Week Two of the Beijing Olympics (The Ups)

I know the Olympics are over, but I'm having some serious withdrawl. So I figured that I would relive some key moments to make myself feel a little better.

1. 8 Golds in '08
Uh, big surprise, Michael Phelps winning 8 gold medals. And he did it totally on his own without any drugs. I would venture to say that that is probably an impossible feat, however he proved us all wrong. Although he did hit the jackpot in the genes department because he really is built like a fish (7 foot wingspan, ginormous hands, double jointed in almost every joint, legs of a 6 foot tall man with the torso of someone 6 ft 4, etc.). And he was totally classy about it and wasn't ever like, 'oh, I'm Michael Phelps, bow down.' No, he seems like a totally down to earth guy, really someone to look up to.

2. Beach Volleyball Just Became Exciting!
Both the mens and womens Beach Volleyball win gold! It was awesome! But I do have to wonder, what is Misty May-Treaner thinking now that she's going to be on Dancing with the Stars? Just because she won a gold medal, does that make her a star? And if she is a 'star', is it falling rapidly enough that she needs to go on that show where everyone goes in a last stitch effort to shine again? Just my thoughts.

3. Maybe Next Time, The Can Be the Dream Team Again
U.S. Men's basketball did it! I can't believe that Carson and I attempted to stay up for it. He did better than I did in that even though he slept through the first half, he saw all of the second half. I on the other hand would like to think that me asleep on the floor was sufficient moral support as I saw about 30 seconds of the entire game. I think that the victory was in large part due to Coach K (here is where I wax phylisophical on B-Ball strategy). He actually played people who deserved to be played based on their ability and not their reputation and popularity. They should always have a college coach in my opinion. Oh yeah, women's basketball won too.

4. Women's Soccer Has 'it' Again
That game was awsome and the game winning goal was beautiful! I was going to say that they still have it, but apparently they lost it for a while.

5. We're Not Just Good at Swimming Relays
Even though both our men's and women's track teams terfed it in the 4x100 relays do to baton mishaps, both teams came back redeemed themselves in the 4x400 securing gold for both! It was awesome. But really, I don't think our men had a chance in the 4x100, so it's probably for the best.

6. I'm With Dwight, Maybe it Should be the Centathalon
Visit www.officetally.com and watch the video, it's hilarious. But on a more serious note, our American Bryan Clay won the decathalon. So cool. I can't even imagine doing that many events and having to do them all pretty much perfect. Very impressive. Does that qualify you to be Superman in realy life?

7. Yay for Kenya
Kenya won it's first ever gold medal in the marathon! Now I, like a lot of people I think, always figured that Kenya was really good at the marathon. Well, they are, just not in the Olympics. Who knew? Anyway, they won and it was super exciting. Almost as exciting was the heated discussion that Carson and I got into over whether or not it's harder to grow a baby and give birth to said human, or run a marathon. Guess which side I was on.

8. Big, German Weightlifters do Have Feelings
This total underdog won the gold medal in one the weightlifting event and during the medal ceremony he held up a picture of his wife. Come to find out his wife had recently passed away and when she found out he made the olympic team, she started a savings account so she could go watch him. Unfortunately, that wasn't able to happen. So he held up a sweet picture of her. I was in tears.

9. Men's Indoor Volleyball Wins Gold
That one was a nailbiter. It was a little more exciting than I had previously given credit. They played really hard and I was happy for the coach that even though terrible things had happened to his family, he had something positive to show for his experience in Beijing.

10. Closing Ceremonies
Again, what a phenomenal display of artistry. I really enjoyed it. I did however think that the David Backham thing was a little overdone in the build up. He was there for like 30 seconds and didn't say anything. And has he ever played int he Olympics before? Anyway, the acrobats were awsome and as usual the fireworks were really cool. I also enjoyed the Chinese pop stars. Although, I don't remember Jackie chan being considered a pop singer. 'Beijing, Beijing, Wo Ai Beijing'

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Siobhan has really been into talking lately. Right now her favorite phrases and words are 'because', 'why?', 'I have an idea' and 'What do you think?' So in light of her new found conversation skills, I thought I would share a few of the ones that have made me and Carson absolutely crack up.

Planning Out Our Day

Scene: Siobhan and I are sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast.

Siobhan: Mommy, I have an idea.

Me: Let's hear it.

Siobhan: We go to the museum and see a birthday cake. What do you think?

On Our Way to Dinner

Scene: We're driving in the car on the way to Chilis for dinner last friday night-we passed by McDonalds on the way

Siobhan: Mommy, Daddy, I have an idea, lets go to McDonalds.

Me: Well, I think we're going to go to Chilis.

Siobhan: Well, lets go to McDonalds instead.

Carson: Siobhan, we're going to chilis this time. We'll go to McDonalds another day (all in Portuguese, of course)

Siobhan: I have an idea, let's go to Chilis and then McDonalds! What do you think?

Michael Phelps-The New Monster in the Closet

Scene: Carson is just about to head downstairs to go play basketball when he hears a sweet little voice come from under Siobhan's bedroom door.

