Holt It Right There

Grandpa's Little Girl

2011-08-02T18:05:00.001-06:00

This girl, loves her grandpa:

Hanging out at the Hogle Zoo

She has a mind of her own and knows what she wants!

Battlecreek Canyon Hike

2011-07-31T18:00:00.001-06:00

While visiting my family, I convinced them to go for a short hike up to the falls in Battlecreek Canyon. After 19 years living in Pleasant Grove, my mom had never seen them! Here's just a couple of pictures from our adventure.

Mom, Aubrey, and Kyleigh on the trail

Seriously, what goof-balls! I love them!

A view of the falls

Aren't they so cute?

A view of the falls from the bottom

My birthday with Bon Jovi

2011-03-24T20:56:00.000-06:00

This is my birthday present from Kyleigh. Oh, baby, what a night!! We didn't sit down for 3 hours!!

San Francisco

2011-03-22T17:56:00.011-06:00

Mom, Kyleigh, and my friend Rachel came out to visit me and Kyle in San Francisco. We had a lot of fun doing the typical tourist activities:

Visited the beach:

Chased Kyleigh with seaweed:

Enjoyed the beautiful sunsets:

Visited Alcatraz

Kyleigh did it!

I think my expression here is priceless!

Locked up in solitary confinement

We found some awesome hats on Fisherman's Wharf and had to try them on:

Burt and Ernie!!

And we ate free Ghirardelli samples on Ghirardelli Square

Rode the trolley

Checked out the America's crookedest street (Lombard Street)

Enjoyed the view from Telegraph Hill

Climbed (down) the stairs to Telegraph Hill

Parked at Crissy Field (San Francisco in the background)

And walked the trail to the Golden Gate Bridge

We also checked out the Monterey Bay Aquarium

And although you can't see the sea otter (right next to the glass) very well, I love the reflection of Kyleigh in the glass.

There were giant fish (the picture doesn't do it justice!)

And even some unidentified sea-life.

We went to the beach... again. And all got soaked by the incoming tide:

After we got chased off the beach by the waves, we bushwhacked our way back to the car.

We checked out the seals at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

(no pictures of the seals because they just looked like slugs on the beach...)

Did some beach dancing,

Animal watching,

and laughing

We went to the beach (for the third time, but it never gets old) and found some interesting things on the beach that washed up from the previous day's storm.

A coconut

Jellyfish

I certainly had a good time! Thanks for visiting Mom and Kyleigh!

Christmas is over, New Year is around the corner

2010-12-29T12:00:00.003-07:00

Wow! We made it through another stressful Holiday season. Don't misunderstand me, I love Christmas and all it stands for -- remembering Christ's birth and all -- it's the commercialism that gets to me.

I wrapped up the season as usual -- watched all my favorite Holiday movies with those that would join me...Elf, Rudolph the Red nose reindeer, Scrooge (Alistaire Sim version), It's a Wonderful Life, Home Alone I & II, Santa Claus is Coming to Town,...

Family can be stressful. Some of the things children do can throw you over the edge as well, but they can be a real joy as well. I try to remember all the good in people and not dwell too much on the problems at hand. The wise man once said, "Sometimes it is better to remain quiet and be thought fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt. I'm trying to 'remain the fool' at times when I know that opening my mouth would not be the best of solutions.

Blog Title Change

2010-11-01T19:15:00.004-06:00

Okay, I got tired of the old Blog name, so I changed it.

I was also thinking of how we, as a family, might better use the technology we have available. Suggestions?

My work is going well. I keep fairly busy day-to-day and there are plenty of challenges there. I've a good group of engineers and developers working for me and the technology is very exciting to work with.

Aggie homcoming in the rain

2010-10-23T15:00:00.000-06:00

Shaula and I went up to Logan for the Utah State Homecoming game. When we left our home, it was pouring rain here, but as we traveled north, it let up and stopped altogether by the time we reached Cache Valley.

We stopped by Zollingers Orchards to get some Apple Cider and some apples. Good stuff, Maynard. Then we went to Gosners to stock up more on cheese and get some squeaky cheese for the game. Ya gotta have squeaky cheese to munch on during the games...

By the time the 2nd quarter rolled around it started to rain, and the Aggies teams started to slip. The score had been tied at 7 to 7, but the rain and weather did some damage. They ended up loosing by a score of 45 to 7. We left by the start of the fourth quarter and took Tedi out to dinner.

