I thought life was hard and busy before.  It just seams to keep picking up steam and I am loosing my grip.  BUT… we did get to take a break… well a break from work and the normal day-to-day but no rest for Mom and Dad.  We did have a blast though.

Went to Escondido California to get some warmth.  Kinda tired of the cold dreary weather so hoped for some sun.  It was raining the first two days but then was great.  Wore Coats at the beach but the kids loved it.  Jenny and I got a kick out of “Super Sumo Surfer Exercise Dance Dude”.
We went to the beach, rode bikes, did Legoland, Seaworld and the Pool.  Needless to say at the end of everyday all were beat.

We Stopped at Buffalo Bills (good job Jenny for finding the $15 deal!) and the girls thought it was the best vacation ever.  Maybe we should have just stayed there. :’)  We got to the hotel and they had us down for the following week… Big OOOOps.  That got my heart beating.  But after running around a bit they got us in.  We stayed at the Lawrence Welk Resort.  Quite nice.  We love having a full kitchen.  We made all our morning meals and lunches for the day and even two or three dinners.  

Lego land was our first venture.  A bit cold and rainy but all good as we were there to have fun which we did.  The sad note there is Adyson was 1″ shy of the go by your self height and Lexi 2″ shy of the go with an adult height.  We did the kidie rides.

Next day was the Beach at OceanSide.  Ate at Ruby’s and looked for seashells.  Found TONS and yes they ended up in our bag with all the sand with it.  Where are they now??? No idea.  But we all love the beach.  Buried the kids and just rand and played.  Was nice to be together.

The other beach day we took the bikes.  I had everything prepared.  Helmets check, bikes check, bike trailer check, back seat for Boston check, hitch for the trailer…. um #$%^.  Finally jerry rigged it and made it out.  Wore Adyson out in the wind but she is a real trooper and does well riding her bike.   Lexi just sits and says “Go faster Dad!”  Boston’s seat with Jenny worked pretty well… put him right out.

Jenny got to get out in the mornings and do some runs and I was able to do a Mtn. Bike ride at a pretty cool place.  Saw two Coyotes.

Then it was Poooool Daaay.  Kids love to swim.  This luckily was the warmest of all the days.  Good times in the Pool.  Adyson is swimming on her own quite well.  Lexi and Boston can jump in to Mom or Dad.  They love it.  Ryder… he likes the stroller rides.  Got a new stroller for him and he loves it. That night we met up with my brother Steven.  Ate at Rubios and was wonderful.  Was good to hang and chat with him and not have so many distractions.  Except our kids running around the place.

SeaWorld was a highlight, we liked it enough and it was no charge for more days so we went back the day after as well.  Love this video of the bird taking the fish from Adyson.  We liked all the jungle gyms we got to run around in as well.  Lexi, loved the jump place and did it for hours. Boston just loves everything and Ryder was a very good boy.

The drive was really pretty good.  Ryder was done just after Vegas as we tried to push all the way home so we stopped in St. George.  Good choice.  Stopped in to see Mom and Dad, then home to clean it all up.  Then we start back to work and house duties.   We do it all for the glorious times we get together.  It’s trips like these that make it all worth it.  Remember that.

More fun Pictures and Video click here

That is my 3 year old Lexi’s favorite thing to say right now.  And if she thinks we didn’t hear her say it, she says, “Mom… I just said “What the?”"  Ok.

Another fun one from the same one is one morning she calmly and with a sigh says, “I love Belle.” I respond, “I love Belle too.” She quickly and sharply reply’s, “NO, you don’t… you’re a boy! You love Eric.”

I am finding she has some good ones come from this one.

