A Week to Remember In Missouri and Illinois

Not often has our family been able to spend an entire week together on vacation. But that's exactly what we did in July, 2009.
We had wanted to visit Nauvoo, Illinois for several years. Laurel and I debated whether to go before Dayton left on his mission, or if we should wait until the younger kids were a little older to truly appreciate it. After weighing many scenarios, we decided to start planning the potential cost and possibilities.
Once we did that, things began to fall in place. After seeing that airfare to that part of the country was around $300 round trip, we leaned more toward driving, which wasn't so pretty with gas costs going up. But one day, Laurel was surfing and found a special airfare deal to Kansas City for $108 round trip!!! That made the decision to fly! Then we found an amazing $21 a night hotel deal in Kansas City. Slowly, our trip began to develop. And before we knew it, we were in Missouri!
The plan was to and stay in Kansas City on Monday, July 27th, and then make a triangle from there to Nauvoo by Wednesday, July 29th, visit there for 3 days and then make our way to St. Louis by Friday, July 31st, and then return back to Kansas City and fly out Monday, August 3rd. And that's exactly how it all came out.
Our first day of traveling took us to Independence and Liberty, MO. We visited the visitors center and replica of the Liberty Jail, where Joseph Smith was jailed for several months of difficult winter, and subsequently wrote several sections of the D&C, namely section 123. We then visited the RLDS (now called Church of Christ) church headquarters and temple, and what an interesting visit that was. The temple is a unique, nautilus style building that spins upward like and upside down tornado. The people there were very nice, and we spent about an hour touring the building. We then went immediately to the LDS visitors center, directly next to the property of the RLDS. It was an amazing difference in spirit, and we learned many new things about how the property is owned mostly by the RLDS, but is gradually giving way to LDS. Very interesting.

A "Wicked" Time in New York City

In the Spring of 2006, my wife and I vertured to the Big Apple with her brother, Dave and his wife Dorothy. Wanting to see the big city was a motivator, but we mostly were wanting to see the musical "Wicked." Dave and Dorothy had already seen it once, but wanted to make the trip with us.

There were several highlights of the trip, the first being our walk on the top of the Empire State Building on the first day were in Manhattan. What an incredible thing to be at such a historic place!

We could see for miles. We could see clear out to the Statue of Liberty one direction, and we could see beyond Central Park the other direction. And it was humbling to see where the World Trade Center once had stood. (They would have been visible right between the girls on the horizon in this picture.)

It is hard to imagine the amount of work and concrete, steel, materials, etc. must account for all of this jungle of a city.

Another highlight was our trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Being at the statue was a beautiful photo shoot, but Ellis Island was an amazing experience. They have restored the main building and tourists can walk through a self guided showing of the former immigration station. It opened in 1892 and ran until the late 50's, and had over 12 million people come through it's doors. They say 40% of Americans can trace their ancestors through Ellis Island. We must have spent a couple of hours in awe of the many stories of triumph and tragedy for the millions of people that brought all of their belongings in bags and trunks to America for a new beginning of freedom. (Some were told they could not stay and had to turn around and go back!) Talk about hallowed halls. It was almost erie walking through the vacanct rooms of the building.

We visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Grand Central Station and ate "fish balls" in Chinatown. We even got up early and met Al Roker at a taping of the Today Show (in 25 degree weather!) and even got a chance to be on TV! (Laurel was thrilled to also see Mathew McConaughey, who was an interview inside!)

We had tickets for two broadway shows, but we wanted to possibly see a third one, and decided on an "off broadway" show called "The Alter Boyz" after someone recommended it. It was hilarious! We also had tickets for "The Lion King" which was also amazing! But the highlight of the trip was our experience seeing "Wicked!"

We had previously purchased tickets for "Wicked" and thought we would be going alone because Dave and Dorothy had already seen it, and were not planning on going. However, the excitement of it all made them want to see it again, so we put our names in for the ticket lottery, which happens two hours before each show. Ten people have their names drawn and can receive two tickets to the show for $25 each. Out of a couple of hundred people at the lottery, I ended up getting my name called, so we all got to go!

