A Dancing (and standing) Machine

He was so entertained by the start of the Olympic closing ceremonies,
he had to stand up and dance. He was the only one who thought that
opening number was all that great.

When he notices he's standing, he sits down.

Playing Fetch By Himself

He's really figured out throwing this week. Fortunately, he doesn't
mind going and getting it himself.

People Watching at the Denver Airport

Interesting.

The bottom pic is a trophy wife past her prime, and her coat is longer
than her skirt. I think she's about my mom's age. There seemed to be
a few of Paris Hilton brand hair extensions going on in there. And
probably a "bump-it".

H Found a Friend

Cue "You've Got a Friend In Me" by Randy Newman

We've purchased a few stuffed animals for H since he was born. He
hasn't shown much interest in them, though he loves to play with the
tags on the side of them.

Last night was the first time he ever cuddled with a toy. It looks as
though he's picked Buzz as his favorite. (This is Baby Buzz
Lightyear.) Sherrif Woody is still my favorite.

A Three Hour Tour

It used to be a three-hour, non-stop flight from SLC to STL. Now, you
have to change planes in Denver and things never seem to go as
planned. We've had little delays here just about every time.

However, this time Nick was on a standby ticket, and because his
ticket is a companion fare we must be on the same flight. In summary,
we're now on an 8:00 PM flight out of Denver instead of a 1:00 PM
flight. We were at this airport for three hours on our way to Salt
Lake, so we're getting to know this airport real well.

I have no idea what's going on that all of today's flights are
oversold until tonight. Henry slept for the first two hours we were
here, but now that he's awake the real challenge begins.

Yes, He Climbs Stairs

He goes up stairs just fine. It's the coming down we're worried about.

Nick, H, and Grandma Preston

Our North Ogden stop consisted of a baby haircut at Ron's barber shop
and visiting with Grandma Preston. Grandma Preston is staying with Ron
and Carla. Ron's shop is attached to the house.

First Haircut

We stopped in North Ogden so H could have his first haircut,
administered by Nick's uncle, Ron. We were afraid he'd grow a mullet
if we didn't act soon.

Baby Has Breakfast

Henry wasn't too interested in eggs for breakfast, but he was more
than happy to share.

Just Like The Olympics

Nick took S and nephew V ice skating. They're almost as graceful as
the men's figure skating we watched tonight, minus the strange costumes.

Unexpected Trip

Darla, my mother-in-law, has experienced a tremendous loss this week.  Her brother Jonathan passed away after a long illness.  He was 45.

We have traveled to Utah, and will later go to Idaho, for the funeral.  Mr. S, Nick's younger brother, will be in our care for a few days so Darla can focus on being with her family and grieving.  Although it's a sad time, we hope Nick and S can enjoy this rare opportunity to be together.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Harker family.

Happy Valentines Day!

Waiting

Waiting Anxiously

We're all waiting for match day. On March 18, 2010, the medical school class of 2010 across the nation will discover where they will do their residency. After years of preparation, tests, and clinical training; months of interviewing and planning; weeks of worry; we're finally getting close to figuring out what our next move is.

Four years ago Nick got into medical school, and I've been wondering where residency will be ever since.

A Real Artist

Last night's presenter at Camera Club was amazing.  I thought it was going to be a presentation on grouse, which I was barely interested in, but knew it would be educational at least.  The presentation was actually a world-famous nature photographer who works with the Missouri Conservation Department, who happened to have a few pictures of grouse.  Noppadol Paothong's work was stunning.  What's even more amazing is how he works.  He practically lives with the animals to capture these images.  One kind of bird, he spent six months with to study and photograph them, including two months with a mom and her chicks.  The birds ended up trusting him so much that when a racoon threatened her chicks, she directed her chicks to run to him.  When the racoon saw him, the chase was off.

He showed pictures of birds that he had photographed during -15 degree weather on top of 7 inches of ice.  This man has suffered for his art.  Frostbite, mosquitos, ticks, snakes, and charging bison have all been part of his workplace enviroment.

He's my photography idol- he doesn't post process, and he only crops about 4-10% of his work.  His emphasis is on getting it right, in the camera.  Instead of stealing his work to show you, I'm going to direct you to his web-page.  Check out his pictures and his blog.  http://www.nopnatureimages.com/

FYI:  Most his images are shot with a 600mm lens with a 1.4x teleconverter.

Caesar Loves Nature

Caesar won't come inside, even though it's 22 degrees out in the snow. He's too busy watching the newly awakened squirrels run around, just out of reach from his chain.

Nick's Boy, 100%

Sunday, Post Nap

It's Always Fun When Grandpa Comes

My dad picked up his portable building he bought in Festus, MO, and
then came to visit us for twenty-four hours. Last night we went out
with Stan and Patti to Pho Grand. We thought about going to a Billiken
basketball game to see Coach Majerus, and then realized it was an away
game.

We went to lunch at the famous Crown Candy Kitchen. As we left, I
realized my left blinker had a burned-out bulb. My dad and Nick had it
fixed before we even went home. I can signal with confidence.

The Grass is Always Greener

Good Fences, Good Neighbors

We're watching Chad and Angelina's dog for a couple of days. I've put a baby gate up to keep the dogs away from the baby. I should more accurately say I put the gate up to keep the baby away from the dogs. In the last several days he's decided that Caesar is the greatest toy ever. He won't leave Caesar alone, he follows him around and pulls on his hair and tail. Fortunately Caesar knows he can run away up to his little window bed where the baby can't get him.

With two dogs here, I put the gate up so there are no misunderstandings. By misunderstandings, I mean the baby thinks it's OK to pull on the dogs hair and poke him in the eyes, and the dog does not think that's OK.

Ironically, both baby and dogs are constantly trying to be on the other side of the gate.

Sunday, Henry said his first word: Caesar. He's now also calling the other dog Caesar. Close enough.

Toys Galore

This little boy has some toys. In fact, he has a lot of toys. However,
it seems that we wasted our efforts in getting him toys. All he wants
to play with today is the dog's hair brush. He screams when I take it
away. He's also shown some interest in a DVD case.

It's On: Orchid Show 2010

He Worries Too Much