Yesterday was the first Cross Country meet of the year for Mazama
(actually, all the teams in the Basin, I think). The kids look pretty
good, though I can't imagine that we are going to do really well in
this new conference. Zoe came with me, while Zia stayed home with Amy.
I think that Zoe had a good time, I know that I did, though it is hard
not knowing the kids names, and I feel bad yelling out "Go Mazama"
instead of giving specific instructions to specific kids. I will learn
their names, it will just take some time.

I'm trying to think of what else we did yesterday. We ran some errands
out to the Credit Union to cash some checks, then we took the scenic
route home because the intersection at Washburn and S. 6th is closed
for six weeks. It is a lot farther than you would think to drive from
the CU to the Southside Bypass back to downtown via Greensprings. I
keep being a little skeptical about the whole intersection being
closed: can it really all be closed? We haven't driven to it to see,
but I suspect that it is, which makes getting to Bi-Mart very difficult
(there are no roads to Washburn from the west south of S. 6th St. So,
we have to drive down Altamont. Anyway, this talk of construction is
getting boring.

This morning, Zoe got up at 6:30 and said that she didn't want to go
back to bed. That was fine, but usually she gets up between 8:30 and
9:00 and so we spent an extra two hours together this morning. It all
went well, though I began to tire at the library. Everyone was really
good, but by the time we left, Zia was getting tired and we had about
forty pounds of books (it's hard to say no to a kid when she picks out
her own book). Story Time was good and the craft today was tie-dyed
shirts. The library had shirts leftover from last year so we spread
them out on a table, placed random pieces of tissue paper on them, then
soaked the tissue paper. When it was all good and wet, we rolled the
shirt up and gave it a good twist. The shirt looks pretty good, though
not as good as it would have if we had done actual tie-dye. Of course,
this was way less messy.

Lunch with Amy again, then we drove out to Western Tool Supply to see
about a new pair of nail nippers for horseshoeing: They had a pair!
Papa will be so surprised. And, bonus, we won't pinch our hands in the
handles every tenth nail!

Thursday

Yesterday Monte and I went out to shoe horses. It went really well. We
did resets on two horses --I pulled all the shoes-- then new shoes for
a third and a trim for the fourth. I cleaned up everything, though the
fourth horse was quite annoying as it kept taking its feet off the
stand. That is the most shoeing that I have done yet, and I really felt
pretty good. I was getting a little frustrated by the end, but if we
had had another horse to do, I feel like I could have done it.

As for the rest of the day, we had lunch late (because of the school's
schedule), but that worked out fine because Zia slept for three hours
in the morning (she is sleeping now, and has been for an hour and a
half). It worried me that I was going to be alone with both girls after
Amy went back to school, but so far (knock on wood) everything has been
going well. I think that it helps that we have worked out a schedule
for the mornings:

Amy wakes Zia (if necessary) just before seven and feeds her;
We say good by, then play either on the floor or in a chair, or in the
exersaucer until Zoe gets up;
Zoe and Zia and I play or I get a few chores done;
Zoe has breakfast;
Zia has a bath in the sink;
We sit on the couch and read a story --this morning it was "A Stick A
Stone and A Bone" by Sandy Bacon Harding (thanks Nana)-- until Zia gets
sleepy (and/or cranky) then she has a nap.

After lunch yesterday, we went to the playground and Zoe swung, then
played a bit on the equipment, then ran around in the grass until she
was dizzy...then she ran around some more.

Zia's awake, so as soon as Zoe's video is over, we will go run some
errands, then meet up with Amy for lunch

It's Like Baby Chess

Zia contemplates her next move

Second day back

Amy had a pretty good day, I think, with only the 7th graders to ease
everyone back into the swing of things.

Zoe, Zia, and I had a good day as well. Zia took as nice long nap in
the morning (as she is doing now). Zoe and I watched some videos, read
some books, and did some chores around the house. Just before lunch we
went down to the Used Bread Store to get some bread for sandwiches.
Well, we parked in front of the store on the street (usually we park in
the lot but it was busy). I turned around to unbuckle Zoe and BAM! the
pickup in front of us backed into us. We were a little shaken, but
overall fine. No one was hurt, not even the car.

After lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at Ponderosa with
Amy, the three of us drove out to Dick Howard's to get some tasty
potato sausages (we ate them for dinner with grilled zucchini and oven
fried sweet potatoes). Then to Sherm's to do some grocery shopping.
That all went well, but the girls were getting tired so we loaded up
and headed home.

