MERRY CHRISTMAS

I hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas. We miss not being able to be with you all during this time of year. We decided to stay put this christmas since we had been back several times throughout the year and enjoy some much needed time together with our own little family. Its been a busy couple of months at school at it'll be good to get some R&R. I kicked that off yesterday after my last final with a round of golf in this beautiful 70 degree weather and i will continue that R&R with another round today. YOU CANT DO THAT IN UTAH! Its great to have school over with. It has been the hardest trimester so far. We began our clinic experience this fall. We had a pt(student in our class) and we had a staff dr. who helped us and signed us off. We learn a new technique every tri and then we practice that in the clinic the next tri. So it was fun to get in there and act like a Dr. for a little bit. Come this summer we will be official student clinic interns working on the students tri 1-5 and their families. Then the last year we will be in the outpatient clinic working on the public. So there is the run down. The next tri is going to be really busy with our 1st boards in march. We have about 12 board reviews that takes place on saturdays and sundays. So i am sure i will be really burned out next tri. But for now its good to be done and spend time with my girls.

Megan-ran a 1/2 marathon in november and is now training or a full marathon in February. She has a friend that is doing it with her so she has someone to run with. She runs 3-4 times a week. She is also planning on going back to school next semester. She has been accepted but is still trying to figure out financial aid. The 1st little while she will be finishing her pre-reqs. She can do most of them online or take some night classes. She wants to get a degree in diet and nutrition. Hopefully it all works out and she will be able to do it. It would be good for her to get out and do something other than running and being a mom all day long.

Mckenzie-is at a funny stage right now. She is either so cute or so annoying. She is a fast learner and loves to read books. She reads them outloud to herself or grabs any stuffed animal that will listen. She is into playing "mommy" with all her animals. She wraps them up in her blanket and takes care of them. She kisses them and tells them to "Shhhshh." She has a huge vocabulary. We do have to be careful what we say around her or she'll repeat it right back to us. She is the center of attention where ever we go. She thinks everyone around us is there to see her. Which is usually the case but its just funny. She is also into proving us wrong in anything or into doing what we tell her not to do. Then she gets frustrated and cries her head off. She is excited for this thing called "Santa Claus." She still doesnt want to sit in his lap but we are sure trying. Maybe she needs grandpas touch. Christmas will be a lot of fun!

Me, not much is going on now! I am just glad to be done and to actually get some sleep. Unless Jared keeps me up playing on the internet all night. Its always his fault. I have been valeting every friday to try and get some extra money. Over the break i will work about 2 days a week. Its really easy money and its fun to lust over cars all night long =). Lately I have been trying to work out at the gym more. I will be ripped soon!!!! j/k just trying to keep my belly from getting jiggly. This spring i am probably going to start an acupuncture program on the weekends. There are lots of things/certifications offered to us at school. I would like to do them all but the problem is they are really expensive and i have already had to back out of a few. I do want to find the money to do some of these as they will only help my practice out in the long run. Occasionaly i will go to seminars where they give you the shortened version but there usually is no certification. These programs are just extra tools i can fall back on if the pt is not seeing results. Wish i had lots of money to do all these things. Donations anybody??? j/k Anyways, hope everybody got our Christmas card in time. We miss you all and we wish we could be with you.

Love,Russ

p.s. GO UTES!!!!!!!!

Seven-Layer Dip

So, we are having seven layer dip tonight. Nothing better to break a fast with than all that goodness! And as it includes guacamole, I thought that it has been awhile since my last posting. Thus, here is my 7 layer post.

1. Here is a pic of me and Adam before the big game. Add him to the list of sons who has been influenced by their mother. (At least I got a red shirt on the lad.)

2. We had a very nice Jepson Family Night at Steve's place. We missed everyone in Texas. Our assignment was treats, so I busted out the Pinwheel Tarts, which we enjoy on a fairly regular basis at our home. I figured that for Brett and Steve it had probably had been close to a decade or more since they had them last. This upcoming month the party is at our house, Dec. 21st. Steve has lesson, Brett has treat, Mom and Dad have talent.

