Can I Get That With A Side Of Mulcock?

Snow Right

2012-01-27T07:26:00.000-06:00

I love the winter. Snow, cold, warm clothes...you name it. Sure it eventually gets old, but through February I am all about it. But we hadn't had any snow until just recently. So the first day it really snowed I wanted to get Max outside.

It was the first time he would put on gloves and it made all the difference. Max had a love affair with snow that night. I must admit, it was one of those perfect, quiet, magical nights in a snowfall.

He wasn't too sure footed at first, but he quickly figured snow out.

Mama and Max, loving an adventure.

Max figured out snowballs within minutes and wanted to get my head over and over with snow. He thought he was so funny getting dad cold.

I got back at him through tickles.

Our neighborhood was made for snow. Tree lined streets, mansions made of brick, parks. Even though Max's hands were frozen and snot was running all over his face, we couldn't get him to come in. Eventually we had to bribe him with cookies, to which he succumbed.

Finally, nothing better than a warm bath after an hour in the snow. If you look closely you will see snot running up from his nose to his forehead.

I'm Stackin'

2012-01-23T13:24:00.001-06:00

Mittoo continues on his string of getting gifts as they roll in from the holidays and his birthday. Of recent addition was this set of big blocks and magnetic pipes/balls. If he looks a little possessed in this photo, please recognize that it is cause he is OBSESSED, not possessed. He loves these things and can't stop connecting them. He even likes to make letters out of them, like A, X, N and L. You can't blame a kid for loving his toys.It has gotten to the point that he doesn't really like to leave the house because he never can get enough toy time. Between his trampoline, blocks, race cars, trains, magnets, big bikes and puzzles...the kid could care less if he sees the light of day.

Partners in Birthday Crime

2012-01-16T07:38:00.001-06:00

An image like this can only imply one thing - A Birthday Party!!

The theme? Dinosaur Train party! For Max that could only mean pure happiness because this meant there was cake....shaped like a train...with candy....and dinosaurs all over it. Holy Heaven on Earth.

Man of the hour - William. Max and William were born within a week of each other and live a block from each other...they are buds in the way that new two year olds are. It means they don't scream "no" and rip each others eyes out. That means they like each other alot!

Max, entertained by balloons.

And making faces at his dad...a rare moment that he even looks at the camera when I have it.

Now, with a cake train as fabulous as this one, put at a level children can reach it, it was amazing to watch the kids and their restraint slowly unravel. First they stared and played with the plastic dinosaurs.

Then Max went in just to sample some candy...just a bit won't hurt?

Then licorice pieces started to disappear...

Alpha, while stronger than the boys in her restraint, was no match for the colorful goodness before her.

Jane. Precious beyond all things imaginable.

Peeps, talking shop and pretending they don't want to devour the cake as much as the kids do. But they do.

Proud mom Lauren sits with William for the big blow out! Wait, not diaper blow out but candle blow out.

Birthday joy perfection captured in this picture.

The kiddos were amazingly willing to be rounded up for some pics before the final cutting started.

Trust me, this would only last so long.

Then the big man of the hour got his first piece and took a bite! Success! Cake was amazing as it looked!

Right Max? Oh wait, sorry, didn't mean to bug you while you work on one of the three pieces you devoured.

Dinosaurs are pretty gangsta, and so are tattoos.

Mess with me and I'll get all TriTops in your grill SUCKA!

Even the sweetest of kids look more gangsta with a tattoo.

Happy Birthday Big Dub! You are a great friend!

Turning Two Ain't All That Shabby

2012-01-13T06:56:00.001-06:00

New Years Eve...Max's birthday. While that will be at times a curse, right now it's great. It means he gets a week or more of presents and we get to throw a party every year and celebrate instead of watching a countdown on TV.

Caitlin pulled out the stops considering we decided to do this last minute. My contribution? Getting Domino's pizzas.

We may or may not have covered our apartment with multicolored paper chains. Also, we may or may not have recycled them from the ward Christmas party.

Proof...New Years Eve.

Max loves cupcakes, so we put two candles in a yummy sprinkle cupcake and sang! With some coaxing he blew out the candles...and maybe a little support from dad.

This about where Max went from having a pretty tough day and hating any mention of his birthday to being pretty amped.

I think it was the sugar from two or more cupcakes.

It wasn't just us - Max had friends! Like Parker!

And the Watt's fam in da house!

And Alpha!

Just when you thought he couldn't get any more presents, he got more.

A wooden train set Mama??? I love YOU!

We kicked it with the homies for several hours, talking football like dudes do. Okay, I kind of tried to steer the conversation whenever possible to techno music.

The ladies doin what the do.

Happy Bday Max. Can't believe yo butt is two!

Will the Gifting Never End?

2012-01-12T07:58:00.000-06:00

When we got home from Utah Max was pretty excited to see his crib, his room, his toys, his life. But it didn't take more than about 15 seconds for him to realize that there were presents under the tree. Those presents had been there all December and he hadn't touched them...but now that he was converted and a professional present opener...he couldn't wait.
So he went crazy on his birthday presents! Dada gave him a bunch of new toys for his bath since I give him a bath every night. He got wind up fishies, a basketball hoop, and some bath crayons. Nailed it.Mama got him the most radical gift, which was a Little People car station. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw it. I believe he exclaimed, "Oh my goodness!" when he saw it.I had that sucker set up in a flash and he was at it for a solid 40 minutes. Just putting the cars up and watching them go down, over and over.More exploration of the cool garage features.And one happy boy as he plays with his new bath toys. Now he says, "SLAM DUNK" every time he's in the bath and puts the balls in.

But if you can believe this, there were even more presents to come with his birthday party the next day! More on his week of partying up next.

You Better Work iPad Blogging Tool or Max Will Knock You Out!

2012-01-11T07:14:00.001-06:00

This is just a test. My blogging app on my iPad has been useless since ios5 came along, rendering me ineffective at blogging. The fix just came through, so here goes nothing.

Just know, BlogPress, Max is coming after you if this doesn't work. Don't mess with a kid with a dinosaur tattoo.

More on this cuteness later.

The Motherload

2012-01-10T08:13:00.000-06:00

I recognize that there will be a time when Max can't wait for Christmas morning and will wake up at some ridiculous hour so he can go open presents. But that time is not yet. For now, he probably would have preferred to sleep until 9:30 or 10pm. But there were older kids, so we got Max up at 7. He was a bit confused and angry at first, but that didn't last long.First, we had to show him something special:A Christmas tree with a ton of presents under it. That was the first step in waking the kid up.The second step was getting him to open his first present - a Little People race car thingy. That woke him right up and from that point on, Christmas was ON.He wanted to play with everything the second he got it - no waiting!Dada also got the presents of his dreams in his stocking - gigantic Mountain Dews. Santa Clause knows me so well, its scary.For other kids, Mountain Dew isnt' everything. Some people actually want ice skates and candy and stuff.Other kids got tepees, allowing Max to go in and have a blast with cousin Will.But the true cowboy was Sheriff Benjamin, ready to rope some steer and tame the west.But it wasn't just about cars. Max also connected with his inner Super Why thanks to some great gifts from Nana and Papa. SUPER WHY stuffy and an amazing cape so Max could go on adventures with Super Why every day!Buddy Will got a Superman cape as well. Kid of steel.So cute.Our two superheroes proceeded to play, play, play and play some more with all their toys and gifts.Our unborn son, Gus, got a future stocking as well. I'm so glad Caitlin's family helped me convince her that this was the right name for our next child.Yes, it was an awesome Christmas. With Max having a birthday and Christmas right next to each other, he really racked up on presents and is now a full convert to both.

Party Time in Utah!

2012-01-10T08:10:00.000-06:00

After a wonderful Christmas day with family in Victor, we headed down to see even more family in Utah! Pam, Big D and Stephen were coming down from Boise, so we went to meet with them for a few days and see relatives. While many pictures were taken with Stephen's camera so I don't have them here, we had a great lunch at the Lion House with my mom's side of the family, a wonderful dinner with Jackie and her kids, saw Mikey (well, I did actually a week prior), kicked it with our friends from Florida, hung out with Karen and Adam and Sarah and Noah, and more! It was great and really fun to be back in Utah.
Max was lucky YET AGAIN to get more gifts - this time from Grandma and Grandpa (not Dama and Papa D...their gifts were sent to our house). They got Max a Cookie Monster phone, which he actually picks up at least once a day and really loves.Grandma and Dama watch as Max finds joy in gifts."Mom, can I play with this right now please?"Later Max and Papa D buddied up for some TV watching time together. Its how Papa D bonds with the youth.As an activity we decided to go and hike up to the U. After a rousing tour through memory lane to see where Big D and Pam grew up and where my great grandparents used to live, we headed up for our hike. Max got many "1, 2, threeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees" on the way.At the bottom of the hill, looking over a smoggy SLC. OH Salt Lake and your winter smog.And then we were off. The hike is actually only about 200 feet up, but man it is a steep 200 feet!You may be wondering why we cared about the U. Turns out we have much U loving blood in our family. Big D is a Ute, and Stephen went there for a while and even marched in their marching band. I was the lone Cougar in foreign territory.But it was my idea to spell "U" with our bodies...talk about school spirit!Max had a great time playing around by the U - as long as mama or dada was holding him so he wouldn't tumble to his doom.Stephen poses. This picture would have been amazing if the lights were turned on. He would have glowed in a pillar of awesomeness!One night we went to Red Robin with Grandma and Grandpa. We had plans to go to about 100 other restaurants. Turns out the Wednesday after Christmas was the night everyone and their dog went out to eat.Big D and Grandpa - two men amongst boys.Max behaved, even if he tore the place apart. Who could blame him? I think he just wanted some fish 'n chips like the big boys.The fam. Because we had just linked up with the Mulcock's, we got to enjoy some post-Christmas gifts as well. Max, who had now been converted to present opening, decided he wanted to open my present from Bree.

New totally pimp baby blue earphones that make me look boss on the train! They were awesome and I was using them last night to do some practice DJ'ing on my iPad. I looked legit. Thanks Bree!

And Caitlin got new shoes! Always risky giving a woman shoes, but they fit perfect and were really comfortable, so Caitlin was pretty psyched.

Plus Pam hooked Caitlin up with a sweet shirt that is pregnancy worthy. I think Beeps got the same shirt or something. Anyway, another successful gift! Pam and Big D also got us some art of Jesus for our home (thanks for recognizing that we were living as heathens) and a nice print of our recent family photo session in Boise. Can't wait to get those up on our walls! Thanks mom and dad!

We were sad to leave family and Idaho and Utah and all the people we love. Hope to see them soon - next time with baby #2!

False Advertising

2012-01-07T21:45:00.002-06:00

When my lumbar support pillow came from Amazon yesterday, I had to laugh. Here is what the smile on the face of that woman says to me, "Hey! I'm like sooooooooo happy I had to get this ridiculous looking pillow for work, car, church, etc. It is soooooo cool and even though I'm in constant chronic pain misery from a back problem, at least I get to look hot, right??"

Not right girl. Back pain is a complete beast. Mine has suddenely flared up out of no where. Just two months ago I could have drove 12 hours straight without pain. Now the pain is intense and instantaneous upon sitting. When I stand up at work I have to stand there and stretch my back for a minute before I walk or I might get a sharp pain and fall down (yes, it has happened once).

Anyway, it made me think about false advertising and putting to pretty a face on reality.

