Thanksgiving Point Fun

What a beautiful place Thanksgiving Point is! As many people know, Amber and I were married there almost two years ago. Thanksgiving Point provided the most amazing backdrop for a very special occasion, and we've continued to love the place as we go back. Amber recently purchased a annual pass, much to my chagrin, but now I am coming around to her way of thinking. This place is one of the most beautiful and fun places for our family. Not only does it have an amazing amount of greenery to feast your eyes on, but also quite a bit of fun stuff for children.
This weekend we were able to go to see the "Baby Birthday Party" for all of the baby animals. Their grounds were beautiful and there were hoards of people wanting to see the cute new babies. Unfortunately, it was quite windy so we were not able to spend too much time outside taking in the sun. But we did, because of the annual pass, get to go in for free, and then once we realized it was too windy, go to the Dinosaur Museum for free as well! Tony has a delightful time and didn't want to leave the dino museum, but the fun in it all is that he gets to visit again, and again, and again for the next 365 days. Yay Teagan was just happy as a clam (for the most part) just riding around in his stoller. Not saying too much, except when there was sun in his eyes or he was hungry. And we topped off the day with a quick stop at the Iceburg (local burger joint).

Marco

Those who inspire me

As a young man that grew up in a lower-middle income household, inspiration came quite easily. My father, a father of four children, worked his entire life to provide for his family. Most days leaving before dawn and coming home well into the night, turning around and doing it all over again the next day. Working twelve hours each day, and into the weekend, to make certain anything I asked for, was available, regardless of the utility of stupidity. To this day he is someone that I admire wildly and would love to be as strong of a person as he once was, and is today. Also,teachers in school that went above and beyond to make certain that I succeeded; Mrs. Robinson, Mr. Barrett, and countless other made certain I knew I was worth more than just the label and stigma that came with being a Hispanic kid on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley.
But today, we spend some much of our time sitting in front of the television, and I cannot tell you I have not been inspired by much of the world that is displayed through that window. As a father now, I've had a hard time finding anything or anyone that I can stand by my boys and say "That is a hero" or even just say "That is someone that you and I can admire".
However, there are some things/people that can and will inspire me as a person. Now, in a capitalist nation everyone is out to "make a buck" so-to-speak, but a television program has caught my attention week after week. Extreme Makeover - Home Edition has been a wonderful and wholesome show to watch as a father and as a person. Their goal is simply to help those in need, but also to help those who help others. In essence to give a new home to those who "Pay if forward". As I watched portions of it tonight, I cannot describe how little I feel that I don't give more back to my community, and that I'm somewhat lazy and selfish in not giving more. So as a very late new-years resolution, it's my turn. I hope I can keep this resolution at least this one time, and for years to come.
Another inspiration that people in my neighborhood, city, state, and family my not agree with, is a presidential candidate.
Now, I don't tout myself as a political pundit, but I've read enough to really like Obama. To read his work in The Audacity of Hope, to read through some of his literature, and to listen to the man speak, it is truly inspirational. I cannot say it enough, that is inspiration is something that has been acquired through a lot of reading, listening and simply working on understanding the true nature of this gentleman. So to anyone, learn for yourself, the facts after that make up your mind, not with simply listening to a bunch of rhetoric being spouted in the media, but with diligence and an open mind.
Personally speaking, I think I can easily be man of my faith, and still look at this candidate with great pride and admiration. Though our views may differ, our HOPE is still the same.

Thank you for letting me speak, Marco

Big Kid

If anyone has met my wife, you all know she is a saint. She has only had her first son, but has been baby sitting her other two kids since we've been dating. Tony is as rambunctious as can be. And I'm, well, a big kid with a license and a credit card (bad combo).
After Teagan's blessing last Sunday, which was great and thank you all for coming, we had many soda bottles left over. As we have not purchased more than occasional soda with our meals that we eat at a restaurant, we never have soda bottles lying around the house. This is usually a good thing because I love soda, when it is around the house I don't drink much else.
Now to the real point of this story, the Soda Bottle Rocket. When I get a wild hair-brained scheme to do something, nothing stops me. And Home Depot had not seen me in over three weeks, so it was time to visit the daddy toy store. After picking up some essential bottle rocket parts, and dropping too much money on a toy that may only be used once, it was off to the construction site (the garage). Tony lost interest in our project in about three minutes (a good attention span for a four year old), but we had it done about thirty minutes later. Drying time takes about 24 hours for the pipe cement to cure and I could not wait, and the anticipation was killing me. I had to leave work early because I was sick (I promise I was) and rush home to make sure the rocket worked. The fact that it was forty degrees and the fact that I was still sick did not keep us from the task at hand. AND IT DELIVERED! A couple of roof shots, near misses with cars, and almost hitting a neighbor, I was satisfied with my work.
What a blast it is to be a dad.

Marco

Teagan's Blessing

We have now 'officially' welcomed Teagan to our family. What a special day we had with everyone that attended not only the blessing, but also the fun time we had afterwards. Teagan looked like a cute little baker, and the rest of the family put on their Sunday best. Thank you for the warm wishes, the wonderful memories that we will cherish, and the great food that was provided!

Work in progress

Well here we go, I've got an entire week to spend working on pictures of the boys playing with different 'looks'. Here is some of my WIP.

Baby Teagan

Simple black and white option

A subtle color with piercing eyes

And a little more 'hand painted' look

Big Bro Tony

A fun head-shot

Working with a Vignette

And a combined picture

I'm not so sure that the size of the floating head really works!

Some Fun Pics of the Boys

Tony and Teagan Posing


Tony the ham


Teagan just 'chillin'

Proud parent moment

Your children tend to pretend that they are never listening. You may have to ask several time for something as simple as picking up an article of clothing from the floor. But when you child actually displays a value that you've tried to instill in them, it truly is a PPM (Proud Parent Moment).
Last Saturday we had dinner with my good friend Rob. Their family just welcomed their baby Vesta (born 1 week after Teagan) and have a two year old big brother, Avarum. We had a wonderful time, when it came time to eat dinner Tony asked the simple question "Rob, could you please offer the pray-er" (he has a fun way of saying prayer with a very small pause). A simple request but I beamed, not only was he being considerate of the prayer, but he was also using a grown person's vocabulary, and taking a leadership role. What a moment, my little man actually listens, and not only listens in passing he places the vocabulary of a well rounded individual.
Man I love these moments!

Marco