Fourth of July

Ahh, the dog days of summer...
Despite the fact that it is 100 degrees outside today, I feel like we are slowly drifting into the winter. Winter is so long in this part of the world, nearly eight months of the year. It really doesn't surprise me that I am starting to feel the anxiousness of "must cram in some more" before we have to resort to indoor life. Don't get me wrong, I can be pretty tough about the winter, but winter is a long time with little skinny children...they can't keep their boots and their gloves on (and even if they did, I swear that they have monkeys making kids outerwear)!

July came and went. August is moving even faster (thanks to the sudden influx of work and teaching responsibilities). I better catch up before we get any further into the future.

Over the fourth of July weekend, I went on tour with the American Festival Chorus. There were concerts here in CV, one in Idaho Falls, and another at the Sun Valley Resort. The tour was optional, so only about half of the choir was in attendance, but it was an incredible experience. We shared the stage with Maureen McGovern. To be honest, I wasn't that familiar with her work, but it was a great experience. Here's what I know for sure: there are people like me who are good enough to sing in a group...and then there are people who can sing by themselves (I'm talking people with skill)...and then there are people like Ms. McGovern who have a gift. The woman's voice was controlled like an instrument. I can't say that I've ever heard anything like it before in my life. She honestly could scale like a trumpet, actually more like a fine jazz trumpet player. Here's also how I know that she was amazing--the woman was wearing a scrunchy to pull up her hair, while donning a jacket that looked like a tapestry from King Lear (complete with fringe). You have got to be so damn good that people like me don't even notice until intermission...AND then, say...wow, she's an amazing singer and move on to the next performance.

Hum, I'm sitting here thinking about how ironic it is that I just criticized this woman's attire while knowing full well that I was wearing a black mumu with gold glitter at the same events. Ahh, what I won't do for the thrill of fame. ha.ha.ha.

Jeff and the kids were able to come up to Sun Valley. We stayed throughout the weekend and had a chance to visit Red Fish Lake and tour the resort. I love Sun Valley. It reminds me distinctly of Park City with even better mountains. The resort was very lovely. We really aren't used to staying at places where people help you get in and out of your car, so it was a luxurious stay. I also found out on this trip that I actually like poached eggs. I should have taken a picture of my favorite breakfast (so good I ordered it twice), but many of you know I'm not capable of waiting that long to eat. For so many years I have lived in an open fear of the poached egg. I am pleased to report that I have overcome and will now be watching a YouTube clip of Julia Child so that I can learn to make them properly.
I forgot to mention that we stopped at Craters of the Moon on our way there. I cannot even begin to imagine what Lewis and Clark thought when they discovered this place. Here's a shot from far away.
Close up. Yeah, looks like a moon rock to me. Jeff has always had a secret desire to find a meteor. He thinks it's his ticket to financial freedom. I think it's freaking weird.

Jeff with the kids. The rocks are so sharp. I kept waiting for one of them to fall and cut their hand off. Not to mention the scorching heat as the sun beats down on this center of global warming.

The Sun Valley Lodge. Thank you for the discount rooms and the cozy walk-in closet.

Family at Red Fish Lake. You'll notice how overcast it appears. It actually was more than overcast--I thought for sure we were going to get caught in a massive thunderstorm all day. We were blessed with a break in the weather and cool temperatures. It rained so hard at the concerts that water came flooding off the roof and started running down the stairs of the amphitheater.

Red Fish Lake

In the water. We have got to bring the canoe next time!

We rented some paddle boats and headed out towards a black thundercloud...idiots are never afraid of lightening during a summer storm. Lachlan loves the water. She wanted to jump off the boat and swim to shore. Jack, inherited my genes and preferred to hold onto the side of the boat the whole time.

See the panic in his little face. That's about how I always look while on a boat...

Stanley, Idaho. We stopped for dinner. I had no idea that this town only contains dirt roads. So beautiful you almost can't breathe, but only dirt roads. I kept thinking about that old Disney Movie, 'the Wilderness Family' as we drove out of town. I actually saw that movie at a 'sticky shoe' theater with my cousins when I was very young and I used to think how CRAZY they were for moving out to the middle of nowhere...honestly, I bet this town has an old 'three-toed' Grizzly that gets in people's garbage and you gotta know someone has a pet racoon.

