Ever hear of my-space?

Just wait till they see:

http://mittspace.ning.com/

This site is kind of new, I look forward to seeing what happens...

Blog - O - Sphere

Good post:

 

http://themercied.blogspot.com/2006/12/npr-said-it-it-must-be-true.html

 

 

Mitt Romney declares war on Science Ignorance

Quotes from Governor Mitt Romney on Science Education

• "Massachusetts has a choice," Romney said. "We can provide our kids with a first-rate science education today or we can learn to live with a second-rate economy tomorrow."

2003

• "Massachusetts is home to cutting-edge research and industries. Companies locate and stay here to tap into an unparalleled R&D sector supported by nearly 120 colleges and universities, the highest concentration of academic institutions in the world."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 08-12-2003 Press Release

2004

• "Massachusetts has some of the best schools and teachers in the nation," Romney said, speaking tonight from the historic House Chamber at the State House. "Education reform, adopted a decade ago, raised standards and closed funding gaps. But it was the first step, not the last. Let us now take every step, to prepare every child, for an ever more competitive future."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 01-15-2004 Press Release

2005

• "We're making progress, there's no doubt about it, but we have more work to do. These test scores reflect the hard work and creativity of our students, teachers and schools, but they also reveal that some are still struggling. It is increasingly critical that we advance bold reforms to ensure greater accountability and performance in every classroom."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 10-19-2005 Press Release

• "Our Presidential Award nominees set a great example, not only for educators in Massachusetts, but for the nation. Distinguished math and science teachers like these are the critical components of a public education system that will prepare us for the next century, and they deserve to be recognized for their hard work, creativity and dedication."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 11-07-2005 Press Release

• "Massachusetts has a choice. We can provide our kids with a first-rate science education today or we can learn to live with a second-rate economy tomorrow."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 01-25-2005 Press Release

• "Today's students are tomorrow's scientists and engineers. We need to ask ourselves whether our students are being given the tools to preserve the state's workforce advantage and thrive in tomorrow's science based economy."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 01-25-2005 Press Release

• "When a school is labeled as chronically underperforming, that's not a punishment but a signal that extra assistance is needed. Let's do our part and do it swiftly and efficiently to make sure student achievement doesn't suffer."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 01-25-2005 Press Release

• "Just as science can free the innocent, it can also identify the guilty."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 04-28-2005 Press Release

• "Our Presidential Award nominees set a great example, not only for educators in Massachusetts, but for the nation. Distinguished math and science teachers like these are the critical components of a public education system that will prepare us for the next century, and they deserve to be recognized for their hard work, creativity and dedication."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 11-07-2005 Press Release

• "Given the demands of today's global economy, it is more important than ever before that our students leave our schools with a solid education in both math and science. We are lucky to have such skilled educators in our classrooms."
• Governor Mitt Romney, 11-07-2005 Press Release

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/Science

Romney beefs up team

http://www.elephantbiz.com/2006/12/team_romney_beefs_up.html

 

 

a noble undocumented worker

http://lonewacko.com/blog/archives/005968.html

 

How do you turn a noble undocumented worker into a sinister, conniving illegal immigrant?

You do it by hiring him to cut the lawn at Gov. Mitt Romney's house, or at least that's how the bow-tied bumkissers at The Boston Globe pulled it off.

The phrase that is usually frowned upon by the Globe - illegal immigrants - was used 11 times in a front-page story Friday. Yesterday, those same dreaded "illegal immigrants" made it into the lead sentence of the follow-up story...

...Suppose that Mitt had shown more interest in the immigration status of his lawn crew. What if he had confronted the company owner - a legal alien from Colombia, remember - and told him he suspected that the mowing crew was here illegally, an adverb used three times in the first story.

