As part of our Sunday activities yesterday, the kids and I decided that we would make some videos regarding General conference and church that we would send out to their little cousins.
I remembered that when we bought our latest video editing software, a green fabric screen came along in the package. We had never tried it out, and since we had plenty of time yesterday we dug it out of the closet and set it up.
We made some movies of the kids talking and/or singing to their cousins. The software made it easy to replace the green background with a picture of our choice.
Aylee made a microphone out of a toilet paper tube and tin foil.
The cousins will be getting their movies in the mail this week. However, I thought I would post one extra video that we did not record onto the CDs. This one is a little song that Aliece made up. It features her in front of the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. There are a lots of concerts at the Delta Center, so that is why we chose out as the background.
So, sit back and enjoy the movie!
For those that cannot see the movie below, visit the following link: Aliece Jamming.
Monday, September 29, 2008
The BIG Time
I have recently been getting the high-definition/LCD television fever. I have usually been able to keep this at bay so that no money is spent. However, a recent sale on the Internet caught my eye, and got me to seriously think about a new TV.
With a lot of counsel from Jake and Joe, I bounce back and forth between Internet websites, Internet classified ads, and the various electronics stores in Provo.
On Saturday, Amber and I finally made the plunge. We bought a 42 inch LCD TV and a new entertainment center to place it on. Of course, after purchasing the TV, we can only afford a cheaper Wal-Mart entertainment stand rather than a more elegant one at furniture stores that we had checked out. But, hopefully it shall serve its purpose for many years to come.
Amber and I joked that we were really buying the TV for the children. General conference is next week, and we wanted the children to feel like they are right in the conference center. With the new high-definition screens, we want them to experience General conference! :-)
It was about 10:00 p.m. before we got the project totally completed. Amber had to go to their general relief Society broadcast during part of that time, which required that I feed the children and get them showered and in to bed.
We have included some before and after pictures for your enjoyment.
Although it was already 10pm when we finished, we had to try it out. So, as our first real movie, we watched an episode of "the pretender".
It is kind of nice because I really don't have to wear glasses now that the screen is so big. I jokingly told Amber that we will rename the playroom to be the "theater room".
Well, I am probably the last tech geek at work to buy an LCD TV. But I have finally arrived. I hope it was worth all of the eager anticipation and wait!
With a lot of counsel from Jake and Joe, I bounce back and forth between Internet websites, Internet classified ads, and the various electronics stores in Provo.
On Saturday, Amber and I finally made the plunge. We bought a 42 inch LCD TV and a new entertainment center to place it on. Of course, after purchasing the TV, we can only afford a cheaper Wal-Mart entertainment stand rather than a more elegant one at furniture stores that we had checked out. But, hopefully it shall serve its purpose for many years to come.
Amber and I joked that we were really buying the TV for the children. General conference is next week, and we wanted the children to feel like they are right in the conference center. With the new high-definition screens, we want them to experience General conference! :-)
It was about 10:00 p.m. before we got the project totally completed. Amber had to go to their general relief Society broadcast during part of that time, which required that I feed the children and get them showered and in to bed.
We have included some before and after pictures for your enjoyment.
Although it was already 10pm when we finished, we had to try it out. So, as our first real movie, we watched an episode of "the pretender".
It is kind of nice because I really don't have to wear glasses now that the screen is so big. I jokingly told Amber that we will rename the playroom to be the "theater room".
Well, I am probably the last tech geek at work to buy an LCD TV. But I have finally arrived. I hope it was worth all of the eager anticipation and wait!
Clone Troops & Hanna Montana Winners
We had a very busy Saturday today. One part of our fun and hectic day was our kid dates. It was my turn to have a daddy date with Aylee. She wanted to go see "Star Wars: clone wars". However, Johnathan also wanted to see that really bad. Aylee wanted to see it with Johnathan, so she invited him to come along.
We were kind of late due to other shopping and adventures of the day. So we were racing down the freeway in the pickup truck. The only theater in Utah County that was playing the movie was in Spanish Fork. We got off of the Spanish Fork exit only to find out that the theater was not where I thought it was. We drove up and down the road a bit before I started to get nervous. The movie was supposed to start any minute now, and the kids were getting restless. Aylee and Johnathan were both getting a little nervous and kept asking where the theater was.
We finally had to call Amber to see if she remembered where the theater was. She gave us an idea for she thought it was located, and so we took off once again for that area of town. We were in luck, the theater was at the location she expected it to be. We got in just as the movie was starting.
I was not expecting much from the movie as I have had lots of friends go to see it. However, they said that it is made for kids and that the kids would like it. They were right. Aylee and Johnathan both seemed to enjoy the movie a lot.
While we were at the movie, Amber took the other kids to Pioneer Park. Shantell was doing a booth at the Farmer's market there. They went to say hi to Shantell. While they were there, they noticed that the park was also hosting a Boys and Girls Club event that was open to the public. They had tons of bounce houses and activities that were all free of charge.
One of the booths at the fair was a Wal-Mart vision Center booth. At that booth, they had a drawing for a plastic milkshake cup with a pair of sunglasses wrapped around it accompanied by a Hanna Montana case for the Hanna Montana sunglasses. It was all decorated with a fancy bow and shiny tassels. Aliece was ecstatic. She really wanted to win that price. Amber said that she was so dramatic about it that the people in the booth were laughing their heads off. Aliece quickly wrote down her name on the slip of paper and our home phone number was recorded.
When Amber got home, there was a message on the phone saying that Aliece had won the beautiful and grand prize that she had so coveted.
Amber was already home with the children, and she didn't want to go back to the park. So, she called me and asked me to go pick it up on our way home from the theater.
When I picked it up, they were clearing out the booths. I mentioned the name of Aliece and this gal excitedly said Aliece had won the prize! I told her that I would take it home to her and that she would be very excited. I mentioned that this was the perfect prize for her. The gal asked if Aliece was not there at the park. I explained to her that Aliece had gone home with Amber and the other kids. She was a little disappointed as she was really excited to see Aliece's reaction. They definitely remembered our child. Her enthusiasm is always so contagious, that they really hoped that they could see the delivery of the prize.
