Seriously?

Today I was alerted to the presence of two sets of pictures on the interwebs.

This first one is me, posted on Chad Hurst's Blog. He's a photographer friend of mine working through a self-imposed project called 30 Portraits, 30 Days. Here he successfully shows my hair loss and the plate of ribs I never got to eat. Unsurprisingly, I hate him now. Not really. I sort of knew what I was in for. Although, I am hoping there's a more flattering photo somewhere in the bunch.

And then there are these photos of Tracy from the Lifestyle section of the Salt Lake Tribune. Here her complete cuteness and fashion sense are on display. Bald spot? Nope. Plate of greasy ribs? Not really. Just her being adorable.


And lastly... not online... until now: this photo of her in the dining room. I think she looks amazing, she thinks it just shows her wrinkles. If she even has wrinkles, I can't see them. I'll never see them.

I can only assume from the length of our marriage and the disparity in these photos that she looks past my "wrinkles" too.

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.

Year 14

Here's a comic strip I drew up a few years back about a certain, special someone. What is it (besides everything) about this age that plays havoc on one's personality? Eden didn't get one of these... she was inexplicably cheerful. We're collecting material for Evan's version right now. Click to enlarge.

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.

Flora Meets Fauna

This is one of the four silk-screened posters I received for Christmas. Just bought frames today. I also bought a couple at IKEA. One of them didn't really fit, but I made it work. I broke the other within five minutes of being home. I know their furniture isn't exactly heirloom quality, but seriously? Somehow they've managed to make even glass less durable.

This is that time, right after my colonoscopy, when John Stockton and I sort of had waffles. Didn't really notice until now, but what's up with the way he's sitting? I'm wondering if he's about to spring that "here's the church, here's the steeple" thing on his lunch mate. I like to think he's rehearsing things under the table before the big reveal.

These are the Flip Video Cameras I designed for the company Holiday party.

This is Hailey's car on the street by Hailey's apartment that I dug out of the snow while Hailey slept in Hailey's bed. I may not be the best dad out there, but I think this proves that I'm not the worst.

Not 100% sure this fortune panned out. I'm even less sure how the bee ties in. I'm pretty sure bees are never involved in pleasant surprises.

Le Nom Jeu

Our family heritage contains a cheerful mess of nationalities. Our last name, however, is French... or at least it was. Originally Robidoux or Rabideaux, it was eventually Americanized and allegedly simplified by one of our southbound Quebecois relatives. It's now just Rabdau (pronounced intermittently rab-daw or rab-dow). But as you can see from my (partial) collection, we answer to just about anything.
























Note: If you're one of us, you've also probably been called one or more of the following: Rab, Rabbi, Rabdelicious, Rabadoobie, Ramjet, Ragmop or Ragdoll.

Thanks

I wrote this a while back. The date is out of date, the sentiment isn't.

It's Thanksgiving... Well yesterday was anyway. It came and went a little faster than usual I guess. We stayed here... just us. No extended family. Almost not even all of us. Eden worked most of the day and half of the night. Black Friday. Ugh. I don't get it.

We took it easy... had snacks, played a few games and watched three episodes of The Walking Dead. A Zombie shows on Thanksgiving... pretty entertaining, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it. Kind of puts you on edge a little—makes you feel oddly vulnerable. Although the prime rib and pecan sweet potatoes did seem to soothe the nerves.

I had this activity planned, but we never quite got around to doing it. Tracy and I picked out some cards at Target with the idea that everyone would select three people to write notes to... preferably someone we were grateful for. Like most of my good intentions... the moment passed without capture. Lame.

In lieu of writing the cards tonight, I thought I'd just say why I'm grateful for Tracy. (An incomplete list)

She seems to genuinely love me, understand me and perhaps even thinks I'm handsome. I have no explanation for any of this, but she is hands-down the very best thing I have going in my life.
She works so hard.
She complains so little.
She is completely herself. (I've mistakenly, unsuccessfully tried to change this)
People love her for it.
She secretly throws everyone's things away.
She never really reads the labels.
She worries about driving when it snows.
Or rains.
She worries (just a little) about everything.

She just listens.

She helps where I can't.
She has a sweet tooth.
She bakes well.
She bakes weekly.
She has nicknames.
She looks fantastic.
She wrinkles her nose when I describe something I like that she doesn't.

She speaks her mind.

I'm also grateful for:
Hailey, Eden and Evan. (I owe her for them too)
My Mom and Dad

The brothers and sisters I see too little of
That guy who invented cameras
That guy who invented chocolate milk
The people at Adobe and Apple
Second Chances: I need as many as I can get.
Just being home: Our place could be nicer and cooler... and it's all my fault. But still, I'm just as happy not going anywhere.

The Story of Our Christmas Tree

This is the part where everyone was mad.

This is the part where they avoided the camera.


This is the part where we thought that guy would steal the camera.

This is the part where we all agreed on a tree.

This is the part where Evan didn't.

This is the part where we decorated.

This is the star ceremony.

This is the thing with the things.

This is the part where I apologize for having you read this. The End.