Picking apples with Grandma

Maddie after the HAlloween parade

Vacation - Day 4 - LA Fashion District

Vacation - Day 4 - Breakfast at T & A's

Allison made German pancakes. Maddie, who hasn't seen them before said, "Are we supposed to eat that?"

Spinning around inside a giant orange

Vacation - Day 3 - DCA

Having so much fun I forgot to post anything

Galactic Greetings!

Galactic Greetings Space Ranger,

You have received an intergalactic transmission from a friend who has just completed a mission on the new Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster interactive experience at Disneyland® Park in California.

To Infinity and Beyond!

http://www.disneyland.com/Buzz

© Disney

vacation Day 1 - vegas

Vacation - Day 1 - Watching Mike Play Ball

Mike hurt his knee on his triple right before this, so he had someone run home for him.

Lila Video

I really wanted to give everyone a little view of how Lila was doing. I think she looks better than I have seen her in years.

Vacation - Day 1 - Visiting Lila

I can't believe how healthy Lila looks!

Vacation - Day 1 - Breakfast at Denny's

Sunday Conferene Morning

You can tell it is Sunday conference morning at our house when you see Maddie eating Wingers wings while watching the speakers.

Multimedia message

Leave identification and rubbings

Alex's Cub-a-ree

The cub-a-ree is a group of the diferent units in our area getting together to help the boys pass-off requirements and belt loops. They set-up booths and help the boys.

Family Swinging

A family that swings together...wait, that probably won't look good in the search engines. Nevertheless, they do love swinging.

Shows over, all packed-up

And my feet are killing me...

Initiative Desserts

Again from lunch, these are a good example of the desserts we get. Mango chocolate cheesecake, dark and white chocolate mouse with raspberry in a martini glass, and strawberry shortcake with white chocolate shavings. How did I decide? I didn't, I had all three. No cholesteral for the next week for me.

Lunch @ Initiative

An example of the amazing food Scneider provided. I didn't get to use a per diem, but I didn't need to, this is not crappy sandwich convention food. And this was lunch! You can only imagine dinner. Breakfast was great too.

If only Alicia were here...

Initiative 2008

The magesty and wonder that is Initiative 2008. It isn't Comdex,CES, or E3, but it is informative, targeted, and effective.

Blues Act at the HOB

The group was Las Vegas Blues. No one big, but they sounded great!

The evening's entertainment

Don't know the act yet. Just please, no country.

My hotel, the Luxor

Home sweet smelly, scarey, temporary, home.

Our Booth, Convention Eve

Not quite ready for prime time, but close.

Convention Orientation

Those who have worked conventions will understand, but orientation is lame after your first one. Energy management convention orientations are muuuuch worse.

Oh well, at least I get sushi. $36 for lunch and it was amazing.

Double Life?

It appears my wife may lead a double life. Loving housewife by day, cosmetics store owner in Vegas by night. Who would have thought?

Vegas Hotel Soap

You know you're in Vegas when the soap looks like and is packaged like this.

Vegas - Murder Central

I arrived in Vegas for a business convention and where do they put me? CSI calls it "murder central." It is the room at the end of the hall near the exit. My room couldn't be closer to the exit. Apparently this name is due to the percentage of murders that happen in rooms where the killer has an easy escape route.

Oh, and did I mention the room is right over the pool so it smells like a chlorine factory? Yeah. I think I am going to try and change rooms tonight.

Alex at Cub Country Day Camp - Ft Frontier

Alex said he is having fun and he just got here.

Todd's Stroke

On Tuesday, July 15th, my brother Todd experienced a stroke. We understand that in the morning at work, his co-workers heard him vomit at his desk. When they arrived, they saw him sitting with his head in his hands. He was unresponsive to any questions, but was breathing normally. They called 911 immediately and he was rushed to the Jordan Valley Hospital.

At the hospital, he was responsive, but had slurred speech and would not open his eyes. His mouth drooped to one side for a little while and he talked about taking care of his work responsibilities. He also had convulsions where his arms and legs flailed in the air, but were not full-body seizures (his tongue was not out of his mouth, it was only certain parts of his body, and he seemed to keep some degree of control).