It is funny how Aliece always tends to win those types of things. I don't know if it is her happy, positive karma, sheer dumb luck, or if people see her excitement and rig the system because they want her to win so badly. Given Aliece's performance at the booth originally, and the attendants' rapt enjoyment of Aliece's enthusiasm, Amber does wonder if the system was rigged a little bit in Aliece's behalf.
Whatever cosmic forces were in place, it still amazes me that her excitement and enthusiasm always tends to draw the winning results!
We were kind of late due to other shopping and adventures of the day. So we were racing down the freeway in the pickup truck. The only theater in Utah County that was playing the movie was in Spanish Fork. We got off of the Spanish Fork exit only to find out that the theater was not where I thought it was. We drove up and down the road a bit before I started to get nervous. The movie was supposed to start any minute now, and the kids were getting restless. Aylee and Johnathan were both getting a little nervous and kept asking where the theater was.
We finally had to call Amber to see if she remembered where the theater was. She gave us an idea for she thought it was located, and so we took off once again for that area of town. We were in luck, the theater was at the location she expected it to be. We got in just as the movie was starting.
I was not expecting much from the movie as I have had lots of friends go to see it. However, they said that it is made for kids and that the kids would like it. They were right. Aylee and Johnathan both seemed to enjoy the movie a lot.
While we were at the movie, Amber took the other kids to Pioneer Park. Shantell was doing a booth at the Farmer's market there. They went to say hi to Shantell. While they were there, they noticed that the park was also hosting a Boys and Girls Club event that was open to the public. They had tons of bounce houses and activities that were all free of charge.
One of the booths at the fair was a Wal-Mart vision Center booth. At that booth, they had a drawing for a plastic milkshake cup with a pair of sunglasses wrapped around it accompanied by a Hanna Montana case for the Hanna Montana sunglasses. It was all decorated with a fancy bow and shiny tassels. Aliece was ecstatic. She really wanted to win that price. Amber said that she was so dramatic about it that the people in the booth were laughing their heads off. Aliece quickly wrote down her name on the slip of paper and our home phone number was recorded.
When Amber got home, there was a message on the phone saying that Aliece had won the beautiful and grand prize that she had so coveted.
Amber was already home with the children, and she didn't want to go back to the park. So, she called me and asked me to go pick it up on our way home from the theater.
When I picked it up, they were clearing out the booths. I mentioned the name of Aliece and this gal excitedly said Aliece had won the prize! I told her that I would take it home to her and that she would be very excited. I mentioned that this was the perfect prize for her. The gal asked if Aliece was not there at the park. I explained to her that Aliece had gone home with Amber and the other kids. She was a little disappointed as she was really excited to see Aliece's reaction. They definitely remembered our child. Her enthusiasm is always so contagious, that they really hoped that they could see the delivery of the prize.
It is funny how Aliece always tends to win those types of things. I don't know if it is her happy, positive karma, sheer dumb luck, or if people see her excitement and rig the system because they want her to win so badly. Given Aliece's performance at the booth originally, and the attendants' rapt enjoyment of Aliece's enthusiasm, Amber does wonder if the system was rigged a little bit in Aliece's behalf.
Whatever cosmic forces were in place, it still amazes me that her excitement and enthusiasm always tends to draw the winning results!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Underwear Idea
Today we had a contest to see who had the most underwear in there pile won, and you would get ten cents per underwear.
Results:
Aylee: 5
Aliece: 5
Alayna: 4
John: 1
Got to admit, gross John.
Love ya all!!!
A's
Results:
Aylee: 5
Aliece: 5
Alayna: 4
John: 1
Got to admit, gross John.
Love ya all!!!
A's
Gross
Amber did four days worth of laundry today. Alayna just finished folding all of the laundry. Amber told all the kids to come over to their pile of laundry. She said she would pay each kid 10 cents for every pair of underwear that was in their pile (hence, having been washed).
Aylee got 50 cents - she had an extra pair in there....Aliece and Alayna got 40 cents a piece...
Johnathan got 10 cents.
Hmm...someone apparently has a hygiene issue - Gross!
Aylee got 50 cents - she had an extra pair in there....Aliece and Alayna got 40 cents a piece...
Johnathan got 10 cents.
Hmm...someone apparently has a hygiene issue - Gross!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Scary Situation
On Tuesday, Amber was dropping Aliece off at her Dance lessons on Center Street in Provo. They had both been there before, so Amber knew that Aliece would not be nervous about going it.
Amber was going to just let Aliece hop out of the van and run into the dance studio. Amber would then leave to go home. She had Jace in the car and so it would have just been easier to do that then get Jace out and walk into the studio with Aliece and then say goodbye and get back into the van.
However, as Aliece was getting out, Amber changed her mind and got out with Aliece.
When they got to the door that they thought as the Dance studio, Amber realized that they were at the wrong place. They were a block away from the Dance studio. This entrance led to a vacant part of the commercial mini-shop building on the block. They had to get back into the van and drive to the real location.
Amber was sick inside thinking about dropping Aliece off at that wrong location and leaving her for that hour - all on Center Street in Provo. It makes one shudder to even ponder the scenario!
I sure am glad Amber listened to her feelings and hopped out with Aliece.
Amber was going to just let Aliece hop out of the van and run into the dance studio. Amber would then leave to go home. She had Jace in the car and so it would have just been easier to do that then get Jace out and walk into the studio with Aliece and then say goodbye and get back into the van.
However, as Aliece was getting out, Amber changed her mind and got out with Aliece.
When they got to the door that they thought as the Dance studio, Amber realized that they were at the wrong place. They were a block away from the Dance studio. This entrance led to a vacant part of the commercial mini-shop building on the block. They had to get back into the van and drive to the real location.
Amber was sick inside thinking about dropping Aliece off at that wrong location and leaving her for that hour - all on Center Street in Provo. It makes one shudder to even ponder the scenario!
I sure am glad Amber listened to her feelings and hopped out with Aliece.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Witches' Night Out!
