(You can sorta make it out one of the times, but trust us, it was, indeed, pretty loud).

A Belated 4th of July Post

Well, given Marcus' illness last week I didn't get time to post anything about July 4th. I'm sure that some of you have had more than your fill of July 4th postings so I promise to add a video that is a little unusual (even if it is at my expense).

The 4th this year was a little more relaxed than previous years because the Guth's were out of town and the Laurence's went to Stadium of Fire. So, Tyler and Marcus had their parents and grandparents all to themselves. In the morning we went to the park and in the afternoon cousin Morgan came and played in our blow up pool. (I'll make another post later about the fun our boys have had in our blow up pool this year).

Since Tyler has been asking about Fireworks for months now (I'm not kidding!) we got started a little early with parachuters, sky spiders and smoke bombs. Luckily, our neighbors the Mellings and Halls had us over to watch some of their fountains so that we didn't run out of fireworks before it got dark. Of course, only yours truly is a fine enough connoisseur of fireworks to know that Black Cat Fireworks far exceed TNT fireworks for variety in color and size. As such, our finale, in my less than humble opinion, was the best! If only I could use my pyro skills for good!

Tyler was so enamored with the fireworks that he even convinced me to let him attend the Laurence's firework party on Monday night (the last night fireworks were legal). For more on that show see the Laurence's post here.

A little story here before the video I promised. When I was in college we used to spruce up our firework shows by running through the fountains much like one runs through the sprinklers. However, once I started hosting firework parties with children in attendance this no longer seemed like such a good idea. As such, I was trying to find a way to spruce up a fireworks show, but still have the show on a budget (and legal, I have enough illegal fire stories). So, I discovered that if I made a goofy face or dance while lighting one of the strobe "flasher" fireworks the kids would all laugh. This trend grew to where the kids joined in the dance and now the flasher is the Besaw favorite as all the kids whip out their favorite dance moves. I especially like a few of Tyler's moves in this video. He is the kid on the far right.

This tradition evolved to the point where the first year in our Lehi home I broke out my ole stand by dance move, "the worm." Now, it is tradition that each year I have to do the worm at least once. Well, this year it was caught on tape so...here is a video of my making a fool of myself doing the worm (the Laurence post has a great video of my nephew Clayton's version of the worm).

The Memory Game Craze

I've seen this on a bunch of blogs today and though you may be burning out of it, I think it sounds fun. So, I figured that I'd give it a shot as well. Please feel free to play along.

Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

A Dose of Perspective

I always worry a little when my blog postings aren't simply a record of an event or a quick story. I guess I fear that when I write the more serious things in my head it will either sound trivial, cheesy or something. However, this past week gave me such a reality check that I wanted to share a few of my reflections (and they say writing is good therapy).

In the Book of Mormon the cycle of pride is outlined multiple times. A rundown for those who haven't heard of it, the pride cycle goes something like this: a people (or person) is righteous, due to their righteousness they are blessed, owing to their blessings they becomes prideful, being prideful drives them away from righteousness, trials fall upon the wicked, overcoming the trials leads them back to righteousness. They key is to find a way to be humble without the trials being put in your path. If you can get on your knees and be penitent without trials then the chances go up that you won't face the trials aimed at humbling you. Of course, that isn't the reason for all trials, but it can be a reason for trials.

I think sometimes I fall victim to not only the pride cycle, but also the perspective cycle. I have all these blessings in my life. Seriously, I have SO much to be grateful for. However, when I begin to pursue or be consumed with those blessings (usually things) that I don't have is when something happens to alter one of my life's greatest blessings.

Are you with me so far? If you are baffled, its probably me and not you.

So to the heart of my point. Over the last little while it seems my focus has been on things I wish I had (like a killer vacation, a wii, the funds to finish my basement, etc) and am bugged by things less important (why do I still have acne at 31, why is it so hard to find time to exercise, why does my lawn have so many dry spots). To be fair, I'm generally a pretty optimistic and grateful guy (I think) but like a lot of us, I struggle at times.

