Chronicles of Geoff

Camping Out

2009-06-29T08:26:00.003-06:00

Diana's family had a reunion in Logan Canyon. To prepare we got a new tent, since the 5-man that we had (which barely fits 3) wasn't going to cut it.

This is our new tent -- 12 man (yes, for a family of 6 soon to be 7).

Left Side

Right side, so roomie -- even for a preggo.

On our way home, we got stuck in a big traffic jam. If you look closely there is a little boy relieving himself next to one of the cars. (I found this out after I got them home.)
The traffic jam was caused by this.

Horseback Riding

2009-06-29T08:21:00.002-06:00

As part of Diana's family reunion, we went to the American West Heritage Center in Logan. They had some pony rides and the kids LOVED riding them.

Grace

Landon (had to wear a pink helmet, it was the only one that fit him)

Emily

Almost 3, going on Deacon

2009-06-07T21:24:00.002-06:00

Landon -- Almost 3, going on Deacon. No, he isn't turning 3, just wears SIZE 3T clothes and is pushing into the 4T arena. He's a healthy eater, that's for sure. But he is so fun to be around; just putters around the house playing with toy cars, balls, or whatever else suits his fancy at the time. But if you wait to long to feed the boy, he gets really cranky. So if he starts getting into things or making a mess, you can bet, it's mealtime.

Voltron of Butterflies

2009-06-02T10:42:00.003-06:00

My family went to the Monte L. Bean museum for Family Home Evening tonight. One of the exhibits they had was the Voltron of Butterflies. Too bad they can't really do that in nature, that would be sweet!

Biker lost in the valley!

2009-06-01T22:45:00.002-06:00

Ok, the headline is the attention grabber, but seriously, how come no bikers ever get lost this way? How nice would it be to hear on the news: "A local man, missing for over a month was found today, 40 lbs heavier than when he got lost. Apparently he had a trailer full of food with him, which he ate too much of. In fact, according to experts, he could have lasted as long as 2 more months had he not eaten so much of it at once.

Seriously though, this is my bike load of food for the office for a snack vending setup my co-worker and I have. I am sure I got some strange looks riding to work pulling a trailer full of food, especially since I took the longer way down through some farmland areas.

Springtime Evening

2009-04-20T14:20:00.002-06:00

Emily and Gracie and I were playing out on the front lawn and I decided to take some pictures, there were several nice ones, but this one turned out pretty well though their fingers needed to be over just a little. It was hard to set up staring straight into the sun and all, but with the flash to light the foreground, turned out pretty well.
This one turned out pretty good too, the lighting was good and she was in the shade so she didn't have to squint. All in all, a decent Saturday evening.

Spring might be FINALLY here...

2009-04-18T22:12:00.003-06:00

On Saturday we did a little yardwork. We have a long way to go, but its starting to take shape after WAY too many months of winter. (BTW, anything besides December, and January is TOO MUCH Winter). The flowers are starting to bloom so I took some pictures.

Popcorn popping on the apricot tree

2009-04-13T21:02:00.001-06:00

Winter is NO LONGER allowed until November.

Stop saying MOO!

2009-04-09T21:24:00.001-06:00

This was the scene in the back of the van on the way home from Tooele today. Emily and Grace were saying "MOO" and every time they did, Landon grabbed their heads and pushed -- then squealed with laughter. They ALL thought they were HILARIOUS.

What depth is YOUR perception?

2009-03-24T21:27:00.001-06:00

I was playing around with my point and shoot (I sure want a digital SLR), and figured out how to do the manual focus and depth of field. It isn't as nice as it could be, but I think they turned out decently.

And I would walk (bike, run, jog) 500 miles....

2009-03-22T15:07:00.002-06:00

Ok, here's the deal. I am a great man. A great big man, not necessarily a tall one, but a big one. I am trying to do something about this. I have set up a contest online somewhat like the biggest loser only it is exercise only, not pounds, so everyone is on a level playing field.

Check it out at http://fivehundredmiles.sagersweb.com . I am giving out a prize to the person who walks, runs, jogs, or in my case bikes 500 miles the first. If you would like to join, please send me an email and I will create a login for you to track your progress. You can backdate previous walks/runs/bikes to March 1st, and Diana and I already have a few miles in, so the sooner you register and start, the more likely you are to win. This is open to all ages, heights, and weights on both sides of my family as well as a few of my friends.

