Stake Conference Youth Choir

This was our Stake Conference weekend.  It started with Friday being our Stake Temple day -- so after school and work, Lexine and I along with Bentley, Garrett, Maizey, Noah and Caleb jumped in the car to meet our ward there.  The kids all did temple baptisms while Lexine and I went and did some sealings.  Then Saturday evening, Lexine and I attended the adult session of conference which was excellent -- lots of talks on protecting families and marriages from the decaying values of the world.  Afterwards, we went on a date to Cold Stone (without the kids).  :-)  Then today we were supposed to be meeting at the Chandler Height building across the street from our house, but several of the kids volunteered to be in the Stake Youth choir for conference, so we attended at our stake center instead (since 5 of them were in it:  Bentley, Garrett, Maizey, Noah and Caleb).   It was a great conference ... I learned a lot.  There's always many things I walk away from recognizing opportunities within myself to improve and do better...which I enjoy.  Then after conference we came home to an excellent Parmesan Chicken lunch, then went to make a quick visit to Grandma Severtson (before their church meetings at 2PM) since it was her birthday yesterday. What a wonderful weekend!

Porter's Prom Proposal

I was sitting in Chicago O'hare airport on Thursday evening late waiting for my flight home when I got a surprising text from Porter.  The text said, "Dad, do we have anything on the weekend of May 11th? Because I want to ask someone to prom".  I about fell out of my seat!  But quickly replied that if we had anything at all, we would make sure to free it up -- so he could go!  So Friday, he and his friend Dalin got together to plan it out and ask their dates.  Porter bought a bale of hay and posted a note on it, "Hay, would you Bale me out and go to Prom with me?".  Then this afternoon he got his answer...  The doorbell rang and there was a box at it (as you can see in the pictures below) that said, "I'd be a Quack to Duck a Way from You!".  Inside the box was of all things, a Duck and written on the bottom of the box it said, "His name is Yes"... Too funny!  The kids thought that was pretty neat and asked if we could keep it, but of course, we said no -- what would we do with a pet duck?  Porter ended up calling his date back and they finally came back over to pick it up -- after teasing him a bit that it was now his.  :-)  That turned out good because they ended up spending the Saturday evening together watching movies and talking.  We're sure glad Porter has such great friends.  Sounds like they will be having a great time at the Prom soon -- so stay tuned, more to come!  :-)

Final Football Game of the Season!

Today Noah and Caleb had their final football game of the season and thank goodness it was the last game, because it has now gotten really hot! This has been a great season for them.  They've learned a lot and have had a great time at it.  Today's game they both played really well.  Caleb did some great blocking and was setup for a pass at one time, but the QB threw it short.  Noah also had a great game and scored another touchdown this week!  The two of them have sure enjoyed the season.  I suspect we'll have many more football games as we get into high school!  Good job guys...you're awesome!  :-)

Get A Life Caleb!

Get a life!  That's exactly what Caleb did today.  Right after church he had his Life rank board of review for scouts and he passed with flying colors...so now he's officially a Life scout!  He has a goal to get his Eagle before he turns 13 years old, so far he's right on track if he keeps working hard at it.  It will be very close, since his 6 month requirement of being a Life scout will be up on October 21...just a few days before he turns 13, but we'll see if he can pull it off!  Regardless, its just great that he's been working so hard at scout...keep it up Caleb!  You're an amazing kid!!

 

Football Season Week 7 Highlights!

Noah & Caleb were back at it this morning with their weekly football games!  We had to come home a little early this morning from the Father & Son's Campout to get them there on time and they were a little tired during them game, but still did great.  Noah played Quarterback on his team for much of it, while Caleb played a number of positions (which I don't know the names due to my limited knowledge of football :-).  At one point, Caleb was given the ball and started making his way to get some yardage when the biggest player on the opposing team "Johnson" started after him -- he did the best he could, but nobody ever gets past "Johnson" -- he was quickly taken down!  Noah did good too, throwing a couple passes that resulted in touchdowns.  Its starting to get hot outside, but they continue to play hard.  Great job this week guys!

