My research paper

I just got done writing a research paper for Honors 150. I wrote it on ethanol, and there are a lot of really interesting stats. If anyone wants to learn a lot of cool stuff (or maybe not so cool stuff) about ethanol, just let me know and I'll email most of my paper to you. Or, if you'd like, I could just post the coolest stats here on the blog.

-Dallin

Big Reminder from Mom

Don't forget to log onto lds.org and get into events to order tickets for t he Mo Tab Christmas concert. We will love you forever if we get tickets!!!! MUM Tyler...nice look to the blog.

Frisbee Golf and colors in Bloomington

We played frisbee golf for FHE last night and took some pictures to capture the leaves here in town. We actually tried going for a drive out in the country but the leaves still haven't changed much outside town--I guess next weekend will be better. Anyhow, here's some pictures of us...

Eli helping dad


Eli admiring mom

We own hole #6


Eli found that he could get the bus to fly much further than the frisbees.

Home buyers class (TyandNat)

Weeks are getting very busy now, trying to get everything done before the baby comes... we already have plans for every night this week and into next week... busy, busy, busy. On Saturday we went to a home buyers class. It was all day long and was pretty boring. AND, the two ladies directing the class had no clue what they were talking about. They tried to tell us that a good money management technique is to "pay yourself first." Normally I would agree with that advice, but in this case... well let me just say that their definition of paying yourself first is to get $100 cash when you deposit your paycheck and then go on a shopping spree--"because I deserve it." Fortunately the class was saved by actual professionals who came in and lectured on banking and home buying specifics. Next week we'll go to look at some houses and ask questions about the home buying process. Anyhow... the big benefit of taking this class is that upon completion we will be awarded a $3000 federal grant that we can put towards either the down payment or closing costs. There are a few other programs we're looking into that could potentially add to the down payment as well. Our hope is to be able to come up with about 10k on our own and 10k in grants so that we can put 20% down on a 95k home and avoid paying PMI (private mortgage insurance--which is basically mandatory insurance that ensures we won't default on our payments or if we do they are covered--it's a complete waste of money and we want to avoid paying it).


Saturday evening we went the ward chili cook-off/trunk or treat. I didn't enter this year because I'm still a little jaded that I didn't win best chili last year. Eli had a great time seeing so many of his friends--because he has been sick for so long it was great for him to be bombarded with kids. Our costumes didn't work out as well as planned although I still think Natalie's was awesome. We tried to be monsters but I looked more like a map with funky feet and Eli spent the entire night pulling his duct taped spots off. We enjoy dressing up even if most of the other adults don't--we're the cool parents. :) Sunday was the last of the month so I'm embarrassed to say that most of the day was spent home teaching. And our hometeachers came for the first time so that was nice. Today (Monday) we'll finish clearing out the garden and go for a nice fall drive. Our leaves are finally changing colors.

