Day 51

Will is a week old today! I swear we just found out Shara was pregnant, and now he's here and already a week old. We celebrated with a Jazz win, and 2 diaper changes in 2 minutes. Hey, at least things are working properly.

Day 50

Our tree this year. A little trip to Tai Pan for an after Christmas last year sale has really improved our tree this year, we'll keep adding to it. Shara's most favorite item on the tree has to be the golden sparkly ball ornaments. She lit up when we pulled them out of the box. She's a girl, she likes sparkly things.

Day 49

The Utah v. BYU rivalry was crazy yet again this year. Regardless of which team you cheer for, the last 5 or 6 games have been decided in Overtime, or on a last play/drive. This year was no different. A BYU field goal attempt to win the game was blocked by Brandon Burton in the closing seconds. Shortly after that we all stormed the field. It was an ugly win, and a lucky win, but a "W" nonetheless, and I will take it.

Utah 17 BYU 16. The Utes.

Day 48

During the Jazz v. Lakers game on Friday night, all the testosterone in the house wanted to sit in one area of the couch. The Jazz won 102-96 and they are playing some amazing basketball right now. The Jazz.

Day 47

We were able to bring Will home on Thanksgiving day, we were very thankful. The staff at Riverton hospital were amazing. We had such a great and incredible experience there. Aside from taking amazing care of Shara and our baby, they educated and informed us on how to get started in raising an infant. At times I felt like I was in class, because the information they were giving us was awesome and much needed. Thank you!

This was Will's going home outfit.

I especially love the "turkey butt".

Day 46

We were able to get our 4 generations picture on my Mom's side in the hospital. Just waiting to get one on my Dad's side as well. This is Great Grandmother Thompson, Grandma Spring, Myself and Will.

Day 45

I came into work for our weekly meeting the day after Will was born. On the chair I usually sit in was this sign. It was pretty cool, this made my day!

Day 44

William Ashton Park. 8 lbs 9 oz. 20 1/2 inches long. Happy Birthday Dude!!

Day 43

Although we've had one significant amount of snowfall already this season, this is the snow that will end up staying, and there is more to come. So this was the obligatory photo of the first snow fall of the winter, although it's still technically fall, but it looks like it's winter. It's confusing. I would be taking more pictures today, but we are busily getting things ready for the big day tomorrow. Parenthood, here we come!

Day 42

Will's room is a work in progress. It is slowly transitioning from my "dorm room" (the room I have slept in for the past 2 years during the work week) to a newborn baby room. We decided to spell his name with some wooden letters as part of the on going deco, and through 2 different rounds of paint, we decided to go with this. (One letter is a different color for a reason.)

Day 41

Day 40

This was by far my most favorite book growing up. This book tells the story of Grandma Tildy, who is a very hard worker, and had no time to play. Until one day a traveling pet salesman asks is she'd be interested in buying a canary. She ends up buying the canary, but while noticing an elephant in his truck, says, "But NO elephants!" The pet salesman eventually gets her to purchase a beaver, a turtle, and a woodpecker, and after each purchase, she reminds the pet salesman, "But no elephants!" Eventually she gives in and buys the elephant, which then eats up all of her food, breaks through the floor and gets stuck in the house. He feels bad, and ends up walking the entire house to a much nicer and warmer location where they live happily ever after welcoming bus loads of elephants.

I loved this book so much, that my Mom ended up having to record a tape of her reading it, and allowing me time to shout out "But no EH-PHANTS!"

We were recently discussing this book, and I ended up finding it in an old box today, and made Shara read it. It's still one of my favorite books, and the illustrations are hilarious!

Day 39

At the end of my work day today, I needed to stop for some gas, and I really needed a Diet Dew. I'm not sure if these Jazz cups are in EVERY Chevron, or just the one in Sugarhouse, but I thought they were very rad.

