A Tribute to Toby

My best friend Toby has been present at nearly every cool event in my life. In fact, nearly every cool event was either orchestrated by Toby or his dad. I learned to hike, camp, fish, climb, and ski with Toby. Perhaps someday I'll write down all our adventures, like the time his foot froze for a whole afternoon, or the time I barfed in the back of his parent's Z-28. All my years with him has taught me one thing: he's crazy, yet trustworthy. Toby is my hero, and I can roast him all day long here, because despite my requests he never checks this blog.

A few months ago, I took a trip to Utah and spent some time with Toby and his family. It hadn't snowed much, but that didn't stop us from hiking behind Timpanogos looking for a good place to ice climb. This was my first time ice climbing, so I had no idea what I was doing. Luckily we found a frozen spot next to Stewart Falls.


Here's Toby looking very frustrated, because there just wasn't enough ice to climb anything. We nearly turned back, but turning back is for wimps. We pushed forward knowing that we'd probably end up risking our lives by climbing ice that was a 1/4 inch thick.


We found this nice little spot. Although the ice was thin, we were proud to be some of the first ones to attempt a climb this season.


This is Toby being busy. He would have taken the camera from my hands, but like I said, he was busy. Did I mention that Toby never reads this blog?


Toby was the first one up. It's much more dangerous to lead than to follow. It didn't take long for him to make it to the top and hang a rope. While he was tying off, I took this snapshot.


I went up next. It was much different than rock climbing. Instead of smearing on rocks, ice climbing requires a lot of toe work. Also, instead of using expert finger work, two very cool tools are used to pick into the ice.


Here we are at the end of the climb. Notice my super white, cubicle induced complexion compared to Toby's rugged, tanned, mountain-man aura. Yes, I'm jealous that while I'm running SAS code remotely on a Unix server, Toby is playing Air Wolf in the company's helicopter. His job rocks, and I'm not ashamed to admit that. If you want to find out more about his employer, here is a link (http://www.cirquelodge.com/), but I hope that you never need their services.


But wait, there's more! (I recently learned that phrase was invented by Samuel and Ray Popeil of Veg-O-Matic fame: http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2002/june/ronco/.) The fun didn't end on the mountain. After the climb we went to visit the company's rope course which is in the old Osmond Studios. The first time I shot an arrow was in Toby's backyard. This time, however, we were shooting compound bows with sites. Yep, just like Bo and Luke Duke without the explosives and the General Lee. Oh yeah, we brought along a three year old as well.


Kai was very interested in helping his dad shoot an arrow. You might not be able to tell, but if you zoom in close to this photo you'll notice that the arrow and the string have already left the trigger on this shot. I just happen to be catching this one in flight.


After shooting arrows I climbed part of the ropes course. Typically, you have to be in rehab to be up there, but Toby made an exception for me. He figured it would be good for me anyway. I'm balancing on a cable here.


This was one of the easier activities at the ropes course. I had to climb up this giant pole while Toby made mocking comments from below. Everyone should have friends like Toby...someone always there to point out what you're doing wrong and showing you how to have fun in the process. Thanks, Man (even though you'll never read this).

Dad's Trip

Dad came for a visit two months ago. Although it's been a while, it's never to late to immortalize an event in a blog like this one.

Dad's trip was all about eating, chilling, and seeing the local sites. Unfortunately, it was not all about taking photos. Yeah, for some reason it just didn't happen. Fortunately, I found these on the web. Below are the highlights.

Dad was a great guest. He can come again anytime.

Wednesday

Dad arrives, and we eat at Pei Wei (which was very good).



Thursday

Dad comes with me to visit downtown KC. We see Hallmark headquarters and visit the famous local BBQ joint Arthur Bryant. Later that evening we attend JoLee's lecture at JCCC. Believe it or not, she makes a three hour class seem short.





Friday

We spent our busy Friday in Lawrence. Dad saw the KU campus and the historic Allen Fieldhouse. Then we ate lunch at Yello Sub. We stopped to pick up some falling leaves before going back home.





