Run to Remember

Hal and I raced in the Run to Remember http://www.cpdmemorial.org/run this morning, which was a fun 5K along Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. There were 2928 runners this year, and we did OK. Hal was #137 overall, and I was about a hundred people behind him, at #236. Hal also came in fourth place for his age group.

Sub sandwiches taste test

We just completed a taste test of submarine sandwiches from different restaurants. We ordered two types of subs from each restaurant = 1) turkey on white bread with cheese and lettuce, 2) turkey and ham on wheat bread with all available toppings.

Quizno's was the champion, as first choice for three in the family, second choice for two, and nobody picked it last.

1st = Quizno's
2nd = Potbelly
3rd = Subway (very close in the voting to Potbelly)
4th = Jimmy John's

Those who liked Quizno's liked it for the bread and texture. Subway comments were generally around the toppings, which they offered more than any of the others. Some liked this, and some didn't. Dan preferred Subway because it was not toasted.

Home again

Just got back from a marketing research study done in Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Philippines, and Malaysia. Definitely good to be home! Just in time for Easter, and am looking forward to seeing some of the family this weekend. Tyler and Hal are already at Grandpa Harry's. Courtney went to the church-sponsored modest prom in Milwaukee tonight. Here are some pictures of Courtney before heading to the dance.

Cu Chi Tunnels hard to find

Had a little time while I was in Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam during last weekend, so I took a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, which were used by the Vietnamese during the Vietnam war. There are over a hundred miles of underground tunnels still in Vietnam. They said I was too big to get into this particular hole, but I was able to get into the tunnels in other places. It was extremely hot and cramped. There was also a firing range not far away, and I got to shoot an M60 machine gun.

Missionaries in Indonesia

Came out of a store while on a trip to Indonesia, and saw two elders. One elder was from Hawaii, and one was a native of Indonesia. It's neat to see that the missionaries are all over the world.

What????????

That is what the Easter Bunny said after we ate off his ears. by Allie and Dan

"A House Full of Little Bedlamites"

I love Elder Holland. That was the best sentence spoke yesterday in conference. It perfectly describes our house at bedtime:)

Museum of Science and Industry

Joe Rogers chili in Springfield

We had chili at Joe Rogers' in Springfield. The chili was good, and we even managed to eat a small bowl of "Firebrand" chili, featured on the show "Man vs. Food".

Man v. Food - Firebrand Chili in Springfield

Springfield and Abe Lincoln

I had low expectations for Springfield, but it was actually a really good visit for a couple of days with the kids. We got to see Abe Lincoln's house, and the new Abraham Lincoln museum and presidential library was definitely worth the trip.

Was also fun to see the Illinois state legislature in action (ha ha or inaction, as the kids pointed out that most of the representatives seemed to be watching YouTube videos or talking on the phone while bills were being debated)

Jones Kids ranking of Nauvoo vacation sites

The five Jones kids voted on their top 10 favorite Nauvoo tourist sites that we visited on vacation. Note that Carthage is not included because it was closed to have the floors re-done. We also did not include the carriage ride or the wagon ride, which covered multiple sites.

We were in Nauvoo from the 27th to the 30th of March.

1) Webb Blacksmith Shop
2) Nauvoo Temple
3) Brickyard
4) Joseph Smith movie (at visitor's center)
5) Nauvoo family living center
6) Rendezvous show at Nauvoo Cultural Hall
7) Browning gun shop
8) Riser Nauvoo home and boot shop
9) Pendleton log home and school
10) Stoddard Nauvoo home and tin shop

Nauvoo

Funny Dan Story

My niece asked Dan to be the ring bearer in her wedding next Fall. Dan was very nonchalant about this assignment. Today in the van one of the kids asked Dan how he felt about being a ring bearer. His reply, "Will I need to wear a bear costume?" He must have thought he was going to be a ring "bear".