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...

Graduation Elation

This event happened weeks ago, but I've been in denial about the whole thing. Fine. Yes, it's true. We have another kid out of high school. Eden and about 1800 Samoans graduated on the 9th of June. We sat in the cheap seats and watched the whole affair unfold. It went as they all do... long. We are super proud of her though, she made the most of high school... something many don't do. The grandparents came down in support. Tracy put on another cooking demonstration. I think they may be getting the wrong idea about us. I'm certain they don't appreciate the significant role Wendy's dollar menu and Golden Grahams play in our diet. Alas, I digress. We love you Eden... Way to go.

Gone

I appear to have lost my camera. I say "appear" because I'm not 100% sure it's 100% gone. I suspect that this is the case, but the fact just hasn't sunk in. I'm getting close... and that reality, for me, is heartbreaking. Was it stolen? Did I leave it somewhere? Will it turn up? No idea. So, a few final pics. Not the best ones or anything, just the last ones I managed to get.

To and Fro

I've only written about it a little, but in the last while, we've been able to see more family than usual. In spite of how that might initially sound, it turned out great. My mom and dad were able to come down for Hailey's show and we got to stay at their place when we were in Boise for Barb's homecoming extravaganza.

Granted... We eat a lot, make a racket, take up all of the couches, and want to watch completely different stuff on TV. (gasp... even movies). That said, they're good sports about it all and always seem to be willing to sign up for another visit. But wait... they always stay at a hotel when they come here. I'll try not to read too much into that...

See you next week folks!

Big (H)air

A few shots of Ev skating during our time in Boise. Not sure he's the next Tony Hawk, but you've got to give him points for style.

Season's End

Eden's Lacrosse is finally over. So... A few last photos before I forget. We'll miss going to the games. She had a great year... scored 40ish goals, made all-state and won team MVP. Not bad Eddy.

Neighbors

Where's Weirdo?

If you can't find Tracy but you know she's home, look here first. No, she's not hiding from me and the kids, she's standing in front of the vent, trying to get warm. Okay, maybe it's a two birds, one stone kind of thing.

Homecoming

Barb recently returned from a mission in Birmingham, Alabama where she braved bugs, bad weather and a batch of crazy companions. (alliteration completed). We were in Boise to hear her homecoming address... a talk in church where missionaries report on their experiences. To be honest, she did even better than I had expected. Fear and uncertainty had been replaced by hard won courage and conviction. We were all proud.

Almost everyone came out for the talk and the lunch that followed. I think a dinner followed that. And maybe a breakfast. Apparently families really can be together forever. :) Thanks again Jodi and Pete.

I've posted some photos on Flickr... Click the image to see them all.

Post Church

We get out of church at 12:00 and out of our church clothes at 12:03. Is it so wrong to wear pajamas to lunch?

I am the obvious odd man out here... I have a new gig at church and a whole lot more meetings than I used to.

Runaway Project

More late news... yeah, yeah... I already know...

You might remember a post back in January where I told you about an advanced fashion class Hailey was taking. She was to design a collection of 3-5 pieces and ultimately have it shown on the runway along with a dozen or so other students.

I told you it might be more than she was ready for. I said it might be too hard. I thought it might get ugly. And in many ways, it was and it did. She went through a lot of fabric. She went through a couple of meltdowns. She did not, however, ever give up.

The result? The kind of win we all agreed was possible, but uncertain. I don't have nearly the photos I'd like to have... of the process, or the show. But suffice it to say... as family moments go, it was one of the good ones. Siblings, family and friends all came and were not disappointed. It was a beautiful thing to see. She even won an award for her illustration.

She has worked so hard... and come so far. See a little here for yourself.
A special, significant note of thanks goes to Tracy. Part-time counselor, assitant seamstress, full time fabric taxi. Without her steady hand... well I shudder to think...

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.

Frodo in Wonderland

Elijah Wood.

Johnny Depp playing Elijah Wood playing The Mad Hatter.

Burton visuals aside, I'm not sure I'm dying to see the new version of Alice... the reviews are 50/50 and the book really never was my cup of tea. Still, a movie sounds better staying in...

Lately.

It's been awhile... so I thought I'd catch you up on a few of the highlights.

Evan got braces. Whew... just in time. I thought we were gonna have to keep that $6000. Well, at least we don't have to pay for college.

We have to pay for college. (More college that is.) Eden and I took a drive up to Logan to look at Utah State on Wednesday. She forbade me from carrying my camera around like a tourist so I don't have any photos of campus. The only shot I got is this one from the drive up Sardine canyon. Wonder why they don't use this one in the brochures. The tour was great. Eden is excited. You don't need both kidneys to live... right?

Evan also had a piece in the student art show at the library.
Tracy had book club that night, but everyone else went.

Cute and colorful mushrooms? A sigh of relief... I was almost certain there'd be a school psychologist waiting by his artwork.

Eden also showed us a photo smile she's been working on. Reviews were mixed.

I took a business trip down to St. George. Long meetings, but with a genuinely nice group of clients. Even though you're still working, sometimes just being out of the office is an improvement. The highlight of the trip for me may have been the ten minutes I stole to shoot pictures of the mist.


Tracy and I have been cooking up a storm lately. Calzone, Kung Pao Shrimp, Stuffed Salmon with Brie... Tracy is a much better cook than I, but seems to have a passion (read sweet tooth) for baking. Today, she's made peanut butter cookies. Last week she made this... A coconut, banana something-or-the-other. I typically don't love cake, but this was sort of like super-banana bread paved with coconut and frosting. One doesn't argue...

I primarily like to cook things that require ingredients and implements we don't have. Introducing... My new Tagine. A tagine is a word that both describes a piece of cookware and the stews that are typically cooked within.

Prior to last week, we had never ever had Moroccan food... a spicy chicken tagine with rosemary, ginger and apricots. Unbelievably good... no joke. The cookbook is on my nightstand. (sorry... again... Scriptures) Unfortunately, the tagine you see here cracked from the heat. One visit to Sur la Table and and an additional $75 later... I have a new Emile Henry version. Once again, I am clearly not a genius.

Evan and I also just finished church basketball. They roped me into coaching, I roped him into playing. Is it a bad sign as a coach that you pray for a blowout in either direction? The last thing I wanted to do was to have to draw up a game losing play with five seconds to go. That said, the kids were great and the time well spent.

Well, that's pretty much it for now.
I still work too much and have too few hobbies.
Hailey is still sewing or un-sewing everything in sight.
Evan is getting used to his new magnetic mouth.
Eden turns eighteen today.
Tracy is patiently waiting for answers.