Little did we know, the tickets were front row, dead center!!! Dave and Dorothy insisted that we use the front row tickets, and they took our other tickets. (They were 11 rows back on the left side.) We sat 4 feet from the conductor of the orchestra! It was one of the most thrilling things we have ever done. And the play, of course, was incredible. Ben Vereen was the Wizard, and the rest of the cast was outstanding. We were so close, we could see the performers spit when they would sing! When it was all over, Laurel was literally crying as we were giving the standing ovation, and while the performers where bowing, Ben Vereen actually saw her, and mouthed "Are you okay?" She cried, "Yes! Yes!" It has been 3 years since we were there, and it still plays in my mind like it was yesterday.

Syd, Booz and Memo Money

The picture says it all.

Yes, that's Syd standing with Carlos Boozer and Memo Ohkur of the Utah Jazz at mid court of the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City. On Monday, March 23rd, Syd was awarded a Sportsmanship Appreciation recognition from the Jr. Jazz organization, in front of 1,000 people. She was one of 6 people recognized with the annual award and got to meet the big guys. She was thrilled. When we went to the Arena, we really didn't know what to expect. But what a shocker when Booz and Memo came out to a screaming crowd, and then they called Syd up a few minutes later. It was something none of us will ever forget.

Basketball Comes To An End

Basketball season has come to an end, and we are exhausted in many ways. (We are tired of eating nachos and hot dogs for dinner!) I am proud of my kids, Kamron, Sydnie, Landen and Dayton. They have all played ball, and all seemed to have fun.

Kamron, left no. 12, played in the 4th grade junior jazz. I coached his team and we had fun. He was able to play with several good friends, and made more along the way. He's actually fast and can dribble very well.

Sydnie, my 12 year old daughter, (shown here lying on the floor) also played on a junior jazz team (that I also coached) and also plays on a traveling team. She loves to play ball, and has really come into her own this year. She scores half her team's points most of the time. She is really having a fun time.

Landen, shown here, is a sophomore and endured through an interesting season. I thought he did a great job, although I'm sure he wanted to play more. He seems to be motivated to improve for next year, as he is already talking about. He is a good shooter and is fast. He is trying track this spring, since his baseball experience at the high school wasn't so great last year. Grandpa Martindale is so excited for the new track runner, as the legacy can continue. Landen is a gifted athlete, and as soon as he figures that out and puts even more work into it, his potential is unlimited. . .

Dayton is a senior, and we are sad that his high school days of basketball are done. He has had a good HS career. He played as a sophomore in varsity, and has played steadily since. His specialty is hitting the outside shot, 3 pointers his favorite, and he worked hard last summer on driving to the middle and hitting the 10 footer (like the picture). In region games this season, he averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 "3's" per game. He was voted to the all region team, and all-state awards come out in a week or two, of which he hopes to make. But the award we are most proud of is his academic all state award he received with his 3.99 GPA. There are 10 boys given the award in the whole state 3A division, and he made it. I know he appreciated the award, but I think he would have traded it to go farther in the state tournament than his team did. Dayton is also trying track this year, for the same reasons as Landen, and he really seems to be enjoying it. The track coaches have really made him feel welcome and needed, and I think he will have a great experience.

Me And My Bud

This is me. Not much to tell, really. Born and raised in Sacramento, California, moved to Reno, Nevada when I was 12 and graduated from Reno High School in 1983. Went to a year of college at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho (now BYU Idaho) and served a religious mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from March 1985 to March 1987 in various cities in Brazil.

I have always been a gym rat. Always with a ball in my hand. Always wanted to be a pro baseball player for the San Francisco Giants. Picked up volleyball when I was around 10 years old when my Dad coached a competitive church team in 1975. Began playing a lot in 1982 when a bunch of guys near where I lived in Reno invited me to their group. I played on the Ricks College club team and then the University of Utah club team in 1989-90. I began helping as an assistant coach for Utah's women's team, and did that for about 3 years. I also helped coach the Utah Predators of the National Volleyball Association (A U.S. women's pro league) in 1994.
I graduated from Utah in 1991 with a degree in Exercise Science and worked in a Physical Thereapy clinic as an exercise physiologist until 1995, when I answered an ad for the head volleyball coach at the College of Eastern Utah, and was hired. I have been there ever since.

This is my wife, Laurel. She and I met the first day of English class at Ricks Collgege in September, 1987. As I tell the story, (her story is a little different) she wouldn't leave me alone. She followed me everywhere and, as you can see, has really good taste in men.