Here's how the lead of that story could have been written:

"GOP Gov. Mitt Romney engaged in racial profiling, assuming that good family men from Chelsea, here only to do the jobs that Americans won't do, were in the U.S. illegally. In a move denounced by such non-partisan groups as the ACLU and La Raza, this hypocrite, whose father by the way was born in Mexico, even demanded to see their green cards before he let them work on his verdant lawn. Romney, a member of the Mormon faith, which until recent years did not allow blacks to become ministers..."

Troopers can arrest illegal immigrants in Romney deal

Critics warn of profiling, police mistrust

By Michael Levenson and Jonathan Saltzman, Globe Staff  |  December 3, 2006

Governor Mitt Romney has reached an agreement with federal authorities that allows the Massachusetts State Police to arrest immigrants who are in the state illegally, his spokesman said.

Currently, state troopers have no power to detain people for violations of their immigration status alone, said the spokesman, Eric Fehrnstrom. If troopers stop people who they suspect are illegal immigrants, they can call a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Vermont to check on their status and detain them if federal officials request it, he said.

Under the deal, brokered after months of negotiations, troopers can detain people they determine are illegal immigrants during regular police duties, Fehrnstrom said. This authority will be given to two dozen or three dozen troopers who undergo 4 1/2 weeks of training in immigration laws, civil rights, and ways to avoid racial profiling, he said. The troopers will probably be members of special units that pursue violent fugitives or combat street gangs.

Ferhnstrom said the troopers would not go on patrols aimed at rounding up illegal immigrants. But they will be able to arrest, for example, a motorist they stop for a broken tail light if they determine the motorist has violated immigration law. Fehrnstrom, speaking Friday, said the pact would be announced publicly this week. He declined to provide more details yesterday.

Click here for more:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/12/03/troopers_can_arrest_illegal_immigrants_in_romney_deal/

Great take on Mitt Romney

Visit a very cool website here.

Dems blow it! Can't hold on to Romney illigal alien story

Instead of waiting until the Thursday before the election (in this case, 11/7/2008) like they did with Ted Haggart, Bush Jr. drunk driving, and Bush Sr. mystery romance; waiting until they can stop Republican momentum like Foley; or until they can do damage both the president and the war effort like NY Times 1966-2006, the Dems blow it by releasing damaging information about Mitt Romney a full two years early. I was outraged that the Governor couldn't take a measly two minutes from his cushy governor job to stroll down the front steps of his house and demand I.D. from the landscapers his legal contractor hired. Just to show Mitt Romney how it's done, I went to Gigante and demanded to see the register-girl's green card before I purchased my Snickers and soda(yes, I know, tomorrow I'll start my diet).

Romney burnishing credentials on trip to Japan, S. Korea, China

Click here to learn more...

By Glen Johnson, AP Political Writer  |  December 1, 2006

CEO Running Mate

Romney Meets with Top Advisors/Supporters

Recently Governor Mitt Romney and the Commonwealth PAC welcomed several top supporters to Boston. In an effort to thank those who have been supportive of Romney and the efforts of the Commonwealth PAC over the last year, the group gathered for dinner. During the event, the results of the mid-term elections were discussed as well as how the Republican Party can move forward.

Some of those in attendance included Eric Tanenblatt (Bush Ranger and Georgia Chair), Peter Karmanos (President and CEO of Compuware), Nancy Coverdell (wife of late U.S. Senator Paul Coverdell of Georgia), Meg Whitman (President and CEO of Ebay), Gary Hunt (Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger's Finance Chair), Dave Phillips (President Bush's North Carolina Finance Chair and Bush Ranger) and Dick Williams (Founder of President Bush's Mavericks Program).

Wouldn't that be cool if Meg Whitman ran as VP? Maybe it is not very well thought out, but it would propose a great alternative to Hillary. Here is someone who made it big on her own, with out following the coat tails of a creep of a husband...

According to Forbes Magazine, Whitman was worth an estimated $1.5 billion in 2005. She is one of only five women on Earth to have been repeatedly ranked among the world's most influential people by Time magazine.

