Lemon cupcake

Here is a quick picture of a Peking cupcake I made for Easter.  The frosting turned out good, and the taste was nice and tangy.  I am also seeing how this Blogger app works.

Test from Blogspot

I'm just testing to see if this actually posts...

Welcome back old friend…

Well I figured that I haven’t updated this blog in almost a year.  Thanks to Facebook, this got immediately neglected.  I think I have it set up that if I put up a new post here it should mirror over to my Facebook page.  so we will see.  I was looking at the last post I did (LAST FEBRUARY!!) and I have no mention of our youngest daughter Courtney. 

So I think that I will try to write on here and add pictures here, and see how they transfer over to Facebook.  I got away from the other site and never really added many pictures there anyways, so I will see if I can keep BOTH of these updated.  good luck to me…

Poor little girl...

Poor little girl..., originally uploaded by marksphone.

Again, i wish i could pass out like this when i get tired!!

Just another day at the WSDOT

A week ago last Friday I had a chance to make a little bit of overtime by helping with the unclogging of a log jam on the Tieton River up in the mountains.  We had a huge snow fall over about a week, then another week later we had unseasonably warm weather.  Needless to say there was a bit of flooding.  One of the rivers had some trees that had fallen and was diverting the river into the bank of the highway and washing out the ground underneath it.   So myself and one of the guys I work with in my office got to go and play in the water and unclog part of the river.

The best way for us to get over the river was to get in the bucket of the boom truck and be sent over.

they tried to get me and the operator in the bucket together, but it was two heavy with both of us so we went on we at a time.  It was a little hairy to be hoisted over he river like that, but I was tied of with a full body harness, hard hat, and a Life vest.  I was prepared for about anything.

Once they got me over, I had to jump down into about 18 inches of water, but it was pretty much out of the main current so it wasn’t too bad.  After I got out, the took the boom back and brought Del over.  Then the work began.

 

 

 

 

We brought a rope over with us so we could drag a steel cable through the river and choke it around the bottom of the tree to dislodge it.  THAT one went pretty well if not for the hole in my wader.  THAT WATER WAS COLD!!  

It really wasn’t too bad if I could get the standing water out of it, and let my foot warm up the two pair of socks I had on.  But I knew that I would have to get back into the water again and get all cold.  It really didn’t help that it was only about 22 degrees out there.

 

 

Every time we got out of the water I had to sit down on a rock and take off my boot and drain out the water.  If you see the look on Del’s face you can tell that he is very concerned.  It was all in good fun. I know that if I got too cold I could always go back to the other side and warm up.

We had one more Log to do, and that was a bit trickier.  It was about 3/4 submerged, so we had the bright idea to tie some of the floating rope to the find of the cable and fish it through.  But the current was so strong, that we never found the rope, so I volunteered to reach into the water and grab it.  luckily we knew exactly where the cable was, so it just too about a second or two.  but it was still  really cold, and I had wished I wasn’t the one to volunteer.  It had to be done and somebody had to go for it.  We choked it and they pulled it to the other side and we were done.   We were taken back to the other side and got into a nice warm truck.  I had the forethought to pack an entire change of clothes if I needed them, so I was able to change, get dry and warm.

We had a lot of fun that day, and our Regional Safety Officer was there and commended all of us on a job well done and how efficiently and safely we pulled it off…

New clothes!!

As Arin put it, Moms beware when the Dad takes his sweet little daughter out shopping...

This is what happens when a dad takes his daughter shopping and find a great sale on clothes! I gave her a choice on what she wanted, and i will let you know hich one she picked soon!!

We already picked one of them...but I'm curious, which one do you think SHE picked?

New clothes!!, originally uploaded by marksphone.

The end to an exciting season...

Well, it's official. The San Diego Chargers are done for the season. I just began what will be a new tradition for me at the end of every NFL season. I sadly hung my #17 Chargers jersey in the closet for the last time until next season. I was hoping I could wait until February to "rest" it through the off season, but not this year.

This was the most involved I have been with football since Arin and I lived in San Diego. I was the commissioner of our office fantasy football league. (Which I came in third out of six.) I almost won one of the weeks for our office pick 'em pool. And I also got to go to TWO NFL games this season!!

