Bryan Hinton's space: Family

Ragnar report

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 22:51:52 GMT

I am finally getting around to posting an entry about our amazing Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay experience from last weekend. 180.5 miles (I think that was the final tally), two vans, 11 people, 28 hours 5 minutes and 59 seconds, lots of sweat, Gatorade, water, Honey Buckets (can you believe that is the name of the company that provides Porta-Potties), and even some fun mixed in with some pain. It is a testament to the brain's ability to selectively remember that I look back at the experience fondly. My three legs were 5.1, 3.2, and either 5.2 or 5.6 (can't remember at this point I think it is the former). For a total of around 13.5 miles. My legs comprised the shortest segment of the race for any one runner I think (that is in interest of full disclosure - not necessarily something I am proud of). I ran my first leg at a 9:08 pace and followed that up with an 8:33. I was extremely pleased with those efforts - they were better or on my par with my best training runs.

My third leg was climbing up the road on the southeast side of Jordanelle that runs from Kamas to Heber. It was brutal for me. I finished it in with a 10:55 and that included walking which I did at the top of the inclines to give my screaming quads a break. After that leg I collapsed into the van for over an hour while Sean and Megan finished out the last legs for our van - I was pretty oblivious to what was going on around me. By the time I had recovered we were done and everyone was ready to eat some real food (the spaghetti Friday night at North Summit High School was good - but it was too late and I was too tired and hurrying to get to bed to truly enjoy it).

Below I linked to a search of Twitter (using something called tweetscan) for the posts that I did while we were running - it has quite a bit of info about how each member of our team did (Noel, Cory, Megan, Sean, Rachelle, and me) as well as how Van 2 (Stacey, Mark, Brian, Neal, and Daniel) did - although Van 2 I just cover overall - not individually. I also have included a tweetscan search for all Ragnar posts - which catches a few others from other people (as well as some non Ragnar related ones). Lastly is a link to the first photo album that I put up while we were running our first legs. More should follow soon.

Note: I use this blog to post both Personal and Technical articles. For a technical only feed use the following URL (http://bryanandnoel.spaces.live.com/category/technology/feed.rss). For a family only feed use the following URL (http://bryanandnoel.spaces.live.com/category/family/feed.rss)

Technorati Tags: Ragnar,Wasatch Back

Less than 3 days to go to the Ragnar

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:01:39 GMT

Well we are down to less than 3 days until the start of the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay race - to be more exact about 66 hours to go. Our training is much lighter this week - just one more training run to go after today (which will be tomorrow). Today I hit an 8 1/2 minute mile pace over just under 3 miles - I was happy with it. It is the fastest I have gone yet. I don't anticipate averaging that over the Ragnar, but it was cool to push myself. My legs are more sore today than they have been for a while. Sitting all day doesn't help much either!

Daddy Daughter Date

Sun, 11 May 2008 14:00:36 GMT

Note: I use this blog to post both Personal and Technical articles - for a technical only feed use the following URL - http://bryanandnoel.spaces.live.com/category/technology/feed.rss - for a family only feed use the following URL - http://bryanandnoel.spaces.live.com/category/family/feed.rss

E and I headed out yesterday on a daddy daughter date. We got tickets through the Cougar Club to a BYU baseball game and so we left Noel home to enjoy time alone and we headed down to Provo to watch some baseball.

Miller Park is a nice stadium - it is kind of unique as it has the softball field on one side of the stadium concourse and the baseball stadium on the other. I taught E about first, second, and third base along with home "base". We ate hot dogs and enjoyed the game for about an hour and a half or so. We then headed over to the Marriott Center where our car was parked, put our blanket on the grass, read books, and ate Cheez-Its (sp?) and Twizzlers. It was a lot of fun. We did have to make a trip back to Miller Park for E to go to the bathroom. As we went into the boys bathroom she said, "Dad, this is the boys bathroom." I informed her that I couldn't go into the girls bathroom and so this was the best we could do. She responded with, "But Dad it is going to stink!" Turns out that all the stalls were occupied and rather than wait for them to open up and risk her clamoring loudly as we went in that it stunk we went hunting for another option. They have a couple of family type bathrooms it turns out and we used one of those so it all turned out good! It was pretty funny!

Here are a couple of pictures of us chilling on the grass at the Marriott Center. We finished off our date by stopping by Mark and Stacey's to say hi to E's cousin E. It was so much fun for E that with 5 minutes on our way home she feel asleep on me! Seriously it was a great time - I can't wait for us to do it again!

House Pictures

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:32:59 GMT

We got our keys yesterday and spent some time at the house yesterday. The wood floor refinishing starts today followed by carpet, tile, and painting. Here are some pictures that we shot while we were there.

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E's Birthday

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:30:45 GMT

We had a fun birthday party for E this weekend at Chuck E Cheese's! The kids had fun and hopefully the adults did too. It was fun to get together and eat some pizza. I can't believe how much E is growing up. Sometimes she seems so grown up - as for the other times - we'll just not talk about those right now!!! :) Here are some pictures from her special day!

