I have had a stack of children’s art project on my desk that have needed to be scanned for weeks. I decided to take care of that today and started the process. Some had to be scanned in two part on the flatbed scanner and then re-assembled in GIMP. Others were sent through the sheet-fed scanner. The kids slowly trickled into my office to see what I was doing and to watch me at work.

When Greyson finally decided to take a look, the task took a new twist. He decided to smash his face against the flatbed scanner. I told him to close his eyes tight and then hit the scan button.

The result is quite funny! It really looks like he ran face first into a sliding glass door!

That of course led to the rest of the kids wanting to scan themselves. The little girls were too scared to do their faces, so they scanned their hands. These turned out awesome, so I decided to have all of the kids do it. The result was the image at the beginning of this post. I think this will make a great Mother’s Day present for Michelle. I am also working on getting my siblings to scan their families’ hands and will do a compilation for Mom for Mother’s Day.

I had a great time with the kids and playing around with the scanner. Who knew that scanning could be so much fun?!

Gavin – August 2012, St. George trip

Last winter, Michelle and I decided to take the two youngest boys swimming once a week. On Friday mornings, I would go to the gym and workout and swim laps and then after Michelle had dropped the girls off at school, she would come to the rec center and we would swim with the boys.

As spring came and then school got out, we stopped swimming together. This winter, I took some time off from working out. After being back for a few weeks, we decided we should start swimming together again. Today was our first time to do it. McKay was a little apprehensive to begin, but warmed up very quickly. With his flippers and floaties on, he would go anywhere. Gavin just had flippers and was a little more hesitant. He seemed to have forgotten that he can swim around on his own with flippers. He would dive down and swim, but when it came time for him to get a breath, he would stand back up. If we tried to take him to deeper water, he would refuse to go or hold on to one of us for dear life. Hopefully we will be able to swim each week. As he gets more comfortable in the water again, I am sure he will get right back to swimming around. Of course, when it came time to go, both boys threw fits about having to leave.

It was fun to play at the pool with them and I hope it will be something they remember as they grow up.

McKay – August 2012, St. George trip

I have been avoiding my blog for several weeks now. Posting was becoming a task that I did not look forward to. Although there are things for which to be thankful everyday, I was feeling like I had to come up with something significant each day to post. This seemed to defeat the purpose of my goal for posting my gratitude. I am thankful for the small things in each day — my schedule working out to make it to soccer games, unanticipated closings that help me make a little more money, hugs from my kids, etc. — but I want my postings to be about the extra things that happen in life. I want to consciously recognize and express gratitude for those. My renewed goal is to post and share those moments; not to force myself to post every day. I hope that this will make my writing more enjoyable and share deep, heartfelt gratitude.

In that spirit, I want to express gratitude for good music. I love piano music and subscribe to The Piano Guys’ YouTube channel. Jon Schmidt and Steve Share Nelson are amazing. This last week, they released a new music video for their arrangement of O Come, O Come Emmanuel. The setting is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints‘ Jerusalem set in Goshen. The music is inspiring and uplifting and the LDS Church’s version of the video is even more impressive. Check out both versions and enjoy the spirit of Christmas!

Snow?! Well, fall is falling and winter is quickly approaching. This was the view from the back porch this morning. Although I’m not sure I am ready for winter and snow, I am grateful to live where we have all four seasons.

Yes, it has been a week since I last posted.

Tonight, Michelle and I went to dinner and then to see South Pacific at Hale Center Theater. It was a fantastic evening and I appreciate Michelle always being mindful of great date-night activities!

I have a client buying a condo in Springville and we are quickly approaching our settlement deadline. The lender is not someone I recommended or have had experience with in the past, which always makes me nervous. The loan hasn’t gone as smoothly as I would have liked, but today there seemed to be several small miracles helping our cause. Paperwork that we thought would be difficult to get, actually came together quickly and the lender has everything he needs from us. Internally, he has one more item to get and hopefully it will all come together to close on Thursday as scheduled!

This was from a tournament Grey played in a couple of summers ago.