Away In a Manger

2012-01-05T21:55:00.000-06:00

Why is Claire bear so smiley and full of joy? Is it because its Christmas? It it because I was in town? Or was it because the Winmill's were having a huge TALENT SHOW??? These talents spread wide and far, including classic elements like beautiful violin playing. Being able to roll your stomach in and out really fast, while at the same time laughing your head off. How about singing R&B hits and doing appropriate arm waving and dancing? Let's not forget punching and ninja skills by true masters. Speaking of masters - a Master Yoga instructor shows us all how it is done. Ben dances to angelic singing from Claire in the background. This whole competition made my season merry and bright. I performed my role as the Grinch for the family. I was both mocked and applauded for my thesbianism. Finally, awards were handed out. I couldn't believe that I had won one! An honor! Hmmm, a lemon. I guess when you throw together an adhoc talent competition, then you get adhoc prizes!Pre-Christmas activity wasn't all about shows, talents and dress up. Sometimes we just kicked it live together and let the cousins have some fun. Max and will found a big box and turned it in to the best 20 minutes of their lives.Wait, where did those boys go?OH THERE THEY ARE! Peek-a-boo at its finest.I mostly did what I do best - cleaned while looking hot and irresistibly sexy in the kitchen.Papa introduced the boys to their new favorite thing in the whole world - the Nighty Night book on the iPad. Max asks for "Old McDonald Had a Farm" or "Nighty Night" (which are the same thing) every single day now.On Christmas Eve we did a reenactment of the nativity. Claire did an amazing job coming up with a script and leading us through the evening. She really is super clever.Our little shepherds occasionally got distracted by presents under the tree and an intense desire to open them.This was one grumpy angel, despite her tidings of good joy.Carols were sung and the story was told of our Savior, Jesus Christ. How can you not love children putting together a nativity story?And how could you not love a four-year-old baby Jesus? Ben insisted on playing Jesus and there was no changing it. We had a great time being his parents.Christmas even pajamas were given to prepare everyone for the excitement of the next morning. But what would Santa eat?Christmas cookies!!! Galore! Everyone gathered around to frost hundreds of cookies!Well, first we had to do one Nighty Night with Max. Man he loves that interactive book.And then we were there with the cookies. Max did more eating than frosting, I'll be honest.Which may or may not have led to the following moments of extreme craziness and explosion of energy. Max laughed his brains out trying to steal my camera away from me as I took his pictures, leading to some classy images.So cute.

Next up - Christmas day and beyond!!!

Tune-age Explosion from 2011

2012-01-01T14:13:00.007-06:00

Like I said, 2011 was a very needful year for music. While I didn't always have a lot of time to research and listen to new music, I did find the time whenever possible. Of the 100+ new albums I listened to or purchased in 2011, These were my favorite 10. I base my list simply on time spent listening and how obsessed with the album I got. This obviously excludes some of the techno or experimental albums because they aren't the kind of album that you listen to over and over and over.

M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
There are the albums that grow on you and there are albums that instantly blow your mind into a furry of obsession, leading to repeat after repeat after repeat after repeat. M83’s album “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming” accomplished the latter, and completely dominated the last 25 percent of 2011. While critics have used words like “dark” and “lonely as positive monikers for the album, I walk away from each listen completely lifted, bright and filled with joy.

It is a 2 hour dream, and for me the dream is one that brings hope for greater things in the worlds my mind inhabits every day. Even more impressive is that this album is M83’s 6th
album and in many ways, his greatest. Many bands fall victim of debut success, only to deliver, at best, decent albums for the rest of their career. Instead, M83 reaches a dominating high. I’ll be honest, after listening to Saturdays = Youth I was pretty sure that that was the last M83 album I’d be interested in. It seemed he was losing his focus and starting to look for more general success. Well, he got it – but without losing a bit of M83 credibility in my mind. I can’t recommend this album more.

The Antlers – Burst Apart
I had no expectations when I sampled the songs from Burst Apart. While it sounded dreamy, pretty and nice, it was the song No Widows that caught my full attention and compelled me to purchase the album. With each listen I became more addicted. It is through this album that I learned I have an obsession with the juxtaposition of opposites. Burst Apart is a gorgeous, wonderful album sonically. But when you listen to the words, it is dark, sad, and honestly very selfish and disgusting. With songs like “Putting the Dog to Sleep” and “I Don’t Want Love”, what can you expect?

But that combination of beautiful and ugly captivated me for the last six months, locking this album as my #2 of 2011.

PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
This album was all the rage in January. There wasn’t a critic out there that wasn’t applauding PJ Harvey’s letter of love and disgust to England’s involvement in war through time. But I was not
interested. I had listened to six PJ albums and pretty much hated every single one. If I hadn’t had shoulder surgery, I am pretty sure that I would never have listened to this album. But I was bored, immobile and didn’t really have any friends as we had just arrived in Florida. So I gave it a listen. Then I listened again. Then I purchased. Then it became my staple album for driving to and from physical therapy for the next four months.

There is really no reason why I love this album so much. It’s about England and war and I
am not a political person nor do I care much for war stories. But I loved the rich infusion of British folk into rock and in the end I loved the songs for their music and for their message.

James Blake – James Blake
You’ll remember that James Blake made my favorite music of 2010. From The Bells Sketch to CMYK and Klavierwerke, I was obsessed. So when I heard he was finally releasing a full length album, I couldn’t wait. Hooray! I purchased the album at midnight Monday and listened all the next morning as I sat on the exercise bike. I was surprised to hear that these songs sounded nothing like what I had fallen in love with in 2010. James was crooning, tinkling on the piano, and pouring his little heart out over 12 delicious songs. I ate it up along with the hype. But it wasn’t just me trying to hold on to an artist that I had loved for his beats and techno swells. I continued to love this album all year and every time it comes on I turn it up.

But I’m worried. I don’t think that this is a format that James can hold on to and keep my
interest. He released several new songs after this and I became a bit tired of the piano ballads. At his concert I was reminded of how much I love his strong history in post-dubstep beats.
I guess I fall in the crowd that is growing, begging for him to make a glorious return. We’ll see what happens in 2012.

Youth Lagoon – The Year of Hibernation
I’ll be upfront and say that I am from Boise and thus have a vested interest in the success of a Boise artist like Youth Lagoon. I first heard of the band from a Boise friend and began listening to his two song release July + Cannons over the summer, anticipating greatness. I was pleased to see Pitchfork snatch him up with their loving arms and help the eventual explosion of his popularity at the release of The Year of Hibernation. Thankfully, the album lived up to the hype. While his formula is singular, there is something inviting, warm and nostalgic about the sounds and words in each song. Not every song is perfect, but the album as a whole is.

Tune Yards – WHOKILL
There were two powerhouse female rockers this year – Tune Yards and St. Vincent. While I recognize that St. Vincent’s album is unique, well written and has all the components of an alternative darling, for some reason it just wasn’t very fun. With all the experimental and boundary stretching, I just wanted to have some fun. Doesn’t mean the St. Vincent album wasn’t great, it just means I didn’t end up feeling it as much when it came out. Tune Yards brought the fun with all the other stuff…and thus received massive amount of time on my iPod. Powa was one of my favorite songs of the year.

Washed Out – Within and Without
2011 was full of synthy pop chill wave style electronica. Most of it was okay, but some of it really
sucked. But there were a few albums that really found a special space in my life. Washed Out’s album was the biggest one, thanks to its sensual, dreamy, and calming reverb, “let’s get it on” type beats, and hot lyrics. I would never have guessed this album to make my top 10 until it was November and I was still putting it on in nearly every occasion.

Nicolas Jaar – Space is Only Noise
Speaking of getting it on, you should get this on your iPod/Pad/Touch right now. I was smitten
with Nicolas Jaar’s beat laden debut album for the good first half of the year and still listen to it often to this day. But it’s not just the beats, but the complexity of the samples and rich
sounds infused left and right. It’s the avoidance of techno beats and typical bpms amidst seemingly groovetastic songs. In the end, it feels like the best love inducing album of the year.

The Weeknd – House of Balloons, Thursday, Echoes of Silence
I’ll be at first to admit that if it weren’t for all the hype around The Weeknd, I probably would never have listened to them and if I did, I might not have given them much attention. Just another R&B group with a quirky name and eye catching album covers. But I did get caught up in the hype – big time. I downloaded House of Balloons the second I heard about it and played it at home during lunch one day. I was instantly obsessed with Abel Tesfaye’s voice mixed with grimy guitars and dark, skanky hooks. I mentioned early that I really like opposites and the stories and themes of The Weeknd’s songs are the exact opposite of my personal life – so I find myself loving them. I loved House of Balloons for its consistency and amazing lyrics, I loved Thursday for its theme and story line, and while I have only listened to Echoes once, I think it might have a nice mix of both.

My Morning Jacket – Circuital
As I was writing this list, I had Fleet Foxes album “Helplessness Blues” as the final album on my top 10 list. As I sat and thought about it, I realized that I really only love three songs on that album and like the rest of them so-so. When I listen to it, I end up skipping songs to listen to the three that I love. My Morning Jacket’s album Circuital, on the other hand, only had one mind blowing song on it that I instantly obsessed over. But I kept listening to the album and soon found that I really, really liked every song. It became the good-old-fashion rock album that was missing from my iPod in 2011. I can’t help but sing my brains out to Outta My System and Holding on to Black Metal. Knowing that Z was such an amazing album, I really didn’t think MMJ could produce another album that would have me swooning – but Circuital did it.

Honorable mentions of some albums that either didn't make the list because they aren't the type of album you listen to non stop or because they couldn't quite compete with the ones above:

Deadbeat - Drawn and Quartered

Domonik Eulberg - Diorama

Mates of State - Mountaintops

Jamie XX and Gil Scott Heron - We're New Here

Ngunzugunzu - The Perfect Lullabye

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee 2

Sebastian - Total

Panda Bear - Tomboy

And finally, favorite songs of 2011:

No Widows - The Antlers

Circuital - My Morning Jacket

I Got a - Nicolas Jaar

Powa - Tune-Yards

The Words that Maketh Murder - PJ Harvey

NY is Killing Me - Gil Scott Heron and Jamie xx

A Dedication - Washed Out

Walking Far From Home - Iron and Wine

I Never Learned to Share - James Blake

Limit to Your Love - James Blake

House of Balloons/Glass Table - The Weeknd

Steve McQueen - M83

Slow Motion - Panda Bear

Ow! - Depressed Buttons QWERTY remixes

Graveyard - Feist

Helplessness Blues - Fleet Foxes

Montezuma - Fleet Foxes

HR 8938 Cephi - Deadmau5

Desire - Mates of State

Montana - Youth Lagoon

Enjoy!

Tunes Stood By Me in 2011

2011-12-30T10:44:00.001-06:00

I'll be honest. I don't know what I would have done without music in 2011. Never in a year have I needed music as much as I needed it this year. There were my two cross country drives to and from Florida. There was my shoulder injury, then surgery, and subsequent 6 month recovery. There was hours and hours of commuting on trains and buses to work. There was weeks and months spent wondering what I am supposed to be doing with my life and times of some honest to goodness depression this year. Again, never have I needed music more than in 2011.

Thank heaven's it was a good one. I'll make sure to do an official review of my top 10 favorite albums and songs of the year - but above is a glimpse of some of the albums that I found worthy of my dollars. Each one found me at the right season - from James Blake in my surgery, The Antlers and Weeknd in my recovery, Beastie Boys in my low times, to M83 to push me through those first few weeks of uncertainty back in Evanston.

And concerts weren't so shabby either. The Ultra Music Festival, Iron and Wine in Savannah, Mates of State, Youth Lagoon, James Blake, Butthole Surfers and the mind blowing good bye to LCD Soundsystem.

2011 really was a great year for my ears.

Post Thanksgiving Is All About Christmas

2011-12-28T09:44:00.000-06:00

The next day we just relaxed and played with the kids while several of the ladies went shopping for stuff Black Friday style. Matt made a gigantic leaf pile and the kids played in it.I can't believe how cute my kid is, especially in a puffy coat.Oh Max. Fall compliments you well.Tyson forced Alpha to adventure into the pile as well where Max eagerly awaited her joining him. He likes to have a lady friend close by if possible.This picture = awesome. Don't be offended Max - its not you its the leaves.Like I said, all the kids got in the leaves.Buried alive and left for dead.Gruesome for a post Thanksgiving feast. Maybe we ate ourselves to death. Later that night we turned our hearts away from the pagan holiday of Thanksgiving and towards the holy holiday that is Christmas and all the sweet commercialism that comes with it - like Christmas Trees! We went to the Festival of Trees in Rochester. Some trees had cool figurines under them.But more importantly, this year it was all about what you put on top of you tree, not on the bottom or even in the middle. Each tree was an explosion of craziness. Its all the rage.Max was pretty much blown away by the lights and glitter.I liked this snowman tree. Pretty creative with the black balls for buttons.More tenderness between Kelli and Tyson. Geez they are sooooooo PDA.This was my favorite tree - the bubble bath tree. Look how cute it is!Look closer!The festival of trees really got my heart in the right place to start accepting that Christmas season was upon us. I instantly busted out my Sufjan Stephens Christmas album and was ready to role. Hopefully you are to because technically Christmas is over by the time you are reading this. My bad.

