Strawberry 2009

So we went fishing at Strawberry for our annual June trip. Emily and I took Friday off so we could get ready to go and so I could take my Stats test ( I got 90%!!!!!!! take that stat nerds!). After I was done with the test, and Emily had made another batch of rhubarb crumble bars, we split for Heber. I couldn't help but think of my stupid brother who went right past the exit for Heber and ended up in Wyoming on the beautiful drive up there.

All week long everybody talked about how wet it would be, the first night we got a little rain but nothing too heavy. I bought a new spin cast pole, the kind the professional bass fisherman use and I found out they make it look a whole lot easier than it really is. After I had spent more time untangling the line, Emily came and got me and we headed back to the cabin to find Gale and Jessica waiting for us and it was like we didn't miss a beat! I had so much fun with them and wished we lived closer to them so we could hang out more. After my cheeks were sore from smiling and laughing they left and Emily and I locked ourselves out of the room. I had to pull the screen down and Emily used me as a step stool and climbed in the window. The next day was beautiful and we had tons of fun fishing, we each caught 2 fish. Brad and Emily caught a rainbow each so we were able to keep one each which is more than enough. It wasn't as successful as last year but we had a lot fun.

Loving Life

This morning I woke up at about 6:30 (that actually, is sleeping in for me) and laid in bed for 20 minutes before I got up and decided to go water our garden. I am so proud of our garden this year. We have 26 tomato plants, two 25 foot rows of peas (I counted on one plant and we had over 20 pods starting to form), we have eight bell pepper plants, four eggplant plants, two cucumber plants, a row of herbs consisting of rosemary, basil, and we think thyme, but we are not sure, (we forgot to label them) and finally two rows of lettuce. I would show pictures but we have a bit of a weed problem that is being taken care of with killzall.

After watering I decided to sit out on the porch and enjoy the birds. Emily and I bought porch chairs that I love. After sitting for awhile I went and bought the newspaper and read it on our porch. Emily brought her bowl of cereal out and we sat there and enjoyed the cool morning. After we brushed our teeth we walked to the farmers market and bought rhubarb and spinach and the worlds best churro. We left after a little while and walked to the library so Em could check out some books.

I talked her into Slurpee's from the Sev and we walked and talked about life and how much we enjoy Logan this time if year. I know for me I complain a lot about the Winters and by the end of it I am ready to move but the Spring always make me fall in love with Logan all over again. I was excited to buy rhubarb because it reminds me of Grandma Henderson's house. She would go out there and pick a stalk and eat a little bit of it as it was. I could only get through one bite before it was too much for me. I am going to make a rhubarb cobbler with it and I couldn't be more excited.

As hard as my job has been these last few weeks I wouldn't trade it for the world. I can't imagine being indoors all day long and I enjoy watching those watching me from their desks with that look on their faces that say "I wish I was out there." I love my wife, she is so supportive of me and she makes me feel like I can accomplish anything (even if it takes me seven years). I love to see her face light up when I accomplish something she is proud of. I know if my accomplishments were on paper she would stick them on the fridge. I can't imagine living in a large city where people are always on the run and don't stop to enjoy a robin hopping around your garden eating all the worms that have come up from watering. I love our little apartment, I love the fact we are five minutes away from "downtown", I love to walk by the little old grandmas in the front yards pruning their flowers and I love life.

5K #2

My brother Andrew and I participated in a 5K this last weekend. We both did better than last year. Andrew cut 10 minutes off his time and I improved by 5 minutes. Hooray!!!

We still look like nerds at the finish line. That's inevitable.

Fiesta de Mayo

We held our annual Fiesta de Mayo party on Sunday the 3rd. I used to call it our Cinco de Mayo party but it rarely, if ever, lands on the 5th. It was fun to have my family come and participate. We love having them here and we're grateful that they'd make the trek and contribute to the eats. MMMmmm...I think it was the best food this year! Here are some of my favorite photos:

Fiesta Bingo

Pinata Smashing, etc...

Young Ones.

Path Between Trees

Drew and I went to the Logan Galley Walk last Friday. Here is a picture of the unexpected addition to our growing art collection. We saw this original oil painting in an auction and decided we loved it enough to place a bid in the last 30 seconds of the auction. I'm glad we did.

Update on Drew's Coke Fast: It's been 38 days since his last soda.

Petunia, Manure, Coke, BINGO!

On March 17th we attended the unveiling of a memorial at Utah State University. Meet Petunia, Curt's prize winning pig.

The artist did a really good job and Drew and some of the Madsens were able to put some texture on the ribbon and in the ear. I was so surprised to see Curt's boots on the right. They seemed so perfect.

Drew was able to get some manure for our garden from a farmer friend. He and Dave were able to till it into the dirt and our garden looks fantastic! I'm sorry we don't have any crappy pictures.

