Family Reunion

Well, we just got back from the Nolan Cherry family reunion,where we meet up with Apryl's brothers and sisters and families to tell stories about Nolan and his practical jokes, play games, eat too much and watch Gage throw up (actually that's not WHY we meet up, it just happened). So, here's Jack and Kelsey telling each other over and over "You're silly."
"No, YOU'RE silly".
"No, YOU'RE silly".
Then, here's Jack rappelling for the first time in his life, as calm as the sea after a storm:
Then, Kylie and Aerin and Jack joined the Ogden Fire Department:
This is where David Gale lives, under a dinosaur's left foot:
Then Aerin went to Japan: And she did not need any prodding to do this, either: Then, Halle was elected President:
Then we had pictures:

We threw out our old monia

And got NEW-monia instead! Well, Apryl got it first and then she gave it to me, even though I hadn't kissed her the whole time she was sickly. And I sound like I have a little German breadmaker in my throat. And boy do I have a lot to do tomorrow so I can't just stay home and miss work.

However, I did manage to finish 3 books over the long weekend, and Apryl has started the Skystone series, so I'm pleased. The Well of Ascension was good, but I was kind of bored in the middle, but then the end was good, and cliffhanger-y and so now we're just waiting until October 10, 2008.

Is this the kind of rambling, essentially empty post I should do more often? Show of hands?

Here's a picture of a kid: See the Mickey Mouse hand? It's a plate we got for the kids in New York: we got the pants and the shoe and the mouse head too. They love 'em.




Out of the blue, we noticed that Halle's two front bottom teeth were loose and she said that she'd hit Aerin's head. So, we go to the dentist, and he said that it was just her adult-person-type teeth coming in (we'd thought she was too young for that).


Aerin loves Shelby (even thought this picture looks like she's trying to get away).



The kids before choich. Jack specifically asks for the Mohawk every Sunday.

Mario Lopez

is incredibly short. I forgot to tell most people this story, so here it is on the blog. When we were in New York, we were on our way back from a show, and as we're passing like Duane Reed or something, this guy and this girl come flying out of the door and they bump into Apryl. And I notice that the girl is gorgeous, like perfect hair, teeth, face, beautiful. Preternaturally beautiful. So, I look at this pipsqueak she's with, to see what he's like, and I notice he is wearing a ridiculous wife beater with some logo on the back, and a sweatshirt tied around his waist and I think, what a loser. Then I see his face and think "man, he looks like such a pretty boy."

Then, Apryl nudges me, and tilts her head at him and whispers something about Mario Lopez. So, I look again and it's freaking Mario Lopez. And he is, honestly, like 5 foot 6. I could crush him like a bug. I've never felt like I'm that big a guy, but sheesh. This guy was AC Slater, whom Bayside feared?Mario Lopez and hobbit, both actual size.



Anyway, we walked right behind him for a few blocks then he and his gal pal turned left and the girls in our group tried to get a surreptitious photo of him. I wish now I had taken one, so I could post it here, but I didn't really care at that point. I was tired, and it was only Mario Lopez and I was basking in my own disappointment regarding his tiny, tiny body.

New York

Well, as many of you know, we went to Knew York two weeks ago to see a bunch of shows. It was fun. Really fun. Really, really tiring. All that walking, Apryl was 5 months pregnant (now that I think of it, she's actually still pregnant), a large group that many times required us to stand around and wait (and I do mean "stand" as there wasn't anywhere to sit). Still, the shows were great, we got some great pictures, which I will now proceed to post. At the top of the Empire State Building. Very windy. Great view.

Backstage (sort of ) at Wicked. I loved learning about the backstage trappings, how it came to be, etc.

Starry, starry night at the MOMA. So much of what was there at the MOMA was crap. Like, the kind of stuff that is so ridiculous it cannot be parodied. A blank wall, with a plaque that explains what the "artist" was going for when he attached a plaque to a blank wall. This is "art"? But Van Gogh, there's no question about his talent.

Apryl after Young Frankenstein. It was funny, and Sutton Foster was AMAZING. She is...well, anyway. Some of the older folks we went with left, at intermission, I guess because they were offended. The rest of the older folks who stayed said they were disappointed in the show because they liked the movie so well. I like the movie but I didn't feel that way about it. We got to go on a backstage tour later because Heidi's best friend from high school was in the show.

This is me sitting in the monster's chair.

Apryl on the steps to the laBORatory.

Me knocking on the front door to Castle Frankenstein.

On the boat to the Statue of Liberty.

Here's a fine shot of Lady Liberty by herself.

This poster doesn't mean what you initially think it means. Funny how current political context informs everything you see.

