Steve's Trip to China

These are some pictures of Steve's business trip to China.
He was in China for a week reviewing the audits of 2 multi-million-dollar companies in Bejing and Baoding. The purpose of the trip is to review the audits as representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission of the US government. This was his company's maiden voyage to China. He traveled with a fellow accountant from his firm here in Cedar. He said that the Chinese were gracious, his translator was great, and the food was interesting... He obviously got to play a little too.

Click on the caption symbol in the sideshow to see what Steve had to say about the picture that you are viewing.

I have links here to The Forbidden City, The Grand National Theater, the Great Wall of China, the Lake he went to see, and info on the Olympics games in Beijing this Summer 2008.

The Office

So, we like The Office around here, and tonight is the first new episode since the writers strike. We are excited.
I love Pam and Jim, not nearly as much as Edward and Bella though. I am such a dork, I know!

A little of China

I am waiting for Steve to help me with the pics of his trip to China... for now here are a couple pics of the things he brought for the kids. Jenna got this beautiful Chinese dress and Zac's shirt says "dragon". Seems appropriate, he is a little dragon lately. Don't let that smile fool ya. (that's another post all together)

Steve was sweet enough to bring me back some Pearls. I think Pearls are so classy. Thanks babe.

Butler Wash

Steve and I took a little hike up to Butler Wash and Indian Ruins just outside of Blanding , UT. (Thank you Scot and Julene for the date, we know Zac is a maniac.)
Then we went and shot the guns at beer bottles and hairspray cans.
It was fun. Steve and I decided that a sedentary lifestyle isn't so cool and there is so much that we can do...even with the kidos. Utah is gorgeous and offers a lot for an active lifestyle. We want to be more active. There was a day when we could hang with the best of them- but now- not so much. Steve was reminded as he hiked the Great Wall in China, and I was reminded when Jenna thought the trampoline might break when I got on and all the springs squeaked!
Here are some pics.
Do you know of any good places to go as a family, have fun, and move our buns?

A Trip to Blanding

Jenna and Grandma have started a tradition of baking cookies together. Jenna loves that.


Zac and Jenna played in the back yard at Grandad and Grandma's. There were little seed/blossoms things that fell off the trees that Zac thought were alive. He was
scared of them as they flew onto the trampoline. They did look a lot like a caterpillar. Here is a picture. (I should look up the tree so I don't seem like an ignoramus, but oh well.) He picked them up fearfully and once it only wiggled a little in the breeze, he said "he likes me!"

Hidden Valley Park

Hey, this is the link to that park in St George that rocked! It is awesome: take kites, sand pails, Frisbees, balls, drinks, and a change of clothes( if you plan to frolic in the water fountain)- or just go. It's great!


http://www.sgcity.org/featured/hiddenvalleypark.php

Winding Down, some thoughts

Well Mom is home in Indiana, Lissa has gone back home to Orem, and Steve is on his way from the Vegas airport.
Mom, thanks so much for coming...I know that not everyone can see their family that lives far away, we are glad that you came to see us. Thanks for spending your Spring Break with us.
Liss, Thanks for coming down and "saving our bacon". You are always generous. Chillis rocked last night. Thanks for cleaning the house and taking the kids to daycare. I know the kids were a bit wild since they were Status-Post Ma-ectomy, and because well, they are our kids. Thanks for the good conversation, your insight and friendship.
Also, I want to thank my friend Tiff for her depth and wisdom. I was telling her that I thought Zac would not do well the day mom left, and that it wouldn't be a good idea if he came to the airport for good-byes- (the nightmare of when we flew from Indiana and she waving at the gate flooded my mind, Zac cried for ma desperately.- I worried people thought that I was taking him from his mom, since "Ma"sounds like "mom") Tiff suggested that maybe my prediction of his feelings were also a reflection of my feelings, or that I felt the same way. At the time, I thought that was only possibly true. I remember not being emotional as I thought about her leaving, after all, I am an adult and I know that she loves me, etc, etc. But Tiff is almost always right when it comes to things and me...we took the kids to daycare, and lo and behold, I am the one crying as she hugged Zac and Jenna goodbye. The kids were obviously sad and Zac looked very disappointed and even lonely, but didn't bawl how I had imagined. He has asked about her, but maybe he feels peace because he knows that he will again see her- or again maybe that is my feeling.
Lastly, on a different note...I am glad that Steve was away...not really, but it made me be independent again. What I mean is, I had to drive to Las Vegas airport alone twice! I know you Las Vegas women scoff, but it was way stressful for me. We are talking sweat rings and chest pain! Thank goodness for Hillary Weeks (see a song of her's on the playlist to the left) and deep breathing. All is well. It is good to do those things on my own, it helps me to know that I can. I can also see that my age is wearing on me, I say that because I am less excited "to get out there and do it". I can see why old people get "set in their ways" and like routine. It's easier. I will resist, however.

I am glad that Steve is back (or nearly here). I have missed his companionship. Pictures of china to come....

Oh and we are bidding on a house, yes, Jeanine, that is right. We aren't really "in the market", we have some "ends to tie up", blah blah blah, but because we are youthful and adventurous, and possibly faithful, we are going to do it...if they accept the offer, that is. :)