Hello Andersen Ladies!!!
I am so excited for Witches' Night Out! This is going to be so fun.
Don't forget to be looking for a witch costume. The good things always seem to go so fast. I know a lot of people really deck themselves out. If you just want to keep it simple and wear a witch hat that will be fun too.
I don't have school on Friday 24th so everyone come over as early as you can so we can play. :) We can eat some dinner, dress up and help each other do witchy hair and makeup. We can can do all sorts of things. Let me know if there is something that you want to do specifically. We can go shopping, paint our nails, make yummy treats, make a crafty thing, watch chick flicks, and of course talk our heads off. These are some ideas. Let me know what you think.
I am so excited for Witches' Night Out! This is going to be so fun.
Don't forget to be looking for a witch costume. The good things always seem to go so fast. I know a lot of people really deck themselves out. If you just want to keep it simple and wear a witch hat that will be fun too.
I don't have school on Friday 24th so everyone come over as early as you can so we can play. :) We can eat some dinner, dress up and help each other do witchy hair and makeup. We can can do all sorts of things. Let me know if there is something that you want to do specifically. We can go shopping, paint our nails, make yummy treats, make a crafty thing, watch chick flicks, and of course talk our heads off. These are some ideas. Let me know what you think.
Cute Memory
The other night Amber was playing the piano while the kids were all in bed. One of the songs Amber played was "Come thou fount of Every Blessing".
While she was playing the song, Alayna came down the stairs and listened. When Amber stopped playing, Alayna said, "Mom, when I heard you play that song, it reminded me of President Hinckley."
What a sweetie!
While she was playing the song, Alayna came down the stairs and listened. When Amber stopped playing, Alayna said, "Mom, when I heard you play that song, it reminded me of President Hinckley."
What a sweetie!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The Fearless Missionary
Aylee has been doing a very good job fellowshipping and preparing her friend Karina for baptism. The focus of our family with missionary work has been around Karina lately.
Johnathan decided to take matters into his own hands the other day. We were kneeling down for prayers last night and Johnathan exclaimed, "oh! Johnathan will be coming to church with us tomorrow." (John's best friend is called Johnathan.)
Amber asked him to please explain why he thought his friend was going to be coming to church with us on Sunday. Johnathan explained that at school he was talking to his friend and asked him, "so, when can I invite you to come to church with me?" His friend replied that he could try this Sunday.
We suggested to John that he called his friend and remind him about church since it is so early in the morning. It was nearly 9:00 p.m., but Johnathan rang his friend's house anyway. He asked his friend if you still planning on coming. His friend said that he was. John then told him that he would pick him up at 8:45 a.m. The deal was set.
John's friend came to church today and stayed all three hours. It is not surprising that the eight-year-old thought that church was pretty long, it being three hours and all. But he did remarkably well.
I was pretty proud of Johnathan that he would be willing to talk to his friend without us coaching him through it all. Both he and Aylee have been very good at practicing at being missionaries at this time in their life. I wish I had been so talented and excited to share the Gospel when I was their age.
Johnathan decided to take matters into his own hands the other day. We were kneeling down for prayers last night and Johnathan exclaimed, "oh! Johnathan will be coming to church with us tomorrow." (John's best friend is called Johnathan.)
Amber asked him to please explain why he thought his friend was going to be coming to church with us on Sunday. Johnathan explained that at school he was talking to his friend and asked him, "so, when can I invite you to come to church with me?" His friend replied that he could try this Sunday.
We suggested to John that he called his friend and remind him about church since it is so early in the morning. It was nearly 9:00 p.m., but Johnathan rang his friend's house anyway. He asked his friend if you still planning on coming. His friend said that he was. John then told him that he would pick him up at 8:45 a.m. The deal was set.
John's friend came to church today and stayed all three hours. It is not surprising that the eight-year-old thought that church was pretty long, it being three hours and all. But he did remarkably well.
I was pretty proud of Johnathan that he would be willing to talk to his friend without us coaching him through it all. Both he and Aylee have been very good at practicing at being missionaries at this time in their life. I wish I had been so talented and excited to share the Gospel when I was their age.
A Swich in Places
You guessed it we switched places today and boy was it okward. It was pretty funny though. Love ya all! John (A's)
Preparing for the Storm
The other day, daily showed me that someone in the family had used a red pen and to draw all over the monitor screen of the computer that is in the playroom. Given the stage of each of our children, I pretty much knew who the culprit was.
I never did approach Alayna about the monitor until I had a good opportunity yesterday. I was sitting at the computer Sunday helping Alayna do something that she was working on. As I was showing her on the computer I pointed at the red marks on the screen and exclaimed, "oh no! Someone drew all over the computer screen! That is not going to come off. I wonder who would do that!"
I looked at Alayna and asked her, "do you know who did this?"
Just then, Alayna's face got very sad and her eyes looked very guilty indeed. She stuck out her bottom lip in a sad little frown. She then took my right arm in her hand and lifted it up above her head and placed it on her shoulders. With her other hand, she grabbed my right hand and pulled it closer to my chest so that in essence I was hugging her close to me affectionately.
She then looked up at me with those wide and tear filled eyes and said, "I did it."
I then gave her a true hug with my arm that had been placed so carefully around her and told her thank you for telling me the truth and committed her to refrain from doing it again.
She has quite the technique, if I do say so myself! She is such a little cutie!
I never did approach Alayna about the monitor until I had a good opportunity yesterday. I was sitting at the computer Sunday helping Alayna do something that she was working on. As I was showing her on the computer I pointed at the red marks on the screen and exclaimed, "oh no! Someone drew all over the computer screen! That is not going to come off. I wonder who would do that!"
I looked at Alayna and asked her, "do you know who did this?"
Just then, Alayna's face got very sad and her eyes looked very guilty indeed. She stuck out her bottom lip in a sad little frown. She then took my right arm in her hand and lifted it up above her head and placed it on her shoulders. With her other hand, she grabbed my right hand and pulled it closer to my chest so that in essence I was hugging her close to me affectionately.
She then looked up at me with those wide and tear filled eyes and said, "I did it."
