Forty-Four

I turned 44 yesterday.

The Iceman (George Gervin) also wore that number on his jersey when he played for the San Antonio Spurs.

This was during the time I really started tuning into basketball... somewhere in the early 80s. I'm mostly tuned out now, but in those days I would play or watch whenever I could. Because there was no ESPN and barely any cable, there wasn't all that much to see. While I would coincidentally catch a game here and there, my daily fix often meant checking the newspaper for the scores. To be a little more accurate, I would glance at the final score and then I would study the stats.

I don't follow the game closely enough to know what changed since then, but during this time you could usually count on most teams in the Western Division (especially the Spurs) scoring a colossal number of points. And when they played Denver with Alex English and Kiki Vandeweghe, the totals went up from there. The Spurs might put up 133 points only to lose by six. The Iceman, Artis Gilmore, Johnny Moore and Mike Mitchell... It was ridiculous... glorious.

I don't remember when I fell in love with the Gervin or the Spurs. Probably at the same moment. Watching him play made me just love the game, the same way Tarkenton did with the Vikings, the way Kellen Winslow did with the Chargers. Win or lose, my teams then are my teams now. I'm stubborn that way.

Wait... Where am I going with this? There's a point, I promise.

Gervin didn't really play defense. He played offense... putting big numbers on the board, all season long. Unsatisfied with my production in the past couple of years, I'm hoping a little of the number 44 magic rubs off on me in 2012. The plan is do to do more, be more, see more... and maybe weigh a little less. Working out, eating better, reading scriptures, taking pictures, calling family, writing notes, being grateful, less sitting, more hiking... it's all there in the game plan. Okay, there isn't really a game plan... just a desire to make a little more out of my forty-fourth season.

I can't promise I'll play any defense... but with Tracy's help,  I plan on chucking up a lot of shots.

Genetics

Photos from Evan's birthday, courtesy of Casey's new camera. I love my Canon, but it definitely can't do this. Also, doesn't Hailey look British?

The Best Things

Naps...

Tracy not looking a day older...

A brief tour of Millcreek Canyon...


Tracy's obsession with making the perfect mousse...

Evan's obsession with Tracy's obsession

Getting this close...

Occasionally being referred to as "dashing"...

Shrimp Po' Boy Sandwiches...

Father's Day presents...

Father's Day Gifts...

Not pictured:
- Eden pulling Rickshaws for YMAD...
- Finally learning how to adjust our sprinklers...
- Running with Tracy and Nike+...
- Mazza with the Southwicks...
- Riding my scooter to work...
- Banbury Cross Maple Bars...
- Barbara's Visit...
- The time when I told a room full of people at church that Tracy's birthday was on Tuesday. (It was on Wednesday)

Just a few moments from a really decent week. I promise I'll try to write something more soon. Maybe a poem? I don't think I've ever written a poem.

Number 19

We celebrated Eden's nineteenth birthday on the first of March. I use the word "celebrated" with some reserve as she was incredibly sick for most of the surrounding week. She had hand, foot and mouth disease as it turns out... No, that's not the thing that livestock get. Eden doesn't have any hooves.

She was a good sport though. And presents apparently have the power to heal. She got the kind of clothing she really likes... you know... the kind she'll step over as she heads downstairs to raid Tracy's closet.

For dinner, we canceled the curry and fed her milkshakes instead. She did have cake though... although none of us would let her blow out the candles. See for yourself.

Also... Evan isn't wearing a burkha... he's wearing his blanket... named Sheldon.

Holidaze

A few photos from the holidays... which were nice, but mostly uneventful. I suppose that's what happens when you don't leave the house for days at a time. Hailey had her 21st birthday– We celebrated at home. This year, as opposed to most, we had her celebration right on Christmas Day instead of making her do the moving over. Tempura for Christmas dinner is a bit unexpected, but not half bad. Eden might dispute this... she's the one kid who hasn't looked kindly on our recent disregard for culinary holiday traditions. Prime rib for Thanksgiving, Fried shrimp for Christmas. What's the problem? Maybe it will just make next year all the better... I think we were overdue for a shake-up.

