So, we purchased a new car. The old '96 Buick Regal we inherited from my mom was falling apart. The automatic locks did not work, the driver and passenger front door panels were falling apart, the side-view mirrors were no longer adjustable, the engine had a strange hiccup that no mechanic could explain, and there was just a manufacturers recall because
the engine tends to spontaneously ignite. The final blow came last week when the AC went out, again, and the mechanic said there were leaks everywhere and it would cost $1200 to correct. Even in good condition the car is only worth that much, and with all these problems it is worth nothing. After driving Abby around for a couple days with no AC (it has been over a hundred degrees for the last week and will probably stay that way for the next few months) Jen was quickly converted to my longstanding agenda--buying a new car.
We were not sure what type of car to purchase, but after the last one we knew we wanted (1)something that was reliable, (2) something with fewer miles on the odometer, and (3) something with good mileage. Nearly every consumer report available puts the same two cars at the top of all those lists: #1 Honda Accord; #2 Toyota Camry. So, we opted for the cheaper of the two. Here is our brand new used 2005 Honda Accord LX. We're very proud of the good deal we got. This beauty's blue book value is $15,500 and we bought it for $12,000.
This is the newest (and thus nicest) car I've ever owned. We are excited to drive in comfort and have a car that should not break down for a long long time.
The bacon was raw. It looks much more brown in this photo, but it was soggy, wet rubbery and certainly raw. Greasy fat and uncooked tapeworm infested pork, anybody? It squishes in your mouth.
We spent our first night in Las Vegas with old friends, Natalie and Brett Burbidge, and thier three children.
We passed through Hoover Dam. Its big.
We spent our next night in Orem with Jen's brother Brent and his wife Nicole. I gave him a special hug.
We saw another longtime friend, Jerilyn Metler Anderson.
My sister (Heather) stopped by briefly and we went out to dinner.
We visited Amanda (Abby's birth Mother) and her family (Teresa and Mike)
Isnt Amanda skinny? We like those genes.
Brent and Nicole
We swam at the pool in our old Provo apartments, still owned by the Metler family.
Abby made a new friend at Brent and Nicole's house.
Abby was overwhelmed.
We had a Sunday dinner at Jen's Aunt Cindy's home in Provo.
Cousin Nick, his wife Julie, and thier son Trevor visited.
My sister dropped in again!
Cindy's fiance, Brad, knows how to BBQ. 
The Heard Museum specializes in Indian art and history, and the best exhibit is on about the Indian boarding school era. This is complimentary to my own research on the Mormon Indian Placement Program. Abby loved the museum.
Here is a Navajo sand drawing of the creations. Traditional Navajo beliefs teach that we are living in the fifth world, and that there were four before this one. Each imploded on itself as the succeeding world rose up from below. Similar patterns of self-destruction occurred in all worlds so the Navajos place a high priority on one principle above all others: balance (dont screw up this physical-spirutal-social world!). This remains the guiding rule among many Navajos--balance in your interpersonal relations, balance with nature, balance with God, etc. Find balance.
We took a few pictures outside the Heard:
My parents came to visit. They'd be here every weekend if we let them. Its a six hour drive but they dont care. They are hooked on Abby.
And here is Abby in one of her favorite positions. This is my four minute solution--it works immediately but only lasts four minutes. When she gets upset I just hold her upside down and she is happy until the blood creates too much pressure in her head and she gets angry again.
the engine tends to spontaneously ignite. The final blow came last week when the AC went out, again, and the mechanic said there were leaks everywhere and it would cost $1200 to correct. Even in good condition the car is only worth that much, and with all these problems it is worth nothing. After driving Abby around for a couple days with no AC (it has been over a hundred degrees for the last week and will probably stay that way for the next few months) Jen was quickly converted to my longstanding agenda--buying a new car.
