Trace's Address

Trace's address in Afghanistan is below. A package takes about 12 days to get from here to there. Also, the USPS has very cheap rates - I sent something in one of their "if it fits, is ships" boxes all the way to Afghanistan for $12. He isn't starving, but he is getting bored.

2Lt Trace Teas

629th FST

COP Khilagay

APO AE 09368

I only post this here because some have asked for his address, he is surely not expecting anything. I just want you all to know that he is safe..and I am counting down the days until June!!

love you all, Jess

Trace and Jessica's blog

I've listed Jessica and Trace's blog on the column to the right just in case anyone forgets the link, you can always find it at the Rogers blog!

Just an update

(I was inspired to post in our far too little used blog after getting a link to Jessica and Trace's blog.)

Just a quick baby update in case anyone was wondering... All is well and on schedule for the newest member of the Fink Family. Baby is due December 17th and still a (planned) mystery. Everything looked great at the "big" ultrasound, and the little one wouldn't have indulged in showing his/her goods even if we had wanted to see. It's very exciting not knowing who we will meet in the delivery room. I'm not in the least tempted to ask for another scan to see if we can catch a peek. After the last gender fiasco it's actually been easier to not want to "find out."
I've definitely been more uncomfortable with this one so either it's the girl I've always wanted or I'm just getting too old for this!

In the meantime, Mr. Cody is in the throws of the terrible twos. A phase I hope starts to ease up before #3 arrives...but I'm not holding my breath. Other than being on the verge of causing parental insanity, Cody is thriving and growing like a weed (or a Fink as it were).

Caleb is doing well in 8th grade at his new school, though it's still an adjustment. He was placed in the pre-AP English/Language Arts class, and made the top band. He's excelling in his speech and GT classes and really enjoys them.

Asher and Chrissi....Well, we continue to work the days away and just try to grow happy, healthy kids. Really, what else is there? =)

I've heard a rumor

I've heard a rumor that there is more than one wedding being planned in the Rogers clan.  Can we get an update for those folks far away from home please?

save the date...or else!!

We're getting hitched!! November 12th 2011.-- more details as soon as we figure them out... but just wanted you all to put a trip to Waco on your agenda for that weekend!!

Kyle and Vanessa,

We are all very excited about seeing you guys again, especially after the recent excitement created by North Korea! As far as a Christmas list there is none. We've chosen to do a "white elephant" gift exchange again this year. It isn't truly a "white elephant" exchange in that it isn't suppose to be "gag gifts". Instead each of you are to buy general gifts that anyone might enjoy, or at least someone in the group might fight for. The price limit is about $30. Everyone who wants to play is to bring a gift for the exchange. Any questions, just let me know. Anxious to see you guys, and very jealous of your time in Hawaii! Crystal and I loved our visit there 10 years ago now! Wow, time really does fly! See you soon!

Keith

Christmas time!!

So christmas is approaching- and WE ARE EXCITED!!  Especially since we get to be there this year for Christmas.  Yippee.
BUT....
we have yet to see the list- of gift recipients yet.  Can some one post that on here.  Also, I loved seeing the pictures from Thanksgiving.  Were there others as well?  Can't wait to see you guys!

Waco Rogers aren't so Waco anymore...

Everyone is on the move.

