My fun time in Idaho

...that Stephanie didn't document.As you have all heard by now, I surprised my family with a trip to Idaho over spring break. I think I gave my dad a mini-heart attack and I don't think Hannah's jaw will ever return to its full upright and locked position. :) It was a lot of fun to spend time with my family - one of the busiest trips I have had while there.

Pretend this is his surprised look. He had no idea I was coming to surprise him as a late 50th birthday present, along with a book I made him which can be viewed here. At the last minute I was talked out of recording the surprise so this is the best I have.

The trip started with preparing for Stephanie's cheer banquet. 29 picture frames, 14 or so blankets, $100 in plastic table cloths, tons of flowers, and more cheerleaders than I care to count it was over. Stephanie did a great job cheering this year and I am so proud of her!

In the middle of cheer banquet preparations I got my hair cut and dyed - so much cheaper in Idaho! I even got "swoopy bangs." Please see below for the pictures - in all reality it isn't that different but I love it.

Then we shopped till we dropped - literally. Stephanie couldn't handle anymore ( however she wasn't feeling well so I can't say I blame her - her illness also explains why she is not in any pictures - that and apparently she didn't take part in the plethora of self-photos left on my camera by Dad, Hannah, and Elizabeth).

There were photo shoots of sisterly love...

and High School Musical sing-alongs ("I need fabulous that is my simple request.....")

My last day was spent on a variety of craft projects including making an apron and a few quilts. I was quite proud of my handwork. I also got some vinyl letters cut-out for use on my apartment walls.

Sadly I didn't see Annie - she was finishing up school and flying back to Pennsylvania I'd wished I had had one more day. Yet, I had a blast and hope my family did too. I can't wait to go back.

On a side note, I never documented our New York excursion as part of my 23rd Birthday celebration. Lowell bought me tickets to see Mary Poppins on Broadway. I was a little skeptical about the choice - but it was fabulous and I highly recommend it!

We started the day with a stop at an outdoor flea market then walked to Central Park. We were stunned at the number of people in line for the casting call for America's Next Top Model. Luckily we weren't there for the false "fire" and "bomb" yelling that caused pandemonium.
Of course we hula-hooped in Central Park with the Jamaican guy playing bongo drums.
The Jamaican can be seen in the orange beret below.

This one is for Kallie.

Today's workout: √

This morning while taking the stairs in an office, I came across this sign.

My mind has been on this for two hours. I'd love to write more about how this and WALL-E reflect our physical inactivity.

But my fingers are exhausted from these three lines.

Spring Awakening

Being that our school district is currently enjoying its Spring Break, Elise is visiting her family. Only her mother and two of her sisters knew. Until surprising her father at a restaurant in Boise, he hadn't the slightest idea she was visiting. She's having a great time. And yes, she misses you.

Ironically, in over 2 1/2 years of marriage, this is the first time we have been apart for more than six days.

Now the only remaining question is, how does yours truly spend a week by himself with no Comcast or Wii in sight?

4am wake-up, running, and falling asleep reading Henry David Thoreau's "Walden" in the evenings.

Never said I was an exciting one, mind you.

I mean, we all spend our free time that way, right?

[silence]

Anyone?

[crickets chirping]

Really?

[off in the distance, a dog barks]

Meh.

If you've made it this far, I appreciate your company.

While I'm at it...

Where are the husbands on these blogs? I'm not kidding. Talk about MIA - and I include myself in this. I see that Brett Meldrum in his three-dimensional awesomeness will occasionally post. Other than that, I'm not seeing much here. Is this act of representing our marriages and families to the outside world subconsciously becoming a wife's responsibility, to pile in the list with other incorrectly stereotyped activities?

I know a very good man in Ohio who passed the Ohio State Bar Exam last October. Unfortunately, because of the economy, he was recently laid off from the law firm where he was employed. One of the things I most admire about him is that, rather than hearing about this through the language of his good wife, he shared it from his own perspective as a husband and father. I loved hearing in his own words about this experience.

I hereby challenge Sirs Fisher, Howell, Rittman, Lewis, Funk and Bos to update us all electronically in their own words. At least once; I bet your wife will enjoy it, as will we all. (And Arianne, I'd give half my kingdom for Keith to write a post.) Here's something to motivate you.

Elise has asked me repeatedly to return to this pastime, and she's been patient for long enough now. At her behest, I'll contribute on a regular basis from hereon out. With a smile.