Union Pacific's Great Excursion Adventure

Almost done…

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Friday – 20 April 2012
It’s my “on” Friday. And, it’s also “4/20.” (Insert your own jokes here.)

Last night was my night to fix dinner. After wracking my brain over what to fix, I decided to head up to the local Whole Foods and see what they had in their meat counter. I returned home with four good-sized Parmesan Chicken breasts. While they were in the oven, I prepared some rice in chicken broth (and a little lemon pepper, for flavor). I added a salad for our vegetables and we called it a meal.

We watched Castle while we ate; it was a fun episode, with Nathan Fillion’s Firefly costar, Adam Baldwin, as a guest star. After dinner, I joined a couple of coworkers online and played a little MW3. And had my virtual ass handed to me. Repeatedly. But, it was still fun… despite the ego-bruising.

Stray Toasters

Namaste.

Making a splash…

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Thursday – 19 April 2012
It’s a grey and intermittently drizzly NBN Thursday in the valley. Looking into the distance, it looks as though we’ll have clear(er) skies a little later.

Last night was my turn to give the girls their baths. Given how well they did in the hotel tub, we decided to remove the chair from the girls’ baby tub. Diana had a ball, discovering that she could splash in new ways:

Vanessa was more apprehensive at first, but warmed up to the concept after a few minutes:

The next few bath times should be interesting, to say the least.

After Team DiVa was abed, SaraRules! and I watched Hugo for our date night movie. We both knew next to nothing about the film, other than it won awards and that people we knew said that it was good. So, we took a chance…

…and it was totally worth it. It was a fantastic film. I’d heard it described it as “Scorsese’s love story about movies.” And, I’d have to agree – it was definitely a movie about a man’s love and passion for movies. And it was very well done.

Stray Toasters

And, it looks as though the sun has finally put in an appearance.

“Things That Make You Go ‘Hmm…'”

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Wednesday – 18 April 2012
It’s midweek. Which means new comics and Pasta and Movie Date Night. (I should really figure out what we’re watching, as it’s my night to choose a movie.)

Last night, Team Diva (and SaraRules! and I) had a visit from SaraRules!’ Justice League Junior League co-members, Brittany and Jana. The girls were fairly social, although Diana once (re-)discovered the knocker on the front door, she found it nearly impossible ignore. (She also makes the cutest flinching face just before she lets it go.) After Brittany and Jana left, we fed the girls and put them to bed — they fell asleep quickly. I think they might have still been a little worn out from the trip.

SaraRules! and I watched NCIS over dinner and followed that up with the tail end of Top Shot. The part we caught was an elimination challenge: The competitors had to run an obstacle course in which they had to breach three doors and shoot nine targets, against each other’s time. After the elimination, SaraRules! proclaimed:

I don’t know what this is, but I think it might just be the greatest show ever!

We’ll have to see another episode before I can make that claim, though.

Stray Toasters

That’s good for now.

Namaste.

…and back again.

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Tuesday – 17 April 2012
Day One of the work week. It started off rainy, but skies have cleared a bit.

TeamDiVa’s first road trip was a success.  The basic breakdowns were:

  • Five days.
  • Four states.
  • Three hotel rooms.
  • Two little ladies who traveled incredibly well, all things considered.
  • One honest-to-goodness zebra.

It would be something of an understatement to say we’re “a little” tired. That was a lot of driving. But, it was a good trip. And, I wasn’t kidding about the zebra:

“Sure, there’s a zebra and some llama, Daddy… but there are cars and trucks right over there!”

There’s a petting zoo at the Flying J Truck Stop in Scipio, UT. We’d heard – and forgotten – about it, since we don’t go through there much anymore. But, we needed to stop so that the girls could have lunch. Thus, zebra.

And, while I don’t say this very often: I’d like to commend UDoT for the five (5) 80 MPH zones between Provo and the Arizona state line. They made a few of the long, boring stretches much more tolerable.

Stray Toasters

Namaste.

Adventure Babies: Team DiVa’s first road trip!

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Friday – 13 April 2012
Yes, it’s Friday the 13th… or what’s left of it. I hope that everyone fared well and avoided whatever evils confronted them.  (Or, if you were the evil, that your will was done.)

