Video Streaming

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I met JoLee's sister's boyfriend, Peter. He is working for a company called MoveMedia that creates video streaming for BYU TV and other channels. If you go to www.byu.tv you'll find that you can watch BYUTV live anytime you want. Moreover, you can watch archives and past general conference videos. By the way, you'll have to download a plug-in, to get this to work, but that shouldn't be hard.

This Sunday is the Church Christmas devotional, so if you're interested you can get that online. JoLee and I are especially happy about BYUTV online, since General Conference is not broadcast to the Kansas City area.

Hey everyone, about a week ago Brooke and I went with Mom and Dad to see their new house. This is the front...

...and this is the back.

This is inside, up the stairs, looking toward the front entry way.

This is a view from the back windows, looking toward the clubhouse and the sunset.

Stephens family, friends and fans. i will now be signing autographs. I have a five second blub on a nationally televised television show on TV. I also say something very profound so be sure to have your pencils ready. It's something like, "It's a good thing." Deep and poignant. courtTv 11pmEST on the 22nd so check your local listings and don't miss out on this opportunity to learn more about my exciting and stimulating desk job. One of the half hours is our company, Vanacore. The other half hour is the other company. It's about my mom's case and i'm the special tag-along in the background, great career move. and then about a co-worker's case, for the Vanacore segment. No grammar comments, work last week has been a bear, with an average of 13 hour days. Feel free to comment on my latin as that always shines through and is never tarnished come wind rain shine sleet or snowy depths of white.

My Wife The Nerd

JoLee volunteered to take a job grading before she found out how many students were in the class. Now she has to grade three tests for 100 students! It's the bane of our existence. We're so desperate to get this job done, that we made Mom help us when she came for a visit. I'm pleased to report, however, that test number two is almost finished. Now, I can't wait for the final...


JoLee loves to study. I've been teasing her that her desk is starting to look like a professor's office. When we bought this desk, she assured me that it would be large enough. I guess if it were larger it would just have three piles of books instead of two.

Modern Dance

JoLee and I had our first night at the Kansas City theater last Thursday. The Alvin Ailey modern dance group made their anual appearance downtown. If you ever get a chance to see them, I highly recommend you go, even if you don't think you like modern dance. They were very entertaining. The show moved along quickly and ended sooner than I would have liked.

We saw the show downtown. I didn't know it, but there's a really nice area in the heart of Kansas city that has fountains and theathers and a cofernece center. We bought tickets in the upper balcony and squeezed into the tiny chairs. It was worse than being at the Marriott Center. At intermission we went downstairs, where surprisingly the view isn't as good, but the seats are WAY bigger. Anway, we had a great time, and I'm sure we'll go back.

What's Up?

Did I mention this is a family blog? You're all welcome to post (not just comment). JoLee and I would love to hear what you're all up to.

--Nathan

Mom Tours

Mom came to visit us this weekend. We had a blast! The pictures don't explain the whole story, so I will give you the highlights.

Saturday:
Visited Adam Ondi Ahman and serendipitously discovered JC Penny's boyhood home. It rained a little, but it didn't spoil our fun.

Sunday:
Went to church and primary. The kids (and all of us) made crafts for the upcoming ward party. We helped JoLee grade tests for one of her jobs. We seriously worked hard to get all the multiple choice parts finished. We left the essays for JoLee's future reading pleasure.

Monday:
Shopping, shopping, and more shopping. Mom and JoLee went to the Gap and found JoLee much needed school clothes. Then they came to Hallmark for a quick tour and more shopping in the discount store. Finally, we went to the Plaza for one last round of shopping. We were all exhausted at the end of the day. Oh yeah, we also had one of the best BBQ meals in KC.

Tuesday:
Went to Lawrence and the University of Kansas. JoLee had class, so I gave Mom a tour of the campus (I took the day off work). We visited The Bob Dole Institute and the art museum. Mom read every plaque as usual. We ended the day back at home watching the Utah version of Pride and Prejudice.

Mom has been a great guest, and it's been fun to have a visitor again. We still get lonely for visitors out here in Kansas, so if you're in the neighborhood, please stop by.

--Nathan

JoLee and Nate looking over the valley of Adam Ondi Ahman (about 1 1/2 hours from our home).

JoLee and Mom at Adam Ondi Ahman. Right after I took this picture it started to rain.

JoLee on the 9th floor at the Hallmark headquarters. She toured the facility and picked up slack.

JoLee and Nate in Nate's cubicle. This was the best moment I've ever spent in my cubicle. Notice the family picture in the background.

Nathan in the historic Allen Fieldhouse. The Kansas Jayhawks still play here after 50 years. It's hard for students and the general public to get tickets to the games, but hopefully we'll get the chance while JoLee is studying here.