Mr. & Mrs. Awesome and their son Totally

Coolest date ever

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000-07:00

Our little goblin

2011-10-31T18:56:00.000-06:00

Daddy's little girl

2011-10-29T11:00:00.000-06:00

Arches National Park

2011-10-22T17:01:00.000-06:00

Fall

2011-10-15T13:13:00.000-06:00

American Fork Canyon 

100 Days

2011-09-21T13:23:00.000-06:00

Labor Day weekend

2011-09-04T10:44:00.000-06:00

Saratoga Springs, Utah

2011-08-05T21:04:00.000-06:00

From on top of Lake Mountain

My house is 1,984th light from the left

The ghosts of Lake Mountain

Salt Lake City in the distance

Future hipster?

2011-07-15T19:07:00.002-06:00

 Looks like he just got off the tour bus!

Nora

2011-06-14T19:07:00.001-06:00

Nora Tianxi

6-14-2011 7:07am

8lbs 15oz

22 inches 


year of the rabbit!

Daddy sandwich!

Bro and Sis.

Day out with Thomas the Train

2011-05-26T13:30:00.004-06:00

Newest Citizen

2011-05-25T11:19:00.006-06:00

Newest Citizen of
The United States of American

Kane Springs

2011-05-11T12:29:00.000-06:00

Snowshoeing with Goats

2011-04-11T12:49:00.007-06:00

Mountain Goats
Big Cottonwood Canyon
After snowshoeing I came across these guys by the road. The past few storms must have driven them to lower altitude. Interesting to watch them negotiate the slippery rocks.

Hot Springs near Utah Lake

2011-03-22T21:55:00.004-06:00

Bad Chinese Resturant

2011-02-20T18:39:00.008-07:00

I should have know when we were charged as soon as we walked through the door. Second clue was the Mexican hot sauce on every table.

We also discovered a new Chinese Buffet culinary "un-delight", 5 day old dumplings. Nearly had to wrestle with other patrons to gain access to the fresh crab legs.

Even the fortune cookies were bad.

Happy anniversary honey.

Owl Prowl

2011-02-19T23:58:00.015-07:00

We hiked up towards Doughnut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon under a shrouded full moon, with our snowshoes and fresh snow falling. Heard the the Northern Saw-Whet Owl in the distance.

second trip: solo towards desolation lake

Northern Saw-Whet Owl Aegolius acadicus

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Saw-whet_Owl/sounds

Potty Blog

2011-01-23T09:47:00.009-07:00

Potty Blog.... the final diaper. These are the trials of the parental units. Their ongoing mission: to stop changing diapers, to be able to use strange bathrooms, to boldly "go" where many toddlers have gone before.

pooh date:
1.11.11 big box debacle
1.12.11 closet
1.13.11 floor
1.14.11 auto flush fear, pooh success
1.15.11 prairie dog, kid friendly seat installed
1.16.11 missed "thrice"
1.17.11 behold the power of bribes, success
1.18.11 success, false alarm!, success, miss
1.19.11 by himself, pee on wall, fear of "strange"
1.20.11 by himself, by himself,
1.21.11 by himself.......

New Years Projects

2011-01-11T12:22:00.006-07:00

test out new snowshoes

shovel the driveway

San Francisco

2010-12-24T10:27:00.008-07:00

Visiting Brother-in-law and playing tourists with friends from China.

The mean streets of S.F.

Lake Tahoe

It's a Girl

2010-12-13T00:12:00.004-07:00

The Wife is Super Excited!!

Fans

2010-12-05T23:40:00.001-07:00

.... even in a losing season!

Trimming the Tree

2010-12-01T13:35:00.001-07:00

Canyonlands

2010-11-15T22:12:00.003-07:00

Mesa Arch at sunrise

False Kiva

It was cold...about 25 degrees but seeing that sunrise was worth it.

Go home!!!

2010-10-19T22:49:00.003-06:00

The one month trip has morphed into a two month trip......
The kid is trying to get home through the web cam.

Fall trip to China

2010-10-18T23:53:00.000-06:00

New tripod

2010-10-17T14:22:00.008-06:00

I have never had a decent tripod... now I do.

Hansen Bridge, Idaho

2010-10-11T14:22:00.005-06:00

This canyon gave me nightmares when I was a kid.