I'm Thankful for Minnesota

2011-12-27T09:29:00.000-06:00

Growing up I remember looking at maps of the United States and thinking that I would never, ever visit a place like Maine. Being 9 and from Idaho, it just seemed too far and purposeless. Why would I ever have a purpose to go all the way to Maine? Well...come to find out that I would make it there and with purpose.

Minnesota was another one of those places. Why would I ever go to this place called Minnesota? Well, I can write this and say that I am officially thankful for Minnesota. First, it is the home of Target. Second, it has the Wortleys. Third, it has the Gardners.

So we drove up from Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with friends in Rochester, MN. The Wortleys drove down from Minneapolis just to have dinner and say hi for a few hours - even though their parents were back in Minn visiting them. Now that is DEDICATION. Their baby Liam is basically adorable and makes my heart explode with love. He and Max will one day be super buds.It was great catching up with our long lost friends from Evanston. The Wortleys were a mainstay of our fun for so long that we just miss their faces to death. Oh why can't we live in the same state? Curses! So grateful they came down to see us.The next day was Thanksgiving time. Let me introduce chef and host extraordinaire - Matt Gardner. What was on the menu? Fried turkey suckas! Yes, he had a deep fryer and about 4 gallons of oil. He would be frying two turkeys that day.I was fascinated with this process and couldn't wait to try it. I mean, what could be gross that involved that much peanut oil? Nothing. I'd eat poop fried with that much peanut oil.Homies: Mark, Matt and Tyson. Let me make the connections. Mark is related to Tyson's wife and married to Kat, who is friends with my sister and lives in the Wortley's ward. Matt is friends with Tyson from their ward back in Logan Square and his wife was roommates with Caitlin at BYU. Tyson lives in our ward but we knew them before through Matt. Got it?My b****es: Kat, Kelli, Alissa and Caitlin. True ladies.Back to the turkey y'all. So, this thing had to stay at a specific temperature the entire time to end up right. I was assigned for a while to watch the thermometer and make sure it was in the correct range. I will be honest, I got distracted sometimes.The weather was unseasonably warm for Minnesota. These bare feet prove it. It made for an awesome weekend where only jackets were necessary.More food. For example - PIE! I don't think a pie could look more beautiful.Place settings adorned.Gorgeous table setting, helping us all feel like home and ready for gratitude.Back to the turkey - the unveiling! The ladies came out to see what we men had accomplished standing around in a circle chatting for an hour or two. Cameras even came out - what would this bird be?Gangsta. You might be looking at that and thinking its burnt. You'd be wrong. It was perfect.Fried turkey in all its glory.The excitement for friend turkey caused some people to get emotional and start hugging and being all tender - like Tyson and Kelli. I think her left hand is on his butt, but I can't confirm.More table as we prepared to sit down and eat and feast.The Thanksgiving crew with nearly all the kids asleep taking naps. A true Thanksgiving miracle!The hosts with the most pizzazz.Precious Alpha - the only kid who had woken up in time to watch us eat massive quantities of food.Us. Dinner was awesome and great conversation was had by all. I really wasn't expecting such an amazing meal and so chill and relaxing at that. Way to completely blow my expectations out of the water.Later when the babies got up we played and then did a mass-bathing event of crazy kid nudity and preciousness. I mean, naked babies in a tub...could you ask for more? This picture just reminds me how thankful we should be to have such great babies.Da kids.After the babies hit the hay, we stayed up for some adult fun. No, not that kind of adult fun sickos. I'm talking about the game where you have a bowl full of names and you do three rounds. One where you can describe the person, one where you have to act out the person, and lastly you get one word to describe the person. Team to get the most wins. Bad explanation, but you've probably played it. Caitlin, who is ultra competitive, started it out by trash talking.Tyson prepares the clock and gets ready to describe. When we got to the acting part things started getting awesome.Eventually the girls killed the boys at this game. How can we compete with them? They know so much more about celebrity gossip and other name driven crap. Also, they are smarter than us. And possibly more talented.

24 weeks later...

2011-12-23T09:24:00.000-06:00

Remember how Beeps is preggo maneggo?

Well - its been 24 weeks and this is what happens after 24 weeks of pregnancy. You get a precious bump. And there is a boy inside for Max and baby #2 to play with one day! Yeah!

Dama and Beeps Come to Town

2011-12-22T08:26:00.000-06:00

Right before Thanksgiving, Dama (Pam) and Beeps came to town to visit and play with Max. He loves his Dama and Beeps and was more than happy to have them around. On Saturday we went down for a free day at the Shedd Aquarium thanks to my company. There was a guy flying around a remote controlled shark that Max was pretty into...until...It got to close to him and then he was straddling Dama's legs to get away. But he couldn't take his eyes off of it.No, No, No shark. Don't eat Max's booty.Beeps and Mama teach Max about fishies and all sorts of sea creatures. I like to give Max an close and personal view of the turtles. Max has really been in to his stuffed turtle recently, so it was good timing.The Shedd Aquarium is basically Max's dream land because he loves whales, dolphins, sharks, fishies, and anything that is in the ocean or has to do with water. He could spend his whole life at Sea World if that were an option.One of Max's other buddies is his froggy - so it was awesome for him to see a real green frog. He loved the frogs. So did I - they were my favorite part.Dama, Max and Caitlin - creating memories galore.Let's not forget our friendly birds of the sea, the penguins. For some reason Max has never been that psyched about Penguins. You'd think that he would love them.Then it was time for the dolphin and whale show. Now let's be honest about something. Once you have been to Sea World...the Shedd Aquarium show is going to disappoint. How could it not? But it didn't phase Max that it wasn't as good...he still was transfixed by the animals. PLUS (like all animal shows), he got to enjoy a big bag of Cheetos while he was at it. So how could life get any better?Dama and Beeps - only moderately impressed by the show, but maximum impressed by Max.Seriously...this show was a bit boring.But hey, if it pleases the kid, then it pleases me. Thanks for coming Beeps and Dama!!! Come again soon!

Trick or SWEET!

2011-12-21T08:14:00.001-06:00

It was trick or treat time. Last year when we went out, Max was really too little to get it. This year I wondered if our burger would understand the magnitude of trick or treating - that you get free candy from any house you go to.It took Max about 2 houses to realize what was going on, and from that point he was 100% game. We'd get to a house, say trick or treat, and then choose one candy and put it in his bag. Amazing. Then I'd take him down the steps and he'd say, "AGAIN!"Max's girlfriend Alpha was there with us, and she was also loving it. There were times when she'd run to the next house.Trick or treating in Evanston is awesome because the houses are close together, so you can maximize the amount of candy you get.The Barlows were there with precious Elmo and Satan dog. And let's not forget Seth and Heather Ashton who brought a chicken and Spider Man!There came a point in the evening where Max basically committed to trick or treating until the city officially shut the thing down (which they do at like 7pm or something - isn't that crazy???).So even when the others had given up, he and Alpha were still going door to door begging for candy together. I couldn't have been prouder.The other great thing about Evanston? Full size candy bars...common and bountiful.I also appreciated when a house would go all out with their decorations - though it kind of scared some of the smaller kids. But that's the point, right?

We spent the rest of the evening at the Barlow's house eating soups, candy and letting the kids work out the rest of their energy. It was an awesome Halloween and I can't imagine what next year will be like when Max is faster and stronger. We're going to hit the whole city up for candy!!

Cheeseburger in Paradise

2011-12-20T07:48:00.000-06:00

One thing that Max really struggled with (and I struggled with) when we returned to Evanston was getting used to me not being around as much. In Florida I saw him for two hours every morning. I came home daily for lunch and was home usually by 5 or 5:30. Now I am gone when he wakes up, I don't come home for lunch, and I'm usually home by 6:30 or later.

So Saturdays have become sacred. He has already learned that Saturday means I'm around. If I walk into his room in the morning he'll say, "Saturday!" Its cute, but a bit sad if you ponder on it. So we take advantage of Saturdays to their fullest. One Saturday around Halloween we went to the Botanical Gardens to see their model train exhibit.
Max, the Boca Burger. He got all dressed up for the occasion.

The Botanical Gardens are one beautiful place, but this was my first time in the fall and the place was off the hook.I mean, you don't get much better days than this.They had died the water orange/fall yellow for the occasion. It kind of made the water look like glass.Max was all about his walking stick that day, and poking me in the eye with it the sneaky devil. Cutest burger on earth? Makes you want to eat him and love him.Then we got to the exhibit. There were hundreds of trains in this place going through all sorts of villages and towns and mountains. To say that Max was in heaven is the understatement of the century. He literally watched these trains in a trance for an hour or more.They were pretty impressive and intricate. Max would run from train to train watching them and then get distracted by the next train. He couldn't be bothered with photos or being held - he just wanted more, more, MORE!Then he learned that some witch was giving out suckers, and that pulled him away from the trains for a minute. This was his first look at what trick or treating could really mean, and he liked what he saw.Wait, you just walk up and someone gives you candy? Halloween is the BOMB!!!Then it was back to amazing trains.I think that Max is starting to realize that Halloween is truly the best holiday ever.They also had a costume dog parade at the gardens, and there were hundreds of dogs and their owners. I only got a few pictures, but it was pretty cute if you are in to that sort of thing. Which I am. And if you aren't, you heart is cold.Cowdog with chaps.I have to say that if I had a wiener dog it would be dressed up like a hot dog or possibly a phallic symbol. It just seems appropriate.Maybe one of Max's favorite days of his life. Also, how cute are winter hats on kids?The fam.Saturdays with DADA are the best!!!

Life Back in Evanston

2011-12-19T07:24:00.001-06:00

So I obviously haven't blogged in a while. It has been quite the transition coming back to Evanston. My new role at my company has been extremely busy and quite daunting in terms of getting up to speed. That combined with a new calling, moving, a broken computer, etc has led to an extreme lack of blogging. But I promise...we have been living. My hope is over the next few days I can catch you up on our world. Let me start by saying that we love being back in Evanston - it really is a place that feels like home. It was wonderful coming back in the fall. There is no season more amazing in Chicago than the fall. Any day we could, Max and I would take a walk to the park down the street from our apartment by Lake Michigan. Sometimes he'd bring his guys (Monkey and Froggy). Occasionally we'd stop to splash in some puddles.This is our new beach (not quite as warm as Fort Lauderdale - but still a beautiful beach). For the first few weeks Max called the lake "ocean" - but he eventually learned that it is called "Lake Michigan" and now can correctly identify it. I think the sand and water helped him make the transition from Florida to Illinois. Seriously, how cute is this kid.Once at the park, it is all slides all the time. The kid loves slides. Look at the smile on that face.More slides. And even the big slides Max will go down alone. He just can't get enough slides.Even when it leads to seriously wet bums in the fall rainy weather. Oh well, small sacrifice for fun.Max is slowly graduating to swings as well...with some trepidation.We started him in the training wheels of swings - the full seat.And it was a hit, but still doesn't touch a slide. Its nice that there are like three parks within a few blocks of our house because Max dug them all season. Can I also say that Max can sport a jean jacket like it is nobody's business?

More to come on Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Testosterone

2011-11-30T11:33:00.001-06:00

I'm sure you all know this through Facebook, but watch the video and enjoy Max's take on the gender of our upcoming baby.

YouTube Video

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

My Brain on Time

2011-11-06T08:16:00.001-06:00

I don't spend a lot of time alone. I am not the kind of person that needs much "me time" where I am not with someone, engaged in activity or conversation. So when I do get by myself (especially in a relaxing environment), my brain goes bonkers with all sorts of whatever thoughts.

Traveling alone is one of those times. Right now I am flying to Tampon, Florida and I am amused at the weird thoughts I get stuck on. Here are three examples:

1). I like square packaged Starburst more than the bagged kind. When they come in the normal long, rectangle package, then they alternate evenly between the four colors yellow, orange, pink and red. You always know what the next one is and you know you aren't getting too many or too few of any one color. You get color fairness. While that eliminates any chance that I will get extra pinks, I can trade that for the predictability. The bags of Starburst are just a bit too stressful.

2). Why did all the place settings at the Chili's Too restaurant have a REAL fork but a PLASTIC knife? What efficiency (time or money) could that provide? My first thought was too few clean knives...but that is ludicrous. If someone is cleaning dishes, they can clean the knives with the forks. Plastic doesn't cut better than metal AND they get thrown away, creating additional waste over metal.