Saturday

It rained all day Saturday, but that didn't keep us from going to the Nelson Atkins museum. It was my first time visiting this fabulous museum. Afterward, we stopped for something to drink at the Union Station downtown. We ended the night at Cinzetti's.





Sunday

JoLee sang for the primary program in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. Sorry, no pictures for that one. We crashed back at our place, and ate my all time favorite meal that night.



Monday

Dad flew home on Monday, but not before one last big meal. We at a Hibachi grill near the Kansas Speedway. The speedway is impressive nestled in the rolling Kansas prairie. Unfortunately, Dad hit a flight delay on his way out. Hopefully, that won't keep him from coming back.

Zephyr Gets a Leash

Zephyr was perfectly happy with being an indoor cat until one day Nate accidentally left the door open a crack and she discovered the outside world. Ever since that fateful day Zephyr has been clamoring for more freedom. We can't let Zephyr go outside alone because of all the cars in the apartment complex and the wild animals in the creek. So, Zephyr is now the befuddled owner of a cat leash.




















We put the leash on for the first on Saturday. Zeph loves going outside but in order to deal with the "extra weight" of harness and leash Zephyr's spends most of her time outdoors army crawling around. Hopefully that won't last long. We're hoping that she will learn that she can go outside with the leash and will stop camping out in front of the door meowing.

New Year's in California

After Christmas in Colorado we headed to California for New Year's.

The big Stephens'/ Walter's bash on Friday night.

Camille brought her pony.


Adam skated around the kitchen.


Matthew pulled out the Tyrano-toes.


Meanwhile, the adults played the Newly Wed game. David and Robin showed everyone up.

Christmas

On Saturday Aaron, Nate, and Val went to see Rocky, and the girls went to Ikea. After the movie Aaron, Nate, and Val went to Michael's to buy ceramic pens. We then all reconvened for Mongolian Barbeque and a gift exchange.


New Year's Eve

On New Year's Eve Brooke and Aaron had a party. Dorothy's donated dancing snowmen were a bit hit at the White Elephant Exchange.


Nate and I left with a killer Halloween decoration.


We played a dozen rounds of Boggle. Then, as midnight approached, we ran outside to celebrate.


Brooke bangs in the New Year.



Friends and Family

On New Year's Day Nate and I went to Danville and got to see the new backyard and Nothing Room at Grandpa and Grandma Jensen's. We had dinner there with Grandma and Grandpa, Julie and Ashley. Then A.J., Steven, and Kelli came over to show off little Rebecca.


Nate also got to see Chad and Jen.


All too soon it was time to leave.


Thanks everyone for the great trip! We can't wait to see you again.

Christmas in Colorado

Nate and I began our holiday extravaganza in Colorado. We were pretty pleased to get there on time and everything even with the crazy winter weather. My family celebrates Christmas with many traditions. We already posted about the fudge making experience.

Christmas Eve
Every year on Christmas Eve we each open one present and it's always pajamas. Here we are opening the packages.






And now, here we are modeling our the brand new pajamas.


Christmas Morning
Here's our stockings on Christmas morning. My mom made Peter and Nathan's stockings so that they could fit into the theme.





Nate and I brought some Crayola Model Magic from Hallmark and the day after Christmas we all sat down to make some magnets and creatures. If you look closely you can see Taggart and Jordan serenading us with our own private concert in the background.

Here's our creations. A couple octopuses, two turtles, some fish, a duck waiter, one friendly butterfly, and one frightening butterfly.

The best part of Christmas was hanging out with family. Here's Taggart, Paige, and I with my Gramma.


We had a great Christmas in Colorado.

Next Time: New Year's in California.

NetFlix

Thanks for the great Christmas present, Jen and Rod! We got our first movie in the mail today. 

Grandma and Papa's trip to Dallas

Val and I had a wonderful time in December, visiting baby Will, Savannah and feeling the beginnings of the Christmas Spirit in Dallas. Jen and Rod have created a bit of heaven on Hanover St. I highly recommend a visit to this wonderfully happy place. Thank you so much!