Siobhan: Daddy, I need to wash my hands

Carson: No Siobhan you need to go to sleep

Siobhan: Well, I need magic soap (hand sanitizer)

Carson: Go to sleep Siobhan

Siobhan: Daddy, can you come in and hold me?

Carson gives in and goes in to pick up Siobhan who promptly puts her head on his shoulder-very unlike her.

Carson: Siobhan, are you okay?

Siobhan: Michael Phelps scared me.

Carson: Michael Phelps?

Siobhan: Yeah, you know the fast swimmer guy, he scare me.

Carson: Well, I'll tell him to stop.

Lays Siobhan back down in bed and goes to leave the room.

Siobhan: No, tell him in here.

Carson (into the darkness, talking to no one): Michael Phelps, stop scaring Siobhan.

So there you have it, the conversations of a 2 1/2 year old.

Week One of the Beijing Olympics Part 1 (The ups)

I am so excited about the Olympics this year! I was in Beijing when they started the countdown in 2004, also the same day that they first lit the torch with Yao Ming. So needless to say, it's all very close to my heart this year. Everytime they show coverage of the games in Beijing, it makes me want to go back so bad. Literally, whenever the events are shown, I'm watching them. I've gotten so into the swimming (Michael Phelps is my new crush), the beach volleyball (way more fun than indoor), and gymnastics (who doesn't though). But seriously, what an incredible first week of the games. And we still hav emore swimming and track and field and of course the ones that I am chastised for liking....rhythmic gymnastic, syncronized swimming and trampoline. Hopefully they'll show those ones.
So in honor of such amazing athleticism, I thought that I would share my list of what I felt are the most awesomest moments for the last week of competetition (In no particular order). drum roll...

Number 1 The Opening Ceremonies

I don't care what anybody says, even with all of the scandals, the long running time and no familiar order to the parade of nations, this was by far and away the best opening ceremonies of any Olympiad. China really knew what they were doing. I don't care that some of the fireworks were CGI and I don't care that a little girl was lip syncing. No one can tell me that that was not a lavish display of artistry and innovation. And while I loved the dancers painting with their feet and hands, the 2008 drummers, the 2008 Tai Ji masters, and all of the high flying acrobats, I would have to say that the most touching moment came when the little boy from Sichuan walked in with Yao Ming. If you don't know, he was a survivor of the terrible earthquake. He was in school 20 of his 30 classmates were killed. But that's not the amazing part. He got himself out of the reckage and went back to save two of his classmates that were trapped. When asked why he did that, he said that it was because he's a class leader and a hall monitor so it was his responsibility. Wow! A close second was seeing our flag bearer Lopez Lamong who was one of the 'Lost boys of sudan'. So inspiring!

Number 2 The Number 1 ranked men's Beach Volleyball team coming back from loss.
So we have two awesome men's beach volleyball teams. The number 1 team played on Saturday and lost bad to Latvia of all people (Is there even a beach in Latvia?). Very disappointing. But they have come back to win every other game that they've played making the USA beach Volleyball record for Men and Women a near perfect at 11-1 as of yesterday. Go team!

Number 3 The USA winning the 4X100 freestyle relay

Um, for anyone who watched the heartpounding (stopping) race, how amazing was it!!! It's is the first time that I can say that I was cheering outloud for a swimming race. All I have to say to the French team is, 'Karma sucks.' Seriously, that's what happens when you talk smack! This is one that will go down in history!

Number 4 Anything that Michael Phelps touches

I have become such a die hard Phelps fan that I'm not even sure I really care about much else when it comes to our swim team. I firmly believe that not only is he going to match Mark Spitz record, he's going to surprass it and win 8. How awesome would that be?

Number 5 The hugely underdog Men's gymnastic team winning the Bronze.

Go USA! With two alternates and a lot of falls and mistakes, I'm surprised they medaled at all. So Yea! It really was awesome to see though! Mad props to them! And yippee for the Colorado hometown hero who nailed the pommel horse when we really needed him to. I can't remember his name right now, but still exciting!

Number 6 The Redeem team winning all the time especitally against China

First I have to say though, for a country that basically invented basketball and made it what it is, it's pretty sad that we have been reduced to calling them the Redeem Team. That being said, they're doing great and maybe those high paid (over paid) NBA players will realize that they are not too good for the Olympics-cause that's kind of the vibe I was getting from them.

Number 7 Blake knocking out Federer.

'Nuf said! Federer was mad.

Number 8 Siobhan getting super excited everytime we watch 'China'

She is so into the 'gynnastics' and swimming and by the way, it's not called aerobics (that's how she says Olympics), it's gynnastics. She also really enjoys trying the mimmick the synchronized diving.

Number 9 Women's gymnastics getting Silver

Sure a gold would have been better, but I think that it's to be expected that China was going to pull out all the stops in a quest for as many gold medals as possible, as any host nation would do (only difference is that most other countries would be honest about it). So yippee for those girls who trained so hard and some of them literally had only 12 seconds of performance time.

Number 1o Nastia and Shawn going 1,2 in Women's all-around

Really, I didn't mean for there to be 10, it just happened that way. But what a nail bighter. It was awesome! Siobhan was sad that she had to go to bed before it started. Way to break the Chinese streak of all gold in the gymnastics. I bet they are pissed about that.

