Chuck This!

There's so much to say and yet so little to say. California was great. I am gradually becoming more and more comfortable in Dane family. We played Rook and Wits and Wagers - our two favorite games of late. Dane had his interview with our sis-in-law's family's company and we feel it went well. Dad and I figured we could get some birthday present shopping out of the way while Dane was in his interview... We could have gone shopping, got a bite to eat, AND went and saw Titanic in the time he took for his interview! We felt that was a good sign (keep your fingers crossed for us).

Our nephew's first birthday was last Saturday and they threw it at Chuck-E-Cheese. When I was a kid I would get so jealous of all my friends who had their birthdays at Chucks. I seriously felt like I was missing out on an important part of my early childhood. I was so embarrassed by my uncreative family that I wouldn't invite friends to my birthday parties. We didn't have party favors. We didn't have party games. We didn't go to Chuck-E-Cheese. I'm a little baffled by my feelings (however acutely they were felt) when I heard that Ryan was having his first birthday there. I hate to admit this, but the kid in me felt a little jealous. HE WONT EVEN REMEMBER IT. I feel sorry for my kids... I think I'll try to live vicariously through them. I apologize ahead of time. In the end, I think Dane and his siblings enjoyed the party the most. :)

Dane has been waiting to tell everyone that he is getting another tattoo until he showed his family in Cali. But the cost is clear. He is getting a polynesian shoulder cap. The tattoo will cover his right shoulder blade, over his shoulder, his front right pectoral, and half way down his arm. My work computer doesn't have a slot for memory cards so i'll have to post pictures when I remember to bring my USB cable. But here is a general idea (courtesy of The Rock):

Diggin in the Canyon

Mom and Lou recently purchased a Jeep Liberty so they could pursue their off roading dreams. They bought it used with only 9k miles on it and in great condition. We planned a trip up Provo Canyon on a trail behind Wallsburg yesterday and it was quite interesting. Its always a little terrifying crawiling along a rocky road with a mountain side out one window and a cliff out the other. I admit I was a little tense. Dane's parents seem to live life lately with a carefree adventurous outlook that I don't really share. I wouldn't be suprised if they ever totalled their SUV. Needless to say, it was a little thrilling while it lasted. The novices that we are, Dane and I showed up in clothes not intended for hiking use. We definately didn't intend to do any outdoor activities, but the car mysteriously died while on the trail about 3 miles up the trail. Poor Dane and Mom had to hike back down for help.

They took about an hour and a half to get back to us (not too shabby) with help. A wonderful Samaritan happened to be at the bottom of the mountain! He was having a rough day and decided on a whim to take a drive. We were so grateful for his timing and help. The first step to getting down the mountain safely was to turn the car around - VERY difficult to accomplish on a narrow trail with a cliff on one side. But we did it! With a tow rope providing back up tension, we pushed and rolled it around to face the other direction. Then we had a very bumpy and tense ride down. Poor Lou's legs were killing him by the time we were at the bottom.

We were hoping on spotting some wildlife: cougar, elk, beaver, etc. I imagine we would've succeeded in our goal had the car been on board with the plan. We had to settle for a puple catepillar and a pretty hummingbird. Oh yes, a copious amounts of blood sucking, west nile carrying mosquitos. :( Luckily, Mom and Lou are always prepared and had extra blankets and jackets, water, flashlights, and most importantly OFF wipes.

I will have to post pictures when I get around to down. In the meantime, I'll post some off roading pics I found online.

Shinpū Quail

Today at work, Jeri heard little chirping outside the front door. When she investigated further she found lots of little baby quail stuck. The basement windows are dug out 3 feet around them to allow sunlight to reach them. They are covered with a large grate (1.5 x 3 inch holes). Tragically about 8-10 baby quail were stuck at the bottom (a 4 drop) and the mother quail couldn't reach them. They were only a day or so old and could not get out themselves. So Jeri went downstairs and rescued them. We were afraid the mother wouldn't take them back from us, but thankfully she did. One of the little chicks wouldn't go to the mother like the others did. He would run the opposite direction and it caused great confusion among everyone. However, we think that he just wanted to warm up in the sun (he would stop and sit once he reached sunlight). Unfortunately, right after the reunion a couple of the chicks kamekazied right back through the crate! Are you kidding me... That's when I decided to go back to work.

Seawolf

A week or so ago, Dane and I were having a debate on whose better: the great white shark or the killer whale. I personally think that a killer whale would kick the trash out of a great white. Killer whales on average seem to have way more itelligence. And then, I found this little gem:




I think there's something majestic about killer whales. And I like how the females live longer. Go girls! The majority of my preference probably just comes from familiarity. I've seen tons of killer whales in the puget sound, and zero great whites(thank heavens).



And just so I'm not too one sided:

Tronada!

I absolutely love wikipedia and unconsciously consider it absolute truth. Whenever I need help with some random question I almost always go to wikipedia first. Lately, I have been facinated with nature. Yesterday a deadly tornado tore through Iowa. I now cannot satiate my desire for tornado information and pictures. It is almost unbelievable to me, someone who grew up in Washington State, the power of these natural phenomenons. Until I see one I will never fully grasp the overall greatness and danger they possess.



Heaven's Hammer: A monster tornado unleashes its wrath across Alvo, Nebraska, travelling at over 70mph



How is she calmly standing there? I could never be a storm chaser... I'm getting nervous just looking at this crazy lady!



This tornado touched down in downtown Miami, FL in 1997. I'm so glad Dane wasn't old enough to serve yet... (He went on his mission to Miami).



I don't know which is scarier: a rope...



A cone...



Or a wedge?



I love the twisting shape of this one. The color is way cool as well.

A new start

Dane and are working towards a new start. It seems we've been in Utah for too long, and it's time to move on. I wish I would've finished my degree, but a BA can be had anywhere I suppose. California has been calling Dane's name for who knows how long. So the past couple months we've been preparing to make the move. Its a lot harder than it looks. The hardest has been our properties... it is the wrong time to be selling.

We hope to move to the Tustin area. Its halfway between Anaheim and San Clemente. His father lives in San Clemente, and his siblings live in Laguna Niguel, Tustin, and off of Alisa. His extended family is more North towards Anaheim. And hopefully, he gets this job in Tustin. As for myself finding a job - I'm sure there are a ton of paper pushing jobs available. I'm boring. Regardless of where we live, California is beautiful. I've only lived in a rainforest and a desert. The beach should be a nice change.

Things I want to do when we move:

• San Diego Zoo
• Sea World
• Six Flags

Probably in that order. However I have been doing some research on the places and it would take a small fortune to go to each place. Its consistently over $100 to do anything touristy in CA. Not to mention you can't possibly do it in one day. Who has more than a Saturday free to play? Oh well, at least I won't have to pay for hotel and airfare.

Now the only thing left to do is get my parents to start anew in CA as well... yeah right.