I then gave her a true hug with my arm that had been placed so carefully around her and told her thank you for telling me the truth and committed her to refrain from doing it again.
She has quite the technique, if I do say so myself! She is such a little cutie!
Birthday Take #2
In an effort to repent and do Jace's first birthday right, Aylee took the initiative and whipped up some yummy chocolate cupcakes to celebrate, once again, Jace's birthday.
After dinner, we quickly frosted Aylee's cupcakes with green and pink frosting. We put in a candle and sang happy birthday to Jace. After the singing, the kids were delighted that we gave Jace his very own cupcake. He spent the next 10 minutes devouring the cupcake. He pretty much ate the whole thing.
Thanks to Aylee, Jace had his first birthday done right! Way to go Aylee!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Hay and Peaches
Chloe and I went to Arbon on Wednesday and helped Dad haul the rest of the hay. It was fun to be out working in the fields with Dad. I always enjoy it. On Thursday, we relaxed for the first part of the day and then Mom and I stared canning her peaches. We got done about 10 pm and then got up on Friday and stared again. We ended up canning about 58 jars! It's so fun to look at all the jars of food we processed. I was hoping to get a picture of us and our work but it didn't ever happen.
Anyway, we had a fun few days on the farm with Dad and Mom.
Anyway, we had a fun few days on the farm with Dad and Mom.
Rocket Science
We woke up early on Saturday morning so that we could get the kids ready to go to the west desert to watch my friend, Matt Peterson, launch his largest rocket.
There is a rocket launching Association that meets once a month in the summer out in the west desert. Everyone that wants to, can bring their rockets that are set on pads and launched in an orderly fashion. They have an announcer that explains a little bit about each rocket and tells you which one is about to launch. The kids had a great time watching all of the rockets to both small and large go up in the air.
Because it was in the west desert, and because it was September, it was the perfect place for the kids. They all had a great time running around stirring up dust. Occasionally there would be a wind storm that would kick up even more dust. We were all pretty dusty by the end of the event.
We got there at 10:00 a.m. to watch the rockets. When we got there my friend Matt was already working on his rocket. His rocket was the largest one there. It took him just over an hour to assemble the rocket and prepare it for launch there at the site. There was a great deal of work that he had put into it and it was fun to watch him put it together. He was very patient with all the little kids that would gather around his card table at the back of his van and watch him assemble expensive pieces together in the intricate manner that was necessary for a successful launch. The kids asked him many questions and he politely answered every one of them. I could have never done that! If I talk and do something at the same time either I sound ridiculous or what I am working on gets really messed up.
The rocket itself stood over 6 feet tall. The fuel and motor that were required for this one launch cost $400 alone. Matt had installed a sensor device that would tell us how far in the air the rocket would travel. He also manned the rocket with two different parachutes to help it land gently enough so that it wouldn't be damaged.
When he had his rocket ready he took it up to the front announcer area. They sent him out to the farthest launch pad. It took him about 10 minutes to get it all set up and ready to go on the pad. When he came back, the announcer asked everyone to stand up and be on their feet due to the size of this rocket everyone had to be out of their cars and alert and watching the trajectory of the device once it launched.
After the five second countdown we watched eagerly but the rocket did not launch. Matt went out there again to check on things to determine why it wouldn't launch. Upon returning we eagerly counted down once again. However, for a second time, the rocket failed to ignite. We all had knots in our stomachs for Matt. There are a lot of things that go into a rocket and a lot of things he had to make sure were just right. Everyone was hoping that he'd be able to get it up today.
On his third trip out to the launch pad site he tried some different igniters that someone lent to him. I got out my camera for the third countdown just as I had for the other two. However the batteries on my camera were dead. I couldn't believe it! It had worked fine all up until that final launch. As we all counted down to zero from five, we waited eagerly for some sort of combustion that would propel the rocket up into the air.
At the zero count a bright purple flame ignited and shot from the bottom of the rocket and it quickly made its ascent up into the sky. The sound that it made as it ignited and flew was awesome! Everyone was in awe to see the big device rocketed up into the atmosphere. We watched as the rocket made its ultimate peak. By that time, the device that was larger than me was not visible to my eyes. The parachutes deployed properly and very soon we were able to spot the two parachutes as they helped the unmanned rocket float slowly back to Earth. It landed quite a ways away and Matt had to get into his van and go chase it down in order to return it.
After the successful flight of the rocket, we gathered around to listen to his device to tell us how high the rocket got. If I recall correctly, the altimeter said that it went 7650 some feet. I guess that makes it just over 1.2 miles. It was quite a sight to see!
The Peterson family was able to get a video of the rocket launching. If I can get my hands on it I will try to post to the blog.
There is a rocket launching Association that meets once a month in the summer out in the west desert. Everyone that wants to, can bring their rockets that are set on pads and launched in an orderly fashion. They have an announcer that explains a little bit about each rocket and tells you which one is about to launch. The kids had a great time watching all of the rockets to both small and large go up in the air.
Because it was in the west desert, and because it was September, it was the perfect place for the kids. They all had a great time running around stirring up dust. Occasionally there would be a wind storm that would kick up even more dust. We were all pretty dusty by the end of the event.
We got there at 10:00 a.m. to watch the rockets. When we got there my friend Matt was already working on his rocket. His rocket was the largest one there. It took him just over an hour to assemble the rocket and prepare it for launch there at the site. There was a great deal of work that he had put into it and it was fun to watch him put it together. He was very patient with all the little kids that would gather around his card table at the back of his van and watch him assemble expensive pieces together in the intricate manner that was necessary for a successful launch. The kids asked him many questions and he politely answered every one of them. I could have never done that! If I talk and do something at the same time either I sound ridiculous or what I am working on gets really messed up.
The rocket itself stood over 6 feet tall. The fuel and motor that were required for this one launch cost $400 alone. Matt had installed a sensor device that would tell us how far in the air the rocket would travel. He also manned the rocket with two different parachutes to help it land gently enough so that it wouldn't be damaged.
