The Big Seven...

OK. It's taken a while, but Lisa and I have finally whittled down the massive list of potential grad schools into seven prime candidates for application.

It's was quite the selection process, one that had two separate types of criteria.

On one hand, the hopeful grad schools had to have a great program that suited my study focus (International Relations or Political Geography).

And on the other hand, the places we moved to had to have dynamite autism resources for Vincent. Specifically, dynamite resources that didn't cost a mint. (I'm talking to you, CA and NY.)

Well, the list is in and the applications are going out.
(And yes, Eddie. They've all got great football teams. ;-)

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Big Seven:


The University of Utah: Salt Lake City, UT






The University of North Carolina: Chapel Hill, NC







Texas A&M University: College Station, TX








Ohio State University: Columbus, OH






The University of Georgia: Athens, GA




Princeton University: Princeton, NJ







Georgetown University: Washington, D.C.

Halloween 2008

Halloween 2008 was a lot of fun for our family.
Along with the usual coolness of free candy and fun, Lis and I had the pleasure of getting Amy her first costume.

Sorry. We couldn't resist getting her something cute.

Anyhow, onto the pics!


Our first halloween event was the Shoreline Ridge neighborhood party.
Vince got a chance to show off his new costume and I dressed up just for the stares.

Potter and the Space Man. Sounds like a morning radio show.









Later that week, the whole family went to Vince's school for the annual Halloween Costume Parade.

That was where we showed off our little Amy-bug.









Vince absolutely loved this costume. He'd call her "Butterfly" every time he saw her before giving her a big hug.

We were so proud.











Vincent took this holiday event in his usual style; he grimaced the whole way before falling apart when he couldn't sit with Grandma..
Oh, well.







It all worked out though. Once we got to his classroom, there were plenty of games and snacks to reward the kids. There was even a smoke bubble maker!








Our Amy-bug was the real star.
She made sure everyone got to see her in her ladybug costume.
She was too cute.











As for Vince, I thought he made a great and handsome Harry Potter.
Sure, the gist of his outfit was a little over his head. But his wand made cool "whoosh" sounds when he waved it around. He thought that was neat!










By the end of the party, everybody was tapped out on sugar and fun. We were ready to go home.









We had a great time this Halloween.
Next year, who knows what our costumes will be? ;-)










And just for your viewing pleasure, here's Amy tearing around the school gym...

Yellowstone Day #4

On Day #4, the bottom dropped out. Snow. Tons of it.

Considering that we live in Utah, this shouldn't have been a problem.

But... Seeing that it was June and our packing space was limited, we didn't prepare for the coldest of weather. :-(



This was the view from the hallway window. Wow, it was coming in sideways!

Sadly, the weather wasn't the best for little tykes to go out.






But that didn't stop all the adults (except me) from going into the park to take in the winter wonderland.

Check out Old Faithful in the snow!









Yep...Making snowmen in June.
Still think Global Climate Change is a myth? ;-)






I've got to say that our trip to Yellowstone was one of the most unusual and fulfilling experiences of my life. Best of all, I was happy to see my mother take in these natural wonders and enjoy an experience of a lifetime.

I'm really grateful that Mom was able to visit us and see Amy.
We miss you, Mom. Come back soon.

OK, Buffalo. Take us home!

Happy 1st Birthday, Amelia!!! (7-26-2008)

One year ago, our family was blessed with a beautiful baby girl.

Barely big enough to lay on my forearm, her world was turned upside down when she was thrusted out of a warm comfortable womb into a world of noise, cold, hunger and fear.




Now a whole year has passed and that little girl has become more resilient, mobile, happy and affectionate.


What can I say?
You've come a long way, baby!






In celebration of my Baby Girl's first year of life, the Fam and I had a small "Hoo-rah" for Amy's special day. You know what that means? Birthday presents!!!


Lisa was of the mind that no little girl should go without her very own doll house.
Who was I to argue?







What better gift for my princess than her very own carriage and horse?








Our final gift was a golden oldie.
I think I even had a phone like this when I was just a baby.










Even Squirt got a treat.
Something for the best Big Brother in the world.













Let's face it. Presents for your one year old are just as much for parents as they are for children.

But anything that builds our hope for Amy's future can't be that bad.








Anyhow, it's time to play!









And just to show my readers how far she's come, here's Amy taking a wobbly walk out of our kitchen! Isn't she cute?

Yellowstone Day #3

On the third day at Yellowstone, we tried exploring the more mountainous part of the park.
Our plan was to check out the Norris Geyser Basin and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Compared to flatter, thermal areas of Old Faithful, it was a real change. (MAP)

Take a look!

This is a shot of Gibbon Falls. It gave us a taste of what to expect in the rocky North.

Beautiful, no?










At Norris, the fam and I took a walk through the Back Basin Trail. Yeah, it was a little tough to push Mom around in the seat. But seeing her enjoy the hike was worth it.







Boy was it cold!!!
We took our breaks in steamy areas to keep warm.
The brimstone made it kinda stinky, though.








The scenery was incredible. I'm worried none of these photos will do it justice.








This is the Veteran Geyser.
It was a perfect place to warm up. There was a bench and a big ol' steam cloud...







That is, until the wind picked up.
Brrrr!!!








After Norris, we took a short trip East to the Canyon Village Visitor Center. Better bundle the girl up!








The visitor center was great.
Vince got a huuuge kick out of the large interactive map.








I have to admit, it was pretty darn cool.









Amy wasn't too jazzed with the map, but she did enjoy getting out of the cold for a while.








After the VC, we walked down to the lodge to enjoy some lunch.
No lines for us. We packed it this time!








Mom really enjoyed stabbing her watermelon to death.
Good for her!








Once we were done with lunch, it was time to take in the upper falls observation area! Unfortunately for Mom, we had to park the wheelchair and she had to walk all those stairs.

We were all a little worried...





But the view was great.

Here's the approach....











...and here's the plunge!











As usual, still pics can't explain it like a video...




There was even a little rainbow at the drop.
Gorgeous.






This was a shot of the observation point across the river.
Remember this place because it's important!









I shot another vid just because.



Lisa took this shot of one of the smaller brooks that flowed into the canyon. She's got quite a camera eye.












And here's another one!












I'm happy to say that Mom made it down and up the stairs without a hitch. She was so happy and we were all proud of her.








On our way back to the car, Amy decided to take a nap.
Lucky me.












Our next stop was the Uncle Tom Trail viewpoint.
Remember that shot I mentioned? This was it.









And while the shot is sideways, I still think it's nice!



The scenery was so strong, it's almost like it imposed itself on Vince and made him pay attention.

He was really into it.
(By the way, that's the Buzz Lightyear we got him at Disneyland last year in his hand!)




Eh, Amy was just cold. But she was very well-behaved.
Lis and I were proud.








More of Lis' nature photos. I would have never seen this cascade had she not shown it to me. Good eye, babe.








And wouldn't you know it? We finally got a great shot of an antlered elk. Hoo-ah!







While the trip was breathtaking, we were glad to get back to the hotel.
Amy was happy to be out of the wind and in a warm tub.
It was a terrific reward for the best little girl in the world!