We did have fun though - rain or no rain.

long time ... no posts....

2010-10-03T17:16:00.002-06:00

I know...It's almost as if we have dropped off the face of the earth. But we're still here; the earth has not been blown up by radical terrorists, or destroyed by a rouge meteorite. Brian Regan is still one of the funniest comics I've ever watched...

So, what has been happening. Here's the run down.

Lost a good job - got a better one
Shaula tore her meniscus, got it repaired - We've met our medical deductible for the year
Kyleigh and Shaula involved in a traffic accident - get the back of the suburban repaired
Phone bills for time and text overages - got a new plan

All in all it has been a good year and not everyone is as lucky as I am......

The economy is so bad that I got a pre-declined credit card offer in the mail.

I ordered a Whopper at Burger King, and the kid behind the counter asked, "Can you afford fries with that?"

CEO's are now playing miniature golf.

If the bank returns your check marked "Insufficient Funds," you have to call them and ask if they mean you or them.

Hot Wheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM.

McDonald's is selling the 1/4 'ouncer'.

Parents in Beverly Hills and Malibu are firing their nannies and learning their children's names.

A truckload of Americans was caught sneaking into Mexico.

Dick Cheney took his stockbroker hunting.

Motel Six doesn't leave the light on anymore.

The Mafia is laying off judges.

Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.

Congress says they are looking into the Bernard Madoff scandal. Oh Great! The guy who made $50 Billion disappear is being investigated by the people who made $1.5 Trillion disappear!

And, finally...

I was so depressed last night thinking about the economy, wars, jobs, my savings, Social Security, retirement funds, and our bleak future, that I called the Suicide Lifeline and was connected to their call center in Pakistan. When I told them I was feeling suicidal, they got all excited, and asked if I could drive a truck....

Salt Flats

2010-09-18T17:26:00.005-06:00

Took Tedi and Kyleigh out to the west desert for a Provo Creative photo shoot. We had a good time and I got some good shots of Kyleigh and Tedi.

I love this shot. I did remove some of the spots created by the shadow and the holes in the material along Kyleigh's face, but they were very distracting.

Genealogy update

2010-05-07T12:35:00.003-06:00

I've been doing some genealogy recently, and have been following the Harpold and Roush lines and back. I've come across some interesting things that I'd like to share.

From "The Pioneer History of Meigs County" I found the following:

Adam Harpold was born October 9, 1790, and came to Letart, Ohio, in 1812, where he married Dorothy Roush in August, 1812. They settled on a farm, and Mr. Harpold conducted a store, the first one for dry goods and groceries in Letart township. After the county of Meigs was organized and Courts of Common Pleas were held in the meeting-house in Salisbury township — in the July term of 1819, among the jurors impaneled is the name of Adam Harpold. He was prominent in township offices and a patron of education, strictly honest in business transactions, and maintained the respect and confidence of the community. Mrs. Harpold was a woman of strong character, of wonderful physical power and vitality.

They had a family of sixteen children, and all save one child, who was drowned at seven years of age — ^seven sons and eight daughters — grew up and married, each making a new home of thrift and industry. The sons were mostly farmers and have been identified with the material prosperity of Meigs county for more than sixty years. Henry Harpold, Spencer Harpold, Peter Harpold, Philip Harpold, William Harpold, George B. Harpold, John Harpold. The daughters: Mrs. Pickens, widow, later Mrs. Wolf ; Mrs. William Hester, widow, Mrs. Jacob Baker; Mrs. Michael Bentz, nee Polly Harpold; Mrs. Eben Sayre, Mrs. Augustus Justice, Mrs. Hezekiah
Quillen, Mrs. Bradford Roush, Mrs. Barbara Ann McDade.

The greater number of the Harpold sons and daughters had large families, so that the descendants in the third and fourth generations were notably numerous.

Mr. Adam Harpold died in October, 1869, and his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Harpold, died in December, 1865, having lived in their Letart home for more than fifty years.

I've also found a generation or two back from Elizabeth Devouw (DeVoe) who married Isaac Varian.

California Spring Break

2010-04-10T07:14:00.002-06:00

So for spring break, Kyle and I took my sisters to California. We did a lot of hanging out at the beach (as you will see by the next photos).

Our first view of the beach

The coolest girls in the world

Kyle and I at the beach

Tedi and Kyleigh with the living statue on Venice Beach

Not the best picture of the group, but it gives you an idea of how close we were to the ocean. We ate dinner here one night. It is one of my all time favorite locations!