When he had his rocket ready he took it up to the front announcer area. They sent him out to the farthest launch pad. It took him about 10 minutes to get it all set up and ready to go on the pad. When he came back, the announcer asked everyone to stand up and be on their feet due to the size of this rocket everyone had to be out of their cars and alert and watching the trajectory of the device once it launched.
After the five second countdown we watched eagerly but the rocket did not launch. Matt went out there again to check on things to determine why it wouldn't launch. Upon returning we eagerly counted down once again. However, for a second time, the rocket failed to ignite. We all had knots in our stomachs for Matt. There are a lot of things that go into a rocket and a lot of things he had to make sure were just right. Everyone was hoping that he'd be able to get it up today.
On his third trip out to the launch pad site he tried some different igniters that someone lent to him. I got out my camera for the third countdown just as I had for the other two. However the batteries on my camera were dead. I couldn't believe it! It had worked fine all up until that final launch. As we all counted down to zero from five, we waited eagerly for some sort of combustion that would propel the rocket up into the air.
At the zero count a bright purple flame ignited and shot from the bottom of the rocket and it quickly made its ascent up into the sky. The sound that it made as it ignited and flew was awesome! Everyone was in awe to see the big device rocketed up into the atmosphere. We watched as the rocket made its ultimate peak. By that time, the device that was larger than me was not visible to my eyes. The parachutes deployed properly and very soon we were able to spot the two parachutes as they helped the unmanned rocket float slowly back to Earth. It landed quite a ways away and Matt had to get into his van and go chase it down in order to return it.
After the successful flight of the rocket, we gathered around to listen to his device to tell us how high the rocket got. If I recall correctly, the altimeter said that it went 7650 some feet. I guess that makes it just over 1.2 miles. It was quite a sight to see!
The Peterson family was able to get a video of the rocket launching. If I can get my hands on it I will try to post to the blog.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
New House
I thought that I would post a couple of pictures of my house. It is in a very pretty, established area of Modesto. There are so many beautiful older homes in this neighborhood. I am loving it here. I like to get up in the morning (or when I get home from work if it happens to be in the morning or evening) and sit in front of my big living room window and drink my V8 or carrot juice or tea. It is a nice way to wind down and relax.
I have been working the night shift the past few weeks, but now I will be working swing shift 2:00 to 10:00 pm for the next several weeks.
Things are starting to slow down at work as the peach season winds down. Soon, I might start getting 1 day off a week instead of 1 day off a month. Well, I can't wait to have some of you visit me here in Modesto.
5 out of 7
Well today dad woke me up for school and when I got dressed and came downstairs and asked dad, "Why aren't we doing scripures?" Well, dad told me that Mom and Aliece had throughn up and he wasen't feeling well. After I ate breakfast I was feeling prity horible. Dad had made me stay home from school. John's sickness went away a couple of days ago. That makes 5 out of 7, And on Jace's Birthday too!
Lots of love, A's
Lots of love, A's
Jace's First Birthday
You would think that everyone was so excited to celebrate Jace's birthday in that the majority of us got up shortly after midnight. However, it was not to eat ice cream and cake. Amber was the first to wake up when she ran to the bathroom to vomit in the toilet. Aliece was not far behind. I was up throughout the night helping the two of them, but then I started to feel sick also.
When I woke Aylee and Johnathan up for school, Aylee ate her breakfast and then started complaining of a tummy ache. So, I sent her to bed. Johnathan was the only one able to go to school that day.
Jace has not been feeling well all week long. We think he has the same thing. He was doing okay today, however, but he was still not his happy-go-lucky self.
We were glad that Jace doesn't really understand birthdays yet. We all would lay around the floor holding our throw up bowls while we would toss a present over to Jace to peer into and play with. He still had a good time, however, we will all were just lucky to be there.
I hope that the poor boy doesn't feel slighted when he grows up. His birthday cake and happy birthday song portion of the celebration for the day constituted a pancake at dinner with a candle stuck in the middle. Just before we all dug in to our own pancakes halfheartedly as we wondered what our stomachs would do, we snapped this picture of Jace while we sang happy birthday.
Amber and I joked around saying "well you can tell he is a fifth child". But, that is really not the truth. We would have really had a big celebration have we all been well. It is true that he is the fifth child and so all of this is not so new to us. However, his siblings are at the age where all of this is so exciting and important to them. There is no other way we could have gotten around with this light of a celebration had they not all been sick on the very same day.
Monday, September 15, 2008
34 Years Old!
I had a very good day on my birthday this Monday. I had to work, however, because we have some people from Toronto visiting our office. So, I spent most of my birthday in a series of meetings. Amber, Alayna, and Jace met me at Ruby River for lunch. We had a great time together, except for when Jace choked on a crouton and vomited all over the restaurant table. It took about six nice cloth napkins to get it all cleaned up and wrapped up in a way that the waitress could take it without getting her hands dirty.
Once I got home from work, Amber prepared a nice dinner of ribs and mashed potatoes. That is one of my most favorite meals. We then held family home evening for Aylee taught a very nice lesson about latter-day prophets. For the activity, Aliece chose that we dance to some music and an open some of my presents.
Amber made a cake with some pour on frosting. So we had that for dessert. The cake looked pretty with the pour on frosting over it, however, it was a little done so the frosting was really hard. It looked really cool and made it fun to eat.
Thanks to everyone for their birthday greetings this week and for keeping me in their thoughts. 34 is an interesting age for me. It no longer feels like I am in my early 30s when I say that I am 34. I now have to say that I'm in my mid-30s! Old age really creeps up on you!
Once I got home from work, Amber prepared a nice dinner of ribs and mashed potatoes. That is one of my most favorite meals. We then held family home evening for Aylee taught a very nice lesson about latter-day prophets. For the activity, Aliece chose that we dance to some music and an open some of my presents.
Amber made a cake with some pour on frosting. So we had that for dessert. The cake looked pretty with the pour on frosting over it, however, it was a little done so the frosting was really hard. It looked really cool and made it fun to eat.