I hope you like snow!

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:51:59 GMT

The Hinton family is having our annual reunion at the end of March this year up here in Utah. Midway, UT to be exact! We had a family party in Provo today and with the weather being outstanding today (we got into the 40s) we decided it would be a good day to check out the place our family is renting. It took a few phone calls to pin down where it was because the cabin is down off the road and with all the snow almost not visible (and especially not when you aren't looking carefully). We grabbed a few pics for our family to see what they are in for! It will be interesting to see how much melts by the time the reunion rolls around.

In the picture below you can see me in past my knees which wasn't even the deepest part. I was in my church clothes and so those suit pants are going to the cleaners tomorrow as a result of my little adventure. My feet still haven't warmed all the way up yet!

Pictures of Hinton Reunion Location

Bought a house

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:12:32 GMT

We bought a house this past week (or at least had our offer accepted - we still have inspections to do etc... before we close on it). I thought I would throw a picture out there of what it looks like. We are so excited!

President Hinckley's Viewing

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:09:55 GMT

Noel, E, Carolyn, Noel's mom, and I went early this morning to President Hinckley's viewing. It was held in the Conference Center which was a change from the initial plans because of the potential bad weather and the limited space in the Church Administration Building (known as the CAB here at work). As an employee I got to bring my immediate family (those living in the same house as me) with me before things opened up for the general public. E having been through the death of two great-grandparents and her grandpa in her short little life has a pretty good understanding of death, much better than I did. I don't recall going to a viewing until my Grandpa's early in my 20s.

I love the Conference Center - it is such a gorgeous building - just walking through it and thinking of the vision that Pres. Hinckley had to build such a magnificent building was very special. E was enthralled by all the beautiful art especially the huge painting of the Savior coming to America. She was great the whole way there too - the ushers gave a gentle reminder to us as we entered to make sure that we were reverent and limited the talking I am sure because E was so young - she was fabulous.

President Hinckley's casket was situated in the Hall of the Prophets up on the third floor of the Conference Center. It was another testimony to me as we looked at our dear Prophet of the divinity of the soul! It was definitely Pres. Hinckley, but it wasn't. The power, humility, kindness, and vitality that were such a hallmark of him in my mind were missing from his face. His spirit, possessor of those wonderful traits, had moved on to the Spirit World to continue his work.

As we walked away Sister Hinckley, one of his daughter-in-laws, saw E and came over and said hello and thanked us for coming and was so kind. As we walked back into the seating area of the Conference Center to exit the area they had the flowers from the family along the way. There were some tender moments as we read the expressions of love from kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. There were references to "Standing a little taller and being a little better", to the 6 Be's, and one that referenced a statement Pres. Hinckley must have made after the passing of his wife - it was something to the effect of, "Christmas just isn't the same without your grandmother" with a follow on statement of "Christmas just won't be the same without the both of you Grandpa."

We also got two tickets to the funeral so Noel and I will be going on Saturday - we are so looking forward to going. As we walked out of the Conference Center I was talking quietly to E about how we saw Pres. Hinckley's body and that his spirit had gone to Heaven. She turned to me and said, "yep and that is the most important thing!"

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Technorati Tags: Pres. Hinckley,President Hinckley's Viewing,President Hinckley,LDS,Mormon

Thoughts on President Hinckley's passing

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:10:55 GMT

It is all over the Utah news (and many other news stations) - President Hinckley passed away Sunday evening at 7pm at his apartment from "causes incident to age". It was interesting we were at a family gathering out in Saratoga Springs at all at once calls came into different family members from people reporting the passing of President Hinckley. One of my cousins suggested we join in prayer for Pres. Hinckley's family and for the leaders who will carry on especially Pres. Monson. I tried for a solid 30 minutes to call various family members, but the cell phone circuits were overwhelmed and no calls could get out.

That speaks to the magnitude of the news - many if not most of the 13 million members of the Church associate Pres. Hinckley with the Church's First Presidency (the Church's presiding body). He has served there for 26 some odd years. He has always been there during my lifetime - a stalwart, a rock, an example. I was inspired by his biography and it affected me deeply and has throughout my life. I often reflect on what he said and did and strive (albeit poorly) to follow his shining example. He gave his life to his faith. He was an optimistic man - impressively so.

We are watching the tribute to him on KSL TV right now. I work for the Church and work I am sure will be a somber and sober tomorrow and for days going forward.

Mormons recognized Gordon B. Hinckley as God's prophet the same as we do Adam, Noah, Moses, and all the others from the Old and New Testaments. He bore a powerful witness of the divinity of The Savior of the World, Jesus Christ. I bear testimony that Gordon B. Hinckley was a Prophet of God. He was God's mouthpiece to our troubled world. He was an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ as were Peter, James, John, and others both in New Testament times and in modern times.

