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

Puppet Shows

 Today we went to our friend's house and made puppets using different forms. some made them with wood

and popsicle sticks while others used finger puppets and felt.

 They even made cool looking hand puppets with paper bags, markers, felt, glue and glitter. They had a blast each coming up with their own personalities, characteristics and looks.

 Jacob showing off his tree frog. What a colorful specimen!

 They decided on a show with a moral in it. They had a friend come over and play with them and they had a fight between mister monkey and snake boy. They worked together to show that no matter who or what you are that everyone can get along. A great lesson for everyone to learn. The show was really amazing and wonderful to watch.

Meagan made an avatar of herself...... a monkey!!

All in all, fun was had and good memories made.

- Sarah

Monkeys and Zelda!

Meagan has been starting to climb anything that she can see.  Trees, shopping cart stalls, even doorways.  She's a regular monkey, which should make her aunt Cheri and uncle Nate happy...

We also got the Nintendo 64 out of storage and Jacob has been obsessed with the Legend of Zelda: the Ocarina of Time.  He plays it all the time and when not playing it, he tries to get Meagan to play make-believe Zelda with him.  He imagines that he is Link saving the realm of Hyrule.  Reminds me of the days I spent playing army in the backyard.  Fun times...

- Josh

Jackie & Rachel Robinson's Birthday Party

Today we went to the birthday party for Jackie (8) and Rachel (1) Robinson.  They decided on Mr. Gatti's (kind of like Chuck-E-Cheese's on steroids, or for those of you from Spokane, Wonderland).  After a pizza, pasta, soup, and salad buffet (which actually approximated those named items to a reasonable degree), there was balloon animals and face painting.  Jackie and Meagan opted for a cats theme (even though they've never seen it).  Really cute if I do say so myself...

Jacob on the other hand, would have none of that.  He wanted to be Link from the Legend of Zelda.  Neither of the two girls doing the facepainting knew who that was so he drew them a picture, which they then painted on his face.  Ben Robinson liked it so much that they did the same for him.  Meagan, of course, would have none of this taking picture business unless she could be in it...

After face painting, came presents (we gave them a "matching" pair of La La Loopsie's - a big Cowgirl one for Jackie and a small, soft, pirate one complete with parrot, "Arrrrrr" - for Rachel - so that they could play together and bond).  Cake next, then came the anxiously awaited game card distribution ($15 for each kid to play games and such).  They have the standard fare (ticket games, Skee ball, etc...) plus some good current non-cheesy games for more grown up tastes (Guitar Hero, Star Wars, Racing Games, Beachhead, etc...).  They even had a virtual reality roller coaster.  But the hit of the event was indoor go karts.  EVERYBODY liked those.  Here's Meagan, having fun.  Her favorite was spinning in place.

I managed to not get a good (clear) still of Jacob.  What I did get was video.  He's the one in the "red-seated" go kart.  Ben Robinson, his friend, is the one in the "black-seated" go kart.

3 hours later, the kids were sated, and we left.  A good time was had by all.  Gearing up tomorrow for Jackie's Baptism where I will witness and be in the confirmation circle.  An even better time if you ask me...

- Josh