 

How might I sum up this past year?  Well, if you notice my last post was in June.  Now being December makes me realize 4 kids under the age of 6 makes life crazy.  Good… but quite busy.   Going from one family to the other, church, cleaning, packing, putting to bed and don’t forget playing Chase.  One of our favorite nighttime games.  Yes it is busy and has defiantly put my stress level beyond any I have yet sustained.  But I would never trade it.  I never knew how amazing it would be to have these little ones of my own.  So, I figure out how to better communicate, work, play, discipline, encourage, and love those precious littles I have charge over.  And at the same time curtailing a relationship with my lovely wife.  Through all of this business we tend to not “have time” for or simply just forget to take time together.  Time also must be taken for myself.  Not to sound selfish on this one but I have really noticed how it affects me.  I need to un-string my bow and do it constant enough that it does not get beyond un-stringing.   This past weekend was one of those.  Put me in a state and a realization of where I am, and where I want to be.  What do I need to do to keep “Excellence in Everything”.   I have an amazing family.  I have a great job.  A beautiful and competent wife.  I am blessed none-the-less, and grateful for it.  So how do I keep it up-to-par?  A question of balance we all face.

So my list:

10 Finding the joy in the little things

Taking time for each other

Vacation, vacation, vacation

Taking time for yourself

Loving and showing it

High Uintahs Classic Road Race by philmsphee at Garmin Connect – Details.

What a race.  On this one I was very please that the Highway Partrol Motorcycle never passed me.  Meaning this time, I was close enough to the main group ahead that he stayed behind me.  A few times he would come up and tell us good job, which was cool.  What a long, grueling climb.  But once I settled into my groove, I felt pretty good.  Was leading our group of three to the top and then we barreld down the other side.  Wow, the top was at 10,700 ft elevation.  climbed about 4500 ft up.  Snow everywhere.  Spatular views!  Just makes you giddy when you crest and start to come down.  Endorphins, sense of accomplishment and now the rush and reward of flying down really fast.

This was my anniversary of 8 years.  Jenny told me to go last minute so I made some ride arrangements and went.  She is so good to me.  That night we had my parents babysit and we went out to dinner.  Relaxing and very enjoyable.  Went to the Pago restaurant.  Locally farmed and grown items.  Always fresh.  Man it was good!

Yes Moab is a wonderful place.  Even for Scouts.  I think this just about did them in though.  Some did not make the trek on Slick rock but those who did will remember it well I think.  All of us went on Monitor and Merimac.

Click on the Video here

On Slick Rock

The Whole Gang

It is really amazing how busy life gets when more kids come and more on the way.  Yes we had a great Christmas.  Yes things are well.  Thats about all you are going to get till I get caught up. :’)

We thought, hey why not?  Don’t know exactly what we will do there but lets pack the packs, bikes and other things and away we went.  And we had a great time.  The day after Turkey day we departed on our family vacation for this year.  Boston is now 7 months and we are ready for a week and some away.  We have done a few weekend trips but no main vacation, so this was it, and we were excited.

First a stop to Bryce Canyon to do some quick hikes.  Well one hike.  Then some looking.  Lexi as you will see, decides not to show her pretty little face when pictures are being taken.

Lexi wanted to be carried so was trying to catch up to Mom.  You can see how good of an actress she will be. :’) Click here for Video.

The girls did great hiking and loved being in the “cool rock place”.  It was a nice break in our driving.  Then it got dark and we drove to Page to stay the night.  It is interesting to see Adyson so interested in the map and knowing where we are and where we are headed.  In the morning we headed off to the Grand Canyon. But before doing so we went back across the Dam Bridge.  While driving over I asked what bridge we were on… “The DAM Bridge!!!” they all yelled.   Another Video Clip. This time they needed a little coaxing.  They forgot. :’)

It has been years since I went to the Grand Canyon.  In times past it was either me sitting looking out the front window of the Camper with Mom and Dad.  Another time was with my Uncle David and his family.  We hiked Rim to Rim.  I was 12 and still remember it distinctively.  When the kidos get big enough we will also be doing that.  For now, we drove to the overlook stops and got out to look.

One stop the girls were playing “Three Musketeers”  I think Lexi’s face scared off more than just the weary tourist. With sounds of “Haaa – Yaaaa!!!” We all got a laugh while they were in their own world.

