The Final Pine Wood Derby 2014

This is a little old, but I have to go through the pictures and post the events that have happened. I have many pictures that I have to sift through. This was the final pinewood derby before the boys went into 11-year-old scouts. The last pinewood derby that I will ever do in our family. The boys have done pretty good over the years in Cub Scouts at their pinewood derby. I remember the very first year that we did it it was hard peeking out a design for their cars. I decided to have them pick out a matchbox car (because they had tons of them) that they liked and I help them create a design after that car. The cars that they picked over the years seem to do pretty good in the races. Plus, they always had good shape and design even if they did not make first place.

The pinewood derby races have been fun and we have had some good times building and racing cars. Now that I am the Cubmaster, I get to help many boys build and race their cars. Not to the extent of time that I spent with Ammon & Thomas, but I still get to participate. Hopefully the boys will remember building and racing their cars when they get older and have kids of their own.

"The onslaught of wickedness against our children is more subtle and brazen than it has ever been. Building a strong family culture adds another layer of protection for our children, insulating them from worldly influences."

—L. Tom Perry, "Becoming Goodly Parents", Liahona and Ensign, November 2012

New Year Means Rededication

Blog, Blog, Blog, gotta update the Blog! I set our Blog as my home page on Firefox so that it would remind me to do something with it, but I just thought..

"Nope, too much hassle." 

I would rather be doing this...

 

....or this...

...or this

 (Thomas)

You know what I'm talking about. Who wants to sit down at their computer and type about all of the fun, goofy, adventurous, exciting things that a family does? Of course I am being sarcastic, but it seems that every time I sit down to update the blog, I do not want to do it. So now that the new year has come I figure it is time to rededicate myself to updating the blog on a more regular basis. I have so many pictures of things that we have done I am trying to decide how I am going to post them all.

Great memories have passed through the 2014 year

I wish I could post all the fun stuff we did, but it would be a long post. I'm the one that takes the pictures, I guess I get that from my dad. Amber is the video lady. Together, we come up with some good ideas and capture some awesome moments.

There has been a lot of growth in our family over the past year. The girls have started kindergarten and the boys have moved up to fifth grade (and I have to go to priesthood preview in January since the boys will be 12 years old in September). Amber has become overwhelmed with the amount of homework that needs to be done every day for five children and I was not available to help because I was working the graveyard shift. Now that shift bid is over, I have found myself on a day shift able to help out with  family things  during the evening hours. Hopefully this will help relieve some stress that Amber has been feeling.

I am regretting not posting more in 2014 but I will try my best to keep everyone updated in 2015. Yeah I know I say that every year, but, now that I am off graveyards, hopefully I will be more excited about updating the blog. My goal is to update it every Sunday so we shall see how long that lasts.






“We do believe in setting goals...we must have goals to make progress, encouraged by keeping records...Laboring with a distant aim sets the mind in a higher key and puts us at our best...Goals should always be made to a point that will make us reach and strain.”

– Spencer W. Kimball
Regional Representatives Seminar

Boys Book Report Commercials

The twins just finished doing a "Cereal Box" book report, it is so much fun! Basically you read a book and decorate an empty cereal box to look like a real cereal based on the book. Then either perform a commercial in front of the class or create a commercial using "technology" i.e. VIDEO!!! I love to make videos, so when the boys came to me with an idea for their commercials of course I had to preserve their genius in moving pictures. I am actually pretty jealous. When I had to do book reports they were the old fashioned paper and pencil with rough drafts, annoying editing and NO ART AT ALL.........BOOORING! I led such cruel and misfortunate school life. Sorry to bring you down, enough with the pity party and on with the commercials!

Amber's Tasty Creations

Over the years Amber has been using her imaginative mind to make very delicious and creative treats for the family, primary classes, events, and whatever other time she feels like making them. Most of them are made from Oreos (Amber calls them Oreo Pops). Like cake pops, but instead of cake, it's irresistible, delectable, scrumptious, melt in your mouth Oreo and cream cheese goodness!

Every time she makes these things, I have to take a picture because, as you will see, they are sooooo adorable! (not a manly word I know, but just look at them!). Amber gets embarrassed about taking the pics so I usually have to sneak one away to take a quick one.

For those of you that have seen...

....There is a character that reminds me of Amber....

...And this is exactly how I envision Amber's mind

(I know you're laughing!)

So without further adieu, I present the creations of Amber!

 

  St. Patrick's Day

 Summer Time

 Family Movie Night

Arrrr Matey! What be you lookin' at?

Chicken Little

 Looks too good to eat

 Bacon?

 Amber is never on the naughty list..

I love eating pine needles and Christmas decorations

 “Look at me! Look at me! Look at me NOW!
It is fun to have fun
But you have to know how.”

 My Graduation

 Not a cake pop but still creative!

Gobble Gobble!

"We have implanted in our souls a desire to be free. The Lord understood this when He granted us our mortal probation. With that freedom, however, comes accountability. We are instructed not to idle away our time nor bury our talents and not use them. We are expected to make our lives better through our own initiatives and efforts."