SaraRules!, Team DiVa and I spent the better part of the day on the road. We’re in Yuma, Arizona. We’re here because SaraRules!’ grandfather passed away last week:

He had been ill and we were hoping to make it here before that happened – so that he could meet the girls – but he went very quickly. So, we’re here visiting her grandmother for a few days.

I have to say that for being barely over 7 months old, the girls were FANTASTIC on the trip.

So far this trip, milestones include (but aren’t limited to):

  • The girls visiting three new states
  • Their first time in a casino
  • Their first visit to Las Vegas
  • Their first time meeting their Great-Grammy Dee.

They got a little irritable for the last few hours, alternating between joy and whining (not quite full-on crying); we attribute a good portion of that to altering their sleep schedules and trying to nap in their car seats. But, all-in-all, they’re good travelers.  (Of course, we’ll see how they fare on the return trip… just to make sure.)

It’s been a long day and the girls are (finally) asleep. And I’m looking forward to some not-still-in-the-car rest this evening.

Namaste.

Something… Something… Something…

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Wednesday – 11 April 2012
Midweek, once more, is upon us.

Last night, because of their Uncle Logan’s birthday, Team DiVa stayed up a little past their normal dinner and bedtimes.

Vanessa (l) and Diana

They did nap a little on the way home; after a bite to eat, bottles and pre-bed wash-ups, they were still calm enough for a quick bedtime story. (Or, maybe they were just punchy.) But, they were out pretty quickly once they were in bed.

After they were down, SaraRules! and I split a piece of birthday cake (Raspberry Marzipan) and watched a little NCIS before calling it a night.

Stray Toasters

Namaste.

“Tuesday afternoon…”

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Tuesday – 10 April 2012
Another day in the valley. And it’s a rather nice day, at that. A bit breezy and few high clouds, but nothing horrible.

And, today is also my brother-in-law, Logan’s birthday:

Last night, SaraRules! had a Justice League meeting. My father-in-law came over to help me get Team DiVa ready for bed and to do some duct work in the basement. Both jobs were successful. When SaraRules! got home, we relaxed and watched a bit of House Crashers and Yard Crashers to wind out the evening.

Stray Toasters

Namaste.

Easter Dresses

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Sunday – 2012-04-08
Diana and Vanessa in their new Easter dresses, just back from their first Mass:

Diana (l) and Vanessa

Happy Easter!

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Sunday – 08 April 2012
We hope that everyone has a safe, happy and peaceful Easter!

“It’s all been done before…”

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Friday – 06 April 2012
It’s not only my “on” Friday, but today is also Good Friday and, as of sunset, the beginning of Passover.

I also awoke to this:

Very funny, Mother Nature.  Ha. Ha.

Last night, I got home and received confirmation on something that I thought I noticed Wednesday night: Vanessa is cutting a tooth. The most unusual part of this: She’s made no overtures of being in pain or irritable. I can only hope that Diana will be as even-tempered about teething.

After the little ladies were down for the night, SaraRules! and I had dinner and finished off Season Three of Mad Men. I was surprised by a lot of the things that happened over the last few episodes, especially when  [REDACTED]. After Mad Men, I played a little Call of Duty with friends. I had a couple of mediocre games and one great game. I should have logged off after the great game, but wound up getting talked into staying for “just one more.” And it was not a good game. Feh.

Stray Toasters

That’s good for now.

Namaste.

On this day of Thor…

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Thursday – 05 April 2012
Another Thursday in the valley. Hopefully, this one will maintain the NBN tradition; it’s doing pretty well, so far.

This week’s been pretty decent. Busy, but decent. SaraRules! and Team DiVa are doing well.

Diana, Sara and Vanessa

Vanessa

Diana

Last night was Pasta and Movie Date Night. It was SaraRules!’ turn to pick a flick; she chose to start catching up on Mad Men. I was good with that, considering that we’re a season-and-a-half behind. We watched three episodes and are only two away from only being one season behind. (Hey, we’ll take the small victories where and when we can.)