A view of the ocean from our dinner spot

A view of the group (minus Kyle's mom) at the dinner location

Best Picture of Kyleigh ever!

These are not even half of the photos we took while we were there, but it gives you a sampling of how much fun we had. Well, at least I had a lot of fun!

New Arrival!

2009-12-08T02:50:00.001-07:00

Abigal Jane Holt was added to our family at 2:50 A.M. weighing in at 5 lbs. 13 oz. and reaching 18 inches tall. Mom and baby endured the delivery well.
Isn't she cute?

I guess this makes us officially Grandparents. When do I start getting the discounts?

She's perfect (so far - how can she not be).

Tom Turkey Day

2009-11-26T21:00:00.007-07:00

I can hear the silly song my mother always has to sing at every thanksgiving. Well, what would the holiday be without family and friends gathered together. We had a great time and everyone gathered at our house for Thanksgiving. I had hoped to get a shot or two of the spread, but missed the opportunity. Suffice it to say - we had it all...Turkey, potatos, gravy, carrots, corn and green beans - thanks Jaron and Kellie, dressing, cranberry sauce, yams, pecan salad - thanks Kyle and Ashley, rolls and soda - thanks Grandma and Grandpa, and pie!

Ashley brought a blueberry pie that was her first attempted home-made pie. It turned out really good. Mom made two delicious pies - Pumpkin chiffon, and Apple. They were delicious too! Grandma brought two pies as well - banana cream and chocolate.

As usual, for most all people that I know, the tryptophan [however it is spelled] kicked in and we dropped off, one by one. Kyleigh and Tedi dropped on the floor in the living room.

Mom and Dad and the dogs, on the bed. I don't know where anyone else might have ended up - as you can see, I was OUT.
It was good to see all and hope they come back for Christmas. At least, those that can.

Scarecrows, Lions, and Fairy Princesses

2009-10-31T21:00:00.006-06:00

Halloween this year! Yeah!

Ky went around as a Lion. I think she loves this costume and seems to take on a whole new persona as she romps around in it.

Aub went as the lovely Miss Fairy Princess, wings and all. She is such a doll.

AK and I took the scary task of being the house Scare crows -- guardians of the candy. We had the background sound effects CD playing to help set the mood. We sat as motionless as possible and waited for the kiddies to approach.

Some were heard saying to their co-horts, "are those real? Are they alive?"

Those that were brave enough to approach the doorstep, were rewarded by the Delightful Egyptian Goddess of snickers, reeses, and others candy goods. At one point Austin asked me, "You do this pretty much every Halloween?" I said, "Yeah, something like this." I think he had a lot of fun and so did I.

Marine Home

2009-10-10T15:30:00.001-06:00

We are all glad for the safe return of Austin from Iraq. He returned home on Saturday, October 10, 2009 and surprised his mother. He had her going that he'd be home rather late Saturday evening, but planned to arrive much earlier. The rest of us were in on it.

We had a good time and lots of hugs when he walked in the house. Shaula will have to see if she can post some pictures to this post.

Sunday the 11th we all gathered as many of family and friends could make it, for a return Dinner. Ham, Turkey and all the fixin's that go with a good dinner were provided. We know that there were some who wanted to be there, but couldn't make it. We do what we can. Now we are going through the adjustment phase, where we all try to get along and fit this family back together in peace and harmony.

Another Happy Birthday !!

2009-10-02T10:36:00.003-06:00

Today is my own father's birthday (Dad, Grandpa Holt). We wish him a happy day as well and hope that he has fun. I'm thinking that Shaula and I should pay a visit tonight just to make our wishes in person.

Rat-a-patooie

2009-09-26T11:00:00.001-06:00

Okay, so, here's how this story goes.

Shaula had been making grape juice and had a bunch of grape-stuff to throw into the compost. Well, I took it out and something moved in the compost. I yelled for Shaula to come take a look. Then we called Rat-a-patooie control.

Rat-a-patooie was taken away to a nicer place -- or so we tell everyone.

Happy Birthday !!!

2009-09-14T19:23:00.003-06:00

This was taken at David's birthday party in bountiful at my mom and dad's house; the in-laws or parents house - depending on who you talk to - me or Shaula. We all went and celebrated his up coming birthday with the typical spread of food, and fun, and conversation.

