Backpacking Date with Carmen

Carmen and I just returned from the best overnight date. We went backpacking in North Cascades National Park. We camped at the Sahale Glacier Camp--it's the highest camp spot in the park at 7,600 ft. I think it's one of the best camping spots in the world!

The hike is 5.7 miles and about 3,800 vertical feet up. It was absolutely gorgeous--the views, the wildlife (marmots, mountain goats, ptarmigans) the wildflowers (we counted over 51 different varieties!).

It was also great to be alone with Carmen for 36 straight hours. We had a nice time catching up, planning, talking about our girls & laughing about memories from the past. I've been on this hike a few times in the past without Carmen. It was especially nice to have her with me this time--so she could experience what I've been raving about. She really loved it and did a great job. It reminded us of our summer in Ecuador & Peru 7 years ago.

The South View from Camp

East View from Camp--The North Cascades

North View from Camp - Mt Sahale & the glacier

Glad to be a Homeboy

We spent half of the last month on vacation. It's good to be home again!

First, we spent 8 fabulous days in Colorado with all 33 members of my immediate family. I'm the baby of 7. It was great to be with all my family again. I have to say that at 35, I'm finally outgrowing the "baby" image.

We had some great family time sharing memories. My brother Jon reminded me of the summer when I was 6 years old, when I took peeing in the pool to the next level. I started peeing my pants before I got to the pool, because I figured I'd be swimming later that day. Sounds logical for a 6 year old right?

The Jensen reunion was filled with good food & luxurious surroundings (I gotta get me one of those steam showers!). Also, I rediscovered how much I like mountain biking (I gotta get me one of those too!).

We arrived home at 11:30 on a Sunday night to a 88 degree house and I had to go to work in the morning. After 4 days of work, we were off to the Rocky Mountains again to another family reunion. Yet, this time it was the Harts (Carmen's family) and we were in Montana. A tiny mountain town at the Norteastern entrance of Yellowstone--Cooke City.

Cooke City was a riot. It's probably what Jackson Hole was like 75 years ago. A 1 room schoolhouse, 1 general store, 1 gas station, 3 restaurants, and 4 bars. The mosquitoes outnumbered humans a million to 1. I got to swim in 33F water (probably only slightly warmer) . I love that stuff. I'm always looking for a thrill that makes me feel like a 13 year old kid. We went to Yellowstone. The girls loved the animals. At one point when a buffalo was really close to our car Anna said,"Dad-roll down my window so I can say 'hi' to this buck-a-low." Classic line. We've quoted it many times since.

Toward the end, we were seriously jonesing for home. That fact, coupled with Aja & my advancing sickness, made us decide to drive the entire 13.5 hours home last Friday. We normally stop in Spokane at our friends the Rawlins. In case you're wondering, I don't recommend driving 13+ hours with 3 kids crammed in the back of a Nissan Altima. Needless to say, I was quite ill when we arrived home. In fact, actually blew chunks for the first time since 1990. My 18 year streak was broken!

So now, we're all psyched to be back home in the beautiful Northwest. Summer is perfect here and the water in Lake Sammamish is divine. I've gone for a swim almost everyday this week. Oh and just when I was thinking life couldn't get any better--we discovered that McDonalds has their soft-serve on sale for 50 cents this summer. Even 15 month old Livie got her own cone. Life is good.

Here are some of my favorite shots from the last month.

Learning about Yellowstone

Hartlings in the Beartooths

Sweetheart Aja turns 5!

Hart-Olympics Winners. Sugar high!

Yellowstone Gate: "For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People"

Kandoo Pudd'n

I love being a dad of goofy preschoolers. Here are a couple things that have made me smile lately.

We scored some groovy girl bikes at our neighborhood garage sale. Anna's is called "The Pudd'n". What a perfect name for the first bike of a chunky 3 year old.

Also, Aja & Anna always have skidmarks in their panties. They just aren't good wipers. So we bought them these special Kandoo wetwipes so they can do it themselves. Aja was so excited about them that she came home and produced a Pudd'n immediately so she could try 'em out. Check out the funny pict of the froggie showing how it's done. The girls think this is hilarious. So do I.

The Bishopric

Isn't this painting great? The Bishopric was painted by my sister Jenny in 2002. It's an interpretation of a circa mid-70's photo of Pete Nielson, Bob Tingey (the Bishop) & Dwight Jensen (redish-pink jacket, my father). Together they served the Holliday, Utah 9th Ward. My family has had many, many good times with the Nielson's & Tingey's over the years.

It's a fun painting with a bit of an eccentric edge. Beyond that, the symbolism is rich.

