Basket Ball Practice

Picture taken August 27, 2011

Ammon came home one day and announced that he needed to practice basket ball.

He explained, 

"I need to learn how to shoot the basket so I don't just have to pass the ball when I play with my friends."

Unfortunately, he was only able to find a soccer ball to play with.

Still, he was determined and spent some time working on his shot.

Ammon is not my child who usually expresses an interest in athletics,

so I was impressed with his drive to improve his skills.

And he even made a basket!

Go Ammon!

Ward Campout

Andrew had to work the morning after the ward campout - so we didn't camp.

But we did go up to hang out and eat dinner.

There was a great turn out and we had lots of fun.

It was a great way to spend a Friday night.

Ammon Starts 2nd Grade

My boys are growing up way too fast.

This year Ammon started 2nd grade.

We had a fun summer, but he was happy to be back in school

He had new clothes.

And a new backpack.

And lots and lots of friends to go to school with.

After school Gramma Peggy made a surprise visit and offered to take us out to lunch.

Ammon surprised us by NOT getting off the bus.

The next 40 minutes was a bit nerve-wracking as we tried to figure out where he was.

Andrew rushed to the school to see if he was there.

Peggy and I stayed home in case he magically show up.

Once Andrew discovered that Ammon was NOT at school, the office people contacted the bus depot.

From there, the bus drivers were contacted.

The bus drivers had realized Ammon was on the wrong bus and had met up with each other.

He was transferred back to the correct bus and then brought home.

Andrew got this information just in time to call me and have me run out to meet the bus.

Ammon was seemed a little uneasy but ultimately was no worse for wear.

We headed off to Red Robin and had a great meal.

All Ammon wanted to do was READ the books he had gotten from the school library.

Being back in school suits him - he loves to read and is great at math.

And he has never had another problem with the bus.

Ammon's Talk

Today Ammon gave a talk in primary.  It was about missionary work.  He did a wonderful job - he is very good at reading.  Here is what he said:

I was named after Ammon in the Book of Mormon. Ammon was a great missionary. After he was converted to the gospel, he taught many people about Jesus Christ. He taught King Lamoni and all of his people. Many of them were baptized and became members of the church.

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we are responsible to teach the gospel. We can teach by example. We can always choose the right, even when it's hard. We can also do acts of service for others and treat them the way Jesus would. When we do these things, others will want to know more about the gospel.

When I grow up, I will be a full-time missionary and teach people about Jesus Christ and His gospel. Full time missionaries teach five lessons. I can learn about them by reading Preach My Gospel. The five lessons are:

• Lesson 1: The Message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
  
  
  When Jesus was on the earth, He taught the gospel to the people. But after He died, the gospel was lost and people didn't know the truth anymore. Joseph Smith prayed to know about which church to join and found out that none of the churches were true. He was obedient to Heavenly Father and helped the true gospel be on the earth again.

• Lesson 2: The Plan of Salvation
  
  
  We lived before we were born. Heavenly Father wanted us to come to earth to get a body and to learn to be like Him. He knew that we would make mistakes called sins. He also knew that we would die. Those two things would prevent us from returning to heaven. Heavenly Father made a plan for Jesus to be our Savior. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can overcome sin and death and return to Heavenly Father. This is called the Plan of Salvation.

• Lesson 3: The Gospel of Jesus Christ
  
  
  In the 4^th Article of Faith we learn that the first four principles and ordinances of the gospel are, “First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Second respentance. Third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. Fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  
  
• Lesson 4: The Commandments
  
  
  Missionaries also teach the commandments from Heavenly Father so people can know what is right. Some of the commandments are to be obedient and to study the scriptures. It is also important to keep the Sabbath day holy and to follow the prophet.

• Lesson 5: Laws and Ordinances
  
  
  The missionaries teach people about temples and eternal families. I am glad that my family can be together forever. I want everyone to know how to be with their family for all eternity.

I know it is important to help everyone we know learn about Jesus and His atonement for us. I know Jesus Christ lives. I know that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that President Monson is a true prophet.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Cow-A-Bunga Bay

Pictures taken August 18, 2011

This past winter, Andrew's parents moved near a fun water park.  Gramma promised the kids that they would get to go play there.  We waited and waited until it got warm enough.  Then, suddenly summer was over and we still hadn't gone.  Just before school started I realize that I'd better get them there before we faced another winter of unfulfilled promises.

Ammon was the perfect age for this activity.  He LOVED it and could have spent many more hours there than we did.  Peter also had fun, but was just as excited to go back to Gramma's house afterwards for some icecream.  Overall, it was a fun way to spend an afternoon and with it being in sight every time we visit Grandparents, I'm sure we'll end up playing there many times more over the years.

Lunch Date

Pictures taken August 13, 2011

For Andrew's birthday we had another "eat free" coupon for Tucanos.  Since Peter eats free we decided to take the kids with us again.  We probably won't do that next time as they got a little rambunctious.    But it was still a fun afternoon.  Like last time, Ammon loved the chicken hearts.  He hate at least ten of them.  And as always, everyone loved the pineapple.

Hanging Out With the Goats

Pictures taken August 12, 2011

We've gone to Heritage Park over and over again in the past several months.  We've been as a family, I've just taken the boys, we've been with several different cousins, we went with some friends, and this time we went with our neighbors.

Peter and I spent the morning there and headed home at lunch time.  Ammon stayed longer with his friend.  As usual - it was a good time.

I love how friendly this goat got with the baby.

But as you can see, the baby did NOT love the goat.

Trax and a Movie

Pictures taken August 11, 2011

Andrew was in a small little car accident which shockingly totaled our car.  We decided to attempt life as a one-car family, but the transition came at the end of summer and was a little rough.  After a week of being stuck at home while Andy had the car at work, the boys and I decided to take Trax down to meet my sister where she could then drive us to the dollar theater for a movie.  The whole trip was full of mishaps and adventures and took us over two hours to get to our location, which caused us to miss the showing we were trying to get to.  Fortunately, there was a later showing of the movie, so we still were able to enjoy Kung Fu Panda 2.  The boys had seen it before, but it was the first time I had viewed it.  We finished the movie just in time to meet Andrew at he finished his job for the day and we rode home together, discussing the merits of aborting our one-car decision.

Andrew's Birthday

Pictures taken August 06, 2011

This is the second year we celebrated Andrew's birthday at Silver Lake with his family.

It is a fun tradition and one we hope to continue.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch.

Then walked around the trail.

We finished the party with cake.

Gotta love that frosting!

Mosquitoes and Mud

Pictures taken July 31, 2011

My mom introduced us to Silver Lake several years ago, and it has become a tradition that we go there at least a couple of times every year.  This particular trip was fun because Jeremiah brought dinner (and he is amazing when it comes to pulling together a meal) and because it was the first time Grandma Laurel and Grandpa Fred (my grandparents) had ever been.  It was NOT fun because of the rain, mud and worst of all - mosquitoes.  Quite honestly, it is the worst trip I have ever had to Silver Lake.  But the great thing about Silver Lake is that even the worst trip ever was still a good one.

This was also the day that I found out I was going to be the Relief Society President of my ward.  It was nice to get up into the mountain and spend time with my family after that exciting but overwhelming calling was extended to me.