I don't know why we EVER set the clocks ahead in the Fall. It is so much nicer to have more daylight and more outside frolic time. Spring is much more a reality after daylight savings sets in.

The kids haven't been in the house at all over the last 48 hours. Football throwing, hoops shooting, tramp jumping have all been reintroduced overnight. This is all SO much better for them then being cooped up in the house all the time. Not to mention it is also nice for me and Jenny to not have them constantly under foot all the time... We just send them outside and let nature be the babysitter.

CHURCH, however, is a different story.

Jenny and I shot six wedding over the last two days. All of them went wonderfully, but we were beat by the time Saturday night rolled around. We made it through one American Idol and then, what is usually a 12:30/1:00 am bedtime, quickly morphed into an 11:00 bed time collapse. When the alarm went off at 7:00 AM (now 8) to get up for church, I might have cursed the daylight savings adjustment a time or two, but now, with the warm temperature and longer, sunnier day, I am recovering nicely.













One more thing: Shane and I were walking to our cars after church and his little one, after gnawing on a granola bar, had a sneezing attack. The pic below is the result. Some kids have great aim!

For those of you who don't know us, our summers are very busy. We average about 30 weddings a month during the crazy May, June, and August months. Needless to say, it isn't very fun, but, it is how we pay the bills.

So much of my work is determined by my personal state-of-mind. If I am grumpy, the day drags on. But if I am determined to have a good shoot and be happy, I really enjoy my job. There is nothing that I would rather be doing. There is however, one thing that I must do in order to be successful and happy on the job: I must have a vacation planned in the immediate future.

Vacations are what keep me going.

Alex is 8 and Isaac is 5. Both kids have been to several different countries, along with many of the 50 states. Some of our favorite vacations have been Europe (Alex was 1 when we went to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), Hawaii (2 trips and to all the islands), Mexico (both east and west including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, etc.), and many other states including Alaska, Florida, New York, and more.

There must ALWAYS be something to which we can look forward.

Otherwise, we are just working.

I don't know what the next vacation will be. We did a cruise in the Fall, the Snake River run is planned for July, but nothing is really planned for the immediate future. We are going to Moab at the end of the month, but I don't know if that counts.

I guess I better get planning!

When you are a member of my church (and most other churches as well), you are usually given a calling, or an assignment. I have had quite a few callings over the years. Some I have LOVED, others not so much. I've definitely learned something from each of them.
My friends and I have discussed callings as we all rotate from one to another, so I thought an interesting blog would be favorite and least favorite callings.
Favorite Calling
My favorite calling would definitely be Primary presidency. I am currently serving in my 4th presidency and man do I love it. We keep the gospel simple and the kids are so great. No standing in front of a room of adults wishing someone would say something, the kids have lots of great comments. "Yes, that is so fun your grandma got a new cat", "oh, I love going to get new shoes too", "I wish I could play with my cousins all day on Saturday"... The comments don't always go with the topic, but hey, I know plenty of adults who have a hard time with that.
Least Favorite Calling
I would have to say my least favorite calling would have to be Enrichment Leader. I was the Enrichment leader back in the day when we had it every month. Seriously, planning a party that all of the women in my ward would find enlightening and uplifting every month only to have five sisters show up (usually the same five every month), no thanks. By the way, I do make a concentrated effort to go every month now.
I have never had a calling in the Young Women, but I dread the day. I know plenty of you love it, but man, the hormones... the crying... the boy troubles... I don't know if I could handle that. Which is why, by the way, I won't be surprised when the Bishop calls someday to whisk me away from my beloved Primary to a "new growing experience" in the Young Womens. Sigh.
What is your favorite/least favorite "service opportunity"?

I don't know why you are all crying about Spring never coming, blah blah blah :) (JUST KIDDING... SETTLE DOWN). Sure, Spring is coming. Yes, it is exciting that it is warming up and we can start throwing the football outside again. There are a lot of other activities for which I am also excited. I understand...

BUT...

I rejoice during this time of the year for the fantastic Spring skiing conditions as well! We live in Utah! The greatest snow on earth all the way until JULY! 500+ inches a year. This is where we CHOOSE to live... embrace it!

My "fantastic" (his word, not mine) friend, Kelly (Tenacious Chubs as many of you know him) and I stormed the mountain today. One of the many perks of being a business owner; we can take a day here and there to hit the slopes (embracing).

I love it up there. The sky was blue. The snow was good. My ski play list blasting in my ears. And feeling the world pass by as I fly down the mountain. Euphoria. There truly is no better feeling.

Kelly tried snowboarding for the first, and probably last, time today. I think he now believes it is a lot harder than it looks (especially for old men like us!). I really think there could be some body parts on him that, at his age, will never heal after today...