3). The Delta flight I was on today still used a VCR!!!!! The tracking was off and it kept spinning. I suddenly felt like I was in the late 80s and I was trying to fix the tracking on the remote control. It was crazy. I thought about DVDs vs. VHS and realized that Max will never fix the tracking on a movie during a sleepover and I kind of felt sad for him in a weird way.

That is my brain on time. Any questions?

Tootsie 2011

2011-10-29T16:18:00.001-05:00

Max has a recent obsession with mama's shoes...

YouTube Video

Children of the Corn

2011-10-27T18:11:00.001-05:00

It's Halloween and Fall. We felt an immediate need to introduce Max to the most important holiday of the year. So we took him to Wheeler Farms' Halloween Festivities!

Pumpkins! Cute winter hats! Kids are just the most precious in the Fall.

Scary decorations...

I CAN'T LOOK! Please be a dream, please be a dream...

Far,s have tractors and stuff. What do you think about Max's interest in tractors these days?

Well...

Let's just say it is in the strong to ridiculously strong category.

Horsey!

Animals mostly just memorize Max to the point that he almost can't function.

He wasn't really feeling these corns. Did I mention he brought Monkey with him that day for protection? Recently Monks is going most places with us. And sometimes Froggy.

Corn. Caitlin "stole" some for decoration in our house.

Children of the Corn...scary indeed.

Happy Birthday Sonya!

2011-10-19T08:41:00.000-05:00

Ellen, don't be so depressed - its your daughter's birthday! That's right, Sonya was having a birthday and we were there to celebrate. This was due partly to the fact that the Henneman's decided to celebrate with some other friends up here in Evanston, making the commute to the party tooootally doable.The centerpiece of the party was this little critter - a pinata. Completely unbreakable this thing was. Even the adults struggled.Elmo. Not sure why I'm including this in this post...maybe because Max is obsessed with Elmo and everything is Elmo, Elmo, Elmo. Natalia takes a few worthy cracks at breaking this mother open, but to no avail. Birthday girl Sonya also took some solid wacks - but still no candy! Who would save the day?Maybe with a little daddy Scott assistance? Nope...still nothing.Super Max to the rescue!!! Hooray Super Max! Show that pinata whats up!Alright, I don't want to give the impression that max did it. In fact, I think it was the little girl bending over getting candy that finally cracked open the beast and spilled its sugary guts all over the lawn for the children to eat like zombies on human entrails. But whoever did it, Max reaped the benefits - so who cares? Here he is double fisting some suckers.Later Sonya opened some presents, including the bubble gun that we got her - which honestly she seemed pretty pumped about. So we feel good about that. It was great to see our friends Scott and Ellen again. Despite the fact that we live in the same city, the 45 minute commute can just seem so far and finding that perfect time for both families to get together is harder than you'd think. But we both need to try more.

Oh, and Happy Birthday Scott.

Don't Mess With My Domain

2011-10-18T08:36:00.000-05:00

Max has a new domain. Caitlin has created the perfect world for him right there in his very own bedroom. He has a new rug to drive cars and trains on, a huge storage facility for all his toys to keep them organized (party because Caitlin wants it, but Max also loves organization and order), a new chalk board to draw on and a big bed with LOTS of pillows. Man life is good.

Coming back to Evanston has been a great transition for Max. While he struggled a bit with me being gone an additional 3-4 hours a day than before, he has come to finally sleep. He sleeps all night in his crib and he takes naps in his crib for the first time since he was born. For Caitlin, it is a welcome change. Way to go Max! He's also eating more and with some more diversity. This kid is really growing up.

The Sun Set

2011-10-17T07:56:00.000-05:00

I realized that I never truly gave a proper good bye to Florida. The fact is, it was truly inspiration that we were led to Florida (it really was - re-read this post). Without Florida we would never have:

Healed from our wounds in the sunniest, most enjoyable environment for becoming whole again. While I was pissed for the first four months I lived in Florida because my shoulder injury kept me from enjoying it fully, I now realize that I could not have asked for a better place to have gotten better.Taken so many pictures of this beautiful woman by the ocean, a place that I love. I have always loved the ocean (I wanted to be a marine biologist for a good portion of my youth), and living next to it for 9 months was a gift.We would never have seen Max blossom in so many ways as he stood out on our balcony. He learned so much about the world from that balcony - cars, big trucks, fire trucks, airplanes, big bikes, sun, rain, plants, wind - you name it, he saw it from that balcony. It was his own special world that he loved for the entire time we lived there.I wouldn't have gone to Ultra Music Festival with my homie Mitch. It was awesome, we had a great time, and it made me appreciate my disappearing youth. I'm so glad I am unaware of my age.We would probably have never gone on the best Mulcock family vacation ever!!!I would not have gotten to see Max's expression when he saw dolphins, whales, walrus's, and sting rays for the first time. Its as if his mind had been blown 1000x in a millisecond. I didn't think he could appreciate it at such a young age, but he did. Even today he said walrus three times. We would never have learned how to fit in in the jet setting world of South Beach. Also, I may not have worked so hard to have that body...but since I had to show it off so often, it was worth maintaining the figure.And obviously and most importantly, we would not have met such amazing friends and people we'll love and miss forever. I'm not going to post pictures of everyone, but you know who you are. And Max. Max would never have benefited as he did from knowing these boys. Wow, I think this is the main reason we had to move to Florida...so Max could meet these amazing kids. I don't think Amber and Britt really know how much we loved having Max association with such wonderful, kind, energetic and special kids. I miss watching him play with them.

Florida, we miss you.

- love, Jeff

Any 2 Boobs Will Do

2011-10-12T06:05:00.000-05:00

The day after wedding:Sunday. We were all exhausted from two days of wedding partying. Caitlin and Shell thought it would be a fantastic idea to throw a big breakfast for the fam before everyone (mostly me) started taking off on planes to head home. We had cinnamon rolls and just talked about our adventures from the week and how crazy it was that Mike was married.It was good times with no glitz and glamour, just raw Mulcock fun.And delicious cinnamon rolls. While were sitting their talking, the doorbell rang. Mom went to get it and found a bag sitting on the doorstep. It was unmarked, so she assumed it was for Bree and Mike. Bree and Mike opened it - only to find enveloped with all of our names on them. We each opened our envelopes and found letters. So we started trying to spell something.There were lots of letters, so we stumbled at first. But something was starting to emerge. Eventually, we got this cryptic message! Yes, Any 2 Boobs indeed. We weren't sure what that was supposed to mean, but we assumed it was positive. Still unsure, we tried again and came up with this:And that's when it became evident: CAITLIN IS PREGNANT WITH BABY #2! She is due in April and was super, duper sick the whole trip - but she played it cool and no one suspected too much. We all huddled up with our letters and took the following family picture - or VIDEO! If you want a freakin' awesome surprise - watch this video now!!!

That's right! SHELL IS PREGNANT TOO AND DUE ONLY A FEW DAYS BEFORE CAITLIN! Shell would like to point out that she looks lame in this video because she felt awkward when no one freaked out immediately, but everyone was clearly dumbfounded, in shock, and full of disbelief. As proof that it had shock value, here is Pam with tears:

See - everyone was psyched.

An awesome moment that I was glad we all got to share together as a family without anyone missing! Congrats Caitlin and Shell (and Devin and Jeff for having awesome seed).

I Ain't Clownin' - This Party Rocked

2011-10-11T07:58:00.001-05:00

The next day was Mike and Bree's big reception back in Boise. Since they weren't planning on taking a honeymoon right after their nuptials, they decided to take the extra day to chill and get ready for the reception of the century! Max and Caitlin showed up basically looking amazing.The theme of the reception was carnival and their colors were carnival pink, purple and blue. It was mad awesome - they even had the best balloon maker I have ever seen in my life.Corey asked for a Goofy and he got it!Britt, on the other hand, asked for a penis - and he is not the kind of balloon maker to turn a woman down...so he made her one. She wouldn't let go of it for the rest of the night. Britt - always obsessed with male genitalia.Let's move from anatomy to treats! The cutest duck cup cakes ever to honor Mike and his obsession with ducks. Whats that? You don't know about his obsession with ducks? Well, then you don't know Mike a lick.Cracker jacks and other pop corn assortments.They had various delicious soda beverages to enjoy - Devin opted for the root beer to remember his own reception that involved root beer from the bottle.Big D doesn't pass up root brew ever.And Max does not turn down treats - EVER.One thing I loved about Mike's reception was the excuse it gave us all to catch up with old friends from our youth - like the Phelps.Some of our friends even have kids - big kids. It blows my mind how we are all aging.We paused at several moments amongst friends to photo with our relatives that we love.Mike and best bud Tom.Shell - feelin' up the plants. Looking at this picture, I'm surprised she didn't ask for the same balloon that Britt got.Hey its the Iversons!Shell, Pam and Stacey. Peeps.And other friends, like Jana!And E-Wood, bonding with Devin in ways they used to bond when roommates - through caressesTack on Ben and Nikki and bam you have yourself a party there sir.

In summary, I'm glad Mike got married because:

A) He brought awesome Bree into our family and we love her.

B) He gave us an excuse to party and hang out with people we love.

C) He scored me another trip to Boise in 2011. YES!

The Emergence of The Mulcocks Into Marital Glory

2011-10-10T06:12:00.001-05:00

Finally! The wait is over! I am here to report about Michael's actual wedding! I have been bombarded by your emails, your calls, and even your bomb threats, so I'm giving in and doing a report. Let's start with the wedding day:
First - the attendance. Jackie and Mar Mar were in town! Did I mention Mike got married in Twin Falls? Well, that's why the background looks the way it does.Peggy and Karen also came up from Salt Lake City!Aunt Nettie was there of course, receiving love from Shell.Grandpa support marriage, even with a thumbs up if it happens to be in the temple.You know who else supports Mike's marital vows? Jackie, Cory and Britt freakin' do.Grandma and Grandpa Mulcock are still a fantastic little couple. I just don't get to see these two wonderful grandparents enough.Mar Mar yet again with Stephen. Husband Barry was there, but I don't have photos of them until later.Because I got to busy capturing this! Michael and Bree emerging from the temple in all their vowed glory! Look at the shine! The newness! They seemed happy. My report about their wedding was that it went really well and that they both seemed so excited and appropriate and together. I had all the right feelings going on inside me, and a few I didn't want to have (I had gas. But I always have gas).From the back side. Bree's dress was awesome.Hugs with fathers give me the chance to capture Bree's amazing, handmade brooch bouquet.Mike's suit was not boring item either. If I could tell you the long, arduous story of how he finally found the right suit I would...but its too long and arduous.Mulcock siblings and spouses, all there to congratulate!More specifically, let's focus in on the spawn of Pam and Dave. A good lookin' bunch.Speaking of Pam and Dave, let's bring em' on in! They looked great and Mom had on a hot number (actually, I think it was linen, so it was probably more cool than hot).Devin and Caitlin and Max. Sometimes I think they are starting an alliance to get rid of us. But probably not.I understand this face...it almost looks like an amazing ice cream cone.Stephen's like a good lookin' ice cream cone in this picture...a human cone.Dama (grandma) spent some time with Max, who was getting bored of watching us take photos in the sun.And for all her attention and hard work, Max peed on her. How do we reward him for this terrible behavior?With ice cream in his diapers! We had a short 2 hour drive to get back and start Mike and Bree's wedding dinner (reception was the next day).Let me just say that the dinner was awesome. Fun, delicious, classy, humorous, friendly, and all around enjoyable.It involved good friends all grown up like Thomas and Lindsey.The cute couple had changed and got all comfortable for the dinner - ready to be praised and loved and even roasted a bit.People were intrigued why there were many Tiffany's boxes on each table. Just a little parting gift. Even Tiffanys support Mike and Bree.Time for cutting the cake! While its always fun watching the groom and bride cut the cake, sometimes its fun to watch the audience.So much love in the room.Stephen - an amazing orator and brother.The party table right here for real.Four generation photo! YES! Do you see the resemblance.

And here is what its all about - these two and their special day. Love them and so glad Bree is officially in our family!!!

I Did Not Die

2011-10-04T08:32:00.001-05:00

Hey peeps,

I did not die. I am back in Chicago with the fam and our house is a disaster and our boxes haven't arrived and transitioning to a new job is a bit loco...but I swear I will be back with a vengeance to post mike wedding pics! I'm not a slacker...I'm doing the work, but check it out I'm in really bad shape.