They ran a bevy of tests including a CT scan, chest x-rays, an EKG, and an MRI. After all but the MRI they ruled out a stroke and from x-rays and a doctor listening to his lungs, diagnosed him with pneumonia. The admitting doctor said that pneumonia had commonality with things like meningitis and could cause brain injury symptoms. This didn't make sense to us and we said as much and continued to emphasize our opinion that it was a stroke and the reasons why we thought it was a stroke (slurred speech, drooped side of lip, and obvious mental impairment). I even asked the emergency room doctor after looking they looked at the CT scan if they were sure this was not a stroke. They said they were sure it was not a stroke, especially after looking at the CT scan which she said was "clean."

The next morning, they finally agreed with us (probably after the MRI showed some indications) and wisely determined they would send him to the University of Utah Medical Center where they have a stroke center and a stroke team.

The biggest problem in my mind is that along with the large number of drugs they pumped into him during the first two hours he was there to combat viral, bacterial, and other possible problems, they did not administer any stroke medications, despite our constant admonitions that we believed he had a stroke. Therefore, the vital three hours passed without the key help he needed despite being in an emergency room.

Todd has been sleeping most of the time. I have learned that this is good. Jill Taylor, a neuroanatomist was recently on Fresh Air on NPR and talked about what it was like to have a stroke and map its progress as it was happening, but more importantly, what key elements are most important for recovery. Instead of keeping the brain engaged as much as possible, Dr. Taylor argues that sleep allows the brain to heal more fully. A link to the site so you can listen is here.

Regular updates on Todd's recovery are posted at toddstroke.blogspot.com.

Todd Loses Nut, Tries to Find It

This is a funny post just becasue of the header. It's true. When Todd was cutting the cherry tree with the chainsaw, he vibrated one of the nuts for a guard loose and it fell off. When it happened, he proclaimed loudly, "I lost a nut." None of us argued with that statement.

Cutting the Cherry Tree

Todd and my dad figuring out how to use the chainsaw to cut down the last few parts of the cherry tree.

When my sister called and asked if all the family wanted to get together one last time before she left for California, I said sure. I should have asked what she had in mind before being so agreeable. Jody said that she thought cutting down the dead cherry tree in my grandma's back yard would be a great way to spend this time. What can I say to that. It's that trap I often spring on my children. You don't want to because you have plans for the weekend, but you know it's the right things to do. So after muttering an "Oh crap," I gathered my family and we went off to chop down a cherry tree. And no, I am not telling a lie.

Grandpa's Wake

I have never been one for funerals. They compel me to dwell on my own thoughts of loss instead of the transition and celebration. Wallowing in feelings of loss is okay, but if it goes unchecked it is nothing but a waste of time and can seriously mess with your mind and heart. Plus, I highly doubt those who have left want us to sit around and cry. I don't think crying is much of a way to show how much I feel for someone. Instead, I choose to party.

A party for someone who is died is called a wake and since this is someone special to almost everyone in my family, no ordinary wake would do. So instead of just a one-evening wake, we stretched it out over four evenings interrupted by a viewing and a funeral. Stories were told, feelings expressed, and while big band music blared and fantastic food was consumed, our hearts were bonded and patched. Now, instead of focusing on all the places and ways in which we will miss our grandfather and father, we have a brighter recollection of who he is and are ready to valiantly live our lives with purpose to honor him and prepare ourselves to greet him once again.

See You Soon Grandpa

The morning of July 3rd, my grandfather, Roy Drexl passed away. Even as I write this, it is hard for me to realize. I don't know how close most people are to their grandparents, but these grandparents have been a key part of my development and a lot of who I am I owe to them. In other words, I have been extremely close to my grandparents, and especially my grandpa.

He was 88, a wonderfully old age. For 40 years of my life I have had the privilege of his company, wit, knowledge, and friendship. I feel very blessed to have had this much time with him. So while it is a sad moment because I no longer have this dear friend with me, I know he is having a much better time and when I see him again we'll have much to talk about.