Goblin Valley

2010-10-02T14:22:00.007-06:00

goblins

little wild horse canyon

More Hawkwatching

2010-09-25T14:22:00.001-06:00

I slept in my car... surprisingly comfortable.

2010-09-18T14:22:00.000-06:00

eating out before they leave.

Wife and Kid in China again... this time only for a month. Already started talking to myself quite a bit... and that was only after a couple of hours alone.
got a kayak too!

Isreal Canyon

2010-09-14T14:22:00.005-06:00

The foothills behind my house, from a distance the red leaves look like a fungal rash.

Labor Day weekend

2010-09-04T10:59:00.000-06:00

go Aggies!!!

HawkWatch International

2010-08-29T17:19:00.006-06:00

Citizen Scientists! 4 hour identification training at the Museum of Natural History and camp out on Commissary Ridge in Wyoming to provide scientific data on raptors.
http://www.hawkwatch.org/

Second Trip: 9/26/10 I saw 303 raptors on this trip.

cooper's hawk
sharp-shinned hawk
golden eagle
bald eagle
broad winged hawk
red-tailed hawk
peregrine falcon
american kestrel
northern harrier
swainson's hawk
and some turkey vultures

1983 my first photographic adventure

2010-08-22T21:59:00.011-06:00

Camera strap around neck!

Seattle: my grand parents took me!

What I saw this morning

2010-08-08T15:02:00.012-06:00

Orb Weaver

Level 22 IKEA assembler

2010-07-11T09:03:00.007-06:00

I have completed some projects and have been awarded with Level 22.

Level "zero"

Independence Day

2010-07-04T13:41:00.005-06:00

Trip to Idaho

2010-06-30T18:19:00.008-06:00

Joslin cut Lorkan's hair the other day, he saw a curl on the ground and said... "Eyebrow fell off".

Kid quotes are the best.

Show me paint the house

good Danielson....... very good.

now show me roast the "mallow".

bad technique

End of Costco

2010-06-21T11:12:00.001-06:00

7 years of pay stubs.

Summer Colds

2010-06-13T14:43:00.008-06:00

....Makes me sound like Axl Rose...

wailing like a tortured cat over retro power-ballad riffs,

throwing down NyQuil like a bowl of green M&M's backstage.

Quick Camping Trip

2010-05-23T23:59:00.012-06:00

Hunter's Canyon- Near Colorado River and Moab
kid cam

kid cam

Lantern Festival

2010-04-10T22:09:00.009-06:00

happened 28th Feb 2010

About 15 days after
Chinese New Year is the Lantern Festival.
This concludes the holiday.
Chinese New Year is more of a private affair celebrated with family.

These are huge frames made out of the papery rice paper used to make lanterns.

"Electric Lanterns" for the kids
Lorkan and his cousin

Huge snow storm so the public fireworks display was canceled.
We managed to set ours off.

Food in China

2010-03-28T10:35:00.053-06:00

shrimp on a stick... well,...why not.

Chinese version of a

"Taco",tofu wrapper and pork(fish flavored)

clams from the sea
corn patties:
eaten a lot in poor times
...now it's a novelty.

mutton soup

large-sized edible sea snails(鲍鱼)

this is a highly prized and expensive ingredient used in Chinese cuisine.

(pumpkin with sugar sauce in background)

Some kind of

radish

with sauce.

stuffed dumplings called

"baozi" (包子)

strong bunch onions dip in soy sauce and crushed garlic.

effect: cleansing of the sinuses.

Fried "Yuan xiao" (元宵) traditional in a soup for lantern festival, on a stick is a novelty. nut and bean paste inside.

Pork
boiled fish

more fish

and more fish

Fried Cicadas was the weirdest thing.

"Crunchy"

Also, I don't like donkey.

Tansportation 2

2010-03-21T16:13:00.005-06:00

I did this...used my carry on bag as a ram.

Transportation 1

2010-03-21T11:59:00.009-06:00

Xterra is called Paladin..................... Mcdonald's delivers!

BYD stands for build your dreams............. No need for "Trans"we understand

neon china triad

2010-03-17T01:20:00.003-06:00

Nap in a Box

2010-03-16T23:58:00.031-06:00

Nap in a Box tm

Have you ever thought their has got to be a better way...to take a nap?
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to show you the greatest new way to nap...

Kids will love it because it is fun.

Parents will have more free time.*
Simply "Set it and Forget it". Your child will do the rest.

