Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Andy Doesn't Want a Big Fuss


Hey guess what, it's Andy's birthday! Yep, that's my younger brother by 7 years.

What can I say about him, other than the following?

-- Used to eat fuzz from the carpet

-- Loved (loves?) Michael Jackson

-- Has great comic timing and acting skills, but doesn't really care to use them

-- He is an andimator of much talent.

-- Married a great woman and has great kids

-- He is Disney-obsessed!

-- Likes bagels

-- Currently became an inbreeder by moving to Pleasant Grove (Tt's not like I can talk, I have the same zip code!)

-- One of the few straight guys I know who is into showtunes

-- Says what he means, no pussy-footing around

-- Sees movies he likes multiple times

-- Almost died in childhood like three times (which made me think maybe he'll be president of the church one day)

-- Doesn't get into sports

-- Is a total, mooshy romantic at heart

-- Always fun to just be around!

Okay, add your own.

HAPPY 33, YA OLD MAN!!!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Great Conference Talk by Ezra Taft Benson


If we think that our country could never fall into bondage, we are mistaken. We must be virtuous and elect leaders who value freedom.

"The one great revolution in the world is the revolution for human liberty. This was the paramount issue in the great council in heaven before this earth life. It has been the issue throughout the ages. It is the issue today.

"It is difficult for Americans to understand the danger to our liberty. 'It is generally outside the range of our experience.' But we live today in an age of peril. We are threatened with the loss not only of material wealth but of something far more precious--our liberty itself.

"Never before in the history of our country has there been a greater need for all of our people to take time to discover what is happening in the world. Every day decisions are being made affecting the lives of millions of human beings.

"We as a people have never known bondage. Liberty has always been our blessed lot. Few of us have ever seen people who have lost their freedom--their liberty. And when reminded of the danger of losing our liberty and independence our attitude has usually been: It cannot happen here.

"We must never forget that nations may, and usually do, sow the seeds of their own destruction while enjoying unprecedented prosperity.

"In that sacred volume of scripture, the Book of Mormon, we note the great and prolonged struggle for liberty.

We also note the complacency of the people and their frequent willingness to give up their liberty for the promises of a would-be provider.

"The record reveals that a man "of cunning device . . . and . . . many flattering words," . . . sought . . . "to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, . . ." (Alma 46: 10.)

"Then Moroni, the chief commander of the armies dramatically ". . . rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it--In memory of our God our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children--and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

"'. . . (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, . . .' (See ibid., 46:12-13.)

"This great general, Moroni, like the prophets whose words are recorded in the Book of Mormon, spoke of the Americas as a chosen land--the land of liberty. He led the people in battle who were willing to fight to "maintain their liberty."

"And the record states: '. . . that he caused the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land.... and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites." (Ibid., 46:36.)

"This is our need today--to plant the standard of liberty among our people throughout the Americas.

"While this incident occurred some seventy years BC, the struggle went on through one thousand years covered by this sacred Book of Mormon record. In fact, the struggle for liberty is a continuing one--it is with us in a very real sense today right here on this choice land of the Americas."

Full article can be found at: http://www.latterdayconservative.com/ezra-taft-benson/human-liberty-is-the-mainspring-of-human-progress.html

Thursday, August 21, 2008

I Try...

Joseph is still totally obsessed with Uglydolls and he has managed to convince me to make five for him already. I kinda suck at it, but he seems satisfied anyway.

Here are the unfortunate creations:








Here are examples of what they SHOULD look like:




Monday, August 18, 2008

Second Post of the Day


I wanted to put up some more photos from our trip to Arizona, since George took so many good ones! (Actually, he didn't take this one of himself with Jake... he's talented, but he didn't have a tripod this time.)





I also have some good shots on my phone from Reed's house, but I can't figure out which program to use to get them onto the 'puter, so remind me to ask G.

Jakey and Jophus!
Jakey!
Jophus!

The three boys:

We finally were at Arizona!

Glen Canyon Dam:


Playing Guitar Hero. Miles was pretty dang good, and he also can still climb up the door frame!
Jakey found many ways to entertain himself.
We really need that "Gotcha!" flip flop fly swatter, we got a coupla flies in our house. Reiko got really tough on those flies and swatted them with a big FWAP!

When I can get the pics off my phone, I'll have some cute ones of Christian and Jens each holding Jakey. Jake loved cuddling against them!

Peace out.

Pictures From the Road

Some photos from our road trip to Arizona late last month:


There were pony rides for the kids at the Whiting reunion. So we waited in line with Joseph for about 25 minutes, then when it was his turn, he started getting upset 30 seconds into the ride and started to cry that he was all done. He did the same on the little train ride, causing them to stop it halfway around and running back to Mommy. I guess he got lonely.




Free ice cream!


Hanging out by the camper:



George took a photo when we didn't know it. I had found a little sitting baby toy and put Jakey in it so we could have a rest from holding the little bug.


Driving back to Utah, we found an old shack (where I'm sure they used to sell Indian jewelry and rugs). The sky was cloudy and we got a few pics of the boys:

Notice that Joseph had put on his shoes backwards:

Then we got some shots next to the road. Jakey was doing his wiggly Axel Rose dance as George took the photos.
And George made me pose, too, even though I didn't have MAKEUP on!!!

Friday, August 15, 2008

100th Post!

Take this quiz to see where you belong in Dante's Inferno:

http://www.4degreez.com/misc/dante-inferno-test.mv

I'm in Purgatory 'cause I at least try to repent!

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Are We At Arizona Yet?

Hi, we recently got back from a big road trip to Arizona.


Of course, before we were even on the highway, Joseph asked if we were there yet. But the boys did well considering that time is longer for a one- or three-year old.

George got some great pictures between Kanab and Page, which I might post later (see one here).

We got to see Reed and family, which was tons of fun, and they fed us quite well.

Then we went to George's family reunion (Whiting--on his mother's side) near Show Low, attended by about 900 relatives. It was very well organized and they tried to make it like the olden days, with activities like an old fashioned shave for kids, hair braiding, a museum with articles from great grandparents, etc.

It wasn't easy with a baby, but I think it was worth it. And it's always nice to be home.