Whitman began her working career at Procter & Gamble from 1979 to 1981, when she built her experience in brand management. She then spent eight years working for the consulting firm Bain and Company, eventually becoming a vice-president.

Did Romney and her work together? Wasn't Romney also vise-president? Romney's not worth a Billion is he? No. Does anyone else think she would be good? Is she interested in policy? She is a great manager, or you would assume she is...

What do you guys think?

Advisers to Mitt

 

"Greg Mankiw's Blog: Random Observations for Students of Economics"

Greg Mankiw is advising Mitt Romney on Economic issues, for those of you who have an interest in economics.

Please look around, before you comment. From what I understand his readers want to keep the discussion focused on Economics, and not politics.

So if you are interested in Economics, check it out here.

Also stop by to learn a little more about Glen Hubbard here.

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! You have got to watch this video!

~~~Mike

"Mitt Romney stokes homophobia"?

Mitt Romney stokes homophobia?

People keep saying that Mitt Romney is a Bigot or a Homophobe, but they don't say why. They never give quotes or example of things that he has done that were bigoted or homophobic.

Here is a good example.

Romney has said:

"This is a subject about which people have tender emotions in part because it touches individual lives. It also has been misused by some as a means to promote intolerance and prejudice. This is a time when we must fight hate and bigotry, when we must root out prejudice, when we must learn to accept people who are different from one another. Like me, the great majority of Americans wish both to preserve the traditional definition of marriage and to oppose bias and intolerance directed towards gays and lesbians."
- Governor Mitt Romney, 06-22-2004 Press Release

Then the other side keeps saying that he won't stand up for traditional marriage, and that his position has changed as he has started his run for president. These people are not very interested in truth. Romney's position has been the same from the beginning. When he ran for governor in 2002, Romney declared his opposition to both same-sex marriage and civil unions. "Call me old fashioned, but I don't support gay marriage nor do I support civil union," said Romney in an October 2002 gubernatorial debate.

He did not change his position because he wanted to be president. His position has always been the same. People on both sides are going to beat up on him. People on the right will hate Romney because he acknowledges that there is some bigotry towards gays, and because he calls for equal treatment. People on the left will call him a fascist because he puts the desires of children to have a mother and a father above the rights of adults. Both sides are wrong.

My Dad recovered from a scary surgery

On the 4th of July, 2006, my dad, Marvin, was getting out of his RV. We were at my cousin's cabin in McCall Idaho. He twisted his ankle, getting out, and hit his head.

We were more concerned about his ankle, but should have been worried about his head, because he actually was knocked unconscious... we don't know how long he was out in the forest laying there, and I don't like the vision of him hobbling to the cabin…

Anyways he must have hurt his head. A few months later he started having cognitive problems. He was falling down mowing the lawn… he had just had eye surgery, and at first he thought he was having problems with his vision…he went to the emergency room when one morning he couldn't get out of bed…

My mom was really scared. Everyone. I think he went in on a Friday. The doctor was out, and so he had to wait till Monday to have the operation: a bi-lateral hemotosis, or something… basically it was to stop the bleeding… the blood was pooling up in his brain…

He had to go through therapy to learn to walk, and do everything again…

They had him doing mind exercises…

That was more than 6 years ago. From that time he has seen 2 more of my kids born, seen them at Christmas and for summer break, visited them here, and spoken to them almost every weekend.







I'm very grateful for modern medicine, and for my dad.

You should track family graduation photos on the same page

I was still very young when my brother graduated from High School

Driving to high school graduation

Yeah