I didn’t play MW3 last night, opting to read some of yesterday’s new comics. As part of the haul, I also downloaded Marvel Comics’ Avengers vs. X-Men: Infinite #1 – available only as a digital comic – which serves as a prelude to the Avengers vs. X-Men miniseries, which also started yesterday (technically, it came out on Tuesday, but let’s not quibble). If this is a possible look at “the future of comics,” as it claims, I have to give it thumbs-up for presentation. Well played, Mark Waid and Stuart Immonen.

Stray Toasters

That’s good for now.

Namaste.

Sunny, but cool…

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Monday – 02 April 2012
I find it amusing that yesterday, Mother Nature played a rather cruel joke on us: It snowed. That’s right, after 80-degree Fahrenheit temperatures on Saturday, there was snow. Nothing stuck in the valley, but there are some traces on the mountains. And we’re supposed to be back in the 70s by the end of the week. “April Fools,” indeed.

Aside from that, the past weekend was good. Friday, I spent the day with the girls of Team DiVa.

Diana (l) and Vanessa

We spent the morning at home, but made a trip to Red Butte Garden in the afternoon. (We were going to go to the zoo, but SaraRules! suggested that we wait until Sunday and go as a family. As you might guess from the first paragraph, that didn’t happen.)

Saturday, I had judged another “Infinity Gauntlet” HeroClix event for Dr. Volt’s Comic Connection. We had a good turn-out: fourteen (14) players. Since the games were set at 300 points per player, the matches went quickly. In more than a few cases, matches were over in less than ten minutes. After the tournament, it was back home to hang out with SaraRules! and the girls.

Yesterday, we braved Mother Nature’s sense of humor and went to Millcreek Cafe for breakfast. Later came errand-running and around-the-house chores. Then, dinner with the in-laws. Then, back home to put a very tired Team DiVa to bed. We capped off the night watching a little TV and having snacks — I had a Butterfinger-encrusted caramel apple from C.K. Cummings.

Today… well, it’s been a busy Monday. Things didn’t slow down until lunchtime. (Oddly enough, no monkeys were involved.) Sidenote: SaraRules! made beef barley soup yesterday, which was part of today’s lunch. It was pretty damned fantastic, I have to say.

Hopefully, the rest of the day – and evening – will be fairly low-key.

Stray Toasters
None today; maybe next time.

Namaste.

Test for echo…

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Saturday – 31 March 2012
Just a quick hit…

Today, I’m judging a HeroClix event for Dr. Volt’s Comic Connection. So far, it’s gone rather well. But the bigger “news” is that I’m using this event as a field test for replacing my MacBook with my iPad for gaming…

…and it’s been great.

Smaller. Lighter. And, since I installed Numbers and the ‘Clix rules pdfs on here (oh yeah… I’m writing this on the iPad, too), I’ve got pretty much everything that I need.

Color me satisfied.

Tick.. tick… tick…

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Thursday – 29 March 2012
It’s another Thursday in the valley. So far, it’s held up to NBN scrutiny.  Hopefully, that will continue.
(UPDATE: It did.)

Last night, SaraRules! and I watched…

…for our Date Night movie; I’ve seen it before (we own the DVD), but she hadn’t. She liked it, despite a couple of uncanny valley issues.

Stray Toasters

Quote of the Day
This nugget of joy comes by way of my sister-in-law, Chelsea, and my nephew, Caden:

Caden: Mom, what’s that?
Me: It’s a water tower.
Caden: Oh. . .Where’s the othere one’s?
Me: What other one’s?
Caden: The milk tower and the juice tower.

The utter brilliance and genius of the three-year-old mind.

Namaste.

Adventure Babies Action Theatre 5: Bouncing with Bubbles!

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Just when you thought it was safe to watch videos on the Interwebs…

…here comes another episode of Adventure Babies Action Theatre!  That’s right: More of Team DiVa, assailing your senses with abundant cuteness!

This video was taken Saturday afternoon, after the girls participated in their second 5k race.

Team DiVa in: Adventure Babies Action Theatre 5 – Bouncing with Bubbles!
[FMP]http://echopulse.net/nrobert/Adventure%20Babies%20Action%20Theatre%205%20-%20Bouncing%20with%20Bubbles.m4v[/FMP]
Right-click or ctrl-click this link to download

Stay tuned for more adventures with Team DiVa!