News from the Home front

This picture of McKay's birthday is not very good so you will have to get on my picture site to see it better...this is just to remind you to do that ( if you are interested). We forgot to sing happy birthday and blow out candles. Sorry about that McKay. McKay had such a fun group come out for Sunday dinner. We haven't had that happen for such a long time. I hope we can do it again soon. I need practice. I woke up about 2 a.m. to make a run and couldn't get back to sleep. Thoughts of what I should have done with the dinner kept running through my head. Don't you just hate that...you aren't rational. We going to try scones again tonight because Dad didn't get any and they needed to cook longer. You're all invited. We played the Family Question game and I am going to post the responses. I think it was fun to see how much McKay's friends enjoy and appreciate him. Friday night the High Priests had a Dutch Oven dinner. Yum!!! A nine year old boy was the entertainment. He sang songs of some country western singer ( don't ask who ) and they were rather mature themes for one so young but he sang very well. He sang a duet with his grandmother that got him started on singing for others. We walked up to the church and back. It was a full moon and bootiful. Then we watched Silverado because we have never seen it and enjoyed the humor. Saturday we worked around the house and then went with McKay to Grandma Fifes. He is going to attempt to do the landscaping plans for her area in the back of everyone's condo. He took pictures and measured while we heard about G. Fifes adventures in Machu Phicu and the jungle. She had us download the few pictures Lauryl took on Brad's borrowed camera. Then we met Rachelle at Bajio's and Brad treated us to dinner. Early in the week I went to a "cottage meeting" with the candidates for city council. I went to the library to hear Mike Morley (Representative) on the school voucher bill and then to a Preparedness lecture. I keep wishing for more time...I must be slowing down because I don't get as much done as I used to. Kira, it was fun to read a blog from you. Keep it up! Love you all. Here is McKay's questionnaire.
What does McKay like to do most of all? ( I will put his answer first and then what others wrote)
Listen to awesome music ( Beach Boys count). Clean the house;play frisbee; see Michelle's plays;eat food; ultimate frisbee and listen to music; ultimate frisbee or shaved ice;ultimate frisby.
Where was McKay born? Brigham City. Spanish Fork;Georgia; Georgia; Georgia; Spanish Fork;USA; Timbuktu ( that would be Matt, his room mate that makes the weird answers) .
Favorite band/ music: Beach Boys -Oldies/ Classic Rock/70's/80's. Rap, B&B;Beachboys/soft rock from the 70's;Beach Boysand Bread/old school Rock or Karen Carpenter; U2/rock; B.Boys/Oldies; Beach Boys/Oldies;John Schmidt/oldies.
What sport does he like to play? Ultimate. frisbee; frisbee;Ultimate;Ultimate;Ultimate;frisbee; needlepoint/Halo.
What famous person does he remind you of? Brad Pitt because all the ladies want him. Mackay Christensen( the baseball person); Ronald Reagan; Tom Hanks; Bob Cracthet ( from Christmas Carol) ; Garfunkel; Garfunkel ( these two sat together); Bill Murray.
What are some of his talents? Listening to music, yo-yo, fooseball, art stuff. Humor, teaching, playing bells while bike riding; underwater basket weaving; taking photos, making cards; eating good food; singing, playing guitar, drawing, knowing all computerness; yo-yoing, drawing, photography, frisbeeing, wooting; needlepoint.
What is his favorite subject in school? Art. Math ( with variate calculus specifically); floral arrangement with girls; computers/ art; womens' studies ( or study abroad); living with plants; Math.
What is his favorite food? Chinese. navajo tacos; peach shakes; those sandwich pies; navajo tacos; anything he didn't have to make; chocolate chip-less cookies; cotton candy.
Why do you like McKay? He likes me for me. because he is my favorite room mate ever! ( Sorry Steve..it's his birthday); because knowing him makes me happy; He's the kindest, sweetest, funniest down to earth guy I know and I just love him to death!; He's fun; because he makes me food and takes my hasseling; besides the fact that he is AMAZING, he invited me over to his home to eat Navajo tacos!; friendly and includes others.
Hope you made it through this email. We had a great fun celebrating the boy's birthdays and wish Tyler was closer so we could hang a birthday sign on his door! Maybe when we go in Nov. Hope you all know how much we love you.

So it has been a while since I have written. You may have heard that I went out on a date! It is true. I actually went on two dates. Crazy I know. They were with Warrenn Robinson. His dad was a professor at BYU. Mom had him for women's chorus. He taught classical voice. Anyway, I met Warrenn at church, Break the Fast, and he asked me out at our institute class for old people (25+). We went with another couple to see the Rincon stake's production of Pirates of Penzance. Kevin Neilson from Brigham City was Fredrick. Small world eh? It was great. The police chief was my favorite. Warrenn asked me out again after institute that next week. It pays to go to institute :) His eternal marriage prof from BYU came and was giving a marriage conference so we went to listen to him talk. It was a little weird for a second date going to talk on eternal marriage. Before that we went and had dinner at Costco. That was a first for me. After the talk we went over to a girl in my ward's house and played pool and scatagories and had ice cream. Warrenn is a really nice guy and we have a lot in common. He can even quote Strictly Ballroom! Anyways that was the end of that. I think he has a goal of going on a date once a week so he asked my visit teachee out the next week and they have been going out ever since. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.
School has kept me quite busy these days. I have had much better clinical experiences these past few weeks than I did in the begining. A few weeks ago I had my pediatric rotation. I went to an elementary school and to Casa de los Ninos. Casa is very similar to the Casa I was with in Houston but is about four times as big. I loved working with the kidos. It was a nice break from the hospital. The coolest thing that I have seen thus far, besides surgery, would have to be seeing a chest tube be put in. The patient had a lot of fluid in his chest which was causing his lung to collapse. You put a chest tube in to drain the fluid and the lung will reexpand. Unfortunately the patient wasn't going to get better. He went home to be put on hospice. I have clinicals Mon-Weds. for eight hours and then I come home and work on assignments and study for tests. Thursday and Friday we meet for class. We are half way through the semester! I have survived 5 months. Tomorrow I go to the GI(gastrointestenal) lab where they do colonoscopies and such. Hopefully I will get the opportuninty to try putting in an IV. I am scared but I need to practice on a real human being!
Socially life has been good. The institute program down here is really good. They have an activity almost every week. On Fridays they broadcast the BYU devotional and have lunch for a dollar. I really like the class I go to on Weds. nights. There are a lot of comments and I always learn something. The class is taught by everyone. We all just take turns. On Friday there was an institue dance/halloween party. I dressed up as a girl from the fourties. I looked up online how they did their hair and bought red lipstick and matte foundation. I took forever to do my hair and it didn't turn out like it was supposed to. I figured something out and it was ok. I think I looked pretty good. None the less, it was fun to look at the hairstyles and now I can really appreciate the simpler styles we have today! My friend took pictures so hopefully and can get some from her. Since it took me forever to do my hair, I didn't get to the dance until late and missed most of the activities. It was fun to dance though. I also went and took pumkin seeds from the pumpkins other people had carved. Yum!
Well that about sums up my adventures from the last two months. I hope all you birthday boys had a spectacular birthday! Love you all and miss you!!!!!!
Kira

