Here's more great news. Vallen is the proud mother of two finch eggs. (uh oh.)
Monday, September 29, 2008
Our Economy
I love these exciting times of financial uncertainty. This is a testament to how boring laundry and dishes can become. I'm so glad the republicans did not pass the bailout bill namely because I don't think all of the guidelines for distributing money to stupid companies have been made strict enough and because the democrats still tacked on millions of dollars in pork barrel projects onto the bailout bill!! Can you believe it? We are in the middle of one of the worst financial crisis in the US History and democrat congress people are trying to get more money for whatever pet projects they love. Unbelievable!! Now everyone is mad at the republicans for "continuing" this crisis (by voting no on the bill) when they don't even know all of the crap in the bill besides the bailout money.
Well, I'm willing to ride a little longer, though I do feel for Mom and Dad and others closer to retirement. This could end up badly, but I am expecting a bailout every day. Hopefully, it will be a little more realistic and a little more frugal.
Martissa
Well, I'm willing to ride a little longer, though I do feel for Mom and Dad and others closer to retirement. This could end up badly, but I am expecting a bailout every day. Hopefully, it will be a little more realistic and a little more frugal.
Martissa
Sunday, September 28, 2008
The End of the Season
Today is the last day of the baseball regular season. We will now be doomed to a month of only occasional games, then 4 months of silence.
On the bright side, Spring Training will be 6 days longer next year!!
Anybody want to make any World Series guesses? I do NOT want, but expect to get, the Tampa Bay Rays v. the Chicago Cubs. Although the Dodgers and Angels both made the post-season, they regularly lose in the first round. The Angels have the best record in baseball and the Dodgers the worst of the playoff contenders. They'll win one game and lose in 4 against the Cubs. Oh well.
On the bright side, Spring Training will be 6 days longer next year!!
Anybody want to make any World Series guesses? I do NOT want, but expect to get, the Tampa Bay Rays v. the Chicago Cubs. Although the Dodgers and Angels both made the post-season, they regularly lose in the first round. The Angels have the best record in baseball and the Dodgers the worst of the playoff contenders. They'll win one game and lose in 4 against the Cubs. Oh well.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Remember me?!?!
Hi!
I haven't even looked at the blog in months. So I have a lot to catch up on. It looks like everyone has been busy and having a great time. Layne and I have also been very busy and having a great time. We have almost been married 8 months now. It is crazy how time flies! We have had lots of fun adventures. Maybe I will send several blogs with pictures and stuff. But maybe not - so don't hold your breath or anything.
I just wanted to let you know that you still have a sister-in-law named Jen and I am still alive and well.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Cute Family Members
Jason is getting ready for Halloween by getting his facial hair ready for any number of costume possibilities! He doesn't know yet what he wants to be, but his face will be ready!
Paisley woke up this morning saying that it was bright outside and she needed her sunglasses one. She is so cute sporting her stylish shades in her pj's!
Trip to the Zoo
This past weekend we went to the Wichita Zoo! It was so much fun. We were some of the first people there so we had the place to ourselves for about an hour and a half. We had so much fun. Paisley is a huge animal lover and so she was completely happy surrounded with all kinds of animals. She was very sad when it was finally time to leave, but we'll be sure and go back someday!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Yes on 8 Support
In an effort to do all that we can to support the Yes on 8 campaign I have decided to add an icon on the sidebar of our blog to show our support. If negative comments show up on our blog as a result, I will just delete them and we will go on our marry way showing that we support traditional marriage and all that stands for!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Day 1
Vallen is the proud parent of a finch egg! Take a look at this:
These are Vallen's finches, mother Summer and father Autumn. We have owned them for about 5 weeks now. The egg is supposed to hatch in 14 days. We will keep you posted. The egg is in the nest on the back left of this picture.
These are Vallen's finches, mother Summer and father Autumn. We have owned them for about 5 weeks now. The egg is supposed to hatch in 14 days. We will keep you posted. The egg is in the nest on the back left of this picture.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Prolific
Since I'm being so prolific today, I thought I would remind everyone that Grandmother's birthday is on Tuesday. Please send her a card and a recent picture of your family. Her address is:
Elsie Whelchel
4000 Cedar Street
Meadowbrook #215
Baker City, Oregon 97814
I have no idea how old she is, but I hope she will eat some ice cream to celebrate.
Martissa
Elsie Whelchel
4000 Cedar Street
Meadowbrook #215
Baker City, Oregon 97814
I have no idea how old she is, but I hope she will eat some ice cream to celebrate.
Martissa
Some Cute Family Pictures
I found these pictures while going through my memory and card and I wanted you all to see them. The fierce pirate pictures are from the Achievement Day Girls Daddy Daughter Night.
