Happy Birthday Dad!!

 Today was Randy's birthday!! One of the things I love about him is that he's simple. He just wanted a nice, Japanese meal at home.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! WE LOVE YOU!!

Tough Mudder 2013

 Our Stake put on a Tough Mudder Run for our youth. Everyone was so excited to do this fun activity!!!Unfortunately, Tyler couldn't participate because of his hand :(

 Mud portion of the course.

 The course is deceiving.

 So this feels good at first, and then when you come out, your whole body feels like it was shocked.

 The ropes for this net is so hard. I actually got a bruising on my back from it. 

 Go Kara!!

 Leigh's turn with her team: FOUR FINGER PUNCH CRUNCH! ---- don't ask.

 Each section of the course has a scripture relating to the challenge.

The tunnel was a little scary, especially if you're claustrophobic. By the middle of it, it was just gross. You went from crawling on hard dirt to squishy mud ---- or at least we thought it was mud.

 The kids had to help each other during the hard times.

 Wheel barrow gone wrong.

 Our Beehives. Kara is the one with the sunglasses on the top right.

 Me and the Ponz making it through the course.

It was one of the most fun activities we got to do. We're hoping they do it again next year. 

Glasses for Micah

Micah's been saying for a while now that he is having a hard time seeing the board. Being it is my 4th kid to tell me this, we headed to the optometrist. After his exam the diagnosis is glasses for Micah.  He should have a better time in class after we fill the prescription.

Personal Progress 10 Hour Project for Faith: Catch the Wave of Missionary Work

Leigh and her best friend MaKenna worked hard all summer on their 10 hour personal progress project for Faith. I suggested an activity we saw online for a missionary activity. The girls got to work all summer long, meeting at each other's houses and having a good time working together.

August 14th came quickly and all the girls' hard work showed in the awesome activity they put on. 

The kids signed in, which let us know who was there. Then went in the chapel for an opening devotional led by MaKenna.

The girls prepared a missionary letter with assignments. Makenna's mother and I, along with Sis. Smith set to work quickly in getting the assignments done. Boys of course were paired with boys and girls with girls. Two kids received the same mission assignments and which made them companions.

The kids were divided into 4 districts. This is the District of South America.

 The District of the United States of America.

 The District of South Pacific/Asia

 The District of Europe/Africa.

 Everyone received a missionary tag and a schedule of where each group should go.

The girls had asked Bro. and Sister Larsen to teach a 15 min class on the "Importance of Bearing Your Testimony", Sis. Ponzoch on the "Importance of Keeping the Spirit", YW leaders to head the P-Day Station where the kids wrote letters to the missionaries that are out in the field from our Stake, and the missionaries in our ward to do role-playing with the kids of missionary experiences they may have in school.
After 15 mins, the districts changed stations. After each group attended each station, they gathered again in the chapel for a closing "Zone Conference" where Leigh bore her testimony on Missionary Work.
Of course, we had refreshments to end the night ----- Brownies and Ice-Cream.

The night was a great success. The kids seemed very excited about missionary work and going on a mission. The Spirit was definitely felt. Though there was some stress of preparing such a complicated activity, the girls shined through it all.

Good job Leigh and Makenna!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

It was a fun summer. A busy one filled with camps, swim meets,moving (again), birthdays, swimming at the pool, parties, and hanging out with friends. But like they say, "All good things must come to an end,"

Starting today, we are back to alarm clocks, early morning seminary (for the two older ones), swim practice, football practice, homework, and packing school lunches.

Can I go back to bed now?

Have a great first day at school guys!

A Decade of Micah!

Happy Birthday Micah!!

It is time to paaaaarrrrtay!

He wanted something small, with his two best buds.

 Slip and slide, burgers and cake. 

 After playing out in the back for a good hour, the boys came in a opened presents. After presents, it was time to eat. Burgers and hot dogs were on the menu along with mac and cheese.

 Cake time. 

A fun birthday with this great kid.

Happy Birthday Micah!!!

YW's Camp @ Camp Lo Mia

 Kara just came back from attending her first YW's camp this year. In AZ, the church has property up in Flagstaff where all the YW go for YW camp. I was supposed to go as the Camp Nurse, but couldn't and Leigh was supposed to go as the 4th Year YCL, but was unable to because of Show Choir. So Kara ventured up there all by herself . . . . . . well sort of. She was with the rest of the YW.

 Camp Lo Mia has a lot of cool things. Kara said she had a lot of fun!!

 I was told by several sources that Kara was awesome at Archery ----in fact, they all called her Katniss.

Taking time out for a spiritual moment.

The whole experience was great. I'm hoping that next year, I can join the girls.