Thanks to everyone for their birthday greetings this week and for keeping me in their thoughts. 34 is an interesting age for me. It no longer feels like I am in my early 30s when I say that I am 34. I now have to say that I'm in my mid-30s! Old age really creeps up on you!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
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Garden
We planted a garden before we moved into our house so we would hopefully be able to get a bit of a crop. It has been a lot of fun. It's not a very big garden and we have plans for a bigger one next year! However, our garden has done really well and this is a picture of one of our raddishes we forgot to pull earlier. We did cut it up and ate most of it but it was really hot!
Idaho State Fair
Last week we met up with Dad and Mom for an evening at the Idaho State Fair. We enjoyed the petting zoo but Chloe thoroughly enjoyed it. She saw horses, an emu (sp?), pigs, goats and dogs. They let you walk around in the pen with all the little goats and the emu. Chloe loved the animals. It sure does make us want to have some land so we can have a few animals for Chloe to enjoy. She was in heaven. Here's a little video showing a bit of her excitement.
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Dad, Mom and I went to a booth and danced to a song that showed our heads on different bodies. Then they gave us a copy of the DVD. They were showing it on a big screen and Chloe wasn't too sure about seeing us all that way.
We enjoyed taking in all the sites and smells of the fair and grabbed an ice cream cone on our way out. Another fun year at the fair!
Work Crew
I took the day off of work on Friday so that Amber and I could spend the entire day working on the front yard. We kept very busy and planted 33 plants, bushes, and shrubs. We redid some edging and created a flower bed around the flagpole. One thing that we did not get completed was putting bark in all of the newly planted beds.
On Saturday, Amber had an all day relief society retreat. She left at 6:30 a.m. I was left at home to watch all of the kids.
My goal was to get all of the bark spread out in all the beds by the time that Amber had gotten home. I enlisted each one of the kids in the process.
Aylee was my spreader. I would dump the bark in a pile and she would spread it out in the bed being careful not to cover up the plants that we had just planted yesterday.
Aliece and Johnathan and Alayna worked in the pickup truck. Their job was to push the bark to the rear of the truck so that I could easily put into the wheelbarrow. They were very efficient and did a terrific job.
Jace crawled around and played in the dirt. He occasionally sampled different varieties of dirt and rocks. He kept very busy and was extremely tired by the time we got done -- which was about 1 p.m.
I was really proud with the attitude that the kids had with being put to work all morning long. We had a good time working together -- it was just a lot of fun.
Once we got done with the yard, the kids started to clean their rooms. Jace was really tired so I put him to bed. While they were cleaning their rooms, I left them to go to the store to pick up Aylee's bike from the shop. I was so proud of the kids with their hard work that I stopped by the grocery store and bought lots of chocolates and candies and a half a gallon of ice cream.
Once they had finished their rooms, I brought them downstairs and we had an ice cream bar party. They loved it! About the time we were finishing up our ice cream party, Amber showed up and caught us in the act.
I was really surprised that everybody had a good attitude and a happy disposition throughout the day. They all had late nights -- Aylee had a sleepover, and Johnathan had a late birthday party for a friend. Despite their lack of sleep they were all able to enjoy the day together.
It was one of those perfect days.
On Saturday, Amber had an all day relief society retreat. She left at 6:30 a.m. I was left at home to watch all of the kids.
My goal was to get all of the bark spread out in all the beds by the time that Amber had gotten home. I enlisted each one of the kids in the process.
Aylee was my spreader. I would dump the bark in a pile and she would spread it out in the bed being careful not to cover up the plants that we had just planted yesterday.
Aliece and Johnathan and Alayna worked in the pickup truck. Their job was to push the bark to the rear of the truck so that I could easily put into the wheelbarrow. They were very efficient and did a terrific job.
Jace crawled around and played in the dirt. He occasionally sampled different varieties of dirt and rocks. He kept very busy and was extremely tired by the time we got done -- which was about 1 p.m.
I was really proud with the attitude that the kids had with being put to work all morning long. We had a good time working together -- it was just a lot of fun.
Once we got done with the yard, the kids started to clean their rooms. Jace was really tired so I put him to bed. While they were cleaning their rooms, I left them to go to the store to pick up Aylee's bike from the shop. I was so proud of the kids with their hard work that I stopped by the grocery store and bought lots of chocolates and candies and a half a gallon of ice cream.
Once they had finished their rooms, I brought them downstairs and we had an ice cream bar party. They loved it! About the time we were finishing up our ice cream party, Amber showed up and caught us in the act.
I was really surprised that everybody had a good attitude and a happy disposition throughout the day. They all had late nights -- Aylee had a sleepover, and Johnathan had a late birthday party for a friend. Despite their lack of sleep they were all able to enjoy the day together.
It was one of those perfect days.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Alayna's Letter
On Friday, while we were all working/playing in the yard, the mailman came and delivered our mail. Alayna ran to him to get the mail from him.
She was really excited to see that one of the letters had her name on it. Grandma Dorma had written her a very nice letter as a followup to her recent interview! Alayna sure was happy to get her very own letter.
She was really excited to see that one of the letters had her name on it. Grandma Dorma had written her a very nice letter as a followup to her recent interview! Alayna sure was happy to get her very own letter.
How many people does it take to plant a tree?
The other day we got a free tree from Provo city. Ellen Kosmicki picked it up for us because Johnathan and Jace were both sick. Yesterday, as we were working in the yard Alayna pointed to the tree and said, "daddy, you and I need to plant that tree just like we planted it last year with Grandpa Andersen."
I told her that we would need to do that. Then she said, "Is Grandpa Andersen going to come down and help us?"
I guess since dad helped Alayna and I plant a tree last year that it is now his job to come and help us plant every tree that we get!
I told her that we would need to do that. Then she said, "Is Grandpa Andersen going to come down and help us?"
I guess since dad helped Alayna and I plant a tree last year that it is now his job to come and help us plant every tree that we get!
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Grandma Dorma Report
Alayna was given a report template wherein she was supposed to interview a grandparent. She was supposed to have a parent fill out the responses on this piece of paper. They would then review and talk about the grandparent at their next preschool class day.
