Stef and I had to sit down and read and reminisce about Kristi's letter from last year's Thanksgiving. What fun, vivid, memories we still hold dear to our hearts. So, in honor of last year, Stef I thought we would put a spin on the whole thing this year and just "switch ends"...keep reading to find out more.
Morris' were down visiting last weekend and so they just took Stef up with them last Sunday evening. I spent Mon-Wed cleaning up around here after work and getting ready for our big move out to the Yorgason Mansion. Wed right after work I met up with the Fam for a fun lunch at the In-n-out burger here in St. George (they were coming down for Thanksgiving) and I then headed up to Salt Lake to spend the holiday with the Morris Clan. Wed night when I get there I had a fun time playing basketball for several hrs with Brad and some guys in their ward. Right before that Stef, Bret and I all went to a little friends get-together with Rand, Regan, Zak, and Jimmy Joe (and their wives). We had a fun Wed evening. Thursday morning was a bit rainy but that didn't stop us from the annual Turkey Bowl. We played for nearly 3 hrs, but the game came to an abrupt stop when Rand and Jimmy Joe's bro Davey both went after a ball. Rand took a shoulder to the head and was knocked out instantly. He did a 360, and just collapsed. We all kind of yelled at him from where we were to make sure he was ok, but no response. We all ran over to him to find him laying there stiff, pale face, eyes wide open and rolling back into his head. We were all terribly scared of what had happened. We ran and called 911 and Ian and I quickly administered to him. By the time we had called 911 and ran back to the spot he had at least blinked and was alive but barely consciouse. He was very much in a daze and couldn't remembered what happened. The paramedics came and still shipped him off on a stretcher just to make sure he hadn't damaged anything in his spine or back. The CT Scan and everything came back showing nothing wrong for which we were all very grateful. He is now doing well and just sufferred a minor concusion. Talk about something to be grateful for on Thanksgiving...Rand was OK.
Thanksgiving day was lots of fun. We ate over at Stef's grandma's and had the traditional extended family get together. It was a packed house with yummy food and some fun games after. We played some backyard football, and then all got together later that night for some more basketball. By the time the day was over we were both exhausted from all the games and activities. About the time we wanted to start dozing off to bed though, we heard a terribly weezy cough from Bret's room. We went in and could only figure that all of his symptoms pointed to croop (sp?). We didn't get off to bed until around 2 am, and I spent most of that night getting up with him and taking him outside into the cold air which helps their pharynx or whatever the problem is with croop. So, that next morning when we got up, I was feeling just worn down and slightly under the weather. By the time we got on the road I was feeling very lowsy and so I had Stef at least start our drive down to St. George. On about I-215 before getting on the freeway, Thanksgiving dinner decided to make it's way back where it came from. Luckily I got the window down just in time to not get any in the car, but sticking your head out the window going 70 mph sure seems to spread out the "stuff" (I am trying to keep this g-rated). I don't know what the car behind me was thinking but I am sure they got a good laugh until stuff started splashing up on their windsheild too. Stef quickly pulled off the road and we drove straight to a car wash (we are talking stuff all over the side of the car...gross). We stopped and did a 10 minute car wash and then got on the road again. We stopped briefly in Provo where Stef did some shopping and where I very unwisely filled back up my stomach with a delicious 6 inch spicy italian BMT from Subway. (Normally I am a footlong kind of guy but since I wasn't feeling the greatest, I took it down to a 6 incher). We continued our drive down to St. George (Stef still driving) when, not suprisingly, I lost that 6 inch sub. This time we had some bags ready just in case. It always feels so good to get it out, but miserable. Stef was such a good sport to just try to help in whatever possible. Well, we finally got down here, and Mom and Dad and the fam were nice to come over and bring some sick people foods...you know, saltines, coke, etc etc. Well, I threw up some more that night but then felt much better the next morning.
I am running out of time so we will keep this short. We had a great time on Saturday with the family just hanging out. Playing games, watching football, eating at Iggy's etc. Sunday morning we woke up to poor baby Bret throwing up all over. Not just spit up, throwup. To any who has watch a baby throw up it is soooo sad. It just hurts your heart to watch him. I felt especially bad knowing that he got it from me. Well, everyone stayed after church and helped us quickly move our stuff over to Yorgy's where we will be living for the next few weeks till we move back to Provo. During these coming weeks though, we again will be in internet darkness. We will do our best to get over to the library, but bear with us as we try to keep up with letters.
Well, time's up...gotta go. Thanks to all for your love and support, and to mom and dad and the gang up here, thanks again so much for all of your help. We are very grateful for our families!
Love,
Nick Stef and Bret
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Black Fridays to Remember
I was just reminiscing about the big adventures we had last year on Black Friday
http://kristibassett.blogspot.com/2007/11/river-walk-to-remember.html
It's one of my favorite blog posts, and I know some of you weren't avid blog readers back then (ahem, Jane). So you should go read if you dare.
And then check my blog to read about todays adventures, not nearly so exciting as last year, but still involves a little public humiliation : )
Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving!
http://kristibassett.blogspot.com/2007/11/river-walk-to-remember.html
It's one of my favorite blog posts, and I know some of you weren't avid blog readers back then (ahem, Jane). So you should go read if you dare.
And then check my blog to read about todays adventures, not nearly so exciting as last year, but still involves a little public humiliation : )
Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Scentsy Party (Stef)
Sorry, this repeat information for most of you, but for those of you who don't know yet :)
Hi all, this is for anyone who may check the blog that I haven't got contact info for: I am in town for Thanksgiving! I am hosting a Scentsy Party at my parents place in WVC tomorrow, Tuesday, November 25 for anyone who would like to come. Check out the website if you are unfamiliar with Scentsy candles. They are wickless and oh so fun! www.scentsy.com/stefaniebassett. It will be an open house from 6-8pm. Stop by any time for light refreshments and prize drawings. Hope to see you there!
Call if you have any questions! 801-386-3630
Hi all, this is for anyone who may check the blog that I haven't got contact info for: I am in town for Thanksgiving! I am hosting a Scentsy Party at my parents place in WVC tomorrow, Tuesday, November 25 for anyone who would like to come. Check out the website if you are unfamiliar with Scentsy candles. They are wickless and oh so fun! www.scentsy.com/stefaniebassett. It will be an open house from 6-8pm. Stop by any time for light refreshments and prize drawings. Hope to see you there!
Call if you have any questions! 801-386-3630
Sunday, November 23, 2008
"A Peculiar People" (max)
Hey Family,
Two nights ago was the last showing of the Jordan North Stake play - "A Peculiar People." Yep, it is now over. It was tons of fun though! I got to experience having on a face mic. and wearing a lot of make up! (that wasn't super great, but at least I now know that I never, ever want to wear it and I am very greatful that boys don't have to put it on ever day.) We performed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. A while back I told you what songs I was in which were:
"I have a dream" (From Mamma Mia)
"Nicest Kids In Town" (From Hairspray)
"Ain't Nothin' like a game" (From South Pacific, except it's Nothin' like a dame, we kind of switched some of the lyrics)
"Mamma Mia" (From Mamma Mia)
"Dancing Queen" (From Dancing Queen)
"We're all in this together" (From High School Musical)
I really did have a great time. And I thank all of you that were able to come, I hope you liked it. I wish that those who live far away could've come.
Love you all,
Gratitude (Nick)
Hi Family,
I am sitting here in our little St. George apt listening to the Eclipse christmas album. I am of the opinion that christmas music is only to be listened to during Christmas time...but because it is only once a year, I like to start as early as possible. I am looking forward to this upcoming Christmas. It is only 5 pm and the sun is already setting. Stef and Bret went with her parents back to WVC to be there the entire week of Thanksgiving. I am very glad that they could go because I know how bored Stef gets at home sometimes. I am impressed at how amazing she is each day to stay home and take care of baby Bret. If any of you haven't taken the chance to read her most recent post on our blog, you should read it. It is very sincere and heartfelt.
So, I have more to say than could be said in typing, or that you would probably care to know. I think that a good short post is always a good idea too because the chance of the letter being read is much higher. I will briefly update you all on the different areas of my life.
Family: Bret is getting bigger and more talented each day. Really, I came home from work a couple days ago to find out he had learned that he knows how to roll. He has been rolling all around the place. He is also getting very talented at skooching himself backwards. He is so much fun to play with. He is not very fond of people besides mom and dad but I think he will quickly grow out of that stage and into the I-dont-really-want-anyone stage. We love him so much though and are very grateful to have him in our family. Stef is getting better each day being a mommy and wife. She knows Bret so well and what he needs and when he needs it. She recently was able to attend a dance class, and I took her to the "Festival of Trees" down here the night that the highschool dance teams did the performance. It was very fun and I know she is anxious to start dancing a little more regularly. When we are up there in the winter she will be teaching a class on saturdays. We are all grateful to be a family and feel so blessed to have the gospel to help us know how to have a successful family.
Job: After much thought and prayer we finally decided it was the right thing to do to go ahead and turn down the Texas Instruments offer. It was very difficult because of the great experience they would provide, the promising financial benefits, and because TI has really taken good care of us. We feel good about it though because we have a offer from IHC which is at least a guarantee to be much closer to family. I had the hospital administrator (CEO), the CFO, and the regional VP set up a meeting with me about my options if I were to stay with IHC. A few days later, one of the corporate VPs came down "rounding" (going around visiting with depts) and I had the chance to sit in a meeting with him. In that meeting the CFO introduced us and told him that they are trying to recruit me. Anyway, I feel very wanted at IHC...I wish they were able to show me how much they want me (i.e. a slightly higher salary or a job in Salt Lake right away). Beggers can't be choosers though and we are grateful to have that great options. We are actually still looking around in Salt Lake for a job but have not heard back from anyone yet. Pray for us that things will work out the way they need too.
Events: I mentioned that we went to the "Festival of Trees" down here which was really fun. We have also recently been out rock climbing (I have a new fun place I want to take the fam to when they are down here). We went out and saw Thriller the other night out at Tuacahn which is put on by Odyssey dance theatre and is a hallowee spectacular. This past weekend Stef's parents came down to visit for a couple of days. They are always so nice and generous. Dave and I went out golfing, and Stef and her mom went shopping. We also watched the very disappointing BYU game... grrr. Stef and Bret are now up in Salt Lake until I meet up with them on Wednesday for thanksgiving.
