Bentley's Mission Farewell & Openhouse

Today was Bentley's mission farewell -- I can't believe this day is here!  It just seems like yesterday when Kami got her call...and now Kami is back and here Bentley is leaving!  Today was the first day in our new ward building -- a much smaller ward building than where we have been.  But that didn't set anything back...there still turned out to be plenty of room for us all.  Bentley gave a wonderful talk.  Lexine was a big bawl baby during it -- of course I maintained my composure.  ;-)  Then after it was meet and greet everyone who came for it.  By the time we got back to our home, it was already packed with everyone that was coming over for the family luncheon.  Grandpa Severtson, Kami & I stayed at church for Porter to speak in the following ward...

This evening we had her openhouse...one last time for everyone to say goodbye before its off to the MTC!  We had quite a few people show up for it, even though it was in competition of the Stake Teacher training and Stake Missionary Zone Conference also this evening.  Its going to be so strange next week watching conference and Bentley will already be gone!  We're sure proud of you Bentley...you'll be an amazing missionary to the people of France!

Porter's Mission Prep Talk with High Council

Today Porter was asked to speak about missionary work with our high councilman, Bro. Delgado.  Unfortunately, at the very last moment, Bro. Delgado was released from the high council and called to serve in the spanish ward -- so Porter didn't get to speak with him after all.  Instead he got to speak with Bishop Calhoun who took over Bro. Delgado's spot on the high council.  That was great because Bishop Calhoun was one of Cindy's good friends and he recognized Porter as her son.  Porter did an excellent job -- I wondered how he would do, and he amazed me as he usually does.  He started off telling everyone about where he was serving, then said "My dad pretty much tells me every day that it will be the best two years of his life".  He got quite the laugh from the congregation, then went on to give a wonderful talk about missionary work.  You're doing great Porter -- you'll be well prepared for the next two years as you serve the people of Argentina!

Happy 19th Birthday Porter!!

Nineteen years old!  I can't believe where the time has gone.  It seems like yesterday that I was calling Porter "Boy" and he was following me around the yard with his plastic lawn mower.  And now here he is at the verge of leaving on his mission.  It doesn't seem that long ago that it was me leaving on my mission! The older you get, the less birthday's mean to you...i suspect that's what Porter thought about this birthday.  :-)  A couple weeks ago when he went thru the temple is when he got most of his birthday presents -- his temple clothing.  So today was not too much more...using the left over of the $100 we usually spend for birthday presents, he got a new temple bag for his clothes.  He opened his cards from Grandparents at the same time.  This morning, he, Kami, Lexine & I all went to the temple to do sealings, then came home so he could do homework and write his talk he will give tomorrow.  For lunch the plan was to take him our for his birthday dinner, but he was too full so we'll do that now on Monday night -- Texas Roadhouse, Yum (the even made him ride the Birthday Bull :-)!  Then later in the evening Porter had several of his friends come over to visit and play video games. It was such a crazy day that we actually didn't get to his temple bag present and cards until Sunday (the day after).  Thank goodness porter is so easy going...he's a wonderful son who is always willing to help out and never the cause of contention.  He's very much like his mother...  Happy 19th Birthday Porter...we'll miss celebrating it with you the next two year!

Noah's Football Season

Noah has been working hard all season playing football for Queen Creek High School!  He's on a great team...for the most part they've been winning their games -- mostly smearing the competition!  He's working hard at it and gotten quite good -- he wishes they would let him play a little more, but at least he's getting to play some (there are some kids not getting to play at all).  Great job Noah...we to work hard at something that makes you the best you can be!

Caleb Teaching Jonah the Rubik's Cube

Jonah has now got the itch to learn the Rubik's cube and has Caleb teaching him the ropes, as Caleb had Porter doing just a week or two before.  Its funny watching these two work together and learning.  Hopefully in another week or two we'll have a third Rubik's cube solver in our home!  ;-)

Bentley Mission Family Trip

This weekend we had a very nice, but too short, family vacation before Bentley leaves on her mission.  We literally left at 5PM on Thursday evening and drove to San Diego.  I was so exhausted from working so much, that by the time we got to Yuma, Lexine had to take over driving the rest of the way while I fell asleep!  We arrived at Charles & Jenn Basso's home around midnight.