I guess I've been moved for almost a year now. It is so hard for me to believe I have been in Houston for almost 10 months. Where does the time go? Things at my job are great! I am officially on my own and on the night shift. I thought I would enjoy night shift (thanks to some insomniac tendencies developed in nursing school) but I like more than I thought I would. The overall atmosphere of the night shift is so much more relaxed because "Big Brother" isn't there to care about things that don't really matter....like jackets with hoods. Being out in the world during the day makes me feel funny though. I feel like people think that I am a bum with no job because I can lay out all day - but I don't let it stop me from doing it. ---- I'm sure you guys all remember my emotionally disturbed puppy, Scout. She went to rehab. Her utter fear of, and eventually violence toward, strangers became more than 2 hired trainers and I could handle. Scout currently lives in Paradise, Texas with Roy and 30+ other Ridgebacks. She has had her broken leg removed and Roy can already see improvements in her behavior. Trace and I visited her last week and we were amazed that 1) she seemed to remember us and 2) she seems like a happy puppy, who moves around like she has 4 legs instead of 3 and a half. We hope to get her back someday, but only when we are all ready..... In the meantime, a replacement dog has melted my heart. I am now the proud owner of a 2 year old Great Dane/Lab mix. He is the most gentle, well mannered, friendly, giant dog I have ever met. He loves everyone and can sleep all day on days when I need to sleep. He is wonderful - and just what I needed!! We are all very happy!!


As for the rest of my family, who is all much more exciting than me, I will do my best to update.

Dad is working on packing up our home. The plan is to move into his new position/home in August. Dad is going to be some sort of "Faculty in Residence" at a Baylor dorm. To be honest, I don't know exactly what he will be doing except hosting events at his apartment, at the bottom of the dorm - and possibly getting a dog, because college freshman miss their dogs. The School of Education bought him a house warming present - some massive flat screen TV. He is getting to pick out new furniture and all sorts of other things. I'm so excited to see it!

Austin is gone - far far away! Austin left for Poland with his best friend about 2 weeks ago. He wasn't sure exactly what they would do, but I'm sure they will not have any problem getting into some shenanigans. Dad talked to him the other day and said they were headed to Spain. I'm sure he is loving this much better than folding towels at Target.

Travis is also on the move. Trav is planning to move to Denton in the fall and start school at UNT. He is currently slaving away at Starbucks, not exactly loving it because coffee-aholics aren't always pleasant.

Well, I hope that summer time finds you all happy and not melting. I hope we can find a time to all get together soon. I love you all and miss you incredibly!!

Smarty Pants

Caleb got commended performance on his Math and English TAKS tests! I'm pretty proud, just thought I'd share!

Whew Lardy, it's been a while!

Ok, first things first. I made a big stink about how we don't keep in touch a while back and here it's been almost 4 full months since I've seen any of you and I haven't posted a thing on our clan blog. I apologize. I'm not gonna make another big deal out of the silence here but I sure would love to hear from the rest of the fam to see how things are going with all of you. I've come to realize that for me, getting updates means a little bit more than just a newsflash. For me it's a way of saying, "I like you. I want to keep you in the know and I'd like to know how you're doing."

So here's my quick update to try to get the ball rolling again;

4 months down and Korea is still A OK. I'm not gonna lie about it and say it's been nothing but smooth sailing but all in all, our lives are pretty dang good at the moment. For those of you who have been following V's blog this won't come as much surprise but we just got notice that our Director "Ronny" may have put in for his resignation. It's all still rumor but I can't say I would be disappointed to hear it. The dude's never around. He's spread way to thin. Honestly I think we all are these days.

As of last Friday, I am now the Foreign Teacher Coordinator, which is a nice little boost to the paycheck, resume and ego and so far, it's looking like a pretty easy gig. As of now, my responsibilities consist of getting info from the Korean staff and conveying it to the Foreign staff, then hearing what the Foreign staff doesn't like and taking that info to the Korean staff. To be honest, it's one of those entirely superfluous jobs that would get cut in a heart beat in any well run western company but here in good ol' SK, it's a very important gig. I have taken on quite a few other responsibilities that my new title allows so that I can ACTUALLY alleviate some stress in other areas that have been needing attention for a while so I can't say it's NO extra work but playing mediator is not only something I'm trained in, it's also something I consider myself very good at. We shall see when things actually start moving a bit more. For now, the waters are relatively calm.

