Sucha Moron!!!!

When I woke up in the morn on Fri, something just didn't feel right. I knew something was going to happen to me (and, oh boy, did it!). You see, June 20th is my buddy's b-day. He passed away a couple of years ago, and Brenter and I have gone out to his grave on his b-day since. Well, I thank the big man for this one. I think I felt a little shove to the back that helped propel me down to my injury.

Alrighty, some time has passed and my wounds (internal that is) are healing!!!! Last Fri, while working, I was on a run at the Capitol building. I had to get a document approved and then was to go to the airport and give it to someone. Well, as in most cases with these documents (they always seem to be rushes), it wasn't put together correctly. So I had to take it back to work and let 'em know. On my way down the steps at the capitol, I missed a step, and my moment picked up more and more down the stairs. I tried to avoid the exact thing that happened to me. I ended up jumping and coming down on one of the bottom steps, completely rolling my ankle under me (it folded like an elephant's snout). I heard two pops and really thought my ankle was broken. I threw the document up in the air while falling and rolled once I hit the bottom. I picked the document up and started hopping on my good leg to my car. A lady came through the doors at the bottom of the steps, and while watching me hop on one leg, asked me if I was ok. I thought it looked quite obvious that I wasn't. I ended up exiting the east side entrance of the Capitol and hopping to my car in the next lot over. I drove back to work, went up the elevators, hopped to the secretary's desk, gave her the document and went up to my lil' runner's room.

I was going to drive back towards home and stop at a hospital in Layton, but was advised not to do so. Plus, by the time I got around to thinking like that, my foot had ballooned and I couldn't really feel it anymore. The pain was pretty extensive at that point. I ended up sitting in that room for just about an hour 'til someone from the firm was able to take me to the closest hospital. On top of all this, I couldn't get a hold of the ol' wifey. She was getting her hair cut. Crazy enough, though, she ended up at the hospital in downtown just about the same time I did. I tell you what, it's much better to hurt an arm, hand, shoulder or anything above the waist (maybe with exception to one part) 'cause you can still get around. It's not fun hurting a knee, ankle, foot, etc.

At the hospital, they gave me a walking boot and crutches. By the time night rolled around, the crutches had already bruised my pits. My wife told me I need to find a better solution for crutches. So if any ideas come to mind, give me a call 'cause I haven't had any.
Anyways, I found out the ankle's not broken. I severely sprained it. I'm not much of a sweller and have not had my parts turn funky colors before, but I had both with this one. My ankle swelled up right away and by the night, it was starting to turn black. After the party, Brenter came and picked me up. We bought some Henry's and headed over to Kaysville. When we arrived at P-Funk's grave, Sista P was there. We talked for a while and caught up on wha't s been going on. We still all really miss the big guy. It's not as fun without him around and gets pretty tough sometimes. Sista P left, so Brent and I pulled out a candle and a glazed doughnut ring, and the Henry's. We put the candle in the doughnut, opened the Henry's and, like we always do, had one for him and one for us. That ended and Brent dropped me off back at my place. He took off, and my wife and I just sat around (think we watched a movie; probably a chick flick so it's not worth mentioning!). That was the day. My foot kept swelling up for a couple of more days, added some more color, and still hurts. I kind of wish this could happen during the winter since I pretty much do absolutely nothing over those months. Way to ruin my summer, Paul!!!!

Is anyone else in love with Edward?!?

So, my sweet sister-in-law has been telling me for a while now that I HAVE to read the "Twilight Series." But, for whatever reason, I just never got around to it...until she took it upon herself to help me get started...she bought the first book in the series of four for me, "Twilight."

As soon as I started reading that first book, I couldn't put it down! I finished the first (which is over 600 pages) after a few days, and was in a PANIC to go buy the second and third! The second I devoured quicker than the first, reading the last 400 pages in one day, and the third I ended up having to skip-out on work to finish! (Trust me, I wouldn't have been too productive at work when all I could think about was the Vampire I was in love with back at home!)

Anyways, I finished all three, and am now DYING for the fourth to come out (August 2)! And I have no shame in admitting this, because every other female I've talked to seems to feel the exact same way I do!

So, for those of you females who've not read the books...you're missing out! I have no doubt that you'll be just as in love with Edward as I am!