Forgiveness is next to godliness...or something like that.

Jeff

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Food in Da Belly

2011-09-27T22:14:00.001-05:00

I just drove from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago. I had been excited about this drive from the day I arrived in Florida. I LOVE driving. I love to see America and listen to music and think. It is probably the most relaxing activity I can think of, especially when I am alone or just with Caitlin (sorry Max...you make driving less fun for now).

Another thing i love is eating what I want, where I want, when I want. Here is a snapshot of the last few days in the world of my stomach.

Jacksonville, FL: Clark's Fish Camp. Flounder stuffed with scallops and cheese and shrimp.

Hush Puppies!

Cole slaw, crab cakes and creamed peas. Bye bye south.

Ashburn, GA: Waffle House

Sunny side up eggs and hash browns and toast.

One delicious waffle at affordable prices!

Everywhere, America: about 370oz of Mountain Dew and peanut butter M&Ms.

Chattanooga, TN: hot tamales that will blow your mind at Champy's Famous Fried Chicken.

Hot tamale with Cole slaw and hot sauce. I won't ever eat a hot tamale without Cole slaw again.

Tennessee hot sauce in Tennessee. Why not?

Huge fried chicken breast with a ton of meat...on bread.

Break: Ale 8 soda in Kentucky.

Lexington, KY: buffalo chicken pizza at Mellow Mushroom.

Lexington, KY: crawfish étouffée on rice!

Somewhere near Indianapolis: Red Robin. Never gets old.

How We Do at Dama's House

2011-09-20T20:41:00.002-05:00

After some awesome days at Nana's house, it was time to drive to Boise to spend the week with Dama and Papa D and Mikey and Beeps and Bodge and Feef. Dama had purchased many fun toys for Max to enjoy so that her house would be a wonderland of fun. This included big trucks, little trucks, bath toys, books, and other games. All of them were warmly accepted by Max. We spent many hour outside filling up these little trucks with Ro-Ros.You can never have enough Ro-Ros in trucks, can you?We also kicked it in the big chair eating hot dogs while watching Elmo on Papa D's Apple TV. Man life is good when you have instant Elmo Youtube videos on your TV.Max's biggest interest while at home was Limon. He kept saying, "Bird...Mon" and then going and trying to get him to come out of his cage. He'd beg him using little plastic balls and raisins and was occasionally successful. Even after getting bit once he's still try and touch Limon. They ecame close friends I feel.Another one of his best friends was Bodge. He loves Bodge. They would play with Wall-Reese and boonyas and other toys together until mom and dad would come save Bodge.This is our white trash night. Why do I have Max in just a diaper at a restaurant? Well, because he peed through his diaper all over his shorts right before leaving to the restaurant. I tried to try them off by hanging them out the window while we drove, for which I got mocked by passing cars more than once. When they weren't dry I gave up and just brough him in pantless. "No shoes, no shirt, no service?" There ain't nothing in there about pants sucka! Max got to eat so many things no baby should be allowed to eat on this trip...including tater tots and ice cream for their dinner. But vacation rules, right?

Okay, I'll quit stalling...next will be the wedding. I promise.

And Best Idaho State Fair Award Goes To...

2011-09-16T09:01:00.000-05:00

On our way back to Boise we stopped at the Eastern Idaho Fair. I had heard ENDLESS stories about how the EIF was THE BEST FAIR EVER on the PLANET and that is SMASHED the Western Idaho Fair. Seriously, I think I have heard about how awesome the EIF was from my in-laws at least 20 times since joining the family. I was always skeptical...so far Boise had proven to be better than anything East Idaho. Why stop now? Well, here is the rundown:
1. Rides: A Tie. While the WIF may have a few more, they both have the essentials, including The Zipper. So they tie.
2. Livestock: A Tie again. Both have about the same amount and the same animals.
3. Local art/crafts/etc: Another tie. A ton of mediocre art and crafts everywhere you look winning awards.
4. Food: Clearly the EIF is the winner here. Way more food and local booths, not the standard fair crap you see at the WIF. Amazing food.
5. Entertainment: The WIF wins here...but who really goes for entertainment? Not me. Unless the Beastie Boys are playing the fair, I could care less.

So in the end the EIF wins, mostly based on food. Also, it has a more local feel than the WIF. I like that local vibe...its what fairs should be all about. So you win Judes and Lynn. You win.
This is the first thing we found at the fair...and you know Max spent hours in this kids land of cars. He was in heaven. Best fair ever!I mentioned the food. Well, I got me a fresh prime rib sandwich from Doug's Meats in Shelley, Idaho. Unreal and delicious...covered in fat and juice and wow.Other delicious possibilities.A place that sells bread...you see what I'm saying about more local food options?Max had been begging all morning for some "frensh fries", so he got them and loved them. Jonathon got one of those glazed donut burgers. I think it did a major number on his stomach...but it was worth it in the moment.All the delicious sugar and fat and salt can sometimes make kids go Coo Coo!Kristin shows off the gigantic slab of meat she was consuming off the bone. Then it was time to see livestock! This was another reason for coming to the fair because Max is obsessed with animals right now. It was as expected...he was transfixed, hypnotized, enthralled (you get it) with all the animals.He got to pet bunnies!Little Ryan was just happy when someone gave him some attention, especially attention from his dad. Real cute kid.Butts. Max kept saying "mooooo" to the cows. He wanted to talk to them so bad.Hello sheep...my name is Max. Will you let me pet you? I so very much want to.Hello goat...you kind of scare me with your horns. Enough animals, it was RIDE TIME! The rest of the cousins had been eagerly awaiting their turn on the rides.Abigale, Lidia and Ben went on the boats...Max freaked out and we had to take him off. Sorry kid, just not ready for that one I guess.But he was ready to go on the "big cars" with his dad, which he loved.I'm not kidding, he loved. "More big car?" he questioned when I took him away. I guess he doesn't understand how expensive those ride tickets are.

Well EIF...you are something special. I will visit you again and proclaim your glory to others (but not with as much vigor as some other people I know)

Say Cheese

2011-09-15T06:57:00.000-05:00

What started as a quick family photo with the Tanners during our visit to Victor morphed into something crazy...crazy awesome. Here is the results of the madness that took place. I must warn you, some of these pictures turned out good...especially anything with Caitlin in it.

All in all, not a bad photo shoot. Those pictures of my man boobs and balding could probably use some Photoshop though.

Victor was SICKtor (that's a good thing)

2011-09-14T07:32:00.006-05:00

Max...you precious little darling boy. So innocent, so precious - SO obsessed with bikes. While my time in Victor was short (only Sunday really), about 80% of it was spent with Max in this exact place - the garage sitting on big bikes. You'll notice he is in his pajamas. The second I came downstairs with him to get milk, he shouted, "BIG BIKES" and pointed at the garage. That is where we stayed for a long, long time. It was fine by me...it brings me joy to watch him be so passionate about one thing.So in celebration of Big Bikes, we decided to go on a family bike/walk around the neighborhood. While we only went a few blocks, some were prepared with Camelbacks just in case we got lost or stranded or attacked by a bear.Max and his little homie Ryan in the stroller. Max doesn't make it very long in the stroller any more...he wants to be on his feet.Precious family members enjoying a chance to talk while the kids busy themselves with biking.Here is the Victor neighborhood - quite beautiful if you ask me. When we got home we did more of, you guessed it, BIG BIKES! I spent a solid 2-3 hours with Max repeating the same thing over and over. We would start up in the garage on our respective bikes (Max had a bigger one than me) and then we'd peddle them down the driveway until we landed in the grass. Please note that Max would always have the helmet hanging from the handlebars. If it fell off, he would immediately replace it where it belonged. Hilarious.The end of our track, with Max replacing the helmet back on the handlebars.The older cousins are really starting to play together and have lots of fun. Its cute to see them interact and play games.Max is still working on playing. He loves other kids, but he doesn't necessarily play. His biggest love/hate relationship is with his closest cousin Will. They will hug one minute and then fight over a toy the next. Case in point - Max decides to chill in Ryan's little bouncy seat. A cute moment so I get out the camera.Will decides he wants in on that (who wouldn't) so he plops down there with Max, who immediately tries to push him out.Unsuccessful. Max, you still haven't learned lesson number one about life as my son. Rule #1: Almost 90% of kids will be bigger and stronger than you. Don't get into fights.Kristin cooked us all a "last day in Victor" meal of amazingness - Thai noodles and summer rolls.It was basically amazing and I ate like 9 of these summer rolls. It helps to have a woman who lived in Asia for like 8 years behind the stove.Brady, Kristin and Will. Some great peeps.Jonathon and Carley - great peeps and clowns.

I can't tell you how much I have to report about this this trip. Let's keep this thing going and see how long it lasts.

Reason for the Season

2011-09-13T07:45:00.003-05:00

I took about 950 pictures while in Idaho this past week...so clearly I'm going to have to do some editing for the posts about the trip. I decided to start it off with the reason for the season - which was Michael and Bree's wedding. The celebration started off right with both of their first visits to the temple. For those Mormon readers out there, then you know what a big deal this is for our family and for the couple. We were so excited for them.Big D - a happy dude and Michael's guide for the day.The family plus Bree's mom and minus Caitlin outside. Michael and Bree had to go to the Twin Falls temple because the Boise temple apparently is under reconstruction/redesign for the next year or so. I didn't complain...there was a Cafe Rio in Twin Falls and it was closer to the Victor, Idaho where I was staying at the time.The happy couple. Only a week until their wedding and Bree seemed calm and ready, despite the storm of work she was about to undergo in preparation.Much more to come about these two. It was a great day and totally worth the 8-10 hours of driving I did that day. Congrats dudes!

Idaho is SLAMMIN'

2011-09-05T09:05:00.000-05:00

Here is how I feel about being in Idaho right now:

Quit Hating On My State

2011-09-02T07:50:00.000-05:00

Yeah. This is where I be - starting tonight! All you suckas who be hating can just eat my spuds, duds. If I go dark on the blog its cause I got better things to do...like, er, um...stuff with the fam I guess. OH, and the Eastern Idaho Fair. OH, and my brother is getting married. OH, and whatever else I want to do, GOSH!

Souf Beach

2011-09-01T12:33:00.005-05:00

So its time for more detail on the weird wild weekend (triple dub) with Mala and Bek. Not that it is new news or anything...you've probably already heard all you want to know from Facebook or Bek's blog. But just keep reading or I'll cut you.

What you didn't hear about was our mad crazy Saturday in Naples. We all bought shirts that said, "SHOW ME YOUR NAPLES, BEACH" and ate Einstein Bagels on the beach until we threw up. It was crazy...you had to be there. No way were we taking pictures of that debauchery.

But we did take pictures on Sunday of our rompings in South Beach. Went a little sumfin like dis:
Pimp daddy Max and fam went to church...cause that's how we do. Even in his gospel clothes Max be sippin' on water and juice (laid back).For newcomers - the point was we were celebrating Bek's 30th birthday. She had this whole amazing weekend planned for Puerto Vallarta that totally went bust thanks to power outage, so they super rudely just showed up at our house and told us to entertain them. When Bek tells you to entertain her, you do it. She brought her new boy toy Kyle (aka Vince Vaughn).First afternoon stop was Shake Shack on Lincoln street. You see, maybe you didn't know, but Shake Shack is good. Max even likes their basil ice cream. A kid that likes basil but not chicken nuggets? Who is this kid?Gross...Kyle had food in his mouth while he took this picture. That makes me sick.Oh crap...I be the pot that's callin' the kettle black. My bad.Mala. She just posin' yo. Its what we did a lot of. We were in South Beach...we had to act like posers.See what I'm talking about? Max and I put on our best "we sluts in South Beach" face for this photo. Caitlin puts up with a lot, doesn't she? She's quickly becoming the mother of a mini-me. Bless her heart.Kyle tried on a sexy Penguin swim suit. OH SNAP! I already had mine on...all I had to do was drop my drawers. Can I say one of the cutest things Max does is when he just sits down on a step. I don't know why, it just kills me. He's like a little adult. The other day I peeked in on him in nursery and he was sitting in one of those mini chairs and I just started bawling it was so cute. I'm such a smoosh.And then it was beach time! We basically raced down there, pushing children and homeless people out of our way. Kyle and Mala got into a little scuffle about who got to be first on the sand. Kyle won.Them, gloating and celebrating.But Kyle and Bek aren't all bad. In fact, they kind of rock...especially as a couple. Mala also rocked it. Normally many men would be coming over to talk to her...but there were a lot of naked women on this beach. Its hard to see anything but boobs when you are in South Beach. Sorry Mals.You know what else South Beach saw? Us. Freakin' us, cute as can be and loving our lives.Max gave his patented "I'm stoned on Cheetos" face. Here's the secret: get super tired, drink about 9 boxes of juice and several hand fulls of Cheetos and then just let biology do the rest.We grabbed some snacky poos at Spris..like quinoa salad!And huge pizza sandwiches that blew minds!Party people doing what we know best - having a blast. Wish you could have been there...but you weren't invited.

