She decided that humanitarian aid was a good cause, but that it would be OK to make some quilts for the kids. This is the one she made for Madeline...
And Madeline liked it.
I hope you all had a great week. Matt
Sunday, March 29, 2009
29 March 2009 - Homebodies
After two consecutive weeks of international travel, this week was comparatively low key. Joanne got back to quilting.
She decided that humanitarian aid was a good cause, but that it would be OK to make some quilts for the kids. This is the one she made for Madeline...
And Madeline liked it.
I hope you all had a great week.
Matt
She decided that humanitarian aid was a good cause, but that it would be OK to make some quilts for the kids. This is the one she made for Madeline...And Madeline liked it.I hope you all had a great week. Matt
22 March 2009 - Cancun
Joanne went to Cancun with Aunt Jennifer for spring break.
This is at a site on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan peninsula called Xel Ha (pronounced 'shell ha'). I've never been there, but Joanne and Jennifer highly recommend it now that they've visited. You've got to love the color of that water, and they said the inner tubing and snorkeling was fantastic.
Further down the coast from Xel Ha are the Mayan ruins at Tulum. Joanne and I had been here about five years ago. Joanne says they've updated it a lot and improved the accessibility to the sites.
This pyramid is at Chichen Itza (pronounced 'cheechin eat-sah'). This area, also in the Yucatan peninsula but inland, is one of the most extensive Mayan ruins sites in the world.
This is a detailed shot of a snake head carving at Chichen Itza. The snake body is the edge of the steps. Joanne's tour guide told them that at solstice time in the spring and fall, the sun hits the steps just right to make it look like the snake bodies are slithering. Joanne and Jennifer missed the solstice by about a week.
On their last night in town, they went out for a dinner show. These are some of the dancers who were involved.
As you can see, they had a great trip, and most importantly, got home safe.
Matt
This is at a site on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan peninsula called Xel Ha (pronounced 'shell ha'). I've never been there, but Joanne and Jennifer highly recommend it now that they've visited. You've got to love the color of that water, and they said the inner tubing and snorkeling was fantastic.Further down the coast from Xel Ha are the Mayan ruins at Tulum. Joanne and I had been here about five years ago. Joanne says they've updated it a lot and improved the accessibility to the sites.
This pyramid is at Chichen Itza (pronounced 'cheechin eat-sah'). This area, also in the Yucatan peninsula but inland, is one of the most extensive Mayan ruins sites in the world.
This is a detailed shot of a snake head carving at Chichen Itza. The snake body is the edge of the steps. Joanne's tour guide told them that at solstice time in the spring and fall, the sun hits the steps just right to make it look like the snake bodies are slithering. Joanne and Jennifer missed the solstice by about a week.
On their last night in town, they went out for a dinner show. These are some of the dancers who were involved.
As you can see, they had a great trip, and most importantly, got home safe.Matt
Sunday, March 15, 2009
15 March 2009 - Week in Argentina
Buenos Aires has a pink house, but also, a replica Washington Monument. They call it the obelisk, it is a monument commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the city.
My favorite restaurant in Buenos Aires, both because of its name, and because of the $8 top sirloin.
A cool colonial era clipper ship -- now transformed into a maritime museum on the waterfront in Buenos Aires.
I took time out one evening to attend a football match -- River Plate v. Arsenal. Good fun.
A look back at the city from a boat carrying me from Argentina to Uruguay.
A welcome sign on my arrival for a day in Uruguay. Colonia is an 18th century settlement with cobblestone streets and European architecture, very cool. It was a nice day out before returning to the states.
The flags of South America, near a beach in Colonia.
I wasn't able to attend the temple while in Argentina, but I did get to see it. It is very near the airport, about 15 minutes outside the city.
Overall, it was a great trip to South America. The conference was a success, I made several very good contacts while there and learned a lot. The sightseeing was an added bonus. Keep tuned next week, for pictures by Joanne from Mexico.
Matt
My favorite restaurant in Buenos Aires, both because of its name, and because of the $8 top sirloin.
A cool colonial era clipper ship -- now transformed into a maritime museum on the waterfront in Buenos Aires.
I took time out one evening to attend a football match -- River Plate v. Arsenal. Good fun.
A look back at the city from a boat carrying me from Argentina to Uruguay.
A welcome sign on my arrival for a day in Uruguay. Colonia is an 18th century settlement with cobblestone streets and European architecture, very cool. It was a nice day out before returning to the states.
The flags of South America, near a beach in Colonia.
