Christmas 2007

Here's our Christmas for 2007. We had Natalie's parents and brother over for Christmas Eve, and then we spent Christmas morning together as a family. I enjoyed it immensely. The only thing I don't like is the poor quality of Windows Movie Maker. It shouldn't be that you throw a good photograph into it and it spits out something blurry because it doesn't know how to size it down. Oh well, enjoy it as much as you can.

Taylors 2007 Reflections Video

Taylor surprises me every day by her creativity. Great job Taylor!

Taylors Song

Taylor composed and played this song. She's such an amazing person and I love her.

Blue man and Nat

This is from the previous week but Nat and I went to Vegas and visited Blue Man Group. We loved it and both received hugs.

Taylor is the Queen

Taylor was so excited when we stopped at Burger King on our way to Rexburg. It's her goal to be a queen.

What in the world?

We didn't prepare for snow so Natalie wrapped the kids shoes with plastic bags.

Evey Attacks

Over the weekend it snowed a fair amount in Idaho and many of the branches fell off. Evey chased me with a couple.

Matthew Cuffed

Matthew likes being up in Rexburg, and when he saw my dad in his uniform he said, "A police officer!"

Girls Night

Taylor and Natalie are watching the first Harry Potter. Taylor just started reading and finished the first book in two days. She's great.

Matthew builds Lego's

I can't remember if this was uploaded before, but here it is. I love my boy.

Dallan oversees family

Matthew builds a Sunday Lego project.

Nat beats Taylor in a game of "guess who"

Taylor play's guess who, with mom.

Taylor and the temple.

This shot came at the conclusion of our day. We started off trying to decide what to do, drove a little randomly, had breakfast at Ikea, saw Kennicot Copper mine in the distance and decided to go there, took the small walk and visited the museum, headed down the mountain, ate at Artic Circle, then wandered all around Temple Square. Lots of crying and whinning, but I think that's the definition of a family outing.

The kids in the marriage spot.

Taylor and Matt sitting on the steps of the SL Temple.

Nat and the kids in the tabernacle.

Taylor saw the capital building and wanted to get a closer look.

Nat and the kids... Evey on her first nap.

Dallan, Matt, and Taylor sized up to the tire.

Matts view of the copper pit.

Nat and Taylor pump quarters into some binoculars.

The hill outside Kenncot Copper.

Taylor and Matthew wait for mom outside of Ikea.

Taylor and Evey hang out in the 50% off area of Ikea.

Taylor finished off her .99 cent meal at Ikea

Ikea walking with Evey

Sunday Rest

Matt and Evey decided it was a great time to take a nap. I wish I could have joined them. Having church at one pm is rough on little kids. Evey did good when it came time to say hi to me at the beginning of church, but at the end she would rather hang out with the neighbors than be with me. I guess I'm gone too long during the day.

Taylor shows her magazine

Taylor has been reading a magazine which sells lots of Halloween stuff. I think what she wants is the head that tells the future. Where's mom you ask? Park City with her girlfriends.

Matt and Evey playing

Matt and Evey decided they would play nice with each other. I'm just lazing on the couch and blogging away.

Best rest.

There's only a few really rare things in life, and this is one of them. Evey falling asleep on you is truly special.

Evey dresses up.

Hey,
I'm just hanging out doing nothing. Thought I'd send this picture of Evey from last night. She's the cutest baby.

Matt's school visit

Today after work we all went to Matthew's school to visit his new teacher and class. One of the funniest happenings of the visit was when Matthew walked into his old classroom and walked up to his old teacher saying, "Surprise, Surprise!" He waved his hands in the air as he did it. I think Matthew has really missed going to school, learning from his teachers, and playing with his friends. He also saw his speech therapist and pointed at her saying, "Yes!" He's such a great boy.

Taylor is very excited for her new school and class. She likes to tell everyone her new school is where the smart kids go. I think she'll like it and she'll like the new challenges.

Evey says a cute thing that I'll have to record. When we read our scriptures at night she's so excited to get her own copy of the Book of Mormon. I can't really write how she says it but the way she says "scriptures" is just the best way it's ever been said by any person.

Rexburbia - 007 - Credit Union

Mom joined me for this weeks podcast. It was top-notch stuff because she brought a great topic right in the beginning.

