The Cloud Gate

for those of us who realize the kidney bean's role in the development of western civilization

Final Four

Down to four! Items of note: Kristen and Kirk won this round with 3 (Kim's Texas let her down for the first time). All 4 #1 seeds advanced for the first time ever to the final four. Finally, Kim picked the entire East bracket perfectly, and dad did the same with the South-congrats to them.
Option 1 (61 points possible):
46-Kim
45-Favorites
42-Kristen
40-Christy, Mom
39-Weston, Dad, Jeff
38-Kirk, Rem
35-Kati
30-Joe Buck
29-Joe
26-Shane

Option 2 (166 points possible):
123-Favorites, Kim
114-Kristen
106-Christy
103-Weston, Mom
102-Kirk, Dad, Jeff
100-Rem
96-Kati
74-Joe Buck
73-Joe
56-Shane

Final standings will be posted Tuesday morning the 8th.

Down to the Elite Eight

Okay, we are down to eight. The winners in this last round were: Kim (she is unstoppable) with 7 of the 8. Kati and Kristen followed next with 6 of the 8. The total scores are: Keep in mind that I have still not recieved Shane's, but I guessed at his score and included it here. By the way, your strategy in round one was great Shane, but failed you in round two.
Option 1 (57 possible):
44-Kim
41-Favorites
39-Mom, Kristen
38-Christy
37-Weston, Dad, Rem, Jeff
35-Kirk
33-Kati
30-Joe Buck
28-Joe
27-Shane

Option 2 (146 possible):
113-Kim
103-Favorites
99-Kristen
98-Mom
96-Christy
95-Rem
93-Weston
92-Jeff, Dad
87-Kirk
86-Kati
74-Joe Buck
68-Joe
56-Shane

Next update will be Monday Morning when we will be down to four teams!

FYI

The price of rice hit an all time high today.

Hmmmm . . .

Hey Jeff

Did you get my scorecard? Not that I'm too concerned, but I hope it arrived so I can have a score - however sad the score may be :-)

It's a Game!

Okay, I am a little perplexed at the lack of imagination of my family. Now that you all have looked at the pictures that I posted. However, none of you figured out the game. What do all the pictures have in common? Let's see who can figure this out the second time around. At least Kati figured out that there might be a subliminal message involved. That puts her in first place right now.

PTSA Forum

There is a PTSA forum tonight at AFHS on some social dangers that we have, focused on sexuality and same-gender attraction. There is an article in the Deseret News on it. you should all check it out. The spirit of acceptance is a very manipuated concept in our world.

Hello everyone. Here is the virtual tour of our home if you want to see it.

http://cb.realbiz360.com/Listing-36673.html

love the stoneys

Atwood Update

Just thought everyone would like a change of pace with a family update instead of a March Madness update. Here's what's going on with us, you know, same-o same-o.

Blog domination

i just realized that if i keep posting i can take over an entire page of the blog, which i will not do, however you must realize what kind of power you have afforded me by allowing me to post, all fear weston!

Bored

i'm always bored for an hour each day on campus and as such you get to enjoy the fruits of my boredom. anyway i found out they dye the chicago river green for st patrick's day.

In the ghetto..

Late for work

i was late for work yesterday because i slept in too late. This wouldn't be a big deal except my work starts at two pm, what kind of a world do we live in when thirteen hours of sleep isn't enough?

Zits?

How many of us pop the pimples, pick the scabs, etc., (any other disgustingnesses?) of our spouses?

Top 12 to eat organic:

Not all of us can afford to go 100% organic. The solution? Focus on just those foods that are laden with the highest amounts of pesticides, chemicals, additives and hormones and deploy your organic spending power on buying organic versions of these whenever possible.

In order of importance:

Meat
Milk
Coffee
Peaches
Apples
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Strawberries
Lettuces
Grapes
Potatoes
Tomatoes

Finished!

Just so you all know

Into The Sweet Sixteen!

