Arizona trip

I spent 4 days this week in Arizona on business. I spent most of the time in Phoenix, but also had to travel 200 miles northwest to the town of Kingman. I saw one very peculiar thing while driving back. 2 workers on the side of the highway actually hosing down a cactus. I don’t know if they were cleaning it, watering it or just giving it some good old-fashioned love and attention. What the devil were they doing? Hhhmm. I also noticed how many cacti were propped up by man-made supports (boards and such, kind of like how you might prop up a weakened plant in your yard). I was just surprised at how many of these I saw. I wonder if the cactus population is endangered, or that’s just typical to see cacti being held up by man-made structures.

Arizona has a very deserty landscape for sure. And I will admit, it was nice to get out of the Portland November rain for a few days, but returning home was so gratifying. This place I live, the Portland area, has its own unique, majestic power. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I’m not going to make a statement on that. Everywhere is beautiful in its own way. But I sure am an Oregon boy!

While there, my rental car was a Chrysler 300 (touring edition). I was previously skeptical of the whole “hemi” marketing and all. So it had something to prove to me. But I tell you what, that car grew on me. By the end of the 4 days, I was sad to give it back. It could get up and move when & how I told it to. And on the long trip to Kingman, the cruise control was impressively accurate, even on hills. Summary, the 300 is a nice ride. I have become a convert.

On the return flight home, we flew directly over the Grand Canyon. It looks really cool from the air. I bet it is even more amazing from the ground. I hope to visit there with the family some day soon.

Grown-up talk (waah waah)

Moriah really wanted this book called “Body Science” when she was at her school’s book fair last week. It has great photos and descriptions of different things going on inside your body (i.e. energy, balance, brain, muscles, bones, 5 senses, etc). So, the last few nights, that’s been our bedtime reading (sometimes I have to edit to make sure there’s no scary nightmare-ish fodder). It's actually pretty cool. So, last night I’m reading some pages with her and I notice her eyes glazing over a bit, so I ask: “Are you liking the book?” She says: “Well, yeah, but most of the time it’s just adult talk. I only want to hear the cool stuff.” I had visions of Charlie Brown’s teacher “waah waah” in my head. That’s what it is for a 7 year old, even though the book is aimed at kids (albeit probably for kids older than her). Even when reading a book she chose, I have to mindful of too much “grown up language.”

MoTab by Moriah

We were watching uncle Ryan lead the choir on TV this week and Moriah decided to draw him conducting (click on the picture for a larger view). I love this picture. From left-to-right, we have a bass/cello player, a flute player (the lines that look like flames coming from her body represent the music coming from her), the conductor (Ryan) looks the part for sure, the organ with lots of music coming from its pipes, and I believe it’s a violin player on the far right. Below are all of the choir members with their music books open in front of them.

Go uncle Ryan!!

9/28/2009: Family funeral

We attended the funeral of a family member this week. Since it’s not my place to blog about specifics, suffice it to say that it was an excellent service. We have been praying for the family during this grieving period. The passing of a life is always difficult, but also is an important time for the rest of us to reflect on the impact that person made, as well as take a personal inventory of our own impact on others and the world around us. Money, accolades, etc. How much of it really matters in the end? How did you treat other people? Did you have a relationship with God and were you always striving to improve? Did you try to help others along your journey? Those are the things that really matter in the end. While funerals are usually difficult for all involved, it’s also a great opportunity to take stock in the things that really matter. And hug family members… you know, the rest of us left behind.

Also, my younger sister Iris sang a great rendition of “How Great Thou Art” during the service. I’m glad she’s willing to share her talent with us. She can hit certain notes that are unique to her talent. Well done, sis.

9/26/2009: Alpine Slide: “This is soooo awesome!!”

We took the kids to the Alpine Slide (www.skibowl.com) on Saturday. As the kids get a little older, I realize this is a really fun spot to enjoy with the family. Emery wanted to wait in the car with g’ma and a sleeping Clara, so Moriah and Brooke hopped on the ski lift with Melissa and I, on our way to ride the slide down the hill. Riding the ski lift alone is a blast with a 7 year old. She was so amazed that we could sit on a chair in the sky like that. We got into the toboggans together (Moriah in my lap and Brooke in mommy’s lap) to cruise down the hill…

Then, a moment I won't forget. As we started down the track and gained a fair amount of speed, Moriah spontaneously yelled “This is SOOOO AWESOMMME!!!” It was pure glee, making it so much more fun for me, too. Something about that moment will stick with me for years to come. Of course, I put the pedal to the medal and we cooked down the hill at light speed…just for the awesomeness of it all.

Discovering the Old Salmon River Trail

After the 10k race in Estacada, we made it a family day at the mountain. G’ma Elton was with us and we headed up to Mt. Hood with a packed minivan. As we approached Welches, OR, G’ma and I decided it would be nice to pass the old cabin our family had there during the 1980’s. We did so, reminiscing of the good times as we sat in front for a few minutes. Then, I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to take a right on East Salmon River Road to see if the old swimming hole and hiking trail was just as I remembered. I’m really glad we did. It’s only less than 4 miles up the road to the campground and trail head. I didn’t realize it is also open to mtn. bikes, so I think I’ll make a trip out of it one of these days soon. I also think it’ll be a great spot to take the kids camping once in a while.

9/26/2009: Melissa’s first 10k

Mel ran her first race ever this weekend. I was impressed. She was doubtful to actually do it (knee problems, etc) until just before race day, so she hadn’t trained extensively for it. She figured she’d walk some if necessary and just focus on finishing. Well, she found that she has fire inside after all! She ran with a group of friends and they all went without walking. The race, called “The Best Dam Run” (dams on the river, folks...), is a beautiful setting along the Clackamas river, ending in downtown Estacada, OR. I was there with cameras in hand (her friends camera as well), waiting to take the shot of glory while they sprint to the finish. We waited for sometime and for whatever reason, did not see them approaching and was not prepared when they rounded the corner. By the time I saw it was them, I had to fumble to turn both cameras on and sprint next to them to try to get a good action shot. Well, it didn’t work out so well. I looked like an idiot doing it and the photos are none-too-impressive. I tried, sweetie! Melissa finished with an overall time of 1:06:20, equaling 10:42 splits.

Our girls were excited to see mommy race, too. Moriah made a great sign to hold up at the finish line that read simply: “Go My Mom!” I love that it wasn’t just “Go Mom!”, but she had to specify that it was HER mom that she was cheering on. Love it.