Just counting the days...no, I mean, hours till it is in my hands! 

Read below... 

I Know You Don't Care, But...

Like any of you would care to know this information (except for maybe Ben and Jasen)...but the best game I have played in a very long time, is by far, Fable. This game immerses you in a 'living' world where you interact with people and your personality, looks(yes, how you look), and your morality is determined by how you react to dilemas and situations you are faced with. The graphics are amazing as is the music score. I could go on forever about this game, but I won't.

Anyway, this is one of those 'official' raves... so check out the pics below...

.....or not.

Missing Bobby Fisher...I mean Kyle Smith!!

Where the heck is he? Did he actually get hauled off by pirates to forever be stuck with the identity of 'Jolly Roger'? Did the pit known as Brawley reclaim him? Only he can tell us? Or maybe blogging has left his 'blood'. Kyle where are you?

Incredible Week

Well, let's see, the last time I wrote it was Tuesday. What has happened since then?

Wednesday... was Hannah's birthday and the theme was Elmo. Everything was Elmo! Elmo baloons, Elmo tablecloth, Elmo cups and plates and napkins, Elmo t-shirt for Hannah, and even an Elmo cake, of course! This isn't even mentioning the Elmo gifts. I'm going crazy with that high pitched voice and giggle. I've entered Sesame Street hell! It was a good time, though. She loves her little kitchen. Those in attendance were the Skipper fam, my parents and Holly, Russ and Lisa, Eric and Kelly, Davina and her fiance. That was Wednesday!

Thursday... I went to work, like normal, and worked on the upcoming winter camp season. Also, it looks like we are going to be getting a new camp logo to accompany our upcoming website. Yes, Amanda, I think I officially convinced Dan to kill 'Ponderosa Pete'. The new potential logo looks really cool and I had a pretty big part in setting its direction and look. ( That statement is going to come back and bite me in the butt, I just know it). So I was also working on that with Dan on Thursday. I left the office at 4:oopm to go to an 'estate planning' appointment with Rachel. There is nothing more depressing than contemplating the possibility of your death, what will happen to your children and who will take care of them if that happens. But it is necessary so that my kids are well cared for. After that Rachel and I had dinner at Chili's (saw the Skippers there...I think they are following us j/k) and then to really top off the night and lighten things up we saw The Incredibles. Let me just tell you that if you have not seen this movie, get your butt to a theater and laugh you head off. Plus the animation is amazing! That was Thursday!

Friday... We took Hannah to get her 2 yr pictures taken at the Picture People and she threw a fit. My kid through a tantrum! My kid! I remember the days before kids when I would be somewhere and someone's kid would act up... I would be like 'can't you get your kid under control? if that was my kid they wouldn't do that.' At that point I just cursed myself. Anyway, we had one smiling pose to choose from, so that simplified the decision process. We went to Ikea again! I know...we are junkies and need help. We bought another bookcase for all my 'great literature'. Also did some early Christmas shopping knowing it will be difficult later with a newborn in the house. That was Friday!

And here I am.....typing....

hi......

bye....

Nights of Sleeplessness...

...here I come! Rachel's cesarean has been scheduled for the 23rd of November, which means we'll probably be celebrating Thanksgiving in a hospital room. But what better way to celebrate it than with the birth of your 2nd daughter! Please keep us in prayer that there will be no complications. We know that baby #2 will not be as big as Hannah was because Rachel has been able to watch her diet more because of us being aware of her gestational diabetes. In short that means = smaller baby. For those of you who don't know, Hannah was 10 lbs, 2 ounces; 23 inches = lots of complications. Those complications should be avoided because of the planned cesarean and a lower birthweight than Hannah. Anyway, I'm babbling useless info that you don't really care to know.
We are supposed to have around 40 family members here for a Thanksgiving family reunion, and my mom is a little bummed because we won't really be around or involved with it because of all this. Oh well.
Hannah's b-day is tomorrow... man, 2 yrs has already gone by! Before I know it I'll be dealing with modesty issues and threatening boyfriends! Where does the time go? Rachel and I got her one of those 'little tikes' kitchen sets... you know with the little fridge, oven, sink and now they also have a little cordless phone and microwave. Hannah is really into imitation. Acting like she is cooking, acting like she is eating, taking care and feeding her 'dolly'. She also really loves animals and imitates all the sounds they make.
It's wierd...I'm such a DAD now! It still takes me by surprise. Most of you will know what I'm talking about when it happens to you. And some of you probably shouldn't have kids. :) Love ya'!

"Ah, (burp) can't beat Del Taco. Hey, Luke, pull my finger." 

Thank you, Lord!!!

Well, we have four more years for George W.! Thank you, Jesus! That one was a nail biter don't you think? I was praying pretty hard for that election and that people would vote thoughtfully and consciously, and not with 'feelings'. The people have spoken and they say they want morality. That one kind of shocked me when I heard about the exit polls and some people saying that. Us? America? We want morality? That was a surprise and a good one at that.
We had a good Halloween in the desert with our friends this past weekend. Hannah was so cute in her little princess outfit. There was a couple of 'scary' houses that she would close her eyes as she walked up the sidewalk to the house with me but she pressed on for the prize. I really don't think she cared if she got candy or not, it was mostly about the experience for her.... and her little "chik o cheet". Even saying "tank you". Can you tell I'm a proud papa.
Anyway, I went to San Diego yesterday to set up our camp exhibit booth for Dan and Becky at a conference called Outreach to drum up some more 'bidness', and it took me 4 1/2 hours to get home last night. I'm sure glad I don't have to commute on a regular basis. That type of driving gets me very frustrated and stressed out, but I listened to some Audioslave, G'N'R, and 12 Stones to take my mind off of it.
Jasen-Happy Birthday, buddy, I hope you enjoyed it and your gifts. Hopefully see you soon!
Ben- I'm playing Fable right now and it is awesome. I also bought GTA: SA.
Everyone else- I hope to see you all soon and please keep Rachel and I (especially Rachel) in prayer as we near the date of the cesarean operation for the birth of our daughter. Love ya'.