-Mom mentions they went to the Beehive Federal Credit Union dinner, in Rexburg Idaho.
-Dallan is thrilled. He asks if they cooked chicken but mom sadly tells they have turned to hot dogs and hamburgers.
-An old band played old songs. They were from Pocatello (home of the mini-dome).
-Mom says the babies in the crowd were enjoying the music so much they began to dance.
-My nephew was one of the groovers.
-Dilly bars were a hit.
-Dallan feels slighted because he wasn't invited by the credit union.
-The invitation came through email, which mom threw in the trash.
-Dallan reminisces about wonderful chicken from the past.
-Mom didn't like to wait in the long lines so she decides they'll bring their own food next year.
-Dallan says that next year mom will think the music is too loud so she'll bring her own music at that point.
-People my age showed up and made it into a high school reunion.
-Lori doesn't want to go to her upcoming reunion. Dallan says she should.
-Dallan hasn't made it to any of his, but pledges to go next year. Mom says I should take my little audio.
-Mom advises not driving to the credit union dinner. They all rode their bikes to the park.
-The spray park has had some issues. Germs shooting everywhere so the kid level was small. Dallan thinks they recycle the water and don't shock it enough to overcome the urine.
-The city of Rexburg was suprised by how many kids used it and so they didn't take enough care of it.
-Dallan talks of his new picture on the podcast website (very swanky).
-Dallan talks of making the Simpson pictures of himself and Jon.
-Dallan claims to be number one when you search for "Rexburg Podcast." (Currently this is not true because Dallan slowed down on his posting and lost his position.)
-Mom's canning beans and talks of being an assistant wolf leader.
-Mom has a yellow scout shirt from Deseret Industries but she doesn't think it passes.
-Mom has a hunch she'll be doing something different for a calling.
-Mom starts her job at school at the end of August.
-Dallan asks about the new Rexburg high school. Mom says it's still in the planning stages.
-They talk about the dome building on the edge of town. Dallan thinks it's an odd place. Right now they rent equipment.
-Mom calls it a big Styrofoam dome that welcomes everyone to Rexburg. It's a very big eyesore.
-The Rexburg Temple is going fine.
-The End

Utah County Fair - 2007

We went to the Utah County Fair. Had a great time looking around, smelling animals, hanging with my mom and sister, listening to music, and watching fireworks. Good time. It's a quick listen so go ahead.

Thought I would update this post with a picture. Maybe the best Carcass picture you've ever seen.

Slow

Sorry that it's taken so long for me to add anything new. I have two Rexburbia's that I just need to edit, and one of us at the Utah County Fair that's practically in the bag. I'll try to have them up Tuesday.

Rexburbia - 006 - Grape Soda

-Dallan says that the young women run a better camp than the scouts. They talk about the lack of fighting and blood-letting from knife incidents.
-Dallan recounts how he's a bad story teller and didn't give the young women a very good telling of when he was sick in yellowstone.
-Jon says that Dallan is a good writer.
-Jon says that Jerad Hendricks is a good storyteller.
-Dallan admits to being able to dullify any story.
-Jon was out of town this last week and missed high adventure with his scouts. Jon was in Columbia Maryland, New York, and hit a Yankee's game.
-Baseball players make more money than we do... we both agree.
-Jon came back in time for his daughters birthday. Jon's a great dad. Jon's plane ride was delayed for two hours.
-Jon and Dallan conclude that BWI airport is one of the worst. They discuss the lack of food behind the security lines... and the lines are extra long at that.
-Jon and Dallan trade stories of horrible flights with kids. Dallan tells of Taylor throwing up all over on a flight from Boston to Vegas and Jon tells about Matthew throwing up in the back of the plane and how he cleaned up some of it, and hid the rest of it with his feet, from the stewardess.
-Dallan thinks he'll go float the Provo river. (He did, and enjoyed it greatly)
-After a confusing start, Dallan and Jon finally agree on where they did their high adventure kayaking on the Salmon River.
-Dallan and Jon seed the idea of them both teaming up with their wards for the high adventure next year. Jon says that Dallan's a bishop and Jon knows his bishop... so we're set.
-Jon recounts how Justin Maupin says a prayer before going through the big rapids... "I promise I'll never swear again if you get me through this alive."
-Jon shares probably the best story every on Rexburbia... "Grape Soda Explodes." Jon stuffed a two liter bottle of grape soda with dry ice in order to cool it. When it starts to erupt Jon tries to contain it by drinking it, but he's overpowered and the grape soda explodes all over the car. The driver, Rod Boam, keeps his cool and still has that moment as a vivid memory.