2013 Father & Son's Campout!

This weekend was the annual ward Father & Son's campout -- or also known as the Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration Campout.  All 5 of the boys have been looking forward to going.  We got the three younger boys out of school about an hour early, while I worked all the way up to the minute before we left...then stepped away from my computer and jumped in the car.  We stopped by QT for gas and our family travel tradition -- "2 things totally $2.50 including tax".  :-)  Then we were off!  It took us about 2 hours to get to Roosevelt Lake "Grapevine Campground" off of Highway 188 which you turn on to just between Miami & Globe, AZ.  Its not the idea place to camp -- desert camping which isn't our favorite -- but we had a great time regardless.  It was actually kind of nice since there were so many cactus around, kids could be running around like wild men all night.  We had a nice fireside devotional once it was dark which I was asked to speak about the restoration of the Priesthood -- which I had pointed out stars & plants in the sky (having Garrett point them out with his laser pointer) and discussing their massive sizes compared to the Earth, then Moses's statement of realizing that "man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed"...I used this to then talk about how even though we are insignificant we may seem in this universe, yet blessed we are that Heavenly Father entrusts us to hold his holy Priesthood.

The next morning we were up early, ate a breakfast burrito, then back on the road to get home for Saturday morning football!  It was a quick trip, but lots of fun!

Garrett Earns His Seminary Lanyand & Pin!

Garrett has been working on his own to finish up memorizing word-for-word all this year's seminary scriptures.  This last week he told me he had a goal to finish up the last 3 and by Thursday he completed it and accomplished his goal!  These are not just a single verse, they are passages of scripture sometimes 3 and 4 verses long.  The one he passed off on Thursday was Matthew 15:16-19.  Great going Little Buddy...these will sure benefit you when you serve your mission in a few years!

Bentley Speak in Seminary Conference

Twice each year around general conference, the seminary classes also have a seminary conference where they invite kids give talks much in the same manner as conference.  This year Bentley was asked to speak, which of course she did speaking on the Temple.  It was kind of funny, just two days before she said, "I would like to be one of the speakers, but nobody asked me" -- she got her wish!  :-)  What a great opportunity for her to share her testimony with her classmates and members of the Church in this area...especially as she is about to complete her final year as a Senior at Queen Creek High School.  Great job Bentley...we're sure proud of you!

Jonah's Shiner!

Caleb, Jonah and I were playing catch with a softball last night before family night while the girls were out shopping for Bentley's Prom dress.  I kept having to take mini-breaks due answer after-hour work texts, so Caleb & Jonah would throw it back and forth a few times while they waited on me.  One of the times, Caleb thru it to Jonah and he reached out his glove just in time for the ball to hit it, then bounce off of it and right into his face -- hitting him in the eye.  He didn't complain much, rubbed it a little then we kept on playing.  This morning he woke up with this beautiful shiner!  Way to keep your eye on the ball, Joe!  :-)

Btw, is it just me or does anyone else see a resemblance to Pee Wee Herman...  :-)

Bentley Earns her Personal Progress Honor Bee!

Bentley earned her personal progress honor bee!  This was the additional personal progress virtue that was added not too long ago after she had already earned he award at the age of 14.  To earn the bee, it required her to read the Book of Mormon and perform 40 hrs of service. Great job and keep striving for excellence...we're sure proud of you!

Fast Offerings!

Fast Sunday today, which means fast offering collections by the boys in our family who are deacons! At this time of our lives, that means it is Noah and Caleb who are both 13 or 12 years old. I drive them around the route, as they go to each of the homes and collect the offerings the members have to donate today. They've gotten pretty good at it, it only takes them a little over 30 minutes now. But I think it's great for them and builds a lot of confidence from having to go and talk with each of the members to see if they have anything to donate. This gives me some time sitting in the car to catch up on my journal, blogging and writing Kami letters while she's on her mission. Fun times whichI will will always remember doing with all my boys! :-)

Bentley Asked To Prom!