The kids have been on Fall Break since Thursday. Michelle suggested that Grey and I go golfing and use the gift certificate I received from her parents. Grey’s friend Dakota came, too. We had a great time. I had the best round of golf I have had in years. I shot a 45 – bogey golf, which is good for me. I had 3 par’s, 3 bogey’s and 3 double-bogey’s. I didn’t lose a ball and I hit the ball well. I was a little off line a few times and left a few putts short, thus the double-bogey’s, but I was very happy with the way I played and it was fun to hang out with Grey and Dakota.

Sunday, Sunday, Some Day!

It was Fast Sunday today, which means that I had father’s interviews with each of the kids to see how they are doing. It’s nice to hear them say that school is going well and they don’t have any problems. I imagine we are getting closer and closer to the age where that won’t always be the case; but, today, I am grateful they are doing well.

I haven’t done so well at having pictures for my posts lately. I’ve got to think about that more.

Grey, dad, and I went to the shooting range at the Orem Rec. Center today. We had 2 lanes reserved for 30 minutes, but it was extremely slow today, so we were able to stay as long as we wanted. We shot for about an hour and 15 minutes. We shot my .22 rifle and .40 Glock and Blaine’s .22 handgun and his new spring-action pellet gun. The real purpose was to site in the scope on the pellet gun, but there was plenty of time to shoot everything, almost as much as Grey wanted. I’m sure he could have stayed a few more hours! He has been wanting to go shooting for the last few months, so I am glad dad set it up and we were able to go.

Another win for Brook’s soccer team! They lost 1-0 the last time they played Hot Shots; but this time, on their home field, they played really well and won 3-0. I’m thankful they are getting some wins and hope it will boost their confidence.

Grey had a soccer game in Park City today. Thankfully, they won 6-1. It always make the drive not quite so bad when they win.

On the way home, we stopped at Taco Bell/KFC in Heber to eat dinner. All the kids except Brook were with us. It was fun to sit and eat. The kids ate well and McKay provided great entertainment, as always!

This blogging project of mine is so much more difficult than I imagined! When I have a hard day, it is difficult to find things for which I am grateful. That sounds a little harsh because I am always grateful for my family, a home to live in, health, etc. However, it can be hard to find something special about the day; and some days, I just want the day to be over so I can wake up and have a fresh start. This is what I hope will change as I continue to do this.

I had a nice visit with my friend, Paul Bunker, today. Paul is a single dad, raising six kids. His oldest daughter is going to UVU and his oldest son is playing golf for BYU Hawaii. Paul inspires me with the way he faces life’s challenges and with how he strives to do what he knows is right (except root for the University of Utah!). I am always uplifted after a conversation with him. Thanks, Paul!

Temple Square during General Conference on Saturday, October 6, 2012

We enjoyed a wonderful weekend of General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love hearing the counsel and encouragement from Church leaders. General Conference always helps me re-focus on the important things in life and makes me want to be a better father, husband, and servant.

I took some time to watch the presidential debate from last night. I am grateful to live in this free country where we elect our officials and have the opportunity to hear differing views on how we should be governed.

Four-wheeling on the Paiute Trail!

On September 26, I wrote about Nate Back’s mission call. Today, Nate and I went to lunch. We had a great time talking about Russia and the great opportunity he will have to serve as a missionary in Samara.

just above Sundance Resort

Today I rode the Alpine Loop on my bike. It was a 40+ mile ride that included a 10-mile climb up American Fork Canyon and then a 9-mile descent down past Sundance Resort. It was a challenging and beautiful ride. I definitely enjoyed it more this year than last year when I rode up the Sundance side! Here are some pictures:

view from the top of the Alpine Loop

panorama from the top of the Alpine Loop

panorama just past the ranger’s station on the Sundance side

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8)

I am grateful for Sunday. I get a break from the grind of daily living; the kids don’t have activities; we go to church and are uplifted by talks and lessons. As a kid, I didn’t like Sundays at all! But as an adult, I have really come to appreciate the wise counsel from God to keep the sabbath day holy.

