Just a photo update. We are in the middle of packing and closing up life in Moscow. Lindsey's folks have made some trips up to help out, and Uncle Charlie came up once too. So here are a couple of shots of Joey's favorite thing to do with Uncle Charlie. The third picture is what happens when papa lets you eat crackers out of the box. They are much easier to eat off of the floor. And it's a lot easier to share them with the dogs this way. They can eat out of your hand and off the floor, at the same time, it's really pretty funny, at least Joey thought so. The last two are of Joey being silly with mama's sunglasses.

Just had to post this link to Dad Gear, I really like the idea behind of the diaper vest, especially since half the time it's already what I do. Of course that was with winter jackets, I am a little concerned what I will do when it get's nicer out.....the vest is the perfect answer. It's a little hookie I know, but I did get to thinking about the advantages it would have as a backcountry ski vest! Having the side pockets for a small water bottle, would help keep your h20 from freezing, the pouch for the changing pad would make a great ventalation gap when skinning, and the large pockets in the front are great places for your trail bacon and snickers not to mention some extra wax or your digital camera!! of course no backcountry trip is complete with out a good diaper wipe dispenser. you laugh, but that's one of the biggest ways being a dad has impacted my packing for the backcountry, those things are life savers on a 4 day trip, where you are sweating in gore-tex and wool.....well that's as graphic as I need to get.

My how time flies. Here's the executive summary. Lindsey accepted a position at Utah State University, I have decided to discontinue my PhD, I had hernia surgery on May 5, and Joey got his first tooth.

Is that all? No, we close on our new house in Logan, Utah June 4, we have two offers on our house right now, the first offer, should everything go through will close on June 14. So for 10 days you can come visit us at our summer home (we'll be those people with two homes). We still don't know when we will be moving, but it will not be before June 4 and most likely not after June 14.

Why leave Moscow? I find myself saying the same thing from time to time, however, as I was leaving for what in all reality was my last ski day of the year last Saturday (that's right May 3) It struck me that next year I will only be driving 27 miles to the ski hill, not 2.7 hours! But alas that is not a good enough reason to leave a place like Moscow. This is a beautiful town, and in the next couple of weeks it will only get better. The students are leaving, the tulips are out, the sun is shinning, the trees are leafing out, and it's nearly paradise. The people here are great, we have really gotten into the community here and have come to appreciate the diversity that a small college town in the middle of wheat fields actually has to offer. So why leave? Simple answer, the University of Idaho. It's not a bad place, aside from being another U of I (beat the Hawks), but as a faculty member Lindsey is not entirely sure it is a place she should be building her career. Of course it's less of what she is "running" from, and more of what she is "sprinting" to.

Utah State University is in Logan, Utah, a town somewhat similar to Ames, Iowa (where we did our undergrad). They are both about 50,000 people, they both have land grant institutions, and both are in the middle of ag land. However, that's where the similarities start to drift apart and rapidly depart ways from there. The ag land in Logan goes only as far as the mountains that boarder the Cache valley (name of the region) . The valley itself is a fairly rich dairy region, but the Wellsvilles (west) and Wasatch (east) quickly shut down the farming operations. There are rumors that abound about the powder skiing to be found in the Wasatch, both in area and back country. And I am hopeful about the mountain biking scene.

That said, the program Lindsey is going to a very strong. In addition, the position is a 70/30 teaching/extension (as opposed to her 100% teaching at the U of I).

As to the PhD, I've come to the realization that it takes a certain person with the right kind of drive and motivation to achieve such things, as well as a person at the right point in their life. The events of the past year (Joe) have changed me in a pretty signifcant way, such that I am no longer that person who has those qualities demanded of a PhD. It was a difficult decision, but all in all I think it is one I will value for a long time to come. I am really looking forward to the next year of helping Lindsey settle into a new position, house, town, etc and taking the time to be a full time papa.

Of course the full time papa stuff needs to wait a while, as I just had hernia surgery last Monday. They tell me no lifting 20 lbs or more for minimum 4 weeks. Joey is easily over 20 (more like 23) and is more wiggly every day. His first tooth came in on Tuesday and his first steps are a couple weeks away. Lindsey has been great through out it, she was able to take some sick leave to stay home with me, and her brother came up to help out for a couple of days as well. The worst part is not holding the little man. I got to lay with him on the couch for a short time last night, but then he decided to practice his finishing shot in his sleep and kicked me in my stitches, that was over fast.

So sorry for the long post, it's been a while, and thought we should bring you up to speed. There have been plenty of pics, and I even have a video I have been working on, but that will come at a later date.

For now enjoy these few that Uncle Charlie took.