Pictures with the Claus

A Star is Born

Thursday night Samuel's 5th grade class put on a play based upon the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence. The date was chosen because it was the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. He played a French born Colonist who desired for freedom from the British Crown. He did good in delivering his lines, he even spoke with a French accent.

He remembered all his lines and looked the part in his costume that Monica helped him put together.

His character took part in the skirmish at Lexington and Concord, the act was called "the shot heard around the world".

We were very proud of him.

No longer a Cub, but a Boy...Scout that is

Now that Samuel is 11 he is no longer a Cub Scout, but now will be going into Boy Scouts. As one of his last projects as a Webelos he made this display for his awards and badges that he earned during Cub Scouts. Monica and I are proud of him for being dedicated as a Scout. We hope that his dedication will carry over into the Boy Scouts. We are a little worried as are Ward's Boy Scout program sucks. That means that Monica and I will need to work with him and give him every opportunity available to get his ranks and move toward his Eagle. He's on the right track with having earned his Arrow of Light.

I've already bought the leather for Ammon's. Once he becomes a Webelos we will work on his and then he will display his awards as well. Like everything else though, Ammon seems to get the short end of the stick when it comes to opportunities. He makes the best of it though. We are proud of all of our Children. They each are skilled in their own ways. They bring a lot of joy into our lives. We just can't wait to see how Gideon is when he is born.

Sam's 11

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM!

WE LOVE YOU!

Our crazy weekend ended with a great party for Sam. Sam turned 11 on Sat. Oct. 16. Cecilia went all out as usuall with Scooby Doo decorations, Pizza, and gift bags for all the children. Sam only wanted to play one game called Maffia. Thanks to everyone for playing. He is getting older and dosen't want to play the kiddy games any more.

Mostly the kids had fun just being together!

He loved all of his presents and has had a ton of fun playing with them and putting them together. Thank you everyone for coming and making this an enjoyable day for Sam.

A Weekend of Ups and Downs

Well as you all know Friday didn't end too well for us as a family, well I should say that Friday didn't end too well for our van. Our family was miraculously safe.

We were having a great 4 day weekend. Thursday, Monica took the kids to Gardner Village and later that evening we went out for dinner as a family, something that doesn't happen all the time. Friday morning Sam, Ammon and Bella and I went shooting with my dad. It was an early birthday activity for SamWe all had an enjoyable time. Since Sam was feeling older and more confident he wanted to shoot the big guns. He really liked them and I was proud of his ability to keep them steady and accurate. Ammon and Bella participated more this time than they normally do, they only stopped when the magazine for the gun that they were enjoying shooting broke. They both did an excellent job. Like I always say, I really enjoy going shooting with my kids. Even when I am just sitting there watching them have fun I am having fun. Most of my time out there is helping them and watching them so that nobody gets hurt, so I don't get to do a lot of shooting, but I don't seem to mind it. I just love being out there enjoying the time with my kids.

After we were done we left to come home and my dad bought us lunch at Mcdonald's. The kids were so excited. They love that place for some reason. So things were going great so far. We were all excited to go out as a family later to watch a movie for Sam's birthday. We got home and rested for awhile. Sam and I started on his final project for Webelos, he is making a Family Night Assignment Board for his project. When it was time to go we all excitedly got in the van and went to the District to watch "Legend of the Guardians" . It was a surprisingly good movie. Monica and I were pleasantly surprised.
After the movie we jumped into the van and started on our way home. Monica and I started talking about how great the weekend had been so far, and how blessed we felt to have been able to do so much fun stuff as a family. We got to the Bangerter and 7000 South intersection as the light was turning red, so we were sitting there waiting. I was just thinking about what we were going to have for dinner and how much fun it was that day, and how grateful I was to have been able to take vacation time when the kids were out of school, when all of a sudden the van leaped from the stopped position and entered the intersection. I didn't realize what was happening, all I had heard prior to it moving was a dull thud sound. I was pressing the brake trying to get the van to stop when it finally came to a stop, I was dazed and I looked to my right to see Monica and the kids, when I noticed that there was no glass on that side of the vehicle and I realized what had happened and I jumped out of the van .

As I came around the side and saw the extent of the damage, and I didn't hear anything coming from inside, I thought my children were dead, and I snapped. I turned to the guy sitting in his truck and started yelling at him that those were my kids and my family and I went for my gun. Before I could pull it I heard a loud voice behind me say check the kids. I ran over to the side and to my relief and great joy they were all ok. I felt as it were a great burden having been lifted as I asked them how they were and if they were hurt. They all said that they were fine. Ammon was sitting in a cocoon of twisted metal. Everything collapsed around him, but stopped short of crushing him. Not one of them had a speck of glass on them, not even a scratch. I turned to the guy who hit us and apologized for yelling at him.
The miracle extended to us that night was probably the greatest evidence in my mind that God loves us. There is no natural explanation as to why nothing happened. Yesterday Monica and I went to get our personal belongings out of the van and I just reached my hand in the van and rubbed on some of the glass and got cut, yet not one little scratch on my children or Monica. The gratitude that I feel is immense. I thank our Father in Heaven for sending his Angels down when we needed them the most, and although He speaks to us in a still small voice, He knows when it is necessary to yell at us, for which I am eternally grateful. God lives, nobody can ever convince me otherwise. Although miracles take place daily in our lives, this one stands out in my mind as one of the greatest miracles performed by God, because He saved my family.

