Catch Up ...

I was fortunate enough to land an invite to the McCarty family Mexico trip a few weeks ago. I went with Cherie and Rick, Aston's parents, and Megan and Court, Aston's siblings. The family thought it would be a good way to get to know me better being that I am shacking up with their son and all. We went to an all inclusive resort in Cancun. First, thing when we arrived, we hit the beach to absorb some vitamin D ...

Me and Megan went jet skiing in the ocean. It was one of my favorite activities. The waves made it so the jet ski flied through the air and we just hung on like stow aways.

We snorkeled. I spied a baby turtle, a spotted eal, and schools of Nemo's and other tropical fish. It was more fun than I thought it would be, not to mention how attractive I look.

We wanted to see the Mayan pyramids but it was 3 hours away, so we did what any tourist would do and booked the trip on a tour bus filled with Corona's and snacks ... to help kill the 3 hour commute of course.

I need to sort through hundredes of photos, so I will post part II to the vacation in a few days. Stand by ...

What Happens in Mexico, Stays in Mexico

People, Fans, Loved Ones and Followers ...

I am leaving the country and joining the drunkerds, vacationers, honeymooners, and college kids in Mexico for a 7 full days ... please do not call but contact me via email .... I will post pics when I return safely. To see an update on my precious Chandler, visit Jessica's blog. There is a link for your convenience on the right side of your screen on my home page.

Chandler's Mom

Wow, Look at the difference.

Chandler at about 7 or 8 weeks old.

Chandler at six months.

Six Months ... Yesterday

Chandler was six months old yesterday ... so here is his half year update ...

He got a new hat for winter. It's a little big but ... but nothing, it's just big.

This shirt grandpa bought him in Disneyland over the summer and it now finally fits. Thanks Gramps.

And he is almost rolling over, he actually did it once but I it was in a fit of rage and all the kicking just turned him over. It was not intentional. He is getting there though.

In a Nut Shell

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for." - Keena

Aston left town for an entire long month for work. So I have been keeping busy with my studies and Chandler. I am putting together a package to send to Aston as he is in a small town in Colorado called Rifle ... as in the gun ... the only thing they have in Rifle is ........ are you dying to know, a Wal-Mart. Leave it to Wal-Mart to go ahead and get a head start on the monopolization of small town business wiping out any small business owners lively hood even before the city reaches a population of 8000. Current population of Rifle is something like 7,300. Keep in mind that this population is spread over the same area as the Salt Lake Valley stretching about 40 miles by 45 miles. They all must work at Wal-Mart because Aston says he has only seen about 30 people and that was at the Wal-Mart or the liquor store. Any who, so I went over to Jessica's house and she suggested we (and I mean her, because I helpeed less than any) make cookies to send to my honey.
So I am getting ready to send his package and these are some of the photos I am sending him. It occurred to me I have not posted them on the blog, so here.

Impromptu photo shoot on Jessica's coffee table.

Chandler, Yes it is rude to stick out one's tongue.

Chandler wanted to be a happy cow from California for Halloween. I think he pulled it off. He was worried that no body would recognize him, so every where he went he said, "Hey, It's me Chandler."

Dinner is Served

Aston loves to help out with Chandler and it is great. His favorite thing to do is feed Chandler. However, after dinner is done and served, I am left with quite the mess. See the evidence below ...

This is Chandler when I feed him.

This is Chandler when Aston feeds him.

I Voted ...

As I was placing my vote early this morning, a small event that happened yesterday at work popped in my brain and I thought being voting day it would be an appropriate story to share with my four readers.
I was giving company to a young patient on our unit of the age of seven. She was resisting a much needed nap with every fiber in her body. I suggested that her parents were napping, and so should she. I explained the nurses were napping, and so should she. I insisted the doctors were napping, and so should she. I stated that I was going to nap, and so should she. I mentioned that her sister was napping, and so should she. She looked up at me and said, "Is Obama napping ?"
If you have not already, don't forget to vote Americans.

Here you go Mom ...

My Mom scolded me yesterday for not posting a blog for quit some time. So here you go Mother.

This is Aston

Chani in his big boy chair for the first time. I could not get him to stop talking to get a good pic.

Yum Yum!

Today was Chandler's first shot at food .

Some Pictures ...

Boooo!

Him's Mad

Look, No Hands.

Money Money Money, It's So Funny ...

The dog was asleep, the baby was snoring, literally, the sun had not yet risen. Calm had encompassed my house. So in this unusual state I found myself tackling some chores that get put by the way side. I started with my bed. It is the catch all for laundry, clean and dirty, books and other trinkets. Today, however I profited from my cleaning frenzy. After folding about two loads worth of laundry I found 13 hair ties in the cracks of the bed, three inhalers, one tennis ball that undoubtedly Annabelle burrowed, an unopened can of diet coke, a shoe and 40 dollars. Forty Dollars! Wow, I am cleaning more often.
.

Tubby Time

After his majesty received his late day bath, he chose to dress in some casual attire for the remainder of the evening as he was staying in due to a scheduled play date across town early tomorrow. He was so content in his new robe, I think I heard him request a cup of coffee and the daily paper.

DeaR JeSsica,

Mom says I hav to send you a tank u note for all you do.
Tanks for taking my picture, tanks for picking me up frum Cherie's, don't forget u r picking me up next week so Mom, the old bitty, can go to the eye docter cuz she is going blind. Tanks for taking gud care of me when I am over at yur house.

Luv frum your onerary neffuw,
Chandler Jay

AAaaahhhh ...

A Little Bit Of Fun ...

