15 May 2016 - In Ground Trampoline

When we were living in Pennsylvania, we had a partially in ground trampoline, but because everything's on a hill there, it wasn't *really* in ground. It still required a ladder to get on. When we went to Idaho, we promised the girls an in ground trampoline, but digging it by hand was unpalatable and fences and other obstructions prevented us from getting excavation equipment in the back yard. So the girls had to live with an above ground trampoline. With out new house, unfenced as of yet, I was able to get an excavator back there and dig a hole for our trampoline. I'm a regular Digger Dan!

Here is the finished project in all its glory. It took two full days of work to make it so, but the girls love it (so do the neighbor kids). It's nice to finally make good on a promise to your kids.

Emily got rock climbing shoes for her birthday. She hasn't had much of a chance to use them yet, but on Saturday we were able to head up Rock Canyon behind the Provo Temple for a climbing session. Here's to many more!

Saturday afternoon, Natalie and Adrienne came to visit us. We grilled hot dogs and ate junk food while playing games. Lots of fun, plus, you know, cute babies.

8 May 2016 - Idaho and Home Improvement

So we went back to Idaho again this weekend. Although it was Mother's Day, that wasn't the reason. We went because the girls wanted to see their old school friends in the annual school musical at Thomas Jefferson. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take any pictures, but Joanne got an us-ie with the Meridian Temple in the background.

And an us-ie with Dax in the kitchen.

When we came back, we celebrated Amy's birthday. Joanne made this little wooden box from materials reclaimed from construction sites around our house.

She's also been working on improving her flower gardens around the house.

If you know Joanne, you know she loves to have some air moving. I've installed eight, yes eight ceiling fans this spring.

I've also been working in the basement a little bit. This is a storage room I built.

1 May 2016 - Prom and Other Spring Things

Excellent news this week. Madeline tried out for the middle school ballroom dance team, and made it.

Given our proximity to the lake, Joanne and I have started riding the Utah Lake trail from Vineyard to Lindon Marina once or twice a week. We often remark how dirty and smelly the lake was when we were growing up, and how much it has changed in recent years. It's an excellent morning work out with beautiful views.

This week was Jessica's Junior Prom. Daddy's little girl isn't so little any more.

It was pretty much an all day thing. They went and played laser tag during the day, then dinner at Los Hermanos, then the dance at the Utah County Courthouse in the evening.

24 April 2016 -Emily's Birthday, Dancing and Graduation

Emily turned 14 this week! Time to celebrate with a (root)beer.

The ever-popular birthday gift: the latest edition of Just Dance.

Mmmmm...chocolate.

This week I volunteered to help with a walk-a-thon. It was a pretty hot day, and Madeline got a bit sweaty.

Later in the week, she demonstrated a more desirable skills (for her). Her ballroom dance team had a year-end event.

They even got to dress up and show off a little bit. She's really enjoying ballroom.

At the end, they chose a partner from the audience to teach them one of their dances. Emily is learning some of the dances from Madeline.

On Saturday, we attended a sustainable gardening class from a fellow professor from my department, who is also a Master Gardener through Utah State University extension. It got Joanne excited to start getting a garden ready at our house. Madeline mostly enjoy my colleague's dog.

This weekend we also had graduation at UVU. It was a different experience for me, being my first time at a University graduation, as opposed to the small colleges where I've taught previously. It was still an excellent program and I was able to see a number of my students graduate.

17 April 2016 - Conference in Florida

This week I went to Hollywood, Florida for a conference. We had very nice weather, in a very nice area. This is a view of my hotel's pool from the balcony of the conference center.

Across the street was the inland waterway. I did not see any manatees.

On Friday evening, I took an Uber ride to Miami (ask me about my Uber experience some time) to go to a Miami Marlins. This is the new Marlins ballpark in Little Havana.

The ballpark is state-of-the-art. The retractable roof was closed due to rain in the forecast. I had my pick of many thousand seats, since the game was not very well attended. It was fun though and I enjoyed experiencing a new MLB ballpark.

The only bummer of the trip was that I didn't get to take any of my family with me.

10 April 2016 - UVU Baseball Game

This week was a quiet week, at least in terms of much out of the ordinary. The only really interesting thing we did was go to a UVU baseball game. It was fun, but cold. We made it to the 7th inning stretch before throwing in the towel. UVU eventually beat Utah 10-4.