Author Archives: Scott

Sweet Baby Jane

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Scott| 3 Comments

Jeana and I checked into the hospital Monday morning, August 29th, anxiously anticipating the arrival of our baby girl. During the morning hours we played some games to pass the time until the contractions became strong enough for Jeana that I began dominating a game that I normally lose. Jane’s arrival came with some drama and scare, but in the end everything worked out fine.

Jeana’s parents came to town to help take care of kids while we were in the hospital. From what we hear, Simon was respectful of their napping.

One of our family traditions is that the older children bring gifts to the baby, and the older kids receive a gift from the new baby. Jane gave Audrey and Kate some sticker books and she gave Simon a Cars 2 sticker book (well played Jane, Simon loved it). Audrey and Kate made some burp cloths and I think Simon piggy-backed on the gift.

Audrey was really cute when both Kate and Simon were born. Kate was excited to be a big sister when Simon was born. I had no doubts Audrey and Kate would do well with their new sister. Simon, on the other hand, is at that “loose cannon” age where you can’t predict much. Add to that the fact that he’s a boy, and you can start to imagine the trepidation of placing a newborn in his arms.

To my surprise, Simon was so gentle and soft with baby Jane. I think he sensed the sacred nature of his newborn, baby sister. One evidence of his concern for her is found at prayer-times. When he says our family prayer and forgets to ask Heavenly Father to bless baby Jane, he puts on a really sad face and says, “Pray baby Jane!” He insists on saying a follow-up prayer just for baby Jane.

It has been a few days now since Jane was born. A couple people have told us how the transition from 3 children to 4 was difficult. I’m starting to realize some truth to that statement. I wish I could have another week off of work to make it easier!

Welcome to the family sweet baby Jane!

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Posted in Birthday, Jane

Summer 2011

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Scott| 2 Comments

Warning: this is one of those “I haven’t blogged in months” posts that we all write occasionally. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I’ll post 9 pictures and let those serve as 9,000 words for the reader.

Mid-June, I decided to run a half marathon. The race was scheduled for the end of June. I allowed myself two weeks of training. Brutal may be a bit exaggerated to describe the training, but it wasn’t easy.

The race started 7 miles or so up American Fork canyon. I was on a bus at 4:30am to get up to the starting line, where I sat for an hour. It was dark, and chilly – cold air floating from the reservoir and over the starting line.

I ran well downhill for those 7 miles. My pace was rocking (compared to my normal pace). Jeana and the kids were cheering for me at the mouth of the canyon. The feeling of support in a race is so motivating. Then, they’re gone, and the downhill is now flat. And your leg muscles are used to compensating on the downhill, and fatigue sets in.

Sure, all you marathoners are thinking, “Quit your whining!” Go ahead think that. For all you who don’t run half-marathons, I’ll accept your admiration of my perseverance. I finished the race in an acceptable time. I don’t remember what it was now, something like 1 hour 47 minutes.

My parents spent some time in Utah this summer, baby-sitting our oldest niece (who is now 22 years old). While they were in town, Jeana and the kids joined them at the zoo. They got a good laugh when a fountain sprayed Kate in the face.

We spent the 4th of July at Sundance resort. Our original plan to walk around the grounds and shops turned into a ride up the ski lifts, and then turned into an impromptu hike. How can you resist when it’s so beautiful up there?

While riding up the lift, we could see a fantastic waterfall off in the distance. Later we learned that this is Stewart Falls (and Jeana would hike it 37 weeks pregnant). Of course, we were not prepared with water, food, or even proper hiking footwear, but we decided to hike until we could get a good prospect of the falls.

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Posted in Hiking, Running, Utah

Simon’s last swim lesson

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Scott| 2 Comments

“Sissy sessons,” that’s what Simon called them. His last lesson was on a day I took off from work so I got to see him show his stuff. I can’t believe this 2 year old kid. But, before I show some video of him diving for “sticks” I have to show this one of Audrey.

In swim team, Audrey and her cohorts were practicing relays. They were taught that if they enter the water before their teammate touches the wall of the pool, then they are disqualified. Audrey stood in the set position waiting for her teammate. Then, at the right moment, she dove in. Straight down. No, really, straight down. It was hilarious.

Here is Simon diving/reaching for “sticks.” He wasn’t down with the other little boy playing with the boat and insisted that the boat be removed from the water prior to his diving for “sticks.”

In this next clip, Simon amazed me when he slipped off the wall diving for a “stick” (that’s what the teachers called the circular ring toys). Naturally, he “pancaked” (another teacher term which means to flip from stomach to back and vice versa) onto his back. Phew. Satisfaction that the swimming lessons taught him to save himself.

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Posted in Audrey, Simon, Swimming

Vegas

Posted on March 20, 2011 by Scott| 1 Comment

We spent Presidents Day weekend in Las Vegas visiting Steve and Karen’s family. We desperately needed to get away from the snowy, cold, wintery Utah and find some warmer temperatures.

We had so much fun. Jeana and I took the girls to see the Tangled movie finally. It was as good as we had hoped. Not long after our trip, Jeana bought the soundtrack to the movie and all the kids sing along, even Simon.

I found a new place that could suck away all my money: Yogurt Land. If you haven’t been there, it’s like a frozen yogurt buffet, except you don’t keep going back.

On Presidents Day before we drove home, we went out to Red Rock Canyon and went hiking. It was a blast. There were some stressful times when the kids ventured to big drop-offs, and times when they were a bit more conservative and safe.

Because I’m a show-off, I had to do this:

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Posted in Family, Nevada, Outdoors

Simers turns 2

Posted on March 20, 2011 by Scott| 1 Comment

Simon had a birthday recently and turned 2. Right now he’s really into cars, Cars the movie (and naturally, the characters of that movie), and Thomas the train. We focused presents on those things because we knew they’d be a sure win.

He got some Thomas the train underwear for that day some time in the future when toilet training will happen. He also got (later) a potty seat with Lightning McQueen on it that has a lever on the side that when pulled triggers a revving engine sound.

Aunt Danielle came to visit and Grandma Jeana and Grandpa Gramps came down have cake and ice cream. Jeana and Danielle made a really cool cake of Lightning McQueen.

I think Simon enjoyed driving the car across his high chair tray than eating it. The car’s shape was made as a rice krispie treat. Simon wasn’t so sure about eating it, but once we told him it was a cookie he ate up.

Simon LOVED his new cars – the characters from the Cars movie. He was keen on keeping them in a straight line, maybe trying to copy the later scenes of the movie when the cars cruise down the main street of Radiator Springs.

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Posted in Birthday, growing up, Simon