What an amazing place.  At least the adults thought so.  After doing a few stops the girls didn’t want to get out any more, so while they sat in the car watching a movie, Jenny and I were able to quietly and peacefully take in the beauty.  As much fun as we have with our kids those quite moments were defiantly one of the most memorable.

When we arrived in Mesa, one of the first things after getting settled in our condo was to visit the Temple.  Jenny lived in Mesa for a few years and remembers hanging out on the Temple grounds.  It was very pretty.

Our trip here consisted of Hiking, biking, Zoo and hanging with some family. My cousin and Jenny’s Uncle.  With it being November, we were truly excited about being outside in the warmth of the Arizona sun.  It was chilly in AZ terms but we were all good.  We called Kim my cousin and she came with her little girl Addison.  Adyson and Addison.  Fun times.  The girls were always asking about when we were going to see Addison again.  My Adyson still talks about her.  They had a great time.  And so did we.  It was fun to see Kim then later to go over for dinner and see Mike and their house.

The Zoo was next on the agenda, but first we slipped in a hike to the little peak next to the zoo.

The Zoo was amazing.  HUGE!  We did almost half of it.  Yes we maybe could have seen it all, but it was nice to chill and take it easy.  We went to the petting Zoo where our little Lexi made her debut as “King of Funny”

She loved it.  What I loved was her wanting so badly to ride a Goat.  Yes that is what I said.  She walked from Goat to goat hoping to ride one and whinning to my that she wanted to ride it.  I could not help myself, I was laughing uncontrollably when I told her to go get on one that was laying down.  She did, and when it did nothing she jumped up and down asking him to get up.  Oh it was a highlight.  And after the sixth one not getting up she was so disappointed.

Good times at the Zoo.

We got to see Matt and Becky.  Had a great dinner there.  They told us about a Train park that we went to the following day.  Zoe didn’t come home from school, I guess went to a friends house.  :’) Alex joined us on the trains.  We love the “Choo Choo”.

We took our bikes and oh did we have fun.  Usery Mountain Park Was a great desert area where we like it so much we went back again.

It was great to watch the kids be so excited all the way to weary tired travelers.  Adyson rode her Double Up bike with Mom, and I pulled the trailer.  Got a bit interesting in spots but we made it work and had a great time.  Here are a few videos that were pretty funny:

Me with Lexi and Boston

Jenny and Adyson

Lexi

Lexi and Boston Sleeping

Needless to say we had a great time hanging with Family, Hiking and Biking.  Would we go again…?  Oh yes.  I think when it gets cold winter season, we might slip down for a few days.  Good times. Thanks to Mike and Kim and Matt and Becky.

Here are more Pictures.

Hi all, haven’t done a WIR in a while so thought I would now a quick one as we head out.  Dad could you send this on to others on the WIR list and maybe you could send me an updated email list.

We are headed to Disneyland tomorrow.  Yes we are embarking to Princess world.  While Boston is young and doesn’t care we will envelope our selves in all things Princess.  Then next time it will be a mix.  For those that don’t know, we are expecting our fourth child.  Yes of course we are excited but this caught us a little off our guard.  Jenny has been sick quite a bit and my parents have been saviors in the help they have done.  Our little ones love going to Grandma’s.  Of course cuz Pompa is there.  And when they would come up to help out.  Jenny is doing better these past few days and also marks being done with the first trimester so hope things go smoother for both her and the new one.  We are excited to be surprised the gender when we first see the baby in the end of August.

I was very busy during Sundance Film festival as I was directing a crew with sometimes 9 cameras recording live Concerts at Harryo’s.  Fun to see Snoop Dogg, Joan Jett and many others.  But yes, a very different environment.  I was working my normal job, then went to Park City till about 3 or 4 am. Then wake up and do over for 10 days.  All the while Jenny being a trooper.