I love their outfits!
This is a picture we took from the top of the Conference Center. You can see the Salt Lake Temple in the background. We had a tour when we were visiting S. Ogden in August.
We are having a great day
Thank you for the happy birthday wishes and Lewis I want to read your 1,000,000 word book.
Here is a birthday pictures. We have only opened presents, which we did at 7:30 am before church. Then we had egg gravy over toast for breakfast and went off to church. Now Mike is getting the coals ready for his birthday steak.
Mike is lucky he opened his own presents this year. However, Grace called out what each one was before he could open it. Oh well. I guess she is like an ultrasound machine. You are still surprised about what you get, the surprise is just a little early.
Love you all,
Martissa
Happy Birthday Michael Spencer!
.
Happy Birthday Bishop Spencer!
In my soul-searching in the pursuit of an excellent gift, I had to ask myself, "Self, what do you give to the man that has everything?" My answer was that it should be something unique and novel. And so, I give you my favorite novel.
The name of the novel is Sir Charles Grandison, written between 1751 and 1753 by Samuel Richardson of London.
Richardson wrote 3 novels. In addition to Grandison, he wrote Pamela, a very controversial book, and what was, until earlier this year, the longest novel in the English language, Clarrisa, a book of over 1,000,000 words. I find this to be quite remarkable, as the longest book I have written to date is 120,000 words and took almost as long.
Allow me to provide a brief description of the plot, taken from Wikipedia:
The novel begins with the character of Harriet Byron leaving the house of her uncle, George Selby, to visit Mr and Mrs Reeves, her cousins, in London. She is an orphan who was educated by her grandparents, and, though she lacks parents, she is heir to a fortune of fifteen thousand pounds, which causes many suitors to pursue her. In London, she is pursued by three suitors, Mr Greville, Mr Fenwick, and Mr Orme. This courtship is followed by more suitors: Mr Fowler, Sir Rowland Meredith, and Sir Hargrave Pollexfen. The final one, Pollexfen, pursues Byron vigorously, which causes her to criticize him over a lack of morals and decency of character. However, Pollexfen does not end his pursuits of Byron until she explains that she could never receive his visits again.
Pollexfen, unwilling to be without Byron, decides to kidnap her while she attended a masquerade at the Haymarket (ironically, the site of Henry Fielding's Little Theatre). She is then imprisoned at Lisson Grove with the support of a widow and two daughters. While he keeps her prisoner, Pollexfen makes it clear to her that she shall be his wife, and that anyone who challenges that will die by his hand. Byron attempts to escape from the house, but this fails. In order to prevent her from trying to escape again, Pollexfen transports Byron to his home at Windsor. However, he is stopped at Hounslow Heath, where Charles Grandison hears Byron's pleas for help and immediately attacks Pollexfen. After this rescue, Grandison takes Byron to Colnebrook, the home of Grandison's brother-in-law, the "Earl of L."
After Pollexfen recovers from the attack, he sets out to duel Grandison. However, Grandison refuses on the grounds that dueling is harmful to society. To Pollexfen, he says:
"It was natural for me to look into history, for the rise and progress of custom so much and so justly my aversion, so contrary to all love divine and human, and particularly to that true heroism which Christianity enjoins, when it recommends meekness, moderation, and humility, as the glory of the human nature" (II)
After explaining why obedience to God and society are important, Grandison wins Pollexfen over and obtains his apology to Byron for his actions. She accepts his apology, and he follows with a proposal to marriage. She declines because she, as she admits, is in love with Grandison. However, a new suitor, the Earl of D, appears, and it emerges that Grandison promised himself to an Italian woman, Signorina Clementina della Porretta. As Grandison explains, he was in Italy years before and rescued the Barone della Porretta and a relationship developed between himself and Clementina, the baron's only daughter. However, Grandison could not marry her, as she demanded that he, an Anglican Protestant, become a Catholic, and he was unwilling to do so. After he left, she grew ill out of despair, and the Porrettas were willing to accept his religion, if he would return and make Clementina happy once more. Grandison, feeling obligated to do what he can to restore Clementina's happiness, returns to Italy; however, Clementina determines she can never marry a "heretic", and so Grandison returns to England and Harriet who (after a certain amount of "femalities" as her Uncle Selby puts it) accepts him. They are married; and everyone is accorded their just deserts (except the Earl of D, perhaps).
It will not surprise you that this book is no longer in print. In fact, I am personally aware of only two copies, and I own them both. One is a late edition printed in 1902 as part of a complete set of all three of Richardson's book, and the other copy is a 6th edition published in 1776.
At one time, it was available on the internet in it's entirely, but that website is no longer in existence. It is there that I first read it. The "Project Gutenberg" has the 4th volume online, but I find the idea of having just a portion of the story to be revolting. I would like very much to read it again, but I've abandoned the printed word in favor of the electronic that I carry around in my Blackberry.