Winds of Change

Dear Readers,
I know that my great absence has been troublesome. I have so much to report.
It must wait another day.


Dear Big D,
You moved out of the office today. I am incredibly excited for your new life as a distinguished faculty member...but I am going to miss you in here. I dare say that you have been my favorite part of coming into the office for the past two years. It has been bearable, in the most unbearable of times (and I know that you know what I'm talking about...)

Your empty desk looks so sad and lonely.

I think that your move comes at a good time--as you will need some peace and quiet to heal and take stock of things much greater in importance. But I feel almost desperate to have you stay...how selfish is that?

It's a good thing that Lutherans are so quick to love and forgive.

Science-Savvy?

Okay, so I read science journals for a living...
I know that this isn't common among the general public, but seriously, this stuff is important.
I came across this website today (reviewing science websites another job requirement)--and saw this quiz. Only 10% of the folks who were given this test within the general population could get them all right. I'll admit that I missed one (there's a question on lasers--physics isn't a strong point for me).

How would you fare?
Take the quiz. I'll evaluate the results of blog readership and chalk it up as a social experiment. If you are struggling with your science, I'll know exactly what you need for your next birthday. Just kidding. I can just see "you" rolling her eyes. There are a lot of "you's" who read this blog. ha.ha.ha.

Go here:
http://www.microbeworld.org/index.php?option=com_jlibrary&view=article&id=849
Click on the 'source' link.

Meet Me in St. Louis

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Amidst the chaos that is my life, I still manage to travel for work. This year the USDA held it's annual 'Agriculture in the Classroom' National Conference in St. Louis. I was actually fairly excited to go to St. Louis. I have been to the airport a number of times, but never into the city. I taught three workshops, one on blogging and two on using the National Teacher Resource Directory, of which, I am the project coordinator. I enjoy this conference because they dedicate one day to traveling workshops.

The weather in STL was incredibly warm (about 98 degrees and 60-80% humidity). This is definitely something I'm not accustomed too, but once you get over the general discomfort of constant wetness you kind of settle into it.

We visited Soulard Market. This man was our tour guide. I loved his hat and these signs. Check out the Spice Market. Oh, what I wouldn't give to have something like this around...oh, I wanted to take a little of everything home with me. They mix their own pickling spices! It was so incredible.

We boarded a transportation barge/tow boat. The tow boats are incredible machines. Did you know that river transportation is the most economical form of transportation for goods in the United States? The crew consists of 10 people. They work for 30 days (can't leave the boat) and then they are off for 30 days. Not a bad living for only working 6 months of the year. I was so fascinated by the Mississippi River. It moves fast. As in, really fast, sweep you away kind of scary. Some of you are aware of my fear of the water--it is a job I could never do--that's for sure.

We ate some Bandana's Barbeque. It was so good. Honestly, I can't think of when I've had better barbeque. I actually went back and just ate meat and sauce as a second helping! Just meat! I'm typing it and I can't believe it.

We had a private dinner at Grant's Farm (as in Ulysses S. Grant, now owned by the Budweiser family). Grant's Farm is interesting because it functions as a wildlife sanctuary for all kinds of 'verge of extinction' animals from all over the world. We saw albino elk, spotted donkeys, blah, blah, blah, stuff I've never heard of quite frankly, but it was neat to see it on our little train ride around the farm. I did get to pet the Budweiser horses and the extremely uninterested dalmation dog (charisma of a dead dog, rather than showbiz quality). My favorite thing from the farm, the fireflies. Oh, how I am fascinated by fireflies. I just ached for my children to be there to see that at dusk. We do not have them in the West. I find the cicadas to be incredibly noisy (an aquired taste), but how can you not be so mesmorized with the firefly?

We toured the Budweiser 'facility'. The place is as large as a full scale military compound. Pretty interesting. I think that they should give you a drink BEFORE you begin the tour (even if it is just a Diet Pepsi). It's an hour of your life you are never getting back.

The STL Arch is massive. It's as cool as seeing the other wonders of the world. I think that they should have made it light up at night. I really wanted to get a picture of it from Cardinal Stadium, but I waited too long and then it was too dark to see it. I went to a baseball game. Folks in the Midwest LOVE baseball--I'm astonished at how loyal they are. It was like a gabillion degrees and they were just roasting out in the sun cheering on the team. I cheered for both teams and just about anyone who could get on a base. Oh, and I ate some incredible nachos. I almost had my friend, Grace, take a picture, but I looked like a hot mess with a bunch of cheez whiz on chips (you can picture it accurately in your head).

