Portraits taken at the cabin in August

 
 
 
  

  

More portraits. . . that include our progeny!

 
 
 
  

Geckos and Mermaids. . . .

On Monday we were on our way to Jason's Deli for dinner and the girls were saying the strangest things. Luckily, I had the video camera in the van, so when we parked I got them to tell me what they had been saying earlier. Very funny, these crazies.

Cute Little Head 

Tiny Feet 

Well, here is our excited little Zach, who is DEFINITELY a boy! In that first picture you are basically looking up his little bum, with his legs spread-eagle pointed to the upper left and right corners. The second picture is of Zach's feet, which are pointed inward toward each other. Very cute. The third is of his little profile. Already a cutie. Enjoy. 

Albuquerque

Our first stop on our trip out west was Albuquerque to see Rachel's aunt Tina and uncle Kevin and family. Here are the girls jumping on their trampoline. The weather felt wonderful, coming from 100+ heat and humidity! Also, they have REALLY soft grass.
  

Between Monticello and Moab

The drive between Monticello and Moab was beautiful. We were coming from Shreveport, so this was the first of the amazing scenery that was to come.
 
  

Snider Picnic

The Snider clan got together at Sugarhouse Park in Salt Lake. Here are photos of everyone, Lily, and Brei's baby.
 
 
  

Weeeee!!!

Grandma Birrell and Hannah on a merry-go-round in SLC. Lily and I also rode this, but I got sick in the first 10 seconds. I must be getting old.
  

We got great genes!

Hannah and Lily at Grandma Lori and Grandpa Chris' house.
  

That's what you get for messing with the Sniders!

While at the cabin our car was determined by the entire mouse community to be a place of refuge from the birds of prey in the area. I found three hiding in one of the bags in the trunk, and the morning we were leaving I found two more making a nest in the trunk. I got the three from the bag out of the car, but the two went into hiding. I vacuumed the car to clean out the poop, and we packed up and left, hoping that they got out however they got in. Well, 1200 miles later we found that one didn't. I guess it was hiding in the wheel when we left, and got centrifuged between the tire rim and the wheel cover. Very funny. What wasn't funny is that the other mouse got trapped or lost in the air conditioning vents and died, and after a few days really started to stink up the car. So $400 later the mechanics finally found the stupid think, after having to practically rip out the whole dashboard. Very nice.
 
  

Lady in the Water Trailer

Here is the trailer for Lady in the Water. If it doesn't work, go to Youtube.com and search for it. They have it.

Lady in the Water

So tonight was date night, and we were just planning on spending time at Lowe's getting paint to paint some rooms in the house while the girls are in Vegas. But we remembered that Lady in the Water, M. Night Shyamalan' newest movie, was out. And since I am a great fan of his work, we decided (over a big plate of nachos from Moe's) to ditch paint shopping and go see it. And was I glad. As a fan of Shyamalan's movies, I ignore all the bad reviews that they get from people who thought that Sideways deserved an Oscar. Yes, Paul Giamatti was in both, but I think he did a much more impressive part in Lady in the Water. The movie is like going to one of those Japanese restaurants where you get to eat really good food and feel satisfied when you leave, but you don't feel so full that you need to be rolled out or so empty and you need to stop at McD's on the way home. It had everything--humor, horror, a good story (hah--no pun intended, as the mystical woman in the movie is named Story) and a great message. Remember that President Hinckley encouraged the saints to support good-quality movies and see Lady in the Water. . . just not with the kids. The scrunt (a kind of grass-covered wolf/dog) is quite scary. Rachel covered her eyes many times and both of us jumped once or twice. Well done, Night!

VIDEO: Once there was a baby. . .

VIDEO: Tired Lily

Very exciting day

So this morning Rachel and I went to our beloved OB-GYN for her checkup. She is now 11 weeks along, and is quite miserable. I've had to do all the shopping and planning and cooking for the past few weeks. She'll eat the food, but she doesn't want to think about it prior to the actual act of consumption. Anyway, as always Dr. Blanton did an ultrasound, and we got to see the little guy (or girl--I'm just wishful thinking). He was really moving around! We could see his legs and arms flailing around and such. He is 4.5 cm long. Our little Peanut. It really made my day. We were really amazed at how soon all this occurred. We last saw the little guy on June 14, when Rachel was 8 weeks along and the think was just a sack of cells. Now it has a head, bottom, and limbs. Utterly amazing. I'll ALWAYS say this. . . the miracle of life is truly the greatest thing I'll EVER witness in this life. It's just amazing that two people can get together and make another person. And how different they can become! Hannah and Lily are best friends, but are so different from each other, both in looks and personalities! Anyway, very tired. Take care.
Jared

July 4th party on Barksdale AFB

Our friends had a big party on the 4th on the local airforce base, and whom to our wondering eyes should appear, but a Snider (OK--a Jensen) fresh out of the MTC! We knew Tanya was serving in Bossier City (just across the Red River) but we didn't think we'd see her so soon! She showed up with some members from the ward in Bossier. We had a lot of fun talking, eating, and playing volleyball. It was EXTREMELY hot and humid--thus my appearance. Also, notice Lily. She is being pottytrained right now and had a little accident right before we left.
 