Anyway, for all of you pining for Spring, why not step out of your comfort zone and try that for which the rest of the world knows us: The GREATEST SNOW on EARTH! Call me, and I will go with you!

m

I don't know how I feel about this tagging business... I thought being a DUDE exempted me from such girly things. So Jim, if I have to do this, so do you. Here you go, Kirstie, I am only doing this because I think you are rad.

Here are the rules.
#1 Link to the person that tagged you. http://sandylovells.blogspot.com/2008/02/tagged-again.html
#2 Post the rules on your blog.
#3 Share seven random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.
#4 Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
# 5 Leave a comment on their blogs so that they know they have been tagged.


OK. SEVEN RANDOM THINGS:

#1--I HATE social events where I have to go someplace just to talk to people. I dread forced conversation and 'small talk' with people I don't know. I am not good at it and I think it is a waste of time. This includes pretty much any social gathering, party, or anything over 4 people. I love hanging with friends, but I am not one for 'forced' relationships. In other words, I am the complete opposite of my wife.

#2--I HATE board games, cards, dominoes, or anything that I have to play around a table. It probably has to do with #1 as far as why.

#3--My favorite vacation place in the world is Island Park, Idaho in the summer. Cool temperatures, beautiful countryside, close to Yellowstone and the Snake River. I pretty much want to be buried there.

#4--My favorite restaurant is the Steak Pit at Snowbird for one reason only: the Bleu Cheese dressing. If you have had it, you know what I am talking about!

#5--My favorite all time movie is Face Off with John Travolta and Nicholas Cage. The LOTR trilogy is right there as well.

#6--I fear slimy, sticky things that can touch my hands or worse, my face. I am pretty obsessive/compulsive about this. Those who know me get a good laugh at this because they like to watch me freak out.

#7--I have many favorite treats, but there is one treat in particular around which I plan entire vacations! Disneyland, around Thanksgiving time, is the home of the most amazing Pumpkin Fudge on the planet. Try it sometime!

And there they are... seven things.

I tag:

My wife, Jenny: http://thebakerbloggers.blogspot.com/
Kelly David: http://www.galleryphotography.com/wordpress/index.php
Chris Lewis: http://chrislewis915.blogspot.com/
Faith (John): http://carissamason.blogspot.com/
Carissa: http://http://carissamason.blogspot.com/
Barfcia: http://marciaedginton.multiply.com/
Shakeadoodle: http://www.theshakespearfamily.blogspot.com/

Don't let me down, people. Read you soon.

Yesterday was the best day in a long, long time! I took the boys on a bike ride down on the Jordan Parkway by way of all the playgrounds along the way. We had a great time! The sun was shining and we didn't have to wear coats while we were playing. Hallelujah, Spring may actually be coming.
For those of you living out of state it has been a very cold and gray winter. We here in Utah are ready for Spring (and have been for at LEAST a month or two). We got a glimpse of things to come yesterday. Seriously, I felt so happy to feel the sun on my face. I know it sounds cheesey but it's true.
OK. So back in the day- like elementary day- I was awesome at flipping around on the bars you see Alex hanging from. I would put one leg over the bar, hook my foot behind my other knee and flip around like a kajillion times in a row. It was rad! So yesterday at the park (you know where this is going) my sister and I decided to see it we still had it. I amazed my children and sister when I was able to flip around 3 times in a row. You had to have been there, it was truly something to behold. This morning I woke up and realized my leg was a little sore. I took a look and this is what I saw:





Apparently some things work better when you're 8 years old and 60 pounds.

Buckle up, this may be a long one...

When Alex and I sit down to a rockin' session of Rock Band on the XBOX, he must first enter his Gamer Name which is, appropriately, 'Alex Rocks'. Alex as a wonderful son, excellent brother, and surprisingly, one of my very best friends!

One usually chooses friends based on common interests. When I think back on my best buddies over the years, I think of all the people that shared my hobbies and past-times.

Well, today, Alex is pretty much my best friend...


I think most of you reading this have younger kids, but you will know what I am talking about down the road when your kids get older. As a parent of young children, we are so busy keeping the kids ALIVE, we often don't have opportunities to share common hobbies or interests. We are always doing what THEY want to do. Well finally, with Alex, this is beginning to change. We are now doing activities that WE want to do! And it is very exciting!

For example, my favorite thing to do in the world is go Snowboarding! Alex has recently begun joining me on the slopes as a skier. This is Alex's second season and he can really tear it up! He is going to be a great ski partner!



We love playing XBOX for our one hour of TV time a day. We totally rock out together!

We love BYU Sports! He watches every minute of every game with me and we enjoy attending most of the events!


We like to read together. We are currently on book 4 of the Potter series. We have a great time.

We love playing sports, camping, river rafting, and hiking in the great outdoors. He has a lot of courage and is ready to take on any adventure right by my side!

There are many more activities that we share, but the bottom line is I am grateful for such a great son and even better friend. I look forward to many wonderful years of fun together! Alex, you definitely ROCK!

matt