Zoe lay down for her rest (she rarely sleeps at nap-time anymore). Zia
struggled a little more trying to stay awake, as she usually does (this
morning, however, she was so tired by 8:50AM, that I simply swaddled
her, then lay her in her crib). She woke up three more times before
finally getting some sound sleep. Of course that didn't last too long
because we had to go get her fed. I dropped her and the car off with
Amy, then Zoe and I rode out to Cross Country with Randy. It was the
first time that I have been out when most of the kids were there (about
20 yesterday).

I am looking forward to XC, but I won't be as involved this year
because of our new little Zia and also, I am taking time to learn
horseshoeing from Amy's dad. He has worked on horses for almost 30
years. I wouldn't say that it is fun, but it is rewarding to get dirty
and use my muscles. We are scheduled to do two shoeings and two trims
this afternoon.

After practice we had our dinner, then put the girls to bed. For our
evening's entertainment, we watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer --we have
it on loan from the library. It's not high literature, but is surely is
compelling.

Some Summertime Pictures

Camping at Harris Beach State Park



Oma and the Girls



Camping with Ryan, Michelle, Kennedy, and Paisley at Cascara State Park on Fall Creek Reservoir



Zoe and Zia



Zoe and Mimi at the Klamath County Fair

First day of school

Today is the first day of school with kids for Amy. Zoe and I are
downstairs watching a video and Zia is having a nice long morning nap
(more than an hour so far). I racked the beer (it will be ready in a
couple of days, if anyone is interested) and watered the outside
plants, which have done really well this year: we picked up a canna
lilly in Salem last Spring and it has grown and even flowered! We tried
once before to raise a canna and it really did not work.

Not too much other news. I will try to put up some pictures soon,
though no guarantees.

Take care everyone.

Three More Pictures (At Zoe's Request)

Can you believe it? Two posts in one day.

;-)

Some Quick Pictures

Hi all,

We are having a great summer. We went camping a couple of weeks ago. It was the first time with the two girls. We had a lot of fun! We went to Newport and stayed at Beverly Beach State Park. It was wonderful.

Here are some pictures of the tide pools, and a picture of Zia playing with one of her toys. She can swat the paddles to make it sing a song!

Love to all,

JAZZ

Zia Mariposa Hill Sparks

On Friday May 12, we welcomed the latest member of the Hill Sparks clan into the world. She was born at 8:38 PM, weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz. and was 21 1/4 inches long.

Amy was in labor for fifteen hours, but only had to push for 13 minutes, which was very exciting for everyone, and happy for her.

Zoe has been a great big sister so far, checking her pulse with her stethoscope, and keeping track of when she eats.


Zia Mariposa Hill Sparks

The Happy Family

Grandmas and the new baby

Grandparents and big sister

New Parents again

We feel so lucky.

Love to all,

Jeff, Amy, Zoe, and Zia

Long Time No Post

Hi everyone. It has been a long time since I put up anything. I don't
know if it is because I don't have much to say, am too lazy, or too
busy. Probably a combination of all three.

We are doing well here, though everyone has a cold: Amy just got over
it, Zoe is on the mend and I am in the throes. There are plenty of
runny, sneezy noses, sore throats and coughing around our house.
Hopefully soon we will be over it.

Yesterday Zoe and I went to Medford to have lunch with Nana. We ate at
Rooster's again. I had chicken strips and Zoe had peanut butter and
jelly sandwich, with fruit on the side. We had a great time having
lunch with Nana. Also, we stopped by Costco for some groceries (mostly
fruits and vegetables) and also a shoe store, looking for some racing
shoes (no luck).

Other news around here: we installed natural gas in the house and so
now have a new gas stove and also a gas barbecue; we will never run out
of propane in the middle of cooking dinner again. Speaking of that,
maybe Zoe and I will go get some sausages: iron and zinc help a cold,
right?

I have been running quite a bit lately, and am having a good time of
it. No injuries (knock on wood) even though I have been running five
days a week, and sometimes pretty hard running at that. A week and a
half ago (the 19th of February), I raced for the first time since the
middle of September: the Winter Wings 5K out at Miller Island wildlife
area. The course is a double out and back on flat roads. I ran 20:38,
placing second overall (there were about 8 runners total). The winner,
jumped out to an insurmountable lead after the first hundred meters (he
is a local high school runner, one of the best in the basin).

