Introducing Jacksons Wepsite...

Jackson wanted to start a wepsite, as he calls them, and he asked for my help.

He eventually wants to sell the parts that break off his toys, but we're starting with a weblog. :) I typed as he dictated the answers to the questions. I added nothing.

In the center ring, I present Jackson, and his wepdamonium shadow poe.

Ok fine...

For hours and hours I could...
--Take Pictures.
--Have fun with Jackson and Cortnie.
--Mess around with Linux.
--Scoot.



I feel best about myself...
--While camping.
--After a successful project at work, or at home.
--After taking a shower.
--Making it to work alive, on the scooter.


I absolutely cannot stand...
--When people make up parking spots.
--When people don't let other people merge while in traffic.
(ok, enough traffic)
--Being "sold" on something, which leads to buyers remorse.
--Being startled, especially when it involves physical contact. (Consider yourself warned.)


I am afraid of...
--Realtors.
--Deep, dark water.
--Sharks coming into my basement. (Hey, it could happen...ask me how.)




I love to splurge by...
--Getting the large popcorn at the movies, and eating it.
--Buying the $6 oil filter, instead of the $3 one.
--Getting a wash with my hair cut. (oh yeah.)







I save by...
--Budgeting our money.
--Buying things second-hand.
--Taking my lunch to work. (Special thanks to Cortnie, who makes it for me most of the time).





I am trying to work on...
--My Maxima.
--My photography skills.
--My journal writing skills.
--My marriage skills.
--My bowstaff skills.




In high school...
--I should have skipped less classes.
--I had great friends.
--I should have taken more mathematics.
--I was Mr. Viking.




In college...
--I started seeing grey hair.
--Met friends that I've talked to nearly every day for almost a decade.
--Only slept 3-4 hours a night.
--Took Calculus II three times. ("...you know, a lot of people go to college for 7 years." "...I know, they're called Doctors.")


I feel I'm a good dad when...
--My son is polite and thoughtful of others.
--When Jackson gives thanks in his prayers for an "Awesome dad."
--When Jackson changes the oil in the truck almost all by himself. (Like he did today!)





I regret...
--Eating that double cheese burger.
--Leaving Kansas.
--Borrowing money from anyone, ever.



I could never have too many...
--Draw-string bags.
--Lenses.
--Cords/Cables.
--Food storages.





I'd like to thank the academy for taking my bribes, the internets for providing most of the pictures, and of course my wife, who read and critiqued my favorites and not-so favorites as they came off the printer, draft after draft. And of course my fans...you know who you are.

xo,
Mattie

Boy emerges from hospital, parents get some sleep...

Master Jackson had his tonsils out last Wednesday. Here are few pictures from the surrounding nonsense. Thanks to everyone to the calls, visits and well-wishes.

Pre-Surgery. Note Pirate slippers, favored Teddy Bear named "Soccer" and bag of hotwheel cars.

Post operation. Drugged to the hilt and feeling terrible.

Next morning. After bleeding WAY too much over night, doctors admitted him to the hospital. So fun.

The iv needle in his arm. He had about 15 needle holes after everything was finished. At one point he woke up from a nightmare yelling "Don't hold my arm! Let go of my arm".

Feeling better. Able to play with play dough, have some visits and cards from cousins and watch some TV.

I have a few more pics that I"ll put up. Short story: he stayed in the hospital for 2 nights so they could get his blood count where it should be, then sent him home. He's doing awesome. Staying in bed, eating the ice creat and Popsicles. Playing the games and hating medicine times.

Photos from trip to Palmyra NY

Over spring break we took a fun little road trip to Palmyra, NY. It was a nice 7 hour drive up in the big rental car. We saw some great Church history sites. We had planned to drive from there to Niagara falls, but the reports of 1.5 feet of show on it's way talked us into coming home early.

We loved the trip, and will defiantly go back. Highlights included the Smith farmstead and home, the Hill Cumorah and the original printing site of the Book of Mormon (Jacksons favorite.)

Here are some photos from the trip. It was really cold, so I didn't take very many. A few more can be seen here.


The Smith home where Joseph and Emma lived. Joseph Smith did some of the translation of the Book of Mormon here. They don't let you go upstairs, but the missionary there told us that when she was young, you could rent a room in the upper floor of this house.

Jackson, standing in the Scared Grove. It was cold, but we really had the place to ourselves.

My family walking from the Sacred Grove to the Smith farmhouse.

Upstairs in the boyhood bedroom of Joseph Smith. It was here that he was taught by Moroni prior to being given the plates.

All three of us in front of the boyhood home of Joseph Smith and his family.

This monument at the top of the Hill Cumorah provided little shelter from the freezing wind! Turns out you can drive to the top instead of walking if you want. We didn't know.


Jackson running down the Hill Cumorah. It seemed a little irreverent, yet fitting for the boy. He had a good time, despite the cold.