Quess what the girls did yesterday -

This is the before picture - can't quite get all of Rachel's hair.......

So we took another pic

And this is when they got home!!!!

"Life of Pi"

Rebekah and I went to see "Life of Pi" after eating Asian food for Thanksgiving.  I loved it.  No matter what you think of the plot, you have to see the visuals. Awesome photography and graphics!!! Make sure you see it on a big screen theatre and sit in the middle. It will fill your soul visually.  Having a hearing problem, I was guessing on a third of the movie and the accent made me concentrate that much more to understand.  But the visual was bliss!  Colors, sunset/rise, moving water, whales, a tiger, lights and darks.......ahhhh.  Go see - a matinee is just fine.

Great Seats at the BYU game

Your dad picked up some really great seats at the BYU game in San Jose.  We traveled down with the Hoskings and they texted others in the stand.  The entire section was BYU blue, it was awesome!  The game wasn't.  Excitement in the 1st quarter and then the last 8 minutes of the game. They had a chance of coming back with 2 minutes to go but then there was that fumble - oh well, that's the way it goes. But really good company!

So close you could see if they shaved or not

Cheerleaders and Cosmos with tons of fans

Hoskings have one and we have one left in the nest

After the game on our way out.

They Pulled up in a Limo!

My Cousin Julie and her kids

Julie and Morgan in the door, Parker in orange and Tyler in black, Shiloh in red, Riley in pink and Jordon in white (she's the model) then Mackenzie propped on her elbows.  The dad Mason is taking pictures with me. They also had an older son Brandon who died quite a few years ago.

      I was so excited to hear from my cousin Julie (Uncle Wilson's oldest daughter) and found she was traveling down from Idaho for a funeral and would be going past Susy's house.  So I went to meet her at the freeway and waited at the Flying J gas station. Cars came - that couldn't be them, SUV's with only 3 people - no, Salt Lake Express and trailer - no, limousine - no - well yes!! Julie and her husband travel around in a limousine because it holds all of their children at once.  It was awesome and her kids were darling!  I'd love to get to know Riley, Morgan and Parker again.  They were so outgoing and friendly. It was a nice quick visit.  Hopefully they'll come to California sometime!

Jenica and Taft Whale

On a Beautiful Fall Morning in Bountiful, Utah

I had a lovely weekend at a shower for Jenica and the next day watching her get sealed in the temple and then took pictures at her reception.  The next day I visisted with Andrew and Matthew and then I got to get reaquainted with a cousin that night.  After visiting with my sisters and mom the next day I flew home.  It was a really great visit!

Dad and Debt Policy

Looking at this - You know your dad loves you

Front page article in the Deseret News Sunday October 14, 2012 Vo.2/No.9

I'll save the article if you can't read it very well.  It is an article on the problems students have when they take out a loan for school and then they don't get the job they are looking for and it takes years and years to pay it off.  Anyway it made me think of your dad and his no debt for the first degree policy.  So far so good, he's hoping to make sure all of his children get through the first degree.

Blast From the Past

A summer breeze blew by and ruffeled my hair. An appealing odor of a nearby grill tickled my nose. I started reminiscing about the past. Life was so much simpler then. Here is just a bit of that carefree life I once knew.

Good morning Mr. Phelps...

I am in the process of getting your Secret Santa name's to all of you. This Christmas will be one for the ages.
   
     The house is quiet and somewhat lonely. I can't believe I'm saying this but; school is progressing at a fast rate and it's really nice to have something to be working on all the time. I miss all my siblings but its kind of awesome to be able to go out to eat and get lots of stuff I don't exactly need.

 Life is Good.


HEY!!!!! THIS IS NEW EVERYBODY READ IT!!!!!

  You will be receiving you top secret message in the mail soon. Be on the lookout for a suspicious manilla envelope in your mailbox.

   Please write your wish lists on the blog. This is a critical part of the mission and must be done with the upmost care.


                                                         ~The Long Awaited Golden Child, Raycheegurl

It's that time of year again

Back to School, fall, red leaves, band - they all go together.  Rachel and co. marched down the streets of Antioch:

Yes, I think they've got it!

Is he out of step or the others are too quick?

At ease waiting - Hi mom

Isn't this great!!!

She even cleaned Rachel's room and folded the clothes

Chicken Soup anyone?

How big is your crock pot?
Size is relative I've found.
  Last week I did my usual simmer the chicken all day, skim out the chicken and stock, throw in some vegetables, pearl barley and put back in the de-boned and skinned chicken, can of chicken nooddle soup, add spices and wall-ah we have dinner (with some whole wheat homemade rolls).  The problem came when we were all done.  The crock pot was still full (shades of Strega Nona). Looking at the pot I realized we'd have leftovers for days. Rebekah had moved out, MICHAEL was gone. 3 only 3 for dinner.   Luckily Diane Chambers called and I dropped off some there, she informed me the Hills had been sick, I dropped some of there, Rebekah came over and I sent some home with her, and we had some leftovers.  The pears went moldy - Rebekah and Michael gone.  Ahh, it's a new life.