As for plans, we are looking forward to heading north for Spring Break,
visiting friends in the Hood River area, and the new baby who will be
along in only two months: that is soon! We don't have nearly the
worries nor trepidation that we felt when expecting Zoe: it seems like
just another person arriving soon. But then when we stop and really
think about, we can feel the butterflies in the stomach. It will be a
change, but certainly not as big a change as when we got Zoe.

Take care everyone.

Brewing Day

IPA

7lbs. Light malt extract
1 1/2 lbs. 80L Crystal
1 lb. Victory malt
2 oz. Nugget, 13.6% all the way from the grain sparge
2 oz Nugget, 60 minutes
2 oz Willamette, 4.5%, 30 minutes
1 oz. Goldings, 4%, 10 minutes
1 oz. Goldings, during cooling
Irish Ale yeast, #1084

Half the brewpot was full of hops after the sparge. It should be nice
and hoppy. My goal, I finally realized yesterday, is to fill the
kegs...all of them. We are planning on cheating a little, though,
because we are going to fill two of them with water in case of
emergency.

Next on the list is another lager, possibly our first 10 gallon all
grain batch, if we have the time this weekend.

Also in the works is the very dangerous idea of putting a strong beer
in a keg, and the not so dangerous idea of putting up a Marzen for
Oktoberfest. As we get closer to summer, we will put together a Wit, or
maybe just a Wheat, and some other, more perishable beers.

Cheers!

Ah, Winter Days

Zoe is taking to skiing like nobody's business. She is quickly learning to pick her toes to keep the toe of the ski out of the snow. And she understands that it is easiest to ski in the tracks that her dad makes for her.

We went over to Mimi and Papa's on Saturday and all headed out to the pasture to do a little tootling along. I set down a track of about 200m round trip. Amy and I made some circuits while Mimi, Papa, and Zoe played in the snow. Zoe loves to eat snow, though (hopefully) the novelty is wearing off. We did get her mittens on her hands, so that made it harder for her to pick it up.

We tried to get her to slide a little bit on a steeper place, but she didn't get the hang of it: so far, she is a flatland skier. But that will come. She really is making great progress for a 2 1/2 year old.

After Zoe tired of skiing (twenty minutes or so) she and her grandparents rolled some snowballs in the back yard and made a snowman. After, we warmed up with hot chocolate and tea.

Zoe and I are going to go shopping for a sled today so that we can make a pulk so that when she gets tired of skiing, I can load her in and then get in a workout.

New Skier!

Zoe and I went skiing today! It was so much fun. Unluckily I didn't get
any pictures because I didn't know if she would like it or not. She
liked it quite a lot. We skied down the median and back. Mostly she was
interested in eating the snow.

Yea!

Dinner With Friends

Yesterday, Zoe and I made a busy day. We invited Randy, Sandy, Robert and Isaac over for dinner and decided on lasagne and homemade bread. Then I thought, for dessert, we should have cookies. And, since I took the malt extract out of the refrigerator on Saturday, I had to make beer (our first since Amy became pregnant).

We started off by steeping the grains, then making the cookies. Then we mixed up the bread dough in the Kitchenaid. Then, downstairs we went to cook the beer. It is a German style lager with Willamette hops (we will see how that goes). As far as cooking the wort, all went well.

Here's the recipe:

7lbs. light malt extract
1lb. Munich malt, 11L
1/2lb Caramel malt, 135L
1/2lb Carafoam malt, 2.3L
4 oz Cascade hops, 6%, put into the wort from the first sparge.
Bavarian Lager Yeast, Wyeast #2206

Zoe had a little lie-down and so did I, after lunch. Then we put together the tomato sauce for the lasagne. Then we shoveled off the driveway and the sidewalk. My back has been hurting since Christmas, and you would think that shoveling snow would make it worse, but it doesn't. All the while that I shoveled, my back felt fine. Later, I had a consult with Amy about it and we determined that probably I had hurt my ribs on that side...while sleeping in different beds over the break! How old am I that I injure myself while sleeping?

After shoveling, we put the bread in the oven and it turned out really quite well. Then we put together the lasagne, then got the table ready for dinner. We had a great time with Randy and Sandy. Zoe, Isaac, and Robert played well together. For some reason, Zoe felt that the need to do a lot of whispering. It was kind of strange, but not too. She also led Isaac and Robert around by the hand much of the night. All the kids were quite cute.

Braided Bread (adapted from The Complete book of Breads by Bernard Clayton Jr.)

Mix together in large bowl:
3c. whole wheat flour
2c. white flour
1/4c. wheat germ
2T. sugar
2t. salt
1/3c. dry milk

Form a well in the center and add:
1 1/4c. warm water.