Apryl after Mary Poppins. We loved it, it was our clear favorite. We were on the front row, and it was just magical, in every sense.


Apryl in Times Square. Monday is the best time to be in Times Square, almost empty. Saturday was in-sane. With the New York skyline behind us. It was a fun trip, but next vacation I take, I'm going to make sure Apryl's not pregnant, and that we have a little more free time planned in.

The Playground

There was finally some (moderately) good weather so we decided to go to the playground. And the thing is, "good" weather is relative. Anyway, here are a few pictures of that.
Halle at the top of the tunnel slide.
Jack at the bottom of the slide.

Then the kids went to feed the ducks (and geese and damned dirty seagulls).
And Shelby with Aerin.
It's nice to be outside again. It's been a long freaking winter.

Robert Goulet rocks

Much better than Gene Kelly, if you ask me. But then, I'm more singer-inclined than dancer-inclined.

My family at Easter

This is awesome

I saw that Tspoon had done this

so, I decided to as well.

20 years ago: I was 10. I went to the Encampment but not til August. I helped my dad build that tower, and by "helped" I mean I stood around and watched. Sometimes. I have no other memories of being 10.

10 years ago: In southern Chile, being sick. About this time, 10 years ago, I was being accused by the mother of the slimiest, low-downiest, loseriest companion evAH! of having stolen his luggage, despite the fact that a) he disappeared on me in the middle of the night, b) I never saw him again and c) he stole MY fanny pack (known in the UK as a bum bag). Slightly comical, as my mission president did not believe the charges.

5 years ago: Halle was a wee little baby, I commuted from BYU to Idaho Falls pretty much every week, I took the LSAT and got ready to go to law school. I don't remember planning it, I just woke up one day and there I was, applying to law school. In case any of you are out of the loop, I got in.

3 years ago: In law school in Moscow, now with Jack and Halle, moved from the not-as-sucky place on the hill to the great place by Rob's house.Was taking Jimmy Mac's class and leaving halfway through because I was so BORED. Got an A, though (final question on the exam: "Please rank the current United State Supreme Court justices from most conservative to least conservative (none of them are really liberal)". Hah). Learned that, when they're pouring tea, get your cup out.

1 year ago: Trying to get acclimated to being an attorney. Now with Halle, Jack and Aerin. Nothing exciting to report, really. Moved from Kenna's house to a townhouse, found that smaller is easier. Narrowly avoided making a colossal housing-bubble mistake.

So far this year: Had my first trial, still waiting for the result (it was a bench trial). Knocked up my wife. Got a new suit.

Yesterday I: Cleaned the house, had a migraine, took a hydrocodone, watched 4.5 straight hours of the Backyardigans with a little Mary Poppins thrown in, finished the Eyre Affair. Highly recommend it.

Today I: drafted a Stipulation, an Answer and Demand for Jury Trial, a demand letter...etc. Had green milk and rice pudding. Was castigated for only wearing green pants, rather than a whole green outfit.

Later tonight: I'll finish the dishes. I promise.

Tomorrow: I'll take Jack to school and go to Blackfoot to hear some verbal gymnastics.

This year I hope to: be in a show, make my targets, have a healthy baby, go to New York, get my wife a kick-ass birthday gift, play more golf than I did last year.

I tag: Your face. Honestly, what did you expect me to say?

You know,

when you think about it, Mountain Dew is kind of a dumb name for a soft drink. It's like they're trying to sound hill-billy-ish, but cool, and, from the recent ad campaign, I'd say they don't want people to think about the hillbilly aspect at all. Still, when I stop to think, I think, "I'm drinking something called 'Mountain Dew'? Might as well call it what my wife does: Panther Piss."(She is not a fan of the Dew).

My Good Friend Krummenacher

A picture of one of my kids

Why I am putting this on the blog? A) Because we decided to tell people and this is an easy way to not miss anyone, 2) it's kind of a cool picture, the 3-D aspect of it, and third) I have received requests to do more posts and more pictures.

Aerin Laughing

I just think this is funny.

Christmas Tradition

The kids in their Christmas Eve pajamas.

Nat

This IS Christmas, for me.

Jack as a Wrestling Tiger

More from Utah

Tell me this isn't the coolest thing ever.






Halle with the Jaguar.








Moose!

Recent Trip to Utah

Aerin at HogleZoo.








Halle with the Milk Mustache.







Jack on a Rhino.

Prepping for Easter

The kids, as the Easter Bunny, the Easter Lamb, and the Easter, um, Daisy?

More Arizona

This is Apryl and Halle with the camels:





And this is Jack and Halle riding the ponies. Who did I think of when Halle said "Dad, I wanna ride the pony!" Any guesses?