First Time for Everything!

Shooting the Y. Anyone from SJ and most who have traveled to SJ know what I am talking about. Just at the bottom of the 11 mile hill the Y can be found. Shooting it consist of going up the one way section of the intersection the wrong way.

When I was in high school it was the thing to do. I never did though. You could say I was either chicken or sane. Only on one occasion had I ever been in the vehicle while someone accomplished the feat and that seemed enough for me.

So on my way up to SJ today the idea entered my mind and... I didn't do it! I went through Snowflake so I couldn't even if I wanted to, but just the idea got me thinking. I was always a bit of a stick in the mud. I was the friend who always asked "what if." I did plenty of stupid things in high school but for the most part I did them somewhat safely. I wasn't present for the 30 acre brush fire and didn't have the $5,000 bounty on my head as did some of my friends.

I don't know whether or not my friends appreciated it then but at least we are all still alive and out of prison. So this summer me and three of my best friends from high school are going to Seattle for a little vacation. One said that they are taking me to keep them out of trouble and I am fine with that. I got their backs and I know they have mine.

Quick Trip to SJ

I am headed up to SJ tonight after work to go to the funeral of Loretta Crosby. I am sure many of you know her and what made her special. She was the advancement committee chair person for our boy scout troop for many years and has had a huge influence in the lives of many young men, I am sure she earned many more Eagle Scouts than any other woman in the organization!

4111 on the caller ID haunted me all through high school because I almost always new that it meant an interrogation on what merit badges I had worked on, what I was going to do the following week, and when I was going to schedule an appointment with the merit badge counselor. Without her persistence and constant encouragement it is hard to say whether or not I would have ever earned my Eagle Scout.

Another reason why it is important for me to go up this weekend is because she was the mother of a good friend of mine. Miles is 1 month two days older than me and for that reason always progressed through the scouting levels (Scout, Varsity, Venture) and the Quorums (Deacon, Teacher, Priest) just ahead of me. Possibly for this reason alone I always felt like I was following or playing catch-up with him. Being the son of the Scout Advancement Chairperson you can bet he always worked at a steady pace which managed to keep me moving at the same rate.

I appreciate both Miles and his mother and for the influence they have been in my life. I feel for Miles and his family as they pass through this challenging moment but am sure that they are strong enough to weather the storm. With all that Sister Crosby managed to accomplish while in this world with imperfections and physical limitations it only makes me wonder what great work she is accomplishing on the other side of the veil where those impediments are non-existent.

Thank you Sister Crosby.

Duct Tape Creations Continued

Here are some pics of the wallet or "clutch" as I guess they are called I made for Maria today. Hers took a bit longer but has more detail too. It is bigger and has two pockets and space for ten cards. It also has two metal snaps that hold it closed. Maria had yellow, red, white, chrome, blue and regular gray to pick from and opted for the gray. She also wanted the green camo instead of the pink.

Duct Tape Creations

Back in the day I was big into duct tape everything. I made wallets, book covers, scripture bags, ties, and more. For a high school dance I made a friend a 3 piece duct tape suit and a bubble wrap dress for his date, both had corsages made with duct tape roses.

That came to an end for the most part when I left for my mission, so I thought. When I got to the MTC and word about my duct tape scriptures got out several missionaries asked me to make covers for them. One missionary even had his brother throw bags of duct tape over the fence for him. Most of my personal time was spent at my desk making duct tape crap for everyone.

When I got to Venezuela I still had several rolls of tape in a variety of colors. All my companions would ask me to make stuff for them and I kept turning them down. I finally decided to just throw the unused rolls
in a closet and leave them behind.

Last night Lara was complaining about her wallet and how much she hates it. I told her that I could make her one however she wants it out of duct tape. I had a brand new roll of tape out in the truck but she wanted something blinged-out! We went to Wal-Mart and out of the 10 or more colors to choose from she chose the chrome colored tape.

We came back home and Maria, Lara, and Jennifer put in "Nacho Libre" and I sat at the table and began my work. By the end of the movie I had finished her wallet. It has slots for 8 credit cards, each lined with pink camo fabric, and two large pockets for receipts and money. Maria and Jen both asked for wallets and Jen even asked for a matching purse. Lets see how long this will continue before I either get burnt out or begin charging!

Sean Hatch

Working 8-9 hour days it is amazing how well you get to know your co-workers. 3.5 years ago I came to work at the Walden office in Phoenix. The only two other people on my team were Scott Hastings (who rarely was seen working, only eating at Dagwoods) and Sean Hatch a.k.a. Sean'A. We worked together for many years till recently Sean because manager over the sucky MBA program. I miss him everyday as he is across the building and as I don't have the opportunity to hear him quote lines from The Office. To give you an idea of who Sean is, The Office sitcom, based their charachter "Dwight" directly on Sean.

