12/27/12
12/17/12
For Your Birthday
Kennedy,
Of all the birthday letters I've written you over the years, this one has really been a challenge to compose. Not that I don' t have things to say, the real issue is that I have too many things to tell you on this important birthday. It is as though I blinked and suddenly my little girl was grown up before my eyes.
This birthday certainly marks a milestone in your life. For years you've wanted to get baptized, and now you'll finally have that opportunity. Your mom and I are really proud of you for wanted to join the church through baptism. I know this is something that you're doing of your own choosing. You've always been a girl you knows what she wants and I'm happy being baptized is something you want to do. It means more to me than you'll know that I have the chance to baptize and confirm you a member of the Church.
Dede I want to you to know how much I enjoy spending time with you. You're always so fun to joke around with and your laugh is infectious. You have a wonderful personality that draws people to you and I am no different - I love being with my Dede girl. Whether it's our Daddy Daughter dates for some sushi, or my makeovers from my little stylist it's always a fun time when you're with me.
Kennedy if I have one piece of advice for you this year it's to keep trying. I know there are times when you're quick to frustration (a trait I share with you), but you are a bright, talented girl who can accomplish much if you don't quit. Whether it's your homework or practicing the piano, keep trying and you will be able to do so many things in your life. Have confidence in yourself - you can do it!
Happy birthday Dede! Your mom and I love you more than you will ever know. You are a ray of sunshine in our home and I hope you'll continue to let your light shine.
Daddy
Of all the birthday letters I've written you over the years, this one has really been a challenge to compose. Not that I don' t have things to say, the real issue is that I have too many things to tell you on this important birthday. It is as though I blinked and suddenly my little girl was grown up before my eyes.
This birthday certainly marks a milestone in your life. For years you've wanted to get baptized, and now you'll finally have that opportunity. Your mom and I are really proud of you for wanted to join the church through baptism. I know this is something that you're doing of your own choosing. You've always been a girl you knows what she wants and I'm happy being baptized is something you want to do. It means more to me than you'll know that I have the chance to baptize and confirm you a member of the Church.
Dede I want to you to know how much I enjoy spending time with you. You're always so fun to joke around with and your laugh is infectious. You have a wonderful personality that draws people to you and I am no different - I love being with my Dede girl. Whether it's our Daddy Daughter dates for some sushi, or my makeovers from my little stylist it's always a fun time when you're with me.
Kennedy if I have one piece of advice for you this year it's to keep trying. I know there are times when you're quick to frustration (a trait I share with you), but you are a bright, talented girl who can accomplish much if you don't quit. Whether it's your homework or practicing the piano, keep trying and you will be able to do so many things in your life. Have confidence in yourself - you can do it!
Happy birthday Dede! Your mom and I love you more than you will ever know. You are a ray of sunshine in our home and I hope you'll continue to let your light shine.
Daddy
12/15/12
Christmas at the Polar Express
The Ward Christmas Party has been months in planning. I know, I was part of the committee. Being involved in Young Men's I have had my hand in a lot of different ward events this year, none was bigger than the yuletide celebration we just experienced.
It was a magical evening for all who attended. We spend three days decorating the cultural hall and it was transformed into a wonder of lights and sights. The Youth were all excited for the party as they came dressed like conductors, engineers, and chefs. And then there was me.
I was asked last month to play the part of the conductor from the Polar Express. No big deal I thought. I've seen the show several times and Tom Hanks character is certainly a big part of Christmas for a lot of people. There was one little catch. In order to pull off the part I had to look the part. That meant shaving off my beard and leaving an old man mustache. Never let it be said I wouldn't do anything for the kids.
It was a magical evening for all who attended. We spend three days decorating the cultural hall and it was transformed into a wonder of lights and sights. The Youth were all excited for the party as they came dressed like conductors, engineers, and chefs. And then there was me.I was asked last month to play the part of the conductor from the Polar Express. No big deal I thought. I've seen the show several times and Tom Hanks character is certainly a big part of Christmas for a lot of people. There was one little catch. In order to pull off the part I had to look the part. That meant shaving off my beard and leaving an old man mustache. Never let it be said I wouldn't do anything for the kids.
