Slow Movin'

It is funny how things seem to go so slow, and yet they race by?  Anyway, I am glad to say that I am done with the securities section of my training.  I promised them I would pass with flying colors and kept my word.  I got a 90, 88, and a 89 and I finished a week early.  Luckily, they are able to get me into some of my other training so it isn't a waste.  Today is my first full day at the branch, although, I will only be doing online training.  Then its back down town for Business Training.

I just have to take a moment and say that Hayydn is already living up to any expectations that I might have.  First, he is crazy!  He jumped from the top of the couch to the ground.  He is only 20 months old so obviously it didn't go well, but I am impressed none the less.  He tried to take off a few feet away from the edge, yeah, sorry buddy you don't have those kinda hops . . . Yet. ;-).  He landed on his face, sometimes you just gotta wipe out. :-)

Ok, so, secondly, the kid honestly loves RC cars.  That is all he talks about.  I get home and the first thing he says is, "cars? Go?"  With a look of expectation that, regardless of any previous plans I might have had, I am playin with the cars.  Who can complain about that?  Granted he is still pretty terrified of the darn things once they start going (especially the Nitro one) but he is getting more and more comfortable.  I should ahve him on the track by his 3rd birthday. :-)  And, I think he enjoys working on them with me more than driving them.  I am sure that will prove to be quite destructive once he really can take stuff apart.

On a side note, Hannah, my oldest, is actually getting quite good at driving the cars.  Perhaps it will become a family event? AWESOME! (Even though I am sure Lisa still won't come. :-( one can hope though).

Sorry, not sure what the infactuation with RC is right now, I guess I just never grew up. :-)

New Job

Well, I have a job.  That is the good news and the bad news.  Unfortunately, this job is not a law related job.  Lisa and I sat down and decided that I had to get some type of job sooner than later, because my legal career is about 6 mnths out I had to look elsewhere.  So, I obtained a job as a small business specialist with JpMorgan/Chase.  I am actually quite excited to for this job.  Obviously it isn't what I want to do in the long run, but my legal career will still be here after my time at Chase.  Hopefully I will be able to work hard for awhile at Chase while the economy recovers (and while we recover :)) and then get a job as a county prosecutor later when they start hiring again.

So, life is going to be very busy.  As soon as I am admitted to the Arizona Bar Association I plan on opening my own law practice.  I will pick up a client or two a month.  I also still have the custodial business running in the background.  Needless to say, my life is going to be quite hectic!

Lisa's won't be any different.  She plans on continuing her search for fulltime employment as well as working as much as she can in the meantime.  However, the stress of being too busy (and getting paid) is much better than the alternative.

It will be very interesting to see how everything plays out.  I wish I could hit fastforward and see how everything works out, but what would be the fun in that, right?

Winter Olympics in PHX

Hannah trying out her skills at the sidewalk luge.

Fun at the Park

A little video of us enjoying the nice weather.

The Lawnmower Incident

So, this is obviously a pic of my shattered van window.  No, it wasn't broken into (which I guess is a small blessing).  Sunday morning, right before we were going to leave to go to church, my girls come running into the house (they were waiting in the front yard on our porch swing) saying that someone just broke our window.  So, Lisa and I go out and sure enough the window is shattered with a six inch hole in one side.  Hannah tells me they were playing hide and go seek in the bushes when they heard a loud pop. Then they saw the window.   Meanwhile, our neighbor, diagnally across the street from us, is mowing his rocks.  He had just started to trim his bushes by leaning his mower all the way back and lowering it onto the bushes.  So, I go over to him and let him know that he just broke our window.  He says, oh theres no way I could fling a rock that far.  Maybe one of your kids did it?  Why can't anybody take responsibility for there actions?  I understand that it wasn't on purpose regardless of how stupid his actions were.  All I wanted was a little bit of backbone and a willingness to compromise, but no I get an all out denial when it is obvious what happened.  That is so frustrating because lisa and I usually try to take the high road and rather than start a nasty fued we will just take care of it, but it seems like that is what happens in every altercation I have been involved in.  I would love to meet a responsible individual someday!!  I guess that is why we have insurance.

Dinner and a Blanket

So, earlier in my blog I talked about the Linus Epidemic.  Then I realized "epidemic" probably wasn't the right word.  Perhaps 'complex' or something like that?  Anyway, I came down stairs the other day to find Hayydn eating with his blanket on his chair? What is up with that?  I was too lazy to take it away (since panicked screaming  would ensue).  Oh, by the way, one cruddy thing about mobile blogging is the lack of a spell checker.  So, cut me some slack on that one.