In other news, V and I went and played paintball last weekend with a group of around 20 from Meetup. Our "instructor" was a bit unnerving with his lack of safety precautions and one of our friends actually got shot from point blank by an accidental discharge. She was fine but a few centimeters over and she would've taken one right in the ear. It was a little discouraging to say the least but she was fine after a few minutes and we actually had a blast the rest of the day.

Other than that, there ain't much else to tell you guys. I'm still loving Korean food, we're making better money than we've ever made and in general, I'd say we are more content than we've been in a while. Just wish the weather would settle down a bit. I'm tired of layers!

Love and miss you guys and hope to hear from you soon!

Fink Family Happenings

Just thought I'd give a general update on the goings on around here for those of you far far away.
Let's see, well we have been having major vehicle problems since before Christmas and as we speak are waiting to hear if Asher is approved for a new (used) truck. We are getting rid of the Land Rover in hopes that he can get something easier (and cheaper) to work on. Also, we have acquired a work-in-progress truck for Caleb that he and Asher can fix up in the next few years for his first vehicle. It's a 1973 Ford pickup...big, ugly, and HEAVY...perfect for a teenagers first ride!

Speaking of Caleb, he is doing well. School is going good for the most part...if he could just stay organized...it might be great. ;-) The youth group at our church is busy practicing for the big LTC (Leadership Training for Christ) Convention in April. Caleb is once again doing puppets and chorus and loving it. He even recruited a friend from school who is now coming with us every Sunday and participating in LTC as well for the very first time.

Cody....WILL BE A YEAR OLD ON FRIDAY! I can't believe that he's growing so fast. We will take lots of pictures and I'll try to remember to post a link on here. I'll for sure get them up on facebook.

For those of you who hadn't heard, my grandmother had surgery to remove a cancerous mass from her colon last week. She is home and doing very well now. We thank God that the doctor "mistakenly" scheduled her for a colonoscopy after the normal cutoff age of 80. She wasn't even supposed to have that procedure but if she hadn't they wouldn't have found the cancer. She had a colonoscopy 3 yrs ago and they didn't find anything at that time. It's so important to get these tests and exams on a regular basis. The standard age they start giving them is 50 so for any of my family out there around that age - Don't put it off!

Other than all that there isn't much going on. Asher and I are still at our same jobs and doing well. So that's my quick update. Now hopefully others will follow my lead and let us know what's going on in their neck of the woods.

Love you all!
~Chrissi~

Remembering Christmas 2009

It was wonderful seeing and spending time with everyone this Christmas. I think everyone will agree that the video scavenger hunt was a fabulous success! I am posting a few of our favorite video moments and a link for the photos taken this past Christmas. Especially because Kyle and I are out of the country, we often feel separated or out of the loop, and updates on your lives really bring us a joy that is indescribable with words. We want to be part of your lives and it is hard when we are so far away. We hope to hear more of what is going on with you and yours this 2010! Blaine, that means you! (tell everyone the funny nerf gun story!!)


ok, so I don't know what the Korean message is saying to me, but for some reason it won't post the second video. I will try it in a separate post.

Who is this cutie pie?

it's almost time

Who's excited!!!??

I know that Kyle has prepared with lots of orange bullets! Are you ready for the war!? Get ready ;)

Christmas Plans 2009

Hey everyone! Not sure how many of you still look at this from time to time, but it was still the best way to get this message out to all of you at once. I'll send an email out as well just to make sure. Anyway, here's the plan:

Arrive any time you can December 31, at 1627 Seagate, Houston, TX. 77062.

Tradition dictates that we eat tamales and chili that night. (around 6:00) We'll make the chili and buy the tamales, you bring something to go with it. Just let me know what you intend to bring. (By the way, tender tummies at this house require a milder brand of chili, so if you have a more adventurous appetite, you are welcome to bring a hotter brand of chili with you.)