1998 Megan's BA in English. I finished Ricks the
same time (?) she finished at the Y. Best girlfriend ever. 

Best mom. Ever. 

Best dad. Ever.

1998, Assoc Mech Engr,
Victor Forsnes. Probably the best teacher I ever had. 

My parents took this picture after 
I graduated from Ricks in 1998

2002, BS Electrical Engineering

J, 1st Grade

2003 Masters in Technical Communication

Visiting Washington, Oregon, and Northern California state parks can be a good vacation

Megan and I got married over a Christmas break, my sophomore year in college. There wasn't much time, and we didn't have much money, and so we didn't "go anywhere exotic" for our honeymoon.

Megan was a trooper, and said that our road trips that we took to Washington, Oregon, and the California coasts were our honey moons the next 2 summers were our honermoons.

We brought our tent, stayed in State Parks, and only got rained out once. 

We:

• went to Mt. Saint Helens. Did not pay for helicopter tour, 
• went swimming in the Columbia river, 
• rented a 2 person boat, 
• lake canoed 
• took a ferry to Victoria on British Columbia, 
• walked in the red-woods, 
• visited KC
• stayed in a Casino in Reno
• Spent a day in San Fransico
• saw the worlds shortest river

I:

• walked down to crater lake 
• made Megan cry driving down the world's curviest road

Driving through a tree

Megan making hash-browns on our Camp Stove.
This looks like the coast

One of the many places that waves ambushed us

At a Japanese garden in Seattle. We were able to visit KC

Megan and I had fun on our Senior prom

It was a dark and stormy night, the night before prom. Derek and I sat in our basement at the computer late into the night. Koji sat engrossed in his video game to the left of us. Derek and Dan had enjoyed "Tommy Boy" earlier. I was scheduled to be a participant in this movie-watching event, but I had to wait for Koji to arrive from his track meet, not wanting to leave him alone like a free electron in a silicon chip or Mr. Burton on a cold, blustery morning, wandering the lake in a lonely manner, looking for a fish to complete his lonely soul.

REM blasted in our mind, a little too loud for music to be when you are trying to discuss matters of importance. Still, we were proud of our flippant attitude in determining the most extravagant event as graduating seniors.

Given our dire circumstances, I said, "Don't worry about it. We'll just figure it out tomorrow morning." The topic of conversation was what we would do tomorrow morning. It was too late for sensible people to try and be sensible.

Derek had a hole in his pants, and he proceeded to rip off the bottom portion of his lower garment. Koji heard the ripping noise and looked at Derek with that expression only Koji could make (Koji was a foreign exchange student. He was a member of a punk rock band in Japan but was harmless in a way that very few Americans could possibly imagine. He also personified the bad-singing Japanese person to a tea and attempted everything from Led Zeplin to the Beatles (at a moment's notice). The look shows his complete inability to understand American members of the human race. My Mom looked like she disagreed with my conclusion of normality when she rolled her eyes in our general direction as she put away the groceries.

I've never known my mom to go shopping at 11 o'clock. She must have been bored to have wandered about the deserted grocery store to look for food to fill my lonely stomach.

Derek and I concluded that we needed to go to some park down by the River. Our plans involved: 

• Looking at pictographs and running around and flailing our arms about, and just being downright silly.
• Doing some target practice with my Dad's Guns.

That night, I tossed and turned like a hairy-toothed madman, pulling and stretching a quilt trying to cover his cold feet. I was ill. I had a nice cold-sore developing, and my nose was runny. Derek called at 7:00 AM to inform me to get ready to make a purchasing arrangement for groceries and flowers. I rose from bed at 8:00, too tired to flail my arms about. Derek arrived at my abode at 8:30 and waited while I brushed my teeth. We then got groceries, flowers, and girls.

Megan and I drove around Derek's house until he got there. We fixed and consumed breakfast, which consisted of Swedish pancakes (a little heavy on the egg, but delicious), fruit with cream, and OJ (of the fruit variety.)