This turned out to be an exciting night ... around 9:30 PM the doorbell rang and Bentley answered it to find at the doorstep some balloons and a sign asking her to prom! I'm not sure who was more excited about it, Lexine, Maizey or Bentley! :-) Maizey ran to grabbed the scissors then popped all the balloons which contained notes giving clues as to who was asking her. She didn't take time to read the numbers on the balloons so everything was out of order. Bentley figured it out pretty quick when she saw a picture of her and Caleb Trotter dancing at a wedding reception when they were three years old -- which is who asked her to Prom, but Maizey was still very confused since she hadn't seen the notes. It didn't help that I was playing with Maizey all evening about who was coming to ask Bentley to prom...I had her believing it was one of the boys in the ward.  ;-)  (Lexine had arranged it all, so I knew what was going on but none of the kids did.) :-) I'm such a stinker at times, but it made for a fun laugh this evening. So it looks like Bentley will be going to her senior prom in a few weeks! Lots to do to prepare, but so happy she gets to have a great time and evening with terrific friends!

Pre-Sister Bentley Clark!

Bentley has had a good friend at school who her and a group of other high school students have been fellowshipping this past year and inviting to church activities and events.  She started taking the missionary discussions recently and decided to join the church.  Bentley and her friends were a special part of that conversion as they've been great friends and influences as they included her in their circle of friends.  What a special experience for all of them and way to be a great example of a missionary Bentley!

 

Daddy Daughter Date!

Early this evening was the daddy daughter date for the achievement date girls. The high priests and young men were asked to put on the event for the Dad's & Daughters. So we showed up at the event ready to help out, but everything was pretty much taken care of. The boys and I decided to have a little bit of fun by taking our daddy daughter picture as well. It was a western theme, so we got on the saddles, put on hats and held guns to take the same pictures the girls were taking with their dads. Do you like the picture below of me with 3 of my boyish looking daughters? :-) We were only there for about 45 minutes when one of the young women leaders sent us home because there was really nothing for us to do. That was fine with the boys, because they all came over to our house for pizza, video games and to watch movies all evening. :-) Amidst everything else that went on today/tonight, having great friends over made for a very fun evening for the boys!

Football Season Week 6!

This morning thru early afternoon was the boys sixth football game of the season! This was one of the funnest games they played they said. I guess it was because they both got to play a lot and did some fun things during the game. Noah scored another touchdown on a kick off by running through all the boys, all the way down the field to the end zone... He's done great this year scoring touchdowns in every single game except for the very first one. Caleb has also done very well this season and today he got a few good plays as well. He sacked the quarterback in one play (which he was really proud of), then he got laid-out on one of the very last plays running smack into another player blocking him. He said it didn't hurt at all, which I guess is a good thing. :-) Anyway, these boys have sure worked hard this season and have learned a lot. I suspect they'll be more tackle football in our future! :-)

Happy Birthday Rod!

Today was Rod's birthday -- he would be 42 years old today!  In celebration and memory of him, the kids each opened a present and then went to eat somewhere he really liked.  So tonight Lexine and the kids went and picked up Krazy Sub and then went over to Discovery Park to eat dinner and have some fun.  Meanwhile I was in Kansas, then Missouri, then Texas...trying to get thru airports so I could return home to the festivities -- too late for me since I got home at 10:30.  But, the kids all had a great time as is evident from the pictures!  Happy Birthday Rod -- we remember and won't ever forget!

Maizey the Track Star!

Maizey's been doing great at track...long afternoon practices each day, even longer track meets!  But she's been doing great -- never a peep of complaint about it!  I think that might be partially to the fact that there are some cute boys there that she gets to spend all the time with.  :-)  The picture below is Maizey with cousin Kade.  Regardless the reason, she's doing great -- getting better and better at her long jump event and running races.  Keep it up Maizey...your doing great!!

Bentley the Artist!

We've got quite the artist living here on our home with us!  Bentley has an amazing art talent as you can see from the pictures below.  Her exhibits are incredible!  Tonight was the school art show where they displayed lots of the great artwork the high school kids did this year.  But in our minds, Bentley stole the show!  Yes -- we would be a little bit biases of her...  :-)  Great job...you're amazing Bentley!