Saturday morning Chandler and myself joined Jessica and Matthew at Liberty Park for some fun. We walked the park once and tried for two laps but Matthew caught on that we were double taking and insisted we play at the play ground. Chandler was due for a mid morning snack anyway so it worked for all parties involved.

The weather was perfect, not to hot. Mattie had a blast and was entertaining to watch. I almost can't wait for Chandler to be a bit bigger so we can watch him and Mattie interact a bit more.

Writing this blog makes me think how funny it is to define FUN now in my life as oppose to three years ago. FUN, three years ago, did not include any kind of park or kids, that's for sure. I enjoyed my twenties, maybe to much, and all my mistakes and transgressions but I think my thirties will be a roller coaster of a different kind, and I am going to ride with no hands the entire trip. Woo Hoo

Good Times.

Whatever ...

After three failed attempts, I finally succumbed to Chandler's refusal to take a nap in his little bed ... so around 2:30 p.m. I was going to take him for a walk at our favorite park so we could retreat from our tiny home for a bit. I loaded him in his car seat and went in my room to get my shoes and when I returned 25 seconds later this is what I discovered ...

It is now 2.5 hours later and he is still there, strapped in and everything. Whatever works dude.

Breaking News at the Hemphill Home

Just ten days shy of his four month birthday, Chandler Jay slept threw the night on the 9th evening of September 2008.

This is an aerial view of my morning activities after rising from 8.5 hours of continuous slumber as I was completely inflated with energy.

Day at the Cabin

We had some technical difficulties so this entry is airing 10 days after the fact.
On August 31st, Me and Chandler went up to the annual Fort Bridger Mountain Man Rendezvous. My parents took Erika and I there as children and now we are taking our kiddos. We met Dad, Sheri, Erika, Brandon, Chase, Shilo and Aubrey. I carried my little person in one of those front carrier packs for babies. It took three people to get him in and out. I think Erika got a picture so check her blog at the first of September. After the Rendezvous we went back to Dad's cabin to stay the night which turned out to be a bad idea as Chandler decided to not sleep and opted to party all night instead. We did, as always, have a wonderful dinner and ate way to much. The kids passed out on the floor, and me and Chandler, awake at 5:00am, left for home as I had a flight to catch to L.A. (see the previous blog) It was a short trip to the cabin but a good trip.
We have been going up to the cabin for years now, ever since I had to putt up there in my old Land Cruiser some 13 years ago. First when it was just a mound of land and we had to sleep in an old musty trailer to seeing the cabin turn into the home it is today. We have had good times from sleep overs, movie nights, food, food, more food, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, walks, hikes, Christmas, friends wrecking Dad's snowmobile, doggie swims, shrimp dip, four wheeling, marshmellow fires, rapping (it's like kareoke but you rap when given to the talking spick), summer parties, I have brought many boyfrineds there, funny though, I have never brought the same guy twice. I love going to the cabin and hope Chandler does as well for years to come.

Is that an 11 gallon hat?

The Cabin

Me and Chandler doing our thing.

Tired kids after the Rendezvous

Aubrey, Shilo, and Chase and his 10 gallon hat at the Rendezvous.

Mr. Can't Keep Up

Ruunnn Keeennaa Ruuuunn

August 31, 2008 was the Human Race in Los Angelas. World wide there was approximately 489,347 participants. The race was on 8.31.08 and all runners, whether in an organized run or in one of the 25 participating cities or running on their own in their home town ran at 8:31 pm their local time. The L.A. race was the last leg of the day and involved some 12,000 runners, the biggest participation of all the organized races in the 25 cities world wide.

This race was the first every of its kind that involved the world. It was designed to celebrate athletes and physical fitness, and to get people of all abilities moving. The L.A. leg had it all, speed walkers, sprinters, families, kids in strollers, seniors, one legged runners, wheel chair racers, and fit runners. Some celebrity participants included Jerry O'Connell, Jason Priestly and Tiffany Amber Theesen.

After the race, the V.I.P.'s that included one Keena Hemphill, where greeted in the V.I.P. lounge with massage therapists, all you could eat buffet, open bar, back stage access to Konye West, Nike + watch a running chip, and some other small trinkets.

Pre Run
left to right: Galen, Mrs. Galen, Katie, Alexis, Moi, Dustin, Tyler, Cory

The Crowd

Post Run

The energy coming from the spectaters was fun and entertaining. One lady held a sign that said "Go Humans" another man sang a song with lyrics of "Run Run Run, Fun Fun Fun, You can do it." he sang at the top of his lungs over and over. Kids lined the streets with theirs palms out awaiting high fives from the runners.

I am very glad that I was able to be apart of this race and what it stood for. Once in a life time opportunity. Well, unless Nike does it again.

Race Stats:

Gunther Weidlinger from Munich came in 1st with a time of 29'25" That's about 12.8 minute mile.

Angela Roerkohl from Munich was the first female with a time of 31'09"

Keena Hemphill from the SLC came in 208,424 with a time of 1:32'14".

487,347 ... number of runners world wide.

2 days ... that's how long it took Keena's body to calm down post run.

I'd Like To Thank ...

My Mom for watching my baby boy all night and Jessica who watched him on Monday and took some awsome pictures of him ... check it out people. There on her blog for September 1st.

Changing America

I thought it would be neat to jot down current events and breaking news stories, of every month that I keep a blog so that Chandler might look back in twenty years and see the changes in our world.

The Breaking News for August ... I hope it's obvious ...
Forty-five years later to the day of Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speach Barack Obama, the first African-American presidential nominee, accepts the nomination for the U.S. presidency for the democratic national party on this 28th day of August 2008.
Whether or not you are a Barack Obama fan, history was made today.