Last Sibling Married

2009-03-15T13:48:00.001-06:00

Here are some photos of a few of my nieces and nephews at my sister's wedding. I don't actually have a photo of the bride and groom, because I was on video camera duty, but will post some soon.

Kristin

Jake and Allison

Lydia and Colin

Anna and Denise

New Haircut

2009-03-04T20:28:00.001-07:00

We asked Landon what type of haircut he wanted.
He said Grandpa.

Happy Valentines Day

2009-02-14T22:11:00.000-07:00

I was messing around with light painting again and decided to try some Valentine themed pictures.

Some scribbles to see how well the colors were picked up.

A Red Heart

A White Heart

And, last but not least, the arrow through the heart.

Playing with light Part 2

2009-02-12T21:14:00.002-07:00

Light Painting

2009-02-08T22:12:00.001-07:00

This was an attempt with Emily to do some light painting with a point and shoot camera. I think it turned out rather cool, and the glow in the dark stars in the background are kinda cool too.

Birthday Book

2009-01-29T21:27:00.004-07:00

Emily wrote a birthday book for me. Its contents are below.

1/3 of the way to 100

2009-01-28T23:23:00.002-07:00

I turned 33 yesterday, Diana baked me a nerd cake. Basically it says:
Start cake
include Happy
require Birthday
then display Geoff and Josh
End Cake
Yup, I am a nerd.

Diana brought the cake to work and I shared it with my friends (including Josh who shares a Birthday with me).

After work, the whole family went to IHOP. We didn't hop though. But the pancakes were good. I had 7, as well as 2 strips of bacon, 2 sausage, 2 fried eggs, and some hashbrowns. Diana had the same only stuffed french toast instead. Emily had mac and cheese and apple slices, Grace had a smily face pancake, and Landon had scrambled eggs, 2 sausages, and 5 silver dollar pancakes. And we found out when we got there that Tuesday was Kids eat Free night. Can't Beat That!

After dinner, I opened presents; I got a new car (Hot Wheels) a 2nd story(book) on the house, 2 large books FULL of useless facts (which I love) some candy, and a watch -- that runs my iPod...Yeah, I know -- I didn't even know there was such a thing.... but its pretty darn cool.

2008 Year in Review

2009-01-07T00:18:00.000-07:00

Changes

2008-12-20T10:12:00.002-07:00

Well, since my bout with the ulcer, I have felt substantially better. The anti-biotics also had the side effect of queasiness and vomiting, but I am through with them, though I still feel a little nauseated in the morning usually. But overall things are MUCH better. I haven't gained back any of the weight, but I don't recommend that method to anyone.

We are mostly prepared for Christmas, and have most everything wrapped and under the tree now. Keeping Landon away from them for 2 weeks, then trying to tell him its ok to rip the paper on a certain day I am sure will be confusing, but, that's how it goes.
2 more weeks till the boy goes to Nursery and Diana and I can pay attention in Church again! I am sure he will love it.

On the 18th of this month, my Grandpa Sagers died. He had been in a convalescent home for almost 4 years, and it is for the best (for him) but of course everyone who knew him misses him. His obituary from the Tooele Transcript Bulletin is below:

Willard Harris Sagers, church and civic leader in Tooele County passed away peacefully in Salt Lake City on December 17, 2008,at the age of 90. He was born in Lincoln, (Pine Canyon) Utah to Willard and Mabel Harris Sagers on September 22, 1918. He grew up in St. John, Utah where he attended school through 8th grade then graduated from Tooele High School. He attended LDS Business College and the University of Utah where he met his sweetheart, Geraldine Brown, from St. Johns,
Arizona. They were married on June 26, 1944 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Willard was a farmer and a rancher and retired from working at Dugway Proving Grounds. He was a highly skilled self-taught mechanic, worked for several car dealerships and ran an accounting business. He also served as County Clerk for Tooele County. He served in several agricultural associations. He was an active member of the LDS Church and served as Bishop of the Tooele 8th Ward, as a Seventy and on the High Council for the LDS church. He and Geraldine served as Stake Missionaries in Tooele and also served a full time mission in the Johannesburg, South Africa Mission.