-Next week Jon and Dallan will probably go through a list of friends and talk about them. They think they'll make most of them mad.

Rexburbia - Episode 005 - Mandy in Rexburg

So here's what we talk about.

-Rexburg better than big city. This is something that takes years to learn.
-Dallan not ready to move back to Rexburg, but it has a draw on him.
-Mandy clarifies that slightly outside of Rexburg would be better... like Driggs... Driggsburbia?
-Youtube conversation. Mandy thinks something concerning the LDS would be the first topic, but in reality it's fight - clubs.
-Mandy thinks there's more to do recreation-wise.
-Dallan and Mandy find out they went to a fight-club together.
-Mandy reveals herself as a school lunch lover, as is Dallan. They both agree on tri-patties as being a wonderful invention.
-Dallan asks Mandy to go and try out the current fair at the high school. Not going to happen.
-Mandy tells about her 10 year reunion that ended up being an 11 year reunion.
-Mandy recounts her weekend in Driggs at Lori's cabin/cottage. No air-conditioning made it a little unpleasant. Warm during the day but cools down at night.
-The Wright family took a trip to Jackson Hole to go swimming.
-Mandy misses the 4th of July parade. Can't give a first-hand report for Rexburbia.
-Kimball's pack of illegal fireworks causes the police to be called. That's after the kids held smoke bombs in Mandy and Lori's face. The result of which is they were burned. Mandy's belly takes one for the 4th.
-Dallan tells of stabbing someone with a sparkler when he was a kid at Marg's house.
-Nothing of concern burned down in Rexburg over the 4th. The sand dunes burned a little bit.
-Mandy buys a new bike. An Electra Beach cruiser. Mandy is now very cool and taking strolls around Rexburg. Say hi to her if you ever cross her path.
-Kyler beats up on Gladys in the child carrier while being towed around. Tries to sit on her head.
-Mandy discovers a trail that goes behind the old sawmill by the river. Dallan says he'll take a spin on it when he gets back in town.
-Josh moves back to Rexburg to open his practice. Dallan informs Mandy.
-Mandy won't make it down for a family farewell, but coming down here in the future is discussed.
-Mandy listens to the podcast. That's our first confirmed listener.
-Mom and Dad don't listen to the show because they don't have the internet and their jobs block such fun things. Mom does text however.
-Mandy has internet withdrawals while being in Rexburg.
-A discussion of the Rexburg library is held. Dallan questions what the monument in the courtyard was about. Mandy says it was just a rock. Mandy will investigate. She believes it just describes the library a little bit.
-Mandy thinks it smelled funky.
-Zane was left at the library when we were kids. He was crying. Dallan doesn't remember.
-Dallan has memories of the bean-bags. Funny what you will remember.
-Mandy did clogging recitals at the Rexburg library.
-Dallan goes on to recap their conversation. Very dull. Mandy then jumps in and talks about how people from Rexburg stare at her. Maybe it's because Mandy is sporting a tank-top.
-It used to be that everyone would wave at each other. Mandy says it's over with except for the more rural areas.

Rexburbia - Episode 004 - Kaboda!

Dallan and Jon talk about 4th of July activities, stuff, and installing sprinklers and landscaping with Kaboda in Rexburg. Kaboda is the nickname of our landscape supervisor who also went by "Sexiest Man Alive." It was a good walk down memory lane.

Rexburbia - Jon and Dallan 003

This one has taken a little while, but we're back. We talk about Jon's calling with the young men, what we think about getting your Eagle Scout, vomiting in Yellowstone, youtube and Rexburg fight clubs, our state basketball trip to Boise Idaho, being mean to girls, and new employees for both of us. Enjoy.

Rexburbia - Jon and Dallan talk in car

Here's another episode of Rexburbia. In this one Jon and I talk more about Rexburg life and some of the dumb things we used to do. This was recorded on my Zoom H4 as I traveled on the freeway to work. I cut and spliced some wires together so that I could record myself and Jon on separate channels. I think the quality worked out pretty well.