He likes hunting which is alright by me and has a beautiful family. It was great to know that I could get a camo outfit for thier sweet boy, Easton, when he was born. I used to love it when I sat accros from Sean. His wife, Kursty, would call daily and show him who was boss! Both Kursty and I are about 4 months pregnant so it is nice to know that someone else is going through what I'm going through.

Sean was Sponge Bob one year for Halloween. I still have nightmares about those yellow tights. I don't think I know anyone else that can do such a great impresonation of ICE ICE Baby by Vanilla Ice and knows every single word to it! He is a always thinking of others and I am so glad that Sean is my friend. Sean'A you are the best!

"Guess what Maria and Jake are having?"

Kirsten never ceases to make me laugh.

Maria called Lara after Maria's doctor's appointment a few days ago to tell her the news regarding the gender of the baby. Lara then asked Kirsten if she could guess what we were having and she responded "Arepas!... I want some!"

I considered myself very lucky when I met and married Maria for several reasons one of which being the fact that we both served our missions in Venezuela. I have a great love for the Venezuelans and an even greater love for their food and it is nice to be able to share that love with Maria. Since being married we have enjoyed pabellon, empanadas, arequipe, malta and arepas on several occasions.

I lucked out even further in discovering that both of Maria's sisters love the food as well especial the Arepas. It is fun for me to cook them for people who appreciate and enjoy them. I have made them several times for different people but no one has taken to them quite as well as Lara and Kirsten.

After hearing Kirsten's response to Lara I could hardly turn them down, we invited them over and cooked up over a dozen arepas con queso cotija (arepas with cheese), ensalada venezolana (a Venezuelan Salad), caraotas (black beans), and arroz (rice).

"Survey Says...!"

Maria and I went to have an ultrasound performed today. As we pulled up to the doctors office I was very nervous and excited. After being checked in Maria and I went into the exam room and began the ultra sound. The doctor said, and we could see, that Cletus the Fetus was not wanting to cooperate, Cletus was all bundled up taking a nap. The doctor suggested drinking water and moving around for a bit.

After about ten minutes the doctor tried again and it was successful! She was able to take measurements of the head, heart, and all major organs. Towards the end she pointed out a nub and said there's his penis. We're having a boy!!

Maria and I are sooo excited!! No more It, Cletus, mass of tissue, or parasite, we now have a little boy! Davis Cole to be specific!

55% Guessed right! (55% of those votes were probably Lara's though!)

We've been tagged (I know its dumb just play along)

Beth tagged us...

Four jobs I've had:
1. Lama Poop Shoveler (Jake)
2. IGA Cashier (Jake)
3. YMCA (Maria)
4. Davis Plumbing (Maria)

Four movies I've watched more than once:
1. Dolores Claiborne (Jake)
2. Jeremiah Johnson (Maria)
3. Cool Hand Luke (Jake)
4. Meet the Fockers (Maria)

Four places I've lived:
1. SJ, AZ (Jake)
2. Caracas, Venezuela (Jake)
3. QC, AZ (Maria)
4. Maracaibo, Venezuela (Maria)

Four TV shows I watch:
1. Flavor of Love I, II, III (Jake)
2. American Gladiator (Jake)
3. The Office (Maria)
4. Ace of Cakes (Maria)

Four places I've been:
1. Paris (Jake)
2. Trinidad (Maria)
3. Niagara Falls (Jake)
4. San Juan, PR (Maria)

Four people who email me regularly:
1. Spammers (Both)
2. Maribel (Jake)
3. Our crazy Realtor (Both)
4. Grandma Davis (Maria)

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Poppy Seed Cake (Maria)
2. Fettuccine Alfredo (Maria)
3. Arepas (Jake)
4. Post Almond Crunch (Jake)

Four places I would love to visit:
1. Dubai (Maria)
2. Brazil (Jake)
3. Montana (Maria)
4. Tonga (Jake)

Four things I'm looking forward to in the coming year:
1. The baby (Maria... and Jake)
2. Graduating College (Maria)
3. Getting closer to finishing school (Jake)
4. Vacation with the boys this summer (Jake)


Four friends I'm tagging:
Jen (Maria)
Kirsten (Maria)
Kelly (Jake)
Spence (Jake... Got to make you blog somehow!!)

Name that Bill!

Playing a bit off of Jason and Liz's cell phone chart (click here) and indulging Maria's and my current efforts to cut cost and save money; I introduce the "Name that Bill" challenge. (I know it's dumb but I had fun making it!)