He is survived by his wife, Geraldine, sons and daughters: Carolyn, daughter-in-law Deborah (Phil) Smart (widow of the late Ken Sagers), Larry (Diane), Joel (Ann), Norene (Wayne) Southwick, Kathryn (Michael) Faudree, Deana (Lyle) Hillier. He is also survived by 34 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Grace, and a brother, Gerald. His son Kenneth, daughter-in-law, Robin, and grand-daughter, Melynn also preceded him in death.

The family would like to thank the staff at Willow Wood Care Center for their kindness and care.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 22, at the Valley View LDS Stake Center, 332 E. 1000 North in Tooele, Utah. A viewing will be held in Tooele at the Tate Mortuary at 110 S. Main St. on Sunday, Dec. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. and a second viewing at the Valley View Stake Center from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to the funeral.

Ulcer - Or, you know your getting old when you start getting diseases your grandparents had...

2008-12-07T09:21:00.003-07:00

I have an ulcer. Apparently a rather nasty one. I was feeling stuffy and congested around Thanksgiving, and thought blech, the flu, just what I need. So after a few hour trip to Tooele for Thanksgiving, we went home instead of staying overnight. Friday I started to feel worse and Saturday was even worse. By Sunday, I had started throwing up on 30 minute intervals. By Wednesday, I hadn't eaten/drank anything that I had kept down more than an hour, so Diana took me to the doctor. I had lost 20 lbs in 4 days. He did some blood tests and sent me to the hospital for 2 liters of saline solution since I was so dehydrated. The 1st bag of solution had some anti-nausea medication in it, so that helped some, but I still couldn't eat more than about 1/2 a fistfull size of anything. The doctor's office called on Thursday to have me come back in on Friday for the results. I have an ulcer in my stomach. Apparantly it is caused by a very resistant strain of bacteria, and worsened by stress and diet. So, he put me on 2 different anti-biotics as well as a medicine that prevents acid buildup in my stomach, and from the 2nd dose on, I have felt MUCH better. I still am a little weak and need to lay down every so often, but I am SO glad that it has been treated. Thank you to all who kept me in your thoughts and prayers.

Do da doot do

2008-11-16T23:35:00.002-07:00

I'm singing in the rain. Or mumbling incoherently, in sandals, when she was told to wear "good shoes." But hey that's Gracie!

Compost This!

2008-11-09T12:11:00.003-07:00

Diana and I spent a lot of Saturday making compost bins for the leaves and yard clippings from our yard. I ended up making 3 of them out of the siding from the old playhouse. The playhouse just keeps on giving. So far we made the ramp for the front porch, and now these. They are 32" diameter by 40, 40, and 64 respectively for a total of 67 cubic feet of mulch. I made PVC pipes with holes drilled in them to allow air in. I just need to drill holes in the sides to pop them in, and a door on the bottom to pull out the oldest stuff first. Hopefully there will be a lot ready by next spring when it is time to plant the garden. We actually still have more mulch on our driveway, but are getting to the point of wondering how much compost we really need.

Collin Raye in concert

2008-11-04T00:02:00.003-07:00

Tonight I took Diana to the Collin Raye Concert at the Desert Star Theater as a late 10th Anniversary gift. It was very nice, they served a full buffet-style dinner, and he sang for about an hour and 45 minutes. I was impressed by how down to earth he seemed, and I can honestly say, it was THE BEST concert I have ever been to. That being said, its best to note that it is also the ONLY concert I have ever been to, but nevertheless, was quite entertaining.

He sang with his daughter (who was in the video of "I think about you" when she was 8)

Afterward, Diana and I took a short trip to Arches National Park -- er, stood in front of a mural.

For additional info from a true fan, check out Diana's blog

New Family Pictures!

2008-11-02T20:05:00.005-07:00

Darrin and Kelly came down to our house on Saturday and we went over to the park to take some family pictures. I made some adjustments in Photoshop to tweak the color (or lack thereof) crop the pictures and fix any slight imperfections, but Darrin did and awesome job.