Okay everyone, here are the latest and greatest updates (with an updated bracket of the real winners). Things of note: Joe Buck and Rem are the only two to pick Villanova (a 12 seed) to get to the sweet 16, Mom, Dad, and Remington would all be doing better if they had not been such big BYU fans and had BYU going to the elite eight, and the winners of round two were: Kim (no big surprise here) and Rem with 11, and Mom, Christy, Dad, and Jeff just off the pace with 10. The scores:

Option 1:
37-Kim
36-Favorites
34-Mom
33-Christy, Dad, Kristen, Jeff
32-Weston, Remington
30-Kirk
27-Joe Buck, Kati
25-Joe

Option 2:
85-Kim
83-Favorites
78-Mom
76-Christy, Dad, Jeff
75-Remington, Kristen
73-Weston
67-Joe Buck, Kati
56-Joe

Good luck to everyone going forward!

Happy Easter

This is my third time typing this post and I'm a little upset at dads computer. I feel better now. Porter was way cute today. He dumped out his gress and then threw his whole basket when he saw dads gaterade. Luckily, he caught on after a few minutes. We went dowstairs where he proceeded to stuff all the candy in the egg into his mouth. I guess it dissapears after a while so you have to get it down ASAP. There are also pics of downstairs but most turned out bad so I'm just showing the colors. The blue is in the bathroom and Porters room. The tan is the main room and laundry. Its almost finished and I'm so excited. I'll have to post better pics of it to show off Kirks craftmanship. I also found pics of some of the kids sledding. I'll print them off and mail them to you (kim, jeff, kati). Hope everyones easter was great. I was also released from YW today. Bittersweet moment. They continue to love Kirk. As long as I beat him in the bracket. Love to all from the Johnsons.

oops, that wasn't supposed to post yet. It is the listing of our house online if you have a desire to see any more pictures. We finally finished all the painting yea now we can have a few nights of relaxing movie watching. Anyway thank you Doug again for all the help.

Stoney

http://www.realtor.com/realestate/killeen-tx-76549-1097441844/

Round One Final Scores

Here is the tally after round one:
26-Kim
25-Favorites
24-Mom, Kristen
23-Weston, Christy, Kirk, Dad, Jeff
21-Remington
19-Joe, Joe Buck, Kati

52-Kim
50-Favorites
48-Mom, Kristen
46-Weston, Christy, Kirk, Dad, Jeff
42-Remington
38-Joe, Joe Buck, Kati

Keep in mind that Shane will be added when it arrives. After today, the second scores will not be just double the first, so there may be more movement in that one, for the bottom dwellers.

March Madness Update

Okay, I will normally post scores either late Friday night (or early Saturday morning), and Monday morning, after rounds have been played. However, it being the first day, and there being 16 games (plus the play-in game), I will post them after day one today. Remember, we are doing it two different ways. Also, I will post one entitled "favorites" which would be the score if you picked all of the favorites to advance (all four ones make the final four) just to see what it would have been. Alas, so far there have been only two upsets: one of which was our lovely choking cougars (which everyone picked except Joe Stoney). Lucky us!
Option one (one point per right choice) out of 17:
15-Favorites, Kim (she picked an upset)
14-Weston, Christy, Dad, Kristen
13-Mom, Jeff
12-Kirk
11-Joe, Remington, Kati
10-Joe Buck

Option two (graduated points) 34 possible:
30-Favorites, Kim (she picked an upset)
28-Weston, Christy, Dad, Kristen
26-Mom, Jeff
24-Kirk
22-Joe, Remington, Kati
20-Joe Buck

Shane's is TBD, it is in the mail. Good luck going on!

Val wanted me to post this for all to enjoy . . .

'member her?

I don't know if you recall the post I posted a few months ago about this girl - Brooke White - who is on American Idol this year. Honestly, I haven't watched American Idol even once this year. I even thought she might have been voted off - since I've heard so much about David Archuleta from the news or whatever because he is from Utah. Ummm, whatever. SHE is WAY better. And, yes she is MORMON - and the best part is she is PROUD of it. She doesn't dismiss her values. I like it. She is STILL on (there are now 10 left) and, oh yeah, the Utah kid is too. I was wondering this morning if she was still on - and I found her performance last week. She is basically REALLY good.