Dallin's life

It's been a while since I posted, so I thought now would be a good time.
On the 13th I drove down to Las Vegas in a big van with my roommate (Colin), his dad and brothers, and a few of the kids from the dorm next to us. We went to the BYU-UNLV game (BYU won 24-14), slept at a hotel, and drove back Sunday morning. I had hoped to do a lot of homework on the six hour drive down and the six hour drive back, but the bumpy van made it very hard to concentrate, so I ended up not getting a whole lot of homework done.
That put me way behind in school, so pretty much all of last week I was scrambling to get my homework done for all of my classes. I had 4 essays due near the end of the week, so I was really busy. I stayed up till at least 1 'o clock doing homework every night last week.
I finally got caught up in my classes, and since Friday have been loving life.
On Friday I came home and got to eat dinner with Mom and Dad and then go over to the Anderson's and play games and talk with them (Kelley was visiting home. She lives in Twin Falls now). Saturday morning we got to go bowling as a family, as Mom already mentioned.
I got to see BYU beat Eastern Washington 42-7 in the snow on Saturday night. About mid-way through the 3rd quarter, most people were leaving because of the slush/snow. Colin and I decided to get better seats and ended up sitting right behind EWU's bench at about the 45 yard line. We loved the seats and had fun watching the game. Yesterday morning we were watching the rebroadcastation of the game before our classes and we saw ourselves on TV right behind the on-field reporter. I'm pretty sure that's the first time I've been on TV, so that was cool. (It's fairly ironic that the first home game when we didn't paint ourselves is when we finally made it on TV)
Today is my birthday--thanks to everyone for the presents and good wishes. Mom, Dad, and Brooke pooled together and got me a nice digital camera (just like Mom's but slightly better). McKay took me out to eat at a Chinese buffet today, it was delicious. Tyler is getting me some of his sweet movies for my iPod. Thanks again to everyone, I've had a great birthday!

The Marathon

So here's the nitty gritty... We woke up at 5:00, Eli was still sick (he threw up around 4:00), but he and Natalie came anyways because they wanted to show support. We drove the hour and half to Lawrence (just outside Indy) and picked up my packet and got ready for the start. They expanded the running field to 4500 runners this year (sold out) and did a great job accommodating except for the fact that so many people were trying to get off the highway at the same time (we beat the traffic). Because the organizers didn't want 500 people stuck in traffic to miss the race they pushed the starting time back a half hour to 9:00, a pretty late start for a marathon. It was cool outside so we waited inside for most of the time. When we came outsite we saw a guy wearing a shirt that dad would appreciate. Here it is... As for the race itself, they combined the runners from the 1/2 and full marathon and since I knew no one in the race I picked a couple of guys around mile one that seemed to be taking a real steady pace about where I wanted to be. They stayed consistent throughout the first ten miles and we made great time. My 5k was 24:50, 10k 49:55, and 1/2 marathon was 1:52:10. Unfortunately for me the two guys started speeding up. I couldn't figure it out until mile 12 when I realized they there were doing the 1/2 marathon and had started their kick. So I finished my first 1/2 much faster than I had anticipated and I paid the price for it. Up til that point I was running pretty consistent 8:30 miles when I should have been running 9:00 miles. For the next five or six miles I slowed it down to 9:00 but around mile 20 I just ran out of steam. I started walking off and on for the last five and killed any chances of doing a sub four. My final time was 4:11:52. I just checked and I was 446/1058 and 38/62 in my division. It is significantly better than my previous marathon times but I should have been able to do a sub 4 so I'm a little disappointed. The good news is that my training has paid off and I feel good about my efforts. I've also lost thirty pounds in the last year and a half and am almost to the 200 lbs. point I wanted to be at by marathon time. If I can lost another 10-15 lbs by marathon time next year I should be able to go quite a bit faster. The other good news is that I've learned much better how to deal with long miles and my body hasn't fallen apart--no big blisters (no blister period actually) no major chaffing or rashes, just tired muscles. It pays to put in the time to really train. It was also cool having Natalie and Eli there. I missed them at a few of the places they stopped to see me but still got to get in a few kisses in route. We'll look forward to next year.

