Tennis Pro

Scott had a fun afternoon hitting tennis balls with the girls. They are both naturals with the racquet.

The Many Faces of Cameron

We have a very expressive child! Cam has a personality all her own. One thing she really likes to do is eat. Recently we ate as a family at a pizza place and when the employee brought out the pizza to our table, Cam smiled and gave him a hug!

Scott's Time at the Taj Mahal

I never dreamed I would stand in front of the Taj Mahal. This picture was taken March 2 on my last day in India. I went to India on a business trip for my employer, Sage Publications. I attended with my boss, Steve, and a coworker, Troy. During the 9-day trip, we made stops in New Delhi, Chennai, Goa, and here in Agra, home of the Taj Mahal. I can truly say that the Taj is worth the 3-hour drive (and a LONG drive at that) from Delhi. The building is extraordinary and incredibly detailed. I will not soon forget how it felt to step inside the front entrance of the Taj and feel the cool air and calming influence inside. The Taj was built by a ruler in the 1600s to house the remains of his beloved wife. Inside, the building gives off a near-sacred feeling.

Church in India

Our first day in India was a Sunday. I really wanted to see what a Latter-day Saint service was like in India so I attended a church meeting with Shalini, our friend from the Sage India office. This is one of the two LDS branches in New Delhi. We actually didn't enter this building for church, though. As soon as we arrived, we learned that we had picked the Sunday of district conference to attend church. So we climbed back in the car and drove to the nearby Hyatt hotel and attended district conference there. The keynote speaker was a member of the Seventh Quorum of the Seventy. The meeting looked and felt much like a stake conference in America only there were dozens of Indians in attendance. I will never forget singing "I Believe in Christ" with the congregation as I stood next to Shalini, a Hindu woman.

Driving at Your Own Risk

Driving in India is hazardous to one's health. And it's especially bad in a large metropolis such as New Delhi. No kidding. India does not enforce traffic laws and driving is accomplished through using the horn. Trucks like this one here all have a sign such as "Sound Horn" or "Use Your Horn Please." And the drivers are serious. To get around, a driver honks. When cars approach you, you honk. When you want something, you honk. When you have no other reason to honk, you honk. My head throbbed after spending hours in the car. And no, I didn't drive a car in Delhi. Are you kidding?

Getting Around in India

India is one of the few places I have been that lives up to its reputation. In the 9 days we spent there, I saw elephants, monkeys, dogs, and even camels on the streets. The mode of transportation of the majority of the people is walking. When an Indian increases in socioeconomic status, he buys a bicycle. A little more money means an Indian buys a motorcycle. Only those in the upper class can afford cars. Camels, like this one here, are used for hauling items.

On the Hot Spot in Chennai

In the busy city of Chennai in southern India, we visited the offices of one of our publishing vendors, C&M Digital. After taking our pictures and giving us a tour, the employees gathered in a meeting room and put us on the spot. All of us had to stand up and give an impromtu speech about how we felt. I did my best. I don't recall a thing I said.

Chennai Hospitality

True to Indian form, the employees of C&M welcomed us in style. These are C&M employees dancing for us in a dance they choreographed specially for our visit. The girl in the front is the daughter of the C&M president. The women apologized after the fact that their dance was not rehearsed or professional enough for their liking. To us, they looked like pros.

Goa Scooters

While in the tourist town of Goa, the four of us rented motorized scooters and rode around the countryside. I don't hesitate to say that that scooter ride was one of the most dangerous and insane things I have ever done. I had never driven any sort of motorcycle or scooter before, we didn't wear helmets, we drove on the opposite side of the street (as they do in India), and my co-workers left me in the dust as I struggled to keep up. My scooter did not idle well, and twice the engine died as I waited at an intersection. Reaching our hotel after a 2-hour ride was welcome relief. "There is NO way that riding a motorcyle in the States is more difficult than that!" I said as I parked my scooter. On the left is our coworker from the Sage India office, Shalini Singh. In the center is my boss, Steve Martin, the director of production. I'm in the white shirt.