Katie, Derek's youngest sibling, ate with us. I wanted to hit her. Derek did. Just joking, she was fine, and as a result of her fineness, no violence ensued.

After breakfast, we walked around the Snake River, looked at pictographs, threw rocks off the bridge, and messed around. I didn't feel silly enough to flail my arms about. We stopped at a shooting range, shot beer bottles and clay pigeons, and listened to Pachel Bell. Some guy told us not to use my handgun, not to shoot beer bottles, and to pick up the garbage, all of which we were obliged to do, and all of which we did. We had a nice drive, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. We then went our separate ways to prepare for the big event.

Derek picked me up at 6:00 in his Lexi, and we picked up Megan at about 6:10. She looked very virtuous, lovely, of good report, and praiseworthy. We went to Lara's house, where the congregations and multiple hosts of people were gathered to look at us, say absolutely nothing intelligent, and take our pictures, all at the same time. We stepped inside the living room with more people than square feet and more cameras than the Grand Canyon on a Japanese holiday. We muddled through our trials and woe and got on our way.

We had our pictures taken three times. Once I got home after the night, I tried the smiles I used in front of a mirror, and they looked exactly like what they were: fake. Not that I wasn't having a good time, just that I had no reason to smile looking at some annoying woman telling me how to hold Megan's hand.

Having completed our mission, we proceeded onward and upward to The Gamekeeper! The salmon was interesting kind of enjoyable, but not succulent or ultimately satisfying. It's not something I totally chewed down on. Although I guess I did, kind of, chow down. Not because it was extraordinarily good, just cause I'm ordinarily a pig, and I forgot to eat differently than usual. I was worried about talking, so I ate pretty fast.

After dinner, we went to the dance. It was loud. I wanted to go do something fun. I knew they had a baby grand piano on the stage at the Civic Center, and I thought it would be cool to play piano or something. I wanted to do something memorable instead of just going in and trying to talk over the noise.

I wanted Megan to feel comfortable, but it was unsupervised, and I didn't think she wanted to go in. It was probably locked anyway, but for a while, I thought I was with Derek, so I thought we could find a way. Then I remembered I was with Megan, so after being immature and trying to do something fun, I succumbed to the dance, and we went in and sat down at a table. We wandered around a little, talking to some of our different friends. We danced about 5 slow dances. I wish we would have danced to Stairway to Heaven, but maybe Megan wouldn't have liked it.

Surprisingly, they played Offspring and some other non-traditional dance music. After prom, we went to Video City to get a movie, but it was closed being 12:01. We just got "The River Wild" from Lara's residence and watched the movie at Derek's. In conclusion, it was a fabulous, fun-filled night for everyone. Or at least, I hope.

Later, I learned that Megan was very upset that we did not get dessert. Derek got some flaming thing.

Me checking Megan out. Jesus watching.

Life is filled with funny events and timing

1. Reasons to Agree:

   • Coincidence in Timing (A1): Megan's performance of "A Marshmallow World" in a minor key aligns humorously with her dating frustrations, symbolizing life's quirky timing.
     • Linkage Score: High (if the argument is that life's coincidences often reflect our personal experiences humorously).
     • Evidence: Personal anecdote, psychological theories of perception and confirmation bias.
   • Prom Date Plan Discussion (A2): The conversation with Megan's father about prom timings humorously highlights parental concerns and the unpredictability of plans.
     • Linkage Score: Moderate (if the argument focuses on the humor arising from generational differences and expectations).
     • Evidence: Personal experience, social norms about dating and parental roles.

2. Reasons to Disagree:

   • Confirmation Bias (D1): People tend to remember and give significance to coincidences while ignoring routine events, leading to a skewed perception of their frequency.
     • Linkage Score: High (argues directly against the idea that life is exceptionally filled with funny coincidences).