Aaauugggghhh!!!!!  My phone just "force closed."  That is the equivilant of a computer crash.  Luckily, it auto saved my info, well most of it anyway.  I had this huge selfish tangent/rant that now you will never get to read.  That is unfortunate because there were some really deep insights, not to mention a few witty remarks as well.  It was a one of a kind and now it is gone . . . Ok, I am over it, you should move on as well.

I was just reminded of another cruddy thing about mobile blogging, EVERYONE KEEPS CALLING ME.  Sorry for yelling, but that drives me crazy!  Don't they know that I am using my phone to blog??  I need a special ringback tone that lets the caller know I am killing time on the web, call back later.  All I want to do is make a quick little blog post.  Oh, and texts are worse because you end up inadvertantly sending half your blog to the person that texted you before you realize what is going on. (Sorry Lisa). :)  Oh well.  So, to the point of my blog, I have included a pic of Hayydn's blanket dinner.  Although I think blogger puts it at the top and I am too lazy to 'really' go online and fix it, besides you guys are smart, you'll figure it out.

This year, my three oldest girls and I participated in the Laveen Parade. Our ward, the Laveen Ward, had a slot in the parade. Bro. Papp, as well as others, made a wonderful float and Bro. Lund printed T-shirts for everyone to wear. Then all of the children held flags and pictures of relatives who had served in the military. It was quite fun, although I have to say that I was pretty tired after completing the one mile stretch from 43rd to 51st ave. Especially since I had to carry Haddli half of the way. Then, I joyously got to carry her the full mile back to the car. :) Luckily we were #8 in the line up so we got to see the rest of the parade on the way back - meaning plenty of breaks and lots of candy to energize us. :) I took lots of photos and made a little collage for brother Lund to print. Here it is. Oh, click on it to see the fullsize.

The Linus Epidemic

So, my son has what I like to call the "Linus Epidemic."  There is one particular blanket that he is very attached to.  Luckily it only causes problems at bedtime.  He absolutely cannot go to sleep without it.  Tonight we spent like an hour trying to find Hayydn's blanket twin (yes, luckily we have two).  We tried others of similar fabric and color - no go! 

Finally, we just pulled the original out of the dryer,  a little damp, and yet he was asleep in minutes with a huge smile on his face.

The question is, 'what happens when we don't have the blankey anymore?'  I think we are in serious trouble if we don't solve our little problem before those blanketrs wear out or disappear.

Somebody tell this kid it is winter!

So, I was hosing out the back of my truck and I turn around and Hayydn is splashin' around in the water. It is freezing mind you. But it was pretty funny so I had to grab some video. I had to coax him a bit because he got a little camera shy. :-). Good thing mom didn't see it or I would have been in trouble. :-).

Test

Just testing the video posting capabilities.

Test

Job Interview

My wife and I attended the funeral of our neighbor's baby today. It was a nice service. I have to say that I think the hardest thing I could ever be asked to do is lose a child. They are a pretty tough pair though and seem to be hanging in there.

Anyway, I also have a job interview today, so my lovely wife came along, unhappily, but she still came. If I could only get her off the phone. :)

Mobile Blogging

About 3 months ago my old phone (voyager) which I loved, developed a hunger for battery juice. :)  I would get about 2 hours per charge-standby.  Unfortunately, my phone would die all the time and I wouldn't know it.  A replacement battery cost about $40.  I went into Verizon and found out I could get the Motorola Droid for $99.  So, I did it.

I love the Droid.  I am able to do anything and everything with it.  Like the commercial says, the Droid Does!  However, this is my first "smart phone."  So, I might be blown away by stuff that is common on a bunch of phones, but ignorance is bliss. ;-).

Anyway, I found an app for updating and viewing your blog and others via your mobile device.  I have to say that I kind of like it.  This blog entry was created using the app.  So, hopefully that will mean that I will be able to actually update my blog with much more frequency.

Adobe Photoshop Training Seminar

I am testing a new plugin on my Adobe Lightroom that allows me to post directly to my blog. I am kind of likin' that - if it works. Anyway, last Monday, the 7th, my siter, Tara, and I had the opportunity to go to an all day training seminar on advanced Photoshop techniques. WOW! It was amazing. If I had only knew what I know now back then. :) Anyway, you should see some of the benefits of that seminar on the blog later. CYA. Torel-

Harrli Pics...