Rexburbia - Naked Guy

This is a story an Idaho State Police Officer told to my dad and I when he pulled his car up for a chat. I bet they have a million of them... and a fair amount of them probably deal with naked mental people.

!Rexburbia! - Final installment of Jon and Dallan randomly talking

Great fun was had by us talking about Rexburg topics such as: killing and eating rabbits, doing dumb stuff, four wheeler in the park, running naked, never being malicious, making guns in class, guns in trucks, and stuff.

Rexburbia - Jon and Dallan Part 2

Jon and I talk more about life in Rexburg... hockey and not having much money. We also talk about our hot cars, carrying "Old Keg" root beer, cb radios, and a friend trying to set up a drug bust. I did this one without any music in the background. I don't think I liked that in the last one. The previous one was more on the light side and this is more serious. In the next one we'll be talking about skinning rabbits.

Rexburbia - Jon and Dallan discuss life in Rexburg

Here it is. I enjoy it, but then again this whole operation is kind of a vain thing and I should like the sound of myself. Jon is my best friend from high school, and we had a great time talking for over an hour. I've decided to break it into three parts... this being the first.
We talk about Jon being in yearbook pictures, pro-wrestling, those who've died, those who are married, and all that other kind of stuff. It was fun.

Rexburg Chat Coming

Jon Croasmun and I had a great time reminiscing over many of our experiences in Rexburg. It's a little long at about an hour, so I'll be breaking it up into smaller chunks. It's all gold though. It's too late to throw it up tonight, but it's brewing. We talk about murder, hockey, the Rexburg police, school mates, and all that kind of stuff. It's gold.

Park City Library

I'm here in the Park City, Utah library doing a little web action. We're having a great vacation so far and just wandering here and there. I'll have a pretty comprehensive audio commentary in a little while, but for now it's great weather and I don't want to spend much time writing.

!Rexburbia! - Fun With Skype

I don't know exactly why, but I seem to enjoy recording phone conversations. Here's some more where I call around Rexburg. Maybe next time I'll get the strength up to start calling people from Rexburg at random. And, I need to have Jon on so that we can dredge up memories.

!Rexburbia! - Conversations With Cole

Last night I finally purchased all of the gear I need to decently record phone conversations. I called Cole, and here's how it went. Cole's great.

!Rexburbia! - Tire Change

Hello. Busy week here. Plenty of work, church meetings, and a funeral, but it's been pretty good. At least things move very quickly. I didn't have a thrilling time tonight when I walked into the bathroom and found Evey and Matthew both playing in the toilet. Oh, what a nasty thing. I guess I should be a little more curious when both of them are quite. Maybe I should just invent a toilet that kids can play in... they would sell well.
Here's a new "Rexburbia." In it Dad and I come across some people stuck in the mud.

Feedback Phone Number

If you want to get on my podcast and share your comments, I now have voicemail you can leave a message on. Call 206-350-8116 and leave your thoughts. I'll incorporate them into my podcast.

!Rexburbia! - Trailer Park

I'm having a great time with this thing. It may not be funny to the world, but I enjoy it. I've needed a creative outlet, and this is it. In this episode we here the amazing story of a drive through a Rexburg trailer park at night. Enjoy.

!Rexburbia! - Prowler

Here's the Rexburbia Prowler special. I want to say here that I love spending time with my Dad in the car. We talk about so many things and have a great time doing it. Thanks Dad.

Rexburbia!

We'll see how long I do this for, but here's a new addition to my podcasts. I want to do some audio of Rexburg. I've had a great time recording up there and I think I have lots of content to devote to this type of format. Let me know what you think.

Idaho Post

Here's my first audio from our trip to Idaho. I recorded a lot, and so there's a lot of editing to be done. Here's a quick interview of the cousins.

Idaho trip

We had ourselves a great time up in Idaho this past weekend. My mother is such a great host and makes every visit so nice. I rode with my dad in his police car two nights and recorded the events. We'll see how long it takes me to get those up. Just wanted to say that we went up, had a great time, and came back. A good trip.

Finally, my Sunday audio is done.

I stayed up late and finished off the audio of my Sunday conversation with my parents and siblings. I don't know if I like it, and I know there are lots of problems, but at this point I'm just happy to stick a fork in it.
See what you think.