     • Evidence: Psychological studies on confirmation bias and memory.

3. Conclusion Scoring:

   • Cumulative Argument Score: Total scores of A1 and A2 minus D1, adjusted by their respective linkage scores.
   • Impact of Conclusion: The belief's score could affect our perception of life's events, influencing our outlook and mood.

Associated Beliefs:

• Simulation Theory: Some funny coincidences may lead to a belief in simulation theory.
  • Linkage to Main Belief: Moderate (humorous coincidences can be used as anecdotal evidence for larger metaphysical theories).
  • Evidence to Explore: Philosophical arguments for and against simulation theory, empirical data supporting or refuting common coincidences.

Analytical Insights:

• Humor in Everyday Life: The belief underlines the role of humor in interpreting life events.
• Psychological Impact: Such beliefs can influence mental health by framing life experiences in a lighter, more humorous manner.

Moving across the country can be hard

In January 2003 Megan and I moved from Boise Idaho to Chicago Illinois in a 24 foot U-haul.

Our fist day we go snowed in at the mountain-pass going into Salt Lake, and we had to stay the night in Burley, Idaho after only traveling a few hours.

In that hotel I realized that I had my mother-in-law's keys. We had to mail them to her the next day.

We fought icy patches, blowing snow, and light snow flurries all the way across country. All our: shampoo, olive oil, and bath-tub-bubble-bath froze across the plains, as we experienced negative 20 and 30 degree weather.

Finley (our dog) seemed depressed on the trip (even thought he got more space than Megan or I), and slept all most the whole way there. Each morning we would have to break the ice out of his doggy bowl.

We arrived in Chicago on their coldest day in 4 years. There was a 100 yard walkway between our apartment, up the stairs, and to the U-Haul.

It wasn't fun, but we were alive, and finally together again.

My parents are cool to visit me in Illinois

There's something truly special about a visit from your parents. It's a gesture that speaks volumes about familial bonds, love, and commitment, and I've been lucky to experience this multiple times. Despite the long, 22-hour drive from their home to mine in Illinois, my parents have made the journey not once, but four times. They've driven here twice, flown twice, and even brought their trailer on one occasion.

Sure, my home might not be the Ritz Carlton, and they've had to make do with our pull-out couch, but these small inconveniences never dampen the spirit of their visits. We always cherish their company, the shared laughs, stories, and the joy they bring, especially to their grandkids.

One visit that stands out is from September 2010 when both Mom and Dad came out after Philip, my son, was born. Their excitement and eagerness to meet their new grandchild turned their journey into a grand adventure. We spent a lovely day at the Chicago Arboretum, creating memories that we still fondly look back on.

September 2010 at the Chicago arboretum, when Both Mom and Dad came out after Philip was born.

2010 when my Mom came out by herself when Megan was on bed rest.

2009 Visit

Related Links:

• Near Chicago Tourism

Summer Vacation to visit the family can be hard but are important

Assertion #1: Summer Vacation to visit the family can be hard...
Reasons to agree:

1.     It is hard to travel with kids that are younger than 2.

1.     Young kids have separation anxiety.

2.     Young kids may have problems sleeping in new places. 

2.     Kids have a hard time getting out of and into routines. 

3.     Traveling is hard

1.     Traffic can be annoying

2.     Being in a car for a long time is hard, especially for kids. It hurts my lower back.

4.     Our kids always get sick on vacation.

1.     2012

1.     J through up on a mattress, and in bed two days before we left.

2.     P through up in bed.

3.     My wife was sick, and we got a late start. 

4.     I didn't get sick until Idaho, luckily. 

5.     2-year-olds cry all the time.

Movies that agree:

1.     National Lampoons Vacation

Assertion #2: ... it is important to visit family.
Reasons to agree:

1.     It is good to try to spend time with their grandparents. Kids need as many positive relationships with safe adults as possible. Grandparents usually have love, interest, and motivation to help their children. Spending time with grandparents helps answer the question of "where did I come from", and "who am I". 

