Cake Kristi made for Dezi's wedding

Kristi spent several months preparing this cake for our niece Dezi's wedding. She spent countless hours making the flowers out of gum paste and then hand painting them. The cake had a white chocolate rasberry ganash with white cake and a chocolate ganash with chocolate cake. The cake turned out beautifully!!

Enjoy!!! T...

We repainted....

Long time no write. We repainted most of the upstairs in our home and have been pretty busy. Well, Kristi did most of the painting. She did not want to wait for my help on my days off. I guess because the house had been a wreck for several weeks while we completed the project. We had to strip one of the walls we had painted as an accent wall a few years ago. Then we had to wash the walls, prime the walls, fix and texture the walls. Kristi finally was able to finish painting and hang the decorations this week. I love the new colors. The walls are a "chewy caramel" brown color and the accent wall and doors are a "California poppy" red. We also got new blinds for the windows as well.

Well enjoy the pictures. Now we can go fishing the rest of the summer!!!! Later, T...

This is my updated...

This is my updated and final reading list at least for the time being.

Books to read or reading:

1. "Monday Night Jihad." By Jason Elam and Steve Yohn. (Currently reading). Great book so far. Easy reading and fast paced. Great first book by the authors.

2. "The 5000 Year Leap: The 28 Great Ideas That Changed The World." By W. Cleon Skousen.

3. "The Lord of the Rings." (Trilogy) By J.R.R. Tolkien (on my book shelf).

4. "Eternal Security." By Charles F. Stanley.

5. "The Attributes of God." By A.W. Tozer.

6. "The Pursuit of God." By A.W. Tozer.

7. "The Sovereignty of God." By A.W. Pink.

8. "Uprising: A Revolution of the Soul." By Erwin Raphael McManus.

9. "On Combat, the Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict In War and In Peace." By Lt. Col. Dave Grossman and Loren W. Christensen.

10. "Holy War On The Home Front: The Secret Islamic Terror Network In The U.S.." By Harvey Kushner and Bart Davis.

11. "America Alone: The End of the World As We Know It." By Mark Steyn.

Finished books:

1. "Empire." By Orson Scott Card (Finished).

Enjoy! Later for now...T.

Not much happened...

Not much happened this week. Not much has been happening lately. I am in kind of a dry spell as far as trying to figure out what to write. Kristi and the kids are doing well. We are coloring Easter eggs right now. We make holiday's and birthday's a weekend event.

I finished the book I was reading, "Empire," by Orson Scott Card. I really enjoyed it. We went to the library on Friday and I was able to find another book. Not a book on my list so I will add it. Some books on my list I may not find at the library so I will probably have more of a running list. Anyways, I have a new book. Some of us sports fans may really like it. At least if you like the Denver Broncos. One of the authors is a former player. I have actually started the book and I like it so far. The book is:

11. "Monday Night Jihad." By Jason Elam and Steve Yohn.

Enjoy! Later for now... T.

Happy Easter...

Happy Easter, what a beautiful and wonderful day!! I am so thankful for my SALVATION and for what JESUS did for me on the cross. He also confirmed that his word can be trusted by his resurrection three days later. He is in control of everything this wonderful world has to offer. Thank you Jesus!

Happy Easter!! Later for now... T.

Congratulations...

Congratulations to Katie and Ryan on their new BABY GIRL!! I am so excited for them. I bet Logan and Gavin are excited to have a new sister.

Can't wait to see pictures.

Later for now... T.

I've finally completed...

I've finally completed my reading list. It took me a while to figure out what I would like to read. Some of the books I put on my list are for my pleasure, learning (for work or personal), or spiritual growth. Don't let the titles of the books shock you, they are not necessarily about what you may think. I have put reviews on a couple of them. Let me know what you think and if you would like to read them. Some of the books I don't know if I will get to read, because I am having a hard time finding in the library. Of course, it could be I had the titles wrong and no authors (until today). The list is in no particular order. Look at the book shelf to the right, put your mouse cursor on a book, and read about it.

1. "Empire." By Orson Scott Card (currently reading).

2. "The Lord of the Rings." (Trilogy) By J.R.R. Tolkien (on my book shelf).

3. "Eternal Security." By Charles F. Stanley.

4. "The Attributes of God." By A.W. Tozer.

5. "The Pursuit of God." By A.W. Tozer.

6. "The Sovereignty of God." By A.W. Pink.

7. "Uprising: A Revolution of the Soul." By Erwin Raphael McManus.