OUTY

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

2011-08-30T07:05:00.002-05:00

Guess who came in to town this weekend for some romping in the sand?These classy ho's - Bek and Mala. These women couldn't wait to get their grubby little hands on Max and spoil him rotten with attention and love. Also, it was a bonus that Caitlin and I were there.

But they didn't just take, take and take like they might do when they come to visit you. No, they gave too. Mala, for example, brought love in the form of treaty heaven. Just to make you wet your pants with envy, she brought four Levain Bakery cookies.OH CRABBITS that's good. I believe Bek, when given her first bite of this cookie, told everyone to "shut their effing mouths" so she could truly soak up the flavor and joy in silence.She didn't stop there. Mala also brought donuts from the Doughnut Plant.Tres Leches, Green Tea, Carrot Cake - WHT WHT WHT? (missing the "A" cause these doughnuts had already kicked our A's forward and backward until they didn't exist).

I'm sure you're curious as to how we spent our weekend after fattening up. Well. I'll tell you. But not today.

More Max Musings

2011-08-26T06:50:00.003-05:00

More info on the kid. In this rainy summer season, Max has discovered a growing obsession with water...particularly puddles. This is very much his age and he can't help it. Something about puddles draw new walkers to them. He can't get enough splashing around.I'm cool with it. A child should explore and get wet.He also has a healthy obsession with coloring and stickers. You'll notice the two stickers on his nose. He can walk around with stickers attached to his face for hours.Some things, on the other hand, never change...like Max's disillusion with eating proper nutrition or food in general. Grandma Judes sent us a gift in an effort to curb that issue. Max likes gifts, so he was pumped.The first gift to come out was an amazing block puzzle about transit - trucks, cars, trains, and boats. Max loves transit. He was besides himself.

The kid can already identify every block and put it back appropriately.

And then the kicker - a cool plate with different sections and a figurine spoon. YES!

Life Is Unfair

2011-08-24T09:56:00.003-05:00

My mom always said "Life is Unfair." I knew she was right...but I didn't know how right until this week when I got seriously hosed over by mother nature (that skank). I have wanted to be in an earthquake FOREVER and what happens? Colorado and New York/DC get earthquakes in 24 hours. Boo - unfair!

To add insult to injury, the lame hurricane is going to pass like a million miles off the east coast of Florida and totally miss us. Life is SOO unfair!

If there is an earthquake in Chicago next month before I get there I'm going to really get mad. If there is a hurricane and earthquake and tornado at the same time I just don't know what I'll be capable of. Could life get that unfair?

signed - Drama King

Sea World #2: I Never Said It Would Be Easy, Just Worth It

2011-08-23T07:50:00.001-05:00

Carrying on with our amazing day at Sea World! After the carousel, we made our way over to check out some other kid rides. I really didn't know that Sea World even had rides...I don't remember that from my visit to San Diego as a kid. Anyway, we found some steel drums for Max and Owen to bang on for a bit - sometimes with a juicy hanging from their mouth.Max has a love for drumming in a big way - particularly since he found his uncle Mike's drums in Papa D's garage a while back.We went on this crazy boat ride that twirls and spins and goes up and down. I was positive it would make me nauseous - and it did. But we had a great time anyway. Guess who else liked it - MAX! Okay, I'm not sure he liked it. I think he was in a heat coma at that point and wasn't really reacting to anything.But man did we react! T.Rex and JayMoo in da hizouse!See Max down by my stomach. He was just drinking some juice and chillin.So after that ride was over we headed into the very cool arctic house to learn about what would become one of Max's favorite animals so far. But first, the Beluga dolphin/whale (what is that thing?)If felt amazing in here. Whoever said it was a good idea to go to Sea World in August in Florida was really fooling themselves.Max and mama, learning about the cold, snow and ice...getting Max ready to go back to Chicago for the shock of his life.Max's new favorite animal!!! WALRUS! Max said there with bug eyes saying "wall reese" over and over and over and over. "More wall reese?" He loved this big tub of lard.Owen and Max, enthralled.Seriously, he couldn't take his eyes of the walrus. He would later say walrus over and over for the next few days.And finally it was Shamu time baby. By now Max was pretty tired, but he still had enough juice (both metaphoric and real juice) to enjoy a 45 minute killer whale show.Yo mama - check it out! Thems whales is crazy!And then he was pretty much done. We gave him the rest of his cheetos to polish off and he collapsed into the stroller. It was raining a bit and we were sure that we'd be leaving.I mean - how do you force a precious face like this into standing around any longer?Well, me and T.Rex - we jerks like that. We really wanted to go on the Manta roller coaster. Right when we got there it closed for technical difficulties and lightening. Before we knew it, we were first in line! How could we leave when we had this amazing chance???With my hair I was BARELY tall enough to go on the ride...another sign that this just had to be!Sorry Owen, you don't quite make it yet. Maybe next year.And then we waited, and waited, and waited, and waited. They said it was for lightening, but the skies were basically blue for 40 minutes while we stood there. We held our ground. We knew the second we stepped out of that line, the ride would start. And that is EXACTLY what happened. But the people were nice enough to let us back in - mostly because we had crazy cute kids running around and wives who had suffered a long time just so we could ride the roller coaster.VICTORY!!!! And we were offffffffffffff!!!!And it was amazing! We got the last row for the mad-G-force and crazy turns. It was super rad and a ride of the century...very much like Superman at Six Flags. You go Sea World.

Then we headed home. Max slept the entire way back to Fort Lauderdale. So cute. While we know he will forget this day, we'll always have pictures to prove it when we can't afford to take him later in life. Sucka!

Sea World #1: The Seadoctrination of Mittoo

2011-08-22T07:54:00.000-05:00

SEA WORLD TIME! We were there and ready to experience all the Sea World had to offer. I hadn't been to Sea World since we went in San Diego when I was in Jr. High School, so I was pretty pumped. I've always been a lover of things in the ocean - but I was extra excited because Max has an obsession with animals and fishies. It really was a recipe for awesomeness.First stop - Sting Rays. Having just enjoyed a trip to Sting Ray City in Grand Cayman, we thought we'd bring the boys over to try it out. Max was enthusiastic at first to see the water.And then he saw these bad boys and was back in mama's arms pretty quick. In some ways Max can be a real timid dude, particularly around animals. But he loves them. Owen, T.Rex and B.Rex were not timid and were loving the sting rays. I think this is an amazing family picture (well, except Colette is not there). Sometimes you just have to let Mittoo know that everything is okay and he slowly warms up to touching an animal. Here he is completely fascinated by the sting rays and gathering up his courage to touch them. This "shocked, fascinated, mind-blown" face is something you are going to see a lot from our day at Sea World. He eventually got down and touched a sting ray. Good job Max!Fresh of his sting ray experience, Max was ready for more and more and MORE. So we took him to a small dolphin show. Again - transfixed and obsessed. "MOM! Are you seeing this???"So cute.Occasionally the dolphins would splash the crowd and Max would get all excited by the action.And of course they did lots of awesome jumps and tricks the blew Max's mind.Caitlin and Max - loving their lives.Then we headed over to the larger, more official dolphin show because Max was not ready to be done with the dolphins yet. Picture posing time.It was a whole fairy tale show. I have to laugh about this chick in pink. She had to do the most ridiculous stuff, like dance for 10 minutes at a time while the dolphins did tricks. The fact is that she probably was just a science geek who really wanted to interact with dolphins and somehow she got hired by Sea World and ended up being a pink princess + dolphin trainer and she hates her life.But even if she did hate her life - Max LOVED his life. Look at that face. His mind is right in the middle of being blown to goo. Also, those are Cheetos all over his face. He rediscovered his love for Cheetos on this trip.These dolphins could get some serious synchronized air.And do cool flips and stuff. Why wouldn't Max's mind be blown?And Owen's. Let's not forget that Owen was loving his life as well. I won't be surprised if both of these kids have a phase where they want to be marine biologists.And then there is precious Colette. Here she is thinking, "Are you #$%&$% kidding me? You have me out in this #%!& heat to watch @#%#$& fish jump around? What a @*%& joke!" Colorful Colette, but it was hot so I can't blame you for the curse words.The colorful finale with the sun burst.After the dolphin show we needed a bit of a break. T.Rex and B.Rex went on the Kracken roller coaster and we fed the kids some ice cream. Yes, ice cream. That was all we could get Max to eat. We even put ice cream in a thing of peanut butter in hopes he'd eat some PB. Nope. Oh well. Then Max napped for a solid 45 minutes.And so did Colette. She had had enough for a while. Then we went over to the kid's rides for a bit. Max was not really feelin' sitting on the sea horses, but he was 100% down for riding on the bench with Mama. I think we rode this carousel 7 times at a minimum.That was fine with Owen, since he is a carousel fan as well.Dada and Max. Do you love our colorful t-shirts?Sup Caitlin!!!I love this picture of Max and I staring at each other smiling on the carousel. He really was the happiest kid on earth - and it was only 2pm! What would the rest of the afternoon hold for these adorable kids and their parents???

Candy Land is Satan's Game

2011-08-19T06:40:00.006-05:00

The other night we were babysitting some kids and they were just precious little gems. No malice, no bickering, no crybabyisms. Just pure-gold children - age 5 and 3 I believe. As we were hanging out, the kids decided to bust out Candy Land. It was then I learned a valuable lesson:

CANDY LAND IS SATAN'S GAME

Think about it. This game has always been billed as "A Child's First Game." In what freaking way is Candy Land even remotely a good game for children? The rules are not that complicated, I will give you that. But It has a ton of pieces to lose and many cards to bend and rip. The board is ridden with colors and curves and images that make it confusing and sloppy. Additionally, the game revolves around punishment and broken dreams. Every time a child thinks they have done well, they are punished and sent backwards by some crappy card - hurting feelings and teaching the child that, "Hey, you SUCK"...even if it is a game of chance.

But worst of all - the game's sole purpose is to teach children to cheat. What child does not cheat at this game? I mean, why wouldn't you? Since Candy Land makes you a slave to luck and disappointment, you'll do anything to avoid a setback. The only way to do that is to cheat. No manner of skill can help you...just cheating. So all kids do it...whether its making someone turn their head so they can stack the cards or just making up new rules that protect only them from disaster.

Seriously - what kind of hellish game is this??? It will not be in my home.

Hugs Can Be Dangerous

2011-08-18T07:58:00.000-05:00

I'll get to Sea World in a minute (and technically this is part of Sea World), but I needed to warn you about something. Hugs. They are dangerous. When executed incorrectly, they can lead to pain and even death. You think I'm joking, but the following three pictures will prove my point visually for your hungry eyes.

Owen approaches Max, both very willing and excited about giving each other a hug after a long, exciting day at Sea World. They are tired, but the love is there so they go in...a bit sloppily. Hug connection is made, but in the moment they both get tired and lean in a little bit too much, resting their weary heads on each other's shoulders.

And boom - catastrophe. Max lays out Owen on the pavement.

We were lucky that no one was seriously injured. Be careful next time you engage in sloppy hugging.