As we mourn his passing there is no confusion or politicking for who will take his place. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles now leads the Church (the First Presidency being dissolved upon the death of the President) with President Monson as the presiding authority of the Quorum of the Twelve. In time they will convene and by revelation set apart a new President/Prophet who will then reorganize the First Presidency. If you look at how the Lord has worked over the preceding years Pres. Monson is the likely person to become the 16th President of the Church. When that happens I will raise my hand in sustaining vote for him along with the millions of others knowing that God's work will go forward.

The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.

--Joseph Smith

Technorati tags: Mormon, LDS, President Hinckley

Fun in the Snow

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:17:31 GMT

We got a lot of snow today which only added to the tons that we already had and so we got out in it this afternoon. We love playing with our new video camera these days and took quite a bit of video. The highlight was Noel's sled ride. I decided I would play with some video editing really quick to hack together something to highlight her fun ride!

Pictures from the Cougars triumph over the Utes

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:34:33 GMT

The game on Saturday was so fun and nerve-wracking at the same time. Noel has posted some of the pics we took from the game over on her blog. Man I am glad that we won that made the day so much fun. Combine that with watching the Cougs play bball Friday and Sat. night and it was a Cougar weekend! Way to go Plaistad, Tavernari and the Coug bballers!

Man I love BYU Football

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:38:10 GMT

This Saturday marked the first game of the season that I got to attend. The Cougs played Eastern Washington and the forecast for the day was for it to be snowy and cold. Noel had been a little under the weather and we were worried about the weather making it miserable for Eliza so she decided on Sat. morning not to go so I rode down with Sean Stohl to the game. At that point the weather wasn't looking too bad it definitely wasn't warm, but it wasn't snowing or raining. The first and second quarters also were good weather wise and just about as the game started Noel decided to come down. She bundled up her and Eliza and picked up a niece, Cathryn (whose name I don't know how to spell exactly), and to Provo they went. They got there around halftime and the third quarter was good - the Cougs were winning and we were having a good time. The fourth quarter was quite a different story though - the picture below says it all I think - we loved it all the same and stayed until the end of the game!

The Big Move

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:31:06 GMT

Most of those who track this blog already know this, but in the interest of actually blogging it - WE MOVED! We moved from Arizona to Salt Lake a little over a week ago. I had felt for a while that Intel wasn't to be my final resting place job wise, but in terms of where I wanted to go post Intel I was kind of picky and the LDS Church and Microsoft were really the top 2 (and only 2) on my list. Utah was more attractive than Redmond, WA mainly because we have more family in Utah than in Washington (although my awesome brother-in-law and my sister live in Washington and they are the best so no disrespect to them!).

So about 2 months ago now I applied for a job as a Data Warehouse Engineer at the Church and after the interview process got extended an offer to come work for them. We had pondered over what we should do long before that and knew by the time we got offered the job that we were going to take it. The last couple of months have been a pretty big rush getting things in order. Fortunately Noel's mom is kind enough to let us stay with her while we look for a house. We miss our family and friends in AZ a lot and in a lot of ways it still isn't real that this has happened since we are known for taking numerous extended trips up here to Utah (at Intel I could work from up here in Utah at the Intel plant in Riverton so that was nice and convenient) so in some ways it feels like we are just on an extended vacation.

Picture Perfect

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:01:08 GMT

I had to call attention to this picture because Eliza is so darn cute in it plus Noel did a great job taking it (taking it at the right moment with little kids is pratically impossible!).

Jackets are coming out in Arizona!

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 13:30:05 GMT

Winter must be on its way because today at about 6:30 am I saw someone out walking their dog with a sweatshirt on - my wife had mentioned that someone was jogging the other day in long pants as well. That probably seems amazing to those folks who look at the temps here and say, "but it's going to be 99 there today and the low is only in the 60s!" Thus is life in the desert when you are coming off 110 degree weather - 70 degrees feels downright chilly!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:37:37 GMT

When it comes to movie reviewing I am slightly better than my Dad who reviews movies in one word - the movie was either good or okay.

As far as the new Harry Potter - I loved the movie. While I am not so much of a Harry fanatic to have rewatched all the movies in the last couple of weeks (but fanatical enough to go to the movie on the first day open and have just re-read Book 6 in preparation for Book 7) - I came away thinking that this was my favorite movie of the 5.

There was enough action to keep the movie alive and moving - the fight between Voldemort and Dumbledore was especially good, but enough of the story points as well (although it certainly helps to have read the books to understand all the subtleties). I am hoping that the movies go the distance - with 5 down and only two left I hope they push through (it certainly helps that each one makes ridiculous money – the key though is the consistent actors that really keeps the series continuity – it helps that I think all of them do a great job too).

Other than the Rocky series has any movie series done some many in the modern era (Comparing these to Rocky does the Potter ones an injustice as the whole Rocky thing just got ridiculous after a while)?

Definitely a thumbs up and a must see in the theaters.