Hayydn loves his new baby. Yeah, he loves to wack her...and kiss her. He actually does really well, he is definately doing better. Only tried to sit on her once today. :)

Harrli Tyrel Nichols

Harrli arrived at 1:44 pm, on October 9, 2009, weighing a whopping 8lbs even! That is my biggest baby. She was 21 1/8 inches long, also my longest. She did have the Nichols do, but not the most. Hallie had a bit more height on her hair, but Harrli comes in second. She is beautiful and looks a lot like her big brother, who loves to kiss her. She is a good mixture of Haddli and Hayydn. She is very good at eating, sleeping, and pooping...of course. We are enjoying her very much. Pics to follow soon...hopefully.

Labor Day - Pool Side

So, it has kind of become a tradition for the family to get together on Labor-Day. We usually go out to my parents house in Queen Creek. But, that is like 2 hours away and the pool people are super strict about "pool rules and conduct." Seriously, I don't think you are allowed to splash! Anyway, we were able - luckily - to convince my Mom and the fam (those that came) to go out to the pool at our timeshare. It is so much better! It has a graduated entry for the kids, a whirlpool (although we were supposed to have a lazy river :( ), a big slide and other fun stuff. It is only 30 minutes from my house but the family seemed to think it was in outer space, i.e far away. Regardless, we all had fun and got a little too much sun. :) Here are a few pics. (Not in any particular order because that just takes too much work - sorry).

Hannah surfing on Terel's back.

.Hannah jumping off of my back. She actually gets pretty high but Lisa cut her head off in the photo. So, this one gives you the idea.

My Mom and Dad actually cuddling. lol.

Hannah and Georgie playing chicken. Tana was a weak base so I had to take over - we won. Sorry Terel, you just couldn't hang and let go of your man.

Hayydn riding on my back in the whirlpool. It is the same idea as a lazy river but just a big circle. We would run really fast in circles and it would really make the water swirl. The kids like it.

Tana and Brasia.

Hayydn eventually went into the water pretty hard. :) BUT, I tried to save him. He was cool about it though.

Me and Hayydn waiting to go down the slide.

Lisa, Hayydn, and Haddli in the shallow end.

Dad, Arturo, Tana, Hannah, Terel, and Brasia.

Arturo and Tana.

Brasia.

Terel.

Hannah.

Hallie.

Arturo, Tana's Hubby, getting some good speed around the corner.

Tana, well, not so much speed.

Jadie, relaxing in the pirate ship.

Terel and his "friend," Brasia (I hope that is how you spell it??

Grandpa and Georgie. I have pictures of the ending - it isn't pretty! Georgie gets pile drived! Ha Ha Ha.

Haddli, Mom, Hannah, and Hallie waiting for everyone else to come down.
Hannah, just like Mom.

Hallie showing some excitement. She learned that she can stand up after she lands. Even though she can swim she stands up and walks out with the water right to her mouth.

Mama on the slide?? I could have sworn there was a "don't ride if you are pregnant sign?"

Hallie, Hannah, and Grandpa watching as Mom heads down the slide.

Haddli couldn't go down so she sat by the exit and did her part as a little cheerleader. As much as Lisa doesn't want any of our girls to be "Ra - ra's," (no offense to any of you cheerleaders) Haddli is destined for cheer.

Terel, Brasia, and Hayydn.

The lazy people. It looks like my Dad and Lisa are both due at the same time? Well, Dad may be a little ahead of Lisa. :)

Georgie in the boat. He has actually come a long way this summer. He can swim pretty good now.

Hayydn strutting his stuff. Terel, trying to learn from such a naturally studly little man.

Working it.

Grandpa and Hayydn (Actually I think Hayydn is running away). :)

Grandma floating.
Whale Watching. lol

Haddli practicing swimming under the water. She did this the entire time. I was actually quite impressed. I think she will definitely be a full fledged swimmer next summer. Oh, and her eyes were ruined this morning. :) Guess it is time to invest in some Haddli sized goggles.

Taking a breath.

"Ha ha dad, boys don't kiss," was all I got.

This kid loves the water. I had to keep him close because he would just walk off into the water no big deal. I even let him float for awhile, see if it helps him wise up. Uuuhhhmmm, nope. He liked being on my back. I am like his permanent horsey. I don't mind.

Haddli chillin' by herself.

Mama taking her turn with the little energizer bunny.

Showing off for the girls. He was practicing his dramatic exits.

Hallie saved up all her money so she could buy this water puppy. It is actually pretty cool. It has little contact points on the outside so that it will run automatically when you put it in the water. I had teach her how to blow on the contacts to dry them off so it would stop walking. :)