Taken from facebook - Andrew and his guardian angel

Holy crap guardian angels are real: driving home on the freeway tonight the hood of my car flipped up and smashed the windshield because the latch broke. i was completely blinded for a bit but was able to veer off and put on the hazards. i drove to an exit and the first guy i talked to had duck tape that he gave me to keep the hood down. got home safely... huge prayer of thanks... Wow not a scratch on me

Labor Day Hike Pictures

On Labor Day Weekend we went out with some friends to hike a Civil War Fort.

 This is an original cannon from the Civil War.

Here is Nate holding down the fort.

Nate and Ki pose.

Nate put me on a pedestal.

Living the Dream

Kelsi and I are in the process of buying furniture from people on Craig’s List and/ or FreeCycle.  For those of you who don’t know, FreeCycle is like Craigslist, but, well, free.  We have filled our home with items that don’t currently match, but that will match once we stain and reupholster them.  It has been fun sanding old finish together and making trips to Home Depot (and pretending we know what we’re doing).

So far we have collected a large dresser that smells like old person, two chairs with beautiful wood but ugly blue fabric, a sturdy futon that needs… sanitization… a kitchen table and matching chairs (complete with dents and scratches, etc.), and a brown/ green ottoman that can only be described as “ the epitomization of heinousness”.

 But Kelsi is determined to make new covers, refinish wood, and replace old cushions.  And I’m sure when we’re done we will have some great stuff.  It’s fun to see her watching do-it-yourself videos and asking our Alaska family for ideas.  Neither of us knows what we’re doing, but hey, how hard could it be?

Yesterday I found myself with Kelsi eating in a much better decorated environment.  “The Silver Diner”.  I know, pretty posh.  We listened to Sweet Home Alabama while drinking a “chunky monkey banana” milk shake.  The waiter brought two straws as thick as my thumb, one blue, one pink. 

I thought my life couldn’t be better.  But oh, how wrong I was.

When we got home there was a package from Mom waiting at our door.  It had the ingredients and recipe for Sister Nausin’s Tortilla soup.  And treats for Ki.  And granola bars.  And new shoelaces- which I needed, but hadn’t gotten around to buying.  And a hot glue gun and ribbons (Kelsi was much more excited about the ribbons than me). 

Anyhoo, it was a taste of home and nice to get something from out west.  Ki gobbled up his treat and left bits of it all over the living room carpet.  I did the same with the granola bars.  We’re having the soup tonight, and I’m looking forward to adding the recipe to our stash of delicacies.

After working on my book for a while I asked Kelsi if she wanted to watch a movie.  She said no, she would rather play a game.  I said we should play Age of Empires against each other on the computer.  She said bring it on, so we went to Walmart and bought two copies for twenty bucks.  Hopefully world domination is a good family night activity. 

So I guess what I’m saying is that I’m pretty much they happiest person I know.  Wish you all the best and hope you are doing well.

It's nighttime and I've already walked the dog

Tonight Rebekah is running (maybe walking) in San Francisco in a JP Corporation competition with lots of different companies.  She said she could potentially be a contender in Germany - if all the hundreds in San Francisco dropped out before she got to the finish line. We'll be missing her soon when she moves out to her own apartment.  What is with all the departures this month?   Rachel is finishing her homework - she has Seminary, early morning band, school, more band practice, and then straight to the temple for baptisms tomorrow. She'll leave at 5:56 am and not get home until 8pm-ish.  And just like that your dad and I are cozied up together alone.  Well he turned on a baseball game and I thought I'd see what was online.
We're making plans for Christmas and can't wait to see all of you! Hopefully we'll get a place somewhere on a beach or other nice place and go see something cool and take some great pictures.
Right now I have three trips to Utah planned for October.  I'm trying to decide which one I should cancel.  That is really overkill when I've been there twice in 2 and a half months already.  It's just between mission reunion, friends, and a wedding. What are my priorities?
Well this is me and I can't leave you without a least one picture, so I thought I'd leave you with pretty Rebekah.

Andrew was here earlier for a weekend in August

A New Phase in A Son's Life

Idaho, Utah, (Nevada and California, not to mention Arizona)

OK the truth is I'm tired. Traveling and sleeping in multiple beds just makes me tired.  Maybe the hole in my heart as I left another son in a empty apartment without roommates contributed to the weariness.  But just in case you are thinking that I'm sad, nah, this is what I raise my kids to do! Leave home and become independent, healthy, intelligent adults.