Drew has been Coca-Cola free for 26 days. I'm so proud!!! (This actually includes ALL carbonation.)

Lastly BINGO! We had some time before the memorial mentioned above so we played Bingo. The kids loved it and it was a big hit with the adults as well. We had so much fun that we took it to Salt Lake over conference weekend and played again.

Ken had a "defective" card. You gotta watch out for that one.

Thanks Brad and Tahnie for the great Christmas gift!

"Issac, you're not supposed to say "What the Hell." Mom, Issac said "What the Hell."

That quote came from Braden at Tyler's birthday party a couple of weeks ago. After Donna got on Braden for saying it, Uncle Dusty (seen here in his purple Jedi in training suit) blamed his wife for teaching them the phrase, she just happened to be in the other room. The Madsen's are huge fans of Star Wars which makes it really easy to buy the kids birthday presents. Tyler got this over sized storm trooper head that changes your voice so you sound like one. Here we have the lovely Sarah trying it on for us.
This is what I wanted to get Tyler for his birthday but Emily said it was a bad idea. This is a picture of all the snow we got the first day of Spring break. From what i understand nobody else really got any. I was so bored I cleaned the oven. Emily will have to take a picture of that and post it.
I have wanted to get a Jazz hat but I am not sure how you are suppose to wear them now, they are to big and I don't like the fact that the brim doesn't bend. And last but certainly not least it has been ten days since my last coke, I sniffed but I did not inhale! So nuts to you guys (Brad) who thought I couldn't do it!

MISSING

UPDATE: Thanks to all who read this and searched for my brother. He was found this morning walking in remote Wyoming. He has no signs of hypothermia and was not disoriented. His wife and children continue to take care of him and we hope to talk more often.

Name: Aaron

May answer to: Accounting Nerd or AJ Cool

Last seen/heard from: New Year's

Identifiable features: Scar on chest from "hole in heart"

May be found somewhere in Wyoming

Please call or e-mail Aunt Hama if you have seen this person.

Thank you.

**For anyone who is genuinely worried, Aaron is not missing. I just miss my brother.**

My name is Drew Roska and I am addicted to Coca-Cola

So after a long time of fooling myself thinking I could stop at anytime, sneaking out in the middle of the night to enjoy a 20 oz passing out after having too much sugar, I have realized that I have a problem and I should work on it now. It all started at such a young age, my mom always had a six pack of diet coke in the fridge, I would wait until she left and I would sneak one out and drink it as fast as I could, the bubbles running down my throat always gave me a little tickle.
In my early teenage years I would go to miniature market on the way home from school and I would buy a 20 oz. and drink it before I got home. I would then chew a piece of gum to hide the sweet smell of coke goodness from my parents. Later I discovered the SUPER BIG GULP from the 7-11 down the street and found myself in coke heaven. I tried to give up the addiction while on my mission but when I would get offered a cold one dripping with condensation I couldn't help myself. some of my companions would scoff at me but I didn't care, all I could think about was the cold syrup running down my throat. OK so all joking aside I absolutely love Coke and this is going to be harder than I can imagine. I am not just giving up coke I am trying, no going to give up all carbonation. Emily and I have come up with a plan to keep me motivated and I will keep everybody up to speed on my progress.

Yea for another round of mobile uploads!

Here are a bunch of random pictures I have taken with my phone over the last several months:
Emily and I went for a drive last week and we spotted a ton of deer in Smithfield and this one wanted to investigate. This is probably the cutest pirate ever!
Emily and I went to lunch and the fries were not the best so I made a fry sculpture.

We went to sizzler the first night of our trip to San Diego and all the food was gross so I made a face out of the mashed potatoes, butter and sour cream, a lemon wedge and some garnish. I thought he was pretty awesome and Gromo couldn't stop laughing.

This is Tyler and he has to be the funniest kid ever. I put my hat on him and he gave me the look of "Really?"


These fish were caught out of Bear Lake by a friend of mine. He was going to take me up there to ice fish but it didn't ever freeze over:(

A Shout for Posts!

Some people are shouting for new posts. Well here you go. I have now made it to the top of your lists. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA ha ha ha ha









But for reals-eees: Drew received a 98 on one test and an 85 on the other this week. I am so proud of him. He's put up a good fight this semester and I am so happy for him. Well done sir!

Five Years Strong and One Fun Week in San Diego

Drew and I went to San Diego way back in December but it was kind of our BIG celebration for our 5th wedding anniversary.

WHOA 5 years, you say?! Yep, that's right, it has been the best five years ever! I apologize for taking so long to post about San Diego but considering our anniversary was only last week, I feel like I'm on top of posting. Thanks for patiently waiting for my favorite pictures.