8. "On Combat, the Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict In War and In Peace." By Lt. Col. Dave Grossman and Loren W. Christensen.

9. "Holy War On The Home Front: The Secret Islamic Terror Network In The U.S.." By Harvey Kushner and Bart Davis.

10. "America Alone: The End of the World As We Know It." By Mark Steyn.

Later for now. Enjoy... T.

Birthday and eye glasses...

Birthday and eye glasses were on the agenda this week. We will start with the birthday and move on to the eye glasses.

Happy 15th birthday to our first born son, Brendan!! Wow, 15. I am having a hard time believing he is 15. Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday he was just a little boy. He is turning into such a handsome young man. I hope and pray he grows into a good Godly man as well.

In the Quinn home we make birthdays a weekend celebration. On Friday we went out to dinner for Brendan's birthday and he opened his gifts. Once again, Brendan was spoiled. On Saturday we had his birthday cake. Brendan decided on a M&M cake. Kristi spent most of the afternoon making it and as always she went all out on it. The cake turned out awesome. Tonight we are going to have an Orange Chicken dish Brendan picked out for his birthday dinner. I can't wait it is one of my favorite meals as well.

About two weeks ago we all went to the eye doctor. Kristi and I wear glasses (I only need to wear mine to read or if my eyes are tired), but we were thinking the kids may need some as well. It turns out that Brendan and Kristofer needed glasses. Their eyes are not bad, but they needed a little correction. Kiarra is the only one in the family that does not need glasses. She is so blessed.

The boys picked out their glasses and did a fine job of doing so. I think Kristofer wanted to pick out glasses that looked like mine. During the week while we were waiting to pick up the glasses Kristofer asked everyday if his glasses were in. He is so impatient when he is excited. Finally the doctor's office called and Kristi picked the glasses up this week. The boys look so cute in with their glasses on.

Enjoy the pictures! I will create a reading list next week, hopefully. Later for now...T.

What a feeling...

What a feeling to no longer have hair. I feel as though a load has been lifted off my head. I usually keep my hair short, but this feels a lot different. My hair or lack there of has not been totally shaved since I went through basic training in the Army. I kind of like it now. I think I may keep my head shaved at least through the summer. There is no better feeling than having a cool breeze blow over your bald scalp. Although, it is quite cold in the mornings right now.

Thursday, March 19th, was the day my hair was shaved off to raise money for the St. Baldrick's foundation. We had about 46 people participate in the event. The barber shop was jammed packed. It was so fun. I really enjoyed participating in the event. The build up to the event, the comedy in the chairs while getting shaved, and being able to help with the fight against childhood cancer. I am so thankful I have good health, a healthy family, a full head of hair to shave off, and the ability to participate in the event. It was amazing how many people participated in this event, just in Jackson.

When I got home that night the kids were in a state of shock. Brendan said he thought I looked younger without hair compared to my long hair. Kiarra was not sure what to think. She said she was not used to me without my hair. Kristofer said I looked good. Kristi thought I looked handsome without my hair. Although she thinks I look good either way. She also thought I looked younger.

Enjoy the pictures of me without my hair. Later for now...T.

Spring weather is here...

Spring weather is here, hopefully to stay. I love it!! I love this time of year. I love the fresh clean fragrances in the air, the nice temperatures, the newness of life and how green it gets. I can't wait for all of our plants and trees in our yard to come to life again. I hope they all made it. Last year we lost three trees to the Voles. They like to eat the tree's roots and dig tunnels in the yard.

Most of our plants are buried under about four feet of snow so it may be awhile for these to spring to life. The snow seems to be melting pretty fast so they may be uncovered by June. Ha ha ha. Well, more likely the end of April. Our driveway and walkway is a muddy mess right now. Oh well, it means Spring is here. I love it!!

I can't wait to get out with Kristi, the kids, the dogs, and the fishing poles. I love fishing in our favorite spots along the Greys River. Right now it is hard to get to our spots due to all the snow. I try to stay away, because of the avalanche danger as well. Once the snow melts we will hit the river pretty hard. Can't wait.

Later for now...T.

It is almost here...

It is almost here, the day I will join the ranks with all my bald brothers and sisters. Finally!! I have been growing my hair out for the last two plus months. I look like a "hippie." Well, not a "hippie" from the sixties, my hair does not grow that fast, but it is out of control. My hair likes to stand up and not obey the commands of the brush and gel. I try to tame it with a hat, but all I get is STANDING hat hair. I am thankful for my full head of hair though, so I will quit complaining.