I am so grateful for my family, and for the things that the gospel teaches me about how to find true happiness.
I love you all.
Nick
I am sitting here in our little St. George apt listening to the Eclipse christmas album. I am of the opinion that christmas music is only to be listened to during Christmas time...but because it is only once a year, I like to start as early as possible. I am looking forward to this upcoming Christmas. It is only 5 pm and the sun is already setting. Stef and Bret went with her parents back to WVC to be there the entire week of Thanksgiving. I am very glad that they could go because I know how bored Stef gets at home sometimes. I am impressed at how amazing she is each day to stay home and take care of baby Bret. If any of you haven't taken the chance to read her most recent post on our blog, you should read it. It is very sincere and heartfelt.
So, I have more to say than could be said in typing, or that you would probably care to know. I think that a good short post is always a good idea too because the chance of the letter being read is much higher. I will briefly update you all on the different areas of my life.
Family: Bret is getting bigger and more talented each day. Really, I came home from work a couple days ago to find out he had learned that he knows how to roll. He has been rolling all around the place. He is also getting very talented at skooching himself backwards. He is so much fun to play with. He is not very fond of people besides mom and dad but I think he will quickly grow out of that stage and into the I-dont-really-want-anyone stage. We love him so much though and are very grateful to have him in our family. Stef is getting better each day being a mommy and wife. She knows Bret so well and what he needs and when he needs it. She recently was able to attend a dance class, and I took her to the "Festival of Trees" down here the night that the highschool dance teams did the performance. It was very fun and I know she is anxious to start dancing a little more regularly. When we are up there in the winter she will be teaching a class on saturdays. We are all grateful to be a family and feel so blessed to have the gospel to help us know how to have a successful family.
Job: After much thought and prayer we finally decided it was the right thing to do to go ahead and turn down the Texas Instruments offer. It was very difficult because of the great experience they would provide, the promising financial benefits, and because TI has really taken good care of us. We feel good about it though because we have a offer from IHC which is at least a guarantee to be much closer to family. I had the hospital administrator (CEO), the CFO, and the regional VP set up a meeting with me about my options if I were to stay with IHC. A few days later, one of the corporate VPs came down "rounding" (going around visiting with depts) and I had the chance to sit in a meeting with him. In that meeting the CFO introduced us and told him that they are trying to recruit me. Anyway, I feel very wanted at IHC...I wish they were able to show me how much they want me (i.e. a slightly higher salary or a job in Salt Lake right away). Beggers can't be choosers though and we are grateful to have that great options. We are actually still looking around in Salt Lake for a job but have not heard back from anyone yet. Pray for us that things will work out the way they need too.
Events: I mentioned that we went to the "Festival of Trees" down here which was really fun. We have also recently been out rock climbing (I have a new fun place I want to take the fam to when they are down here). We went out and saw Thriller the other night out at Tuacahn which is put on by Odyssey dance theatre and is a hallowee spectacular. This past weekend Stef's parents came down to visit for a couple of days. They are always so nice and generous. Dave and I went out golfing, and Stef and her mom went shopping. We also watched the very disappointing BYU game... grrr. Stef and Bret are now up in Salt Lake until I meet up with them on Wednesday for thanksgiving.
I am so grateful for my family, and for the things that the gospel teaches me about how to find true happiness.
I love you all.
Nick
Saturday, November 22, 2008
One of the many reasons why I'm a lucky man
We live in a world of incredible leisure, but it's also a time that is very fast-paced. We live in the age of fast food and instant messages. We live in a time when not only is everything our minds can imagine in stock and on the shelves down the street at the local Walmart, but when we expect to pay so little for it that it has nearly become a commodity--something to pick up with the groceries. Food, clothing, electronics, housewares, everything comes to us through incredible supply chains such that we cannot fathom how they can be designed and manufactured, distributed around the world, stocked on shelves and sold to us at obscene prices and that some amount of money remains for everyone along the way to make a buck. Call it wonderful or troubling, miraculous or overly complex, whatever the case, it is a very different world than anyone in history has ever lived in. And that's why I feel like I needed to write a quick post today, to say how lucky I consider myself to have actually found a wife in this world of Give-Me-What-I-Want-And-Give-It-To-Me-Now who can actually bake a loaf of fresh bread like the one Kristi just made. It's easy to get used to the lifestyle we live. To prices falling and convenience rising. But I had to post today. Because even in this world where we expect everything for nothing, having warm, real bread fresh out of the oven with Kristi's homemade honey butter on it is truly a treat. And it's something I don't ever want to take for granted.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Christmas List (Janey)
Okay, so I am greedy and am going to get my Christmas list out there so you can all start shopping. :) I was wondering, are we going to do the whole "dollar gift" thing so we can have more gifts to open (again, I am greedy)? We have done that in the past, but kind of didn't do it last year because we were all over the place and a dollar gift harly seems worth buying and mailing...so, everyone please give your thoughts on that one.
My Christmas List:
-So, I am going to try and keep it a little more simple this year, I won't go straight to the engagment ring (like maybe Rose will be asking for this year), all I want is to simply have the courage to get into a relationship. Maybe we should back up, find me someone that I will actually WANT to have the courage to develop a relationship with. Okay, so there is my "joking gift" that I have to do every year.
-Blow Dryer just like Mom's
-"Lucky" or "Hollister" perfume
-The newest Betsy Brannon Green Book called "Above and Beyond"
-Cord that connects my IPOD to my car stereo
-Tiny brush like mom's that I can put in backpack
-Chapstick, mascara, IbProfun (lame, I know, but I am almost out!)
-Jelly Beans (I am currently going through with drawls)
-If we could ever find one, I want a jacket like Gwenie's North Face Jacket (I am so picky)
-I nice black coat :)
-Clothes
That is it for right now...I will probably add more someday. I would love it if others of you could get your lists out here! Hope you are all doing well.
Love, Janey
My Christmas List:
-So, I am going to try and keep it a little more simple this year, I won't go straight to the engagment ring (like maybe Rose will be asking for this year), all I want is to simply have the courage to get into a relationship. Maybe we should back up, find me someone that I will actually WANT to have the courage to develop a relationship with. Okay, so there is my "joking gift" that I have to do every year.
-Blow Dryer just like Mom's
-"Lucky" or "Hollister" perfume
-The newest Betsy Brannon Green Book called "Above and Beyond"
-Cord that connects my IPOD to my car stereo
-Tiny brush like mom's that I can put in backpack
-Chapstick, mascara, IbProfun (lame, I know, but I am almost out!)
-Jelly Beans (I am currently going through with drawls)
-If we could ever find one, I want a jacket like Gwenie's North Face Jacket (I am so picky)
-I nice black coat :)
-Clothes
That is it for right now...I will probably add more someday. I would love it if others of you could get your lists out here! Hope you are all doing well.
Love, Janey
Just keep swimming (Janey)
Oh what a beautiful or morning, oh what a beautiful day! The weather here in Utah is beautiful! I am currently on campus with only a long sleeve shirt, and no coat to go with it. I am loving this warm weather, and except for maybe a week or two before Christmas, I want it to stay like this! We'll see how long it lasts. The one thing I will complain about though is that it gets dark at like 5. The older I get, the more I hate it!
Life goes on but kind of gets crazier as we go. School has been great, and still is great, but getting to the point where I don't feel like I understand everything. I have felt so blessed thus far to feel like I understand everything and have been able to stay on top of everything. As the end of the semester approaches, it makes me realize how quickly time flies! It seems like just a month a go that I wasn't too stressed because papers and tests were months away. Now, they are almost all done and turned in! Finals are coming and they have me a little nervous. I will be so happy when school is done for the semester! Wahoo.
I am so excited for Christmas. Even if it is our last time all sleeping together (maybe) I am glad we still have this last one. Blaine and Kris, I am so gald you are able to come.
Dating life...same old, nothing special.
Love you all and am excited to see you soon.
Janey
Life goes on but kind of gets crazier as we go. School has been great, and still is great, but getting to the point where I don't feel like I understand everything. I have felt so blessed thus far to feel like I understand everything and have been able to stay on top of everything. As the end of the semester approaches, it makes me realize how quickly time flies! It seems like just a month a go that I wasn't too stressed because papers and tests were months away. Now, they are almost all done and turned in! Finals are coming and they have me a little nervous. I will be so happy when school is done for the semester! Wahoo.
I am so excited for Christmas. Even if it is our last time all sleeping together (maybe) I am glad we still have this last one. Blaine and Kris, I am so gald you are able to come.
Dating life...same old, nothing special.
Love you all and am excited to see you soon.
Janey
Monday, November 17, 2008
Another new look of the BAWB...
okay - another change...do you like this better? I can find a way to fix our family picture (center it) ...but do you like the colors etc okay? If not, we'll go back to the traditional look we had before. But as Nick said - just so long as we all keep writing!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Oh, Memories
Kristi's family is putting together a book of everybody's memories and having a family night based on it. As part of this they asked us to put together a page or two of memories. It was a very free-form assignment--it could be childhood memories, memories since we've been married, paragraph form, bullet form, whatever. You'll notice (and hopefully won't be offended by the fact) that it is mostly based on memories we have with the Genessy side of the family since it was to be read in their family night. Anyway, we buzzed through the assignment at the 11th hour but I still thought it would be worth posting what we came up with this afternoon. Enjoy:
Blaine's Memories:
Kristi has been a part of my life for almost as long as I can remember. As you might imagine, she’s been a bigger part these last few years than she was when we were in elementary school, but she’s been at least a small part all along.
