Posted on

Colorado Photos

So i finished uploading, sorting and editing the photos. I took a lot. I mean a lot, like 500+. I bought myself a new (to me) digital camera a few weeks ago. A Canon Rebel XT Digital SLR. I have been enjoying getting back into the habit of using the full manual mode and exploring film speeds, shutter speed, and artistic photography. 

So blah blah blah, on with the pics. 

I added 28 or so to the photos page, found here.

If you want to see even more pics I uploaded a lot to my flicker account

Garden of the Gods

Old town Pueblo (I like old buildings for some reason).

 

Also, Side note I forgot something on my trip highlights post. The Vibe got 40mpg. Yep. 40. I normally only get about 30 around the valley. I have peaked at 34 in the past. But we averaged 38 on the trip overall, and for one whole tank, 40. I was pretty excited. 

Posted on

vacation & road trippin.

I love road trips. For some reason 13+ hours in a car doesn’t really bother me, as long as Stephanie is with me. Sure sitting that long wears on me. But I LOVE the time we spend together, We enjoy loading up the ipod with great music of past and present, great fun reminiscing of yesteryear, the deep god conversations we have, the odd conversations we have- were we some how created a non-profit (more on that later, maybe), overall I think I just enjoy the fun with great company, no matter what the destination. 

Colorado Rocked. They had record heat, but its 20 – 30 degrees cooler still. So mornings and evenings outside were perfect. 

 

***Photos Coming Soon. I have been up since 3am AZ time, and am too tired to finish editing all of my 500+ photos I took (the new camera rocks!).

 

We enjoyed time with my parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. 

 

Thursday & Friday were spent with my parents, decompressing from the ride up, and general around town fun.

Saturday We headed up to Castlewood Canyon Park. The site of the second largest dam burst / flooding in colorado history. It was a great hike. and we had fun playing in the rocks and water.  

 

Sunday we drove home from Elizabeth, CO (near Castle Rock) the back way, which yielded some fun pics. 

 

Monday morning Stephanie and I were able to break away and hike some trails around Garden of the gods. I have been there hundreds of times as a kid, and I still love going. This was the best year so far. Usually we are plagued by clouds, but this year was a bight, warm sunny day. 

 

Tuesday we hung out with my grandparents, and toured around old town pueblo. I really dig old buildings and houses for some reason. 

 

By The Way, I think Stephanie was getting tired of all the photo shoots.

 

We had fun, but also glad to have routines, our bed, and our furry kids back. Even if it is 200° out in the valley.

 

 

Posted on

Cardboard bikes

Ahh my two favorite topics finally merge in a new way. Bikes and environment.

BBC is the best. They have a story out on a 21 year old college student who has designed and produced a bike made of 95% cardboard. And its rideable. The only non-cardboard parts are the chain, tires, crank & rims. Even the spokes are cardboard. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7457220.stm

 

What I love most about this, is the outside of the box (pun intended) thinking. As an avid biker, I’m glad to see new ideas. As a environmentalist, its great to see new uses for organic materials. 

This bike is estimated to be produced for $60. This is 5x cheaper than the bamboo bike I have been drooling over for a few years.

Posted on

Goodies from the garden

This year stephanie planted Banana Peppers just for me. She must love me, or something like that. This one plant has been producing peppers like crazy. 2 months ago we pickled 2 jars worth. Today we took about 15 more peppers and pickled 3 jars worth. 

3 weeks of pickling can’t be done soon enough. I don’t know why, but I really dig pickled pickled banana peppers on sandwiches. 


(click for crazy close details)

the finished product

(click for crazy close details)
 

Posted on

New Blog Name & theme

So our blog name had lots of issues with random search traffic. @dams is not an uncommon last name. And lets just say some of our random search traffic was disappointed with the results when they made it to our blog. I guess thats what happens when we topped the search results for a popular 1980s playmate. 

 

So anyway. We changed the blog URL to mattandstephaniesblog.com. So far all looks to be working like normal. But time will tell if there are issues. 

Also, i finished a new blog theme. Stephanie disliked how “bland” the old one was, although I loved the minimalism and typography. Notice that you can switch the design scheme in the upper right. Pretty cool huh. 