3. Happy Birthday to Laurie, Ben, Brett, Liz, and Christy this month. Did I miss anyone? Congrats to Ben on receiving the priesthood and graduating from Primary! We wish we could be down in Texas to take part with you on that important day.

4. The Utah Jazz are looking good. We just need to keep things steady, trade Gierichek if we aren't going to play him, and continue to let players develop. I think Fess is going to be a steal of a draft pick. He will become the type of big man we have needed since Mark Eaton left.

5. Isaac had a history report on Ben Franklin at school. Here is a picture. He did a great job. He gathered all the facts and created the layout for his poster board stuff. We did the best we could at dressing him up.

6. Christy has accepted a part-time job at the Lakeview Academy (the boys school). She is writing the curriculum for and presenting a class once of month for the Journalism class at the school. The curriculum writing is ongoing and will take the most time, stuff she can do at home. What is interesting about the class is that it is made up of kids that are struggling academically. The aid described the students as having the attention span of kindergartners and struggle to write a complete sentence. They will make perfect media members. Ha Ha Ha!

7. Here is some Christmas cheer.

10 Days and Counting!

The truth be told, my most desirable game between BYU and Utah would be an undefeated season for both teams coming into the contest and then watching the Utes dismantle the Pumas. However, this year I want a Puma lose because when we beat them, if they already have the conference title locked up, I can already hear the torrent of excuses for the lose. Primarily, BYU fans will blow the lose off and say that it is of little consequence since "they could afford to lose one." However, if they come into the game with one lose in conference and the potential for them to slip into a tie for the title, I think it robs the BYU fan of their safety net cop out. Of course, admittedly, my argument is broken down if the game is like it was last year. The Utes had nothing to play for but pride and BYU had already locked things up and it was perhaps the best game between the two I have seen, in spite of the outcome. Here's for hoping for another classic! I'm just glad the game is in Rice Eccles South Stadium where we have a great history the past fifteen years. Go Utes!

Losers rational

When you're afraid your team won't quite measure up it always comes out "I hope the other team loses just so when we play them it will be more exciting!! My! My!... Let me stand up and say that I hope for my team to have it all sewed up.. signed..sealed...and delivered by the time we play. Then if you can beat us and gain a little respect for yourself, so be it.
Aren't rivalries great!!!
Love, Dad

Mckenzie was in Heaven!!!

Mini Mouse

Mckenzie was so excited to be mini mouse for halloween. She even had her mini mini mouse in her hand. With her nose painted black she definitly stole the show out there knocking on doors. She told everyone "tick or teet" and "happy halloween." We had a lot of fun.

Staying Alive!

I wish the Provo Puma's would lose.

If only for the sake of making the BYU vs. Utah game that more interesting, I wish the Cougs would cough one up before the showdown in Provo. Think about it folks, meaning Mom, Dad, Brett, Christy and my boys, when there is something on the line, it makes the game that much more fun, win or lose.

Last year was a classic! There was passion, there was suspense, there was miracles. I'm afraid if BYU has already locked the title up, then it won't be as intense as it could be. But if BYU should lose next week, then the game is getting very important. BYU would have a lose in conference, then the Utes would beat them making it 2 loses, which gives the Utes a share of the title, then BYU could possible lose the following week to SDSU (not likely, but possible), which would give the Utes the outright title.

But, when all is said and done. Who cares?! I can't watch the blasted games week to week anyway!!! Get us in the PAC-10!

Champions

Russ hasn't figured out how to post yet, so I'll get it up there for him. He did make a comment in Dad's post that recaps the tournament. Congrats.

The beauty of the Chiro Games is that should you happend to get tight during the game, you have plenty of people around to give you an adjustment. ;)

Blue-Blooded Fan

Alright, you Red-Blooded bigots, where is the option on the poll for some true diversity? There have been many times over our sports lifetime when BYU waxed mightily over the struggling Utes and just because Uteville dominated for a couple of years while the Cougs were in transition between a tired but great coach and finding a suitable replacement, you shouldn't feel so smug as to think you are so all powerful that you don't even need to consider the possibility that BYU will reign again. As a true blue BYU fan, I object!