Well, this past week I got a pretty sound Wack upside the head to remind me what really matters. Starting last Thursday little Marcus had flu like symptoms. Friday the 4th he did pretty well, but again Saturday he couldn't keep anything down and had a pretty serious case of the dry heaves. Sunday came and his condition continued to worsen. He was so lethargic that all he wanted to do was sleep or lay on your lap. After many calls back and forth to different clinical nurses and doctors we decided that we would let him sleep Sunday and take him in on Monday.

Monday came and we were sent to American Fork hospital where Marcus was hooked up to an IV and they ran tests on his urine and blood. When the results came back my world came to a stop. The doctor reported that Marcus' Pancreas levels were about 4 times the normal number and that this was VERY unusual in a child of his age. We were rushed down for a CT scan and those results were favorable for the pancreas but showed a good deal of abnormality in the Liver. The doctors that we saw were thorough and helpful, but didn't relieve our fears much.

Added to the problem was that owing to either nerves or the flu virus, Jamie began showing all the symptoms of the flu. Monday night I stayed with Marcus at the hospital and realized that no matter what happened, the only things that really mattered to me weren't things at all. I realized that my perspective was all wrong in dwelling on envy or my shortcomings and that I should be so grateful for my healthy and wonderful boys, my amazing wife, and the great network of friends and family that I enjoy.

The next morning poor Marcus had to get poked about 3 times in order to draw enough blood to run some (but not all) the tests the doctor's wanted. The poor little guy will likely have a fear of nurses until he is well past adolescence.

Of course, by this time I was feeling the flu symptoms as well. All day Tuesday both Jamie and I were struggling. But, Marcus was the worst off. Poor little guy. He did finally start feeling better once Tyler came to visit and his fluids came back. In fact, for a while we were optimistic that we might get to go home that day...alas, that was not the case. Despite his color coming back and his smiling and enjoying playing catch on his bed, the doctor was still quite worried about Marcus' liver test results. As such, we had to stay the night again and more blood had to be drawn this morning.

I spent Tuesday night tossing and turning hoping my fever would break. It did finally, and when I went back to the hospital this morning the doctor came in and was pretty encouraging. Marcus' levels had dropped down much closer to normal. Combined with his having not thrown up since Sunday night we were allowed to leave.

We came home and Marcus' face shined! He was running all around and so excited to be home. Of course, to keep us from being too comfortable, he did throw up his lunch. AHH! I really hope this passes soon. The good news is that I am pretty sure that the worst is behind us.

Perhaps the best thing to come from this...I think I'm back on the right side of the perspective cycle. I can honestly think of nothing that I want more right now than for my little boy to be healthy and for life to get back to normal.

Lehi Round Up Parade

One thing that is awesome about being a dad is when you just know you are helping your children make memories that will last a lifetime. I was blown away this morning when Tyler came to my room talking about fireworks. He remembered that last year we had a parachute that we shot off at the Laurence house that went over the backyard fence. He remembered that Spencer had his football helmet with him last year and he remembered that we played a running game (we had played "kick the can"). His face was aglow the whole time he was telling me about these memories.

Often, making those types of memories for our children can be taxing. That was the case this past weekend when the boys, Jamie and I participated in our ward's float for the Lehi Parade. Following a hurried dinner on Friday, Jamie and I took the boys and our wagon over to join with the ward at Wine's Park in Lehi. Our float theme was "FootLoose" and the children were all wearing funny socks or mismatched shoes or the like. We won an award for "Most Unique" (is that a compliment?). The children had even learned a little line dance that went along with the chorus. Tyler went to the dance practice, but I think he was relieved nonetheless when he was able to ride on the float instead of dance.