Work is picking up a bit as well now.  Hoping that people are truly ready to do the projects they are wanting.  I deal mostly with business and they seam to need to stay in business so we generally do ok.

Thanks all for you thoughts and prayers.   We are very grateful for our family.  I always love being with you all and hangin.

We hope all the best for all of you.

Cheers,

Philip

Below is a little history of my work as I the Art Institute wants me to teach a few classes and need me to explain what I have done.  Found it interesting so thought I’d send it on.

My Short Work History:

Started in 1995 in student program working for free while I went to school.  Then the President of the College saw my work on TV and asked me to produce a magazine show, with good pay, which I shot, edited, directed and produced and had a crew of 5.  Did that for 4 years.  Gave me free reign of all the Highest end editing bays, and cameras available.  Baptism by fire. During this time I also got hired on to a production company shooting and editing for 3 years.  I was also shooting, editing and directing freelance and continue that currently.

1999 I attended the Sundance Film Makers Lab where we lived and breathed Filmmaking for one full month.  Lived at Sundance with the directors and producers.  I was serving as AC and Grip electric doing lighting.  It was very difficult to get in I hear but they took me and was an amazing experience.

Also 1999 I was hired by TV Specialists.  This was a different jump for me as I was on the creative side and did not fully understand technical/mechanical side of the products.  I also did not want to be in sales.  I was a creative guy. :’).  Alas, they have been good to me and think it has been a great fit.  When I started here, Ted our head guy, said to me when I was worried about the technical stuff, “You can learn that, you can’t learn to have a creative eye as well.”  I have learned many technological things in the 10 years I have been here.  I have continued freelancing as well.  During this time I have instigated business relationships with many up coming companies like Spruce who did DVD authoring, then Apple purchased them. We have been with Apple many years now.  And many others.

I am proficient in the following:

Cameras and shooting

Lighting and technique

editing – final cut pro

compression using compressor and squeeze

dvd – authoring using dvd studio pro

Technical Directing multi camera shoots and putting the parts together for these events

Audio recording (played in a band for 7 years) plus production audio field recording techniques etc…

Directing

Engineering cameras (EIC)

DIT and data workflow (required with new tapeless cameras)

Maybe I could put life changer here too. Just for fun :’)  How would that be?

And the fun continues.

Our Squirrel buddy whom at first was pretty cool to see living among us.  Until I started finding hols in our yard and rocks.  I put goffer traps in the holes only to find them thown out with no thought to the squirrel.  Ah, well I one up’ed them.  I bought some spray insulattion.  Very sticky and expands.  Plugged the hole.  Now they found a new home under my patio.

After doing some reading I was ready to purchase some Fox Urine, but decided to wait and try some larger traps where I would lure them in.  After several nights of Peanut Butter and Crackers I got one.  Off he goes to the city park to run free on his own and for me to set the trap to get 2 or 3 more that I know are there.  I think they went into hibernation.  I did catch a cat, then another cat.

Then one night about 1 am, my wife tells me, “You got a Skunk in the trap.”  What?!! a Skunk?? How will I ever get him out of here.  The trap is on my patio, close to the back door so for the next several hours I lay awake thinking of the cleaver ways I could get him out with out blowing up my entire neighborhood.  After making some calls finally found a someone at the Department of Agriculture to come get him.  He came right away and was so quick I had to call back and find out how he took him.  He uses a jab pole and puts it to sleep.

Ok, so I now wait till February to start trying again.  Stay tuned.

We just had a funeral service for my wife’s cousin McKay.  He was in the military so there was a that part of the service.  I have seen portions of that but was really great to see close up and the whole thing.  One thing that stuck out was when they were carrying the casket under the tent, they stopped and said “Down”, they all bowed and proceeded under the tent.

Lots of other things as well.  I was able to put together a video for him with help from Jenny.  This was nice as I learned more who he was and really what an incredible kid he was.  And how loving and happy he was.  We are sad and will miss him.

Here is the link to the video.