A Taste of What's to Come

We're still not finished with festivities, but I wanted to show you the awesome cake Missy made (she was up very late last night- I get scolded for working at night but she always does her cakes at night- hmmm).

It's just a family party with a 'Princess and the Pea' theme. We've shot a home movie of the story with costumes, too, which we'll try to edit together tomorrow.

Summer Vacation

All last week we visited my (Dave's) parents in Lansing, Kansas and had a great time. My brothers Daniel and Joseph were there as well as my sister Mary. We swam, took the kids bowling for the first time, Missy and I saw Star Trek, had breakfast at Pullman Place and a lot of fun things around the house like piano lessons with Grammy. The big deal of course, was our adventure last Friday at Union Station in Kansas City.



For some reason, no cameras of any kind are permitted(!) but if you want to get an idea of what was there visit http://narnia.unionstation.org and it shows you a video. It was neat to see some of the props and costumes up close.

But in addition to our tickets we got in free to Science City. Nothing short of Disneyland could be funner for kids. Seriously, seemingly endless fun with five adults trying to keep up with three children racing from area to area.

Grant's Talk

A couple of week's ago in Primary, Grant was assigned to give a talk on baptism and how it blesses our family. In preparing it, we watched pieces of 'On Our Way Home' that has the boy in a family that's getting baptized who thinks about his little sister who has died. And we read the scripture about Nicodemus' conversation with the Savior about being born again. I explained the symbolism too, of dying, being buried in the ground, and being resurrected. Grant seemed to really latch onto that.

We wrote out his talk and then Missy cleaned it up with a little pictorial reminder of each line even though Grant's a great reader. In sacrament meeting he asked me to show him the scripture we had read. I did and perhaps having an idea what would happen, I bookmarked it.

Grant started into his talk, but when he got to the place we wrote down that Jesus said we must be born again he stopped and said "I'm going to read you a scripture" and read the appropriate verses like a pro and made a statement about when we get baptized our sins die. Then right back into the 'planned' talk. Bro. Dobson in the bishopric leaned over to me and asked if that was planned and I grinned and shook my head.

Everyone was very impressed. I am grateful to be able to see moments like that of obvious growth in our children.

No news is good news

Hey look- here is an old picture of me!

I just got my haircut today- it now looks a lot like it did when I got it cut last time when this photo was taken.  I just happen to be lucky enough to visit teach an awesome hairstylist- Leah Francis.  Up until now I have always put off and dreaded getting my haircut.  Now although I still put it off due to general laziness, I no longer dread it.  She does a great job.

  Thanks Leah!

red earth festival/grant's story

I can not believe it! First I see real lily pads! Second I met a fox reporter who asks me questions!  Third after the parade was over a police officer comes over to me and tickles so much I am scared! Forth I am on tv! And I'M FAMOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Red Earth Festival

I just have to say that Missy is the best mom ever. She has hit the summer running with educational activities every day. The kids have been learning about globes, maps, etc. the past few days. Last night she said she was going to take the kids to a parade today downtown. I blinked and said "By yourself?"

She did and they had a good time. So good it was on the news. Now, there must not have been too much footage since they used Grant saying that he was dragged there against his will. As someone who is around Missy all the time I will say that the person that appears before Grant in the video bares only a passing resemblance to my lovely wife. Seriously- it doesn't look like her. She was not excited to be on the news.

Nina's Birthday

Look at the wonderful cake Missy made! The cool things on top were handcrafted by Missy from marzipan (except the little candle-cake).



Oh, and here are some pictures from the party...