Laaaadies and Gentlemen! Start your engines...!!!

 Today, we did a Cub Scout activity at Jeremy and Kat Curtis' house.  They are Ben Curtis' parents.  Ben Curtis.  Jacob's best friend, Ben Curtis.  The Ben Curtis that Jacob talks about.  All.  The.  Time.  OK, now that you have that straight...

Jeremy and I go back a few years to when we were counselors in the Canyon West Ward Elder's Quorum Presidency together.  He is one of the coolest people I know.  When I grow up someday, I want to be just like him.  Anyway, Jeremy and Kat cooked up, like, a million and three hot dogs  for kids, adults, birds, bees, and ants.  The kids had a picnic out back on some blankets they laid out.  Note the distinct LINE between the females of the kid species and the males of the kid species.  It's so rare to observe them in the wild anymore...  Another thing we learned today: if you are in danger of being swarmed by a pack of kids (either male or female), a trampoline is an effective distraction method and will allow you to be able to escape a virtually certain pestering.

Here you see the "body shop" with cars in all stages of construction, from finishing body work to full engine overhaul.  They even let cute little girls intern there.  This one, a wonderfully intelligent firecracker named Olivia, can be seen learning about the fine art of Orange as it applies to cars.

Another view of the "body shop"with employees hard at work...

 You don't start out with the kind of skill needed to be a master wrench.  Here we see one of the "old hands" teaching a new employee the ins-and-outs of decal application and decoration.

A good "body shop" set of employees are like a family.  Share and share alike.  That way, everyone can get their work done as timely as possible.  Thus, we all shared "tools" to help everyone do the best job possible.

 The "finished" work.  We'll be putting on headlights and wheels at home later to add the final touches.

Such an eager looking flock of future NASCAR heroes.  The Lubbock 500 is on Tuesday, green flag drops at 6:45 pm.  Hope to see a good crowd there.  If you're looking for us, we'll be the ones looking like a pit crew.

- Josh

Grandma & Grandpa Walles visit

 This weekend, Grandma & Grandpa Walles came to visit so that they could be here for Jacob's baptism.

This was from the last night they were here.  While they stayed, we taught them a new card game, Bang!, introduced them to the awesomeness that is the new Star Trek movie, and talked a lot about everything.

We had some good times, but it was good for the kids to be able to see them again.  Both the kids really enjoy when family comes to visit or when we visit them.  I'm going to miss my parents, but I look forward to when we can see them again.

- Josh

Jacob's Baptism

This past Saturday, Jacob was baptized with 3 other kids into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I was blessed to have the opportunity to perform the ordinance.  I have now done this for both of my children and I can say that there have been no sweeter experiences that I have shared with them than these.

 Jacob and I ready for the baptism.  I opted for the jumpsuit instead of my normal whites.  It made everything easier...

Jacob with Grandma & Grandpa Walles, who were able to come from Vermont to see Jacob's baptism.  We were grateful to have them.  I am sure that Grandma & Grandpa Stumm would have loved to be there as well, but the jet lag from South Africa would have been killer and they're tied up with really important work for the Lord anyway...

 Jacob was excited to be getting baptized on the same day as his best friend Ben Curtis.  Ben's dad and I have been friends for a while now and it looks like our sons are following in our footsteps.

Family and extended family outside the Lubbock Texas Temple after Jacob's baptism.

Our little family.  We're so happy for Jacob and excited about the choices he is making in his life.  He is such a good boy who wants to be happy and help others around him to be happy as well.  We are so blessed to have him in our family.

- Josh

Our little 8-year old just isn't so little anymore...

So this is a little late in getting posted.  I just haven't been in a "blogging" mood lately.  Sorry.  A week ago last Saturday, our son turned 8.  It's so weird to think that my YOUNGEST son is 8.  I mean, I felt OLD before, but not enough to have a SECOND child that is 8 years old or older.

 Yes, Jacob, it's YOUR birthday...

 

We made him open the card from Grandma and Grandpa Walles first.  Money is always appreciated and will be rewarded with painful/goofy/incredulous looks.  Be forewarned...

My intent was to make him open this present last (because I'm a mean daddy and I thought it would be funny if he got the game first and thought it was for when we went to visit his friend who had a 3DS).  I was vetoed by the Authority Figure.  Needless to say, he might have been a little excited.  It's only the ONE present he's been begging for this past year.  I have to admit, however, the guy's fairly single-minded.  I've been kind of impressed...

Jacob clutching his prize in an excited "death grip"...

And the game to go with it...  It's not Zelda, but what are you gonna do?  Nothing wrong with a pasta-loving plumber...

This was the birthday cake that he picked out.  It was chocolate (yes, mommy still hates chocolate but it was HIS birthday so she choked it down like the good sport that she is) with white frosting and sprinkles.

A shot of Jacob blowing out the candles. After which, we ate with our friends, the Robinsons, who had come over to help us celebrate.  Ben Robinson is Jacob's friend and the one in the lower right corner of the picture.

This photo pretty well sums up the day, and is one of my favorite shots we've ever taken of him.  THAT is one contented boy.

- Josh