First Arin and I went to a pre-season Seahawks game against the Raiders with some friends. We were excited to watch the Raiders lose. Although it was just a pre-season game, it was our first trip to Qwest Field and it was just as loud as they mention on TV.

Then I hosted our first Fantasy Draft for an office league. we had some laughs and all realized how little we actually knew about the players once we drafted the ones we had all heard of. (I had the opportunity to get Tom Brady as my first pick then watch him get hurt for the season the first week.)

Then we were able to upgrade our DirecTV to get the NFL Sunday ticket for nothing extra than we were already paying. So we got to watch every San Diego game of the season. I really hope that they have the same deal next year. we got pretty spoiled. (I love to have a wife that loves to watch football with me.)

We had plans to go to San Diego for Christmas, and were excited to find out that my father-in-law was able to get us tickets to the final home game of the season. At the time it was just the last home game, but as I have told many people, the planets suddenly aligned and gave us a game that we were lucky to have tickets to. since we were in SD, I had wanted to buy a Philip Rivers (yes, I said it.. Philip Rivers) Chargers jersey, and I wanted to get one for the game. We had so much fun there!!

We then got to watch them win against the Colts at our friends house... who is a colts fan... What a great game to be with friends to watch!! Then today we sat at home quietly and watched the season end by the hands of the Steelers.

So farewell to another Chargers season, and I look forward to getting ready for next year.

A sledding we will go...

Luckily when we got back from San Diego, there was still snow left here. It had turned a bit icy, but Grandpa was dying to push Maggie down a hill. So we went to Roosevelt Elementary, because they have a really great little hill that is perfect for little kids to try out their mad sledding skills.

It was nice and sunny so it made it slick and fast. She had a great time last year, so I was excited to see how she would do this year. A little older, and a little braver. We found a little ramp and I had fun trying to aim her towards it. She hit it the first time and turned around with the biggest smile, so like a good Dad, I tried to aim her towards it every time. Good times.

Great form like a champ!! It looks like she will be ready for the Skeleton in the Olympics soon!!

That's a kid that she thinks she can conquer anything.

It looked like she was having so much fun, so I had to join her once. But as you can see, I made us a little nose heavy.

It was such a fun day. The one thing I would change for next time, is that I need to get my own sled. I would push Maggie down the hill, then she would wait for me to come down to get her. That way, I can at least slide down to meet her. Why should she get all the fun?

At the big game!

At the big game!, originally uploaded by marksphone.

Here we are finally in the stadium. It s funny how badly thy boo cutler! I am so glad we decided to come and not try to sell the tickets. Totally the highpoint of our vacation. This makes the dive
down all withorth it!

At the game!!

At the game!!, originally uploaded by marksphone.

Well we just got here to the game, but with nobody to tailgate with. :( Just us hanging out in the yukon. We are stoked to be here and I know it will be a CRAZY game! More later!

Another fun trip to target...

Another fun trip to target..., originally uploaded by marksphone.

At home Maggie never wants to have anything to do with dressup stuff, but as soon as we get to Target, she wants to try on everything! She wanted to try on one of the value hats, and wanted to be a
cowgirl. One of these days that kind imagination will be gone, so I need to have fun with it while we still can! I knew I wanted to be a Dad, but I didn't know it would be so much fun!!

Doesn't that look comfy?

Doesn't that look comfy?, originally uploaded by marksphone.

Well Maggie upgraded to a big girl booster seat, and on the way to Arin's ultrasound Maggie fell asleep. This doesn't look as comfortable as her old car seat looked to nap in!! Oh well, when you are
that tired anything is comfortable. We are on our way to the appointment, so news will come soon!!

Costco lunch

Costco lunch, originally uploaded by marksphone.

Last time Maggie and I went to Costco, we had to get our usual lunch, but this time she wanted a big hotdog and a big bun. I guess the days of cutting it into little pieces are over. My little girl
is growing up so fast.

Fun at the mall

Fun at the mall, originally uploaded by marksphone.

Last time that Arin and I went to Seattle to visit Matt and Tara, Matt and I took the kids to the mall. I don't know what it is about those cheesy little rocking car toys, but Maggie and Camden love
them. Even when they just stay still because you didn't put any money in them.