See if you can't guess some of our highest monthly bills (A, B, C, and/or D) and at the same time guess which expenses we have managed to do away with, or dramatically lower, recently (1,2, and/or 3).


I was going to give away a huge, amazing prize until I saw how much I was spending on huge, amazing prizes and decided to cut that expense!

Join us for breakfast!

Let us know if you would like to come by either emailing me or commenting below. (Please let us know ASAP so we can purchase enough food and please don't flake on us and leave us with extra food)

Change is in the air...

A lot has happened in the last week. I was able to make it to Maria's Birthday Celebration after all at Paradise Bakery. My professor had us turn in our final papers and leave, I was in and out in less than 15 minutes. We also went to SJ last weekend to celebrate Mother's Day. We both were asked to speak in our mothers' ward (my old ward) and Maria was asked to sing as well (click here for a more detailed write-up).

The drive home from St. Johns was a lot of fun and will prove to be a bit life changing. Maria and I were able to talk about so many things and we are now toying around with so many ideas to lower monthly expenses, increase savings, pay down debt, prepare for baby X, and more. A lot of this came about in my mind as a result of the Elders Quorum lesson earlier that day on self sufficiency, debt management, and food storage. Change is in the air. Some of the changes have already occurred (like canceling our home phone service) and other, more major, changes are around the corner.

For now we want to keep these changes private but I am sure the cat will be out of the bag shortly. (Does anyone know the origins of that expression? Why was the cat in the bag to begin with?)

Happy Birthday Maria

Just wanted to give a shout out to my wonderful wife on this special day. Happy Birthday Babe! Hope you have an enjoyable day and night out with the girls. I will try my best to get out of class tonight as soon as I can so as to be able to spend some time with you.

Like I said last night at dinner, although I have been unable to spend time with you on your birthday two years in a row I was at least able to spend the other 364 days leading up to this one day with you.

Lastly, always remember that no matter how many birthdays we share together-- you will always be four years older!!! Man you're old!! :)

Portraits in the Park

A good friend of mine with a great deal of talent is doing a little promotional activity later this month and I wanted to help her out by letting everyone know about it.

Beth is my best friends sister and I have known her for several years now. I have gotten to see a lot of her work and know that she has has a real talent and ability with a camera.

If you have been wanting or needing to get some family/children portraits this is a perfect opportunity to have them done by a great photographer with no sitting fee.

If you are interested in attending this event or scheduling your own sitting send her an email by clicking here or just show up one of the days listed on the ad to the right.

Just so you all know she has not asked me to do this, I am doing it because I really do believe in her and know that you will be happy with her work. She does babies, toddlers, children, seniors, couples, weddings, families and more! Check her portfolio here.

"That is so disgusting!"

Those were the words spoken by our waitress at RA (a sushi restaurant) when we pointed out the piece of octopus found in Maria's chicken salad.



Maria came across the business card sized piece of octopus in her salad while we were out to dinner with friends last night. Sickened by her discovery she quickly lost her appetite. She said for us to not worry about it and to not make a big deal about it. Those of you who know me though know that her request was done in vain.



As the waitress approached I was pointing out the piece of sushi and before I could even say where we found it she said "that is so disgusting!" I told the lady it had been found in my wife's salad and asked what it was. She said that it was a raw piece of octopus and that it was not supposed to be in there (duh!). I told the waitress that Maria was pregnant and she said "that's not pregnancy safe."


Maria began to worry even more, if you could imagine, (she does not even eat deli meat unless it is microwaved then-alone raw octopus) and sent her salad back, with the tentacle, and said she was no longer hungry.


A moment later the manager came to apologize and also explained that the piece was in fact cooked (boiled to be specific) and said not to worry. He comped a portion of our meals and gave us desert for free (which Maria could not even enjoy).

Are we having a boy or a girl? The suspense is killing me!

Maria and I can't wait to find out the gender of little baby Boyle. In about three weeks Maria will be going in again to the doctors and will be having an ultra sound, we are hoping to find out the sex then (keepin' our fingers crossed)!

On the upper right side of the page there is a poll where you can vote on whether you think we are going to have a boy or a girl.

Wednesday, Maria had her second appointment and while fairly uneventful and quick the appointment did calm the nerves of Maria a bit. Maria, like most or all first time mothers, has the fear of miscarrying. Being able to hear the heart beat on Wednesday alleviated a great deal of worry and stress on Maria's part.

The doctor also said that all of Maria's tests thus far have come back good and that there is nothing to be worried or concerned about so far.