On Thursday, March 19th, I will be shaving my head for the St. Baldrick's foundation along with a large number of my co-workers and friends. I believe there are about 33 of us on our team. We are shaving our heads to help combat childrens cancer. Not everybody is on our site, but a majority of us can be found on it.

You can find my page by clicking on this link: http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/shavee_info.php?ParticipantKey=2009-60964#

The picture of me (on the site) was taken in January. As you can see my hair was standing at "attention." You may think I stuck my finger in a light socket, but this what my hair does naturally.

(To find out more about St. Baldrick’s click on their website and read on… www.stbaldricks.org).

Here are a couple of pictures of me as of today. The first picture is what my hair looks like after I get out the shower. The second picture is what my hair looks like after a long process of fighting it for control. As you can see, a losing battle.








Enjoy for now!! Later...T

Spring fever...

Spring fever is hitting me pretty hard right now. When is all this snow going to go away? I am so ready for spring. The smells, new life on the trees, and easier access to our favorite fishing spots. I know we are still a long way from the end of winter, but there have been a few days mixed in that make me drool for spring. We've had several days of spring type weather and as soon as I start getting used to it we get hit with a nice dose of new snow. Oh well, at least the roads have been fairly decent.

Kristi finished one of her many projects. She was finishing our table and chairs for the dining room. They look great. She did such a good job. I don't know how she does it with all that she does in a day. I am so thankful for her. God has blessed me with a great wife!! Here are a few photos of the table and chairs. Enjoy!! Later for now...T

I'm going bald...

I'm going bald!! Well, more like I'm going to be bald. On March 19th I will be shaving my head to raise money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. This organization helps with the fight against childhood cancer. Right now I am letting my hair grow out in order to have more to shave off. I will not have enough to donate, but there should be a big difference in the way I look. I should have about two and a half months of growth to shave off.

One of our information coordinators at the police department has been growing her hair for about a year in order to shave it off and donate it. She is the one who has organized this event in the department and asked if I would volunteer to be a "shavee." Normally, I do not do things like this, but how could I say "no." I hate to see anyone with cancer, especially children. There are several other officers who are going to participate in this event as well.

If you would like to donate to my cause, you can. I am hoping to reach at least $100.00. Please do not feel obligated to give. That is not why I am writing this. I only wanted to let everyone know what I am up to. However if you want to donate, anything you would like to give for the fight against childhood cancer would be greatly appreciated.

To donate go to www.stbaldricks.org or click this link. On the home page go to the "you can help" (green box). Double click on "sponsor a participant." On the next screen type in my name "Thomas Q." Hit enter. Make sure my name and information comes up. My team "Jackson Police Department and friends" should be listed in my profile. At the bottom of my profile there is a donate line. Click on it and you can either donate online or print out a form and mail it in. Make sure the form you print out has my name and my team name at the top.

I will be posting before and after pictures of my mug after the event.

Later for now...T

Not much happening here.

Not much has been happening here this week. The kids have had a sore throat and slight congestion, but have not really been sick. Kristi and I have been doing well. The Lord has blessed us with good health.

The weather has been about the same. Cold and snowy. On Monday, when I left for work it was about -2o degrees. You know my thoughts on that. Even though the sun has come out the last couple of days, it is still cold. The sun makes everything beautiful as it reflects off the snow while the snow makes everything look fresh and pure.

It snowed a lot on Monday and Tuesday and is piling up in our yard. Part of the berm along our driveway is taller than our vehicles. The kids are using the hills for sledding which they are enjoying. The snow in the yard is pretty deep and according to Brendan it is up to his hips. I have not tried to walk through it.

Once again we went to Jackson yesterday. Along the way we saw the usual wildlife. This time I was able to stop and take pictures of the Mountain Goats. We saw two. I have pretty good pictures of one of them, but the second was hidden behind it. It was awesome watching the one I was able to see digging in the deep snow to get a morsel of food. Enjoy the pictures!!!

Later for now. T...

It's snowing again...

Well, so much for the good weather we were having the last couple of weeks. It was a nice break from all the snow, so I can't complain. We had almost three weeks without new snow.

Not now. It has been snowing, off and on, since Thursday. We have received a lot of new snow. The best kind, wet and heavy. "It puts muscles on your arms and hair on your chest." The snow has been coming down in large, wet, and heavy snow flakes which piles up fast. At times it has been mixed with rain and smaller icy flakes. Either way it piles up and is difficult to shovel.