T.E.R.T. Labor-Day weekend update

2009-09-05T21:18:00.004-06:00

I wrapped up TERT for this weekend. I checked the logs and found that some of the real fun began after I had to leave; the usual lost hiker, sore feet, and "Where'd my car go?" issues.

The Timpanooke and Aspen Grove parking lots were full and people were parking along the road side causing other driving issues, so the county sheriff's office sent police and tow-trucks up to clear the mess.

The week was nice; weather was great, with only the occasional brief shower.

We had issues with the radio and antenna set-up but got things to work with items some team members had with them.

I'm sore, but it was awesome

2009-09-02T20:58:00.004-06:00

I spent this last weekend on a T.E.R.T. assignment. TERT is Timpanogos Emergency Response Team and my assignment was for High Camp. Having never been at high camp before, I attempted to pack my frame pack with sufficient items to keep me alive and not make me a burden for the rest of the team in order to carry out the assignment successfully.

I over packed. I think I hauled 50 to 80 punds more than I needed up the mountain and then back again three days later.

Can you say *ouch*?

On the AWESOME side, see who came to breakfast?

Nanny and her kid. Hahahah. They were so close, if I would have put my legs out slowly, they'd come to rest on that log.

This next weekend, I get to do it again, but for longer. It's a holiday weekend and this time I get the trail head. I don't need to hike to the top, but this time, deal with the hikers as they go up and down the mountain.

Happy Birthday Indeed

2009-08-07T09:57:00.008-06:00

Since my mom and sisters were going to be out of town on my dad's birthday, we had a family celebration on August 2. Here are some pics from that day:

Banana-grams! A family-game must have!

And this is what happens when you tell my dad and my brother, Jaron to act like they love each other...

And this is what happens when you tell them to get close and act like they love each other!

The birthday man himself... My Dad! He is a great man and an even greater father! I have been truly blessed to have such a good, fun man to grow up with! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to me

2009-08-05T15:17:00.009-06:00

This week, I not only celebrate my birthday, but I get to do it as a bachelor (much sadness, weeping, and sobbing). The girls are away at camp, Shaula is with them, so its just me and the dogs (and they are not too happy either). On the other hand, this will be the first birthday (so far as you know) that I've been able to run around the house in my birthday suit

and no one cares, or is grossed out, or looses their lunch at the mere thought of it.

I got to finish off my birthday cake by myself -- that's a cool thing -- but now I have to exercise it off myself too.

Pioneer Day

2009-07-24T20:41:00.002-06:00

Sponteneous plans....I called mom in the morning while we were watching the parade. As Shaula was going to work that day, we made plans for an impromptu visit/dinner for later.

Mom was curious about the Wii we had won through Shaula's work, so we planned to take it down with us. We went at 4:00 and had planned to swim for a while, but the wind was blowing and the girls didn't want to swim with the wind blowing. So, we hooked up the Wii and showed mom and dad how to play baseball, golf, and bowling. Even dad had fun with it, once he got the hang of how to bowl. His first game he bowled a 169. He commented, "Now go to the alley and do that!" I think he had a good time with it (except golf....).

It was fun to visit and eat and play with them. Mom said, "Thanks for making me feel young," as we were leaving.

What a good time!

Family Ranch Vacation

2009-07-06T19:48:00.001-06:00

Okay - Taking my daughter's hint, I guess I better write something down here.

We (Shaula, Kyleigh, Aubrey, and I) took some time after the 4th of July weekend and went to the Ranch for a while. The girls and I went up Monday and got to the ranch. Just as we got to the Ranch Gate to go in, Uncle Doug pulled in behind us. We parked and got settled, and then followed them up to Oak-Flats where they were running barb'd wire around the potato patch as well as tying up the field fencing they had run. The girls and I jumped in to help - we felt it the least we could do to pay our rent for staying at the ranch. After about an hour or so, we had accomplished what Uncle Doug wanted to do; saving the rest for a service project for later.

Bear had a great time bounding after cows. He'd run after them and chase them a little, then turn around and head back as if he need assurance that he was doing a good job.

He really loves being at the ranch. Both he and Coleman get all excited when we load up the car and begin heading up the canyon.

The next day, the girls all took a hike up to the spring, while I stayed back and tore apart the generator. We needed it fixed and running, or we'd have to cut our vacation short.

The spring is a traditional hike - if you go to the ranch, you gotta hike to the spring on Nelly's.

Of course, another tradition, at least for me, is a good game of horse shoes. Shaula complied and pitched some with me.
I'll leave it to you to guess who won.

