Dunham Family and My Stroke Story!

Over the weekend, we spent a couple restful days at a cabin outside of Baker City, Oregon. Ethan was so excited to head to the mountains where he was focused on riding "snowmobilers." Last week, as he was trying to get to sleep, he said to his mom "Can I talk about the snowmobilers for just 10 more minutes? Please!" He took a couple rides on the snow machines, the four-wheeler, and the "Mule." The weather was cold but awesome, and the creek through the property was iced over but beginning to melt. We made snow balls to throw into the creek which broke the ice. Ethan used a snow ball maker, and when I said that was a great idea, he nonchalantly tapped his forehead, and said, "Yeah. I know. I've got a smart brain."

I'm in Idaho Falls this week for work, and I called the house this afternoon to check in. Ethan answered the phone, and we had quite a conversation. I'm still not accustomed to him answering the phone, and, when we have adult-like conversations, I have to remind myself that he's no longer a baby. He told me that he was "just hanging out" today, and that "Mom is doing something weird." When I asked what she was doing, he replied, "I have absolutely no idea." He then informed me that the walkie-talkies we purchased were working but that the light on the charger was still red. "That is so funny," he exclaimed. When I get back to Boise tomorrow, we are immediately headed to the mountains outside Baker City, Oregon to spend the weekend at his aunt and uncle's cabin. He is very excited to "ride the snowmobilers" and play in the snow. I asked if he was going to gymnastics later today, and he replied "Yeah, yeah, yeah"

I have come full circle on squirrels. At one point, I installed a squirrel feeder outside a window so I could watch the cute critters. I was somewhat reluctant to install a new fence because the squirrels loved to run along the top of our old wooden fence. I come by this affinity toward squirrels honestly: my parents actually tame squirrels in their backyard and have found they enjoy peanuts and Pepsi. Seriously. Through the years, however, I've become less enamored of these "tree rats," took down the feeder, and have almost declared war of them. My version of war is nothing compared to Heather "Patton" Dunham's quest to rid our attic of the squirrels who invaded the addition to our home. A few months ago, we heard noises in the attic and determined squirrels were somehow getting inside. Heather found a squirrel dude in the phone book (who knew?) who promptly came out and found a spot where the siding on the new addition wasn't sealed properly. He

Today at Ethan's class at the BSU Children's Center, the group was discussing the week's letter which is "V." The kids had the opportunity to pretend to be veterinarians while the teachers explained animal doctors. They used stuffed animals as part of the discussion. On the way home, Ethan was explaining this to Heather who asked him if they listened to the animals' hearts, and an exasperated Ethan exclaimed, "Mom! They don't have hearts. They have stuffin!"

For the first time really since I met Heather (going on 10 years!), she was literally down for the count with some sort of intestinal "thing." 6 teachers in Ethan's school were out last week with the same illness, and I happened to be in California when it hit Heather. When she was too sick to pick me up at the airport, I knew she was really sick: Heather LOVES airports...and, now, so does Ethan. When I got home, Ethan was asleep, and she was trying to sleep. Heather indicated Ethan was a good little doctor...showing concern for her, getting her water, etc. He asked her at one point if she wanted some "mecidine," and when she said she would, he replied, "Well, you'll have to get it." Because it was on a top shelf! For the next day or so, she stayed in bed trying to recover, and I played "Mr. Mom" which was kinda fun despite the reason. I took Ethan to school, picked him up, etc. I know. I know. Every dad should do all of that, and I do my

Years ago, a buddy chastised his friends about not checking sports' schedules when scheduling life events such as marriages or births. Yesterday, we scheduled Ethan's 4th birthday party at Chuck E Cheese on Superbowl Sunday, and invited this buddy and his 4 year old. Prior to this, he had been proud never to have set foot in the place. But life goals sometimes give way to kids' expectations, so they arrived and had a pretty good time. In fact, we left before they did, went home, put Ethan down for a nap, and then headed to this same buddy's annual Super Bowl party where he had to admit that he and his son had dawdled at the dreaded Chuck E Cheese for at least a half an hour after we left. By the Super Bowl, the kids were excited, filled with energy and sugar, and ignorant of the game as they ran and ran. It was a great day but the end of a long weekend starting with the Governor's Ball on Friday night and another 4 year old's birthday party on Saturday. The Dunh