One of my first clear memories about Kristi was in elementary school. I was always on track D at our year round school whereas Kristi was on track A, track C, and basically all the other tracks except D. So she wasn’t in my class but we knew who each other were. In one of the later years I began my first job at the dairy—stapling. I don’t know how it’s done now but back then each of the delivery customers would get a promotional flyer with their bill each month and myself and some of my cousins were the ones who would staple the two together. Each route had hundreds of customers and there were at least a couple dozen routes so there was a lot of stapling to do. I remember one month some of my cousins were out of town and we needed an extra helper. I overheard one of the guys volunteer a daughter about our age who he thought could help out, especially since she was currently off-track. I realized that it would surely be someone I knew and I remember being very curious about who she was. The guy of course was Dad and the next day Kristi was there to help us out (and I’m pretty sure Shawn too although my memory there is a little fuzzier). We were just kids but even then I remember the excitement of sitting next to a cute girl (who wasn’t my cousin… :-) and shooting the breeze while we worked. I felt so cool that I knew the ropes and could answer her questions and help (“yeah, switching out the staples is actually quite easy—here let me show you…”). I remember she was a lot slower than me but once she suddenly burst with joy out of nowhere: “Hey, I just kept up with you for two staples! I’ve been secretly trying to catch up to you and I just did two pages faster than you!” She was excited and I think I was in love…
Junior high I didn’t see much of Kris although I continued working at the dairy and knew who her parents and Shawn were. I fell in love with lots of other girls during this time who were not Kristi but about whom I could tell lots of other funny stories. Anyway, I was pretty much a nerd who did the stapling and now the compost and I didn’t have too exciting of a love life during this time.
High school I ran into Kristi again. From about the first day of 10th grade, my friends and me were instantly best friends with Kris and her friends. There were all kinds of combinations of different people liking each other during this time but none of it was really played out much at first. We had an English class together and maybe a few other classes and we were really good friends. In the summer we all got season passes to Lagoon and Kristi was our designated driver most of the time (a fact which I later found out kind of irked her, though she never complained). We also played roller hockey in the church parking lot by our house and though several girls came and tried to play once or twice, Kris was the only girl who consistently showed up and took the game seriously. I have lots of fun memories of that and I think that is where we really started to like eachother.
The details over the next years could fill volumes but basically we got together in 11th grade for the first time and then dated off and on (mostly on but a little off) until I left on my mission. Kristi waited for me off and on (mostly on but a little off) during the mission thanks to help from a great support network. She told me that one day she came home from a date and her dad, though he usually never pried or even asked many questions about her love life, quizzed her and just tried to give advice like only fathers can: “I thought you were waiting for Blaine. You better be careful with these boys because they don’t know you’re waiting…” Etc.
Kristi was very nervous for when I got home. She had been warned that return missionaries were weird. That they often were freaked out by girls and that she should give me plenty of space and time to get used to the dating life again. Kris didn’t find that to be the case with me—I picked her up and swung her around in the hallway of my house the first instant I saw her. We held hands during dinner that night and I kissed her the next day. Within days we were talking about marriage and reserved a date for a few months later. Only a couple weeks later I took her on a carriage ride downtown to give her a ring and make the engagement official.
Engagement was a hard time. Hard for Kristi because she was having a lot of second thoughts. And hard for me because, well, Kristi was having a lot of second thoughts. In retrospect, yeah, we moved really fast. But I’ve always been glad that I married Kristi quick and I still don’t know what the point would have been in dilly-dallying. Eventually we both felt good about it and we had a beautiful wedding.
Since we’ve been married the memories are countless. Each year I’ve compiled lists of our memories that usually have 8-12 pages of bullets. We’ve lived in 6 different apartments since we got married plus the house we live in now. We’ve lived all over the country—Utah, Oregon, Minnesota, and Texas. We’ve had two beautiful children with one on the way. I can’t even scratch the surface of memories here but we’ve been through a lot together, good times and bad, and I’m grateful that I can say that Kristi is still my best friend, just like she’s been for practically forever :-)
Kristi's Memories:
A page of memories hmmmm…. Well.
I remember that for a long time Dad was very capable of doing headstands. And he could do them forever.
I remember calling mom at work at telling her that Jen wanted to go out to lunch, and then calling Jen and telling her that mom wanted to go out to lunch, and it would usually work so that we would all go out to lunch together!
My first memory of Wayne was that we were at my G&G Genessy’s house and I finished a roll of film (remember those?) and didn’t have enough money to get it developed. I was complaining about it to everyone and no one seemed to care, but later that day Wayne slipped me $2 to develop the film and I thought that was SO cool.
I remember picking up horsechestnuts in the backyard when the going rate was one ten cent ice cream cone per 200lbs of chestnuts collected. What are they up to now? $20 per ice cream bucket? Boy how times have changed. And back then I had to deal with Shawn throwing them at me while I was cleaning them up. Kids have it so easy these days.
I remember one time Dad took Shawn and I on a “surprise” Saturday excursion. I was so excited until I noticed we were pulling up at the AIRPORT! Dad had purchased a little flight around the valley in a mosquito plane and I was SO mad. I did not want to go because I was so afraid of flying. So I wound up sitting in the car while Dad and Shawn went on an airplane ride.
I remember on our drives to California to visit James and family, that mom and dad would get little presents for us to open every hour of the drive to keep us occupied. I also remember caravanning with my G&G Genessy and getting to ride with them part of the way--- Grandma Genessy would point out all of the alien shaped power line poles.
I loved going to Payson Lakes, especially the nights G&G Genessy would come visit. I loved moms hashbrowns and going fishing with dad.
Opening one Christmas present an hour--- really annoying as a kid, really awesome as a parent.
I remember Dad and Mom saving up their chocolate milk allowance at the dairy so I could take that as my treat to school on my birthday for my class.
Crystal Springs, Saratoga Springs, Lava Hot Springs and Cherry Hills. I remember wishing I was big enough to ride my bike to Saratoga Springs with Wayne and…? Maybe Shawn or something.
I remember fishing on a rubber raft with Todd and then we started sinking, but never fear! Todd plugged up the leaky boat with a bullet and we kept fishing.
I remember sharing a daybed with Jenn and Josh (I think?) in her room, that had the most ugly wallpaper I have ever seen to date.
I remember celebrating Thanksgiving with the Bills side of the family at our church. Lots of yummy banana pudding and basketball playing.
I remember when Shawn got lost in the middle of the dessert while mom and dad were out of town and I had to call the police and was so scared I didn’t know what to do. Let’s not let that happen again.
Shawn and I would have handstand contests where we would use the piano as a timer. That probably only makes sense to Shawn.
I remember staying up late playing games (Phase 10, canasta, balderdash), etc. When Jenn and Wayne would come over. I miss those times!
I remember seeing mom pluck her eyebrows and then I tried to copy her but instead shaved an eyebrow and cut my eyelashes and told her Jimmy, who lived across the street, did it.
I remember making chocolate covered pretzels with Grandpa Genessy around Christmas time.
And sleeping over at G&G Genessy’s house and having “egg in bread” in the morning.
I remember when mom backed her new car out of the driveway and knocked off the mirror of the car on the pole. A few choice words were said.
I remember doing puzzles with mom by the fireplace when I was off track in the winter.
I remember making suckers with mom. Or did I just eat them? Can’t remember.
I remember when mom wanted to turn the hottub around so we could all have a better view of the fountain dad had put in. : )
Blaine's Memories:
Kristi has been a part of my life for almost as long as I can remember. As you might imagine, she’s been a bigger part these last few years than she was when we were in elementary school, but she’s been at least a small part all along.
One of my first clear memories about Kristi was in elementary school. I was always on track D at our year round school whereas Kristi was on track A, track C, and basically all the other tracks except D. So she wasn’t in my class but we knew who each other were. In one of the later years I began my first job at the dairy—stapling. I don’t know how it’s done now but back then each of the delivery customers would get a promotional flyer with their bill each month and myself and some of my cousins were the ones who would staple the two together. Each route had hundreds of customers and there were at least a couple dozen routes so there was a lot of stapling to do. I remember one month some of my cousins were out of town and we needed an extra helper. I overheard one of the guys volunteer a daughter about our age who he thought could help out, especially since she was currently off-track. I realized that it would surely be someone I knew and I remember being very curious about who she was. The guy of course was Dad and the next day Kristi was there to help us out (and I’m pretty sure Shawn too although my memory there is a little fuzzier). We were just kids but even then I remember the excitement of sitting next to a cute girl (who wasn’t my cousin… :-) and shooting the breeze while we worked. I felt so cool that I knew the ropes and could answer her questions and help (“yeah, switching out the staples is actually quite easy—here let me show you…”). I remember she was a lot slower than me but once she suddenly burst with joy out of nowhere: “Hey, I just kept up with you for two staples! I’ve been secretly trying to catch up to you and I just did two pages faster than you!” She was excited and I think I was in love…
Junior high I didn’t see much of Kris although I continued working at the dairy and knew who her parents and Shawn were. I fell in love with lots of other girls during this time who were not Kristi but about whom I could tell lots of other funny stories. Anyway, I was pretty much a nerd who did the stapling and now the compost and I didn’t have too exciting of a love life during this time.
High school I ran into Kristi again. From about the first day of 10th grade, my friends and me were instantly best friends with Kris and her friends. There were all kinds of combinations of different people liking each other during this time but none of it was really played out much at first. We had an English class together and maybe a few other classes and we were really good friends. In the summer we all got season passes to Lagoon and Kristi was our designated driver most of the time (a fact which I later found out kind of irked her, though she never complained). We also played roller hockey in the church parking lot by our house and though several girls came and tried to play once or twice, Kris was the only girl who consistently showed up and took the game seriously. I have lots of fun memories of that and I think that is where we really started to like eachother.
The details over the next years could fill volumes but basically we got together in 11th grade for the first time and then dated off and on (mostly on but a little off) until I left on my mission. Kristi waited for me off and on (mostly on but a little off) during the mission thanks to help from a great support network. She told me that one day she came home from a date and her dad, though he usually never pried or even asked many questions about her love life, quizzed her and just tried to give advice like only fathers can: “I thought you were waiting for Blaine. You better be careful with these boys because they don’t know you’re waiting…” Etc.