Pour in one packet of yeast and let re-hydrate for 5-10 minutes.

Stir together and add:
2 slightly beaten eggs, room temperature
1 stick (1/2c) butter, room temperature
1/2c spent grains (homebrewing option)

knead; add water or flour until dough is the right consistency.

rise, then cut into six equal parts.

roll three parts into snakes 14-16 inches long.
braid three snakes, starting in middle and working first to one end, then the other.

place on cookie sheet, or perforated French loaf pans.

Bake at 375 for 35-40 minute on cookie sheets or 20-25 on French loaf pans

Makes two loaves.

Cheers!

Case Closed (Ironically, the Picture Shows it Open)

Well, things are going well for us here. Zoe and I have been watching birds at least once a day for the past week and are looking forward to going upstairs, sitting on the futon couch and seeing who is in the backyard this morning. One bird of note that we have seen twice is what we believe to be a male house finch mutant that has white where it should have red or orange. I will take up the camera today (if I can remember) to see if I can get a picture of it

At the right, Zoe is giving Maria a nap. The picture above, by the way, is Zoe with her new tool set. It stays in the shop, and here is why: One day, Amy, Zoe, and I were talking about what you do with tools that she has in her tool box. We told her to ask before she hits anything with the hammer. So, her first question of things that she could hit was "Can I hit the wall?" "No," was our reply. Then she thought for a moment and asked, "Can I hit the windows?" It was at that point that we decided that the new tools, which are real tools scaled down to a kids size, would stay in the shop. She likes to use them when she comes in to help me out as I am working on whatever it is that I am working on.

Speaking of that, Currently, I took two days off, and now plan to return to work. I just finished a case for a client (the picture at the bottom). She will use it for heirloom jewelry. It turned out pretty well, and I finished it blazingly fast for me: I got the order at the Holiday Bazaar, and delivered it on the 10th of January. Plus, during most of December, I was working on the benches for Randy and Sandy. So, there you go.

On another, note, I am readingThe History of the World in Six Glasses by Tom Standage (can you guess what they are?) So far, it has been pretty good, though not brilliant. I feel like it is something that I could write, on a subject that I could write on. And speaking of writing on beer (glass number one) it is just about time for us to brew our first batch in quite a long time (no drinking because of pregnancy, of course). If there are any requests for summer brews, let me know.

Happy Monday

We had a nice weekend, and are sad to see that it has ended. Amy cooked sticky buns yesterday, and man were they good. The dough had just the right amount of moisture, not too dry, but not doughy either. They were good.

Zoe had a cough all weekend, but, luckily, last night she slept like a log (and so did we). Today she is quite chipper, though she does have a little snot still. I am feeling much better as well, so there you go. Also, last night, Zoe slept all night in panties and jammies, no diaper. We forgot to bring one to Mimi and Papa's house last night so after her bath, they simply put her in panties and we went home. On the way, Zoe informed us that she did not want to wear a diaper to bed. She has been dry for a number of days (five?) and so we decided that we would let her sleep like a big girl. She was dry again this morning and so we embark on four months of no diapers used in the house.

I'm not sure that I am looking forward to changing diapers all the time again. We are starting to look forward to having the new baby around. I have felt it move a couple of times, and it kicks Amy all the time. Soon, Zoe will be able to feel it too. Then all we have to do is wait for the big day. It feels like it will be a big change to our lives, but not nearly so big as the change that we experienced when we had Zoe. I wonder what the new one will be like? What will it look like? Will it like to crawl and be on its tummy? We will have to see.

Finally, I thought that I would include a picture of Zoe at her first Christmas. She is so small!

Take care everyone.

Jeff Has a cold (so does Zoe)

Well, we are sick. It really isn't too bad, but keeping a two and a
half year old happy and entertained when you yourself are tired and
stuffy is a lot of work. I didn't sleep well last night: we went to bed
too late (we were watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer), then Zoe woke up
around five coughing. I wish that I could get by on less sleep, but if
I don't get a solid five hours, and then three more to boot, then I am
tired and cranky. I am looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning,
then having some delicious Klamath Grill breakfast.

Today we went down to Story Time at the library. The best part, I
think, is that we didn't have any fines! Last time we went, we returned
two books that had been misplaced: $4.80 each. We wondered how much the
books had cost originally, as the were just board books. Today, we
heard some good stories, sang some good songs, then painted some foam
rubber mittens with finger paint. Zoe mostly was interested in what
everyone else was doing, rather than making her own project look its
best. It turned out well, anyway. Then we met Spiderman (who happened
to be about three and a half). He brought us some books, then Zoe
picked some out, then we came on home.