Jamie pulled Marcus in the wagon and he seemed to really enjoy it. Of course, Tyler was in his element. His favorite part was when I would take the squirt bottle I was using to cool kids off with and spray it into his gaping mouth. I enjoyed being the unofficial squirter, but I'll tell you what, my sister Melissa really seemed to get into squirting the crowd. (If you look really close you can see a line of water going into Tyler's mouth)

When we were all done with the route on Friday night, Melissa asked if I might be willing to help out the next day. When I told Tyler he could ride on the float again he exclaimed, "I love Parades!"

Jamie and Marcus took day two off (and who could blame them) but I really had a special time with Tyler. I walked him around before the parade started so he could see all of the floats. He was so cute and excited. We had lunch together and played around while waiting for the parade to end.Perhaps one of the most special things was seeing how much Tyler enjoyed throwing candy to the crowds (even if most of it had to be picked up and thrown again by those walking near the float). I hope that he always prefers the giving to the receiving.

For those not able to witness the parade, you are in luck. Uncle Craig captured the following video that shows the troops as they pass by. Notice how much fun the kids (and adults) are having. You can also see a little of Jamie dancing, Tyler on the float, and my causing trouble with another adult (all pretty typical of the evening). My favorite part of the video is that the little Fuller girl is being pulled behind the float as a "princess." Check out how awesome her little wave is...great fun!

I was "Tagged"

Apparently there is something going around where people tag readers of their blog and they have to respond to the questions. Well. my friend Jason Russell tagged me, so here are my answers (pretty boring I know):

Four places I visit over & over:
1. My office
2. My house
3. Costco (especially their gas pumps)
4. ESPN.com

Four People who e-mail-txt me regularly:
1. Ken Farr
2. Any of the guys from my fantasy baseball league
3. Word of the Day
4. My wife

Four favorite foods:
1. Most Seafood (too bad its so pricey here in UT)
2. Authentic Taiwan Breakfast (how I miss those mornings!)
3. Cafe Rio Pork Burrito (or salad)
4. My mom's meatloaf (which is also great when my wife makes it)

Four places I'd rather be:
1. Wrigley Field
2. Great Wall of China
3. Some sweet Beach somewhere
4. Goblin Valley (coolest adult playground anywhere)

Four movies I'd watch over & over (...or DO watch over & over):
1. Batman Begins
2. The Bourne Trilogy
3. Mission Impossible (I or III but not II)
4. What about Bob

Groups I love to listen to:
1. The Primary Kids in my Ward
2. They Might Be Giants (tee hee)
3. U2
4. The Ramones

Four People I am tagging (However, I won't mind if you don't respond, I'm picking you because I think you actually check my blog more than once a year):
1. Matt
2. Melissa
3. Miranda
4. Carl

A Final Ragnar Post

Okay, I am sure that many of you are sick of my Ragnar posts; however, it really was the most amazing experience. Truly something I won't forget. Here are a few final pics.

This was our home away from home for the adventure

Special thanks to the Farr family for loaning us their land yacht.

Matt and I putting on our Breathe Right strips...took Matt a couple of tries but eventually he figured out that you take the paper off and use the sticky part!
Back Row Day 2, be glad that pictures don't capture smells.Running with my glove like vest, headlamp & Sunglasses. STYLIN!Running with my hand out ready for water.
One leg down, 2 to go!

My Wasatch Back Legs

I've had a few people ask me about my specific legs of the race from Friday and Saturday. So, along with a few pictures from the event, here is a breakdown of my runs. I was going to wait until I had all the pictures together, but got too anxious today at lunch...so the only pictures are from the last day of the race.

Our team name was All Night Long and one theme song of ours was Rascal Flat's "Life is a Highway." Our team time was just over 29 hours which is a pace of about 9:37 miles. Not bad considering all that we endured.