Spirtual Saturday Before the Night of Sexy.i.Scream

2011-08-17T07:39:00.000-05:00

Clearly from my last post we went out of town last weekend. Yes, it was that time of the month again! No...not menstruation but spiritualization! (this means we went to Orlando to visit the LDS temple that is there and the closest one to us in Fort Lauderdale). We actually drove up late on Friday night and bummed off our boy T.Rex who had a pimped out condo-pad for work with two bedrooms. Saturday we woke up and took turns going to the temple while the other couple watched the three kids (Max, Owen and Collette of 3 months). It was a spiritual feast...but we left the temple physically starving. So we decided to celebrate T.Rex and B.Rex's recent birthdays by going out to dinner at some place I can't remember the name of!We ordered quick and the server started bringing us heavenly goodness in no time!Popcorn Shrimp in da house y'all! The sauce on this shiz was divine, nearly sacred. I would have liked about triple the amount of shrimp that comes with it though, you know?Now, eating with two, two year old kids is no easy feat. It requires intense planning, tricky diversions, and lots of patience. It also requires leaving a phat tip because these whirlwinds create havoc and disaster in their path. One dude came up to Caitlin recently and told her she should nickname Max "Tornado" for the wreck he leaves behind him every time he eats out. We tried crayons and books and toys...and they worked! (for about 20 minutes)My meal - lime chicken with the best effin mash potatoes I have ever had in my life. I'm not kidding. They had three cheeses, insane amounts of butter, salt to perfection and corn mixed in. Jimminy Josephat!T.Rex also got some chicken and was uber pleased. I think his involved cinnamon? I can't confirm that...but I bet he can.B.Rex basically ordered an entire animal and got the full rack of ribs. Look at Collette...I honestly think she's about to say, "d*** mom. That is some serious meat!"While we pondered dessert, cute Owen and Collette cuddled. I think I was running around chasing Max through the restaurant during the taking of this photo.Speaking of Owen, can I say that Max is currently obsessed with Owen? I think this photo really captures their relationship. They are in the process of giving each other a hug...but at the same time they are throwing some punches. Max is pushing and look at Owen's left fist. Its a love/love/hate/love relationship. I think pretty healthy for babies.And we were done eating and not a moment to soon! Max was seconds from going ape.It being a birthday celebration, ice cream was necessary. While Caitlin sampled 50 flavors, T.Rex sucked the last bit of cream off his taster spoon. This inspired a series of shots I call "sexy.i.scream". Enjoy:Emotional, poignant, sexy, raw. Those are the words that this brief art piece puts in my head.Again, baby Collette's like, "what the freak was that all about? These people are jacked up." I'm not sure where she learned that language, but I'm thinking Aunt Caitlin.Max and Owen had a great time hanging out all day long. But it was nothing in comparison to what they would experience the next day at SEA WORLD SUCKAS!!!!

An Image of Things To Come

2011-08-16T10:00:00.002-05:00

Question: Why is Max's face covered in Cheetos as he points to an object unseen? Why is his face filled with mystery and wonder? Why is he unquestionably TRANSFIXED?

The second I get 20 minutes to do a blog post on it, you will know. For those of you who are friends with Caitlin on Facebook, you probably have a pretty good idea where we were on Sunday.

Sleepy Time Guy

2011-08-12T07:46:00.002-05:00

Sometimes you may think that Max goes, goes, goes and goes without ever stopping. Sometimes even WE feel like the kid never stops. But his wild-n-crazy South Florida lifestyle of playing, swimming, beaching, museuming, shopping and parking sometimes tires this kid out. Here is some pictorial proof:
Seconds from passing out in the car. He's been at the beach so he won't close his hands because they are sticky from salt water.Taking a breather at home on some pillows that he drug off the bed. He likes to find comfortable little zones for himself to rest and ponder the world.Finally, his money zone - kicking it with Monks held tightly in his arms while he sleeps on an adult-size pillow in his crib. The day we put a pillow in there was one of the best days ever. He loves it.

Nigh Nigh kid.

King of the Bobas

2011-08-10T08:39:00.000-05:00

Behold! Max's thrown!The other day we were at Publix Grocery getting some Moose Tracks Ice Cream and a movie. Max found this big stack of these baby chairs. He became completely enthralled by the chairs, so much so that we had to purchase one and bring it home with us. He loves it. On Friday night we went out for a walk and Max not only insisted, but DEMANDED, that we let him ride on top of the chair in the wagon. So basically, he looked like this:A king on his thrown - "OFF WITH HIS HEAD!" he'd scream. Okay, actually he is pointing to the sky and squealing "airplane - airplane" in this photo. Still, epic.Here he is pointing out that he could see his favorite elephant statues."Efant, efant!"Once passed the elephants, he was back to being king and feeling concern for his kingdom and its people. Its a lot of work being a king - sometimes you need to just take a snack break.So we stopped by our local self-serve yogurt shop and got him a bowl of "bobas." Bobas are basically fish egg looking balls filled with fruit juice. He doesn't want yogurt, he just wants bobas. You'll notice that he has bobas down his shirt.Oh man those bobas are something good. Best $1.50 we spend for this kid - nothing makes him happier.We walked him down to the water's edge by our house and let him play for a while. His first mission - finish the bobas!Then, practice pulling the wagon and takingit around from place to place.Then some hug time with mama. Even a king needs his mama from time to time.Together they learned about the moon, water, big boats, airplanes and many other crucial things. He learns like 90% of his stuff from mom.From dad he gets a lot of crazy goose time.Like how to give each other "beep beeps" on the belly button and tickle and scream and chase and all that good stuff.Crazy kid! I'm sure he saw another big boat in this picture and wanted a better look.And the Max helped me pull the wagon (and chair - still mounted firmly inside) home. It wasn't until we got home that the sugar from the bobas really started to kick in and this was the amazing results:

Four Years Could Fill A Book's Worth

2011-08-09T07:59:00.000-05:00

Yep. Thursday was Caitlin and my 4th anniversary. I can't believe it has only been four years since we tied the knot. I feel like I have lived my whole life with Caitlin by my side - but I guess there was a time where we were not together.Obviously some presents were in order. I decided to get all "art project" on my wrapping. So I got all these colored balls and glued them on the paper wrapping. I figure that was a lot more fun than some boring wrapping paper that costs $5. It ended up being an explosion of fuzz with a misshapen "I Heart U" on it. But hey, I had fun with it.You know who else immediately had fun with the packaging of this gift? You guessed it! Mittoo. He BEGGED to get his hands on it the second I brought it out. In no time he was ripping all the balls of and throwing them around. He is probably still in my room throwing those balls as I type this two days later.

I got Caitlin a Kindle. Ho hum, right? I mean, buying a Kindle these days is like buying lunch - or so I've heard. Well, if you look closer at her Kindle, you'll notice that she already has a book uploaded by JayMoobian. I contracted JayMoobian to write Caitlin's an amazing 35 page story about us. He did an amazing job. She laughed, she cried...the works. Success!

(If you are slow...Jaymoobian is me)You already know what I got - my new Nikon! I promise new Nikon D90...I will not ruin you like the last one. I won't let you get wet, especially with salt water and I will never let Max touch you or keep you in low areas where you can be man handled by the child. Those are the new rules.

After some gift giving we headed out to dinner. I just learned that some couples take turns planning their anniversary night out. Not so here - I plan activities for the evening. I chose to drive Caitlin up to West Palm Beach to hit a vegan restaurant called Darbster. Reviews were solid...so we ventured north.Can I just say that both vegan experiences I have had were unreal delicious. Even the vegan raw meals I have had were exceptionally tasty. Darbster was the best so far. Above - Avocado Gazpacho with sprouts and miso. So good.Our only "raw" dish of the night - Tostadas. This was a walnut pate wrapped in lettuce and served with cashew "cheese" and homemade guacamole and pico de gallo. Guys, I was so mad when this was over. I wanted more and more. Caitlin and I fought with our fingers to lick up the last bit of cashew cheese. Best dish of the night.Palm Cakes. These are their vegan spin on crab cakes - instead made with hearts of palm and lemon pine nut sauce. Very inventive. The palms felt and almost tasted like crab, and the sauce was scrumpdiddly. No wonder it is a house specialty.Entrees: This was a special of the night, so I don't have exact details on what is in here...but basically it is a chicken marsala. But obviously not chicken...instead gardein with portabello mushrooms over season polenta cakes. The sauce was rad...but the mushrooms made the meal here. Very wise choice on our part. Finally, pizza. We got sucked in by the goat cheese, shitaki and portabello mushrooms. When we got it, we realized that a vegan restaurant wouldn't serve real goat cheese, so it was a goat cheese imitation. Our initial disappointment turned to delight - this pizza rocked. The crust was doughy and full of grain. All around delicious and we took a lot of it home for lunch the following day. We had basically stuffed ourselves with healthiness.The location? Initially it seemed like this was in the heart of "South Side West Palm" which is about as ghetto as WPB can get. But it was right on the water and ambiance was great. Caitlin, of course, looked ridiculously gorgeous and I couldn't really concentrate on much besides her hotness.Me? Not so good looking...but I try to rock what I got.

Anniversary was amazing, dinner was amazing, gifts were amazing. I might claim that this was one of the best anniversaries I've ever had! (Okay, we've only had four...so that means they were all amazing). There is no doubt that I love my wife and our life.

Max Makes His First Move

2011-08-08T08:49:00.001-05:00

We like to party, we like, we like to party. Ain't that the mo-freaky truth? Sometimes we party all out, and sometimes we party white trash style with a little Domino's Pizza, Dr. Pepper and our building's pool. That was the case last Saturday night when we invited friends (babies or no) to kick it live by our pool. The $5.99 pizzas were MONEY and the Dr. Pepper was FIZZZZZIN' in my mouth. Its good to have a lot of peeps that are fine spending their Saturday night talking and chillin'.
While not a full picture of our party's attendance, we had a full house. I'm sure all the 26-year-old chicks and ripped body builder dudes that live in our building were pissed that a bunch of 1-2 year olds were running around screaming, but I say oh well to them. It was Saturday night - don't they have somewhere to be? Like a club or swanky restaurant?

Speakin' of clubbin', Max was thrilled cause his girlfriend Ella showed up. Not only did she show up, but she showed up wearing a sweet new number that Max was diggin' in a big way. He decided tonight was the night to put on the moves. Check it:

The Glorious Return

2011-08-05T08:25:00.004-05:00

I don't have enough time to tell you all about our anniversary last night because, well, I'm 1/2 hour late for work. But what I can do is show you one picture:
Finally, all that is right has been restored.

Not All About Florida is Bad

2011-08-04T08:57:00.002-05:00

I wanted to make sure that you didn't think I hate Florida or anything after my uber-negative post yesterday. In fact, there are several things that I like about Florida and living the life I live here. The biggest one is that I get to spend a million minutes a week with Caitlin and Max. Here is a typical day:

6am - wake up and run down to the gym (in our building). Work out for an hour
7am - Come back, shower quickly and start playing with Max for an hour
8am - Caitlin comes back and we all hang out together for half hour
8:30 am - Finish getting ready, walk the two blocks to work and get there at 9am
12 noon - Come home and have lunch with Caitlin and Max if he's awake
1:15 pm - Return to work
5pm on the freakin' nose - Leave the office, the computer, everything and come home to spend 100% quality time with the family

Amazing. It is ridiculously fantastic to be able to spend that much time with Caitlin and Max. No commute, no extra hours, nothing. Just the perfect balance. I know this will probably never happen again, so I'm soaking it up while I can.

Did I mention that today is Caitlin and my 4th anniversary? Boom...chick is fine.

Jeff

The Greatest Lie Ever Told

2011-08-03T15:05:00.004-05:00

You would imagine that living in South Florida during the summer would be awesome, right? Sure, it would be crazy hot...but you spend most of your time at work and then when you get out, you hit the beach or pool or something awesome. What a perfect life!

WRONG.

That is what I thought might be my life when i moved down here. In fact, I think it every morning. I walk to work and think, "I'm definitely going to the beach with Max when I get home from work! Its so hot and nice out." But, by the time 2-3pm comes around, my dreams are shattered by what my family used to call "The Wall of Satan" when we lived in Jacksonville.

Summer is the wet season and every single afternoon a gigantic rain/lightening storm comes rumbling through Fort Lauderdale, ruining my chance at going to the beach or swimming. What a crock. I'd really like to just spent 3 nights a week chillin' with da kid near the ocean. Instead its 4pm and I'm staring out the window of my office at a black sky with bolts of lightening hitting everything in sight.

LAME!

Youth Lagoon Represent!

2011-08-02T09:38:00.003-05:00

I haven't been this excited about an album release in quite a while. Okay, I was pretty excited about James Blake's album well in advance to its release - but I find myself excited all over again! This time it is by Youth Lagoon's upcoming album "The Year of Hibernation" out on September 27th.

Youth Lagoon is a young dude from Boise, so obviously some of the excitement comes from rooting for a home grown musician. But the music is where most of my excitement comes from. I strongly recommend you download his free release of two tracks from the new album called July and Cannons HERE. You can also read favorable interviews all over the internet and blogosphere, but here is one by Pitchfork.

