Chuckwalla Crossing

I hiked up Camelback Mountain this morning, and saw my first Chuckwalla. I was hiking along Cholla Trail, along the spine, up near the summit, and I came across this giant lizard (probably 14-16 inches1). The thing really startled me as I looked up just in time to see him scurry into a crevice not 3-4 feet in front of me. I probably would have put my hand on that crevice had I not seen him lurking there.

I kept going up to the top, but returned on my way back down, and to my surprise, he had come back out, and was sunning himself on the rock. I got a few good pictures of him on my cell phone, but I don't know how to transfer them to my computer (where's Colman when I need him?). The Chuckwalla pictured here is a little smaller, and less colored than the one I saw today.

I will say this - I have yet to see a Chuckwalla at the rock gym!

Reasons to not buy a motorcycle.

Col has started hinting that one day he'd like to have a motorcycle. I'm not a fan, and am trying to come up with lots of ideas he shouldn't ride one. When I saw this guy today on the way to work, I thought of a good one.

Reason #1: He would have to wear a do-rag, and I'm just not sure I want him to. Ever.

Feel free to add more reasons for me if you think of any, or see any about town.

#3

Robyn and I had our ultrasound today, and learned that we are expecting Boy#3 on or about 09/16/07!

Corrugated Cardboard Boat Race

This morning we went to Tempe Town Lake and at first could not find the boat race and thought we had just come to support muscular dystrophie. We then saw some boys carrying a big boat and followed them. I dont know what I was expecting but I was surprised and impressed with what we saw. I love this kind of stuff.
the orange pearl
Jacob's favorite

entry from my high school
rat race
banana split (that raced very well)
Nathan's favorite

Wow. I guess someone is right after all.

So someone in the family told me that a person sweats a cup of water a day through their feet. Here is the proof. I wore my socks for a day, wrung them out into a glass and here is the proof.

I am a slow learner, I guess. I want to have everything proved to me. Move over myth-busters.

VA Tech Analysis

If anyone is interested, this article is one of the most intelligent and thought-provoking that I have read regarding this tragedy.

Na na na na na na na na, hey, hey, goodby

I could not bring myself to post a photo of that awful Sinjaya or whatever his name is. But he is gone, we are the better for it and now we can move on to bigger and much better things. This kid was the worst I have ever seen (with due respect to some of our karaoke guests--and you know who you are) at singing and his irrating hairstyles were so...so...so....you get the picture. He was braying just like a ...a...a...well, you get the picture again! Now we are happy!

Sleeping Beauty.

Amanda decided to take a little cat-nap while watching her afternoon movie. She sleeps really well while sitting up.

P.S. She snores.

I know it was yesterday, but I don't know how to change the date on the post

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK,

from other Nicks around the world!

*Thanks Jordan for the googling idea*

Refresh my memory - when are we going to the beach?

Daily Workout.

Landon decided to show off and do some push-ups at our little picnic today.

SoPho Girls

Tonight, Shellie had a very particular craving for green chile from a specific Mexican restaurant. So, we had no choice but to oblige. As we were walking back to our car, another car passed by with Sir Mix-A-Lot's "My Posse's on Broadway" blaring out of its open windows.

Allison was dancing to the beat and started singing "We're going to Broadway". We tried explaining that a "posse" means a group of friends. She started singing "Our friends are on Broadway", "Our posse are our friends" and finally got it right with "My posse's on Broadway". I think she definitely inherited her dad's "white-man-overbite"!

Here, I like this one better...

This photo is way more true to life than the one we had printed. Allison hanging on little Nathan, and don't you just love Nate's look?

42 great things about grandkids

1. Allison
2. Nathan
3. Amanda
4. Jacob
5. Adeline
6. Landon
7. Coming in June
8. Coming in September.
9. They love their Grandpa and Grandma.
10. They are smarter than their parents were at this stage of their lives.
11. They are great photo opportunities--especially when eating.
12. There is always a hint that they were in our home after they leave.
13. They think the simplest things are funny.
14. They do not seem to mind if I stare at them from a distance.
15. Even a dork can make them something and they appreciate it.
16. You can make any of them laugh if you act stupid enough.
17. The stupider you act, the more they seem to enjoy it.
18. They love roasting marshmallows.
19. They are attracted to all sorts of interesting things.
20. If they do not like all the candy you give them, they will give it back.
21. If they fail to say thanks for something, they will happily do so when reminded.
22. If you ever need a bookcase unloaded right now, I could get a crew ready in a very short order.
23. They accept gifts unconditionally.
24. If you are a lousy singer, they accept you as a great singer.
25. Every now and again, Grandpa will get one to lay their head on his shoulder.
26. Sooner or later, all of them will accept instructions from me and I may not even know what I am doing, but they will overlook that.
27. They like kites.
28. They love the beach.
29. They like bikes.
30. They like zoos.
31. They like books.
32. They like pirates.
33. They all learn to pray from their parents and don't have a problem with it.
34. If it was a hot day and you needed to wash the car, they would all hold the hose for you.
35. You may not want to be sprayed with a hose, but they will do it anyway.
36. They will usually not want to work, but if you put in the context of helping, they rarely turn you down.
37. They all have the sweetest smiles.
38. They will not pre-judge you.
39. If you need your phone lost, any one of them might step forward and help you lose it.
40. With regards to eyeglasses: fudgy fingerprints.
41. They will all watch their favorite movies with you--just about anytime.
42. They will take walks with you about anytime and let you carry them when they grow tired.

Last minute free stuff

I have 4 sponsor passes to the LPGA tournament for today (includes food, snacks, drinks and box seats). We went last year and it was really fun. If anyone can go, come pick up these tickets!

School Newzzzzz

Just wanted to share our latest - Nick and I went to a meeting last night for the new school Allison will be attending this fall - VISTA TRADITIONAL SCHOOL (VTS). She'll wear a school uniform, go to school 9am - 4pm every day, and be taught in the Spalding method, but still have PE, art and music instruction. (If I knew how to make that "Spalding" into a link, I would) We are SO excited about this new opportunity. In fact, we will be taking our house off the market for now in order to fully give this a chance. If it turns out to be a good deal, and a good fit for Allison, then I'm afraid y'all will keep having to drive out to the South side when you come see us, as we won't be moving to Tempe.
Colman - they're hiring teachers as we speak - are you sure you don't want to teach elementary school??? Ha!

Another lil' limerick

'Twas the day right after St. Pat's
Downstairs, that's where we were ats
When atop the TV
The pics we did see
That told news of a new little rugrat.

Nathan and Jacob will learn to share
With a brother or sister, they really don't care
But oh, if it happens to be a girl
Cameron's head will be in a whirl
But Robyn will finally get to do a girl's hair!


Congrats Cam and Robyn! Love you!

St. Patrick's Day Limerick

Such wonderful things are these goggles.
When I see them, how my mind boggles.
We would ask them to share.
But I really don't dare.
They"ll say NO, those darned little hoggles!

Let the competition begin!

Need a new post to look at

Sunday, Sunday!

Hey....how about we all pitch in and bring something to dinner on Sunday night, so that my dad doesn't eat a sandwich like he eats every other night! (Dad, you know it's true.)

Besides, I am hankering to try this new salad dressing recipe I have, and for Shellie, Sundays are for making desserts....

Anyone else?