Enjoy

everybody get their wheat

March Madness

Well, I only have received a couple entries, so maybe not as many people wanted to do this as I thought would. However, after one game (the rest start tomorrow), here are the scores I have:

1: Kim, Jeff, Kristen, Kati
0: Remington

I also thought we would keep track of points both ways, above is one point for every correct answer, and below will be 2 points for each correct one in the first round, 3 for round 2... up until 7 points for whoever picks the winner. This way we can have two winners!

2: Kim, Jeff, Kristen, Kati
0: Remington

More updates to come

Hi. I would have posted my city but I didn't know how. I was Dublin. But I thought now would be a good time to post some pictures of our nice house and the work that we did. So hope you all enjoy.

And I didn't even cheat!

You Belong in Paris

You enjoy all that life has to offer, and you can appreciate the fine tastes and sites of Paris. You're the perfect person to wander the streets of Paris aimlessly, enjoying architecture and a crepe.

What European City Do You Belong In?

The European City I belong in:

You Belong in London

You belong in London, but you belong in many cities... Hong Kong, San Francisco, Sidney. You fit in almost anywhere. And London is diverse and international enough to satisfy many of your tastes. From curry to Shakespeare, London (almost) has it all!

What European City Do You Belong In?

NCAA Contest

So I just mailed my form to Jeff so he can keep score for me :-) I expect you all to fill out forms because if I did it, anyone can.

It's in the mail now so even though it will get there after the first game is played I fully expect credit for the winner (if applicable).

By the way, who's voting for Haagen Daz? Ben & Jerry's is clearly better ice cream.

Star Wars - to a 3 year old

This was on my friends blog and i just had to share!!

Friendly Contest Anyone?

Okay, the field of 65 is set for the March Madness tournament. I am thinking, why not have a friendly family contest. This can be for everyone, as they have shown in studies that an old lady knowing nothing about basketball can pick as well as experts can if she simply picks according to seeds. So, we all fill out a bracket and send them to someone via email or fax. Then, that person keeps track of winners and loosers (you can keep track at home if you don't trust them) and keeps us all updated on the scores. The winner takes all. However, there are two options for keeping track of points: 1 point for every correct guess, regardless of level, or a graduated scale, where you get more points the deeper you go. Now, option one favors whoever gets the most, while option 2 favors the person who chooses the winner and the correct final four. So, respond here which scoring option you prefer and lets get going! Let's remember to keep all spouses involved, as I said Kristen will probably beat me, knowing nothing about basketball. Finally, think of, and feel free to mention, a reward we can all pitch in and give the winner, and remember that games start on Tuesday (one game) and the rest on Thursday. Any not turned in by game day forfeits that, or those, games.

True/Funny (this has one swear: the term for donkey)

enjoy

Happy Birthday Kristen Atwood & Joe Stoney!!!

Happy birthday to both of you.  Today is Kristen's and tomorrow is Joe's.  I just want both of you to know how grateful this family is to have both of you in our family.  You both bring an extra bit of experience and characteristics that this family needs.  We are so happy to have you part of us.  We love you soooooooooooo much!!!!

Weston's Farewell

Hi again,  I just wanted all of you to know that Weston's farewell speech will be Sunday, April 20th.  So, let me know if any of you can be here.  We might be able to go with him thru the temple on the 19th.  We're still working on plans.  Thanks, mom

Easter Sunday

Hello everyone!!  You are all invited to Sunday dinner on Easter, March 23, at 5:00 or 5:30 whichever works out for me.  I may have dropped the ball on Fast Sunday dinners, but I have been gone, and am still trying to loose weight on a diet.  However, I've only lost about 5-10 lbs.  It's a struggle for me, and nice big family dinners don't help.  But, I miss everyone too, and would rather you all come.  So,  count on March 23, and General Conference week-end, April 5 & 6, and then about the 20th of April, and then May.  I think Jeff & Kristen are coming for  General Conference and that will be extra nice and fun.  Let me know anyone else's plans!

poll, or weston's thoughts?

i think i have single handedly illegitimized the poll by voting for loving myself like four times, i am hereby grounded from the poll

Little Beatles

This kid is incredible, and i fully expect all of your kids to accomplish similar feats in the coming months http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgrrQwLdME8

Interesting

SALT LAKE CITY 21 February 2008, According to the National Council of Churches, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to grow steadily, with a 1.56 percent increase in its United States membership in the last year. This is contrasted with most other churches, which are not experiencing membership growth or which are declining in numbers.