"as seen on TV"

This hand crafted cardboard box will be treasured by your family for generations.

You don't have to take my word for it, just read the following fake testimonials!
"blah blah blah" -a paid actor
"blah blah blah blah unbelievable statement blah blah blah blah blah" -a mom in Dallas
blah wink wink blah blah digital sparkle in eye blah blah - a dad in Florida
blah blah dramatic gesticulation blah blah....blah blah exclamation!" - your mom in your hometown

But wait there's more!!!

Special Gift!
if you order now!**

Order you Nap in a Box now!

Only 3 easy payments of $19.99 plus S&H

Order you Nap in a Box now!

This is for a limited time folks....we can't to this all day!
www.Napinabox.com
1(800) napinabox

*this statement has not been approved by the FDA.

**instruction on how to personalize your Nap in a Box using ordinary markers!

Napinabox.com does not take any responsibility for the claims of this product. Use at your own risk. Must be with child to insure correct usage. Parental supervision is suggested and to limit all probability of injury your parents should supervise you.

No Rush Delivery is available.
©Copyright 2001-2010.All Rights Reserved.

A month in China

2010-03-14T12:56:00.015-06:00

You have been in China too long if:

You consider McDonald's a treat.

You see three people on a motorcycle and figure there’s room for two more.

Your body no longer needs dairy products.

Forks feel funny.

It's impolite not to honk your horn. It's like saying hey there buddy.. right beside you.

Someone doesn’t stare at you and you wonder why.

You talk louder than is necessary.

You eat at exactly the same time every day, whether you are hungry or not. Then eat again later when you ARE hungry.

Pollution, what pollution?

You would never think of entering your house without first removing your shoes.

You think a pedestrian crossing a busy street is ‘beautiful’.

You prefer using chopsticks.

You honk your horn at people because they are in your way as you drive down the sidewalk.

You ask how much people are making and expect people to answer.

You have absolutely no sense of traffic rules.

You start to enjoy the taste of bai jiu.

You use the word “Ayyiieeaaahh” every few sentences to convey surprise, pleasure, pain or anger.

You think squat toilets are more sensible.

You can pick up any type of food using just your chopsticks... even peanuts.

you barely flinch when you see a small child emptying his bowels in the street.

You find yourself crying over a menu in a western restaurant because they serve potato salad.

You don't blink an eye when a complete stranger wants to take a photo of you with his family.

Grown men and women often say hello to you, and when you reply they run away giggling.

The smell of stinky tofu doesn't faze you anymore.

Groups of people find it fascinating to watch you buy an orange at a fruit market. Commentary is provided in case some people don't know exactly what's going on.

When the national news is on, your forty TV channels magically become the same channel.

you leave your laundry hanging up for more than a day its dirtier than it was before you washed it.

Metal scaffolding at construction sites seems much more dangerous than bamboo scaffolding.

You think your nose IS kind of big.

You shout on the phone in confined spaces to ensure no one misses your important information.

You make enquiries in banks to the cashier whilst they are serving someone else.

You make loud slurping or eating noises to make the food taste better.

Badminton and ping pong are your main forms of exercise.

You aren’t aware that one is supposed to pay for software.

Pink bathroom tiles can make any building or public garden beautiful.

You are no longer flinching every few seconds in a Taxi ride.

You start reaching for a piece of fish with your chop sticks and not even notice the fish looking back at you.

It becomes exciting to see if you can get on the lift before anyone can get off.

Pass Three Months or So.

2010-01-31T12:24:00.009-07:00

halloween

funeral

thanksgiving
christmas
winter

INVERTED Mohawk:
i just don't understand kids and their style these days.

establishing a sweat shop in the basement

Our "little guy" is getting big.

Xterra

2009-10-20T23:58:00.007-06:00

I've been wanting a 4x4 vehicle for a couple of years. I choose the Xterra because of all the features and it gets better gas mileage then some of the others.

can't wait to go camping in Moab!