Thanksgiving Point Childrens Farm

We've had such nice weather recently that we went to the Thanksgiving Point children's farm, and had a wonderful time. I made some audio clips and pieced them together here. Other news is that I just finished off a new print at work of Christ. We'll be publishing it, so I'll have to throw it on here for you to see. Tomorrow we'll be hanging up the print I brought home. That's it.

Oh, Natalie reminded me of the best thing. Matthew asked us if he could ride a pony! He never wants to do it, but he sat on it and enjoyed the ride. I didn't get audio of that, but it's hard to capture a silent smile.

Time Change

I enjoy the later light at night, but this time change is making me feel like an old man. What's new? We changed out lights at work. That was some exciting stuff. I worked more on the audio tonight and it seems to be taking shape. I should just finish this and move on so you can hear it, and not just read about it.

Vegas Trip

I spent the week down in Vegas at the PMA show. It covers photography and most aspects from store owners to those tripping the shutter. It was a good time, and I learned a lot, but it was way too much time from home. I sure missed the family.

I guess the only good thing was that the homecoming was extra special. I did my little thing where I fibbed to Natalie about the time I would be back, and I showed up about four hours earlier than I said. I love the surprise thing.

So, no audio yet. I did do some on the floor of the convention, and it was funny how everyone treated me a little better. I guess they thought I was a reporter. But, the audio for the Sunday family probably won't be done till next week. I've finally broken it down into clips, but it's still a ways out.

Service

It's been one of those days where all the mail is bad, even the Bishop mail, but I did learn something about pulling yourself out of a funk. I started working on some church work by coming up with schedules, making phone calls, and thinking about people in callings and soon after I started to feel better. Serving others is the way to feel better. That's all I have to say about that.

I worked a couple of hours on the audio and I'm very far away from finishing. I guess you'll have to wait.

Good Show Coming

I'm working on a show for this Saturday which contains some interviews I held with family members. I wanted to see what everyone remembers about Sundays and our childhood. I laughed a lot, and a lot of great memories were brought back to me. Come back to hear it.

Audio Declaration

This is an audio declaration of the previous post. I decided I would use some audio from when I first received the book, and since it's not really a review I'll just call it a declaration.

The Big Move

During this last week one of the artists that I work with gave me a copy of his latest book. It's really a wonderful work that he's created, and along with that he's made an audio book of it. Very funny stuff. I know J. Kirk Richards from the religious artwork he has created, and it's great to see the skills and abilities of an accomplished artist represented in another form.

Thanks for the book Kirk.


books.jkirkrichards.com

Dentist

We all made it to the dentist office this afternoon. Taylor, Matthew, and I all get our pictures on the wall for our stellar teeth, and Natalie has to wait her turn till tomorrow to find out her fate. I didn't go with Natalie to the dentist, but instead came later after work. It's amazing to me that Natalie would dare to venture off into such a situation by herself. (It's late and I'm tired. The previous sentences don't make much sense.) If Natalie ever dies leaving me to raise the kids alone, you can expect the kids teeth to go south quickly.

Matthew was the most difficult one. Natalie was pro-active and picked up a prescription to get him loopy for the visit, but he has a very high metabolism, and he pretty much shook it off. At least the Doctor was able to get a good look at his teeth and they seemed fine. That was our days experience, and no, I didn't get any audio of it. I forgot to take my zoom to work, and I was cutting it too close to stop home before going to the dentist. There's always six months from now.

Valentines Week Podcast

This was a lot of work to put out. I think I'll stick to shorter clips in the future. Maybe I shouldn't have locked myself into getting it out today. Oh well.

We had a great day at church and I feel ready for the week. Here you go.

Upcoming Show

It's been a fairly long and eventful week... Valentines week and all. I do want to add some audio from this past week, so I've loaded it all up and I just need to edit it. I'll try to get it on either tonight or tomorrow.

We've had such beautiful weather today that we've spent most of it outside. Because of that I can feel the sun burned into my face and I feel very tired. If it's not here tonight look for it later.

Picture Time

Here's another couple shots of our evening. In the end it was much funner than I thought. It's always better after the work is done.

Family Photo Evening

I went to school in photography. My fine art printing job is a direct result from that schooling. I do not enjoy very much taking or being in family pictures. It's not as bad when I take other peoples photo's, but when family becomes involved I become a not-so-nice person. Well, here's one result from tonights shoot.
Natalie puts up with so much from me. Notice the lack of myself in the picture.