The coveted recipe

So, here it is for everyone who's asked for it. I got this from one of my coworkers, and I LOVE it! It makes a HUGE batch (I made the full recipe and it was more than enough for the two dinner parties we went to this past weekend)! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Chicken Pasta Salad
1 (12 oz) pkg bow-tie pasta
1 (12 oz) pkg tri-colored spiral pasta
4-6 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1 (16 oz) bottle coleslaw dressing
1/2 - 1 C mayonnaise
1 (20 oz) pineapple tidbits
2 C seedless grapes
1 pkg Craisins (1/2 - 1 C)
2 (11 oz) cans mandarin oranges
2 C chopped celery
4-5 green onions, chopped
1 C cashews, chopped
1 can water chestnuts, chopped

Cook, drain, and cool pasta. Add all ingredients except cashews. Add cashews just prior to serving. Makes 2 LARGE bowls (aprx. 20 servings).

Memorial Day Weekend in Zion

Over Memorial Day weekend, we took off to Zion with Todd & Ashley, Terry & Laura, and Jeremy & Julia. Even though my wifey is not the outdoorsy type, she planned this trip for us and we had a really good time. It took just about the entire afternoon to get down there to camp. We arrived at the Inn (forget the name) and camped on the backside of it. We took the evening setting up and taking in the views around the campsite. It was a lil tight with others around us, but that's good so the mtn lions didn't attack!!!! HA! We were hoping the weather would work out for us, 'cause it was forcasted to rain. It did pour on us pretty good the first night ( I sat by the fire during some of the rainfall 'cause I was camping after all and love fire). Our stuff didn't get wet inside the tent so all worked out just fine. The next morn, the Vegas couple arrived and we set out to hike.

We decided to hike Angel's Landing. From the rain the previous night, it was a cool day that made for great hiking weather. The hike was a bit beyond us for the 1st day (most of us are pretty out of shape). I don't know how many miles it is round trip, but it was definitely long and steep enough to ensure we all had a good nights sleep later on. The hike has many points along the way with great views of the surrounding area. It starts with flat spots that incline little by little. Before long, you can see that you've hiked a ways up the side of the mountain as you get better views of the valley below. Towards the end of the hike, there are a ton of switch backs that wear on your legs and backside! Once past the switch backs, you come into a clearing where many fellow hikers rest, eat lunch and take in the scenery. This is not the end of the hike, though.

For those daring enough, the hike continues up along the side of the mountain where a chain has been put in for the safety of all. Remember, the chain is your friend. After taking a short break, all of us decided to continue on to the top. We went up the very first part of the hike when we encountered a line of hikers coming back down. We had to pull off to the side to let them all pass. The waiting went on and on and on. About 40 minutes later, the hikers finally cleared out. Most of us had already finished the sack lunches we brought and our nerves became more and more jittery as we waited to climb. Slowly, one after another decided not to go on the hike. I was determined to go to the top and was glad that Jeremy and Julia wanted to do the same. It wasn't easy for me. I'm afraid of heights, and the more I sat waiting, the more my heart started racing.

So the three of us set out for the top. Just before we headed there, Julia asked a girl how it was. She said it was raining a bit at the top, and she wouldn't go since the rain makes it even more slippy. This made us think a lil harder about going, but we went on the hike for that purpose and went onward. For me, the hike got easier and better as we went higher and higher. I thought the very start of the upward climb to the top was the hardest. When we reached the top, we got to see the awsome views of Zion. It was pretty cool to sit there and take it all in. After taking pics, we headed back down the mountain, met up with the others and went back to our camping site.

At camp, we fixed dinner, and then played a spirited game of Stupid Uno. My, how that game brings the best out in everyone!!!! It rained on us again that night, but the rain was nice since it kept the temperature down (which is good for Southern Utah).

The next day, we did a shorter hike to the Emerald Pools (I think that's what they're called). We hiked to the lower and then upper pools. The hike was much easier than the day before and didn't tire us out nearly as much. This hike didn't give the views nearly as much the day before, but we were able to hike near water and rested next to the upper pool . It was a nice hike to take the day after the killer. We were a little disappointed that we weren't able to hike the Narrows (that was the reason we took the trip). The hike actually consists of going in a flowing river and the water was too cold for us to do it. Since we weren't able to do that hike, we want to go back over summer and do it.

