Year in Review

It's taken me a couple days to put together, an entire year to shoot, and it will take you 15 minutes to watch. So, if you're up to it, here's the year in review.

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Not a Typical Sunday

For the last Sunday of the year the Bishopric all decided that we would be the speakers in Sacrament Meeting; we were worried that we couldn't get anyone else to do it! Now, I can't say that I hate speaking in Church. I don't really like all the preparation associated with giving a talk, but giving the talk isn't that big of a deal.

It's kind of funny though, most people would think that members of the Bishopric speak all the time in Church, but we really don't. The last time I gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting was over two years ago and it was only a five minute talk! We are the ones who schedule the speakers, meaning I only have to speak if I'm bad at finding others to take the time. In 3 1/2 years I've never had to give an impromptu talk due to a no show.

Our theme for the meeting was: Six Habits of Highly Effective Ward Members. Pretty clever, huh. Covey needs seven, but we got it done in six. No one wanted a third topic, so splitting it three ways worked out pretty well. My two areas for the meeting were Personal History and Temple Attendance. I thought it would be appropriate since the was a big year for the blog and for us at the Temple.

I'd love to simply copy and paste my talk in this post, but I've never been very good about writing out my talks. As much as I say that I'm going to sit down and type out the entire thing - I never do. I just can't seem to focus enough to put the thoughts down in paragraph form. No matter how early I start, or how much time I put in, my talks always come out in a 3-4 page outline with quotes, scriptural references, jokes, and stories.

Overall, I think the talk went well. I shared a couple of excerpts from my journals/blog from over the years and discussed how important it is to share your life story with those around you. While discussing the temple, I got a bit emotional as I shared how my mom went through for the first time this year and how incredible it's been to be sealed to both of my children. I always think I can keep it together, but when I share things that are close to my heart, I get a bit misty. Still, I managed to get through the talk and I'm glad that I was able to share about the blessings we've received this year. It's been a great year for my family.

Slumber Party

Every Christmas break we try to have Alicia's kids come to our house for a sleep over. The first several years it was just Coleton, but now Chloe and Liam have been added to the mix. With 4 kids sleeping in the same room we needed a referee this year, and my dad volunteered (or was he volunteered) to help out. My mom volunteered to watch the home front over at Alicia's house - I guess staying up all night isn't her idea of fun.


Kennedy was extremely excited at the idea of having all the kids sleep at her house this year. For days she talked about sleeping downstairs in a sleeping bag with her cousins. She really loves playing with the big kids and being a part of all the action.

And there was plenty of action. The kids brought over there Wii remotes, so we played plenty of bowling, tennis, golf, and boxing. Chloe was actually the boxing champ as she went undefeated in 5 fights. That girl can really throw a punch! Even with the game I think the highlight of the night was wrestling with Aunt Tara. The kids couldn't get enough of the pillow fights and grappling. Since this started after 10pm, perhaps this was the cause of the insomnia....

About midnight, things started to settle down and everyone was ready for bed. Kennedy showed signs of falling asleep first, but the others quickly followed her lead. The night went pretty well, the only one who cried at all was Dede, and that was only for a moment. Of course, the only one to sneak into bed with Papa was Coleton.

All in all, we survived the cousins' sleep over for another year. My only question is: Will the sleep over be at Alicia's house next year?

Wii are Addicted!

I mentioned how Chirstmas morning brought a new Wii into Alicia's house - what a cool guy that Santa is! After playing with the kids for the better part of two days on the new toy, I had a dilemma on my hands. Ian called to inform me that 10 new Wii machines were in stock at Toys R Us. I wasn't really sure what to do. The Wii isn't exactly cheap, but it is a good activity that we can do at home. What to do?

I guess I should mention that Tara and I aren't really gamers. We would much rather play real sports than virtual sports (I can hear all of chuckling as the term Fantasy Sports frequents the blog), but we have had a great time playing with the Wii. It is the best of both worlds - you get the fun of a virtual environment, while forcing the characters to act from your own movements.

After debating the issue back and forth we decided that we would buy the Wii and I think it was a great choice. In the past couple of days we've spent some fun time together and had a total blast. I would say that the sports game is our favorite, but I think the top spot has been given to Guitar Hero III.

Even though we aren't any good at it, Guitar Hero is so much fun to play. You simply can't play one song and quit. Of course, since I was getting booed off the stage the first two or three songs I tried, I was forced to figure out the game so I didn't embarrass myself in front of others. I'm still working my way through the easy songs, but Tara has found herself a niche with the guitar in her hand.

I hope we don't become gaming nerds, but for now we're loving the Wii. Anyone want to come over for a quick game of tennis?

Double Feature

Yesterday was a day made for time off at the holidays. Since most of the family had the day off (sorry Jason), the adults (minus Mom and Alicia, plus Coleton) decided to catch a afternoon flick. I don't know about most of you, but Tara and I really liked National Treasure. I guess it's something about the mix of history (I know the movie isn't historically accurate) and treasure hunting that gets us going. Maybe it's the geocachers in us, but the high tech hide and seek is a lot of fun. Regardless, in spite of the mediocre reviews we went to Book of Secrets yesterday and had a great time.

If you like the first National Treasure, you'll probably like Book of Secrets, since they are the same movie. Trade out one bad guy for another, replace one treasure for a new one, add in the mom and you've got the new movie. Even if it was fairly predictable, we had a good time and that's what you want from a holiday release.

Once we returned home to check up on the babysitters, we learned that it was time to trade roles. We would stay home and my mom and Alicia wanted to take the kids to a movie. The only problem was that Kennedy wanted to go and that meant one of us had to go as well. I guess I drew the short straw, so I went back to the theater I had just left to see Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Naturally, the movie was sold out, so we got back in the car and went to another theater to find the popular kids' show. Deja vu set in as we went to the Holiday Cinema. If you recall the same thing happened the last time I took Kennedy to a movie, last summer's Ratatouille. Once we waited around to see that show, Kennedy was so bored that by the time the movie started, she was done.

I guess it truly was a day of repeats. As much as Dede wanted to see the show, that's how much she wanted out once it actually started. We went to the bathroom twice, got three drinks of water, and I had to beg Kennedy to stay for the final 45 minutes of the show. I would have left, but I didn't drive to this one. I should have learned my lesson last time - Kennedy is not ready to go to the movies yet.

Somewhere in between the trips to the lobby, I caught enough of the movie to know that singing chipmunks aren't really my style. Even though I liked the cartoon as a child, I did not like the movie as an adult.

My final reviews for the day - One thumbs up for a historically inaccurate, but entertaining film. One thumbs down for trips to the bathroom, drinks from the fountain, and exploiting talking rodents.