Ethan Rewi TeNgaio vs. David Lee Roth

The title says it all.

To check out the raw power of Diamond Dave's vocal tracks, go here – you'll laugh your bum off.

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Bowl On…

Ethan doing the Kingpin jig

A bowler needs her energy

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Ethan giving Mom some pointers

Giving the birthday girl a kiss

Last Saturday we celebrated Tamera's birthday in Idaho Falls style – pizza and bowling!

Papa Tom's Pizza has THE best pizza this side of the Rocky Mtns…period. The place is like an institution to some. It's been around for generations and still kicks out the jams. This is the same establishment that Britt and I, along with our misfits of friends, used to hang out at before we had any responsibilities (kids) and bills (mortgage). It's also the same establishment where on my 27th birthday we got into a full-on bar room/pool hall fight with a group of other misfits. I won't go into details other than on that night I saw Britt show her true colors when she started nailing this thug that was punching the side of my head as I was trying to get up off the floor. Hell yeah, now that's love baby. Thank God there was none of that on Tamera's birthday.

Later we hit another I.F. insitution by the name of Bowl-ero. Clad in stylish bolwing shoes one can only appreciate in person (it must be so no one will want to steal them), we had a blast hurling 13 lb. balls down the hardwood floors. Ethan realized that real bowling is a lot harder than Wii bowling, but he still loved it. Madeline had fun just running around and munching on fries with Grandma as Brittany and I tried to bowl over 100 (I really suck).

The temperatures have been fridgid and cabin fever is starting to set in. This time of year Britt and I always talk about moving, but it never happens. I've been yearning to move back to the ocean. Going to New Zealand last spring really left a longing for the island lifestyle again. Brittany would like to as well but we both agree that right now our families are most importantto us and the kids. Idaho Falls is not a horrible place to live but I think it could be better. Since living here for 22 eyars now I've noticed that a lot of people here tend to be white and uptight. Oh well, your life is what you make of it no matter where you live I guess. I'm just glad we have suportive and loving family members and our close-knit friends to enjoy.

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Weekly Update

After a hard day of being a 2 year old

Ethan doing his thing

Ethan's kindergarten class performed an assortment of "train" songs this week. As you can see in the video clip he can be a bit animated while performing with the other kids but he does enjoy the singing too.



This week Madeline moved up a class at her daycare. She is now a full-on toddler who is starting potty training. We'll see if the old saying that "girls are easier than boys" really holds true when it comes to using the white throne. She is also getting very independent in her ways. She always insists on doing things herself (which I think she gets from following her big brother around so much).

She had a rough weekend last week and ended up with a nasty cut on her tongue and a fat lip from 2 separate incidents. Sometimes I think she forgets that she's not Ethan's age and overdoes it. But she's a tough cookie and can hold her own.

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Adios 2008…

The Westside TeNgaio's survived yet another holiday season. We managed to actually enjoy Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve without killing each other, (close, but no cigar).

Thanksgiving saw warm weather here in Idaho. We spent the day at Britt's grandparents in Pocatello. They do an annual Thanksgiving and a separate Christmas dinner...which the later is notoriously jammed packed in their humble abode. Thanksgiving however, is mellow and sees fewer folks, which in turn makes for a much more relaxing atmosphere. Good people + good food = good times.

Christmas, on the other hand, was a blur of blizzards and family/work parties. I like the holidays and all that they encompass but damn, after seeing Santa about 4 or 5 times it kind of losses it's appeal, although the kdis don't seem to mind. More Santa means more gifts. Right on. I know Britt is somewhat happy it is over too. She has the lovely assignment of coordinating her Christmas work party which is held at Dave Kingston's lavish estate outside of Rexburg. They need to pay her more. Plus, that fact that I was down for the count for a couple of days during Christmas only compounded all the work she toiled through. God bless that woman.

Christmas Eve for myself was spent in bed with the damn stomach flu. Brittany came back from my parents house with the kids that night telling me of all the tasty morsels I missed. Plus, to have the kitchen counter piled with holidays treats and none an appetite to enjoy them confirmed the fact that sometimes life can be cruel.

The kids had an awesome Christmas morning ransacking through their loot. Madeline got her baby dolls that she loves to play with, (it must be an instinctual-mother-thing that girls are born with or something), plus books and other goodies. Ethan got usual Christmas fare plus some sweet Hulk hands and a Wii game system. He's already bowling 200.

Winter dolldrums are starting to set in and we're already planning for a spring getaway to southern Utah to camp, hike, explore and be warm. Brittany and I haven't been back to Arches National Park/ Moab since we were engaged, (circa '98), so it's due time. Southern Utah has such a unique landscape, it's literally like a playground for kids and adults. Plus, Edward Abbey sure loved the hell out of it.

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