Gift exchange. The list below will show who gives to who. For the adults, who include anyone out of high school, we originally agreed to exchange ornaments in some kind of white elephant style gift exchange. However, over Thanksgiving, we agreed that we all had more ornaments than we needed already and decided to exchange "real" gifts in a white elephant format. So, to make sure you understand the intent. We are not looking for "white elephant" gifts like a used toilet brush, instead it will be nice gifts but given in a "white elephant" style. We agreed on a $35 limit. So instead of zeroing in on one person, you will need to think broadly, or generically. (Yes, in hind site, I think this is even more difficult, but hey, lets give it a shot and see how it works. It could be fun.) For couples you can either buy for one or two other adults, and then play accordingly. Hope all this makes since.

Kay/Mark to David
Tim to Elizabeth
Russell to Blaine
Chrissi/Asher & Kyle/Vanessa to Dalton (the intent is for thetwo of you couples to share the gift to Dalton, not give two seperate gifts, unless they are two smaller gifts. Ya'll just talk it out together and let me know if you have any questions. )
Keith/Crystal to Caleb
Doug to Cody

Fireworks: Tim's neighborhood allows firworks, and honestly it's a lot of fun out there. It's kind of like a war zone with with all the noise, but without the blood. Anyway, he has invited anyone interested to go out to his house late that night to shoot fireworks. So bring some money and we'll have a lot of fun shooting fireworks. If you prefer a quieter form of fireworks, you can stay with Crystal at our house and watch them on TV.

Friday: It sure would be fun if everyone stayed around for a second day. Both Tim and I have some limited bedspace, but lots of floor space, and would love to have anyone who wants to stay with us. Otherwise, I would recommend the Best Western at 889 W. BayArea Boulevard, Webster, Texas, 77598-4003, phone: 281/338-6000. Rates start at $62.99. Russell stayed here last time and liked it.

On Friday, we could do any number of things, some cheap to free, others not so cheap. On the cheap to free, we think it would be fun to begin the first ever "Rogers Video Scavenger Hunt!" We think it would be fun to send out teams to do some crazy stuff on video for all of us to watch when we got back. If not that, maybe could all go watch a movie, or do some other Houston thing. Basically the object would be to have some fun together without just waiting for someone to fix the next meal.

Then eveyone could leave some time Saturday. So what do ya'll think? Just let me know, call if you need at 281-286-0669

Looking forward to seeing all of you!
Keith

I Love Texas jokes!

This is a must read for all Texans, used-to-be Texans, adopted Texans or wanna-be Texans,

JUST TEXAS
Pep , Texas 79353
Smiley , Texas 78159
Paradise , Texas 76073
Rainbow , Texas 76077
Sweet Home , Texas 77987
Comfort , Texas 78013
Friendship, Texas 76530

Love the Sun?
Sun City , Texas 78628
Sunrise , Texas 76661
Sunset, Texas 76270
Sundown, Texas 79372
Sunray , Texas 79086
Sunny Side , Texas 77423

Want something to eat?
Bacon , Texas 76301
Noodle , Texas 79536
Oatmeal , Texas 78605
Turkey , Texas 79261
Trout , Texas 75789
Sugar Land , Texas 77479
Salty, Texas 76567
Rice , Texas 75155
Pearland , Texas 77581
Orange , Texas 77630
And top it off with:
Sweetwater , Texas 79556

Why travel to other cities? Texas has them all!
Detroit , Texas 75436
Cleveland , Texas 75436
Colorado City , Texas 79512
Denver City , Texas 79323
Klondike , Texas 75448
Nevada , Texas 75173
Memphis , Texas 79245
Miami , Texas 79059
Boston , Texas 75570
Santa Fe , Texas 77517
Tennessee Colony , Texas 75861
Reno , Texas 75462
Pasadena , Texas 77506
Columbus , Texas 78934
Feel like traveling outside the country?
Athens , Texas 75751
Canadian, Texas 79014
China , Texas 77613
Egypt , Texas 77436
Ireland , Texas 76538
Italy , Texas 76538
Turkey , Texas 79261
London , Texas 76854
New London , Texas 75682
Paris , Texas 75460
Palestine , Texas 75801

