The holidays just aren't the same without a little John Williams...

Mission memories & hopeful holidays...

Sister-in-law spoke in church today, reminding at least one author of this blog of a few similar mission stories.

I equate Rose's story somewhat with Jose's story - my first baptism from a part-member family referral.  Jose, years later, was married and sealed and found to be employed as a security guard for one of the most important buildings in Merida.

I also reminisced in dealing with one of my last companions, who was not a very rule-abiding missionary.  So much that we missed a whole zone conference in just riding busses back and forth for a few hours to change my companion's pants - since khakis were not allowed as a mission rule (they made us look more like vacationing tourists, and not a serious business-like image).

Visiting friends and family and eating yummy food this Thanksgiving was a real treat.  Seeing relatives we hadn't seen for quite some time, and playing games was particularly eventful (Mom & Aunt L).  We hope Grandpa gets to feeling better, and look forward to a fun Christmas re-visit.

iCON, Star Wars Reads Day, and Halloween, oh my!

Friday & Saturday we took time off work to enjoy some board game playing with each other and with the friends we made at iCON over the past few years.

We got to play a new game called Splendor - a jewelry themed strategy game where you pick up diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, or topazes to buy mines and refineries to win and impress high class nobles.

About mid-day Saturday, Russ went to Star Wars Reads Day at Barnes & Noble to participate and assist the 501st again.  Vader got to borrow his Lightsaber.  Not surprisingly, Russ came home with a Vader sippie cup, as drinks were on the house for those in costume.

All Vaders on deck!

Even big Fanboys get their foto op!

Halloween is fast approaching.  Time to put the last minute touches onto this year's newest costume.

Yes, THAT time of year, it is again...

 

 and brought a friend, i have...

How to beat the heat this weekend...

see?  last year it was boarded up too!

Step 1 - dig out your old 5000 btu AC unit from 7-8 years ago.
Step 2 - demolish your bedroom window.  It was all boarded up anyways after the last remodeling project for the master bath.

Step 3 - buy power tools for said demolishing.  Ugh, argh.  Power tools!  Uargh.
Step 4 - discover hidden stash of particle board presswood in garage from leftover home projects.
Step 5 - clip coupons to purchase other tools that may be handy during another project.
Step 6 - purchase overabundance of 2x4s from local lumber yard.  More money spent, more do stuff.  That's the power of making a man feel like he's got it all together worked out in his head. 
Step 7 - Measure 16 times, cut 4 times.  Trim it if it still doesn't fit.  Whack it with a hammer if it still doesn't fit.  Use up all the spare nails just to get it in place.  Hey, functionality is king.
Step 8 - board up the biggest holes, stuff in plastic shopping bags for temporary weather stripping and to keep the bugs out.  Call it a night.  Find the remote control after leaving it on for 3 hours, only to realize that the battery is now dead and the temperature can't change.
Step 9 - turn on the fans and suffer 2 more nights of humidity until you can get a replacement battery on monday.

And, lastly have a sense of humor.  If you can't laugh at your own incompetence, how are you gonna laugh at a sitcom?

Chillaxing...

Ahh, its that time of year again.  When the stress of work melts away, the summer temperature rises, virgin swamp water is made to quench the thirst, and these two kids head off into the sunset to get wet and wild at the closest theme park only our budget can afford!

ITS laGOon TIME!

Tips for next year:
1 - make sure the car is tuned up before travelling lengthy distances
2 - make sure Temple recommends are up to date before arriving at the temple, and go on a day that is less chaotic than a weekend with all the sealings happening over summer breaks.
3 - pack plenty of favorite hydration methods, including Aloe water!
4 - make sure Russ has an appropriate length and comfortable white dress shirt to wear for Sunday with the heat in mind.
5 - potentially melty candy always gets left in the travel cooler, thus avoiding sticky messes elsewhere.

one of Russ's new favorite fruity drinks

6 - food on the go should never go. Icecream on a stick is also considered this topic.
7 - always take advantage of the local flavor
8 - although the camelbacks were a great idea, most ride attendants told us NO BACKPACKS ALLOWED!  We ended up renting a locker to put our stuff in, and buying cold drinks anyways.
9 - exploring & going to some of the exhibits earlier in the day proved a cooling factor.
10 - Naps are always nice, essential in the heat.  Take a siesta.

Sarah found a stuffed TAMA!

11 - bring along stronger cloth/plastic re-usable shopping bags to pack wet clothing, instead of the normal plastic variety that can tear

2 drowned mice

12 - the best souvenirs are memories, pics, suntans or blisters, and maybe the occasional water bottle or keychain.  Unless a collector's item is involved.
13 - camping and season passes might be worth investigating for stricter budgets.
14 - tether all loose articles on any velocity rides.  Consider leaving any valuable items with a trusted non-participant or in a locker.
15 - sunblock is ALWAYS necessary, except in one's eyes.  Ow, ow, ow!
16 - road trip music is a must, as well as a soundtrack to any summer activity like swimming!

Last of all but certainly not least - take a vacation, after the vacation!

Happy Father's day!

Just HAD to get this, Sarah did.