I was our runner number 11 and had a pretty reasonable leg. My first leg was 3.8 miles up over old Snow Basin Road. If I had the time to look back I would have seen a beautiful view of Pineview Resorvoir. Over the first 2.9 miles I gained just over 900 feet and over the last mile I dropped about 500 feet. I was surprised that given it was my first leg I didn't seem to find a really good groove on this run. In the end I finished up in 31:35. According to my neighbors Garmin that I borrowed I had traveled 3.86 miles for a pace of about 8:15 minute miles. Not a great time, but no one passed me and I passed 7 runners. Something that kept me pushing when I felt frustrated that I hadn't hit my groove. I would just pick out a runner ahead and promise I could ease up once I passed them. This game got me up and over the hill I was running. I started the run just a little before 8pm and it was neat watching the sun begin to set. Because of the hour I had to wear a reflective vest (at least 5 sizes too big) and a headlamp, but since the sun was glaring in my eyes I also kept my sunglasses on. I bet I looked really great wearing my vest, a headlamp and sunglasses.

From there the group camped out near East Canyon Resorvoir or some such place. We tried to rest on concrete and I got zero sleep. When Van #2 tagged us off it was pretty cold and I was looking forward to a pitch dark run...but alas by the time I ran it was nearing sun-up. On my second leg I saw the sunrise (again while wearing a vest and headlamp, this time no sunglasses).

My second leg felt a lot better than my first and I really hit a great groove. I ran 4.6 miles of fairly flat terrain. I have no idea exactly where I was but I finished in the town of Wanship, and the next runner took us past Rockport Lake (and Kent Canyon Road). I finished my 4.6 miles in less time than it took me to run 3.8 the night before. I was very pleased with my time of 28:52. A pace of around 6:20 minute miles. Along the run I passed an additional 16 runners. Though one lady that I passed came up behind me and took a lead from me for a few minutes. It was all the motivation I needed to sprint to the finish of this leg passing her right before I tagged out.

From there our group went to South Summit High where the gym was littered with sleeping bodies. Here I got my first shower in what seemed like forever and tried to sleep. I don't think I got much actual sleep, but the rest felt good. Knowing that my next leg would be the heat of the day and downhill I spent a lot of the time stretching and hoping my legs would forgive me for making them scream down the hill.

The heat and dust of Guardsman's pass was tough. Watching our runners as they climed that peak I knew I was in for it coming down. I started my run at about 3pm and it was over 90 degrees. Ironic that I ran by snow at the start because I was up so high.

The altitude wasn't too terrible, the heat was awful. I started out going up hill about 3oo feet of elevation in just a few hundred yards. Then, it was the drop. I passed through Deer Valley Ski Resort all the while causing my legs to scream and plead for help. I've never felt my thighs so acutely. The run was supposed to be 6.9 miles, but the Garmin read a full 7 miles and I felt every yard. My van was great as they stopped about every half mile so I could rinse the cotton feeling out of my mouth and pour more water over my head. Ironically, the last song that played on my ipod as I came to the end was the Ramones' "I want to be Sedated." Boy did I ever!

When I finally crossed my finish line I was too excited to remember to push stop on my Garmin. However, I did stop it before long and know that I ran the leg in about 55 minutes. Somewhere around 8 minute miles. Although that isn't great timing for going downhill, it definately took everything I had to make it. As I dropped I passed 6 runners. One cute little gal said to me as I passed, "Are your feet burning too?" "Oh ya!" I replied. And I'm still feeling it today, three days later. I was pretty proud that through it all I was never passed by a runner that I didn't also pass, and I was able to put 30 runners behind me. I don't know why I keep track of stuff like that, I guess that is some of my dad's competitive juices seeping out of me.

We met up with the last runner for our team about a hundred yards from the finish line and we raced in as a group. Some of our team had to leave owing to a plane flight, exhaustion, family obligations etc. However, it was awesome finishing as a team.

I can't wait to do it again next year!

Waiting to start my final leg...I'm a little anxious.

The picture above is from my last leg.

In this pic I am pouring water over my head from heat, but running past a bank of snow!

This was the home stretch for me, one more runner to try to pass before I was done!