Save

A Night of Honors and Awards

Wednesday night was the boy's Pack Meeting for Cub Scouts, and it was a good night for them and a proud night for Monica and I as parents.
Ammon and Samuel received a lot of awards and recognitions for a lot of hard work. Monica has been really helping them see the importance of scouting and working with each of them on a weekly basis, and it showed on Wednesday.

The grand event for the evening and why we invited the Grandparents to attend was that Sam was awarded his Arrow of Light, the highest award given to a Cub Scouter, and the only one that will continue with him on to Boy Scouts. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but Monica helped him get it. She has been a wonderful example as a Webelos Den Leader and has really helped all the boys in her den move toward the Arrow of Light. If not for her and her efforts none of the boys would be getting that honor as being an Arrow of Light holder.


Monica, as the Webelos Den Leader presented the boys receiving their Arrow of Light , and the ceremony began.







He received his award and was congratulated by the pack for his work and dedication.




He then crossed the bridge representing the emmergence from a Cub Scout to a Boy Scout, and was welcomed on the other side by the Boy Scouts that were present.

As a father I am proud of both of my boys. They have showed forth a great deal of dedication and respect for their mother as they have followed her instructions and advanced in scouting. They are good boys. As Monica was sewing the Arrow of Light badge on Sam's shirt last night I couldn't help but see in a few years an Eagle badge sitting directly above it.

The Forgotten Man - Jon McNaughton

The Verdict is in.....

We had the ultra sound today and of course we found out what we are having. We will be having another BOY!!!!!! Bella was so set that she wanted to have a baby sister, that we were a little worried about her reaction, but Monica said that she took it good, she just hung her head and sighed another boy. The boys are excited though to be having another brother. Joshua went with us and he said that it was going to be a boy.

We are very excited to be having another son. I am grateful that the baby is healthy and everything is going well with the pregnancy. He was very cooperative wanting to let us know even before the technician was ready to try and find out. He said, you've been wanting to know here you go.

Of course it is exciting to see the baby for the first time. It is always neat to see your child. To me he looks soooooooo cute! I love all my children, I love being a dad. We are excited for the due date, whenever that may be. They told us today that the size indicates a due date of 12/29/10 a whole week earlier than we thought. That is a little stressful, but God's will be done, I will accept it and press forward in faith.

We are excited, if I haven't already said that!

Day's of 47 Youth Parade

This morning was the Day's of 47 Youth Parade downtown, and Sam and Ammon had the austere opportunity to participate in the Parade as part of our Stake's float. Ammon didn't want to do it, but Monica forced him to, since it is not something that you get to do all the time.

To tell you the truth, neither Monica or I knew that they did the Youth Parade the week before the Day's of 47 Parade. There wasn't a ton of people, but there were a lot and about 50 floats.

Joshua loved the bands! He would start dancing up a storm to the music and would not stop.

Then when the boys came by we started yelling their names and cheering for them. We were right by the TV cameras so they were on tv as they passed by. They had fun!

It was hot, but fun. It is better when you are anticipating something, especially when that something is your children.

A Night out at The Ball Park

This is coming a little late, but better late than never, and I need something to do. On July 5th we went to the Bees game as a family. I was nice, I got the tickets for free from work since US Bank sponsors the Bees, my manager gets a lot of tickets every year. I mentioned that I like baseball and we've been wanting to go to a game and he came to my desk and gave me tickets. Anyway it was nice because since it was the day after Independence Day they did fireworks. The kids were very excited for the fireworks. The park was pretty packed for the fireworks.

We had fun watching the game, it was a good game for the first few innings and then turned bad for the home team.

The fireworks were spectacular!

We got home pretty late and everybody was hungry. We weren't about to pay $6 for a hotdog at the park. It is always nice when we can spend time together as a family doing something fun and out of the ordinary. I am thankful that my manager gave me the tickets.

Ammon's Birthday

Ammon's birthday was Saturday the 26th. I can't believe he is already 9 yrs. old. We had a kind of mixed but fun birhtday party for him. He wanted a lego/scoobydoo birhtday party but ended up with spiderman decorations. I guess that's all Cecilia could find. She treated us all to hambergers at Gustovos, then we came to our house for ice cream and cake and games.

We played Mistery inc. Solve that puzzle game. Basically a twist on the treasure hunt. And Ammon made his own pin the head on the Lego game. He drew out the Lego body then drew a head for everyone who was coming. He did a really good job and all the kids had a great time.

Then of course we opened presents. He loves all of them!

It was a great day for Ammon. He had a great birhtday thanks to all who could come. And a special thanks to Cecilia for all the food and decorations. Ammon We love you and are so happy to have you in our family!

9 things about Ammon

1. He likes to draw, and is good at it. He wants to be an artist when he grows up.

2. He is considerate of others.

3. He is a good helper with his younger siblings.

4. He likes legos.

5. He has a strong testimony of the gosple, and likes to share it when he can.

6. He likes to play video games.

7. He is a good speaker.

8. He likes catchup especially with frech fries.

9. He has a great imagination.