Photo Friday - Beijing

I'm currently sitting in a taxi on my way to the airport to come home from my trip in China. It is actually not Friday for me anymore, but hey, sometimes you can take advantage of the opportunity.

The following is a picture from the Beijing Acrobatics Show. She is balanced on chairs stacked on top of each other. Pretty amazing. If you are ever in Beijing, I highly recommend the show.

Photo Friday -- The Arm

So here is for updating:

Here is the application of the original 5 pound brick of plaster to hold both my wrist and elbow.  It was so heavy and miserable.  I was very grateful to have that one removed.

Then, when we were told the elbow was fine there was a splint we had at home but we have no pictures.  The above is the splint I received on October 17.  The doctor did not cast at that time because he ordered an MRI to review ligament damage.  It just didn't seem to be the right thing to do and after prayerfully considering we chose to cancel the appointment.  The doctor was actually quite understanding.

Then yesterday, October 25 I received my permanent cast.  Well permanent to December 6, 2012.  While it is certainly heavier than the splint, I am glad to have it because my arm hurts less and I can actually use my fingers more.  Typing, well, that is still an adventure and I am not sure how I am going to handle the ocean...  Glad Press and Seal anyone?

Thank you for all of your prayers.  The healing is going well and I consider not only me but both mom and I greatly blessed.

Photo Friday

Okay okay, so it is actually Saturday night.  Like late Saturday night, like I should be in bed because before dawn my children will be up demanding food, shelter, clothing (ugh, kids :) ) and somehow I will have to feed them and cram them in church clothes in enough time to get us all out the door in time for church.

I really did want to do a photo Friday but somehow it escaped my inexplicably short attention span.  In my post on facebook and on my blog of the infamous Softsoap incident, I discretely chose the picture that did NOT have a giant booger in it OR give away the fact that my one year old went to the ditch and ate mud.  But you guys are family and will love me no matter what, right?  Here goes...

Photo Friday

I apologize for not posting last week but have a few fun photos for this week.

The first is of Jacob sleeping in my bed.  Sometimes he gets to fall asleep in there when Hyrum is already asleep or getting ready to go to bed.  He just looked so cute that I couldn't help but take a picture.

Next, we have a couple picture from our trip to Nauvoo.  I had planned a great trip to the temple for the sisters in the ward, but everyone bailed, so it was just me and the boys.  I even let Michael watch Hyrum while I enjoyed some temple time.  Then, we enjoyed a picnic alongside the Mississippi.  The boys thought it was pretty awesome and had a great time collecting shells.

And here is the sweatshirt that Michael is determined to wear every day since he got it.  Can't wait until showtime!  

 And finally, we have a new hobby.  Can you guess what it is?

So, happy Photo Friday to all!

Photo Friday

This one time, I did a fashion show at the Provo Towne Center Mall. And here's proof. Don't judge too harsh. It was a first.

Our Saturday Fun

Not often do I post, but when I do, I try and make them interesting.  For some reason I tend to post to facebook easier than the family blog, just because of mobile phone posting convenience.  Anyway, please enjoy the following day with us.

Holmes Beach catch of the day.  Yep I caught it with my hands.  It bit me twice on the palm but well worth it.  Too bad it was not radioactive and could give me super hero powers.  I could be Suction Cup Man.  Would eight arms be a hindrance to fighting crime?  Or would I end up just making people squeal with delight, just like my family in the video?

Yep.  We spent the day at the beach.  The sun was warm...the water...perfect.  Florida misses those that have visited.

Then to top it all off.  That morning was the boys soccer games.  Here is video of Collin and Ethan playing soccer.

Oops!

Photo Friday - Gone But Not Forgotten

Took these pictures on Monday.  Thought you would all appreciate how beautiful the trees are.

 The Queen Anne Silver Maples

 The River Birch.

And of course the Loganberry, it is the one on the left and was a start from the Petersen home.

Quite a change from twelve years ago.  Thanks to everyone who helped beautify.