I hope you have a marvelous day!
Lewis
Happy Birthday Bishop Spencer!
In my soul-searching in the pursuit of an excellent gift, I had to ask myself, "Self, what do you give to the man that has everything?" My answer was that it should be something unique and novel. And so, I give you my favorite novel.
The name of the novel is Sir Charles Grandison, written between 1751 and 1753 by Samuel Richardson of London.
Richardson wrote 3 novels. In addition to Grandison, he wrote Pamela, a very controversial book, and what was, until earlier this year, the longest novel in the English language, Clarrisa, a book of over 1,000,000 words. I find this to be quite remarkable, as the longest book I have written to date is 120,000 words and took almost as long.
Allow me to provide a brief description of the plot, taken from Wikipedia:
The novel begins with the character of Harriet Byron leaving the house of her uncle, George Selby, to visit Mr and Mrs Reeves, her cousins, in London. She is an orphan who was educated by her grandparents, and, though she lacks parents, she is heir to a fortune of fifteen thousand pounds, which causes many suitors to pursue her. In London, she is pursued by three suitors, Mr Greville, Mr Fenwick, and Mr Orme. This courtship is followed by more suitors: Mr Fowler, Sir Rowland Meredith, and Sir Hargrave Pollexfen. The final one, Pollexfen, pursues Byron vigorously, which causes her to criticize him over a lack of morals and decency of character. However, Pollexfen does not end his pursuits of Byron until she explains that she could never receive his visits again.
Pollexfen, unwilling to be without Byron, decides to kidnap her while she attended a masquerade at the Haymarket (ironically, the site of Henry Fielding's Little Theatre). She is then imprisoned at Lisson Grove with the support of a widow and two daughters. While he keeps her prisoner, Pollexfen makes it clear to her that she shall be his wife, and that anyone who challenges that will die by his hand. Byron attempts to escape from the house, but this fails. In order to prevent her from trying to escape again, Pollexfen transports Byron to his home at Windsor. However, he is stopped at Hounslow Heath, where Charles Grandison hears Byron's pleas for help and immediately attacks Pollexfen. After this rescue, Grandison takes Byron to Colnebrook, the home of Grandison's brother-in-law, the "Earl of L."
After Pollexfen recovers from the attack, he sets out to duel Grandison. However, Grandison refuses on the grounds that dueling is harmful to society. To Pollexfen, he says:
"It was natural for me to look into history, for the rise and progress of custom so much and so justly my aversion, so contrary to all love divine and human, and particularly to that true heroism which Christianity enjoins, when it recommends meekness, moderation, and humility, as the glory of the human nature" (II)
After explaining why obedience to God and society are important, Grandison wins Pollexfen over and obtains his apology to Byron for his actions. She accepts his apology, and he follows with a proposal to marriage. She declines because she, as she admits, is in love with Grandison. However, a new suitor, the Earl of D, appears, and it emerges that Grandison promised himself to an Italian woman, Signorina Clementina della Porretta. As Grandison explains, he was in Italy years before and rescued the Barone della Porretta and a relationship developed between himself and Clementina, the baron's only daughter. However, Grandison could not marry her, as she demanded that he, an Anglican Protestant, become a Catholic, and he was unwilling to do so. After he left, she grew ill out of despair, and the Porrettas were willing to accept his religion, if he would return and make Clementina happy once more. Grandison, feeling obligated to do what he can to restore Clementina's happiness, returns to Italy; however, Clementina determines she can never marry a "heretic", and so Grandison returns to England and Harriet who (after a certain amount of "femalities" as her Uncle Selby puts it) accepts him. They are married; and everyone is accorded their just deserts (except the Earl of D, perhaps).
It will not surprise you that this book is no longer in print. In fact, I am personally aware of only two copies, and I own them both. One is a late edition printed in 1902 as part of a complete set of all three of Richardson's book, and the other copy is a 6th edition published in 1776.
At one time, it was available on the internet in it's entirely, but that website is no longer in existence. It is there that I first read it. The "Project Gutenberg" has the 4th volume online, but I find the idea of having just a portion of the story to be revolting. I would like very much to read it again, but I've abandoned the printed word in favor of the electronic that I carry around in my Blackberry.
I hope you have a marvelous day!
Lewis
Friday, September 19, 2008
Goodluck Shelley!!!
Shelley is hopefully tucked all into bed getting a good night sleep before she attempts 26.2 for the second time in Logan at the Top of Utah Marathon tomorrow. Now keep in mind that she is doing St George in two weeks exactly! I am not sure if she is trying to pr (get her fastest time to date at this one) or if she will be conservative and try to do that at St George. I tried to call her but haven't heard back. I hope what ever she does, she finishes injury free and happy with the result!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Anyone remember huckle buckle beanstock?