New Study Bible

All of the Small Group Leaders at church received a new Study Bible to help us with our Small group Leading and personal bible study. It seems like it is a resource that I will be using for years to come. I Have a New American Standard Bible that I have had since 1986, and I have underlined it and written in the margins for years. I really hate to use the information and insights that I have recorded in there for all those years. But this is an AWESOME BIBLE!! I found a little video about it and thought that the two people who actually read this blog may like to see.




Here is a video... (If it works)

I really hope that this study bible will help to get me interested in the LEARNING part of bible study again. I remember I used to do my own "expositorial study" if that is the right phrase, if it is even a phrase at all. I used to love to learn about the words, meanings, why they used it, background about the passage and all of that cool stuff. I really hope that this will stir that back up and get me into bible STUDY again, not only for the Small group I am leading, but for my personal growth and knowledge.

If any of you out there would like to pray for me to make this a point of my life where I can really begin to have the discipline to study more and be more of a spiritual leader for my family, I would not turn that down. I know that it is kinda weird to put a prayer request out there on a public blog, but I think that we need to be praying for each other like this anyway. So there it is. take it how you want to.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

On Friday Maggie and her cousin Camden had their first opportunity to be part of a little kids favorite past time.  

Trick or Treating!  We try and teach our kids not to take candy from strangers, then dress them up and send them door to door to do JUST THAT!  Just look at how cute they are, who wouldn't give them candy...  We had so much fun taking Little Dorothy and Buzz Light Year our for a night on the town.  When they went to he first house, they were both a little nervous.  But as soon as they got candy put in their baskets, they thought that was pretty cool.  Maggie couldn't wait to "Do that next house!"  They walked up together and gave variations of "Trick or Treat" and "Happy Halloween".  But luckily they both were able to say thank you at all the houses.

I was very glad that I took my camera with the external flash so that I could take pictures on almost complete darkness.  (Arin and I didn't bring flashlights.  We thought we would be out earlier and for not as long as we were.)  Both of them had a great time, and then as we got home Arin and I had our first chance of the privilege of being parents by putting the kids down and then raiding the candy.

It was so much fun to take the kids out for the Halloween experience, and hope to be able to get together ands do this every year.

Mileage club

Mile club
Originally uploaded by markandarin

Maggie and I went to Arin's school at lunch today and helped her class earn tickets for their school "Mileage club". The class that does the most laps gets the banner for the next week. It was nice to get out and see Mommy at school and meet some of her kids. they all made sure they said goodbye to Maggie, but I must have been invisible. It was fun. I hope we win!!

Friday date.

Friday date.
Originally uploaded by markandarin

I got the idea from one of our friends at church, that on my day off to take Maggie out for a morning 'date'. We had some errands to do this morning, and hey... We were by the starbucks on
summitview. So we needed to take a little break from the day and got some chocolate milk and pumpkin bread. I love the days that we get to spend together. I really hope that i never get too busy or
she never gets too old for dates like this.

MOBILE BLOGGING SUCCESS WITH SPRINT PICTURE MAIL!!

With enough searching and trying I knew I could do it. I found out that I can send a picture to flickr, then they have an "auto-blog address" that will automatically send that picture and text to blogger.

You need to sign up with flickr (it's free) and then click this link

http://www.flickr.com/help/blogging/

It will walk you through setting up an email address so you can send straight to flickr. Then you can also set up an auto blogging feature that you choose your blog and it will give you a second address that will let you send it to flickr and then it posts it in the right format to Blogger. It SOUNDS kind of complicated, but theflickr site walks you through it really easily.

Once you set it up right, you will get TWO addresses. One that is for posting straight to flickr words##words@photos.flickr.com, and one that will post the picture to flickr AND auto post it to your blog words##words2blog@photos.flickr.com. (you will receive your personalized address. They will both be the same except that the blogging one will have 2blog included in it.) I added the second one to my phone contacts with just the second email address. That way I don't need to remember the address, I just pick dadspov in my contacts, hit send and it is done!!

It creates a link to the picture on flickr, so as long as you don't delete it from flickr you will be fine.

Now when I take a picture the subject becomes the title and then the body is the text. I KNEW I COULD DO IT!! It should work with any phone and any service. you will just need to pay for sending a picture if your plan doesn't include it.

Biker chick

Biker chick
Originally uploaded by markandarin

Maggie was very excited to have a chilly day to go out and ride her bike.