The findings were made available last week when the NCC published its annual Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains its position as fourth-largest religion in the nation.

New Official Portrait

Where did Shane go?

Hey everyone!

So it's been a while since I've seen anyone. Actually only about two weeks, but that seems like forever since all I've done is study and read in my lonely apartment.

I just wanted to let you know that I'm still alive.

Also, MOM and DAD, what's the Sunday Dinner plan? Are we getting together on Fast Sundays anymore?

FYI

My sister had a relief society enrichment activity where they made bread using only ingredients that you can save in food storage. I had to see it to believe it - but it is AWESOME bread. And it was so easy that I can see myself actually making my own bread all of the time. Flour, sugar, water, yeast, salt, and liquid lecithin. I know, crazy - lecithin is a health supplement you can get in your smoothie - but it REALLY does work! No butter, no milk, nada. I'm serious, you have GOT to taste this stuff - it is REALLY good. And it only needs to raise 25 minutes. You can really have bread start to finish in one hour. But why stop with bread? She made everything from pizza dough to monkey bread to all kinds of breadsticks. The DVD is $20 at their site pantrysecrets.net I'm going to mention it to my relief society - such a great idea!!

Food Storage Thoughts

Hey everyone, I'm not sure if you're following the financial news, but this may be important if you're ever planning on buying food storage.

Food prices are skyrocketing, and they expect them to continue.

You may want to get your supplies sooner than later if you want to save some dinero.

Madame Butterfly

Just in case you were curious - here is a snippet from Madame Butterfly. It is kind of a strange staging, but Angela Gherghui is supposed to sing it the very best. The song is about a woman whose love has returned after being away for a very long time - but he returns married. So it is a story of unrequited love. Fabulous. But, you can hear her heart break at the end of the song - and if it doesn't bring chills something is wrong with you! :) Enjoy -

Random Photos

We tried to upload these last night, but it did not work. Here is just a sampling of what is happening in our lives. Okay, never mind, this is 6 times we have tried to acquiesce to Kati's demands and put pictures up, but it is just not meant to be, as we have failed all 6 times, it hates us.

Don Giovanni

This is just a shout out for the likelyhood of anyone wanting to go to Don Giovanni this summer. Yes, it IS an opera. Yes, it IS in italian - however it DOES have subtitles. This is one of Mozarts finest operas - and I think if you have never been to an opera this is a pretty safe one to start with. It is at the Capitol Theatre, produced by the Utah Opera and the tickets are actually super cheap. If you want to spend very little the cheap seats are only $10 each. Although, you pay for what you get - you just might be LISTENING to it from these seats - not exactly SEEing it if you know what I mean. They range up to $65 per seat so all kinds of variety. I really want to go - and I thought others might as well. The Les Mis trip was really fun (which, by the way is playing at Tuachan this summer if you are interested). I'm just trying to see if there is any interest in going. They are playing Cinderella by Rossini this week and Madame Butterfly in October. We are open for comments or whatever.

FYI If you would like to read a synopsis of Don Giovanni click HERE It is a very strange story - I have never seen it, but of course it is a classic!

Preview - or some strange guy with a video camera


Thank you and have a nice day!!

Warm Weather Needed

Kristen is ready to pack it up and move to a place with above sub-zero termperatures. We are okay with anything warm right now, as Kim's pictures of Bryar in Texas just about made Kristen have a seizure.
Also, Kristen wants some prego pictures of Kim, so that we can all see what she looks like 8 months along, as we will not be there in person. I will return the favor by posting pictures on Kristen the next time she is 8 months along.

Congrats Wes

Let me be the first to congradulate Weston on his Chicago South mission call.
Kati, can you put "The Night Chicago Died" by Paperlace on the song list in his honor. It is all about the "South Side of Chicago."