P.U.S.H

JUST PUSH

A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when
suddenly His room filled with light and God appeared.
The Lord told the Man he had work for him to do and
showed him a large rock in front of his cabin.

The Lord explained that the man was to push against the
rock with all his might . .

So, this the man did, day after day. For many years
he toiled from sunup to sundown, his shoulders set
squarely against the cold, massive surface of the
unmoving rock, pushing with all his might.

Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn
out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.
Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary
(Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts
into the weary mind: (He will do it every time)! "You
have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it
hasn't moved." Thus, he gave the man the impression that
the Task was impossible and that he was a failure.

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.

Satan said, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your
time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good
enough." That's what the weary man planned to do, but
decided to make it a matter of prayer and to take his troubled
thoughts to The Lord.

"Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in Your service,
putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet,
after all this time I have not even budged that rock by half a
millimeter, What is wrong? Why am I failing?"

The Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked
you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task
was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which
you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected
you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to
Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed.
But is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong
and muscled, your back shiny and brown; your hands are callused
from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard.

Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now
surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven't moved the
rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to
exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. That you have done.
Now I, my friend, will move the rock."

At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own
intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants
is just simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise
the Faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God Who
moves the mountains.

When everything seems to go wrong......................Just P.U.S.H.
When the job gets you down.................................Just P.U.S.H.
When people don't do as you think they should.......Just P.U.S.H.
When your money is "gone" and the bills are due....Just P.U.S.H.
When people just don't understand you..................Just P.U.S.H.

P = Pray
U = Until
S = Something
H = Happens

Pass this on to all your loved ones and friends who may need
it; they may get it just in time.

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start,
anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

Interesting

I thought this would be fun. Unfortunately, I've never even seen the movie, so it doesn't mean that much to me. Eh


You Are Megara!

Charming and witty. You are always the first person to come up with a wisecrack. Sure, you have an attitude, but that's why people love you. You keep them on their toes. Sometimes you can be misleading, but always end up doing the right thing for the people you love.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

What can I say?

Meghan always encourages me to get on and blog. I have shrugged it off for long enough. She has done a terrific job updating this and keeping friends and family posted on what is happening with our family. I am amazed at the creativity, patience, and genuine love that Meghan possesses. I am the luckiest man in the world to be married to such a wonderful wife and mother. Life has thrown us our share of curve balls, as I am sure it has with all, but we have found ways to overcome and it always brings our little family closer. I am very proud of our two little ones as well. They simply brighten our lives everyday. Siobhan is getting to the point where she will tell you whatever is on her mind, and she is such a little daredevil!!! Audrey is growing up so fast, and we have recently realized she has three levels of 'scrunchy'. Depending on how stressed out she is or how unhappy you are making her, she will give you one of three levels of a scrunchy face. We will provide pictures in the near future. Her third and highest level of scrunchiness is by far the cutest because she wrinkles her forehead, nose, and mouth. She will be walking any day now. We are very excited. I am an incredibly lucky father and husband. I do not know what I would do without my girls! I love them all more than I can express. Stay tuned for the scrunchy pictures!

Catching Up

I was checking blogs today and I realized that it has been almost a month since my last post. I know, I know, I'm lame. That last post wasn't even about my family. I really wish that I could give an excuse like we've been busy traveling the world or we were in witness protection but really, I'm just lazy. With all of the dance shows that I have to watch, were did all of the time go? But in all fairness, I'm actually really behind on my Lost viewing so the blogging world is the not the only entity being neglected. That being said, here are a few of the bullet points of what we've been doing.

I pretend to cook now!!!

I'm actually pretty proud of these two meals. The one on the left the Margherita Pizza that I made with homemade pizza dough and the basil is fresh that I grew on my windowsill. The one on the left is Gnocchi (Italian pasta-little potato dumplings) which Carson and I made from scratch and the sauce was homemade pesto, again with my fresh basil. I've also tried a few other things that I've never made before and it has been really fun!

We got a piano

Some friends in our ward were moving and needed to unload this piano so they gave it to us for free-gratis! Totally in tune and painted red....can life get better? I submit that it cannot! Siobhan loves it!

Siobhan had her first summer dance recital

Here are some pictures from Siobhan's recital. She had so much fun! I'm in costume because I had to take the place of one of my students who couldn't make it and since I look like I'm 16, I was the logical replacement! Siobhan did awesome and I'm so proud of her!

Audrey turned 1!!!

I can't believe she's already 1 year old! She loved devouring the Ladybug cake that I made for her and here she is in the one of the cute outfits from Nama Nadene. So cute!

Siobhan tried fish for the first time

We were in Oregon last week for a family reunion (which I will do a more detailed post about later) and we spent a lot of the time on the Oregon coast. While we were there we went to Mo's (It's kind of famous) and we got Siobhan some fish and chips. She kept calling it fish chicken. Anyway, she did not like it. And let me clarify, that was not due to my influence. You can even ask Carson, I encouraged her to try it! She hated it all on her own. I'm so proud.