Mid February

We have had some fun times the past few weeks. We went and saw the Lego movie, which was "Awesome" and re-invigorated the kids desire to build Legos, even though Dad had "packed them away" for our upcoming move. Oh well, the basement is now covered with Legos again. Here is a castle Cam built.

 We had a fun Valentines breakfast at our home. For Valentines night, Vera Lyn and I decided we should celebrate our engagement as a family. We thus went out to dinner with all 7 kids and then on to a trampoline park for 2 hours. It was a lot of fun and great to see the kids interacting and have a good time together. Vera Lyn and I noticed a stark difference in the noise level int he car pre and post jumping. 7 energized kids can make a lot of noise, but 7 wiped out kids are very very quite.

We celebrated Heidi's brother Ryan's birthday with him and some other family and friends. So great to see them.

Engaged!!!

Yesterday, February 11, I purposed to the most amazing woman, Vera Lyn, and luckily for me, she said yes. We will be married this spring and are very excited to start anew and to begin a fresh life together. Vera Lyn has 3 children and teaches music at an elementary school. Her late husband, Brian, passed away several yeas ago from cancer. Though we both honor and respect the time and memories with our first spouses, we feel so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed us to find each other at this time.



We wanted the children to be a part of the proposal as well, as this is much more than just a marriage between two people, it is the combining of the lives of 9 individuals. The kids and I made signs and took pictures of the kids holding the the signs around the Mt. Timpanogas Temple. I then gave Vera Lyn a photo album of the pictures, just before kneeling down and asking for her hand. The kids are very excited as well.

Klondike Camping

Each year the Ward Scout troop goes on a Klondike camp-out, camping int he freezing snow, doesn't that sound like fun. Cam went this past weekend and said it was cold (below 10 degrees) but fun, especially the tubing.

End of January

January ended another school term. All the kids did well, but Kaylie made the Honor Roll again at her Junior high. I believe she has made all but 1 or 2 out of the 10 possible since she has been at Centerville Jr. High, way to go Kaylie, she tries hard and really cares, which is a great blessing to Dad.

Vera Lyn and I went on a date to the Ice Castles in Midway, it was neat, a lot of really cool ice formations. It was very cold though, so if you go, be prepared.

We had dinner today with my sister Deeanna, her cat was very intrigued by a game Kaylie was playing on her iPod, something about a little birdy.

I also finally finished updating the master bath in my house. Heidi always wanted it done, and I started over the summer, but slow went the work with so many other priorities. But is is done, no more Pink and flower tiles in the shower, no more orange cupboards, and no more pink Formica counter top. It looks so much better now, don't you think.

Skiing at Brighton

The kids school district gave them a four day weekend for Martin Luther King's holiday, so we went skiing at Brighton with our friends the Williams on Tuesday. It was great. Warm and no crowds. The kids did awesome, the have all skied several times now, and had a blast. I was worried Kyler would take a while to get the hang of it, but he came out and hit the snow flying and never looked back. In fast slowing him down to keep some control was always the issue, he pointed his skis and went, fast. They all did great, even skiing over the terrain park, and going all the way up to the top of the mountain and down again a few times.

Last few weeks

It seems like a lot has happened over the past few weeks though not many photos have been taken to show them, but here are some highlights. Kyler was MVP of his class. This meant Dad could come in and read to the class and have lunch with Kyler. He certainly is an MVP. Kyler also went to his Baptism Preview today. Yes Kyler will turn 8 this year and be baptized, I can't believe it. I can hear his Mom saying right now, through choked tears, "I can't believe my baby is old enough to get baptized this year." I am certain she will not miss this event.

Dallyn did a fun Science project where he timed a snow board to see if it would go fastest with weight in the front, middle or back. His hypothesis was that in the back would be fastest as the front would then be raised. He was wrong, the middle was fastest as it traveled much straighter with the weight evenly balanced.

Cam is still swimming hard and often as well has hanging out with friends and quickly becoming a proficient drummer.

Kaylie went to her first Youth Dance as a 14 year old, yes she matures a lot every day.

Dad, still spends a lot of time in Utah county ... work and a certain love interest, Vera Lyn, both happen to be there.

We also were sorting through some keepsakes and the kids came across Mom's old record player. They were quite intrigued.

We went ice skating Saturday with several families from the ward, that was fun, but boy it hurts your feet.

Christmas Break

Over Christmas Break we did a number of real fun things including spending time with Grandpa and Grandma Black, Classic Fun Center, Get Air and seeing Frozen (multiple times)

Christmas Caroling