Kristi was very nervous for when I got home. She had been warned that return missionaries were weird. That they often were freaked out by girls and that she should give me plenty of space and time to get used to the dating life again. Kris didn’t find that to be the case with me—I picked her up and swung her around in the hallway of my house the first instant I saw her. We held hands during dinner that night and I kissed her the next day. Within days we were talking about marriage and reserved a date for a few months later. Only a couple weeks later I took her on a carriage ride downtown to give her a ring and make the engagement official.
Engagement was a hard time. Hard for Kristi because she was having a lot of second thoughts. And hard for me because, well, Kristi was having a lot of second thoughts. In retrospect, yeah, we moved really fast. But I’ve always been glad that I married Kristi quick and I still don’t know what the point would have been in dilly-dallying. Eventually we both felt good about it and we had a beautiful wedding.
Since we’ve been married the memories are countless. Each year I’ve compiled lists of our memories that usually have 8-12 pages of bullets. We’ve lived in 6 different apartments since we got married plus the house we live in now. We’ve lived all over the country—Utah, Oregon, Minnesota, and Texas. We’ve had two beautiful children with one on the way. I can’t even scratch the surface of memories here but we’ve been through a lot together, good times and bad, and I’m grateful that I can say that Kristi is still my best friend, just like she’s been for practically forever :-)
Kristi's Memories:
A page of memories hmmmm…. Well.
I remember that for a long time Dad was very capable of doing headstands. And he could do them forever.
I remember calling mom at work at telling her that Jen wanted to go out to lunch, and then calling Jen and telling her that mom wanted to go out to lunch, and it would usually work so that we would all go out to lunch together!
My first memory of Wayne was that we were at my G&G Genessy’s house and I finished a roll of film (remember those?) and didn’t have enough money to get it developed. I was complaining about it to everyone and no one seemed to care, but later that day Wayne slipped me $2 to develop the film and I thought that was SO cool.
I remember picking up horsechestnuts in the backyard when the going rate was one ten cent ice cream cone per 200lbs of chestnuts collected. What are they up to now? $20 per ice cream bucket? Boy how times have changed. And back then I had to deal with Shawn throwing them at me while I was cleaning them up. Kids have it so easy these days.
I remember one time Dad took Shawn and I on a “surprise” Saturday excursion. I was so excited until I noticed we were pulling up at the AIRPORT! Dad had purchased a little flight around the valley in a mosquito plane and I was SO mad. I did not want to go because I was so afraid of flying. So I wound up sitting in the car while Dad and Shawn went on an airplane ride.
I remember on our drives to California to visit James and family, that mom and dad would get little presents for us to open every hour of the drive to keep us occupied. I also remember caravanning with my G&G Genessy and getting to ride with them part of the way--- Grandma Genessy would point out all of the alien shaped power line poles.
I loved going to Payson Lakes, especially the nights G&G Genessy would come visit. I loved moms hashbrowns and going fishing with dad.
Opening one Christmas present an hour--- really annoying as a kid, really awesome as a parent.
I remember Dad and Mom saving up their chocolate milk allowance at the dairy so I could take that as my treat to school on my birthday for my class.
Crystal Springs, Saratoga Springs, Lava Hot Springs and Cherry Hills. I remember wishing I was big enough to ride my bike to Saratoga Springs with Wayne and…? Maybe Shawn or something.
I remember fishing on a rubber raft with Todd and then we started sinking, but never fear! Todd plugged up the leaky boat with a bullet and we kept fishing.
I remember sharing a daybed with Jenn and Josh (I think?) in her room, that had the most ugly wallpaper I have ever seen to date.
I remember celebrating Thanksgiving with the Bills side of the family at our church. Lots of yummy banana pudding and basketball playing.
I remember when Shawn got lost in the middle of the dessert while mom and dad were out of town and I had to call the police and was so scared I didn’t know what to do. Let’s not let that happen again.
Shawn and I would have handstand contests where we would use the piano as a timer. That probably only makes sense to Shawn.
I remember staying up late playing games (Phase 10, canasta, balderdash), etc. When Jenn and Wayne would come over. I miss those times!
I remember seeing mom pluck her eyebrows and then I tried to copy her but instead shaved an eyebrow and cut my eyelashes and told her Jimmy, who lived across the street, did it.
I remember making chocolate covered pretzels with Grandpa Genessy around Christmas time.
And sleeping over at G&G Genessy’s house and having “egg in bread” in the morning.
I remember when mom backed her new car out of the driveway and knocked off the mirror of the car on the pole. A few choice words were said.
I remember doing puzzles with mom by the fireplace when I was off track in the winter.
I remember making suckers with mom. Or did I just eat them? Can’t remember.
I remember when mom wanted to turn the hottub around so we could all have a better view of the fountain dad had put in. : )
Gwen's Memories:
Gwen remembers. . . .
Moving five times by the time she turned three
Grandma Genessy calling her “Adi” for the first few days of life
Learning to read when she was only three
Falling out of a shopping cart the day before her first birthday and going to the Emergency Room
When she got to live with Aunt Jen and family while mom and dad went on a cruise, and they tried to feed her popcorn. She’s always been bitter about that. And she was really upset when her parents came home, so much so that she only wanted Jenn and Grandma to hold her, not mom or dad. At all.
When Grandma Genessy came to help on the day that Gwen and Mom were both so so so sick (Gwen with the stomach flu and Mom with pregnancy).
Living next door to her best friend Anna in Utah, and going for walks and playing with her every day!.
Always having the most long and beautiful hair ( I think she gets it from Grandpa Genessy!), even when she was born it was about two inches long and jet black.
When she was little her neck muscles were not equally strong on each side, this is called torticollis. So we would have to stretch Gwen’s neck several times each day until it finally got better.
Not learning to walk until she was 17 months old.
Going to the Mall of American with Grandma and Grandpa Genessy
Hiding in the closet in her Texas house from all of the scary thunderstorms (alright, so really they weren’t so scary to her, but her mom was sure scared!)
Ben's Memories:
Bbb bdbdbd. Da da da DAAA. Gpga ga GA DA.
And so forth...
Saturday, November 15, 2008
New look of the BAWB (Bret)
Do you like the new look? I thought it might help to have more text on the screen at a time. Less scrolling. If any of you have a template with a bit more personality you would like to use (as long as it is a full screen tempate) I'm all for it.
Loves
Loves
A comment on the illegal retribution against the Church (Bret)
Hi Family,
I hope this is one of my last posts on this topic. I keep writing because of how troubling it is to see the church's name poisoned for being 'hateful' when nothing is farther from the truth. I hope these articles help strengthen you own testimony that the church is not hateful but is also not ready to fold to political pressure.
If any of you have any lingering concerns please let me know, I'll try and address it directly. Thanks. and love.
Dad.
My response to the persecution being heaped upon the members of the church for their role in supporting proposition 8. I was calling this my masterpiece. But as I reread it, it's not that powerful. But many of my latest thoughts on the topic are covered here.
http://bbbmetaphors.blogspot.com/2008/11/what-kind-of-world-are-we-building.html
The church's principle based defense for why we support traditional marriage.
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-divine-institution-of-marriage
Key letters and articles from the church regarding proposition 8 defense.
http://bbbmetaphors.blogspot.com/2008/11/important-letters-from-proposition-8.html
I hope this is one of my last posts on this topic. I keep writing because of how troubling it is to see the church's name poisoned for being 'hateful' when nothing is farther from the truth. I hope these articles help strengthen you own testimony that the church is not hateful but is also not ready to fold to political pressure.
If any of you have any lingering concerns please let me know, I'll try and address it directly. Thanks. and love.
Dad.
My response to the persecution being heaped upon the members of the church for their role in supporting proposition 8. I was calling this my masterpiece. But as I reread it, it's not that powerful. But many of my latest thoughts on the topic are covered here.
http://bbbmetaphors.blogspot.com/2008/11/what-kind-of-world-are-we-building.html
The church's principle based defense for why we support traditional marriage.
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-divine-institution-of-marriage
Key letters and articles from the church regarding proposition 8 defense.
http://bbbmetaphors.blogspot.com/2008/11/important-letters-from-proposition-8.html
Friday, November 14, 2008
A thought provoking metaphor about families. (Bret)
Hi ya'll,
I appreciate mom's letter about being better and more committed to our extended families. Letting them know that we are part of them, and that we want them to be part of us. To this end, I've been trying to decide, what is the role of the extended family verses the immediate family. What is the role of the super-extended family? Do problems arise when we try to make the super-extended family play the role of the immediate family and vice versa? Have a look at the article I posted on the topic. Please let me know if you agree or disagree...
http://bbbmetaphors.blogspot.com/2008/11/families-wards.html
I appreciate mom's letter about being better and more committed to our extended families. Letting them know that we are part of them, and that we want them to be part of us. To this end, I've been trying to decide, what is the role of the extended family verses the immediate family. What is the role of the super-extended family? Do problems arise when we try to make the super-extended family play the role of the immediate family and vice versa? Have a look at the article I posted on the topic. Please let me know if you agree or disagree...
http://bbbmetaphors.blogspot.com/2008/11/families-wards.html
Fun Times in Texas (Mom)
Dear Family,
My brain is spinning as I have a lot to say. First, please go back and read dad's Welcome Grangma blog below that has concerns about how we need to make our family a part of the Bark. We are slackers in that area and it's time to repent. A few of you have made comments and I want to know everyone's thoughts and feelings so we can go forward and do better in our larger family communications.
Second, I had a WONDERFUL time in Texas. I think most of you know that the Thursday flight was overbooked so I left a day later and didn't arrive in Austin until Friday night. Though it shortened the trip, I felt that it was a gift from above as the $400 voucher will allow yet another trip. What a blessing. It was so fun to arrive to warmer weather, see my luggage that had been waiting for me for a day, stand out on the airport curb and see that handsome new gray van drive towards me. Gwen jumped out and gave me the biggest hug. It's such a nice car with three seats in the middle so I could sit comfortably between Gwen and Ben. I thought I was in heaven as we drove to their home! Then of course there was a warm welcome from the dogs. I wanted them to sleep with me but Kristi said no:)
We had such a great week that went way too fast. On Saturday they treated me to Sea World (a late birthday present) This was especially kind of Kristi since she couldn't do any of the rides and sat with Ben for a lot of them. We enjoyed the dolphins and shows. Blaine and I rode the roller coaster twice and really got a kick out of that.