One of my family's favorite parts of the party is the annual visit by the big man himself, Santa Claus. It was fun to see our favorite Santa and the kids all shared their Christmas wishes. Seeing these pictures never gets old.
After the party was over it was time to officially welcome Christmas. We have a great ward and this was a great night. Let the season begin.
11/24/12
Starry is Back
One of our new traditions is the Elf on the Shelf. Even though it isn't December 1st yet, the kids couldn't wait for Starry the Elf to make a special appearance. We told them that Starry had to wait until all the Christmas tree was up and decorated, so they made sure that was our first holiday chore.
After spending the day decorating, we sat down and watched another holiday favorite, Elf. We absolutely love that movie and I'm sure you can guess which scene is the kids' favorite. Let's just say when you mix a two liter bottle of Coke and Wil Ferrell there's going to be something funny. "Did you hear that?"
I guess the kids must have gotten Santa's attention with all the decorating. Check out who was hanging in the tree when everyone woke up this morning...
After spending the day decorating, we sat down and watched another holiday favorite, Elf. We absolutely love that movie and I'm sure you can guess which scene is the kids' favorite. Let's just say when you mix a two liter bottle of Coke and Wil Ferrell there's going to be something funny. "Did you hear that?"
I guess the kids must have gotten Santa's attention with all the decorating. Check out who was hanging in the tree when everyone woke up this morning...
11/3/12
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
In October I felt a bit like a traveling salesman. It seemed as though I was on the road the entire month attending conferences as a way to promote Going Google. This month I traveled over 6400 miles as I went to Hailey, ID, St. Louis, MO, and Memphis, TN.
It was a fun experience to present to teachers from around the county, but I don't think that life on the road is for me. I missed a lot of Halloween events with the kids and spent a lot of lonely nights in hotel rooms.
Here's a look at each stop on my trip:
Hailey, ID - Techotberfest. My first stop was up in Hailey for a district technology conference. They found out about me from my ISTE presentation and were looking to share some ideas for using Google with their teachers. Since the conference was close I packed up the XTerra and headed up to Idaho. Hailey is a small town located just south of Sun Valley. It was a little bit like Park City, only a lot smaller. I had trouble finding places to eat that weren't up scale dining. The conference had about 1000 teachers and I was able to teach a few hundred of them over the course of the two days.
Two big takeaways - It was cold! The temperature both days never got out of the low 50's and you felt it. I made the ultimate sacrifice for this trip. I gave up my tickets to the Utes/USC game. Rather than being in the friendly confines of Rice Eccles Stadium, I was curled up watching the game from the AmericInn in Hailey. I guess it didn't matter since the Utes lost, but I really wanted to attend that game. Such is life for the traveling salesman.
Memphis,TN - Corwin Common Core Institute. A couple weeks later I headed off to the South to attend a conference sponsored by my publisher. Corwin brought in authors from around the country to present at the two day event and somehow I was asked to be part of the conference. I have to say I felt like a small fish in a big pond in Memphis. Many of the authors were very acclaimed and I've heard several of them speak at conferences before. Even so, I was so impressed with how open everyone was to me. The other authors were very nice and involved me in the conversations. I think they were interested in a guy from Utah, since they assumed I was a Mormon and a Romney supporter (they were half right). I tried my best to be myself and I hope things went well.
Two big takeaways - Presenting in the South is way different than in the West. I've had people respond excitedly when I've shown a new teaching trick before, but this was the first time I've ever head people cheer. I could get used to that.
My highlight from the trip was visiting the Civil Rights museum. This was the old Lorraine motel in Memphis, otherwise known as the site of the Martin Luther King Jr. assassination. They've taken the motel and turned it into an impressive memorial to the slain leader. I got there too late to get inside the museum, but I was overwhelmed to be at the site and feel the history. MLK is a hero of mine and I'll always remember this part of my trip.