No need to travel to Washington D.C.
Whitehouse , Texas 75791

We even have a city named after our planet!
Earth , Texas 79031
We have a city named after our state
Texas City , Texas 77590

Exhausted?
Energy , Texas 76452

Cold?
Blanket , Texas 76432
Winters, Texas

Like to read about History?
Santa Anna , Texas
Goliad , Texas
Alamo , Texas
Gun Barrel City , Texas
Robert Lee , Texas

Need Office Supplies?
Staples, Texas 78670

Want to go into outer space?
Venus , Texas 76084
Mars , Texas 79062

You guessed it.. It's on the state line.
Texline , Texas 79087

For the kids...
Kermit , Texas 79745
Elmo , Texas 75118
Nemo , Texas 76070
Tarzan , Texas 79783
Winnie , Texas 77665
Sylvester , Texas 79560

Other city names in Texas , to make you smile.........
Frognot , Texas 75424
Bigfoot , Texas 78005
Hogeye , Texas 75423
Cactus , Texas 79013
Notrees , Texas 79759
Best, Texas 76932
Veribest , Texas 76886
Kickapoo , Texas 75763
Dime Box , Texas 77853
Old Dime Box , Texas 77853
Telephone , Texas 75488
Telegraph , Texas 76883
Whiteface , Texas 79379
Twitty, Texas 79079

And last but not least, the Anti-Al Gore City
Kilgore , Texas 75662

And our favorites...
Cut n Shoot, Texas
Gun Barrell City , Texas
Hoop And Holler, Texas
Ding Dong, Texas and, of course,
Muleshoe , Texas

Here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about folks from Texas ...

If someone in a Lowe's store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you may live in Texas ;

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you may live in Texas ;

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you may live in Texas ;

If 'Vacation' means going anywhere south of Dallas for the weekend, you may live in Texas ;

If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Texas ;

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live in Texas ;
If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked, you may live in Texas ;

If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live in Texas

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph --you're going 80 and everybody's passing you, you may live in Texas ;

If you find 60 degrees 'a little chilly,' you may live in Texas ;

If you actually understand these jokes, and share them with all your Texas friends, you definitely live in Texas ..

Here are some little known, very interesting facts about Texas .
1. Beaumont to El Paso : 742 miles
2... Beaumont to Chicago : 770 miles
3... El Paso is closer to California than to Dallas
4... World's first rodeo was in Pecos , July 4, 1883.
5. The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is the only hotel in North America built over water. Destroyed by Hurricane Ike -2008!
6. The Heisman Trophy was named after John William Heisman who was the first full-time coach at Rice University in Houston .
7. Brazoria County has more species of birds than any other area in North America
8. Aransas Wildlife Refuge is the winter home of North America 's only remaining flock of whooping cranes.
9. Jalapeno jelly originated in Lake Jackson in 1978.
10. The worst natural disaster in U.S.... history was in 1900, caused by a hurricane, in which over 8,000 lives were lost on Galveston Island .
11. The first word spoken from the moon, July 20,1969, was " Houston ," but the space center was actually in Clear Lake City at the time.
12. King Ranch in South Texas is larger than Rhode Island ..
13. Tropical Storm Claudette brought a U.S. rainfall record of 43' in 24 hours in and around Alvin in July of 1979...
14. Texas is the only state to enter the U.S. by TREATY, (known as the Constitution of 1845 by the Republic of Texas to enter the Union ) instead of by annexation. This allows the Texas Flag to fly at the same height as the U.S. Flag, and may divide into 5 states.
15. A Live Oak tree near Fulton is estimated to be 1500 years old.
16. Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in the state.
17. Dr Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885. There is no period in Dr Pepper..
18. Texas has had six capital cities:
Washington -on- the Brazos, Harrisburg , Galveston ,Velasco, West Columbia and Austin ...
19. The Capitol Dome in Austin is the only dome in the U.S. which is taller than the Capitol Building in Washington DC (by 7 feet).
20. The San Jacinto Monument is the tallest free standing monument in the world and it is taller than the Washington monument.
21. The name ' Texas ' comes from the Hasini Indian word 'tejas' meaning friends. Tejas is not Spanish for Texas ..
22. The State Mascot is the Armadillo (an interesting bit of trivia about the armadillo is they always have four babies. They have one egg, which splits into four, and they either have four males or four females.).
23. The first domed stadium in the U.S. was the Astrodome in Houston .
Cowboy's Ten Commandments
(Posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie , Texas)
1) Just one God.
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.
(3) No telling tales or gossipin'.
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
(5) Put nothin' before God.
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
(7) No killin'.
(8) Watch yer mouth.
(9) Don't take what ain't yers.
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.