On Sunday it was great to go to their ward. It's much smaller now after the split and we could sit in the chapel. I got to see Amy, the babysitter, play her violin in sac meeting. (Max, she is your age, cute girl!) I got to hear Gwen give the prayer in primary. I went to RS alone since Kris is in YW, but one of her friends came and sat by me and told me how much she loves Kristi and what a great friend Kristi is to her. Sunday afternoon we watched "the Gwenie show" (family footage - Blaine is great at taking video) and that was a treat. We enjoyed a Sunday walk along the river (by where the family photo was taken last year) The sabbath ended with an absolutely delicious crepe bar. Wow, Kristi's domestic talents are never-ending.
Blaine obviously had to work during the week but it was fun for me to just hang out with Kristi and the kids for their regular routine. Some highlights:
I tended the kids while Kristi went to the doctor. Every grandma wants to play Candyland and Pretty Princess with their four-year old granddaughter, and let her win! We read lots of stories, too. I also gave them baths and got to see Bentley go bonkers in the tub. He kicks and kicks!
We got to see the round rock in the river that Round Rock city is named after. Best part about that outing was stopping to get fresh donuts at the Round Rock Donut Shop. I have decided to make that a new tradition when I visit. We even took home enough for family night treats.
I got to visit Gwen's preschool in the Lutheran Church and go to "chapel" with her. It was kind of like sharing time with a bible story and fun songs. I loved it when Gwen was so excited to introduce me to Miss Kim her teacher. And then she brought home papers for ME to take home to OUR fridge!
I got to go to National Instruments and visit Blaine at work. We walked around the grounds and took pictures. I got to take them to Costco for a shopping spree.
We went to at least one park each day. Gwen is learning how to pump the swing and Bentley's smile is just huge when we swings. I was there on the day when both kids went to the doctors and had their shots. Four shots for Ben and five for Gwen. Wow, they were brave! Then we went to Zilker park and rode the train. (Kristi and I also got an eyeful from a guy in a little tiny red biking outfit - I'm talking tiny!)
It was so fun just to be a part of their lives. Course the week ended all too soon. Wednesday night they treated me to dinner at a nice mexican restaurant that took us forever to find! Nice Blaine drove me to the airport at 4:45 am on Thursday morning. I wonder why I booked a 7 am flight?
I appreciate how welcome and loved I felt. I know Kristi isn't feeling her best, but she is such a trooper to keep going and going with a smile on her face. She is such a wonderful mom as evidenced by the many kisses she gets constantly from Bentley! And Blaine is such a great dad and provider. They are diligent at reading scriptures each night, and having family home evening and family prayer. It was such a satisfying and wonderful thing for me to be in their home and feel the great spirit of love and unity and peace. Thanks setting the example and leading the way B&K&G&B! And thanks for your love and hospitality. Lets do it again.
Love, Mom
PS Did you guys know that when Kristi writes her blog she doesn't proof it but just sends it and THEN goes back and reads it. Amazing! Do you know how crazy this letter would have been if I did that?
My brain is spinning as I have a lot to say. First, please go back and read dad's Welcome Grangma blog below that has concerns about how we need to make our family a part of the Bark. We are slackers in that area and it's time to repent. A few of you have made comments and I want to know everyone's thoughts and feelings so we can go forward and do better in our larger family communications.
Second, I had a WONDERFUL time in Texas. I think most of you know that the Thursday flight was overbooked so I left a day later and didn't arrive in Austin until Friday night. Though it shortened the trip, I felt that it was a gift from above as the $400 voucher will allow yet another trip. What a blessing. It was so fun to arrive to warmer weather, see my luggage that had been waiting for me for a day, stand out on the airport curb and see that handsome new gray van drive towards me. Gwen jumped out and gave me the biggest hug. It's such a nice car with three seats in the middle so I could sit comfortably between Gwen and Ben. I thought I was in heaven as we drove to their home! Then of course there was a warm welcome from the dogs. I wanted them to sleep with me but Kristi said no:)
We had such a great week that went way too fast. On Saturday they treated me to Sea World (a late birthday present) This was especially kind of Kristi since she couldn't do any of the rides and sat with Ben for a lot of them. We enjoyed the dolphins and shows. Blaine and I rode the roller coaster twice and really got a kick out of that.
On Sunday it was great to go to their ward. It's much smaller now after the split and we could sit in the chapel. I got to see Amy, the babysitter, play her violin in sac meeting. (Max, she is your age, cute girl!) I got to hear Gwen give the prayer in primary. I went to RS alone since Kris is in YW, but one of her friends came and sat by me and told me how much she loves Kristi and what a great friend Kristi is to her. Sunday afternoon we watched "the Gwenie show" (family footage - Blaine is great at taking video) and that was a treat. We enjoyed a Sunday walk along the river (by where the family photo was taken last year) The sabbath ended with an absolutely delicious crepe bar. Wow, Kristi's domestic talents are never-ending.
Blaine obviously had to work during the week but it was fun for me to just hang out with Kristi and the kids for their regular routine. Some highlights:
I tended the kids while Kristi went to the doctor. Every grandma wants to play Candyland and Pretty Princess with their four-year old granddaughter, and let her win! We read lots of stories, too. I also gave them baths and got to see Bentley go bonkers in the tub. He kicks and kicks!
We got to see the round rock in the river that Round Rock city is named after. Best part about that outing was stopping to get fresh donuts at the Round Rock Donut Shop. I have decided to make that a new tradition when I visit. We even took home enough for family night treats.
I got to visit Gwen's preschool in the Lutheran Church and go to "chapel" with her. It was kind of like sharing time with a bible story and fun songs. I loved it when Gwen was so excited to introduce me to Miss Kim her teacher. And then she brought home papers for ME to take home to OUR fridge!
I got to go to National Instruments and visit Blaine at work. We walked around the grounds and took pictures. I got to take them to Costco for a shopping spree.
We went to at least one park each day. Gwen is learning how to pump the swing and Bentley's smile is just huge when we swings. I was there on the day when both kids went to the doctors and had their shots. Four shots for Ben and five for Gwen. Wow, they were brave! Then we went to Zilker park and rode the train. (Kristi and I also got an eyeful from a guy in a little tiny red biking outfit - I'm talking tiny!)
It was so fun just to be a part of their lives. Course the week ended all too soon. Wednesday night they treated me to dinner at a nice mexican restaurant that took us forever to find! Nice Blaine drove me to the airport at 4:45 am on Thursday morning. I wonder why I booked a 7 am flight?
I appreciate how welcome and loved I felt. I know Kristi isn't feeling her best, but she is such a trooper to keep going and going with a smile on her face. She is such a wonderful mom as evidenced by the many kisses she gets constantly from Bentley! And Blaine is such a great dad and provider. They are diligent at reading scriptures each night, and having family home evening and family prayer. It was such a satisfying and wonderful thing for me to be in their home and feel the great spirit of love and unity and peace. Thanks setting the example and leading the way B&K&G&B! And thanks for your love and hospitality. Lets do it again.
Love, Mom
PS Did you guys know that when Kristi writes her blog she doesn't proof it but just sends it and THEN goes back and reads it. Amazing! Do you know how crazy this letter would have been if I did that?
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thoughts on the Proposition 8 issues (Bret)
Family,
This week was one of the defining moments of our generation. And we weren't even able to vote for/against. It was the vote for proposition 8...whether to define marriage in a constitutional ammednement as one man and one woman.
The press, the media, and of course polygamists and gays have pushed very hard against it. They purport it to be discriminating to those who consider themselves everybit a family as a family made up of a mom and dad.
While the church generally does NOT get involved in political activism to promote moral issues, it did in this case. Why? Probably lots of reasons...legal reasons and doctrinal reasons mostly. It may be a losing battle, but we won this past battle.
What are your thoughts? I hope that all of you supported the prophet on this one. Unfortunately many LDS in california were divided on this issue and sided with the gay community. Fortunately there were enough who sided with the prophet that it passed....this time.
I spoke in Stake General Priesthood meeting yesterday, and had a big section on this topic. I hope you'll read it.
Loves.
Dad
Our Winter Home...(Bret)
Squatters' Rights
Why buy a second home when you can have a friend's for free?
By Joel Achenbach - modified by Bret in honor of Brent and Nancy's cottage on the preserve...
I'm writing this from my winter home in St. George. It's an upscale, environmentally friendly ranch home parked on the edge of a colorful preserve boasting backyard views of red rock cliffs in Snow Canyon state park, with a turtle preserve big enough to house every turtle from here to Australia, containing enough trails for the hikers, runners, and horsey people to canter about without seeing each other. There is no sound of traffic, little human noise, just the quailsong, the buzzing of bees and the ticking of the grandfather clock. The only problem with my winter house in St. George is that I am, technically, a trespasser. I possess a status in the ranch house that is just slightly above that of "burglar."
I know where the key is hidden, and I usually bother to mention to the absentee owners that I am going to drop by the place. Today when I informed the owner, my friend Brent, that I was coming out to stay a couple of days, he asked me to drag a rake around to pick up some of the leaves left by the gardener. Naturally I responded, "What am I, your slave?"
Like anyone with an ounce of sense, I know that, when it comes to second homes and boats, it is best to let one's friends do the actual owning. That way you save a staggering sum in maintenance and capital improvement costs. Five years ago when Brent and Nancy went to build their home, they had to buy the lot in the upscale neighborhood, design the floorplans, layout the landscaping, decorate the interior, build the sports court and whatnot, and as I surveyed the construction, I voiced the two most urgent questions:
- Which room will be mine?
- Will you have cable?
Right now I have frequent freeloader accounts in St. George, a ranch in Fountain Green, and a beach house in San Diego that the owners insist on using themselves to a distressing degree.
In fairness to them, I did say, when they bought the place, "Feel free to use it anytime." But they seem to have taken that to an extreme and have booked most of the prime summer weekends. Clearly we all need to sit down around a calendar and have a frank discussion. (I admit, I sometimes freeload to boost the numbers on my frequent-freeloader accounts. I am hoping to reach the milestone where you're entitled to a free week of freeloading at any second home in the continental United States.)