Coral Countertops?

911 Emergency.
Yes, we need help. I have a toddler who has dipped himself in coral nail polish, while wearing his pajamas on my kitchen countertop.

Just for your information...you cannot remove nail polish from every surface unless you are willing to use a blow torch.

The Remains of the Day...

(Big Yawn) It's hard work making this much of a mess. I don't even want to think about the toxicity levels of acetone--cause it took a half a bottle just to get him cleaned up!

Summer Photos

The kids. Still dry before the rain starts on "Reunion Day."

The boy. This pretty much sums up how he looked for the last two hours of the party. Good thing that it was (according to him) HIS PARTY.

A wet, but patriotic American.

This is why I live here. We suffered through an entire month of rain...5 inches. This, however, is a splendid reward.

Amber waves of grain.

Reunion Highlights

I know that you have been waiting for this for weeks! Me, too! I knew that after the reunion my life was going to take off on an absolute roller coaster. I suppose that that is how summer is supposed to be when you live in a place where it is winter for NINE months of the year!

I want to let everyone know that the day couldn't have been any more perfect for me. I feel like we are so incredibly blessed to have a family that can at least get together for one day and not have strife and contention...we all know that eventually we will need a break from our crazy relatives, but one day seemed to be a lot of fun. I also want to thank everyone for participating so whole-heartedly. I know that matching T-shirts are a little lame for some of you, but you were overwhelmingly gracious to my whims. Even the most cool, will be so excited to see these family pictures.

Before the pictures, just a few rambling thoughts...

To my cousins: Can you believe that here we are with our own kids? Do you remember the red and white striped t-shirts we all wore to that reunion in the early '80s? I kept thinking about how quickly time has gone by for all of us. Each one of you are such incredible people--I'm so proud of all of your accomplishments.

To everyone: This past weekend I sang with Maureen McGovern (don't be alarmed if you haven't ever heard of her--think Disney songs--more on all of this later). There was one section of the concert where we sang a salute to all of the armed forces--and honestly, I got so choked up during the Air Force song, I had to mouth the words. Grandma Carver, my mom and Aunt Pat were out in the audience and I could see tears in all of their eyes. I think that Grandpa Carver would have really loved seeing all of us there together--enjoying each other's company--and being, more than anything else, friends with one another.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for being our friends.

To get the photos: Heather and Billy are going to make the official copies for everyone. I am sending them the raw photos and they are going to "make 'em pretty." As you will see here, I was able to take out the awful flag pole with no flag and soften some of the background. My skills, however, are not really professional grade. I prefer to function "for web only." I would also mention that I'm only posting what I think are the best photos. There were others, but some of your children had their fingers in their nose and some of you had your eyes closed or mouths open in others...you know how this goes...

The Judd-Murray Family

Utah State Alumni: (From Back Left to Front: Brent Bateman, Zachary Bateman, Jeff Murray, Justin Miner, Trent Madsen, Todd Johnson, Rich Madsen, Buffy Madsen, Karma Bateman, John Deans, Bill Judd, LuJean Carver, Nancy Judd, Kim Knudsen, Christian Knudsen, Alan Carver, Susan Deans, Erica Karren, Susan Miner, Landon Karren, Rose Judd-Murray, Andrea Bowcut, Amy Bateman, Emily Bateman, Valerie Johnson, Jackie Bateman, James Bateman. (Not Pictured: Adri Madsen and Jared Madsen)

Bill and Nancy Judd on the A!

Full Alumni Photo

The Carver Reunion 2009!

Vistor?

Lachlan remarked the other day that we should leave the front door unlocked so that "Jesus can come in our house and he will use our tub."

It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, "cleanliness is next to godliness."

The Name Game

Jack is obsessed with "what's it's name, what's his name, what's your name?"

Here's his most recent discovery during a diaper change:

Jack: Hey, dis my weenie! What's it's name?
Me: Your weenie's name is Penis.
Lachlan: (bursts out laughing, like real laughing) Penis! It's name not penis!
Jack: Yes, him name penis. (now he is also laughing)
Lachlan: Mom, you crazy!
Jack: Mom, you name him penis. Dat so funny.