I never thought I'd say this... at least not in my 40s, but I'm actually looking a bit forward to being a grandparent someday. I suspect it might re-inject some life back into these events. Our kids are great, but they're not full of the same enthusiasm they once were. It's not their fault, they're just older now. They know what they want, they know what they're getting and they know where it comes from. Ignorance or whatever it was, is bliss. It was also contagious... for everyone.

There were plenty of good moments... but maybe my favorite was on Christmas morning... watching Tracy laugh at the way Hailey was wearing her new hat. (both pictured below) Tracy laughs easily, but she only really laughs like this once in a while. The last time might have involved a video that included dancing and an ill conceived hot-dog suit. Ask any of the kids about it. Anyway, these moments are one of our absolute favorite things to see.

January has acted a lot like January. Endlessly cold with a glorious bright spot right around my birthday. Not really. I had planned to take the day off and completely enjoy spending time with Tracy. Instead I worked till six. At least I just put in a half day. It was still nice. Tracy has a way of making things that way.

Tracy Turns... Older.

In spite of appearances, Tracy does age. Well, she has birthdays. Today was one them. After she opened presents I took a few photos... man I miss my real camera. Do you really have to have an expensive dSLR to have shots in focus? I didn't think so before. As is turns out, cameras also have this self-timer feature... allowing the photographer a full 10 seconds to get in frame with the rest of the group... thus you'll see below, rare photos of the whole family together. More than ever, I love these guys. Happy Birthday Tracy, you deserve better... Or at the very least, I deserve worse.






And just in case you wondered if our singing had improved...

Eighteen

Eden turned 18 on Monday (March 1). Don't ask me to explain... I can't. But I am told that this is the case and I just have to accept it. I feel bad... It may not have been the most dramatic birthday. Even though it fell on a Monday, we actually started on Sunday. Her decision, not ours.

She got a new phone, leaving her old phone up for grabs.

I think this was the part where Hailey and Ev presented their arguments as to why each would be the most fitting recipient.

Inexplicably (and possibly undeservedly)... Hailey won.

Tracy remained calm and impartial.

Later, we sang poorly on her behalf.

Recently the doorbell rang at 11pm. We were greeted on the doorstep by this.

What at first appeared to be a disturbing threat turned out to be a disturbing invitation to a dance. Obviously, she accepted. One needs to be polite...

Lacrosse has also started up again... Her senior season. I don't know any other way to say this... Eden is hardcore. When she's not scoring five or six goals a game, she's getting yellowcards and being ejected for aggressive play. It's a joy to watch.


Fearless. Busy. Happy.
We are proud of you Eden.

Merry Birthday. Happy Christmas.

In case you hadn't noticed, things around our place are a bit of a mess. This holds especially true around the holidays... something we've come to blame on Hailey. It all started twenty years ago when she was selfishly born on Christmas day, stealing the holiday thunder away from Jesus and his commercial sidekick Santa Claus.

Because she neither saved us from our sins nor delivers things from The Apple Store, Hailey's celebration is the one that gets moved. She is a good sport about it though... even though we all know she's been robbed.

It's hard to believe she's twenty. I know she feels ready to move out and move on... But to be honest, the urgency just isn't there for me. Yet...

A few things from the Christmas/Birthday weekend:

Hailey opened her presents on Christmas Eve.
Everyone did their best to focus on the task at hand.




Christmas Dinner: Prime Rib. Creamy Carrot Soup.
Five hours to make. Five minutes to eat.


Tracy brandishing her gift from Evan... A homemade holiday RPG.

A new Christmas tradition... Pokemon Stadium on the N64.

This picture isn't holiday related, it just confirms how smart I am.

It was nice to have everyone here.
I suspect those moments will soon become a rarity.