Cool Summer

2009-08-27T17:37:00.007-06:00

Mr. Sock Hand

2009-08-02T20:15:00.004-06:00

he insisted on having socks on his hands, I blame is on the media for all the Micheal Jackson tributes. a 2 year old has enough difficulties feeding himself without socks on his hands.

weird pictures in china

2009-07-13T10:13:00.005-06:00

pet, dirt & trapped

2009-06-12T11:09:00.004-06:00

pet chicken

playing in grandpa's shoes and dirt

he trapped himself in between the bird cages

Head of Sinbad pictograph

2009-05-31T08:41:00.007-06:00

Head of Sinbad Pictograph located in the San Rafael Swell

http://www.sanrafaelswell.org/indexnew.html

Conference call with Mommy

2009-05-30T21:10:00.000-06:00

Growing while in China

2009-05-28T18:01:00.001-06:00

The Spock Factor

2009-05-12T10:12:00.013-06:00

Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock!

After seeing the new Star Trek movie, I've noticed a lot a changes occurring in our culture. Here is one example; Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iapcKVn7DdY

Rattlesnake

2009-05-11T22:45:00.013-06:00

While taking a stroll around my campsite, taking some pictures as the light faded. I meet this rattlesnake right in the middle of the trail, he was catching the last bit of heat before heading to his den. I got about 8 feet from him and he started shaking his tail, good thing he did because I didn't even see him. He was coiled and ready to strike.

rattlesnake slinking away. (I'm 20 feet away)

The adrenaline rush is not something that I would care to repeat. Later in my tent I contemplated the situation... If I got bite, I'm 2 hr. on a dirt road then another 2 1/2 to a hospital or 2 hr. to the nearest ranger station not sure if they would have anti-venom. Well, glad I didn't find out, and got some shots of Anthropomorphic Barrier style Indian rock art.

ghost with attendants - The great gallery at horseshoe canyon

Horseshoe Canyon contains some of the most significant rock art in North America. The Great Gallery, the best known panel in Horseshoe Canyon, includes well-preserved, life-sized figures with intricate designs.
http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/horseshoecanyon.htm

party girls....

2009-05-03T11:32:00.001-06:00

okay, it's wenlan again... heehee

well, nah, i was never a party girl.. but the karaoke place we went to today happened to be called "party world"

here are pix of my assistant cindy and me...

the chinese labor day holiday is officially over.. THE PARTY IS OVER! LOL....

Hand-less Chinese brush painting artist

2009-05-02T01:10:00.004-06:00

Dear family, this is wenlan... i highjacked jared's blog account. with his permission. haha...

it has been 2 weeks since i am back home in China.
i love it here. it takes me a while to get used to it though,
the traffic, the lack of space, and the fast paced city life.
i am still trying to cope with it.
however it takes me no time to get used to shopping for deals! lol...
it was labor day holiday here yesterday and we took it off and went shopping in a crazily busy shopping district.
i came across this amazing
chinese brush paiting artist on the sidewalk while waiting for my business partner kim to park his car.
what makes him different from any other good brush paiting artist is,
he does not have hands...

i timidly dropped a 20RMB bill, (which is about 3 bucks. less than what a burger cost),
the guy's wife told me i can pick two paintings. TWO!
so i did.. and when i squaded down and went through the paitings, i asked him,
can i pay another 20 and get a custom made piece?
he said, briefly in two words, "ke yi"-- "can" in chinese.

so i got this piece just for me.

in black and white,

"yong qi"-- chinese for "courage."

he improvised a ancient poem by its side too, "diligence could get you where you want to be"

this is the best shopping i've ever done..

Goblin Valley

2009-05-01T09:46:00.001-06:00

Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon

2009-05-01T09:44:00.004-06:00

Wild Horse Canyon

2009-05-01T09:06:00.002-06:00

pictograph panel - Wild Horse Canyon

Grass in a day

2009-04-25T23:12:00.011-06:00

Mom, We Grew Grass in One Day!!!!!
When I was a little boy we struggled growing our lawn. One day while walking home from the bus stop, I noticed that the neighbors had sod put in and I thought that they grew grass in one day.I came home totally amazed, reporting this exciting news to my mother.

Lorkan Feeding grandpa's bird

2009-04-22T23:29:00.005-06:00

feeding grandpa's bird watermelon

Sprinkler and Top Soil

2009-04-21T10:37:00.005-06:00

house behind us gives us shade in the evening. bb-q time.

rocks

more rocks

someone is obsessed with rocks

did i mention backbreaking rocks!

Family pictures (Herding Cats)

2009-04-15T20:56:00.009-06:00

Jason and Marry + kids visit

2009-03-29T13:48:00.008-06:00

Our fist "Huge" party. thanks everyone

At the ZOO and temple square and jazz game that night.