What a long day! Really, what made it long was driving 2 hours to Logan for Grey’s soccer game and then another 2 hours home. At least they won 5-2! Grey’s friend Jake rode up with us. We decided to stop in Ogden with the Gardners to have dinner at Maple Garden. We had great Chinese food; the boys had a great time being teenage boys; and I enjoyed getting to know Tom and Malisalee. It really made up for the long drive!

A resounding BYU football victory over Hawaii! After the last two games, it was nice to be able to relax during a game and just enjoy a blowout win!

Delicious smoothie after a great bike ride! (No, this is not the picture of the actual smoothie.)

Drama Theater – Samara, Russia

Nate Back received his mission call today – Samara, Russia! Of course, I am very excited for him to go to Russia. It made me think of the young men that I worked with as the deacon’s quorum adviser and scoutmaster that are now serving or soon will be serving as missionaries. I am grateful for their willingness to serve the Lord and set a good example for the young men that will follow.

I am grateful for “daily bread“; those things that help pay our bills for one more day.

Leyton Grove pavilion

I had a nice phone conversation with David Bagwell today. He called about some work I had done for him 10 years ago, and we ended up talking about family, faith, and a little bit of politics. I am very grateful for that day more than 17 years ago when Damian Vest and I made a cold call to David looking for summer work after returning from our LDS missions and before heading back to BYU. That led to good work that summer, full-time work in the future and relationship that will last a lifetime!

Today was the dedication of the Brigham City temple. We have been blessed to be able to attend 3 temple dedications in the last few years. It was a special experience and one I am grateful to have shared not only with Michelle, but with Greyson, Brook and Alyssa too.Here are some more pictures of the temple:

St. George Temple, St. George, Utah

I had an amazing experience today! Michelle and I drove to St. George because we were invited to attend the sealing of Olivia to her mom, Katrine, and her adopted dad, Brad Baker, in the St. George, Utah LDS temple. It’s always great to be in the temple, especially for a sealing. This was actually my first opportunity to be in a live ordinance where a child was being sealed to her parents. I was deeply impacted as I witnessed this special occasion. It struck me that this is what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about. We talk about it and we know it intellectually, but I was witnessing the goal of eternity – families sealed together! The Holy Ghost powerfully testified that this is essential to eternal life with our families and our Heavenly Father. I am profoundly grateful to have been in that sealing room today!

Brook’s soccer team won their first game this season tonight! Finally, the pieces came together and they were able to score multiple goals and hold off the opposing team. Congratulations Xtreme Heat!

Today was an off day. I spent the day in American Fork so that we could go to Grey’s soccer game in Ogden. We drove all that way and his team lost a 2-0 lead at halftime to end in a tie. The team’s play was a bit lackadaisical, one of the club directors coached as our coach had another game he had to be at so Greyson didn’t play much since the director doesn’t know him (he usually plays at least half the game), so it was a frustrating tie. We got home late, the kids were tired and they got to bed late. I’m having a hard time feeling grateful tonight. I’m realizing this is a lot harder than it initially seemed! (Notice that I missed Monday, September 17th all together.)

Today’s gratitude continues on the same lines as yeserday’s. I had an unexpected closing this afternoon in Sandy. (I’m always grateful for closings!) 4:15p closings in Salt Lake County mean that I end up driving home in rush hour traffic. With the I-15 construction in Utah County, traffic was especially bad from Pleasant Grove to Orem, so I decided to get off the freeway in American Fork and take State Street into Orem. As I pulled up to the light to make my left turn onto 800 North in Orem, I looked over at the car next to me and there were Michelle and the kids waving and smiling at me. Again, I am grateful for unexpected encounters with my family!

Yesterday, Michelle dropped the kids off at school and came back home (as opposed to staying in American Fork) until she had to go pick up the kids from school. Today, I ended up with a closing in Riverton, so on my way back to Provo, I called to see if she wanted to go to lunch. Nothing fancy, just Taco Bell. All the same, it was nice to be with her (and McKay) for lunch again. I’m grateful for the unexpected chances to be with my beautiful wife!