We all had a really good time. It was nice to get out in the open and visit some of Utah's preserved land after going to the Tetons and Yellowstone last summer. There's much to see down there and we'll be back before long.

Let the Green Grass Grow...

and I'm not talkin 'bout rollin doobies!!!! So many peeps have asked to see pics of my place since they aren't willing to come visit us. Here is a little description of what's going on around where we live.

Have you ever woke up in the morning, and it smelled like someone had been dead in your room for quite a while? If you haven't my friends, you're missing out. This is a one of a kind place to live. We have a beautiful back drop of the Wasatch Mtns to the east of us. We have a really nice view of that 'cause there isn't anything in the way behind us....just cows and a dairy farm. You can imagine the smell that comes from all the cows (but that's not even the worse of it). Some of the cows have become friends with me. I drop the weeds in my yard over the fence, and they run over to eat them. It's a good way to dispose of them without filling up my garbage can. One day, I jumped over the fence and one cow took a liking to me. She came up to me, so I petted her on the head but I think that ticked her off. The cows don't look so large from a distance. On their grounds, though, she put a little fear into me. She tried bumpin me but I jumped to the side. The pretty big, lil cow kept coming after me. I summoned my wife over to distract the cow from the other side of the fence so I could hop back into my yard. The cow was really strong and I didn't really want to find out what it wanted to do to me so I made my escape. I really felt my life was in danger. Alright, tis true, I didn't feel that way, but the fat, stinky thing would have smushed me.

Back to the area. On pretty much each side, our housing community is surrounded by farm land. The aromas, smells and bugs are second to none. It's almost like I'm camping on a continual basis but get to shower everyday! Ahhh, the mosquitoes. They really come out in full force this time of year when the farmers flood the fields for the cows. Don't go out past seven without the repellent. They'll eat you alive.

Just to the west of us, we get the sweet drifting smell of the Great Salt Lake. That is a one of a kind smell. For those of you who have never experienced that, give me a call, plan a va-ca out here, and I'll let you smell the pleasantries of it from the porch of my home.

Also west of us (not quite as far as the Salt Lake), we have a thing called the Sewage Treatment Center (Plant or whatever). I tell you what, when the flood gates open on that baby, the smell is just ripe to sweeten the evening air as the sun goes down. Quite exhilarating . The smell singes the hair in your nostrils at times.

So imagine this; on a cool Sunday evening, you and the misses feeling like taking a walk around the neighborhood. The sun's drawing ever close to the horizon reflecting off of the mountains to the east. It looks like a marvelous time to get outside. You both step outside and head down the street. Others are out walking as well 'cause it is truly a beautiful evening. Once out, you feel the presence of those pesky lil' mosquitoes around you. As you walk up the street, your nostrils catch a whiff of the joyous smell from the lake just a few miles to the west. As if that weren't enough, the sewer plant thinks that the smell from the lake is not strong enough, they open their lines and let an aroma like no other into the evening air. By now, your walk that started out so serene and enjoyable, is now clogged by the smells floating all around. The two smells from the lake and plant combine and combine to make a smell that can't really be described. As you end the near the end of your anticipated time outside, the dairy farm, a rock throw away, takes on an unusually bad smell as well. Just when you thought two was bad, three becomes unstomachable (don't think that's a word, but it should be). With your smelling sense at the brink of being ruined, the smells make you want to upchuck the lovely dinner you just had. This is Tuscany Meadows. Not a plush green vegetated neighborhood you might be thinking about in Italy, but a smelly good time in Syracuse, UT.

So there it is. This is where we have made a house a home (for the time being). But seriously, we like it here. If it weren't for the commute into downtown, we'd really like it here. We enjoy our neighbors and like the house. We actually like living off the beaten path, too. We've been working to get our yard in and, at the end of April, put down grass seed. Now we have weeds and seed growing in together. It's coming in nicely. We can't wait to have thick grass all around the house. We're a bit tired of the dirt and dust all around us so this will be nice. Maybe on a blog to come, I'll write how and why the getting the yard process took this long. That'll be interesting. So this is our house. It's fun having a house, but I'd recommend one that already has it's yard done unless you have the cash to pay someone to do it. It's gonna be tough moving into something smaller when we have to....but until then....signing off from Syracuse!!!!