Weight Reunion

2009-06-26T11:29:00.000-06:00

Although this is a little late, and nobody else has done it yet (hint, hint Dad...), it's better late than never. Here's some of the pics and stuff I have from the Weight Reunion that was held at the end of June...
My mom, Jaron and me being mischievous (notice the silly string can behind my mom's back), and Kellie tagging along to see the damage!

The mischievous-ness in action!

And the result... (pictured is my Dad's Uncle Greg)

Kyle, Kellie and Jaron getting ready to play another exciting (and very addicting) game of Bananagrams!

Introducing...

2009-06-05T11:34:00.006-06:00

My mom!

I love this woman to death! Growing up with her was the best experience of my life. Embarrassing at times, sure, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. In fact, many of those "embarrassing" moments are the ones I remember and treasure the most!

I love you mom!

Love, Your equally crazy daughter: Ashley

(Kyle was trying to take a picture of the cool rocks in Bryce Canyon, and I had other ideas in mind).

Snow in April?

2009-04-19T11:20:00.004-06:00

Look at the ruler on our deck-rail. It shows about nine inches of snow.

Doesn't that just bring a chill to your skin? Make you feel cold? It does me, and I was cold taking the pictures.

Easter at Mom and Dad's

2009-04-12T18:37:00.007-06:00

We spent Easter Sunday at mom and dad's in Springville. Mom's Christmas cactus was in bloom (it isn't even Christmas and it was blooming).

We had a great dinner...then the battle of banana-grams progressed.

That's right. Two tables going with four or more people at each. I just walked around and took pictures.

It's good enough to get together as family and spend time together, so I had fun watching.

Me and my two youngest were there as well as Jaron, Kellie, and Ashley came. Chris came over with his two boys. We also had Aunt Conda there for a while, and of course, Mom and Dad.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T20:00:00.001-07:00

Gotta play Apples To Apples

SCRABBLE!!!

And my favorite game.... Telepathy! Can you see what we're thinking about?

DeerHunt

2008-10-18T09:21:00.000-06:00

We had a fun time this deer hunt (campout). Aubrey went with me and we took a hike up to the spring where we had a nice lunch, drank from the spring, and rested for the climb to the top of Nellys (Nellies). Here are a few shots I took during our hike.

What a wonderful day it was.
I had my GPS with me and we set up a cairin at the high-point; marked the altitude near by on a rock. We'll have to go back and see if it still stands.

DeerHunt

2008-10-17T13:00:00.001-06:00

That's our camp way down there! See?

And that's the spring on Nellie's ~ frozen in ice. Cool and refreshing.

Minesweeper...Ashley and Dad Summary

2008-09-20T14:00:00.000-06:00

Ashley and I had a wonderful opportunity to go with Geff Pollock and Don Ashton (two local friends of mine) to a local mine. Of course, we had proper clearance and access.

As we approached the outside entrance to the mine, we felt a tremendous breeze coming out of the entrance. Geff explained that this is common and that during the later part of the day the breeze will actually reverse as if the mine were breathing - exhale in the morning, and inhale in the afternoon.

We went through some very interesting spots - some were tighter than others. water dripping here or there making the pathway wet in some areas.

We first came across a collection of Dog-tooth Calcite. We made an effort to stop here on our way our and collect some of the calcite.

Further down, the path revealed a Grizz-shoot (I think that is what Geff called it). This is where a ore cart could be parked and loaded from above from a side path above and off from this main path. One of the photos has Ashley crawling in it. She's so brave.

Even further down we entered a sideways slot where Geff said a lot of Silver Ore was taken out. We crawled along through and gathered a few rock samples that looked cool. A lot of Pyrite remained, as well as Galena. Ashley will have to correct me on these rock deposits...she is a geologist, after all.

We found a large open cavern where several tunnels converged and there ate our lunch. Eating lunch had two purposes: one, we were hungry and this cured that, and two, it made room in our packs for more rocks. Ashley used my pack. I know what a pack mule feels like. But I didn't mind.

It was an awesome adventure.

Minesweeper...Ashley and Dad

2008-09-19T13:00:00.001-06:00

Ask me in person to see the whole collection of photos.
We had a grand time.

Various Shots

2008-09-16T09:17:00.009-06:00

I am an amateur photographer.

I have always loved taking photographs -- mostly of wildlife and scenic shots. Here are a few samples.

Easy-button

2008-01-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

"...That was easy...."

This is my starting point. Enjoy!