Michael moved into the Bunkhouse on 354 South 1st West # 24 Rexburg, ID  83440

The trips up the stairs for Abby Hosking's dorm versus Michael's apartment were not even close.   Michael was done in minutes.  Now the trip to Walmart was another adventure all together. 

 It was nice to leave when Michael was running to a activity to meet, greet, and get to know the university and other future aquaintences. I'm wondering how he likes Rexburg, his classes and new roommates.  Does he have a room roommate?

Seeing family is really great.  All the little connections gladden the heart.

Woohooo!!! Jenica is getting married!  So we had a breakfast to have a little celebration and talk about all the new adventures happening.

Staying with Grandmama Adams with visits from the boys can't be tallied high enough on the happiness scale.  Having the two boys give me a blessing for my trip home was a highlight of my life.  Thanks - to you and to my God.

Nate called tonight and I started thinking.......

One son is leaving home, one son is established and starting his own home.

I happen to run across a few pictures that brought back some good times.  I noted how each of the boys were compatible friends then and yet have such different interests and lives now.

I believe this was in Larkey Park.  Seth was all over the place, Nate was climbing high and fast.

The boys immaginations were running wild.  It was nice that the big boys let Matt hang out and socalize with them.  Matt was just bigger than a toddler but felt he fit right in.  Good thing he had such a great older brother.

I think this was Nate's birthday, though it could be Seth's.  A definite cowboy theme

Matt tried to keep up and was all over the place - Note Andrew way in the back going up and down the slide

One of the few time Andrew landed on the ground, though not for long

I had to steel myself from telling him to be careful and not fall from up high, a few seconds later he was trying to climp on the pole he has his arms around - maybe he made it - I wasn't looking

The boys were so intent with their ideas they really didn't want interuptions from mom

No fear Matthew approaches a man and his dog - and just note what kind of dog it is.

Seth is in a foreign country jumping out of planes. (hopefully Andrew won't realize all the higher places to climb) He is tackling the halls of education at the moment.  Nate is across the country and is the best big brother they all have. Matthew still has high confidence and knows he can approach anyone.

Back from Girls Camp

Assisting in Quilts this year

Some of Level 3 night before they left on their 3 day hike

Another successful year filled with crisis, drama, spiritual highs, dirt, dust, and working hard.  By the end of the week it was totally worth it.

Socks of Infinity

Your touching story of angelic trousers reminded me of a beloved article of clothing that I once had possession of. I dug up an old poem from the recess of my mind that I wrote while I was still in my youth (last year). Through the wonderful power of the Microsoft Word, I was able to remember the poem in its entirety. I would like to share it with you now. It goes as follows:

Ode to my Soccer Socks

Long and smelly

Worn and green

Falling apart at the seems

To my precious soccer socks

You have brought me far

You’ve been with me every day

On the field and in the car

You were with me when I scored a goal

Even though the referee

Tripped in a hole

And didn’t see

Oh my dear old soccer socks

With a hole in the toe

And a tear in the heel

You and I put on quite a show

But alas our games are over and done

So I’ll retire you to your box

But please know I would never shun

Such a wonderful pair of socks

Sink me! I believe I’m a poet.

This is one of many poems written in my 8^th year of schooling. But this one is very precious to me. These socks will remain with me forever in spirit. They are in their final resting place. One much like themselves; long and smelly, worn and green (aka the garbage can).

Their memory will live on forever.

Socks of Infinity

Slacks of Angels

A few weeks ago Kelsi decided I needed new dress pants.  Apparently the pair I stole from Andrew when I got back from Romania, and the one’s I put a hole in at Jennie’s wedding were “no longer acceptable”.  So being a good husband, I only waited for half a month before biting the bullet.

Truly, I wasn’t procrastinating. I was simply gearing up and mentally preparing. You see, shopping for pants is a daunting prospect.

It’s not that I don’t like new slacks, it’s just that getting new ones demands such high levels of commitment.  According to my calculations I’ll probably wear a typical pair for a period of two to five years.  So they have to be good.  Sturdy, but able to convey extreme business competence.   Bold enough that they could walk on Wall Street, but personal enough for a relaxed lunch.  Breathable in summer, but thick enough to ward off winter winds.

Shopping is a daunting prospect, to be sure.

I started off my brave adventure by missing the store all together.   Who knew I needed the right lane?  Apparently not me (even with the GPS).

So I decided to pull a U turn.  I pulled into the left hand turn lane, but found it didn’t go anywhere.  Just an open pasture with some trees and bushes and stuff (randomly in the city). There was no street to turn left onto, and the road wasn’t even wide enough to make a U turn. 