Almomst Mother's Day....

I traveled back home to Cali 'cause Boberto and Yessica were getting married. Twas good timing for me. I was able to go to the wedding stuff and be at home for Mother's Day. I flew into Sac on Wed and then went to Clegg's wedding dinner. We ate some good food put together by the fams (I'm not much of a clump of meat eater but Rob's dad made some mean tritip). We stayed and played some pong and horshoed it up for a bit. P-Funk's dad even popped in since he was in town on business. That was cool (they live pretty close to me now). That was a good night.

The next day I got to play softball with the ol' team (I've since been informed they won the championship). My hitting was horrible but my fielding was pristine!!!! I think we stayed up late that night playing Uno (Stupid Uno, that is) and had fun.

On Fri, Robert-o got married. I hung out with the Hage's at their pad and went over with 'em to the reception. There, I had all the chocolate covered strawberries I could handle. I took a ton home, too. It made the trip really worth it!!!! We stayed up and played Wii that night or the next. Can't really remember, but it doesn't really matter either.

Sunday was spent with the fam. We had a very nice Mother's Day dinner provided (by our mom!!!!) It was good seeing the lil ones. Josh's 3rd kid, Kelsey, is a lil' firecracker. The girl never stops moving around. Emmy-Lou is getting all grown up along with Ry-guy and Ticerone and Jax. Twas great to go back home and see almost everyone for a few days. Hopefully I can make another trip out there before long. We'll see what the summer brings....

Baja Cruise

At the end of April, we went on the Baja Cruise and stopped in San Diego, Catalina and Ensenada. We had a good time there. Twas with Tasha and her siblings and dad's side of the fam. It's always nice to get away for a few days. We arrived at the LA airport and then went to the LA port after makin a quick stop at Carls. We waited for Jeremy and Julia to arrive from Vegas and then checked in once they got there. We got on the boat pretty quickly (the only delay is when people see my passport pic and look at me; there's a bit of a difference from then to now). On the cruise, we gorged ourselves and ate like crazy. Hard to resist when it's free food, and y'all know how I like free things. Gotta take advantage. The 1st day on the cruise, we stopped in San Diego. We just walked around the seaside village area & got a free Ben & Jerry's cone (more free, can't turn it down!!!!). A Bolivian dude was playing some native music, so we bought that cd. After walking around, we went back to the boat and started gorgin some more.

That night, we went to a comedian show and it was pretty fun. All the eatin made us tired, so we headed off to bed. The next day, we got off the boat in Catalina. I learned the Cubs had their spring training there for a bunch of years. Pretty cool. I almost bought a Cubs hat but it cost money!!!! We bought a dipped apple that had oreos all over it. Then we played miniature golf with all the others (Jer, Julia, Ash, Amber, Ryan and the two lil guys). It was overcast and a bit cold there so after bein on the island, we got back onto the boat for more food (couldn't get enough). We had good times during dinner and ordered all the food we could handle and more. All the eating put us to sleep again early after watching another comedy show.

The next day we ended up in Ensenada, Mexico. That place is a.....dump!!!!! We walked around there with all the siblings and pop's side of the fam. While sitting and eating some fish tacos, a few roaming bands kept coming over to play us some music and charge us money. It was pretty funny. We walked around some, bought some legendary Mexican vanilla (according to the Mrs.) and went back to the boat for some more eating.

We got a great surprise on the flight home...the entire LA Galaxy soccer team was on our flight...including David Beckham! Natasha and her sisters enjoyed the "eye candy" and took a couple pictures with Beckham and Quincey Jones, but Jordan was too busy talking to the "U" and Weber State University scouts to notice! The trip went quick and we had a good time. It was a nice lil getaway and and nice to be back in Cali!!!!

Here We Come....

Alrighty....here we are....we've started this to keep up with everyone else and for you guys to keep up with us. We'll be posting on here every so often to let y'all know what's been going on. After visiting home last month, I saw we've been left behind by everyone else, so now we can keep in touch without sending out a ton of emails to everyone. This should make it pretty easy and make you guys jealous of all of our travels!!!! HA! Anyways, this is where we'll be....