This past week I had the opportunity to drive the BYU Team around a little and see their preparation for the Colorado State game. They are a great team not only on the field but in the way they handle themselves off the field. It was fun to see them when they were all loose and having fun the day before the game and then to see their concentration and focus on game day. I expect them to do well the rest of the season and would like to see a little respect. You can still root for your Utes and I would expect nothing less, but don't count BYU out. I predict a score of 34 to 16 for the mighty Cougs!!!

By the way I also got to eat with the team which in and of itself was a revelation in gastronomical over-indulgence. They even gave me a very classy BYU hat which I wear proudly. Plus, I am likely going to do the same thing for this week's game against TCU.
Lovingly, Dad

Ooooohhhhhh. Grandpa!!!!! The stage is set for Nov. 24th (for some) in Austin. I think I'm feeling skinny about that scenerio. I try to look at it as family fun and a time to "enjoy" being together. Anyway, I think this blog thing is a great idea. Jared, I have some information from experience to share about the dentist "trip". Russell, we would all love to hear the details about Florida-- the games and outcome, the beach, the chauffeuring, etc. Fill us in. Steve, tell everyone about yourAfrican humanitarian project on Nov. 16th. I think that is very noteworthy and you can get the details of it straight. Bryan, whazz up with you? Same with Brett. Those pictures of cowboy Jesse were darling. Post those for everyone to see. So Dad is waiting for me to run some errands right now so we are off. Lots of love, MOM P.S. Stay tuned for some great Alaskan shots coming soon to a blog near you.

Isaac's Trip to the Dentist

So, Isaac had a cavity that needed to be filled today and I was lucky enough to accompany him to Dr. Greenwood's dentist office. This would be Brandon Greenwood, the son of Dale. Brandon and I went to school together from elementary to High School. He does a good job of working with the boys.

Isaac was pretty nervous about going. On our way I asked him how he was feeling and he said that he felt, "skinny." He says this a lot actually, like the time he attempted to go inside a spook ally at Thanksgiving Point. He tried seven times but never got further than 10 ft before bolting for daylight. I asked him what "skinny" means and he said, "It's when you are scared and excited at the same time."

So, me and Skinny got all situated in the dentist chair and the nurse hooked him up to the TV to take his mind off of things. Nothing like Sportscenter to distract Isaac. Still, when asked by the nurse how he was doing, she too was told, "skinny."

Things were good until Bud (Dr. G) came in to numb the mouth up. He had on the glasses with the magnification lens on them. He asked Isaac to close his eyes and then proceed to poke him with the needle after having first put on local numbing gunk. The top side was fine, but when he did the bottom, Isaac got a jolt and nearly sat straight up! The tears flowed, but he was brave. However, after that I had to hold both of his hands during the rest of the procedure.

It was rather humorous after that mainly because they told him that if ever he felt any pain to shut his hand up. Well, he was like a spooked horse after that. As soon as the nurse turned on the suction hose, BAM!, his hand shot up like a flash of lightning. Up it went again when they turned the air on, then the water, and this was all before any of it was even in his mouth.

In the end, Isaac only needed one tooth worked on instead of two. He did a great job and was award the Sports Illustrated magazine from the office, much to his delight. We grabbed a couple of pizzas on the way home and got a free DVD rental from Hollywood Video for being a brave patient. The pizza went a long way in helping Skinny feel Fat!

Welcome One and All!

Hey there!

So, after having experimented with my own blog, http://changingjared.blogspot.com, I have decided that we could use one as a family to keep current on how everyone is doing. For example, Russ is currently in Florida competing at the Chiro Games with the Parker College basketball team. He could take some pictures and post them on the family blog so we all can enjoy them.

Posting to the blog is as easy as writing and sending an email, which we all have down pretty well with the exception of Mom. Just kidding, Mom, you do a fine job.

Hopefully, this helps us stay in touch with each other in a fun way. For example, we will miss the Texas crews for Thanksgiving, but some photos or video would be cool. I'm sure Ben could whip up some great movies for all of us to enjoy.

So, if you have news, photos, or just feel like dropping everyone a note, then throw it on the blog.

See you all in cyberspace!