Herriman Days

Our first Herriman Days. It wasn't very large, but what it lacked in size it more than made up for in community. This is a very nice, close little community and we really like it that way. We met and talked with many people and felt like we were a part of something.

Herriman Days also offered a musical artist that I took quite an interest in. My wife has talked about one of her fellow classmates from Bella Vista High School in California, country singer Kevin Sharp. It just so happened that he offered to come and sing as the closing act. Now lest you think this has to be even further down on the totem pole than state fairs, it should be noted that one of his closest friends lives in town and helped arrange it.

Of course, I couldn't let this go without some fun. So I e-mailed Kevin's manager and asked about the opportunity for Alicia to spend a few minutes with Kevin. This worked out very well and Kevin sent me an e-mail to help me facilitate the meeting. You can imagine the anticipation I had for that evening. But it went even better than expected. Sure Alicia loved being able to talk to Kevin for a few minutes, but even better, many of her friends from high school had relocated to not only Utah, but Herriman and Riverton (near Herriman). I don't think I have seen her this animated and excited. It was a good night.

Father's Day Dinner

For father's day I had my dad over for dinner and invited the only other family in town, Todd, Amy, and Oliver.

Dinner consisted of pork medalians, mushroom risotto, fresh green beans, apple sauce, and home made rolls.

Perfect Day For a Field Trip to Red Butte Gardens

Alex exploring botany.

Meagan's School Band Playing Halo Theme

They did a pretty good job!

Mother's Day Snack

There may have been eronious reports of a bad mother's day lunch on my wife's blog. Let me assure you THIS is the snack we are eating before a fabulous dinner.

Cinco de Mayo at Midvale Park

Our family does explore other cultures than Swedish and Japanese. We love to learn and experience every chance we get. The more authentic the better.

Carl's Graduation

Note how the announcer, a professor who worked with Carl for years, pronounced Carl's name.

Alicia giving Carl a hug after graduating.


Carl and his wife, my sister, Jenny.


You may not be able to see it in this photo, but Carl actually has four mobile gadgets that he is working with here. This is a slight reduction in his usual compliment. He didn't want to bring too much to his graduation.

I'm thinking that if he isn't writing for Engadget by the end of next year, I will be very surprised.

By the way, "A" stands for Aggie. What is an Aggie? Ask Carl (or Jenny).

Our first meal on the deck

It was chicken pot pie.

Alex's Magic Man Show

Like father like son

Grandpa's 88th

For my grandfather's 88th birthday we visited and I gave him 88 keys worth of piano music. I'm not sure how long I played, but I know that both he and I wished it could have been longer.

Nihon Matsuri 2008

Every year in the Spring, Salt Lake has a Japanese festival (Nihon [Japan] Matsuri [Festival]). Our family loves to go, even though I am the only one who speaks Japanese.

Maddie and Sophie having a picnic

Maddie, Alex, Sam, and Sophie decided to have a picnic on our deck this afternoon. It was the first day over 70 degrees and everyone was doing something outside today.

Todd and his creation

Todd has found a new toy. They are called Magnetix and he and the kids had a fun time making stuff with them.

Alex at Scout-O-Rama

Alex has been excited about being a cub scout since his sisters started girl scouts years ago. He has only been in a pack since February and now, here in April, he is going to the largest scout expo in the world, the Scout-o-Rama. He may look a little subdued, but he was jumping up and down so much I had to get him to calm down a little for the picture.

Alex painting a neckerchief slide. He picked a basketball.

One of Alex's favorite things to do at Scout-o-Rama was earn belt loops. For those who are non-cub scout oriented, belt loops are like merit badges for boy scouts, but much less difficult to obtain. It gives them the taste of earning achievements.

At the Scout-o-Rama, Alex earned his geology, astronomy, computers, science, and geography belt loops. It will be a good pack meeting this month.

Alex making a quail call.

Alex making a first-aid kit.