Sunday, February 28, 2010

USA

Watching the USA Men's hockey game vs. Canada today reminded me of when I was able to go to the Bronze Medal game the USA played in here in Salt Lake.

And now that the games have come to a close and Olympic fever is over I am having serious withdrawals.

It has been so much fun watching the Olympics for the past two weeks. I am going to miss it.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Best present ever

Out of all the gifts that Markus received for his birthday, he likes his potato gun best from Uncle Todd!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Olympic Memories


I was watching the Olympics Ladies Freeskating Program tonight and it brought back some amazing memories from 8 years ago when the Olympics were here. My sister-in-law Sandie gave my mom and I tickets to the Ladies Final - with Michele Kwan skating for the second time for the Gold. When she took the ice for her warm-up I was so nervous for her. When she didn't perform to the best of her ability I felt so badly for her. All that work for four more years, to get the bronze, poor thing. I was happy for Sarah Hughes who won the gold, but it was a very disappointing night for Michelle. 

As amazing as this night was, it still didn't compare to participating in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and being a part of Olympic history. I will remember for decades to come the extraordinary ceremonies. It took a huge commitment, some flexibility and a whole lot of positive attitude through out the process to make it a success. I think the best part was working with all the volunteers who cared as much about the project and gave more of their time and energy than anyone I had ever seen. Just to be a part of that remarkable contribution and participating in the ceremonies, truly was an opportunity of a lifetime and I came away from that experience with a sense of pride and accomplishment and heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the brilliant achievement that is the Olympics.  

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Enchanting...

My friend Laurie sent me this email today:

Hey everyone,



check out this video of my brother Danny asking Mara to marry him on the streets of New York where they first "saw" each other, it will make you smile, and maybe even cry!

The Proposal
 
I must admit it did make me do both.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

BYU Basketball

My nephew Kiel, who is just finishing up his last semester at BYU gave us tickets to the BYU Basketball game tonight. BYU beat San Diego State.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Better Burgers?

Lara had her 44th birthday party Saturday night at Hire's. Markus kept asking me if it was better than In & Out Burger, since he thinks they have the best hamburgers.


Lara and her son Hayden



Bryce, Markus & Max


The newlyweds, Kiel & Emily


Sierra & her friend


Monet & Rocco


Lara, Hayden & Todd

Lara wasn't sure how old she was turning. She gets confused like that, luckily Monet was there and Monet remembers what year she was born so that she can remind Lara! lol :)

Monday, February 22, 2010

The Cab Ride

My friend Kathy sent this to me via email today. A nice story - who knows if it is true or not but still worth the read...

The Cab Ride

I arrived at the address and honked the horn.

After waiting a few minutes I walked to the

door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a

frail, elderly voice. I could hear something

being dragged across the floor.

 After a long pause, the door opened.. A small woman in

 her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a

print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned

 on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase.

The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years.

All the furniture was covered with sheets..

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters.

In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said.

I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness.

'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers

the way I would want my mother treated'.

'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked,

'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice'.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.

 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice...

'The doctor says I don't have very long.'

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city.

She showed me the building where she had once worked

as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived

when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse

that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner

and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon,

she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'.

We drove in silence to the address she had given me.

It was a low building, like a small convalescent home,

with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.

They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.

They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to

the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?'

she asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered..

'There are other passengers,' I responded..

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.

She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said.

'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand,

and then walked into the dim morning light..

Behind me, a door shut.

It was the sound of the closing of a life...

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift.

I drove aimlessly lost in thought.

For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.

What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,

or one who was impatient to end his shift?

What if I had refused to take the run,

or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that

I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully

wrapped in what others may consider a small one.


PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID,

OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER

HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

You might help make the world a little kinder and more compassionate place by reading this and so reminding us that often it is the random acts of kindness that most benefit all of us.

Thank you, my friend...

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Party Time!


Markus had his birthday party at the rink yesterday.