On Friday we got up early and headed out the door for an exciting day at Disneyland!  It was sure crowded, but we managed to ride most every ride we wanted to until about 3PM -- after that the crowds got insane and we could barely even walk from ride to ride!  So finally about 7PM we decided to leave for some less expensive dinner and head back home.

Saturday again we got up fairly early and ready for a full day!  This time we hit the beach for a couple hours with all the kids.  Garret and the younger boys all went swimming in the ocean while the rest of us just watched and laughed.  When the boys were cold and done, we rushed back to where we were staying to shower and get ready for the temple.  We left a little later than we wanted, but still got to the temple in a fairly good amount of time -- even though the traffic on the freeway was terrible. But we got there only to find that it was closed for maintenance -- Bummer!  So instead we took pictures, then went back home for naps before heading back to the beach for family pictures.  That evening we spent an hour on the beach again taking family pictures the best we could with the bright sun washing us out in them.  Hopefully they turned out good enough -- we'll have to see!  Then it was out to dinner at Sweet Tomatoes to stuff ourselves before going to bed.

Sunday morning we were up at the crack of dawn and on the road by 6AM!  It was a fast, but fun trip...probably the last trip we'll ever do at this big family.  But it was wonderful that we could all be together...

 

Porter's Temple Night

Tonight was Porter's Big night going thru the temple for his first time!  He and I went shopping about a week ago to get all his white temple clothing for this event.  Now that he has his mission call, this is his next step as he gets ready to go.  So this afternoon, I rushed home from work and Porter ditched his last class at ASU to be at the temple by 4PM.  We were a few minutes late, but everything worked out perfect still.  The temple workers got him all setup, then he got to speak with President LeSeuer, the Temple President for a few moments before he went thru.  Grandma & Grandpa Porter were there along with Grandma Glasgow, several uncles and aunts like Mike Porter, Micah & Danny, etc.  Mine & Cindy's good friends, Troy & Brenda Whisenant came as well as our Bishopric.  It was a wonderful evening, and even more wonderful afterwards when we want to Iceberg for some dessert afterwards!  Great job Porter...you are amazing!

Caleb vs The Rubik's Cube!

Ever since the missionaries came over for dinner a couple weeks ago, Caleb has been determined to learn how to solve it!  Partly because I shared with them that it would be really easy to teach the Apostasy and Restoration by messing up the cube and then solving it.  That kid is always so motivated to learn new things...I love that about him.  He's got it all the way down now, just not as quick as Porter yet.  Keep working at it buddy, you're awesome!

CEDIA 2014!

This week was CEDIA 2014 -- one of the largest vendor shows in the Home Theater industry and my first to attend in working with the family company!  It was a great show and even better since Lexine was able to travel with me.  Its quite nice now that the kids are growing up and somewhat take care of themselves while we're gone.  We were even able to make it to the Denver, Colorado temple on Wednesday evening after setting up for the show -- which was really nice!  Kjell and I ran the booth and Lexine helped out straightening up after us which she does so well.  She was going to stay at the hotel and relax, but enjoyed coming with us to the show instead -- I think that had something to do with Buddy the Cake Man being there as well as the extra comfortable home theater chairs across from our booth that she fell asleep in.  :-)  All in all it was a great work trip and we made many new contacts, but it was even nicer that Lexine was there with me.

Garrett Promoted to the Varsity Swim Team!

Garrett texted me this evening excited to let me know that he was moved up onto the Varsity swim team!  On Thursday they had a a swim meet against Williams Field High School where he did really well in his heats -- coming in 1st place and beating his personal records.  He was also recognized by the coaches as the "Swimmer of the Week" for all his hard work on the team.  I am really looking forward to watching him swim at one of his next meets...he's gotten quite good!  Great work little buddy...keep it up!