Stars and Stripes and 7 dollar fruit

Last night we had a fun party at Grandma and Grandpa's place for Independence Day. Lots of Melinda's cousins were over and we had fun playing badminton, eating popsicles, and lighting fireworks.

Thursday night we went to South Salt Lake's firework show at Granite High. Connie was so nice to go early and save us a nice grassy spot on the baseball field. We brought some fried chicken, grapes, watermelon and cookies and had a nice little picnic. Joy came with us, and later Brian and Dejah came with Marsha, then Trisha and her family came and later one Karen and Wendy came. It was quite a fun party. The fireworks were spectacular as always. Melinda was glad that they brought back all of the old classics for the soundtrack; "America" by Neil Diamond, "I'm Proud to be an American", "Born in the USA" by Springsteen, and then they ended with a patriotic medley by Elvis.

Saffron liked the fireworks, but she made us cover her ears. I asked her if she liked the firworks and she said, "They were really loud." So I asked her if they were pretty, and she said "They were pretty loud."

I keep forgetting to take the camera with us, so I don't have any pictures of the event. Oh well, here are some pictures of something completely different.

This fruit is a cherimoya, otherwise known as a "custard apple. I ate these when I was in Chile and when I saw them at our local grocery store I knew I had to get one, even though at 6.99 a pound, it's more expensive than gasoline. I suppose nostalgia can sometimes nostalgia can be expensive.

This fruit is native to Peru and Chile, and it was a real treat to eat this when they were in season. I had bought one a few years a go and I let it ripen too long and it tasted kind of sickly sweet, so I was watching this one closely to make sure I ate it before it got too ripe.

I think it was Monday or Tuesday night at 11:00 and I looked and it and smelled it and it seemed just perfect. We had just gotten the kids to bed, but I wanted them to taste it so I got them out of bed and we all ate it.

They kids weren't overly impressed but they all liked it. It was tasty, but not as tasty as I remembered it. I guess it's like they say, you can never go home again.

Looking on back on 2007

Two thousand and seven is almost over, so it's time for one last post this year. Here a few photo reminders of the first few minutes of this year.




Lisette is rapidly becoming a young woman with her own interests and views. Miles has become a good skateboarder and a very good skier (even though I can't see his ears anymore.) Ian is growing up so much, but is still very sweet and he will loyally do things with me even if they're boring. Saffron is turning out to have a very strong personality, but a very loving one. My children have grown so much this year. They are such a joy to me; I can't imagine ever not having them.

So here are my goals in respect to my children for the new year:

1. Be more patient
2. Read more with them
3. Play more with them
   
4. Remember what it was like to be their age
   

Here are my goals to become a better person for them:

1. Read the scriptures more often
2. Find more purpose in prayer
3. Take better care of myself (sleep, exercise, healthy diet)

Happy New Years everyone.

White Christmas

Last night we had a lovely Christmas Eve dinner. Melinda made saffron rice, roasted potatoes, and we ate shrimp with cocktail sauce. We drank sparkling cider and ate pecan pie (compliments of Carrie) for dessert as the snow gently fell outside. We read the story of Jesus' birth in Luke and all the kids opened one of their presents. Lisette and Miles had a hard time going to sleep, they were so excited.

Today we woke up with everything covered with white and the sun shining. We opened up presents and had a very nice day. Lisette got some really nice books, some games and the boys loved the Lego Star Wars. Saffron got some fun tub toys and we had a very nice day.

We hope everyone had a nice holiday with their loved ones. Merry Christmas.

Evolution of the Christmas Monkey

About six years ago we had a Christmas party at Annette's house. After the dinner we all participated in a little nativity play. Lisette was Mary and wore a blue towel around her head and held a little doll. Matthew was Joseph wearing a little bath robe. Miles was supposed to be a wise man, but he insisted on being a monkey instead. So we experienced the first nativity with a monkey; the Christmas Monkey.

I've always been pretty down on the whole Santa business. Once in college Amy and I had this big debate about the merits of the concept of Santa Claus. I can't remember much of our arguments, but I was definitely anti-Santa. My parents never really put much emphasis on Mr. Kringle when I was a kid anyway. So our kids have always known that Santa is false doctrine. I know, I know, I'm a Grinch, but I guess I'm their dad and so I guess their stuck with me.

Every year the legend of the Christmas Monkey expands at our house. First he was just a supporting character, but he has now effectively replaced Mr. Claus. Now he fills the stockings and leaves leaves monkey poop (usually Milk Duds or Whoppers) all over the floor.


Anyway, St. Nick has been replaced with St. Primate. Instead of leaving out a plate of cookies and milk, the kids leave out a dish of oranges and bananas. Instead of of reindeer and a sleigh, the Christmas Monkey comes in his silent helicopter and then swings down between the trees on his invisible vine wearing toe-socks and flip-flops.

So is the Christmas Monkey any better than Santa Claus? I don't know, but we sure have fun with it. The kids feel sad for all the kids who don't know about the Christmas Monkey and have to settle for Santa. We love our own unique family holiday tradition and jungle Christmas mythos.

Home Sweet Homes

Saturday night Arden hosted a birthday party. Almost all of the relatives in the Salt Lake Valley were there. It was really fun to have so many people there. Saffron even found some kids to run around with. We counted afterwards and there were almost 80 people there.

Scott had baked gingerbread virtually non-stop for a week so that everyone could make gingerbread houses. The garage was cleaned out and setup with long tables and everyone was swarming around decorating sugar cookies and constructing gingerbread houses. There was frosting and candy everywhere!

Miles and Ashton were working on one together, but somehow the gingerbread they had was too soft so it kept falling down. It looked kind of like a condemned meth house. They gave up, but afterwards when most people had left, Lisette and Miles made their own from the leftovers, and Ian and I decorated someone's abandoned house. We ended up taking 3 of them home.

Today is Monday and two are left standing, albeit with some candy missing, and one looks like it got hit by Hurricane Ian. Ian is practical and doesn't want to let the candy and gingerbread go stale. Needless to say, we helped him out.