New Pictures from July

I have just uploaded a ton of new pictures for you enjoyment. There are some really cute pictures of Nate! See the gallery here.

Nate News

We want to share some of the cool things that nate has been doing. We noticed that he recognized his name for the first time today! We were at the beach where he was playing with the sand and when we used his name he looked at us and smiled and when we used other words and names he just kept playing in the sand. We were so happy! He now has two teeth and is scooting around like crazy and even tries to catch countess! He likes to wrestle with his shamu stuffed animal and open the TV stand and pull out all the DVD's! He likes to make noise on the piano and especially jump in his bouncer! It is so fun to see him learn and develop. We see something new almost every day. What a crazy experience!

Long Time Away

So it has been a really long time since I have done much by way of blogging. We have just been so busy over here. But I'm taking a couple minutes from my thesis work to share a couple cool things I came across today. If you have ever wanted to digitally sign your emails, you can do it now for free at the comodogroup website. I got two of them for the two email address I use the most. If you get a message from me in the future you should see my digital ID attached. Also I saw a really funny video at youtube.com. It is about Darth Vadar's Kid brother - Chad - who is not quite as cool. Check it out!

Gross

So one day at church while walking Nate in the halls listening to sacrament meeting I saw something that almost made me puke. In the Foyer of the church some 20-year old girl was clipping her toenails! Never before have I seen something like that! Clipping your toenails in the privacy of your own home is bad enough, but please do not do it in public!!!!! It's freaking nasty!!! So I will never be able put Nate on the floor in another church foyer without worrying about him eating toenails!!!!! I'm ruined for life!

Blue Porch

Some of you know that I've been playing with a new band - Blue Porch - over the last few months. Our website is coming up now and I just thought that I would make you all aware of it. Let me know what you think of it. The music that plays in the background was all recorded before I joined the band just so you know. Enjoy!

We are Settling in

Our move on Wednesday night was successful. We had a ton of help and are so grateful for all the people who took time out of there week to come get us moved. It took until this morning for us to get our internet connection going. It was a long weekend without the internet. So Julie and I got a new bed and are currently shopping for some new cherry wood blinds. Nate has his own bedroom once again and has his own bathroom too! I set up the grill that Julie and Nate got me for father's day and we grilled some cheeseburgers! I'm grilling some New York strip steaks tomorrow! It has also been really fun setting up shelves in the garage and finally having a garage for the car. We'll take some pictures soon and get them posted for you to see.

Moving Day

We are moving into our first home today! We are very excited and hope that everything goes well. I just thought that I should let you all know what I will not post for a little while during the settling process.

Shuttle Launch Soon

Here is a link to a really good source on all news regarding the shuttle and other space stuff. There is an intriguing discussion about the dangers and advantages about a launch at this time.

10 Reasons that Soccer is the Best Sport

So I'm pretty annoyed to hear everyone talk about why soccer is such a boring, dumb, silly, wimpy, and slow sport. I have prepared a list of my top ten reasons that soccer is the best sport in the world. I hope you all find these informative.

1. I like it
2. The World Cup is an international competition not just U.S. teams playing against other U.S. teams and proclaiming themselves as world champions.
3. It is more athletic than other sports - more running, larger field, no timeouts.
4. The players must play the entire game - if they sub out they cannot come back in.
5. Soccer shorts and soccer legs - as submitted enthusiastically by Julie.
6. No set plays
7. Short people have the advantage over tall people because speed and agility triumph over height and coverage.
8. No pads allowed - real men play this sport!
9. Yellow and Red cards are so much cooler than sissy flags!
10. The last 10 minutes of the game doesn't take 40 in real time!

Are We Failing?

I read an eye opening article at ksl.com - which I must admit was surprising. Anyway, it talks about Crate & Barrel and the Cheesecake Factory not building stores at the Gateway because to few Utahns are college graduates! Now I don't give a crap about the stores but I do care about our declining population holding college degrees. What is going on here? This is a disturbing trend when it is clear that more and more jobs require college degrees for basic qualification. I think more women are getting degrees than ever before so are the men to blame? What do you think?