Nap time has turned into sitting in her bed and playing with her
stuffed animals, which is frustrating when you are trying to have a
nap. I ended up laying down and periodically telling her to lay back
down. Finally I said that she could get up and we went downstairs to
watch a video about eagles. When her mom got home, she said that she
was scared, and when I went to go upstairs to greet Amy, she started
crying. Luckily, that didn't last too long. Right now, they are sitting
on the couch reading about reptiles and amphibians.

Cheers!

Another entry!

This morning, Zoe, Uncle T and I went down to the Daily Bagel (a local coffee shop that features...bagels). We had a great time. Zoe had a cheese bagel with egg, ham, and swiss cheese (her choice). I had a double cappuccino and a strawberry pastry. Uncle T had a bagel with salmon and onions and a cup of coffee, which also sounded pretty good. If ever you are in Klamath Falls and are in need of a cup, I highly recommend the Daily Bagel (and so does Zoe).

When we returned home, after watching a couple of videos, we went out to feed the birds. In the bag of quail food, we found a mouse! It was very cute, and after chasing it around the inside of the bag (I don't know how long it had been in there, but it seemed quite plump), I caught it by the tail and we had a look. After thoroughly inspecting it, we released it into the compost area where it could eat scraps and find a safe sleeping place. (Probably it will end up back in the bag of bird food!)

Take care everyone.

P.S. I'd like to again suggest that you start a blog so that I can read about you!

A Great Holiday Season

Grandma Campbell, Amy, and Travis on Christmas Eve

Happy New Year, everyone!

So far this year has been pretty good for us, though it is only a few days old. Our holiday season made us smile, as we visited old friends, gave and received some wonderful presents, ate some great food, and spent some quality time with loved ones. We are sad that it is over, but looking forward to having a great new year. Who knows what surprises we will encounter when we enter the world of "true parents" with the addition of a second child. I wonder what Zoe will think. When we talk about her new brother or sister, I can just see the wheels turning in her wonderful brain.

Mara and Jeff in Corvallis

I'll tell you about our holiday season in no particular order starting with our trip to the north. After spending Christmas Eve with Amy's parents, then Christmas Day and two nights with Jeff's parents, we drove up to Corvallis to spend some time with Alex, Mara, and Liam. On the way, we found out what traveling with a potty trained girlie was all about: we stopped four times to go potty. We didn't regret the stoppages, but we did have to learn a new way of traveling. It will take longer to get places, but that's okay.

Grandpa Gary reading to Liam and Zoe

In Corvallis, we meant to spend only one night, then drive up to Salem and stay with Ryan, Michele, Kennedy, and Paisley. Unluckily, Ryan came down with a cold, and so, instead of exposing a two year old, and a pregnant mother to it, we stayed two nights with Mara and Alex. Serendipitously, Gary and Irene (Mara's parents) were planning on coming down on later in the week. Mara talked them into coming a day early, so we were able to play Euchre (the best card game ever invented) (and if you don't believe me, it is because, you need to come to our house and try it out).

All in all, it was a very good visit, though Zoe was a bit afraid of Liam, who is much louder and full of energy. Thank you, Mara, Alex, and Liam for having us.

Zoe opening up her new doll, Sara

Christmas Eve, we spent in our usual way: Broccoli, potato soup, opening presents, and spending the night with Monte and Debbie. We had a great time, Zoe especially. She really likes opening presents, and liked helping everyone else as much as opening her own.

Zoe sharing her crafts with Nana

Christmas Day we spent with Jeff's mom. We had dinner at Aunt Vicki's house, with Great Grandpa Bill, Vicki, Eric, Dave, Becky, Doug, Andrea, Cameron, Brandy, her fiance Brian, Kathleen, Eric's mom, and Nana. It was good food and good company. Thank you for a delicious, fun time, everyone.

Zoe with her new kitchen and her new haircut

Lastly, Zoe started the new year with a new kitchen, and a new hair cut. It really makes her look more grown up. Mimi (Debbie) and Amy cut it while Zoe watched "The Doodlebops". She didn't squirm at all. I don't think that she really understood what happened until it was over (if she understood it then). The real test may be the next time that we try to clip it.

That's about it. I suppose that I could post my resolutions: It boils down to eat more healthily, work harder, and have more fun. Pretty easy, right?

Have a great year and check back often: I am making updating the blog part of my resolutions.