It's not easy, being a freeloader. First, all homes are quirky places that bear the seeds of their own destruction. They are time bombs. They have odd valves and pipes and heaters and pumps, and if you don't throw a certain switch in the right way, a septic tank could explode. When you freeload you have to make sure to avoid burning down the place the way Kramer burned down the cabin owned by the father of George Costanza's girlfriend in "Seinfeld," the one with the hidden love letters from John Cheever.
Most importantly, you must make a big show of how much fun you're having. You have to use the bikes, the sailboats, the huge gas grill, and visit all the local bars and colorful roadside attractions that the owners would have visited if they weren't working on legal briefs until midnight. People with vacation homes feel guilty that they don't use them enough, and thus the freeloader is the surrogate vacationer. The freeloader's motto is: I vacation so you don't have to.
The Second Home Conundrum is well established: The only people with money for a second home are those who can't possibly have the time for it. For example, there are the very, very Old Money elite, but they always have a third home, a mansion that is usually referred to as a "cottage"; plus invitations to visit their fancy friends in their cottages, plus vacations to Greece and to various plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills.
There are also New Money people who actually work for a living, and who, during brief windows of opportunity, suddenly buy a second home as part of a fantasy that someday they'll be people of leisure. It's like some people buying a tremendously fat book of classic literature, thinking they'll read it and become part of the literati, only to watch it transformed before their eyes into this hunk of paper, this bolus of ink-stained pulp, no more readable than a tree stump. In America we think the first step toward personal improvement is a savvy purchase.
The sad truth is, Americans tend to be homebodies and thus aren't very competitive on a global scale when it comes to freeloading. There are cultures for which freeloading is an art form, in the same way that, if you're Dutch, everyone knows how to plug a hole in a dike. The most accomplished freeloaders are the British. If you have any British friends, you know they will regularly call up and ask if they can come stay at your place for two weeks. This is because they still think the world is full of their colonies.
The sun never sets on a freeloading Brit. And that is not a criticism. That's high praise. I speak their language.
Read Joel Achenbach weekdays at washingtonpost.com/achenblog.
Pasted from <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/22/AR2005072200609.html>
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Welcome Grandma Bassett to the BAWB (Bret)
Hi you all! I just wanted to welcome grandma to our little BAWB newsletter. I put the BAWB on her internet explorer home page so she can watch our conversations happen everytime she boots up. (She actually enjoys reading the banter back and forth! Go figure).
Please don't change the spirit of your letters in the BAWB. They are letters for each other and not the world. But since I feel like we are under-represented in the family newsletter - the Bark, I wanted to try and figure out how we can get more involved.
So here are a couple of options (things we can do to get our family better represented in the Bark)....Please let me know which would be your preference...
1. What if we each took a week and wrote a "Bret Bassett Family Summary" letter to the bark? We could each take turns...this would also double as a great benchmark letter for the BAWB.
2. What if we gave Grandma the a-ok to copy any BAWB letters (or parts of letters) that she thinks the rest of the family would like hearing and put them in the bark?
3. What if we each do better about writing letters to the Bark?
Which would you prefer?
Loves to you - and love to Grandma!
Please don't change the spirit of your letters in the BAWB. They are letters for each other and not the world. But since I feel like we are under-represented in the family newsletter - the Bark, I wanted to try and figure out how we can get more involved.
So here are a couple of options (things we can do to get our family better represented in the Bark)....Please let me know which would be your preference...
1. What if we each took a week and wrote a "Bret Bassett Family Summary" letter to the bark? We could each take turns...this would also double as a great benchmark letter for the BAWB.
2. What if we gave Grandma the a-ok to copy any BAWB letters (or parts of letters) that she thinks the rest of the family would like hearing and put them in the bark?
3. What if we each do better about writing letters to the Bark?
Which would you prefer?
Loves to you - and love to Grandma!
Report from the male household. (Bret)
Hi ya'll,
Mom's been gone now for 58 hrs and Max and I are still hanging in there. In fact, I'm pleased to announce that Curt came by last night, and asked how it feels to live in a clean house all the time. I was pleased because the house continues to not only be clean, clean, clean but we also open the shutters every day - well at least the front shutters, make the beds, and get the newspaper from off the driveway, and cooked all of our meals (or at least heated them up)....all things that I'm sure Mom never thought would happen.
However for you kids who have been involved in a dad's party weekend where dad is 100% in charge, I should mention that we have had 0 trips to the Panda. 0 gallons of chocolate milk. 0 movies at the theater. We haven't tried to do any laundry or sweeping or deep cleaning. So unless we squeeze a dinner-out tomorrow night, we won't have time to go any other night. Max and I have been living the conservative life.
See what Max is missing by being last at home? But before you start to feel sorry for us we did have some fun....eating in. Friday we grilled steaks and watched "Golden Child" and part one of "Andromeda Strain". Saturday lunch we ate mom's thai dish. and watched the BYU football game. Saturday night before Max went to the dance, we had a breakfast dinner including hashbrowns, waffles, eggs, and BACON. Yes that's right we indulged with bacon. I just hope the smell is gone from our clothes and carpets before mom get's home. Curt and I watch 'The Hulk' on Saturday night. Today we had great hamburger's that Max cooked while I finished up my talk prep. And then after church we had soups at Grandma B's and the kids played uno and won prizes like the old days. Jeff was there and got introduced around. I really like Jeff. I'm interested Rosey babe - what did Jeff think?
So life is happening, and sweet. We hope your days are good! We miss Mom so much... it hurts. I need some chocolate milk! Loves. Dad
Mom's been gone now for 58 hrs and Max and I are still hanging in there. In fact, I'm pleased to announce that Curt came by last night, and asked how it feels to live in a clean house all the time. I was pleased because the house continues to not only be clean, clean, clean but we also open the shutters every day - well at least the front shutters, make the beds, and get the newspaper from off the driveway, and cooked all of our meals (or at least heated them up)....all things that I'm sure Mom never thought would happen.
However for you kids who have been involved in a dad's party weekend where dad is 100% in charge, I should mention that we have had 0 trips to the Panda. 0 gallons of chocolate milk. 0 movies at the theater. We haven't tried to do any laundry or sweeping or deep cleaning. So unless we squeeze a dinner-out tomorrow night, we won't have time to go any other night. Max and I have been living the conservative life.
We did however do the church thing. We are reading our scriptures. Max went to play practice. We went to Bassett Second Sunday. Max went to the stake dance. I did all my meetings including speaking in Stake General Priesthood meeting today. Tomorrow will probably include helping Bruce and Jeannie move into their new house. Tuesday is a night full of interviews and setting apart Cameran Howe as a missionary...while max is in bountiful at the play practice. Wednesday is the ym recognition banquet. And then Thursday - mom is back (and max is at play practice)!! Max is doing his homework and practicing his piano and trumpet. So we are doing what we can to keep a somewhat domestic lifestyle going here.
See what Max is missing by being last at home? But before you start to feel sorry for us we did have some fun....eating in. Friday we grilled steaks and watched "Golden Child" and part one of "Andromeda Strain". Saturday lunch we ate mom's thai dish. and watched the BYU football game. Saturday night before Max went to the dance, we had a breakfast dinner including hashbrowns, waffles, eggs, and BACON. Yes that's right we indulged with bacon. I just hope the smell is gone from our clothes and carpets before mom get's home. Curt and I watch 'The Hulk' on Saturday night. Today we had great hamburger's that Max cooked while I finished up my talk prep. And then after church we had soups at Grandma B's and the kids played uno and won prizes like the old days. Jeff was there and got introduced around. I really like Jeff. I'm interested Rosey babe - what did Jeff think?
So life is happening, and sweet. We hope your days are good! We miss Mom so much... it hurts. I need some chocolate milk! Loves. Dad
The Usual (Janey)
Well, life continues to move forward as usual. There really isn't anything very exciting to report on in life. We just had a "scone party" with waffle boys...that was fun. It is "paper" time, so my week is filled with doing some last minute papers and studying for a couple of tests. Wow, school just keeps going whether you are ready for the next thing or not. I just can't believe that we only have a little over a month left of the semester. It seems like we were just starting the semester and all these papers were a long ways away, and now they are due!!! Crazy. I love it though. I really do like school and am grateful for the opportunity to go to BYU and get an education.
You all knew the day would come when I would say that "work isn't my favorite thing," the time has come. Actually, I don't dislike it, it is more that I hate waking up so early, and then it throws off my whole weekend because I am so tired which then makes me extra emotional. Halloween was really busy (but nothing near Valentines) so it was an early day! I am super excited because I have this Saturday off...the second one since school started (the first one was when I was babysitting those kids, so that wasn't really a day off.) It will partly be spent writing a paper, but I will get to be at home with the family and Stef, Bret, and hopefully Nick!
No dates lately. I'm just not interested in anyone...bummer! BUT, I do try to socialize with people, so nobody stress out, okay? Actually, I just joined facebook (super fun and a good way to connect with people, but you HAVE to have self discipline or else you could spend hours trying to find more friends!) But, it has got me a few dates....one with a boy from Jr. High who went to Hunter (I think some of you know Jeff Wadsworth). So, for as much as it can be a problem it can also bring fun things like hanging out with friends from Jr. High!
I think that is it. I wish I had something more exciting to write about, but I don't! Life is just great, and I am grateful to be where I am at in life. I am grateful to live close to home...I need it so much (and no, I didn't say that to you Nick and Stef or you, Blaine and Kris) I just had to say it because it is a great blessing in my life.
Love you all!
Janey
P.S. I am super excited for Thanksgiving!!! I can hardly wait.
P.P.S I am even more excited for Christmas...especially if Blaine and Kris come. That would just be a big party.
P.P.S. I think we need a report from the "male household"...how many gallons of chocolate milk? how many trips to Panda Express or Sonic? How many movies? Just teasing, hope you boys are having fun!