Amber asked Alayna who she would like to interview. She said you have Grandma Reed or Grandma Andersen. Alayna was adamant, "I want to call Grandma Dorma".
We had called to explain to Grandma Dorma what would be happening. We told her that Alayna would be calling her but Amber would be on the phone to help.
When the time came to call Grandma, Alayna was having a very hard morning. She didn't want to go to preschool and she didn't want to make the phone call. She was being shy and grumpy. Amber ended up having to ask most of the questions.
After Alayna delivered her report preschool, however, she was all excited about the report and about preschool.
We sure thought it was funny that out of her grandmas that she sees quite often, she was so sure she wanted to interview Grandma Dorma. We enjoy our visits with Grandma, however, they are not as often as our visits with her other grandmas.
Here is a copy of that report from the interview that Alayna made to Grandma Dorma.
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Amber asked Alayna who she would like to interview. She said you have Grandma Reed or Grandma Andersen. Alayna was adamant, "I want to call Grandma Dorma".
We had called to explain to Grandma Dorma what would be happening. We told her that Alayna would be calling her but Amber would be on the phone to help.
When the time came to call Grandma, Alayna was having a very hard morning. She didn't want to go to preschool and she didn't want to make the phone call. She was being shy and grumpy. Amber ended up having to ask most of the questions.
After Alayna delivered her report preschool, however, she was all excited about the report and about preschool.
We sure thought it was funny that out of her grandmas that she sees quite often, she was so sure she wanted to interview Grandma Dorma. We enjoy our visits with Grandma, however, they are not as often as our visits with her other grandmas.
Here is a copy of that report from the interview that Alayna made to Grandma Dorma.
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Thursday, September 11, 2008
America's History
Aylee was playing with Audacity, free recording software that I have used in the past. I was exercising for an hour and by the time I was done she had combined this five-part rendition of a song that she learned from school.
I was pretty amazed that she could learn how to do and combine all those parts so quickly.
She wanted to blog it, but I had to upload it to one of my web servers in order for it to get to the blog. You can access it by clicking on this link:
http://www.wishtips.com/temp/america_history.mp3
I was pretty amazed that she could learn how to do and combine all those parts so quickly.
She wanted to blog it, but I had to upload it to one of my web servers in order for it to get to the blog. You can access it by clicking on this link:
http://www.wishtips.com/temp/america_history.mp3
Knock, Knock
Another confession from already identified neglectful parents...
Yesterday, we were busy getting ready for dinner. Jace was crawling around the kitchen and we all were trying not to step on him.
After a while, Amber and I looked at each other at the same time as we both subconsciously realized that we hadn't seen Jace for quite a while.
Both of us asked the kids, 'where is Jace?'
We started to look around the kitchen. Before long we heard this very soft knocking noise at the kitchen door going into the garage. We opened it up and sure enough, somehow Jace had gotten into the garage unnoticed and was playing in there by himself. However, he was grateful to be let back ing the house!
Yesterday, we were busy getting ready for dinner. Jace was crawling around the kitchen and we all were trying not to step on him.
After a while, Amber and I looked at each other at the same time as we both subconsciously realized that we hadn't seen Jace for quite a while.
Both of us asked the kids, 'where is Jace?'
We started to look around the kitchen. Before long we heard this very soft knocking noise at the kitchen door going into the garage. We opened it up and sure enough, somehow Jace had gotten into the garage unnoticed and was playing in there by himself. However, he was grateful to be let back ing the house!
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Should I Laugh or Cry?!?!
In our house we have a snitch. Actually, we have 3. They range in age from 8-4, and they are continually snitching items from the pantry. Thus, I am continually on the lookout for signs of the snitchers. I look for wrappers, sticky fingers, messy faces and chewing mouths. When confronted with these pieces of evidence, the guilty usually cast their eyes down and admit their offense. Well, today I came downstairs and saw my 4-year chewing vigorously. I thought to myself, "Yes! Evidence!" I sweetly asked, "Layna, what's in your mouth?" To my suprise, she didn't look a bit guilty or "caught in the act." She looked up confidently, smiled as she shrugged her shoulders and said, "Just boogers!"
Should I Laugh or Cry?!?!
In our house we have a snitch. Actually, we have 3. They range in age from 8-4, and they are continually snitching items from the pantry. Thus, I am continually on the lookout for signs of the snitchers. I look for wrappers, sticky fingers, messy faces and chewing mouths. When confronted with these pieces of evidence, the guilty usually cast their eyes down and admit their offense. Well, today I came downstairs and saw my 4-year chewing vigorously. I thought to myself, "Yes! Evidence!" I sweetly asked, "Layna, what's in your mouth?" To my suprise, she didn't look a bit guilty or "caught in the act." She looked up confidently, smiled as she shrugged her shoulders and said, "Just boogers!"
Monday, September 08, 2008
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
This afternoon was the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new elementary school that our children attend. Since our neighborhood worked very hard to lobby for this school, we felt like we needed to show up to celebrate. There was a huge crowd, many were from our neighborhood.
All of the fifth-graders formed a choir for the ceremony. Aylee was on the front row of the choir at the very end of her row. After their song, we said the Pledge of Allegiance and then they cut the ribbon. Following the ceremony, we all went to the playground area and had hot dogs and chips as a big community picnic.
It was fun to sit and visit with all of our neighbors and friends. The kids had a great time visiting and play on the playground also.
The following is a small video clip of Aylee with the fifth grade choir.
The Enviro Genius
I don't want to talk trash all night, but I had something else that I wanted to share with you that I forgot to talk about in the last blog post. I am such a freaking genius that I have a hard time keeping it to myself. The light bulb over my head this time is shining a bright "green" as my thought is environmentally conscious and could save Provo taxpayers thousands of dollars. (Well, maybe not each taxpayer but the tax paying populace as a whole).
As I was outside looking over my recyclables that weren't really my recyclables, I saw the garbage truck coming up our street. I walked into the house without thinking about the whole garbage truck thing. However, when I was getting on my motorcycle to go to work, I saw the same garbage truck coming back on her street as it picked up the trash cans on the other side of the street.