Y'all git all that?

Quick update on the Graduation Bizness

Got an email from my adviser this morning and wanted to let you all know how things are progressing;

"Hi Kyle,

Your transfer work has posted and all we are waiting on now is your In Absentia paperwork to clear (it will take a few weeks). Your graduation application will be approved once that happens. As of right now, there is nothing left for you to do.

Congratulations on the completion of your degree!

Best,
Aida"

Don't go queuing the Hallelujah chorus just yet but I think a little woohoo is in order so...WOOHOO!

Reminising: Last year Halloween

Caleb's pirate pumpkin. Pretty impressive!

We had fun times last year carving pumpkins with the Fink fam. Kyle and I LOVE carving pumpkins and it was tons of fun with everyone last year! Here are some fun pics to reminisce over.

I think this was Asher's pumpkin...hmmm.. interesting interpretation

Caleb took this one of himself.

Our pumpkins. Kyle's is the one eating the smaller helpless pumpkin.

The Fink Family :)

Chrissi looked a little dangerous with that knife! :)

We had fun times last year carving pumpkins with the Fink fam. Kyle and I LOVE carving pumpkins and it was tons of fun with everyone last year! Here are some fun pics to reminisce over.

A Good Cry

I once sang a solo at Trinity and one of the lyrics really came to mind the other day, "He traded a song for the tears and the sighs, broken dreams and goodbyes." I was young and still bullet proof so I sang the song and blazed right through the words. Tears, sighs, broken dreams and goodbyes seemed far away from my experience. The evening of Mom's birthday they seemed all too real. As I sat remembering the last year the tear count was pretty high. The hurricane, Mom's death, the job change, it all seemed overwhelming. I have spent the last couple of days in a little bit of a funk. But today, it was really funny, Blaine put on the Avenue Q CD and played the final song, "Everything in Life is only for now." It's a riotously funny song about how everything is moving and changing, no one is completely satisfied, and it's all okay because it's only for now. The cycle will turn again. Dawn is coming. Once more into the breach...

Caleb's turning 12!

I still can't believe I'm the mom of a middle schooler! I don't FEEL that old! Haha...
Anyway, I wanted to let everyone know that we are celebrating the past dozen years on Saturday October 10th. If anyone is in the San Antonio area and wants to drop by we would love to have you. It will be at our house about mid day-ish. There will be an airsoft war going on early that morning for any GI Joe wannabees and I was thinking we'd do cake, ice cream, and gifts around 1:30. If anything changes I will be sure to update this post.

Mom's Birthday Favorites

I've been thinking about mom a lot the last few days and I've realized that it has been a very long time since I was actually with her on her birthday. It may have been my senior year in high school. So I'm stuggling to remember what some of her favorite practices were on that day. What can any of you tell me? What did she like to do? Where did she like to eat? Did she have a favorite dessert she liked to eat on that day? (Having just typed the word dessert reminds me of how I remember how to spell it. It was mom who told me that desert had one s and dessert had two s's because you always wanted a second!)

I think about you guys a lot more than I ever tell you! My bad!