On Saturday, we all ate golden rod eggs, request of the boys and they ate it even though all I had was whole wheat bread, and then we bought a white pumpkin at Farmer's Market for McKay's floral design class and then headed to BYU. Brooke got to see Dad's office for the first time and was treated to wah muyees courtesy of Uncle Kerry. We saw him on Thursday when Mariko got married. Your dad and I were at the Church Office doing stake stuff and after we left we thought we would just check out the brides at the temple and sure enough there was Mariko and Spencer just getting out. We had a nice visit and then waited for Brooke to get off work and went up to Willard for the reception. I didn't take my camera..whaa. Back to Saturday...we met McKay at the bowling alley (he took his car home and rode his bike up) and the highlight was seeing Kim bowl left handed ( for me at least). He will be having surgery on Monday at noon on his right hand. He will be home all Tues. and then he is going to try and go back to work on Wed. Brooke and I worked on her Chiquita Banana lady outfit for Halloween and then we watched a movie about the Cuban Missile Invasion ( 10 Days in Cuba or something like that). I was grateful for TV Guardian and we got the sub titles to work finally. It was very interesting and something Brooke and I want to study more. We woke up to snow this morning and the mountains are white. Good thing we got the garden pulled up and the face of the trim on our roof refinished!

Busy & Sick at the TyandNats

We had a very packed and fun weekend and are paying for it now by being sick. Let's start back on Friday...
At school things are going well for me. The department head asked me to head up a small student group investigating video based teacher professional development. This isn't something I'm passionate about (Ken, the department head, is and will be teaching a class next semester about it) but I am the most qualified and aligned of the graduate students so this will be a good leadership opportunity for me. After school we went shopping and then went to the drive-in and saw Underdog and most of Harry Potter (we left early because Eli woke up).
Saturday I woke up and ran a half marathon in 1:54 which puts me right where I want to be in attempting a sub 4 marathon this coming weekend. It felt really good and I think my training and appropriate taper are going to pay off. At 10:00 we went to the library for a puppet show that Eli loved and Natalie and I were disappointed in. Then we went to Bryan Park for a Latino festival. Unfortunately we arrived there just as things were starting and true to the hispanic culture everything was late so we weren't able to see many booths. Eli did have fun playing at the park though. After Eli's nap we visited with friends and went grocery shopping and then I went to the Barnhills to watch the BYU game and Natalie and Eli went to bed.
Sunday. When we got Eli in the morning he had throw-up all over his crip. I stayed home from church with him and he threw-up all over my new suit. Fortunately, since yesterday morning he has been happy and seems to be recovering well. I seem to have picked up whatever he has and despite sleeping from 8:30 to 7:00 I feel awful today and doubt I'll get through the day here at school. Natalie isn't feeling too super either so we'll be taking it easy for a while.

i'll never lose a hubcap ever again!

hello all! thought you may like to see my new wheels. what a fun car--i'm really enjoying it. it's so nice to be able to have people ride in the back seat and not have to say "look out for that door casing that's falling off." and i haven't got a speeding ticket yet--i'm trying to be very careful and obey all traffic laws. it sure was fun to be home over the weekend and watch conference. i was really impressed with sis. beck's talk and really feel like i could do more to serve the members of my family (that would be you, dear reader). so i have a simple request, let me pray for you? i made a goal to pray for a family member's specific need each day. but you're going to have to help me out! in order to do that, i'm going to need to know what your needs are. i'm thinking this could be things like you've got a big run coming up, felt a bit ill lately, have a test to study for, are trying to be a better member missionary, have a friend that is going through a hard time, etc. just let me know what you need help with and i'll pray for you. it's not much, but i've noticed that when i'm praying for people i think of them more often and usually think of ways that i can help them (it's the spirit, does it to you every time you ask). what do you all think? am i weird?