2.     Going on a family vacation can be disorienting because you get out of a routine but some times it is important to get out of a routine and look at your life differently. 

3.     When kids see their cousins they can see that people live lives 

2012

I'm writing this from my parent's place. As our family has grown in size, the economics of flying with more people has suffered. And so our 2012 Summer Vacation (AKA: Trips to see family in Idaho) started off with a 1,700-mile drive with 3 kids in a car.

Below is our adventure-packed "travel laug." 

Day 1, Drove to Nebraska

We planned to leave on Friday and drive for 11 hours. However, on Wednesday (or Thursday?) P threw up in our Bed, and J threw up on his mattress (which got thrown away). Wife wasn't feeling good and so we didn't leave till 2:30pm. We ended up driving 470 miles (8 hours) and making it to Omaha Nebraska. It turns out they had the Olympic swimming qualifications in Omaha, and some college sports, so most all of the hotels were taken. The Days-In hotel was very musty. I didn't get to sleep until after 2pm...

Day 2, Drove to Utah

We arrived in Salt Lake at 1:30am, after waiting for 2 hours in Nebraska when the Highway Patrol shut down the freeway, while they life-flighted some people away from a 6 car pile up. There were very bad winds, very hard rains. Because of all the lightning strikes, the power was out at one of the gas stations we stopped at. Garmin told us to drive up a dirt road, but we ignored it and got stuck in traffic for 2 hours.


2-hour traffic jam in Nebraska


Day 3, Drove to Nampa Idaho

We slept in @ Uncle L' house. Visited Wife's Uncle and brother, on the way to Idaho.

Day 4, Sick

I was sick and slept most of the day.
Went to fireworks @ Granny Janie's.
J stayed the night at Amy's house


Day 5, Drove to McCall Idaho

Packed up again, and headed to McCall.
Stopped at the Cascade Water Park to watch the kayakers surfing.


Day 6, In the woods and on a lake of Northern Idaho
My daughter and youngest son saw deer on a hike with Grandma and Grandpa.
Went on a hike with my brother.
Went with my brother and their family to see the McCall fire works.
Spent time on the beach

Day 7, Still in the woods
My brother and the cousins left. Read. J was bored.

Day 8, Woods
Wife cleaned on the atomic scale. Ate at My Father's Place in McCall. Went to Ponderosa State Park. Saw a deer. Returned home.

Day 9, Drove to Nampa (again), time with Family Watched Men In Black 3 with my brother (thanks Amy for watching the kids).

Day10, Family Church.
Anita Kay, Greg, and Steve's family came over. It's great that the kids got to play with their cousins.

Day11, Family Wife's mom fixed breakfast.
Used quickcrete to fill in a sinkhole in Granny Janny's yard, moved some rock, got stung by a wasp.
A quick wind storm knocked over Dad's crooked willow. We borrowed Bob Barton's chain saw to cut it up. It was probably about 1-1/2 feet across. Got stung by a 2nd wasp.
Visited with Wife Aunt and Cousin from Texas.

Day12, Dad took the tree to the dump. Only cost $4.
J wanted to fly a kite, but there was no wind. Grandma said we should fly the kite behind grandpa's ATV. It worked great. J wanted to fly the kite on the way home, but it got stuck in a tree.

Day13
Day 14
We went to Wife's uncle, Richard Chadwick's funeral. He sounds like a great guy, father, and husband. I only met him a few times. Wife and I watched his kids one time at their home in Meridian, when all the kids were little.
Dinner with Wife, my Brother, and his wife.
Softball with his church softball team.

Day 15 Went to the Zoo Boise, which was not too bad coming from Chicago. It was a great day outside (the day before had been in the hundreds).
Went to the Morrison Knudsen Nature Center. Saw a whole bunch of stuffed animals, a living deer in the parking lot, sturgeon in the pond, small and large rainbow trout, and some sort of crane or egret.
ATV w/ J and A.

Day 16 Grandma and grandpa went to a grandaughter's singing performance
Wife took the kids to visit a cousin
I got packed, and updated this

Day 17
Flew back home

2011
Steve and CoraLyn watched Pip while we took J and Ason to Yellowstone.

Steve was going to Jump Creek and took J and I with him.
Its cool taking J to some of the places that you went to when you were little.

July 2006. A 5 months old

Christmas 2004 soon after J was born (2 months old)