This is where my inspiration struck me. I thought to myself, our city garbage men could save half the gas that they consume weekly if they were to instruct all Provo residents to place their garbage cans on only one side of the street. This would prevent garbage trucks from having to drive up a street and then back down.
Gas consumption would decrease, city fuel bills would drop in half -- almost, and there would be that much less gas fumes destroying our fragile ecosystem.
I'm thinking of sending a letter to the city!
Rogue Recycler
Just before bed last night, I took the garbage can and the recycle bin out to the street. Usually our cans are emptied the early in the morning. I got up this morning before the garbage truck had come, and made breakfast for the kids. There were some items from the breakfast that could be recycled so I took them out to the recycle bin.
When I got the recycle bin it was somewhat overflowing. I looked inside and found that someone had put a bunch of their recyclable items in our recycle bin. I wasn't sure what to think of that. I'm glad that they felt like they could recycle some items. However, it just seems weird to put stuff in other people's recycle bins.
So, the mystery begins. If this happens on a regular basis my curiosity is going to get the best of me and I'm going to have to hold a stakeout! I'll let you know what I find!
When I got the recycle bin it was somewhat overflowing. I looked inside and found that someone had put a bunch of their recyclable items in our recycle bin. I wasn't sure what to think of that. I'm glad that they felt like they could recycle some items. However, it just seems weird to put stuff in other people's recycle bins.
So, the mystery begins. If this happens on a regular basis my curiosity is going to get the best of me and I'm going to have to hold a stakeout! I'll let you know what I find!
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Game Boy Advanced
Today we went to a yard sale and each kid got to come out at least one time and see if they would like to buy something. Well dad came in and told me and John that there were two Game Boy's. Of corse we asked how much and dad said $15 for the chepest one John only had a few $'s so I hopped out and we went to see them, one was chargable but was $25 and the other one was only $15, but it took batteries and each one comes with one game. I bought the $25 one and bought the other game for $5 but just to tell you, Game Boy Advanced games are going on to my wish list.
"For now from me Natasha, Bye Bye!!!!"
(A's)
"For now from me Natasha, Bye Bye!!!!"
(A's)
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Our Bobcat
Tonight, during pack meeting, Johnathan received his Bobcat award in Cub Scouts. He actually would have received it last month, but Amber chose to postpone it since I was in India. Johnathan had the honor of pinning the Bobcat pin on Amber during the meeting.
Before the pack meeting, I snapped a picture of Aylee and Johnathan. As you can tell from the picture, Aylee really wishes that Boy Scouts included girls. She wore her neckerchief and other ornaments to the pack meeting.
As if to make this pack meeting official, and as my entrance into true Cub Scout-iness we purchased our first space Derby kit. It sounds like the next pack meeting or so will be the space Derby. I need to become a true Cub Scout father and do whatever it takes to make sure Johnathan's rocket wins the event -- no matter what!
Before the pack meeting, I snapped a picture of Aylee and Johnathan. As you can tell from the picture, Aylee really wishes that Boy Scouts included girls. She wore her neckerchief and other ornaments to the pack meeting.
As if to make this pack meeting official, and as my entrance into true Cub Scout-iness we purchased our first space Derby kit. It sounds like the next pack meeting or so will be the space Derby. I need to become a true Cub Scout father and do whatever it takes to make sure Johnathan's rocket wins the event -- no matter what!
First Day of Preschool
Alayna started preschool today. She has been waiting for this day for many weeks. As you can tell from the picture she was very excited to go. She had an enthusiastic report to give to us during dinner tonight. She is so excited to be a schoolgirl now.
This means that Amber and Jace have the house to themselves a couple times a week. While! That is kind of weird. Before we know it, Amber will find herself all alone. That sure is a weird thing to think of.
Male Bonding
It sure was a lot of fun to go to the State fair on Monday. I can't remember the last time I have been. It was great to be with dad and the boys. Thanks dad for being such a good sport and doing the weather for us. I should have taken your DVD and posted it on youtube! You did a mighty fine job.
It was great to see Joe again. Joe I wish you the best down there in California. It sounds like you have been busy. Let's just make sure that you end up here for Thanksgiving.
Thanks everyone for making it a fun weekend.
It was great to see Joe again. Joe I wish you the best down there in California. It sounds like you have been busy. Let's just make sure that you end up here for Thanksgiving.
Thanks everyone for making it a fun weekend.
Jumping In!
On Saturday, we took the kids to probably their last swim of the year. We had a only a few more punches left on our swimming punch card. Johnathan had been bragging about how he was going to jump off the diving board this time. Deep down inside, I thought he was just talking big talk.
However, when we entered the pool, Johnathan went straight for the diving boards. He wanted to go right away. I thought it might be best if he tried swimming first so that he can work out any kinks that he may have with swimming. We swam for just a few minutes. However, Johnathan kept begging to go to the diving boards. So I decided that he would probably be fine and we went over to the diving boards. He was not even nervous at all! He got on the diving board and just ran full board and jumped off.
I couldn't keep Johnathan off the diving board for the rest of the day. I had to finally pull him off a couple of times to have him take a break so that he wouldn't exhaust himself and die out in the middle of swimming back to the side of the pool.
We got a couple of videos of the jumps. The first video is of Aylee and Johnathan jumping together. The next video is of Johnathan and myself jumping. It is funny that just last time we went to the pool, we couldn't even hardly convince Johnathan to jump off the side of the pool into 5 feet of water.
Amber and I had decided that we would leave at 3:00 p.m. Right at three o'clock we are getting ready to get out of the pool. Just as we were doing so, there was an announcement that they needed to do a pool check in the kiddie pool. We got out of the pool and started getting ready to leave. As we were walking out, we saw pool in employees in the pool with nets, a bucket, and a bottle of chlorine. They were polling little brown chunks out of the water. Hmmmm, it didn't take much imagination to wonder what that was! We were glad that we were already done for the day.
See the Videos Below:
Aylee & Johnathan Jumping off at Same Time
John & John Jumping off diving board
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