Here I tag off for the last time...I'm all done!

Finishing as a team!

WE DID IT!

Leaving it all on the Course

Over the next few days (or weeks) I intend to blog a good deal about this past weekend's Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay Race. This was one of my most favorable memories I've had in a long time. For those who have never heard of it, the race comprises of 12 runners with varying legs in a race from Logan to Park City (about 180 miles). The race runs through the night and includes a stretch up, over and back down Guardsman's pass (STEEP!). Each runner ran 3 times over the course of the race (which our team completed in 29 hours). For more info go to Ragnarrelay.com and click on the Utah link. From there you can learn all about the race course etc.

Several of my teammates were taking pictures and I haven't been able to get them all yet. As soon as I do I will upload pictures and tell more about the race itself. I didn't take many pictures because they seemed to be doing such a good job of it. However, I actually wanted to share one thought that really struck me as I went through this draining (but so fun) experience.

Each leg of the race is very different. In fact, some of the legs are considerably harder than others. (The runners who had to go over Guardsman can attest to this). Each runner's legs had their own unique challenges. At the same time, each runner came to the race with a different level of preparedness. For some of the runners this was a first race. One runner had only known about the race for a few weeks and was an emergency fill-in. Other runners had been running for years. Each runner had their own style, and one runner on our team had to come all the way back to Salt Lake, attend a wedding reception, and meet up with us at the East Canyon Resavoir.

As I watched each runner there was no doubt that we all, at some point, were fighting an emotional battle willing our bodies to go on despite the feeling that it would be easier to just quit. It was so inspirational to see friends of mine gut through heat, dust, altitude, incline (or decline) and fatigue/exhaustion. I was moved, in particular, by the performances of our two power runners who faced Guardsman's Pass without folding to the pressure of quitting as they gritted out each grueling step.

Finally, after all was said and done we crossed the finished line...tired, hobbling, but with heads held high. As I looked over at my wife and two boys I honestly thought I was going to cry. As I look back, it really didn't matter how fast our team completed the course. It didn't matter who endured what legs...all that matter was that we all gave everything we had and left nothing on the course. I was so proud of each individual and therefore so proud of our team time.

As I reflect on life here on earth, this race seems so indicitive of what we faced on that mountain. No two people face the same challenges. Some legs in life are significantly harder than others and no two of us have the same skill set coming into life. However, in the end, it doesn't matter who the fastest runner was, it only matters that you leave nothing on the course. That you give your all despite the days it seems like it would be easier to just quit.

I truly hope that when my time on earth comes to an end, that I can feel like I did on Saturday. I may not have been the best runner there. I may not have had the hardest nor easiest leg. But through it all, I gave it my all. I hope that I look back on my life, like this race, knowing I gave it all that I had. I can honestly tell each member of my team that they got the best I had on that day. I hope I can tell my family the same as I pass from this life.

I hope that we can all be sure to leave nothing behind on the course.

All About Marcus

Looking over the blog I realized that I hadn't devoted all that much time to our little Marcus. He is still at that stage hwere it is hard to capture in writing the fun things he does and even harder to catch him doing them on video or with a picture. Still, we do have some fun pictures and stories.First and foremost Marcus is clearly a Grandpa's boy. He really takes to both his Grandpa Rod and Grandpa John. Both of his grandmas wish he took to them as well. However, it is so adorable watching him snuggle up to his grandpas. When G-pa John was in town last Marcus was asked where his nose was, to which he replied by pushing his nose up against his grandpa's nose. It was totally cute and you can see the video below.

Marcus is also quite the rock star. Every Sunday when we drive to church he really loves to belt out the Sounds of Sunday. He cracks me up. He has a pretty natural rhythm too. Clearly he gets all of this from his mother because none of it comes from me.