My lawyer told me to change the title of this blog.

Well, this is the third attempt at writing something. I'll write a paragraph and then delete it. I hope this is not how my attempt at writing a paper at work is going to be once I start (soon). It is very hot here. I seriously DO NOT understand how people lived here prior to the 50's and 60's! I live with the ever present fear of a blackout (which happens from time to time). I park 2 blocks from the hospital, and when I get into my lab in the morning I usually just drop off my bag and take my iPod into the cold room for a few minutes to cool off.
My cousin was called to our mission, and her first area is Bossier City (just across the river). I spoke with her and asked her what she thought of Shreveport/Bossier city. She said that is was humid. I thought that was funny, in that although she is from El Paso and used to the intense heat, it is quite another thing to experience said heat with 90%+ humidity. I wish my car's A/C worked.

Fresh Jared News

Hi, everyone. I haven't updated my blog in months, but I think I should now. We saw the recently-released Nacho Libre last weekend with our friends, Nathan and Elizabeth. It was so funny, I almost duked in my pants. OK--not really. But I did laugh my head off. It is definitely one of those movies that I will buy when it comes out on DVD.
Work is going alright. I had my yearly seminar and committee meeting a couple of weeks ago. They went well, and my committee was very pleased with my work and agrees that I should be out of here next spring. Yay! Where we will go after Shreveport is still up in the air. Some of you may have heard that we could possibly go to Italy. That is still up in the air, but we are excited about the prospect.
Random thought--if you have a chance, download or buy Fall Out Boy's recent album. It is really good. I've had one of their songs in my head for a couple of days now. I also recommend a great website for buying music--www.allofmp3.com. I've been using it for years. It is EXTREMELY cheap. Those dear Russians! They sure know how to sell high quality music at black market prices! lol.
We went swimming tonight at a friend's house with Nathan and Elizabeth and their kids. They're moving to Japan in a couple of weeks, and we sure will miss them. I guess we'll have to find new friends and stuff. I hate that.
Here's an interesting thing that is happening. We have some neighbors down the street who think it is perfectly OK to work on cars throughout the night. And not just their cars, but those of their friends too! And not just necessary engine or body work, but they pimp these things out with ground effects, rims, and speakers. We've called the cops a few times to no avail. Then Rachel reminded me of a guy in our ward (church) who is a detective for the Shreveport Police Department. So I talked with him and he is going to help us. We don't know what we're going to do yet, but he said that if they are running a business out of their house they can be cited for that, and they could also be cited for the noise. What morons.
Poor Rachel has been very sick for the last few weeks. For those who don't know, she doesn't have Ebola or West Nile or necrotizing faciitis. She's pregnant. So I've been doing all the cooking at night. It's been kind of fun because I know that we're having something that I'm sure to like. But it is tiring though, sometimes.
Tomorrow (Friday) we are going to Dallas with Nathan and Elizabeth to go to the temple. We're both leaving our kids with the Kelloughs, who have adopted Hannah and Lily as granddaughters. They sure are sweet with the girls, and love to have them around. Likewise, the girls LOVE the Kelloughs. We sit with them at church, and they love to sit on their laps and cuddle. I'm looking forward to the day tomorrow. It will be nice to go to the temple, and to spend time with our friends. It isn't everyday that you have friends that are so close in terms of family life, religious beliefs, personalities, and compatibility between the kids. Ours love theirs, and vice versus. They'll be surely missed.
Well, it's time to go to bed. I'm wupped. Take care.
Jared

Meeting in DC

I just returned from a week in Washington, DC, at the annual meeting for the American Association of Cancer Research. AACR is the largest and oldest cancer organization, and each year about 10,000 researchers and clinicians meet for 5 days of talks, posters, and networking. Here is a photo of me with my PhD mentor, Jim Cardelli, above the exhibit hall. 

The Three 'Tards

We were trying to look cool, so we tried to do gang signs (for some strange reason). But we just ended up looking retarded. On the left is my co-worker Damian, and on the right is my boss, Jim. 

The White House

This point was just 5 minutes from our hotel. In the photo are Damian's wife Jennifer (left) and Jim's fiance Jill (right).

Cherry Blossom close-up

 

Washington Monument from behind WWII Memorial fountain.

 

World War II Memorial

This memorial included quotes from Roosevelt, metal engravings of war scenes, and a fountain surrounded by pillars representing all the states of the union that lost men during the war. Being a WWII buff, I was very moved.