Actually, I had to go after her. She comes from a small town in rural Utah called Heber City, and graduated from Wasatch High School in 1987. She is the 5th of 6 children, and yes, has red hair. I proposed to her on Valentine's Day, 1988 and we were married on August 17th of that year.

Laurel is a very talented, driven person. She plays the piano and has taught all of our children how to play. She is extremely creative and loving. When she finds something of interest, she focuses on it until done and done well. She loves to read, and has helped instill reading to the children and myself. And she, too, loves to travel like myself. I'm sure she wishes I had a more lucrative job so that we could do much more travelling than we do. But she has found creative ways of seeing places at discount prices that has allowed us to see many things.

Laurel and I recently celebrated our 20th anniversary with a really fun trip to the Oregon Coast, We stayed in a small little coastal town called Depoe Bay. Known for it's whale watching locale, it did not disappoint as we saw 2 whales the first day there, one just 40 yards from where we were standing near our rental. We also spent a day in Portland.


Of all the trip, Laurel loved the Lighthouses the most. She really fell in love with them. We saw 3 different Lighthouses, and they were truly magnificent.

Yellowstone and the "no show" bears

This past July (2008) my family spent 5 or so days in the Idaho/Yellowstone area. It was beautiful and expansive. We stayed in a wonderful, charismatic rental cabin in the Island Park area, which is just 20 minutes or so from the West Entrance of Yellowstone. The cabin was a perfect abode for our family, as camping is a favorite, although elusive, hobby for each of us. The setting was as camping as you can get, except with beds, a kitchen and an 8 person hot tub on the back patio. It was an "A-Frame" style, fully furnished, and picture perfect cabin, and we often wondered if we should go see the local sights, or just stay and enjoy each other's company in that perfect setting. But, we did go play during the day, and then made a campfire in the back yard amongst the woods (and bears?) in the evening. We would usually end the day with a late-night dip in the hot tub before going to bed. Paradise.

We spent two of the days inside Yellowstone National Park, and we loved it there. The only 2 things the kids complained about was the long driving inside the park, and the non-existence of the famous "bears." We looked and looked and never saw a bear. We saw buffalo, deer, elk, eagles, and other small animals, but never a bear. One of the other days we just walked around the town of West Yellowstone and had fun. We even saw "Oklahoma!" the musical performed at the Playmill Theater.

Mexico. . .for Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving 2008 was by far the most unusual Thanksgiving we have had in our 20 years of marraige. We spent the holiday on a Carnival Cruise ship that sailed to Mexico!

Our stops were in Cabo San Lucas and Ensinada. It was the second cruise for Laurel and I and the first for our children. The kids could not believe the amount of food available. (Including an all-you-can-eat, 24/7 soft serve ice cream machine!) Getting on the ship the first day, my 15 year old son Landen (on the far right) ate lunch at 1pm, snacked at the buffet (and ice cream machine) around 3:30pm, had dinner with us in the dining room at 6pm, snacked more at the late night buffet at 10pm and then proceeded to order room service at 1am. It all culminated with him throwing it all up in his cabin at 2am. But, he was back at it the next morning at the 8am breakfast buffet hording down eggs and bacon. A true cruise eating expert.

We all ate tons! Let's just say we certainly got our money's worth! The scenery was wonderful, although the cruise itself was a little bumpy the whole week. (I even got a little seasick on Wednesday) All in all, it was a great time!

My first blog. Wish I knew what I was doing. My blog is meant to allow a look into my interests and my family. My life is certainly no more interesting than the next guy.

My wife and I are the proud parents of 5 children. They give me much joy, and many grey hairs. I get old. My wife still looks like a teenager.

I will post pictures and paragraphs about my life as an educator and volleyball coach. I will also post my dreams of some things I would really like to do in my life. One of those is travel. I have always wanted to see things and places. I have been really lucky to have travelled as much as I have. Recently, I have been to Oregon and Mexico on different trips, and over my lifetime I have seen Hawaii, Brazil, Florida and the Grand Canyon. I have been to 5 different major league baseball stadiums and I have seen Ben Vereen spit while he was singing as we sat on the front row at the Musical "Wicked" on Broadway. I have riden the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland what seems like a hundred times, and have stood where King Kong swung at the top of the Empire State Building. I have been lucky to have seen so much.

But there is so much more to see.