Conference weekend

This was a great weekend for review and realigning goals. Friday night, we went to a Hong Kong reunion in Salt Lake where former mission presidents talked about the church there. President Bradshaw bore a sweet and stiring testimony of the things the missionaries during his service accomplished and the way their lives have been changed because of the service. It was a wet day. Saturday, McKay, Dallin and Brooke were all here to listen to Conference. The boys went to Priesthood together after pizza dinner started by Grandpa Christensen and the girls ( all two of us) went on a walk. It was pretty cold and rainy again. Sunday, we enjoyed listening to the morning session and then hopping in the car and getting on Trax. The picture is after Conference waiting for Trax. The picture is Mariko and Spencer. She met him at school. Chad is being deployed this month to Iraq for a year and so they quickly set the date and sent out the invitations. Yikes for Janice. We wish Tyler a happy 29th year. We are sorry we missed the blowing out of the candles but grateful that Natalie took the familar poise for the birthday boy blowing out the candles. Maybe next Sunday we can write some of the impression of Conference that meant something more to us. I am too tired now. Love all you cute Christensens out there!!!!

Tyler's birthday

We've had quite the fun weekend. Here's a list of highlights.
Friday. Tyler's classes were cancelled due to a faculty retreat so I had much more relaxing work day. After work we went shopping for Natalie's shoes (a Tyler birthday tradition) and I got some new running shorts. Then we came home and had a spaghetti dinner (carb loading) and played x-box (Natalie borrowed one rom the Lees for my birthday). I got a few cards in the mail and used money from mom and dad Barlow to renew my subscription to Money magazine. Eli went down and we watched the latest episode of The Office, our favorite tv show.
Saturday I slept in until 6:30 and we had hootenanny for breakfast and then I went on my jog (with my new fuel belt--six water bottles on a belt). Due to the late start I only made 14 miles before coming home for the first session of conference. We went to Hardees for lunch and tried their new Hawaiian sandwich (pineapple with teryaki sauce). Then we went back home and listened to Conference. Elder Quinten Cook was sustained as a new apostle and Elder Eyring was called into the first Presidency. Also, many of the brethren (at least 3) mentioned supporting and sustaining Elders Eyring, Cook, and Gonzalez. Does anyone know why Gonzalez has been singled out among the three new members of the presidency of the 70 (the other two are Snow and Costa)? Anyhow, we enjoyed Conference. After the first session I opened my presents from Natalie (the 4th season of Monk and some The Office stationary) and I ran three more miles but then quit due to the heat (it's in the 90s here). Eli played with his new bus that Natalie purchased him that morning at a yard sale and our daughter got a new basonette. We checked the mail and two of my school books arrived as well as a wedding invitation for Sarah Forrey (more info on that here). We listened to the afternoon session and then had enchiladas for dinner with cheesecake for dessert. FedEx then brought me my bicycle (mom and dad shipped it to me) and Brooke bought me the 6th season of Monk on itunes so we downloaded the first episode and watched it. I then went to the Priesthood session while Natalie hung out with Solveig. There I got a little homesick wishing I could be at a stake center with dad and the boys. It didn't help when South Africa was mentioned by one of the speakers. After the session Brady and I recapped the evening for the girls and we stayed up late talking into the night.
Sunday. This morning we slept in and then had leftovers and cheesecake for breakfast and watched The Testaments. We're going to the church for the first session and then will be back for Eli's nap and listen to the afternoon session here at home. It has been a very enjoyable weekend.

Surprise Christensen Wedding

If I had a scanner I would copy the picture of Mariko Reese and Spencer Greenwood who are getting married Oct. 18...that would be in two weeks from today. We have been invited to the reception which is that night and happens to be a Thursday. Hmmm. So did anyone hear about this? Anyone available to go to the reception...it is from 6-8:30.

Lotus Festival

On Saturday we took advantage of the Lotus Festival, a festival they have in Bloomington each fall where hundreds of bands come to play (some are free) and there are tons of different cultural activities. We started the day by riding the bus (Eli begs us to do so every day) to downtown and having lunch at Anatolia's--our favorite Turkish restaurant. We then walked to the third street park where an Indian band was playing. I met some of my colleagues there and introduced Nat and Eli to them and the kids played at the playground while we listened to the band. We then took Eli to do some arts and crafts at nearby booths... he made a banner, got his face painted, and made something else that I don't know exactly what it is. We then went to the library and caught another bus (Eli was thrilled) home. In the evening I enjoyed listening to the BYU game while Natalie went to the General Relief Society session.
This week we are anxiously awaiting General Conference (Saturday and Sunday) and I created some resources in preparation that we used for FHE on Monday. You can access them by going to my website. I'm also gearing up to run my third 20-mile training run this weekend. I'm definitely in better shape going into this month's Indianapolis marathon than I ever have been before.
Lastly, you'll notice that I've started putting stuff up on the right column here. If any of y'all have any suggestions for other things we could put there let me know. I was thinking of putting individual pictures of each family member and potentially current contact information. Let me know what you think.