Day 38

Remember when cassette tapes ruled the world? Remember making mix tapes, recording songs off the radio so you could listen to it whenever you wanted, and having to fast forward through songs to get to the next song? I've had a box full of cassette tapes that had hours worth of music on them for years now, but haven't had any way of even listening to them. I haven't even owned a tape player in my house, or car for what seems like a lifetime. I wanted for the longest time to find a way to transfer these tapes to a digital format but had no way of doing it. I had to borrow a tape player from my Dad, and he had a great little cord that I plugged into my Mac and and eventually figured out how to transfer music on my tapes to mp3's. I'm just about done, but I've gone through and organized all the music from my tapes that I couldn't find on the internet. It was mainly a lot of old tapes of my band from Junior High & High School, stuff I recorded when I had access to a guitar on my mission, and tapes Dave and I recorded when we were roommates. But it is great to finally have this music in my ever expanding music collection.

(Thanks to my Dad for letting me borrow this as long as I have, I promise I'm almost done!)

Day 37

Did you ever see that commercial where a shirtless man is ironing his wife's blouse while making dinner reservations for their 6 month anniversary? And then at the end of the commercial he is cleaning the toilets as well? Well, I'm not bragging or anything, but that commercial is me to a T. Almost every night of the work week, I am a good husband and iron my wife's clothes for her for the next day. They are neatly hung with a hanger, and ready for use the next day. This is one of my many things I like to do for my wife, on top of trying to maintain a clean home.

And for all those who think I am only doing this because she is pregnant, you are very wrong. I'm old school ironing. I've been ironing for her for like, over 5 years now.

This is the commercial I was referencing:

Traverse Man Ironing - The best video clips are right here

Day 36

We are now just a little over a week away from Will being delivered. We are getting everything ready for his grand entrance arrival. This closet shows most of what we got from all of our showers. It's amazing...this closet was absolutely empty a month ago, and with a TON of help from friends and family it is now stocked full, minus some large "hardware" items (i.e. Pack N' Play, Stroller, Car Seat, Crib etc.). This picture is incredible to me, because without everyone else, I would be so financially stressed out. We are SOOO thankful to everyone. Thank you so much again to EVERYONE!

Day 35

Saturday night we had another shower thrown for us for us with all of my best friends. We were yet again amazed and blown away by the generosity, creativity and love from my favorite people. We cannot thank you all enough for the gifts, advice, support and friendship. We love and appreciate you all. We have definitely looked up to all of you who have kids already, and admire you all so much on how you raise such great kids. We hope to be as successful as you. I love just getting together with everyone, laughing, and catching up. Thanks to everyone who planned games, brought food, and are awesome. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

The game (as seen in the first picture) was hilarious! 2 "contestants" raced to see who could dress the "baby" the fastest. Diaper, onesie, socks, and then swaddle, CORRECTLY, to win. Shara kicked my butt. And to no surprise, all the ladies beat all the guys. Except in a race where two males competed.

A very special thanks to Lindsay for putting this whole thing together, being such an amazing thoughtful person, and making sure this was special for us. We absolutely loved it... We love you!

Day 34

This picture was technically taken a day late, but Friday night was a birthday celebration for my good friend Dan Jenson. I've recently decided that instead of just simply writing "Happy Birthday" through Facebook, or a text, I am going to put more effort into my Birthday wishes. I urge everyone to do the same, it was actually quite fun for the reminiscing. This was my first attempt with Dan...

Danimal,
Happy 30th dude!! Some things I remember in the almost 15 years of knowing you:
- Duct tape suits.
- Alta Vision.
- The Drake house visits.
- The dancing duo.
- The Collective Soul concert.
- Making things explode in fires at Hobo Haven.
- Defensive Dan (never credit card Dan, you will be sorry)
- Your camera captured perhaps more memories of our High School experiences collectively than any group of friends that ever existed.
- Whenever you speak Vietnamese. It's very soothing.
- Your never ending love of The Dew.
- The day we realized that a certain verse in "Please" by U2 in 1997 might have seen the future to 9/11.
- Jumping into your Mom's trees in the front yard.
- When we both worked at VF Factory Outlets and had lunch occasionally.

These are obviously not all, but what I could come up with in 5 minutes.
Hope you've had a good day!"

Day 33

For a good 2 1/2 months back in 2008 I decided to create a new character a day in less than 2 minutes on a Post-It Note. I found the stack of them a while ago, and laughed at myself. It's good to do that, right? Today I'm showcasing the first of those quick creations with my good friend, "Peter The Pencil".

