Inaugural Address

Welcome to our BLOG!

I must admit, I was laboring under the assumption that blogs were just a more prolific version of a family newsletter. However, once I realized that I could upload pictures, write a bunch of my own comments, AND show off the kids all at once, I became a believer!

SO, this is our very first posting of what I am sure will be many to come. At the present, our little family of four resides in the great state of Illinois. "The Land of Lincoln" and I would add the land of great pizza, sports, (go Cubs/Bears! Not Bulls - still a Utah Jazz fan), and copious amounts of corn! We have lived here in the Chicago area for the past 11 years already and have enjoyed living in the Midwest. Tina is from Elmhurst, IL originally and both of my parents are Midwest stock (IL and WI) so we really feel this is home. Aside from the fact it is in close proximity to what has become one of our favorite getaways: Traverse City, MI (see photo above).

Jacob (7) is now in the Second grade. He love to play outside whenever possible regardless of weather unless he senses a pending tornado or lighting storm. He has identified where all of the local tornado sirens are and can hear them from miles away. He loves his bike, Rollerblades, scooter, and catching fish in the pond across the street with a butterfly net. His current record being 7 at once! He lost another tooth the other day bringing that total to 7 and is now the toothless wonder. He does finally have one of his permanent front teeth poking through but lets just say he bites everything from the side...

Riley (4) has just begun her schooling experience by starting preschool at the end of August. She is into anything that resembles a stuffed animal or looks like it might be a "My Little Pony". We bought her a stuffed Chiuaua purse before our first trip to T.C. where she encountered a family with a dog named "Cali" and it has been her favorite "pet" ever since. She will not leave it at home and even leaves her in her backpack at pre-school so she can listen to the class. Riley's eye is getting stronger by wearing the patch for only 4 hours per day now. I tried to get her to be a pirate for Halloween - I figured why not get something out all this patching. She dismissed that idea in favor of the more elaborate (and pink) princess outfit.

They are both getting so big, so fast, and we can't seem to bottle them up and keep them little forever despite our best efforts...

Tina (Age - Yeah, I want to stay married) is a stay-at-home mom who loves her kids very much and is staying very busy juggling her own responsibilities and those of the kids. She is serving as the Primary President of our ward which I swear keeps her at the computer for many hours each day coming up with new ideas and organizing her weekly two-hour white-knuckle ride through primary. She carts Riley to and from school each day and has suddenly found herself with a few hours of uninterrupted silence during the afternoon. Tina also has begun a part-time auditing job for Pharmaceutical Co Reps which has helped her to meet a lot of new people and provides some needed adult interaction.

As for me (37 - hey, it's not 40!) I am busy trying to keep us all fed, clothed, safe, warm, and dry. I still like to play sports whenever I can, watch as much football as I can fit in, Golf, Camp, sometimes Fish, and mostly play with my kids. I just got called to teach Gospel Doctrine which I really enjoy so far. I have never done it and it is a lot of fun. I remain employed through this mortgage mess at Chase so I feel very fortunate and am optimistic about the housing future (go buy a house or refi now!).

Speaking of which, I need to get back to work so please come back often. I cant guarantee the frequency at which I will post but I hope you like what you see.