Also note that the recent posts on the right will be the best way to access older posts, as the home page now only shows the newest post, and most recent comments. 

 

We’ll see how it goes. There may be more revisions later. 

Posted on

Best Summer TV show. Ever.

Seriously. Stephanie and I laughed so hard we were crying.

I dont know why people doing dumb stunts, falling on their faces is so hilarious, but it was to us. There is just something about average people doing impossible stunts, involving water and mud, while I point and laugh. All while saying “I could do that better”, even though I’d fall face first too.

The show is produced by the guys who made fear factor. They said they wanted to do a show like fear factor, but without the grossness, and to appeal to a family audience. I’d let me kids watch this.

Its on ABC, Tuesday Nights.

Posted on

game 6

im pretty excited about the peguins making it out of the messy game 5 and actually making a series out of this. I can’t help but notice the stark contrast of force between the teams. The redwings are a well oiled machine. They seem to operate with such precision. While the Penguins are more of that bug that wont die.

I really like the penguins, but I feel they are really grasping at straws here. They best bet they have is persistence and luck.

Since I am playing couch coach here:

  • What’s with the offensive puck dumping? I thought only middle school hockey teams did the dump and chase offense. It hasn’t worked all series, yet the penguins still rely on this.
  • Again, how many pro level hockey players does it take to complete a pass. I mean come on! Hockey 101. Keep your eye on the puck, and your stick on the ice.
  • already in game 6 we had a 1:40 – 5 on 3 situation and Pittsburgh got off 3 shots.

I am sure I will have more coaching tips later. Here’s to the rest of the game.

Posted on

game 5

so I am a huge penguins fan. I think they are a great hockey team, and deserve this stanley cup.

If the penguins are going to win:

  • They need to complete some passes! I mean come on, how many elite hockey players on one team cant seem to pay attention and complete those passes!!!
  • They also need to clear the zone. Both goals in game 4, and already 1 in game 5 are a direct result of a failure to clear the zone.
  • Actually use those power plays. In game 4 penguins had a 5 on 3, and they sat there setting up plays. They had 2 shots in 1:40 of 5 on 3. I mean come on! Goals only happen if you take shots.

Get your head in the game guys and win that cup.

(Yes I am pretty sure the coaches, and players of the penguins are avid readers of our blog).

Posted on

weekend fun

I am sure stephanie will expand on some of these later, but this was the weekend:

  • Pulled neighbors weeds (foreclosed house, and we made the biggest pile of weeks ever)
  • Ran errands in gilbert
  • Came home to find DHL dropped of matt’s anniversary present
  • Played mario kart wii for hours on saturday
  • Pool party / BBQ at neighbors
  • More mario kart
  • skipped church, cleaned house
  • more mario kart. 
So as you can see. There was a lot of mario kart going on.
I’ll post my friend number so we can race those of you who have mario kart as well (Kendal? Kamal? you guys have it yet? Julie? I know you have it.). Also expect a full review of the game later. 
Edited to add:
Here is a pic of our giant pile of weeds (it looked more impressive in person):
Luckily the HOA had H&N Landscaping come and clean-up after us.  It only took three of us just over an hour to clean up the yard.
We also did some more de-cluttering on Sunday and made our plans as to what we want done around the house before Tom and Jerry arrive and prioritized what needs to be done before summer hits (you know so we can avoid heat stroke).  Plus we played a ton of Mario Cart, which is a ton of fun.

 

Posted on

Happy Mothers day

Just wanted to say happy mothers day to our moms.

Stephanie’s mom is up in pine. I assume steph will call her later today, and we are celebrating mothers day with them on wednesday night. I think bowling and dinner is the plan.

I have no idea what my mom is doing, but I will be calling her later today.

Next year Stephanie can have her own mothers day celebration with tom & jerry.

Posted on

its a dark day here at the adams house

So while driving in to Mesa today, Stephanie wanted to play the quiet game (I really dont know why). After about 8 minutes, it was over. 

 

Stephanie lost the quiet game

TO MATT!!!!!

Yes, its a sad day when anyone looses the quiet game to me. Steph claims she was concerned about a car pulling in front of us. Rules are rules.