Marcus is all boy! He absolutely loves to play with his brothers basketball hoop and loves any kind of ball. He has quite an arm for such a little guy and also enjoys wrestling with his brother (until he gets hurt). Marcus also has the ability to turn anything into a gun and make it go "Pow Pow!" If you catch him on the right day he will even pretend to play dead...and that is adorable.
In my last post I mentioned that Marcus is like Jack Jack. It is so true. He has never really fallen into a great sleep cycle and though he can be as sweet and loving as any child, when he isn't sleeping right, he does have a bit of a fiery side. Jamie reports that Beth (his hairdresser) almost couldn't stop laughing long enough to cut his hair last time because of his Grunting at her. When he gets mad it isn't just whining, he will literally growl and grit his face and throw a little 18 month year-old tantrum. It is actually pretty funny, that is when you aren't in the midst of dealing with it. Most of the time though he is all smiles and lights up any room with his glowing personality.

Recently, Marcus has started to piece together the whole talking thing. He says "Dog" and "Ball" and "Tyler" all very well. He also is starting to get better at mimicking certain other sounds. For example, we really can't do much any more without hearing an "uh-oh" coming from Marcus. Also recently he saw a picture of his uncle Carl on the family calendar and spit it out perfectly (at least to his parents' ears). He also says "Bah Bye" very well.

Last, but not least, Marcus loves and adores his big brother, Tyler. They both love water fights and they love to make each other laugh. Tyler is getting better and better at being gentle with his brother and Marcus is getting better and better about bouncing back when he takes a Tyler thumping.

So Much To Blog, So Little Time

Sorry for the extreme neglect (all three of you faithful readers). It is always frustrating that when I have time to blog I don't have much to talk about and when I have tons to blog about I can't seem to find the time. Well, a few short memories to fill you in on with more to come soon (I hope).

First, another funny Tyler comment. We had our first fathers and sons campout a couple of weeks back. It was nice because it wasn't far from home but was out where the boys felt they were in the wilderness. In fact, Tyler even got worried about bears when one of his friends brought them up. However, the funny thing is that when we got back Tyler said his favorite part of the campout was..."the potty building." Yes, my son was impressed by the port-a-potty they brought in just for our campout. In fact, the first time he used it he said to me, "this sure is a nice building, I wish we had one like this for our potty." Later, he said "it sure was nice of the church and Jesus to let us use this nice potty for our camping trip." What a nut!

On the trip Tyler also became addicted to "ghost stories" and has been asking me non stop ever since to tell him a new ghost story. So, if any of you know a good, kid-friendly ghost story to share, please buzz me!

Next, a brief mention about what an athletic stud I married. Jamie competed again this year in the women of steel triathlon. She even beat her time from last year and had a lot of fun with both of her sisters. The second picture down from here was taken the evening of the race wearing their race shirts and necklaces. Congrats to all three of the Blackburn sisters.

Jamie really enjoys these tri races, and I love taking the boys to see her. This year grandma and grandpa Blackburn came along to cheer as well and grandpa helped make a cool sign. Even their Uncle Gary came out for the party. That night we were treated to some fine Elk Hash as grandpa John's brother Mike came over and spoiled us all with his cooking.

I know Jamie wishes she had more time to train and that it was easier to find times to workout; however, I remain in awe of how much she does get done. She is a strong woman and I think you will all agree she takes care of two of the cutest little boys ever.

Another fun happening of late was that Tyler officially graduated from his first year of pre-school. I really wasn't expecting much, boy was I wrong. They had the coolest little program complete with graduation gowns, etc. Tyler, unfortunately, was the class clown. I have no idea where he gets it! He was totally trying to make his mom and I laugh throughout the program. Fortunately, I hear that when we aren't around he is as good as gold. It was also fun being able to see Tyler's cousin Morgan graduate as well.

Next post I'll talk more about Marcus, but for now...don't worry he is still just a total cutie. Although, I do think he is a lot like Jack Jack from the show the Incredibles. One minute he is sweet as can be and the next minute you better watch out or he'll explode on you.