Super Family

Some of my earliest childhood memories are of me running down the driveway of our home in St. George UT With my cape flying behind me, while my mom was doing dishes dressed in a halter top and shorts, that I made her wear to look like Wonder Woman. My Mom made me at least 3 capes that I wore out, the most notorious of which was the Wonder Wade cape, a red cape with a black W on the back.

Although I stopped wearing my cape in first grade, because of the relentless teasing of the unimaginative narrow minded boys in Orderville UT, I never outgrew my love affair with Super Heroes. I looked forward to watching Super Friends every Saturday Morning 'till at least 7th grade. In high school I read Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns and got really into Batman. In College I woke up early every Saturday morning to watch X-Men The Animated Series. And even now I'm reading the Marvel Civil War series.

So.. when some good family friends invited us to a Super Hero party for their son's 5th birthday, the whole families inner geek came out. Ella decided she HAD TO BE Wonder Woman, and Thomas wanted to be Batman.

Kath made Thomas a rad reversible cape that's Batman on one side, and Superman on the other, and she made Ella a wonder woman costume that Lynda Carter would be jealous of. I shaped my beard and hair to look like Logan/Wolverine, and rocked my X-Men t-shirt, and Kath wore a Thor t-shirt.

I have to say I almost got a little choked up when I looked over and saw Kath slaving away at the sewing machine making those great costumes for the kids. It made me so grateful for all the love and labor my Mom poured into my Super Hero outfits, and how much joy they brought me. Needless to say we had a great day in our Super Hero get-ups!

Let Me Ride!

There's nothing in the world like snowboarding. I don't know of another activity where I feel so free and alive. It's exilirating, fun, and even spiritual on some level.

It's something I've missed almost as much as my family since moving to Southern California. So at the beginning of the season a co-worker and I split a 6 pack of tickets to Mountain High(Southern California's closest resort as their ads say).

They received 3 feet of snow last week, so we went on Saturday. It's def not Utah, the snow is wetter, more dense, packs harder, and get's chopped up easier, and the mountians aren't as steep and long. That being said it was still a GREAT DAY! I feel completely recharged. Now the only problem is I'm obsessing over when I can go again.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Ella got a keyboard for Chrstmas so her and I officially started our rock band. We've changed our name several times. First we were The Thunders, then we were The Reds, during the performance you see above we were called Ella and Daddy the Best Rock and Roll Band Ever, which is my favorite name so far.

My Money Man

I often say that we have a daddy's girl, and a mama's boy. I don't know why that is, it maybe because Kath worked for the first two years of Ella's life, and I was freelance, and worked from home, so I was able to spend more time with her. It could be their personalities. It could be that when they are young boys, they are naturally drawn to their mothers, and girls their fathers. It seems like I end up talking a lot more about Ella, so today I thought I'd post a few pictures of Thomas, or T-Money as I call him, and say a few things that I love about him.

I love how excited he gets about the smallest things, like the moon, or taking a walk. I love watching him play with his toys. I love the way his neck smells right below his ear, when I'm holding him, and he leans his head in next to mine. I love the way he pronounces things, like cereal, or Ratatoulle. But most of all I love his smile. I can honestly say there is nothing on earth that can turn my mood around like his smile. It's a source of pure joy for me.

First Grade Feast

Living in L.A. it's easy to focus on the negatives; traffic, over crowding, cost of living, etc., but every once in a while you're really reminded of the positives. L.A. really is a melting pot. There are kids in Ella's grade that are Korean, Thai, Latin American, and Armenian just to name a few. Many of whom were born in their country of origin, or are second or third generation immigrants.

Friday was the First Grade Feast at her elementary school. the kids were encouraged to bring a dish that was representative of their cultural heritage. Ella's interpretation of that was BBQ chicken wings. I simply love how she's exposed to so many cultures and their traditions and food at such a young age.

My Favorite Artist

My favorite artist right now is my six year old daughter Ella. She's got a great style, and she can really capture and interpret the world around her in a unique and honest way. Her work totally inspires me. It makes me feel happy, alive, and young. Here are two of her most recent pieces.


This one is a self portrait of her in the orange tree in our back yard. It's her favorite place to go for "alone time"


I love this one as well. I love the look on Bo Peep's face as she scanning the distance for her sheep. It's frustrated, nervous, and sad.

Bishop Allen

Kath and I have been trying to go on a "date" without kids once a week. So a couple of weeks ago our friend Scott came over with his girlfriend, and they watched our kids 'till 1AM so we could go see this band we really love. They're called Bishop Allen.

It was one of the best live shows I've seen in a LONG time! Here are some photos.







Our Friend Jessica got to go up on stage and sing with them. Here's a link to that!

Butterfly Nets Ft. Jessica Klien