He invited his entire hockey team, some friends from school and a few cousins.

But only one girl, Lexi.
She is Max's friend, Killian's little sister, and she loves to play with Markus at all of Max's hockey games. She gave him a valentine last weekend at the tournament.

 
It was a crazy but fun party. 
Besides skating, the kids all had pizza and cake while Markus opened his presents. And then they all had a turn trying to hit the Pinata.

Max's game was right after the party so quite a few people stayed to watch the game.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Mighty Knights

Killian & Max

So Max's Knights team won another game today 7-1. Max scored two goals and had one assist.
GO Knights!!!


Friday, February 19, 2010

Slideshow



Slideshow of Morgen that was shown at his Eagle court last night.

(Be sure to pause music from playlist below)

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Academic Games


Morgen was in the Academic Games after school yesterday against the final team, Eisenhower. It was a really close game and Churchill came back with a great rally to come within one point of winning the championship.  

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Five Things About Me

So, I've been a terrible blog slacker lately. Sometimes I post a lot; sometimes I don't feel like posting at all. It's been one of those weeks. A lot has been going on in my life & I really haven't had much computer time at all. So, since I've been absent, here is a completely narcissistic post all about me.


Well, just FIVE things about me...

• I wash my face & brush my teeth every night without exception. I have never slept with makeup on in my entire life... but even if I do fall asleep, I'll wake up in the middle of the night & wash my makeup off.

• I am a nutso organizer. I have a daily/weekly/monthly way of charting out my life. Mind you, it's not fool proof. I have missed 2 orthodontic appointments for Morgen in the past few months. I write everything down in my planner as soon as I get it, i.e., schedules, appointments, etc. The hardest thing for me to keep track of are church activities. I rarely have my planner with me at church and so they never seem to get written in when I get home.

• I have several re-occurring dreams: One is that I am out in public with a towel on (horrifying!). Another is me driving in a car and not being able to stop because there are no brakes (terrifying!).

• Whenever I am feeling sad, stressed or angry...I clean. I clean, declutter, organize, and straighten whatever. Seriously...In the middle of being upset or something, I will just walk around straightening my whole house.

• I do all the ironing in our house. Always have, always will. I learned how to do it from my Grandma Jo. She worked at a dry cleaner's for 45 years.

I hope you enjoyed wasting your life reading about mine.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Markus' 7th Birthday

6:30 a.m.


7:00


7:30


8:00


8:30


9:00


10:00


11:00


12:00



1:00


2:00


3:00


4:00


5:00



fun day for that little guy

Sunday, February 14, 2010

2nd Annual


The second annual "Love Olympics" was held Friday night at the home of my friends, Aaron & Laurie's, parents.

L to R: Olivia, Laurie, Nicole, B, Heidi, Kelli



Jeff, Aaron, Dave, Ben, Todd, & Rob


The evening started out with a "Catered" dinner - take out food from a chinese restaurant - and followed by "The games": A quiz about Chick Flick movie lines, several rounds of Q & A's followed by a rip, roaring round of Celebrity Taboo. What an entertaining evening. The Gold medal went to Dave & Heidi. Thanks Aaron for planning such a fun night!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Tournament


Some more photos from the tournament today. Two games today - one early this morning and the other one later on this afternoon. Both lost to the teams from California and Idaho, but so much fun to watch. I had no idea that kids could play so well at this age, especially the team from California - the Anaheim ducks...smokin' hot skating skills man! Wow, I was blown away. Another game tomorrow morning, wish the Lightning luck...'cause they are going to need it. lol

Friday, February 12, 2010

Olympic Oval


Max's Lightning Tournament started today out at the Utah Olympic Speed Oval. He played a little half hearted and they were playing a great team. They lost, but it was really neat to be out at the Oval. I have always wanted to go out there to skate but haven't made it a reality. So today I finally was able at least to see it and watch a meet that was going on - amazing athletes - I am getting excited to watch the Olympics.