You all knew the day would come when I would say that "work isn't my favorite thing," the time has come. Actually, I don't dislike it, it is more that I hate waking up so early, and then it throws off my whole weekend because I am so tired which then makes me extra emotional. Halloween was really busy (but nothing near Valentines) so it was an early day! I am super excited because I have this Saturday off...the second one since school started (the first one was when I was babysitting those kids, so that wasn't really a day off.) It will partly be spent writing a paper, but I will get to be at home with the family and Stef, Bret, and hopefully Nick!
No dates lately. I'm just not interested in anyone...bummer! BUT, I do try to socialize with people, so nobody stress out, okay? Actually, I just joined facebook (super fun and a good way to connect with people, but you HAVE to have self discipline or else you could spend hours trying to find more friends!) But, it has got me a few dates....one with a boy from Jr. High who went to Hunter (I think some of you know Jeff Wadsworth). So, for as much as it can be a problem it can also bring fun things like hanging out with friends from Jr. High!
I think that is it. I wish I had something more exciting to write about, but I don't! Life is just great, and I am grateful to be where I am at in life. I am grateful to live close to home...I need it so much (and no, I didn't say that to you Nick and Stef or you, Blaine and Kris) I just had to say it because it is a great blessing in my life.
Love you all!
Janey
P.S. I am super excited for Thanksgiving!!! I can hardly wait.
P.P.S I am even more excited for Christmas...especially if Blaine and Kris come. That would just be a big party.
P.P.S. I think we need a report from the "male household"...how many gallons of chocolate milk? how many trips to Panda Express or Sonic? How many movies? Just teasing, hope you boys are having fun!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Is this the same boy? (Stef)
Sometimes I see these pictures pop up on the computer's screensaver. It blows my mind how much little Bret has changed. He looks a lot different, but still a cutie!!! We are watching the BYU game and I thought I would make a post, but I don't really know what to post about right now. I guess I will just babble for a little bit. I can't believe it is already November, time is flying down here in beautiful St. George, its obvious why people love to live down here. We are still in shorts, tees, and flip flops. Bret is growing lots and lots. He sits up like a champ and wants to stand all the time! He is so funny and wobbly though, its cute. Nick is really liking his job down here. We are leaning towards this job right now (although you all know how quickly we change our minds). We love you all and hope you are having fun in whatever you are doing. Be safe and we will see you soon! We are coming up next week! We will talk schedules more later. Love, Stef
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
On My Way To Texas (Mom)
Hi Family,
I thought I would write a quick letter before I take off for Round Rock tomorrow afternoon. I will do my cleaning job with Andrea in the morning and then dad will take me to the airport around 3 pm. I arrive in Austin at 8:30 pm. I'm so excited. I get to stay for a week and will be home the following Thursday, Nov. 13. Besides being excited to see Blaine, Kristi, Gwen and Ben, I am also excited to be in warm weather. Up until yesterday we were having beautiful fall weather with blue skies and 60/70's temps. Then yesterday it rained and sleeted and today we woke up to snow. It snowed a good part of the day, too. I just measured and we have 3.5 inches on the patio table. Although I think snow is nice for Christmas, I think you all know that I do not love snow, or the chilly weather that goes with it! Max was all excited this morning so that was good. I just grumped around and mourned the end of my perfect morning runs. (I went over to Yorg's treadmill this morning.)
Yesterday was election day. I had to be a Hunter Library by 5:30 am to help serve as a poll judge. There were 9 of us there, with 8 voting machines and I think we were ready by 6 am. Too bad the polls don't open until 7! We had been warned about how crowded it might be and not to bring anything to do because there would be lines all day. I was glad I stuck a book in because after the morning rush, things slowed down and by late afternoon there was almost nobody. Crazy! We kept thinking that the after-work times might be busy but it just got slower and slower. I wonder if all the media sort of scared everyone away. People in SL had waited in 1-2 hour lines to vote early the past two weeks and then the actual day comes and there's no crowds! Lots of people, especially people who came in the late afternoon, almost acted disappointed that they didn't have to wait! We were there until 9 pm so it was a long day, but a good one. We do get paid ($120) but I still feel like it is more of a service than anything. Dad ended up being the hero of the day as I called him around 9 am since we were freezing. Our table was by the window and the heat wasn't good in the room we were in. He came right over with our space heater which we kept on us all day. Hurrah for dear dad! We aren't allowed to leave the polling place (except for quick bathroom breaks.) Later he brought me a subway sandwich and chocolate covered peanuts. (I dare not think of the calories I consumed yesterday because I took plenty to eat, too.)
Well that's all for now. I just spent the last hour on the phone with Nick while Stef was in her dance class. I love it when you guys call. We all need to keep praying for them and their decisions.
Love you all, Mom
I thought I would write a quick letter before I take off for Round Rock tomorrow afternoon. I will do my cleaning job with Andrea in the morning and then dad will take me to the airport around 3 pm. I arrive in Austin at 8:30 pm. I'm so excited. I get to stay for a week and will be home the following Thursday, Nov. 13. Besides being excited to see Blaine, Kristi, Gwen and Ben, I am also excited to be in warm weather. Up until yesterday we were having beautiful fall weather with blue skies and 60/70's temps. Then yesterday it rained and sleeted and today we woke up to snow. It snowed a good part of the day, too. I just measured and we have 3.5 inches on the patio table. Although I think snow is nice for Christmas, I think you all know that I do not love snow, or the chilly weather that goes with it! Max was all excited this morning so that was good. I just grumped around and mourned the end of my perfect morning runs. (I went over to Yorg's treadmill this morning.)
Yesterday was election day. I had to be a Hunter Library by 5:30 am to help serve as a poll judge. There were 9 of us there, with 8 voting machines and I think we were ready by 6 am. Too bad the polls don't open until 7! We had been warned about how crowded it might be and not to bring anything to do because there would be lines all day. I was glad I stuck a book in because after the morning rush, things slowed down and by late afternoon there was almost nobody. Crazy! We kept thinking that the after-work times might be busy but it just got slower and slower. I wonder if all the media sort of scared everyone away. People in SL had waited in 1-2 hour lines to vote early the past two weeks and then the actual day comes and there's no crowds! Lots of people, especially people who came in the late afternoon, almost acted disappointed that they didn't have to wait! We were there until 9 pm so it was a long day, but a good one. We do get paid ($120) but I still feel like it is more of a service than anything. Dad ended up being the hero of the day as I called him around 9 am since we were freezing. Our table was by the window and the heat wasn't good in the room we were in. He came right over with our space heater which we kept on us all day. Hurrah for dear dad! We aren't allowed to leave the polling place (except for quick bathroom breaks.) Later he brought me a subway sandwich and chocolate covered peanuts. (I dare not think of the calories I consumed yesterday because I took plenty to eat, too.)
Well that's all for now. I just spent the last hour on the phone with Nick while Stef was in her dance class. I love it when you guys call. We all need to keep praying for them and their decisions.
Love you all, Mom
Scentsy--(Stef)
Hi all, just for the record, let me know what each of your favorite scents are. There are a couple of reasons for asking; one may be curiosity and the other may be Christmas. That's all I will say :)! Hope you are all doing well! Love ya, Stef
Sunday, November 2, 2008
A Spooktacular Halloween (Blaine)
What do you know? The BAWB slows down a bit and I am actually the first in November! Well is it just me or is it crazy that November is here already? It seemed like I was just barely there in Utah for my birthday and now I blink my eyes and we are already about ready to welcome Mom to Austin! Blink again and I think Christmas will be upon us which hopefully means a trip to Utah for us! Another blink after that and it will be Espana time for mom and dad and new baby time for us again. Then Nick will graduate and start working at...wherever Nick and Stef decide they are going to choose. Then just a blink or two later our little Rosey will be getting...
Well, okay, let's slow it down a tad and enjoy where we're at, huh? Isn't life great? We have actually been super stressed and super busy lately but it's pretty much all good stuff. I've been doing hosting stuff (related to recruiting at work) for two weekends in a row now. We've had Gwen's birthday. I substituted as the primary chorister again. And of course we had a great Halloween.
Gwen actually tried calling almost everybody and left messages tonight but y'all must have been busy (I think the only exception is Nick and Stef since Nick and I spoke for about an hour and a half just yesterday... :) Our Halloween started the day before Halloween when Kristi got to accompany Gwen to preschool for the whole day to help them celebrate and to fulfill the "co-op" requirement the school has (parents are required to come help every so often). They had a great time from what I understand.
Then straight to Dad's work for NI's annual Halloween Spooktacular. This was way fun last year and it's amazing that Gwen still has a few specific things she remembers about it so I know it left an impression. Gwen was dressed as the cutest little chef (or, in her words, "Gwen the cooker") and she got so many comments and compliments about her adorable costume. Bentley was a sweet little giraffe, which people had a hard time figuring out since, you know, the defining giraffe feature was no different on him than usual (i.e. his neck wasn't any longer). We first went around to the booths for "trick-or-treating" which was simple but was actually probably Gwen's favorite part. Then there were games and inflatable bouncy castles and treats and pictures and even a spook alley. Gwen didn't want to go near the spook alley (as you can imagine) but one of the things she remembered about last year (quite possibly her earliest memory ever) was that there was a witch who gave her a spider ring. I took Bentley in the spook alley (he was nervous but actually pretty brave) and found there was another witch this year giving more spider rings! I had to go get Gwenie and after a lot of persuasion I got her to go with me to just that one room where a very kind, accommodating witch gave her her ring for old times' sake.
After this part Kristi and the kids headed straight for our HOA neighborhood Halloween party. We had stayed up really late the night before decorating cupcakes to help out our friend who volunteers to kind of run these events so I was bummed to have to miss it since I had put in a lot of work. I guess the party was pretty fun although our cupcakes apparently looked pretty shabby compared to some of the fancy ones others had done :( The thing that's really dumb about that is that we not only sacrified our time but also the food coloring spilled on our table and (it's a long story) actually sat there all night so there's this huge permanent blotch on the table now that I doubt we'll ever get rid of. Anyway, I did something good instead though. I went with the bishopbric and other auxiliaries to make ward counsil visits. I was kind of nervous and this was my first time going so I didn't really know what it would be like but it was really nice to go see some people and I guess I'll get a chance to do this once a month so that should be good. Finally that night we got the kids in bed and I stayed up late to do something kind of dumb but something that really matters to me for some reason. We always buy pumpkins at some point in the season but we never get around to carving them until the last minute. I knew we wouldn't have time to do it before Halloween night if we didn't start so I stayed up by myself and gutted (but didn't carve) all three of our pumpkins.