Future's so bright

2009-03-10T07:11:00.008-06:00

Well every parent has this happen... Oh, he/she bangs on a piano... must be a future Mozart!
So far we have had a future Mozart, Chef, Bar Tender and now Computer programmer.

Anti-Espanol Device

2009-03-08T11:37:00.008-06:00

After instillation go make yourself a"KACE-A-DIL-LA"

Keys (it is officaly ours)

2009-02-05T09:54:00.003-07:00

Shutters & appliances

2009-01-12T12:47:00.002-07:00

Garage door and AC unit

2009-01-11T15:32:00.002-07:00

Lorkan makes breakfast

2009-01-11T15:21:00.007-07:00

I was still sleeping and Wenlan was up, but fell asleep on the couch. Lorkan decided to make breakfast, Cream of Wheat was this chef's choice.

Glorified version of a pellet gun

2009-01-11T14:57:00.007-07:00

ruger 10/22 long rifle, it's a .22 caliber auto loading
my first gun

"The Drive Home From Idaho" 12-26-08

2009-01-04T19:43:00.008-07:00

6 hours 45 min. to get home
1 closed interstate
115 mile detour
1 sick kid
1 mean fast food worker
1 diarrhea infested diaper-leaking in the car
1 empty tank of windshield wiper fluid

white knuckling it the whole way - Priceless

Won't be long

2009-01-04T18:57:00.008-07:00

The siding does not look as bad as the first Time. Helps having the stucco on.

Happy New Year

2009-01-02T18:45:00.005-07:00

Hello 2009

Paint + ugly siding

2008-12-28T21:05:00.012-07:00

siding color is way too yellow, we should have checked more closely.

color looked better today (lighting?) hopefully it looks ok in the end.

dry walling

2008-12-20T21:51:00.006-07:00

a heard of antelope near our new house, we also saw a bald eagle.

dry walling is done and prep for outside is starting.

She's a Middle Squeezer

2008-12-14T17:01:00.010-07:00

I walked into the bathroom and there it was.
A mangled tube of minty fresh striped fluoride toothpaste.
Before marriage I never believed there could be such difference in personal hygiene habits.

I'm just glad we agree on the direction the toilet paper roll goes.

Framing, Plumbing and Electrical are done

2008-12-07T19:48:00.011-07:00

Arms race with a toddler

2008-12-06T17:27:00.022-07:00

We are in a full blown Arms Race with a toddler.

Toddler figures out how to use x to get to z.
this will be represented in the following formula
-----------------------------------------------------------

(T+X) = T 2b z

X = everyday object
T = The afore mentioned toddler
2b = Will Be
z = something or somewhere toddler is prohibited

Parents hide X and Z to no avail

pictorial examples of the result when this formula is completed:

LOOK WHAT I CAN DO ...

2008-12-01T00:55:00.006-07:00

OUEE....

Framing almost done

2008-11-23T20:27:00.005-07:00

looks better with the roof on

So far my blog as been very focused on the building process.
It will most likely remain that way.

2nd level framing

2008-11-21T22:13:00.010-07:00

Can't believe how fast they can put up the frame.

Lorkan and myself are goofing off.

Wenlan and Lorkan are excited.

Framming starts

2008-11-16T22:06:00.015-07:00

"we will have a great view until they build another house."

framing was started this week.

looking through
the front window
and door.

A Hole is dug..........Foundation

2008-11-02T18:21:00.014-07:00

Down in a hole, but felling pretty good!

..................................supper exciting to see the "hole" and foundation!

makes it a little more "real".

Lot

2008-10-12T22:09:00.019-06:00

This is our Lot.

corner lot

tons of rocks!!!
jared will love landscaping this one.

Front door faces Utah Lake

They will be breaking
ground this week (hopefully).

I have been inspired to blog

2008-10-08T00:39:00.007-06:00

I have been inspired to blog.
Jill and Joslin have inspired me to blog, however i do not like the name "blog".
Can't we call it an
online journal utilizing digital media.
O.J.U.D.M
Well, that just does not have the ring i was looking for.

Utah State Fair 2008

2008-10-08T00:08:00.016-06:00

We went to the Utah State Fair this year. Our house is so close that I have wanted to go for a while, but we never made it until 2008.

Lorkan needed a nap so he was not in the best humor. He was terrified of the cows and pigs.

But a least we got to see a huge sculpture of butter!!