I wasn't able to attend the temple while in Argentina, but I did get to see it. It is very near the airport, about 15 minutes outside the city.
Overall, it was a great trip to South America. The conference was a success, I made several very good contacts while there and learned a lot. The sightseeing was an added bonus. Keep tuned next week, for pictures by Joanne from Mexico.Matt
8 March 2009 - Off to Argentina
On the 6th of March, I headed south to Buenos Aires to speak at the International Conference on Engineering and Computing Education. The event was hosted by Buenos Aires Technical Institute (Instituto de Tecnologia de Buenos Aires, or ITBA for short).
The street where I stayed was called Avenida Florida, a pedestrian only street with all the fancy shopping Buenos Aires had to offer. Lots of live music and dancing in the evenings.
Why I love South America. Well, one of many reasons.
In the U.S., we have the White House; in Argentina, we have the Pink House. This is where their president lives. The university was just a block or two away from the heart of the federal government for the country. I went walk about every day, exploring the city.
This is the flag pole at the president's house.
Matt
The street where I stayed was called Avenida Florida, a pedestrian only street with all the fancy shopping Buenos Aires had to offer. Lots of live music and dancing in the evenings.
Why I love South America. Well, one of many reasons.
In the U.S., we have the White House; in Argentina, we have the Pink House. This is where their president lives. The university was just a block or two away from the heart of the federal government for the country. I went walk about every day, exploring the city.
This is the flag pole at the president's house.
Matt
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
1 March 2009 - Madeline's Birthday
Madeline turned 5 on Tuesday, February 24. This week was all about her and she loved it.
She was very proud of her new stuffed dog (please stop giving my children stuffed animals), and her new Pooh Bear dress.
The princess crown pinata was tougher than expected. 
This cake was for the friend party on Saturday. Joanne felt that this was the prettier of the two.
Madeline was so excited to have feety pajamas that fit.
Thanks to all who called, emailed, and sent gifts. You are all very kind.
Matt
This was the birthday cake that the girls helped to decorate on Madeline's birthday.
She was very proud of her new stuffed dog (please stop giving my children stuffed animals), and her new Pooh Bear dress.
The princess crown pinata was tougher than expected. 
This cake was for the friend party on Saturday. Joanne felt that this was the prettier of the two.
Madeline was so excited to have feety pajamas that fit.
Thanks to all who called, emailed, and sent gifts. You are all very kind.
Matt
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
22 February 2009 - Thoughts about moms
It was kind of a boring week at our house, but my friend sent me some funny thoughts about mom's as told by 2nd graders, so I thought I'd share them with you.
WHY GOD MADE MOMS
Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.
What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.
What kind of a little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.
What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who didit not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.
WHY GOD MADE MOMS Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.
What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.
What kind of a little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.
What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who didit not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
15 February 2009 - Valentine's Day
This is a contraband photo.
We took the girls to see High School Musical at the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh. It was a pandemonium of mostly little girls who knew the words to every song. At one point, I was going to take the girls' picture with the stage in the background. I got chewed out by an usher for taking pictures of the copyrighted stage, so I didn't get to take the picture. Being sneaky, I took a quick photo of the stage during intersession, but I wasn't able to get one with the girls in it.
For Valentine's Day, we decided to make a surprise Chinese dinner for mommy. Mommy spoiled our surprise by only staying out shopping for about 20 minutes. We had the table set for the dinner, but we didn't have the food yet when she got home.
We successfully got some food (takeout style, which was my plan all along), and had a nice Valentine's meal. Aren't I romantic?
Jessica was our youth speaker in sacrament meeting at church on Sunday. Here is a copy of her talk.
Have a great week,
Matt
We took the girls to see High School Musical at the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh. It was a pandemonium of mostly little girls who knew the words to every song. At one point, I was going to take the girls' picture with the stage in the background. I got chewed out by an usher for taking pictures of the copyrighted stage, so I didn't get to take the picture. Being sneaky, I took a quick photo of the stage during intersession, but I wasn't able to get one with the girls in it.For Valentine's Day, we decided to make a surprise Chinese dinner for mommy. Mommy spoiled our surprise by only staying out shopping for about 20 minutes. We had the table set for the dinner, but we didn't have the food yet when she got home.
We successfully got some food (takeout style, which was my plan all along), and had a nice Valentine's meal. Aren't I romantic?
Jessica was our youth speaker in sacrament meeting at church on Sunday. Here is a copy of her talk.Have a great week,
Matt
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