Hip Hop

Seriously, I think he is such a good hip hopper. They took 1st place when they danced this number. I think it is very cool that he wants to be out there doing that. I asked him if he wanted to go to the park after and he said not with these clothes on, I look like a gangster. So, that is good that he does not aspire to be an actual gangster!

I don't know where kids come up with what they like. There is NO way you would find Brian or I out there doing that. We can't even dance a slow dance without getting in each others way. Crazy. But, props to Jake and to Abby for loving to perform!

Jake's Promotion!

Check this out. Jake earned his first promotion in the Civil Air Patrol. Congratulations Jake for this well-earned honor.

I couldn't resist this movie clip

Jake's Civil Air Patrol Glider Flight--Movie

Does Jake look happy, or what?

What a Beautiful Dancer

Abby's Self-choreographed dance. She chose Somewhere Over The Rainbow, performed by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

From Abby Dance

From Abby Dance

Skiing Fun at Sundance Dec 2008

This is pretty much all we got before the camera battery died. "It's all thanks to you, kids. You made it all possible...I am ashamed."

Jakob's Niche

We have this 12-year old who like everything mechanical. In particular, aircraft and muscle cars. While the Toyota and motorcycles may somewhat fill the muscle car void, they certainly are not aircraft. Solution: CAP. That's the Civil Air Patrol. Jake has been envolved in this for several months. For those of you who are unaware of this program, CAP is an axillary of the US Air Force. The program includes training in search and rescue. This includes, by the way, flying in real aircraft.

Jake just earned his first advancement--Airman First Class. How cool is that.

Grace Under Pressure

Grace Under Pressure

Ever been there?
You and your family are oddly 9 minutes early for church. You mother, taking a quick look at the program, sees your name on the program. Gulp.

This happened a few weeks ago. We thought it odd that Alex would be causally chatting it up with Riley Hensley at the back of the chapel just before giving a talk in Sacrament Meeting. "He seems awfully calm," I said to Kim. Way to comfortable for my comfort. So I went back to check on him. Alex has never asked for much help with talks before, so maybe, just maybe he's ready.

I've not seen such wide eyes on Alex since he opened his eyes 2 hours after he was born. My watch showed 12:55, T minus 5 and counting....

Napoleon Hill postulates that making quick decisions is a characteristic of successful people. And at that moment, with only three options available to him, and only a few seconds decide, he decided to go forward and wing it. (the two other options: tell the bishop that he just forgot or bail out of there due to some "illness.")

"What did you talk about in seminary last week?" I asked. "Nothing to do with the Restoration," he said. I then made my case that all gospel topics can be tied together. Alex has another really great seminary class again this year, and decided to talk how the Joseph Smith Translation clarified Jesus' response to the woman in John 2. The King James Version makes it sound like Jesus was annoyed and shewed the woman away, when in fact Jesus asked what he could do for the woman. Alex also went in to the symbolism of the stone wine container vs. clay. He then tied it all in to how grateful he was that we have the Restoration to clarify things like that.

Napoleon would have been proud. Alex nailed it. A quick decision and a great result!