Why the turning lane?  No idea.  But now I was stuck making a U-turn into oncoming traffic that wasn’t going to stop for a red light, and not enough room to make the turn.  Also, I couldn’t change lanes and go strait because the three lanes to my right were full of impatient drivers trying to get someplace important.

As I weighed my options I saw my chance out.   As luck would have it, there was a shoulder on the side of the road covered in grass.  Deliverance!  My mind quickly did the proper algorithms:

Parameters for safe execution of U-turn including safe traversal of shoulder:

                                1) Distance to oncoming car:  Marginal.

                                2) Speed of said car:  45-50 mph.

                                3) Radius of turn for 1990 Toyota pickup:  Better than most.

                                4) Width of shoulder:  Three to four feet.

                                5) Length of time to leave truck in first gear:  Entire maneuver.

                                6) Time required to properly slow truck and engage tire on soft shoulder:  1.34 seconds.

                                7) Driver’s level of ability to bend traffic laws:  Californian.

                                8) Chance of success:  Extremely good.

I am Sherlock Holmes.

I see a big opening and slam the pedal down.  I come to the shoulder and hit the brakes.  Perfect execution, gentle entry into grassy section, car approaching in rear view mirror still an adequate distance behind the truck.

Only it wasn’t a shoulder with short grass.  It was a ditch with tall grass.

My mind quickly did the proper algorithms, but this time while praying:

                Parameters for safe removal of 1990 Toyota pickup from 4’ ditch:

1) Danger of being rear ended:  Minimal.  DC drivers apparently see this often, and just go around.

2) Chance of larger truck stopping to help:  Low.  Most just go around.

3) Tow truck:  Expensive and time consuming.  No roadside assistance on insurance.

                                4) Damage to vehicle:  Unknown.

5) Number of tires in ditch: One.  Front right.

6) Rear wheel drive:  Operable but not useful.  Wheels no longer in contact with road.

7) Driver’s level of ability getting out of (and hence into) dumb situations:  Experienced.

8) Chance of success with God’s help:  Extremely high.

9) Location of that help:  Unknown.

Now realize, that this all happened very quickly, and that by now Kelsi is sitting patiently while I spin the back tires in reverse.  She looks concerned, but not overly worried.  We haven’t had time to talk or anything when two Latino guys materialize out of the woodwork. 

One was walking by and turned en route.  The other had been riding his bike and hopped off.  Both walked directly into the ditch and grabbed near the tire.

“Ready?”  One says with a thick accent, and he nods to me.

I nod back and the pair lift the front end of the truck out of the ditch.  The back tires hit the road, and we back out of the ditch while cars on the road stop and wait.

We had to pull around the corner because the road was so busy, and there wasn’t anywhere to stop and assess damage.  The guys who helped us stayed on the main road, traveling on as if nothing out of the ordinary had taken place.  Not returning to business as usual, but continuing business as usual.

The truck’s front was covered in mud, and a plastic grocery bag covered in filth was stuck to the bottom.  The front bumper was bent out of shape, grinding against the right wheel, but it was easy to bend it back in place.  It looked like it would have fallen off if it wasn’t already tied on with a piece of wire.  So all in all no damage whatsoever.  But I felt bad we had not properly thanked the guys.

I’d say the worst part of receiving help is that you can’t pay it back most of the time.  You can only pray for the people that do the helping, and hope the Lord will watch over them.  Then wait for someone less fortunate than yourself to come along, and pray they need something within your limited skill set.

As I looked around Ross for something my size I wondered about the pants our angels were wearing.  I hadn’t gotten a good look at them in the ditch, and didn’t think of it when we saw them after.  Levis? Dockers?  I don’t know, but whatever type, they had to have been covered in something nasty. 

I’m not saying that Wall Street pants are bad pants.  But I am saying that I’ll need pants that don’t drive around the car stuck in the ditch.  Pants inconsequential enough to muddy.  Pants for all seasons and all circumstances. 

Pants of Angels.

Testing ....One....Two.....Three.........

Andrew had the idea to have a family blog that is private to authors only - so we can share stories, ideas, pictures, and circumstances.  So here we go, make sure to check in every few months and see what everyone is doing.  Then add what is going on in your life!  I'd love to see Kelsi's dog and any adventures Nate and Kelsi have. It would be fun to see all the friends Matt has accquired, and what activities Andrew goes on.  We know Rebekah is up for adventures all the time. New York, Nashville, weddings by lantern.  Michael is headed out for a brand new experience and it should be fun to see him in the snow.  Rachel is just starting high school and already life has gotten faster. If she wins in the Nut or sings in concert we'll let you see.  Feel free to post old stories and rememberances too!
Here's my contribution - know where is it from?