This is the view from our penthouse 2 room suite in Las Vegas NV. We arrived in Vegas after an awful snow storm in Southern Utah and 9 hours driving total. Argh. The lady at the front counter told us it would be a 45 minute wait for our 2 reserved rooms. Double ARGH. But after watching people gamble their life earnings away we were bumped to a mini suite (normal room) and the grand 2 room suite. 1 dining/living area, 2 bedrooms, , 3 tv's and 4 bathrooms later we were thrilled to have a balcony view of Fremont Ave for only $10. Thank you Expedia!

The next day we headed to sunny San Diego. It was nice to be in California but the part of town we stayed in had a flare of Vegas. ;) A little joke for mom and Drew. Mom got a little friendly with the locals but really Big Boy offers yummy treats and a good place to stretch the legs.

Sea World is one of my favorite attractions, it may have something to do with the motion sickness of roller coasters. This year we fed the dolphins and touched sting rays. Very cool.

Drew enjoyed showing his fierce inner polar bear. Kids, don't try this at home.

Ethan inspired us to take an interest in the local history of firemen and fire fighting memorabilia. I'm really glad we took his advice, this was a fun look at the city's history.

Look: Drew and Hama wearing fire fighter helmets.

Another attraction we missed out on last time we went to Cali was the USS Midway. It was one of our favorites last year for the food and conversation but this year it was the ship and the planes carried on board. Drew says one of the tour guides was hitting on my mom but I don't know if that's true. I loved all the touristy photos we took including the below. Drew made sure we each had a turn sitting in the plane and making machine gun noises. He keeps me young.

Because of the Christmas season we were able to see "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" put on by the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. The performance was amazing and really put me in the mood for Christmas. This was a real highlight.

All week the weather was perfect. It was so much warmer than Utah and the sun was out most days. We went to Coronado Island on an overcast day to check out the beach and the hotel. I love being together.

When San Diego heard we were coming they said,"Hey we've got Swensens coming. We better get a parade in here and make it a good one." Really though, our last night there we were sent off with delicious food, fireworks, and a parade of lights on the water.

Happy Anniversary Drew and Hama!

Merry Christmas!!! (Only a few days late...)

This year Drew and I got snowed into Logan for Christmas. It was a very leisurely Christmas morning since we don’t have any children. We slept in and watched previously recorded Christmas concerts on the BYU channel, had hot chocolate, and then emptied our stockings. I’m so glad that we have The Bob’s as such good friends. After dinner they let us come over to their house and play a game while their family was visiting. Thanks for being our friends!


The other Christmas miracle this year was our tree. Because we went to sunny San Diego for about 10 days (Post Pending) we didn’t want to buy a tree, just to have it dry up, and fuel a fire in the apartment. This wasn’t a big deal until we found out we would be in Logan for Christmas. But, thanks to a very kind co-worker, we had a tree. She had decorated a live tree and given it to a very good friend of hers who was leaving Christmas Eve and won’t be back until after the New Year. Because it was going to be garbage in the street, we adopted the tree and were thrilled to put a few of our own ornaments on it.

What a weekend...well 5 day weekend

So most of you were a big part of our weekend so all of this isn't new but I want to go over some highlights. First off I want to mention how great my fishing trip was and that I was grateful for Dave Burgess and his willingness to come with me. He made a fine net boy and it was nice to have someone to talk to. Here are some pictures of the catches and from what Gromo and Dave Roska had to say it was good eats! This one was the smallest one.

This one was the medium.

And this one is bigger than Alden or Logan!!!

After fishing we went back and we ate dinner with Papa Clark at Cafe Rio it had been a while since we had eaten there and it was pretty good. Afterwards we went bowling and I sucked it up but Andrew and Kristi did pretty well. Ethan was funny to watch and we all had a good time.

Next day was Thanksgiving and we went to Ren and Susan's house (that is Tahnie's mom). Dinner was great and we went back to Brad's had pie and watched Hancock...it was okay but not what I had expected. We split and then went and hung out with the Clark Clan where we watched "A Christmas Story" and played games. It was really nice to see everyone.

Friday we did the shopping in the early morning and we got some great deals! I am very excited for all the presents we got. The rest of the morning Emily and I slept. We got up went and hung out with James and got him some birthday presents. It was really nice to be with him and see how much he has grown up. We then had a Chinese themed dinner were Aaron almost burnt down the kitchen! (Sorry no pictures) That was really awesome. We watched Kung Fu Panda which was really fun and we all hung out on Gromo's bed.

Saturday we went to Brynner's birthday party which wasn't as good as it could have been because the little guy had an ear infection and was pretty upset the whole time. After we left they took him to the doctor and they found the problem, he was a lot better after that. We gave him a little boat and from what Brad says he likes to try and sink it. I am just glad he plays with it. We went and did some more shopping and found more presents and we headed home. It was great to be around so much family and get to enjoy a little piece of everyone.

Drew is A Wesome

'Nough Said.