Yesterday we had to go to the Vet's to get Chai our 3.5 pound Chihuahua her special "diet" food. On the way out we got stuck in a snow bank about 150 yards from our driveway. The town had not plowed our streets and we were in our Saturn. The snow in the street was deep and it was hard to tell where the sides of the streets ended and the snow banks began. I found out though, when the snow pulled me into the snow bank. What joy!

Brendan ran to the house and got two snow shovels for Kristi and I to start digging the car out. We were unable to get it out. A neighbor finally came out and helped pull the car out with his truck. Kristi was soaked by this time. She had been trying to get the snow from under the car while I was shoveling from the front and side.

We decided to take the four wheel drive after this. Normally, I don't have a problem with driving the Saturn in the snow. But, "some days you get the snow and some days the snow gets you!!" Kiarra and Kristofer have added, asking Jesus "to help us not to get stuck again," to their nightly prayers.

Oh, the joys of living in snow country. Later for now, T...

We took a drive...

The last couple of weeks have been pretty nice. Weather wise that is. We are doing great as a family, as well. The weather has been clear the last couple of weeks. The snow seems to have disappeared for the time being. At least the snow from the sky. Last week the temperatures were in the upper thirties and lower forties during the day. It still got pretty cold at night. This week it was colder in the day with a little more sun. The temperatures were in the mid to upper twenties, but still nice in the sun. There is still plenty of snow on the ground, but at least the roads are clearing up. Makes for a nice drive to work.

We decided to take a ride, this weekend, to Grand Teton National Park to take pictures of the Tetons at sunset. We like to do things like this every now and again. During the winter we don't get many opportunities to do this, so we seized the day and took a drive.


We saw a lot of wildlife along the way. Well, at least Kristi, Brendan, Kiarra, and Kristofer did. While entering the Snake River Canyon, Kristi saw several Mountain Goats along the mountainside. Of course, I was unable to see them due to being distracted by driving. It is amazing to watch Mountain Goats walk along rocky edges. They are bigger than you think and yet can still stand on small ledges of rock. Kiarra spotted a Bald Eagle, confirmed by Brendan. Kristofer spotted an Osprey in the canyon.

We saw lots of Elk, a Coyote (spotted by Kiarra), a cow Moose and her baby. We were able to stop and take pictures of the Moose.

Last weekend we took pictures of the Salt River Pass at sunset. The Salt River Pass is just south of us about 20 miles. Sunsets are so beautiful there. Especially with the snow covering the mountains. The sunsets there are nice in the summer as well. Pictures do not do justice to the way sunsets look here. The upper pictures are sunset pictures at the Tetons, a picture of the Moose, and a few pictures of the Salt River Pass from last weekend are below.

Enjoy! Later for now... T.

First write for the new year!

Happy New Year!! Wow, it's the new year. Already nine days into it. Wild! Not a lot has been happening here. The kids are doing well in school. It has been snowing and really piling up. Earlier this week, the temperature was -25 degrees in Jackson Hole. Good thing I was not at work at the time. On Monday when I left for work at 6:20am it was -9 degrees. Cold enough to put "hair on your chest!"

The wildlife is moving back into town. Supposedly there is a Bobcat running around our neighborhood. I have yet to see it. We keep an eye on the kids though. I doubt it would do anything to them. Bobcats are not the biggest creatures in the woods. Daisy our lab-golden mix (dog) would protect the kids. She is very protective, especially with Kiarra and Kristofer. She thinks the rest of us are big enough to fend for ourselves.

Yesterday, while at work, I responded to a dog complaint. The neighbor was concerned about the dog in his neighbors yard. I took a couple of pictures to show you.

Kidding!! I was patrolling a neighborhood in Jackson and saw this Bull Moose lying in a yard just relaxing. He was pretty neat. Moose are such cool creatures. I would have moved closer, but I was not in the mood to get stomped on. Besides he did not look too happy with me disturbing his quiet time. No matter how many moose (or other wildlife) I see, I still love it. Moose are so majestic.

It is getting closer to the time of year the animals start coming down from the higher elevations. With the snow it is harder for them to find food, so they come into town in search of a meal. It is fun getting calls for "wild moose on the loose." The moose stop traffic and pose for all the tourists to take pictures. I try to get a few in as well. Occasionally, in the past there have been people wanting to pet the animals only to find out this is not a good idea. We try to keep people from doing such things. This is not a petting zoo here.

Later for now...