• Initially, it's hard to ignore the wild jackets worn by the counselors. Symbolizing the carefree nature of a counselor's role compared to the much heaver burden that a bishop or auxiliary/quorum president bears.

• The big smiles show that there is joy in selfless service. Each of these men were busy fathers (5 or 7 kids each) with important jobs (Pete was a Doctor and Bob & Dwight were business leaders). Yet, these guys show there is always time for service and that it can be fun too.

• Finally, my father & Pete passed on over a decade ago, Bishop Tingey is still with us. As I see these smiling guys while walking around the house, I'm reminded that my father's spirit is close by. That comforts me, especially as I think about him on this Father's Day.

Blue Darts

I had a fun weekend in Utah to celebrate the wedding of my ole buddy Ryan Isakson. He married a fab gal, Jackie Morse. The whole gang of Davis Darts was there...Tosh, Derek, Spencer, Jordan, Ben (not pictured), Allison Perry Holland (not pictured), Lisa Lependu (not pictured). We had some great laughs reminiscing and catching up.

It's amazing that after 20 years so much as stayed the same. Lot's of potty humor...blue darts. Even each person's profession isn't shocking: Ryan - Econ Prof, Spencer - HR Manager, Tosh - Ad Agency Creative Director, Ben - Music Director at School of Rock, Derek - Mining Equipment Sales, Jeff - Financial Planning/Sales, Jordan - Lawyer, Lisa - Nurse, Allison - mom of twins, me - Banker.

It was great to be with these old guys. They are practically family.

Lake Sammamish

Here are some pictures from our time on Lake Sammamish last weekend with our friends, Mike and Steffany Wood. For those of you not familiar w/ the area, this lake is the defining feature of the neighborhood. It is 100yds from our house.

I especially like the picture of Carmen. She is such a beautiful person...inside and out.

Yesterday morning, I ran over to the beach to watch a triathalon being staged there. My buddy from work, Stephen Taylor, was there with his two kids to cheer on his wife, Tracy. Tracy is a world-class tri-athlete and a very cool human being. She won the event. Afterward they came over for home-made granola and fresh strawberries. Next weekend she is competing in the world championships in Vancouver, BC. Good luck Tracy!

I'm off to Atlanta for business this week. I'm hoping to heist the secret formula for Coke that is stored in a secret bank vault somewhere in the city. Kidding. Yet, I will be touring Wamu's bank branches in the city and working with our leaders there. Should be fun.

New Trampoline from George W Bush

We fulfilled our civic duty to stimulate the economy by purchasing a trampoline. Never mind the fact that it was made in China...I suppose the Chinese need economic stimulation too. Right?

Anyway, it's funny the types of comments you get from people when you tell them you bought a tramp. Most of them deal with the potential for gruesome injuries (see picture below...by the way we have broke most of these rules already). My standard reply is,"well, you have to embrace a certain amount of danger to have some fun." To which most people agree. Nothing in life is a thrill or really rewarding without the possibility of carnage.

So far, so good. No injuries and we're 5 days into this tramp thing. Last night after the we put the girls to bed, Carmen and I went out on the tramp and jumped our hearts out. It was darn fun. Parents should play like children more often. Afterward, we laid on the tramp and looked up in the trees and watched bats swooping in the darkening sky.

In addition to the tramp, we have had a super fabulous start to summer this weekend. On Friday we went to a wedding reception for the daughter of good friends in the ward--The Balkmans. The value of the food we consumed easily exceeded the value of our gift to the bride and groom. It was quite a spread. They also gave us 25 Dalia tubers that we planted the weekend. They are my favorite flower. So beautiful. See the picture.

Oh we also, went boating with some other good friends out on Lake Sammamish on Saturday. So fun. The water and the houses are beautiful and so fun to see. I got to get pulled around on a tube. I love doing things that make we feel like I'm 15 again. Carmen asked me to carry her to shore as we dismounted the boat. She caught me off balance and I went face first into the 58 degree water along with her. She was so good natured about it...not mad at all. I was embarrassed, but I'm beginning to see the good humor in it. Anna thought it was hilarious and continues to bring it up.

Today on Memorial Day I've been thinking about all those how have passed on to the next life who have made my life better. Those who fought for freedom from tyranny, or for freedom to worship. Especially, my father, Dwight, he was amazing. He overcame so much. As I read and reflected on his life this weekend, I found it remarkable that he faced so much sorrow and was able to achieve so much. He lost his mother at the age of 5 and his father at 18. He wore cardboard into the soles of his shoes. Within 20 years he was a successful businessman with a comfortable house in the suburbs, a fancy car, and a jet boat...only to lose most of it again later in his life. The hardships and sorrows that many have passed through are difficult to comprehend from our relatively cushy lives of today. Well, I gotta go jump on my trampoline now.