The next day I had to get to work super early to prepare for a meeting and then host a candidate at the last minute. He was from Oklahoma State and for some reason didn't have a host assigned. I volunteered to take him around for the day on Friday but said I wouldn't be able to attend the dinner on Friday or do anything Saturday (so basically I would do the "work" and bypass the reward of three delicious meals on the company's dime...). The day went fine and the good thing about getting there so early is that I took off at about 4:00 and got home in time to carve pumpkins with the kids (see the pictures Kris sent out--I'm really proud of these ones this year) and help make clam chowder for our big party that night. The party was at Ralphie's and we got there about 6:00. We enjoyed a yummy dinner with lots of friends that had been split off into the other ward and that we hadn't seen in awhile. Then we all went trick or treating together in Ralphie's neighborhood which was super fun. We had Ben's stroller but he really liked being in the action so he rode on my shoulders a lot of the time, chasing his sister and her friends from house to house and giggling all the way. Gwen was having a great time until the first door that someone in a mask opened and said "BOO!" To be fair it was a pretty innocent BOO (the person wasn't cruel or totally oblivious to the age of his audience) and he immediately removed the mask when he saw the frightened faces but those of us who know Gwenie know that she can be pretty sensitive with things like this. She was kind of cautious and nervous the rest of the night and it took a lot more prodding to get her up to the door. If there were any scary decorations or especially scary music or sounds playing she wouldn't go near the place. Oh well, it didn't much affect the size her haul. We made it back to Ralphie's and spread out the candy to find that, as usual, we have enough to last us for...awhile.
Finally yesterday (Saturday) we kind of took it easy and did some cleaning and stuff in the house in the morning, then went to a post-Halloween block party that someone in our circle was throwing. It was pretty cool, they had a little pavilion set up and were grilling hot dogs and brats. They had the circle roped off with yellow police tape so the kids could run around in the street and no one had to worry so much. They had live music by some people who just moved in and have some kind of hard rock band thing going (not exactly the highlight but, eh, it was actually less intrusive than the second-hand cigarette smoke that we also had to endure in order to just try to relax and enjoy ourselves... :) They had a TV setup with the UT game and they even had games for the kids complete with prizes (which Gwen loved). Best of all we didn't know about it until it was basically starting so we didn't have to do anything or even bring anything--it was totally financially and worry-free.
And that brings us to today where we have just been trying to wind down. We watched two episodes of the Gwenie show (home videos), of which we are starting to get quite a collection. That was really fun and just made us miss y'all that much more and be that much more excited to come to Utah for Christmas. Right now it looks like we're planning on coming but we'll warn you now, we're probably just going to have to bring the dogs. This week the cops got called by some (ahem, real jerk of a) neighbor (if you ask me) because our dogs were barking in the middle of the day. It's a long story but the bottom line is I don't think we can afford a kennel and even if we could find someone to feed them, we don't feel comfortable leaving them to roam the yard for two weeks anyway. Soo... Boots and Swiper are probably going to see snow! Don't worry, we know you don't want them there too much but Kristi's parents have agreed to let them stay there (I hope they weren't being sarcastic and it just got lost on us :) I think we'll probably spend most of our nights at their place too, for the dogs and just since we usually don't get the chance to, but hopefully we can work something out so that we can at least spend Christmas Eve and maybe a few other nights at your place too. Anyway, there's obviously lots more details to work out but we're so looking forward to it. And we're especially looking forward to seeing Mom this week and hearing from the rest of you what you're up to. Lots of love from Texas!
Well, okay, let's slow it down a tad and enjoy where we're at, huh? Isn't life great? We have actually been super stressed and super busy lately but it's pretty much all good stuff. I've been doing hosting stuff (related to recruiting at work) for two weekends in a row now. We've had Gwen's birthday. I substituted as the primary chorister again. And of course we had a great Halloween.
Gwen actually tried calling almost everybody and left messages tonight but y'all must have been busy (I think the only exception is Nick and Stef since Nick and I spoke for about an hour and a half just yesterday... :) Our Halloween started the day before Halloween when Kristi got to accompany Gwen to preschool for the whole day to help them celebrate and to fulfill the "co-op" requirement the school has (parents are required to come help every so often). They had a great time from what I understand.
Then straight to Dad's work for NI's annual Halloween Spooktacular. This was way fun last year and it's amazing that Gwen still has a few specific things she remembers about it so I know it left an impression. Gwen was dressed as the cutest little chef (or, in her words, "Gwen the cooker") and she got so many comments and compliments about her adorable costume. Bentley was a sweet little giraffe, which people had a hard time figuring out since, you know, the defining giraffe feature was no different on him than usual (i.e. his neck wasn't any longer). We first went around to the booths for "trick-or-treating" which was simple but was actually probably Gwen's favorite part. Then there were games and inflatable bouncy castles and treats and pictures and even a spook alley. Gwen didn't want to go near the spook alley (as you can imagine) but one of the things she remembered about last year (quite possibly her earliest memory ever) was that there was a witch who gave her a spider ring. I took Bentley in the spook alley (he was nervous but actually pretty brave) and found there was another witch this year giving more spider rings! I had to go get Gwenie and after a lot of persuasion I got her to go with me to just that one room where a very kind, accommodating witch gave her her ring for old times' sake.
After this part Kristi and the kids headed straight for our HOA neighborhood Halloween party. We had stayed up really late the night before decorating cupcakes to help out our friend who volunteers to kind of run these events so I was bummed to have to miss it since I had put in a lot of work. I guess the party was pretty fun although our cupcakes apparently looked pretty shabby compared to some of the fancy ones others had done :( The thing that's really dumb about that is that we not only sacrified our time but also the food coloring spilled on our table and (it's a long story) actually sat there all night so there's this huge permanent blotch on the table now that I doubt we'll ever get rid of. Anyway, I did something good instead though. I went with the bishopbric and other auxiliaries to make ward counsil visits. I was kind of nervous and this was my first time going so I didn't really know what it would be like but it was really nice to go see some people and I guess I'll get a chance to do this once a month so that should be good. Finally that night we got the kids in bed and I stayed up late to do something kind of dumb but something that really matters to me for some reason. We always buy pumpkins at some point in the season but we never get around to carving them until the last minute. I knew we wouldn't have time to do it before Halloween night if we didn't start so I stayed up by myself and gutted (but didn't carve) all three of our pumpkins.
The next day I had to get to work super early to prepare for a meeting and then host a candidate at the last minute. He was from Oklahoma State and for some reason didn't have a host assigned. I volunteered to take him around for the day on Friday but said I wouldn't be able to attend the dinner on Friday or do anything Saturday (so basically I would do the "work" and bypass the reward of three delicious meals on the company's dime...). The day went fine and the good thing about getting there so early is that I took off at about 4:00 and got home in time to carve pumpkins with the kids (see the pictures Kris sent out--I'm really proud of these ones this year) and help make clam chowder for our big party that night. The party was at Ralphie's and we got there about 6:00. We enjoyed a yummy dinner with lots of friends that had been split off into the other ward and that we hadn't seen in awhile. Then we all went trick or treating together in Ralphie's neighborhood which was super fun. We had Ben's stroller but he really liked being in the action so he rode on my shoulders a lot of the time, chasing his sister and her friends from house to house and giggling all the way. Gwen was having a great time until the first door that someone in a mask opened and said "BOO!" To be fair it was a pretty innocent BOO (the person wasn't cruel or totally oblivious to the age of his audience) and he immediately removed the mask when he saw the frightened faces but those of us who know Gwenie know that she can be pretty sensitive with things like this. She was kind of cautious and nervous the rest of the night and it took a lot more prodding to get her up to the door. If there were any scary decorations or especially scary music or sounds playing she wouldn't go near the place. Oh well, it didn't much affect the size her haul. We made it back to Ralphie's and spread out the candy to find that, as usual, we have enough to last us for...awhile.
Finally yesterday (Saturday) we kind of took it easy and did some cleaning and stuff in the house in the morning, then went to a post-Halloween block party that someone in our circle was throwing. It was pretty cool, they had a little pavilion set up and were grilling hot dogs and brats. They had the circle roped off with yellow police tape so the kids could run around in the street and no one had to worry so much. They had live music by some people who just moved in and have some kind of hard rock band thing going (not exactly the highlight but, eh, it was actually less intrusive than the second-hand cigarette smoke that we also had to endure in order to just try to relax and enjoy ourselves... :) They had a TV setup with the UT game and they even had games for the kids complete with prizes (which Gwen loved). Best of all we didn't know about it until it was basically starting so we didn't have to do anything or even bring anything--it was totally financially and worry-free.
And that brings us to today where we have just been trying to wind down. We watched two episodes of the Gwenie show (home videos), of which we are starting to get quite a collection. That was really fun and just made us miss y'all that much more and be that much more excited to come to Utah for Christmas. Right now it looks like we're planning on coming but we'll warn you now, we're probably just going to have to bring the dogs. This week the cops got called by some (ahem, real jerk of a) neighbor (if you ask me) because our dogs were barking in the middle of the day. It's a long story but the bottom line is I don't think we can afford a kennel and even if we could find someone to feed them, we don't feel comfortable leaving them to roam the yard for two weeks anyway. Soo... Boots and Swiper are probably going to see snow! Don't worry, we know you don't want them there too much but Kristi's parents have agreed to let them stay there (I hope they weren't being sarcastic and it just got lost on us :) I think we'll probably spend most of our nights at their place too, for the dogs and just since we usually don't get the chance to, but hopefully we can work something out so that we can at least spend Christmas Eve and maybe a few other nights at your place too. Anyway, there's obviously lots more details to work out but we're so looking forward to it. And we're especially looking forward to seeing Mom this week and hearing from the rest of you what you're up to. Lots of love from Texas!
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