—L. Tom Perry, "Youth of the Noble Birthright", Ensign, November 1998

Temple Visit

We are so excited to visit the Gilbert Temple next week. We have been telling the kids about how special it is to prepare them for the experience. It's pretty neat to see the spirit of the Temple consume everyone. May parents took a friend of mine and his wife last week and they thanked them so many times for the opportunity to see inside. It's such a special treat that the church gives to all to come and see. We took the family during the construction of the Gilbert Temple and were able to take home broken pieces of granite. We are making a shadow box with the pieces and some construction pics.

The Phoenix Temple isn't too far behind, word on the street says that it should be ready for open house this year too. Here is a sunset pic of it.

I played around with the color a little bit and it turned out nice. There is someone in our ward overseeing the construction of the Temple and he said there will be a super special treat for members of our stake and stakes near the Temple coming up before the general public is allowed inside.

Here is a great shot of the kids at the Mesa Temple.

I just love how everyone is unique, but the same feeling exists in them all.

In 1994, President Howard W. Hunter invited all members of the Church to “establish the temple … as the great symbol of [our] membership.” Later that same year, construction on the Bountiful Utah Temple was completed. Like many, we were anxious to take our young family to the open house prior to the dedication. We labored diligently to prepare our children to enter the temple, praying earnestly that they would have a spiritual experience so that the temple would become a focal point in their lives. (2012 October General Conference, An Unspeakable Gift from God, Sat. Morning Session - By  Craig C. Christensen).

New Post Coming Soon

It's been a long time...too long since I've posted something, that is about to change!

Girls, Girls, Girls

I found Faith, Hope & Charity doin' this today

Their faces are so red cause it's like a million degrees outside at 6:15pm! Can't wait for fall and winter. So as you can guess, the contest is over. Amber and I came in last only because the two other couples in last place quit right at the end (sore losers). Now that we don't "have to" write in our journals, I've been lazy. It's rough with school, scouts and work plus all the house responsibilities to blog everyday. Maybe I will recommit to it (how many times have I said that?)

 "Our most important work is always within our own home and family. It is within families that the Church is established and real growth occurs. We are to teach our children the principles and doctrines of the gospel. We need to help them have faith in Jesus Christ and prepare them for baptism when they are eight years old. We must be faithful ourselves so that they can see our example of love for the Lord and His Church. This helps our children feel joy in keeping the commandments, happiness in families, and gratitude in service to others."

 —Elder David F. Evans, "Was It Worth It?", General Conference, Apr. 2012

Weird Randomness

For some reason I can't upload photos to Blogspot right now....That sucks! I wanted something to go along with my story.

I was sitting along the side of the road out in the middle of the desert yesterday when I noticed this little injured bird trying its hardest to fly away. It was jumping around making a valiant effort. After a little bit, it decided to take a rest from its exhausting attempt.

As it was hanging out, I noticed a desert squirrel slowly sneak up on it. It was approaching cautiously, taking little steps and sniffing the air. As it got closer to the bird, the squirrel sniffed the feathers. Just then, the squirrel jumped on top of the bird in, what appeared to be, a playful battle. The two wrestled around in the dirt, with the squirrel trying to put the hold on the bird.

The squirrel tried to grab the bird with his mouth. After a couple of tries, the squirrel succeeded and secured the bird in its mouth. Then, it scampered away at lightning speed, taking the captured bird with him, and they both disappeared into the shrubs.

I've come up with some wild and imaginative stories before, but this is completely true. I never new the desert squirrels attacked and even sought after birds. I hate to make the assumption, but I think this is the zombie Apocalypse in its infant stages. I caught a glimpse of what slowly has been taking shape over these many years. I would venture to say that we may be seeing a full blown epidemic within the next 100 years. Better be prepared!

"....We can so live that we can call upon the Lord for His protection and guidance. This is a first priority. We cannot expect His help if we are unwilling to keep His
commandments. We in this Church have evidence enough of the penalties of
disobedience in the examples of both the Jaredite and the Nephite nations.
Each went from glory to utter destruction because of wickedness......

(Gordon B. Hinckley, "If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 62)

Stupid Contest!

I think I'm done with this contest thing. Amber said I have to write on the blog right now before bed. I'm being lazy by trying to do it on my phone. It's not working out so well but I don't care. Ok...all done now. Happy lazy day!

Memories

I love looking at pictures on my phone. It brings back memories. Who would've ever thought it would be beneficial to have a camera attached to your phone. I remember when they first came out I thought, "who cares, who would ever use that." Now, what I would I do without it. I think it's more of a convenience factor than anything. When you're out and about, you can take a pic of anything. Anyway, I found this and it reminded me that the Father's & Sons camp out is coming up this weekend. This was Ammon last year:

 

Unfortunately, we will have to come home early on Saturday, but it's for a good cause. We have a friend that is getting baptized. Wahoo! It's been a long time coming for him and we are soooo proud of his dedication and long suffering. The Lord truly does bless those that keep His commandments. Even in the small things. Last year we weren't full tithe payers (my fault), but this year we are and I have found even greater blessings that those that we received last year. The Lord always provides for his children if we just follow what he has instructed us to do.

"God's love is so perfect that He lovingly requires us to obey His commandments because He knows that only through obedience to His laws can we become perfect, as He is. For this reason, God's anger and His wrath are not a contradiction of His love but an evidence of His love. Every parent knows that you can love a child totally and completely while still being creatively angry and disappointed at that child's self-defeating behavior." 

Dallin H. Oaks, Love and Law, Ensign, Nov. 2009, 27