Happy Birthday Ammon!

Eight years ago today Monica and I were blessed to bring into this world a new little baby boy and today that boy is turning 8 years old. I can't believe how fast time flies. From that little baby that I held in my arms to today he has turned out to be an exceptional young man.

As he has grown his personality grows with him. He has been a pleasure to have in our family. As a father I am very proud of him

I am proud of his decision to be baptized on Saturday. I don't force my children into baptism. I believe it has to be their choice. As Joseph Smith said, you teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves. I've taught him that baptism is essential for salvation and he is taking the path which leads to happiness, and once again I couldn't be more proud of his decision.

We look forward to many more years with Ammon. He is a joy in our family and is a light in this world! I love you Ammon, Happy BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Mormon Message for Fathers

Here is the latest Mormon Message released by the Church. I really enjoyed it so I decided to share it.

The Final Days of School for the Boys

Well as the school year has come to an end for the boys they both got to participate in some special programs.

Last Wednesday Ammon's class performed an Opera that they wrote, choreographed, and created the melody for and everything! I was not able to go and see it performed at the Midvale Main Street Theater, but I was privileged to see it this morning as they performed it for the rest of the student body at their school. I was very proud of Ammon and his role in the creation of the Opera with his class. His role was that of a horse and the night of the performance Monica had him done up pretty good as seen in the following picture.

Last Friday Samuel graduated from the 3rd grade so his school held a special ceremony to commemorate the event of them leaving the primary grades to the upper grades. The program consisted of several songs and the presentation of certificates of graduation and a breakfast afterwards. I am very proud of Samuel and his progress this year. He has done exceptionally well.

All in all I am very proud of my two boys. They both got amazing grades and have grown a lot this past school year. It is crazy that the school year is already over, and that come next school year my Bella will be joining them in school. I love being a father, it is easy to enjoy fatherhood when you have children like those that I have.

The Zoo

Yesterday we went to the zoo as a family. My parents purchased a year pass for our family so that we can go whenever we want. The kids have been wanting to go really bad, at least Sam and Ammon. We took the opportunity to go with Joshua and Bella a couple of weeks ago for their very first time ever. It was cool seeing Joshua and Bella light up with every animal.

Yesterday we went and let the kids play in the playground for awhile and then went and looked at the animals. Joshua was just as amazed this time as last and the others were just excited to be doing something fun.

We took a picnic lunch and had a picnic there at the zoo. As a part of the membership they gave us a bunch of tickets to ride the carrousel and the train so we took advantage of that as well. I am sure that we will get a lot of use out of the pass during the summer with the kids out of school.

Temple Celebration

So last night was the Oquhhir Mountain Temple Celebration. About 6000 youth from the Oquhhir Mountain Temple district got together and performed at the Conference Center in celebration of our temple. The Youth have been practicing for about 3 mo. now, and it was AMAZING! The Choir and the dancers did such a good job. I was so proud of my little group of 6 girls that I was put as a captain over. They were at every practice and rehearsal, and worked so hard. They were so excited for the opportunity to perform at the conference center, and for the prophet. After words they said it was a great experience and it made them want to go to the temple. They were blanket girls in the Dug Out dance. I didn't get to see them because I was helping back stage, but it was fun to be with them when they came off stage, and run with them through out the conference center to get back in our seats. It was also fun knowing that Marnie was also a part of this experience. She choreographed the roller skating dance in the 50's number. Her girls were so cute and did such a good job. They even got an extra applause from the audience because they looked so cool.

I am glad that I got to be a part of this experience with the youth. This is the first time since 1892 that they have done anything like this in the Salt Lake Valley. And the first time that they have done anything this huge at the conference center. It was a lot of time and sacrifice, and I think Al is glad it's over, but it was worth it. I'm sure the youth will be talking about it for years to come. They can tell their children and grandchildren about the time they got to perform at the conference center for thousands upon thousands of people including the prophet and some of the apostles. The Center was full! The spirit was there and it was cool to see it all come together. I will always remember it. I just can't wait for the DVD to come so I can finally see how my girls did. I love the Temple! I'm grateful we could celebrate our temple in such an awesome way.

WHAT A WOMAN!!!!!!!

Today Monica and I went on our date to celebrate our 11 years together as husband and wife. It was so much fun! Monica had a blast shooting all the different guns at her disposal. She did amazingly good as well. I couldn't believe it she was hitting the cans with with V53, SKS, and 9mm tactical rifle with her first shot. On her paper target she hit two dead center with the V53 and had all her shots in the chest area.
She was so excited with all her successful hits. She especially loved

shooting the 9mm shown in this picture and the V53 which is shown in the picture above.

Her stance might be a little unorthodoxed but it works for her. We had a wonderful time just out there by ourselves with nobody around. The weather was perfect for an outing like this. Afterward we ate lunch and had dessert. All in all we had a great time together. I sure do love her!

11 Years and Going Stronger!

Well this Thursday Monica and I are celebrating 11 years of mariage. It is hard to believe that it has actually been that long, and that we have 4 children to celebrate this milestone with us.

This week is actually going to be crazy! Wednesday, Thursday, Friday I have to help people move. Thursday Monica has to spend the entire evening downtown with the youth preparing for the Temple Celebration. So actually we will be celebrating our anniversary apart for the majority of the day because Monica has Bella's end of year party for her pre-school. I reminded Monica of Elder Holland's comments that this is the only church which seals us for eternity but separate's us for life.

We are going to try and go out on Saturday, it was going to be Friday but that is not going to work out. So Saturday we will have our date. And can you believe it, Monica suggested that we go shooting! What a woman! No wonder I love her so much, how many men can say that on their anniversary their wife suggested that they go shooting as their date? I would have to venture to say the percentage is miniscule to say the least.

I can definately say that I love Monica more today than I did when we got married and I loved her then. As the years have gone on my love for her has grown to consume me in its entirety. She is definately something special and I love and honor her as a woman and as my eternal companion.

So when you read this Monica, I want you to know that I love you very much. I look forward to the next zillion years together.