Keith

Olmos Pharmacy

Well, another landmark from our past has joined the ranks of what was. Friday was the last day of operations for the Olmos Pharmacy. It nearly closed a few years ago until one of the waitresses, who had been working there for 30+ years, bought it and kept the fountain portion open. She's decided to retire and our memories go with her. I vividly remember them making cokes the old fashion way; squirting syrup into the glass then filling it with carbonated water. Some of the brothers preferred the milkshakes but I loved their cokes. What made it more special was the times with Dad when he'd skip "big" church and take us there. I hope you are all making these types of memories with your children.

Houston here I come...

Just wanted to let you all know that I FINALLY got a job and am packing my bags and boxes upon boxes and heading to Houston next week. I accepted a job in the ER at Houston Northwest Medical Center and start Septemeber 14th. Thankfully, the hospital will put me through a paid internship program for 3 months, so I won't be hurting people right off the bat. After a couple of weeks of classwork, I will be paired with a preceptor and will be working nights from 7pm to 7am. I can't wait!!

Now that I am not in El Paso, I expect that I will be seeing you all more frequently, especially those of you in Houston!!

I love and miss you all!!

Jessica Rogers, RN

I'm starting to think no one looks at this blog anymore. Am I really the only family member who is already thinking about Thanksgiving??

Thanksgiving

Has there been any talk about the holidays yet? I know it's still a bit early but I love looking forward to happy family gatherings. And for some reason it seems like forever since I've seen some of this Rogers Clan. Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts please let us know... Or we can start the thought process now.
Love you all.

Chrissi

Perpetuum Jazzile choir aka: Team Awesome

For all you musical folks out there. I think you will appreciate this!

THE VISITOR

Jake and I had a disagreement the other night. He wanted to be fed at 1am and I wanted to strangle him. So, in his frustration to get me to understand that he was STARVING, he pooped on the floor and buried it under some dirty clothes. I discovered it when I picked up those clothes to put them in the wash. We weren't on speaking terms for a few days. Last night Jake brought me a peace offering.
A mouse.
A live mouse.
In my bed.
Of course I handled the situation with utmost dignity. I quietly explained to Jake, while we chased the mouse throughout the house, that while I appreciated the gesture a mouse was not a suitable gift. He on the other hand, was delighted that we could share in this raucus adventure together. At times we seemed at odds with our purpose of removing the mouse from our abode. It appeared that Jake didn't want the mouse to leave. I'm sure that was just my imagination though. Eventually, we cajoled our visitor to leave via the back door and Jake and I congratulated ourselves on our mouse herding technique. Jake chose to make sure our guest got home safely while I calmly changed my shorts.

P.S. Any reports of a man screaming like a little girl are completely without merit.

Mark is on TV

Way to go Father-in-law!

Our Near Death Experience

You will not believe what Dad, Dalton, and I just did. Well as most of you know, we are in Colorado right now. We have been enjoying the weather and scenery and today we decided to take a wilderness tour. The tour takes you up a mountain on a very rough road in an old army truck, you stop at the top and enjoy a steak meal and a campfire sing along. We left in the bright sun, somewhere around 70 degrees. The ride up was very bumpy but enjoyable. It took about an hour and a half to get to the top. As it got dark, we enjoyed some great food and a fun singalong. When it was time to head down, it was pitch black, and some clouds around us were beginning to sprinkle, but it didn't seem too bad. As we discovered, it doesn't take long for weather to change. Within 5 minutes we were in the middle of a Lightning AND hail storm, in a roofless old army truck, speeding over rocks and boulders, down a mountain, in the dark. We joined the other 20 passangers in singing many songs to trying to keep our mind of the deathly experience. By the end we were drenched from head to toe, covered in hail, and freezing. Now, thankfully, we are sitting at the condo finally warming up. Suprisingly, even though we nearly died and were all super scared...it was still incredibly fun and exhilarating.