Day 32

Today was a bittersweet day. My 2005 Nissan Altima hit the 100,000 Mile Mark. A milestone (heh, get it?) that's been looming for a couple months. I'm very thankful for my car, and I'm so glad we are fortunate enough to afford it. I couldn't do my job without it. But I also know that the 100k mark significantly decreases the value of a vehicle. I usually try to sell my cars well before the 100k mark, but this time around I didn't. Good thing I kind of like this car, I may be keeping it for quite a while.

We've shared many memories together, this Nissan and I. We bought it back in 2007 from a Vietnamese family from Los Angeles off of KSL.com, and at the time it only had roughly 29,000 miles on it. Which means in a little over 3 years, I've put close to 70,000 miles on this car. Multiple trips to St. George, Bear Lake, Park City, Midway/Heber, a summer trip to Jackson Hole, etc.

So, here's to another 100,000 miles. Even if I'm not the owner when it reaches 200,000 miles.

Day 31

There are two things I always love looking at when shopping. Watches & ties. All other clothing items are essential, but boring to me. This watch was given to me as a gift for Christmas last year from my parents. I love it. The face is HUGE, and it's always a good conversation starter.

Day 30

Stanley isn't doing well with the changing of the seasons. I now understand where the term "climbing up the walls" comes from. It comes from cats like Stanley who literally climb up the walls when they can't be outside as much as they would like to. He is constantly meowing to go outside, and immediately meowing to come back in. Poor guy can't make up his mind.

Day 28 (&29)

From the lowest low... (Utes get OWNED by TCU 47-7)

To the highest high. (Lone Peak Girls Volleyball take state!)

Day 27

Day 26

"I'm making cereal..." - Big Daddy

Every night before I go to bed, I enjoy a bowl of cereal. This is usually followed by a bowl in the morning, so in a given day I've usually consumed 2 bowls of cereal.

1% Milk. Cereal contents. Bowl. Spoon.

My cereal of choice has been Rice Chex for about 20 years now, however Reese's Puffs and Chocolate Marshmallow Mateys are tied for a very close 2nd place. I think cereal is one of the easiest and best foods, and by far (obviously) one of my favorite snacks.

Day 25

As I mentioned yesterday, High School State Championships for Girls Volleyball is this weekend. My wife is awesome, and is making her girls hair ribbon thingys (I'm a guy and don't know the exact terminology, but I know girls love wearing them) to wear during the tournament in partnership of going all the way to win State. This gold paint is patiently drying on the Black ribbons which will then be paired up with Maroon and Gold colored ribbons (Lone Peak High Schools colors) and used in the players hair to bring out their pure athlete, radness and super powers.

We had to hang the ribbons with gold paint on it to dry over one of our TV trays, and then secretly placed in our laundry room, with the door shut so that Stanley didn't attack and ruin them. The entire time we were cutting and preparing them, Stanley was enthralled by the movements of the ribbons and attacked random ribbons while we cut them.

Day 24

Tonight was the Dig Pink Exhibition Volleyball game featuring Lone Peak High School v. Lehi High School. Lone Peak won 3-2, and the State Tournament is this weekend at UVU. Lone Peak also won Region last week, which is very awesome. I took this shot of my wife coaching her girls, but also realizing it was a good 3 hours past her bedtime.

If you didn't know this before, my wife is the Head coach for JV, and Assistant Coach for Varsity. She coaches volleyball every day after getting up at 2:30am & working close to 12 hour days as a reporter for KSL Television.

My wife is also 9 months pregnant.

I know I have said this before, but I have the hardest working, most amazing pregnant wife that perhaps has ever existed.

Day 23

Sometimes I think our cat should have been born a dog. I guess it doesn't help that I treat him like a dog instead of a cat. I wrestle with him, play tricks on him, and feed him various form of meat.

When we first got Stanley, he had trouble always knocking over his water bowl, which at the time was a small plastic bowl. We'd come home from work, and the bowl would be on the other side of the kitchen and there would be water everywhere. We tried a few other bowls, but quickly realized those attempts were futile. So we decided to buy a weighted bowl made for dogs. And ever since then, there hasn't been any more water spilled onto our kitchen floor.

So, a great example of our cat who is actually, at times, a dog.