St. Louis, MO - NETA Conference. After a month of being on the road my last stop was in St. Louis. I've been to the NETA Conference several times as part of my work before and it's always enjoyable. The people are great and it's fun to be share some different sessions than the norm. With the audience being made up of public TV folks, my presentation was "Using Google Tools for Station Awesomeness". It was fun to present with a my friend Jamie from Orange County and I think our session went well.
Two big takeaways - Never agree to travel again over Halloween. I wasn't even part of the holiday with my kids this year. Sure, I got to see the photos and we talked on the phone, but I completely missed Halloween this year and there aren't that many chances to celebrate my kids being KIDS. I won't do it again.
St. Louis is a pretty cool town. I've been there before when I was a kid and I couldn't remember a thing. Going back as an adult was a fun experience. When we visited the Arch I couldn't believe what an amazing feat of engineering that is. I am always impressed when you see how large structures are created, especially with the equipment of the past. If you haven't seen the St. Louis Arch it's totally worth it.
So, my month as a traveling salesman ended. I don't know that it increased my net worth as books don't make you rich unless your name is Stephanie Meyer or J.K. Rowling. Still, I think this month was about building relationships and trying new things. I know I met some terrific people and saw some places that were new to me.
It was a fun experience to present to teachers from around the county, but I don't think that life on the road is for me. I missed a lot of Halloween events with the kids and spent a lot of lonely nights in hotel rooms.
Here's a look at each stop on my trip:
Two big takeaways - It was cold! The temperature both days never got out of the low 50's and you felt it. I made the ultimate sacrifice for this trip. I gave up my tickets to the Utes/USC game. Rather than being in the friendly confines of Rice Eccles Stadium, I was curled up watching the game from the AmericInn in Hailey. I guess it didn't matter since the Utes lost, but I really wanted to attend that game. Such is life for the traveling salesman.
Memphis,TN - Corwin Common Core Institute. A couple weeks later I headed off to the South to attend a conference sponsored by my publisher. Corwin brought in authors from around the country to present at the two day event and somehow I was asked to be part of the conference. I have to say I felt like a small fish in a big pond in Memphis. Many of the authors were very acclaimed and I've heard several of them speak at conferences before. Even so, I was so impressed with how open everyone was to me. The other authors were very nice and involved me in the conversations. I think they were interested in a guy from Utah, since they assumed I was a Mormon and a Romney supporter (they were half right). I tried my best to be myself and I hope things went well.
Two big takeaways - Presenting in the South is way different than in the West. I've had people respond excitedly when I've shown a new teaching trick before, but this was the first time I've ever head people cheer. I could get used to that.My highlight from the trip was visiting the Civil Rights museum. This was the old Lorraine motel in Memphis, otherwise known as the site of the Martin Luther King Jr. assassination. They've taken the motel and turned it into an impressive memorial to the slain leader. I got there too late to get inside the museum, but I was overwhelmed to be at the site and feel the history. MLK is a hero of mine and I'll always remember this part of my trip.
St. Louis, MO - NETA Conference. After a month of being on the road my last stop was in St. Louis. I've been to the NETA Conference several times as part of my work before and it's always enjoyable. The people are great and it's fun to be share some different sessions than the norm. With the audience being made up of public TV folks, my presentation was "Using Google Tools for Station Awesomeness". It was fun to present with a my friend Jamie from Orange County and I think our session went well.
Two big takeaways - Never agree to travel again over Halloween. I wasn't even part of the holiday with my kids this year. Sure, I got to see the photos and we talked on the phone, but I completely missed Halloween this year and there aren't that many chances to celebrate my kids being KIDS. I won't do it again.
St. Louis is a pretty cool town. I've been there before when I was a kid and I couldn't remember a thing. Going back as an adult was a fun experience. When we visited the Arch I couldn't believe what an amazing feat of engineering that is. I am always impressed when you see how large structures are created, especially with the equipment of the past. If you haven't seen the St. Louis Arch it's totally worth it.So, my month as a traveling salesman ended. I don't know that it increased my net worth as books don't make you rich unless your name is Stephanie Meyer or J.K. Rowling. Still, I think this month was about building relationships and trying new things. I know I met some terrific people and saw some places that were new to me.
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