I introduced my kids to that this weekend! AHHHH, memories! Thanks Mom and Dad!
(sorry for the spelling if it is wrong)
(sorry for the spelling if it is wrong)
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Lizzy's Birthday
We did have a very happy birthday celebration. Here are some pictures of way too many presents, our darling growing baby, and Mike's masterpiece, Lambie Cake IV. Thanks to all of you who sent happy birthday wishes.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Painting for FHE
Tonight we all painted some water colors for FHE. Paisley loved it. She had so much fun she painted four pictures. We had fun teaching her the basic idea of painting with water colors, but some of the colors still ended up mixing. We can't wait to all paint together again!
Paisley has been very cute lately. Here are some of the funny, smart, interesting, totally two year old things she says and does:
Paisley has been very cute lately. Here are some of the funny, smart, interesting, totally two year old things she says and does:
- When we were getting her dressed after her bath tonight she said "it is cold on my nakeds."
- A couple days ago we had pasta, and the sauce had some basil flakes in it and she said "oh no, there's grass in my noodles."
- When she gets upset with us she folds her arms and says "I quit!" (I have no idea where that came from)
- She always talks about her nursery friends
- Today when we were picking corn she wanted to get pick her own "corns"
- She loves to build lego towers and then crash them to the floor
- She is proud when she uses the potty
- She no longer has any binkis!! YAY! (I think that one is on the 2008 predictions)
- Whenever she see's a picture of a cruise ship, a commercial for a cruise ship or anyone talks about a cruise she yells as loud as she can "A CRUISE! I want to go on a cruise!" she then proceeds to ask daddy if he will take her on a cruise (she must be related to her mother!
We sure love having Paisley in our family and enjoy the cute things she comes up with.
Home Grown Corn
Well we have our first ears of corn. They had a little bit of trouble on the top, so we chopped that part off. They are only about 2-3 inches long, but we can't wait to have them with dinner tonight! Yumm yumm.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
New Template
Hello everyone,
I hope you all don't mind that I am playing with the templates. I am sick of cookie cutter blogger templates and I have found a site to allow us to have super cute special templates so for now I love this one, but it may change every few weeks. I hope this doesn't disrupt anyone. It doesn't change the content or the way you post, just the look of the blog!! I hope you enjoy our new, cute blog!
I hope you all don't mind that I am playing with the templates. I am sick of cookie cutter blogger templates and I have found a site to allow us to have super cute special templates so for now I love this one, but it may change every few weeks. I hope this doesn't disrupt anyone. It doesn't change the content or the way you post, just the look of the blog!! I hope you enjoy our new, cute blog!
Friday, September 05, 2008
Happy birthday, Lizzie
.
Happy birthday! I don't really know when it is, but I have a very nice present for you. It is a very pretty flower:
The name of this flower is: Scilla morrisii. It is thought to be the rarest flower in the world. There are only 600 in existence. They grow in northern Cyprus and live in the shade of oak trees. Because of tourism and building things, the oak trees are getting chopped down so there is no place for the flower to grow. It's very sad.
It is a very pretty flower and it reminded me of you.
Happy Birthday!
Love, Uncle Lew
.
Happy birthday! I don't really know when it is, but I have a very nice present for you. It is a very pretty flower:
The name of this flower is: Scilla morrisii. It is thought to be the rarest flower in the world. There are only 600 in existence. They grow in northern Cyprus and live in the shade of oak trees. Because of tourism and building things, the oak trees are getting chopped down so there is no place for the flower to grow. It's very sad.
It is a very pretty flower and it reminded me of you.
Happy Birthday!
Love, Uncle Lew
.
Camping
Well Jen and I had a wonderful camping trip a few weekends ago, the weather was great and the Stars were incredible. We went to a place called Blackwater Falls State Park in WV, it was a 3.5 hour drive and was well worth it. We got to use our tent for the first time which was a lot of fun. We even got it to fit back in the tiny little bag it came in. That was exciting!! Here are a few pictures of the trip. It was just a one night adventure, but we did need the essentials. Forget the pictures, just use your imagination. (pictures seem to be missing from iPhoto Library)
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Happy Birthday Elizabeth
Happy Birthday Elizabeth! I bet you are going to have a cute, cute cake! post pictures!
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Monday, September 01, 2008
Congratulations Cousin Brad!!
I had a nice long chat with Leslee yesterday and learned that Cousin Brad made the volleyball team at middle school. We just want him to know how proud we are and hope he plays his best and has a great season. We expect game reports on the blog kiddo. Goodluck!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)