I love the space and builds of these two songs. Youth Lagoon, you do me and all of Boise proud.

Can I Get That Truck With a Side of DZANG BOY

2011-07-31T20:13:00.004-05:00

Me thinks that looks like a food truck. Well me, you are correct. It is a food truck. One of many that I would experience along with friends at the Fort Lauderdale Food Truck Extravaganza last Wednesday night! The trucks! The food! The joy! Caitlin and I trucked our booties down to the plaza to meet up with some friends and get fat on goodness cooked in confined spaces of happiness.Mel was there, sans husband (but with her son...so we got a 2/3 family showing). She stands in front of The Good Stuff truck, which was mostly a fusion approach to Venezuelan Arepas.Kim and Bubba also made it, always psyched to get their grub on.The Fish Box had a truck. The Fish Box is apparently some extremely popular restaurant in Miami that serves seafood and has a truck for events such as this. It might have been the only official restaurant truck there. I think there were probably about 20 trucks in total with a surprisingly diverse food base.For example - Dr Pepper braised brisket??? Hola crabbits!Caitlin got fish tacos, which she was cravin' something FIERCE. They were extremely tasty and to her liking. One thing we didn't like was our very long wait times at these trucks. I can't entirely blame it on crowds, though it was a full house that night. I was just surprised how unready many of the trucks were for the lines that formed at their windows. If this were a lunch situation, I'd have been pissed.I went to Ms. Cheezious and had me a blue cheese, bacon and green onion grilled cheese sandwich on sour dough bread. MAMA CITA I LOVED IT! I basically almost started crying when I tasted the cheese, bacon and green onions all in one bite. Heaven would have trouble producing a better tasting sandwich.I also got an Indian Curry Arepa, which was pretty good but a poor choice on a 95 degree, 99% humidity evening. It was hot and hefty, and just not as appetizing given the circumstances. On a cold Chicago day I would have slurped that sucka up.Mel, on the other hand, was wise and made it to the shaved ice truck for a Tiger's Blood shaved ice before the crazy crowds appeared. Honestly, that was all anyone needed that day. Great event, and I love that the world of food trucking is blowing up across this great nation.

Just Loungin'

2011-07-27T07:23:00.003-05:00

Time for a Max update. This blog needs those from time to time because I usually focus on me, me and more me. But honestly, the KID is the greatest thing on earth and more time should be devoted to his adoration.

Lately this kid has completely embraced the lifestyle of living in South Florida and spends most of the day just kickin' it, loungin' cold maxin' and relaxin', takin' it easy style. Here is some photographic evidence.Any time he can find a curb or short bench, he has to take a sit. Here we are just chillin on the curb by some "boonyas".
Usually people go to Costco to buy mass quantities of food product and sundries. Max, on the other hand, goes to take a rest from his normal daily activities. Recently he found this gigantic bear and decided it would become his permanent bean bag - giving it kisses and hugs.Food time - one leg up at the dinner table. While it appears that he has no manners, this kid really does. He now says "please" when he wants something and "thank you" when you give it to him. He also says "scuse me" when passing and "help" when he needs something instead of getting upset. Amazing.He loves to spend time in his wagon getting pulled around, preferably in a water park where he can cool off from the heat.Food time is a time to not do much eating, but a lot of ticking us off. Okay, maybe not so much, but he really doesn't eat. This was Caitlin's recent attempt to get him to try, to EAT, anything. Bird shaped pancakes with peanut butter, chicken nuggets, pudding, yogurt, peas and corn, ANYTHING!Finally, walking. While Max is hardcore walkin' all day, sometimes he just needs to take a break and rest of my shoulders. Don't call him lazy - call him lucky.

The kid is blowing our minds these days with cuteness.

Taco Truck to Trump All Taco Trucks

2011-07-25T07:33:00.003-05:00

If this looks like a food truck - that's cause it is dude. My boy Alex from Mexico purchased this bad boy for what is the most insanely cheap price I have ever heard. Then he worked his butt of and turned it into the most bad crazy mother of a taco truck that this world may ever see. Look inside this thing. Are you blown away by all the chrome like I was blown away? Walking in here was like walking in the kitchen of a five star restaurant. I began to imagine the things he'd be making in here, and I started to salivate so much I had to leave the truck so I wouldn't salivate all over the floor.Steaks are going to get their butts cooked on this thing. Its a mean, green, taco machine. I can't wait until this bad-boy hits the streets.But fortunately for me and a few other guests, we didn't have to wait to sample some of the goodness. Alex invited us over because he wanted some feedback on his veggies and fish tacos. There was no question that his asado, al pastor and other meat tacos would be off the hook, but he hadn't dabbled to much in veggies. He had prepared his delicious salsas that would be available at his truck. Its one of the many secrets to his skills. I LOVE his and Leslie's salsas.

Chef in action. He'll be cooking out of the truck soon, but for now he was just working on recipes. One thing that I loved about Alex's tacos were some of the seasoned taco shells he used. It blew my socks off.Caitlin waited anxiously. This was a night dedicated to veggie tacos - so in a way it was a night dedicated to her dreams.Alex not only has cooking chops - but also baby making chops. He just had a daughter who waited patiently as well for food along with her best buddy Colette.Here the master chef teaches us how to put together the best shrimp taco that man has ever tasted. I will tell you now - no shrimp taco is as good as Alex's. You know what else he does better than anyone else? White onions. I nearly ate a plain onion on its own.

I think Alex's taco truck is going to be mad successful. He's a smart dude with a great business plan and cooking chops to boot. Seriously - a force to be reckoned with in the food truck industry of South Florida - and possibly the world. Thanks for an amazing night dude!

More to come on his truck once it launches.

Secret Shame?

2011-07-21T11:38:00.004-05:00

So a while back I got a great idea. I should start a new blog about my thoughts on the mysterious world that is the public bathroom. I had told Caitlin for years that every time I go to the bathroom, I want to blog about something I observed there. Crazy crap happens in the bathroom that really doesn't get talked about. There are different etiquette rules and people completely change their behavior. Caitlin wasn't super psyched about me putting that stuff on our family blog, so I figured I'd have to start a new one.

BUT, upon searching the internet, turns out there is already one out there and it has only been going for a month or so! Grr! At first I was disappointed, but then I started reading and found that it was taking my idea to a whole new level and included multiple writers and different viewpoints (they even have a woman!). I started laughing at about everything I read. Yes, my secret shame is that I'm hooked into reading a blog about poo. But don't blame me, this stuff is hilarious! So I added them to our side bar and read with regularity.

The blog is He Shat, She Shat (click for link). I think my favorite post is the one where the author (Doogan Howser MD) tries to figure out why people like the smell of their own farts and not others and captures that thought in a ven diagram. Genius! Read it here!

Secret Pride

2011-07-15T06:35:00.003-05:00

Who doesn't like to see their friends succeed? I certainly do. A close friend of mine, Jeffrey Butler, has been working on a dream for many years now. His dream? To create a sock that is founded in both style and unbelievable comfort. When he began sharing with me his plans many years ago, I thought it was a great idea but knew it would take a lot of work. So I was delighted when I saw this posted on his blog a few days ago - Chuck Butler 8768578:And its on! I am extremely pleased with what he has produced. I love that these socks are woven with American history and pride, from the inspiration from his grandfather and WWII veteran to the slingshots and custom made American flags.

I look forward to getting me some, though don't expect them to cost the same as some Gap socks. Luxury socks come with luxury prices.

Website here!

The Great Outdoors

2011-07-14T07:05:00.001-05:00

Finally after 2 1/2 weeks of not seeing da kid, I was reunited with Max in Boise. I flew in late so the next morning I woke up to Caitlin bringing him in the room. He copped me a cheesy smile and then buried his head in Caitlin's shoulder. I was afraid he was mad at me and would punish me for a while, but then he lifted his head and reached out for me and that was that.

We spent two lovely days with Pam, Dave and Mike in Boise so they could enjoy some Max time. Friday afternoon we packed up and headed up the mountains near Stanley to go camping for Caitlin's family reunion.

I don't have many pictures (you remember my camera is dead), but I got some from Judes and Carley. We had S'mores, talked, reunited, played by the lake, etc. Kristin and kids were there so Max was in heaven with his cousins.

Grandma and Grandpa Jones...in their nineties and still camping. Incredible. We had a big fire program with the 69 family members in attendance.

Now I was told that Caitlin's family does sing, dance or play pretend...but some of those rules were broken when camping. Caitlin and I sang Party in the USA for everyone and I scored some serious man points with her East Idaho male relatives...or not.

On Sunday we drove from Stanley to SLC for a very short visit. I don't have pictures, but we had a party at my cousin Wendy's house with most of the Mulcock side. Finally some of my Utah relatives got to meet Max and they loved him.

We stayed at the Little America With The parents and had a grand old time, including pool party with Carley and kids and Cafe Rio.

Abigale and Lydia are basically the funnest to play with. It was great to be in Utah. I had lunch with relatives, with Mikey and stopped in for a late night visit at Craigy and Kristin's house. I love visiting Utah, even though it has only been about 5 total days in the last 5 years.

From their we drove up to Caitlin's family cabin/house in Victor, Idaho. It is about 20 minutes from Jackson Hole, 30 from Grand Targhee, and a little over an hour to Yellowstone. basically an amazing location.

The kids were all together and so were the grand kids. Max could not have been happier for 5 days straight. He played with the boys Will and Ryan and Ben

Uncle Jeff got to know his new nephew who was cute as a button.

I had to work during the day, but everyone else went on a hike one day to explore the great outdoors.

Ben and Abigale...these two were inseparable during the trip.

Lydia...blowing our socks off with cuteness.

Sisters and their little ones...all grown up.

We also did some bike rides to the town of Victor. A few chains came undone and there were some spills, and someone may have said, "this is the worst bike ride ever!" but it still was awesome.

Downtown we got burgers and sandwiches in the park. I am ready to claim that this burger place had the best bacon I have ever had.

Back home tickling and playing with kids happened almost non stop.

On the 2nd we went to a big party in Driggs because the Winmills wanted to see Glen Beck so bad! Okay, maybe we skipped the Beck and just enjoyed the toys and games and food. I got Pronto Pups...an Idaho staple!

The kids played lots of cool games and rocked the blow up slides. This is where Max discovered an extreme love of slides. We later road large water slides in Jackson and Max kept screaming "again!"

More water fun back home.

One of my favorite moments of the trip was playing duck duck goose with the kids. Max absolutely loved this game and instantly caught on the spirit of the game. He feeds off other people's energy and was ecstatic to see kids running and screaming from each other.

We watched fireworks in Driggs from the car and the kids dug it. The girls cuddled.

While the boys played it cool.

We also went up to Jenny's Lake at the base of the Tetons. We took a boat across the lake because somehow we figured the kids weren't down for the 2 1/2 mile hike.

Southwicks!

Super buddies Ben and jeff.

Papa and Abigale in da house!

The Tetons are arguably the most striking mountain range in the United States and I always enjoy hiking around them.

Completely amazing.

We hiked up to a waterfall with the kids and it was great. A beautiful day and all the kids really manned up to take it on.

And it was worth it when we got there...the waterfall was rushing at record speeds and quantity.

The fam. Love us, respect us.

A great view from the cliffs.

On the actual 4th we went to a parade in victor and in classic west coast form the floats were throwing out candy. Candy equals America.

The grandchildren except Baby Ryan.

We spent the morning in the park playing on the toys.

And playing frisbee.

Later Kristin put on an awesome scavenger hunt for the kids with little toys at the end.

Discovering the next clue!

Then we celebrated Kristin and Jeff's upcoming birthdays with none other than the Mulcock classic SURPRISE BALLS! They were filled with tender notes and memories from the family and many tears were shed.

Plus the kids enjoyed the energy of unravelling the balls.

Especially Ben...

Closing out the vacation with tender grandparent pictures. After 700 pictures, we finally get one with all the girls smiling.

Less luck with the boys thanks to Max. Ever since we got back he has been very attached to mom and dad and if he can see us he doesn't want to go to anyone else. I hope leaving him for a week hasn't done too much damage...he hasn't been quite the same. A little more needy, a little more demanding, a little more fussy. But maybe that is cause he is just getting closer to two years old.

Either way, we had an amazing trip and thanks everyone for the killer times all over Idaho and Utah!