Christmas

It'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS TIME!!! Just kidding it really isn't. But it's closer than it was yesterday. I just wanted to let everyone know HOW excited I am to see Petersens! I would like to add James and Liz Hutchings to that.... cuz then I would be DOUBLY EXCITED! But that might be too much excitement.  Or JUST enough to get me through  20+ hour work weeks, tests, papers, and homework. :) PLEASE COME! In the meantime, here are some photos of the Petersen kids from last Christmas :)

Conference Memories - Temple Knuckle Clarfied

The first line, "Temple Knuckle" comes from James.  When he was young he saw the tabernacle organ and was so excited to see the tabernacle that he shouted "Look, Temple Knuckle".  It has been a precious memory for mom and me since and we hardly ever see the organ, even in the Conference Center without thinking of that joyful experience as young parents.  This weekend as we saw the Conference Center organ I leaned over to mom and said, look, Temple Knuckle and she giggled.  James, thanks for the memory.

Do You Recognize Either of these People?

I bet you do!  Dad and I were sitting in the chapel of the Front Royal building watching General Conference and, of course, he had his computer...he was taking notes.  Anyway he did a search on Sister Burton....hmmm, Burton, do you recognize the name?  Do any of you remember Uncle Jay and Aunt Myrl (grandma Hutchings' sister).  Yup...their son, Craig and his wife Linda.  Just thought you would be interested.

Conference Memories

• Look, Temple Knuckle
• Conference Bingo
• Priesthood session with sons
• Ice cream after priesthood
• Revelation
• Peace
• Love for my family

Photo For Friday

In keeping with the theme of history on Photo Friday, here is one from June of 1974

Photo Friday

Well, it's supposed to freeze tonight, so we pulled the rest of our warm weather vegetables and fruits. It's always so sad when it comes to this time of year, and its also annoying because now we have to figure out what to do with them all! Better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all, I suppose.

Photo Friday

I was looking through photos of this year and working on MM Mouse 2012.  I came across some photos from "the wedding" that I thought you might not have seen, but needed to be shared. Or, just shared again.  So, here you go!

My Colorado memory Tuesday

I have been in Denver for the last two days, and each time I come to Denver I am reminded of our time living here. I enjoyed our time in Elizabeth. A lot. And I am left with a great deal of memories, so many that I could never put them all here. But I can share one.

Elizabeth is where I found my love for football. In eighth grade while attending Elbert County Charter School, I decided I was going to play football. I really don't know why I decided to play, as I knew absolutely nothing about the sport. Maybe it is because I knew that once upon a time by Dad and big brother had played.

I would have to leave school early every day to make it to practice on time, and was thrown into a world I knew nothing about. Boys trying to be men. It was interesting, and I really didn't fit in. I don't remember how much I played, who we played, or even what position I played. But something began to stir inside me, and a love for the game was born. I played four more years after my inaugural season, and gave up the chance to continue to play in college.

I still love to watch football, and enjoy it with my wife and kids. And I am a proud father when my daughter squats down, clenches her fists, and growls "FOOTBALL."

Tuesday Memory

I am sitting in my "hotel" in Chicago and the sun has just risen.  It has been a beautiful morning and a beautiful sunrise.  The fog creating a blanket for the Chicago Skyline to sit on.  What better time to share my Tuesday Memory.

My memory today is related to family time.  Growing up as an "only child" due to the space between Roger's marriage and mine, I actually spent a great deal of time alone because Dad was the Stake President and Mom was heavily involved with Church music and really got used to it.  I remember one Saturday afternoon, I think after I graduated from High School, that Dad, out of the blue, said we were going up American Fork Canyon for a steak fry.  Steak fry's were not uncommon.  We had metal grill baskets that we used over open fires.  It is a great way to cook steaks.  Dad always kept the best steaks for times like these.  However, I really didn't want to go.  I believe I thought I had better things to do (I.E. go see Lynne).  I was however respectful to my parents and went. 

This is perhaps the last time we had a "family" steak fry, at least the three of us and I really do not remember any others with the whole family after that.  We roasted corn in the fire pit, played our usual game of lighting matches with an axe and overall had a great time.  The food, as always, was succulent.  A wonderful memory that  I am grateful for.  If I can find the picture I will share.  Have a wonderful day.