Sunday Sunday

    It was a good Sunday.  I should clarify that and say it was a good Sunday for myself.  I don't think Natalie disagrees, but when she has to take care of all three kids for the whole day, I don't think she gets the same enjoyment that I do out of the day.  She does so much for us.
     Evey has a lot of cute in her, but she also has a good helping of trouble child inside as well.  I wish I had a picture of her "done-up" hair she was sporting (thanks to the curlers), but she was sufficiently cute.  Usually when Evey comes into the chapel she runs up to me and is excited.  Today she lurched away as I reached for her.  Some days are great and some are tough.  She's coming off of a week of sickness so I can understand why.
     I think I'm writing scatter-brained.  I'll stop now.

Saturday Shopping

Natalie is out with her friends having a much deserved shopping day away from the kids and I. Every week I take off and escape into my job, but Natalie works full time for the family completing all the tasks that we need done. I'm glad she gets out once in a while to recharge her battery. I didn't even mention how much of her Sunday is spent as a single parent taking care of the kids. Thank you wife.

I have a new podcast. I talk a bit on it, but the good part is Taylor singing a song while Evey dances and claps. We have such great kids. I'm done writing. That's all I have to say.

Throw Up

Evey has a gag reflex on the level of Matthews. Some of you may remember our horrible time dealing with Matthews problems in that area, and now Evey is playing catch up. When she has a cough, like she does now, she'll cough until something comes up. Oh the fun.

Before dealing with that though I finished off another podcast. On the right you can subscribe to all that come out in the future, or you can listen to individual recordings.

Dallan

Upcoming Podcast

I'm currently collecting audio for my next podcast. I love listening to every type of audio from npr, to local sports talk, old-time radio shows, and "This American Life." I love people talking. My challenge is to find something I'm passionate about and enjoy discussing. I like artists and I think I'll do some trial podcasts in that area. We'll see. Right now I'm still playing with my recorder and what it can do with different settings.

Family Home Evening

It was a busy day at work, and a busy day at home for Natalie. That's why it's nice to just ignore the phone and hang out with the family.

Natalie made a fantasmic chicken and rice dinner, and after I so lovingly cleaned up the kitchen we had our home evening. Everyone put up with me plinking out "I'm so glad when daddy comes home," and then we went straight to the activity upstairs.

The idea was that we would all help Natalie out with making a display for our local library. The library invites people to take a turn with the "I spy..." display. It's where you look through a hole in a window and view whatever creation has been made. We were supposed to help make the valentines display you see here, but the kids and I were more trouble than help and we eventually moved on. This left Natalie alone. I think it was the way it should be.

Foot Evidence

Here's the boy. We feel pretty bad for him, but the wrap seems to make him feel better.

Broken toe

Matthew's toe is broken. Natalie says they found a hairline fracture in his little toe and they have it wrapped up tightly. We're now firm believers in urgent care over the emergency room. They finished up in less than forty five minutes. So much better than spending the whole night in the ER.

Run Matthew Run

Matthew loves to be chased. He'll look at me with a big smile on his face and say, "Run!" He then waits nervously for me to give chase. Tonight I chased him around a couple of times downstairs and then I went upstairs.

Matthew continued running around with his two sisters and apparently he stubbed his toe on the couch. We thought it was something temporary, but after a while he began to cry more and say "Hurt!" over and over. Because Matthew can't express himself beyond single words we assessed the situation and decided to get some help for him. I loaded him into the car for Natalie and she drove him off to an Urgent Care facility.

Taylor is pretty upset about it so we had a prayer. Evey participated as well by folding her chubby arms and saying a loud amen. Taylor's working right now on a welcome home sign for him. She's very worried he'll be spending the night in a hospital.

We think his little toe is either broken or dislocated. We'll see later what it is.

First Show

Taylor and I busted out our first podcast. The recording is the fun part, and then the editing has to be done. I spent a lot of time making many mistakes, but in the end it was fun. You'll here how I recorded at different settings and the conversion didn't quite make it through. I sound drugged in the dog part.

Natalie is down in St. George so I had some time to be with Matthew and Taylor and I enjoyed it very much.

Dallan

Listen to it here.

or subscribe to the podcast here