An Update

It's been a while. So, first, a quick update.

Patten is growing right up. He can say a few words, loves to kick his ball, and loves convincing people to read him books (which doesn't take that much convincing).

Kristin is pregnant. The baby is due July 30th. We are gonna try having this one without medication, we'll see how that goes. But, even if we end up using medication, preparing to have a baby without medication has been a wonderful experience. It has brought us closer together and been really enjoyable. We highly recommend it.

Dave just finished his second year of law school and is working this summer. He likes his job, especially the fact that they have free drinks. What more could you ask for?

Now, for some pictures.

Random Patten.

Can you say "Mama gave me a container of cool whip to eat!"

Patten playing the piano with Grandma. They became best friends while we lived in grandma's basement.

If he becomes a piano player we will know where his skills came from.

It's Official

Patten's gonna have a brother.

Mom and babe are doing well. Everything is on track.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

That's all...

Spring Break

Here I come.

Please Help - Stop HBO

I'm not much of one for a soapbox. But sometimes we need to speak out. HBO plans to air sacred LDS temple ceremonies on its show Big Love. Regardless of your faith, please join with me by doing two things: (1) send a comment to HBO to ask them to not air the episode; and (2) write a blogpost to spread the idea to others bloggers. The LDS church considers its temple ceremonies sacred and requests they not be publicized. Such a blatant disregard for other faith's sacred worship would not be tolerated. This should not be either. Click on the following link to send a comment to HBO:

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hbo.com%2Fapps%2Fsubmitinfo%2Fcontactus%2Fsubmit.do%3Ftitle%3DGeneralInformation%26questiontype%3DgeneralInformation%26questiontype%3Dgeneral&h=8f1f0eb647d2245d70030b8f0bec3c74

I have included the comment I sent to them below. I hope that in the next few days my blog-updater-thing shows a slew of new posts addressing this same topic. Thanks.

My comment to HBO:

"I write to voice my displeasure with your company's plan to air a Big Love television show that depicts LDS temple ceremonies.

Specifically, I find two things very upsetting: (1) the fact that the producers of the show blur the distinction between polygamists and the LDS church; and (2) the fact that your company does not have the decency to respect the LDS church's wish to not publicize its temple ceremonies.

As to my first point - the Big Love producers claim the show depicts polygamists rather than members of the LDS church. However, the show consistently imports LDS themes (such as the temple ceremony) and links them to the polygamists. Such misattributions are misleading, false, insensitive, and should not be tolerated.

As to my second point - the LDS church considers its temple ceremonies sacred and requests the ceremonies not be publicized. That alone should be reason enough for you to cancel the Big Love episode. Moreover, for the Big Love producers to consult an "ex-mormon" for inside information on the temple ceremonies unequivocally proves the Big Love producers understand the ceremony they plan to show is an LDS ceremony. Hence, if your company decides to air the ceremony you will blatantly disregard the church's request that the show not blur the line between polygamists and the LDS church.

I respectfully request you do not air any Big Love episode that depicts sacred LDS temple ceremonies."

Valentines Day

Kristin and I are not the types to spend lots of money on each other for Valentines Day (or any other holiday for that matter). It's not that we don't love each (we do), rather it seems that simply spending time together is enough of a holiday for us (mind you, the fact that we have zilch to spend on each other probably influences our current trend as well...).

Sooooooooooo - the fact that we spent more than $20 on each other for Valentines this year is quite momentous. What, you may ask, would convince us to do such a thing? Well, Disneyland of course.

You see, we had some free airplane vouchers that expire this May. Seeing that Kristin gets pregnanter (great word) by the day, and that I will have finals in April - Valentines Day (and President's Day weekend) seemed like a great time to use our free cash.

Luckily for us, we have great friends (Scott and Courtney) who decided to join us in the adventure. We had a blast. We went to Santa Monica (ask Courtney the name of the street) and had some absolutely delicious crepes, stayed at the EconoLodge directly across the street from the Happiest Place on Earth (as in we walked to Disneyland), attended the Anaheim 3rd ward, visited the LA Holocaust museum, and spent Sunday afternoon / evening and Monday with Courtney's best friend and her family in Thousand Oaks. A great trip. We highly recommend you do yourselves a favor and embark on something similar.

Oh yes, and special thanks to the grandparents who watched Patten and made our trip possible.

Below are a few pictures from the trip.

Dave and Kristin on the plaza between CA Adventure and Disneyland.


Scott and Dave surfin' like the crazy men we are.

Kristin, Scott, and Courtney on the plaza between CA Adventure and Disneyland.

Dave, Scott, and Buzz.

Remember suck and blow? We couldn't think of anything better to do with the fake drivers licenses they hand out at Autopia (which, ironically, I remember from some old school nintendo game - can anyone remember what game?). Scott and Courtney look like seasoned veterans.

And you can't go to Disneyland without a picture in front of the castle.

Patten Update

Greetings. We apologize for the recent lack of Patten pictures. Hopefully this post will make up for our shortcomings.

In the months of November, December, and January we: celebrated Thanksgiving with Dave's family, endured finals, moved back to Grandma's basement (which was bitter sweet because we love Grandma but miss our ward / neighbors tremendously), celebrated Christmas, enjoyed 3 weeks together without school, and started yet another semester. We've included a few highlights below (but, let's be honest, we forgot to bring the camera to many of the above listed events - so the following pictures are highlights of the events to which we brought the camera).

Oh yeah, Mustard is swimming along just fine. He / she (unsure at this point) has a strong heartbeat and is doing great.

Patten in his Peruvian Llama sweater. Unfortunately he inherited his father's ginormous head and therefore can't wear the hood correctly. But, trust us, the sweater is the right size.

Patten in his striped sweater from Aunt Missy. Dashing.

Patten conquering the bin-thingy. Patten loves doing this. Wicker baskets, dishpans, boxes, this thingy, it doesn't matter - he just loves getting in / on them.

Patten and Dave perfecting the "swing Patten game" originated by Kristin. Patten begins this game in a sitting position looking into your eyes. Then he slowly lets himself fall backwards (he loves the anticipation), until he swings as shown above.

Patten in momma's shoes. One day Patten decided to wear Kristin's shoes and walk around the apartment. What a funny guy.

Patten and Dave by our first real Christmas tree. Our first years of marriage we used a little fake Christmas tree. But this year we ventured to Rite-Aid and bought all the fixins for roughly $50. That included the tree, stand, ornaments, and lights (all though we accidentally bought green ones - who does that?!?). This picture is in our new apartment, grandma's basement.

Patten and Kristin by the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. You can barely tell, but our Christmas decor was Patten-proof. The ornaments are only on the top half of the tree and most of the presents are on the mantle. At the beginning of the season we had ornaments on the bottom half of the tree and Patten loved to bring them to us, one by one, until he had removed every ornament in reach. After a few rounds of this game we decided the ornaments better just stay on the top half of the tree.

Despite his disinterested face, Patten loves his Grandma Bonnie. He sits still for her almost better than anyone else. In this picture she and Brent visited us in our old apartment and she read Patten one of his books using her well rehearsed and very entertaining make-believe voices.

What do you say about this picture??? Patten loves to give kisses, especially to his mom.