Let the Debate Begin!!

Happy Thursday everyone! I am excited about this post since it is all about interaction. Below are two pictures comparing Darren to me and to Carmen respectively. Give them a look and then lets hear who you think he looks like. Special thanks to Carmen for some how getting the exact same poses from Darren that Carmen and I have in our baby pictures.
Take a look and then cast your vote in the poll to the right. : ) Thanks

Darren and Dada












Darren and Mama

He is Reading!!

Carmen has started transferring our old videos to the computer. Among the videos moved so far is this gem. One of the first examples of Darren either repeating words he had memorized or reading. We think this video was recorded just after Darren turned 2 (around 2 years and 3 months). Take a look at the beginning of Darren already starting down the road of being much smarter than either of his parents. Notice that he Says "Boynton" when Carmen asks the author's name.

Oh My Oh My Oh
Dinosaurs!
by Sandra Boynton

Dinosaurs HAPPY
and dinosaurs SAD.
Dinosaurs GOOD
and dinosaurs BAD.
Dinosaurs BIG
and dinosaurs TINY.
Dinosaurs SMOOTH
and dinosaurs SPINY.
Dinosaurs WEAK
and dinosaurs STRONG.
Dinosaurs singing a
dinosaurs song!
Dinosaurs COLD.
Dinosaurs HOT.
Dinosaurs CUTE
and dinosaurs NOT.
Dinosaurs EARLY.
Dinosaurs LATER.
Dinosaurs crammed in an elevator.
Dinosaurs PLUMP,
dinosaurs LEAN.
Dinosaurs RED BLUE YELLOW and GREEN.
Dinosaurs looking right at YOU
to say GOODBYE because we're through.

City Creek 8K - DONE

After 8 weeks of intensive training (coke, chips, and I only ate at Macdonald's once a week) I ran the City Creek 8K. It was half trail half street. The first half going up hill on the trail was difficult but the street portion running back was much nicer.
Carmen and Darren were there at the end and we had a nice walk in the City Creek trails and park after.
My finish time was 53 minutes. By comparison the best time was 32 minutes and there was a 15 year old girl who did it in 35 minutes. So I am proud that I did it but I do have a lot of room to improve.
Next step, the Classic 10K in Layton on September 13.
More pictures to the right.

Large Truck Threatens Small House

Dateline: Roy UT. August 28, 2008
Reports of a strange man in a very, very large truck parking menacingly in front of small house. Emergency Menacing Truck Investigation team has been dispatched to gather additional details.

Truck's arrival


What is that coming out of it?

Viewer discretion advised.
Warning the following image might be considered disturbing.

He emerges menacingly

We LOVE you Grandpa!!!

Happy 4th of July

I hope you all enjoy your 4th of July Weekend. I hope that over this holiday while we enjoy our time with friends and family we can remember what we are celebrating. I hope that we can remember the celebration of this great country and for the divine freedom's we enjoy because of her.

Please take a moment to watch Red Skelton's amazing rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance.

May you and your be safe and have fun!

Happy Birthday Darren

The sun rises over the Wasatch Mountains as it has for centuries. But this day is different for it reveals the throng of hyper, playful children descending upon the Skidmore home like Urukai from the Lord of the Rings Novels. They descend upon us in record number quickly outnumbering the adults. Why have the these blessings of energy come to our home? What is the reason for this insanity? Why today is Darren's birthday party. May the birthday party god have mercy on our souls.

Ok, enough drama. Saturday was Darren's stated birthday party. We invited Darren's friends and classmates from his preschool and his church class. Carmen was afraid that nobody would come and 'break his little heart' but thankfully twenty-one of them came (did I just say that?). And yes, a party with twenty-one guests makes Darren officially more popular at 4 years of age than Carmen or I ever have been... or will be for that matter. A fact that couldn't make us happier. :)

Darren is still into Lighting McQueen (the movie Cars) so fans of red and blue would have enjoyed our back yard. In addition to our trampoline and swing set we had a bean bag game, pin the tail on the donkey, egg races, and the ring toss games for everyone's enjoyment. It is also worth mentioning that Darren's train set was a big hit with the kids also. It took considerable effort to pry some of them away from it (yes Martin, I am looking at you young man).

Darren had a great time with all of his friends. They particularly enjoyed the pinata and the Lightning McQueen themed cupcakes.

So at the end of the day Darren and his friends had a fantastic time, and as a added bonus all twenty-one children went home alive and well. The Skidmore house was victorious against the onslaught.

Do you have any funny birthday stories to share? Feel free to type them in the comments for all to enjoy. Thanks!

Vote for David!!!!!

In the Skidmore House after 7 years of firmly avoiding anything involving American Idol it finally found a way into our live. And what, you might ask, was responsible for our sudden involvement in the Idol Mania? A young boy from Utah of all places named David Archuleta. Yes this young man with the voice of an angel who can cause the knees of teenage girls to quake and more mature female fans to dream of adoption.
All kidding aside, he is a great, humble young man with amazing singing talent. And hey, any one who can make Paula Abdul say the following is worth paying attention to.

"I want to squish you, squeeze your head off and dangle you from my rear view mirror."
-A Half Way Coherent Paula Abdul

So to sum up, watch American Idol on Tuesday's nights and VOTE for David Archuleta. Carmen thanks you from the bottom of her heart and with all her soul.

Check out this YouTube for a taste of David's talent.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1jgmCegf7WY