Deb and Ted's Excellent Adventures

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

2012-02-06T16:36:00.001-07:00

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was recommended reading by Glenn Beck. It is the biography of a German pastor during the Nazi era. His story is one of resistance to the prevailing national socialism brought to Germany by Hitler. He was a well educated man who explicitly knew that the Nazi regime, and specifically Hitler, were evil. He fought against them in a way a pastor could fight against the Nazis. As I read the book, and specifically the chapters relating to the resistance, I wondered if I could stand by my principles in the face of death. This is a man that I could use as a role model. As he faced his death (two weeks prior to the Allies freeing the camp he was imprisoned), he said that he was "on the road to freedom." He looked forward to meeting his maker, knowing that he had fought the good fight.

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Do You Believe in God and Angels?

2012-01-28T13:44:00.001-07:00

Watch the two videos below, then read about this young man after watching the videos:

Bed Breedlove is 18 years old when he made this video. As the video explains, he has a dangerous heart condition. Then, on Christmas Day of last year (2011), he had a heart attack and died. He was spared long enough to share his message to a world that is cold-hearted and does not believe in God. What a powerful message.

A Tale of Two Cities

2012-01-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It was the best of books; it was the worst of books. OK, that is really corny, but it does sum up how this book felt to me. Reading Charles Dickens is very difficult for me. At times, I would get lost in what he was trying to say. In fact, I had to resort to Cliff notes on the Internet to fully understand some of the passages--especially when he would write using the dialect that the English would use, and when he would try to translate French idioms into an English equivalent. They story is very tragic yet is encouraging.

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Where Are You Christmas?

2011-12-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

I have always loved Jon Schmidt. He is incredibly talented (I wish I had a millionth percent of his talent!) and his music is very moving and entertaining. Here is his latest:

The Copper Scroll

2011-12-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

The Copper Scroll by Joel C. Rosenberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The deeper I get into this series, the more it moves from a political thriller (although it is that in many ways) to a Christian novel with some very interesting twists and turns. As with the previous book in the series, this book is based upon events that are to transpire in the last days. It is an interesting look at what could happen prior to the Second Coming. As a Mormon, I find it very a little different from what I would see happening in the last days. The novel was gripping and it was hard to put down after I started to read it.

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Merry Christmas (again)!

2011-12-06T21:32:00.001-07:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-06T20:28:00.000-07:00

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The Ezekiel Option

2011-11-30T11:32:00.002-07:00

The Ezekiel Option by Joel C. Rosenberg

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After reading the first two books in this series, I was looking forward to this book. Joel C. Rosenberg writes his stories in such an action-packed way, it is hard to put the book down once it is started. This book was the same as the other two. As with the other two books, the twists and turns were completely unexpected. In this book, the story turns to a very Christian angle and is wonderfully incorporated into the story. I am looking forward to the fourth installment of the series.

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Chad Lewis' Book

2011-11-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

Surround Yourself With Greatness by Chad Lewis

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading Chad Lewis' book about his football playing, but the book was much more than that. He goes into great detail about his father's stroke, his mission, his playing days at BYU and in the pros, and his post-playing career. It is an upbeat, uplifting book and inspiring to read.

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Happy Halloween from the fam!

2011-10-29T17:47:00.002-06:00

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The Notebook

2011-10-27T11:08:00.000-06:00

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you loved the movie, you will love the book. The movie is fairly faithful to the book's story line. For those who love a chick-flick, they will love the book. Having seen the movie before reading the book, however, I already knew of the twists and turns the story line takes. After reading the book, I sort of wished that I had read the book before I saw the movie.

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Larry H. Miller book

2011-10-20T08:41:00.000-06:00

Driven: An Autobiography by Larry H. Miller

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anyone who lives within the Salt Lake television market will know who Larry Miller is. He is a car dealer and owner of the Utah Jazz. However, this book made me realize he is much more than that. He is a passionate, devoted man who has helped countless people. His love for his fellow man and his desire to get the impossible done, made Larry H. Miller. As I read the book, I began feeling that there is much more each of us can do. One lesson I took from the book was to do the impossible. That is in a nutshell what Larry H. Miller did.

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Happy Halloween

2011-10-19T10:10:00.000-06:00

Happy Halloween!

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Government Spending

2011-10-13T09:09:00.001-06:00

Got this video from a link that Mom sent me. So true. So true.

Our Amazing Universe

2011-06-06T11:57:00.000-06:00

Plains Milky Way from Randy Halverson on Vimeo.

A very interesting video showing the Milky Way from the South Dakota plains.

Eat Pray Love

2011-02-09T11:11:00.002-07:00

We watched the movie "Eat Pray Love" starring Julia Roberts last night. Julia Roberts is Deb's favorite actress. I must admit, I have liked most, if not all, of the movies she has starred in. I was looking forward to watching the movie.

However, I was disappointed in the movie. I was not disappointed in Julia Roberts. She did her usual great job. I was disappointed in the movie, and I cannot really place why it disappointed me. It could have been the storyline. Maybe it was the pacing. At times, it became boring and I would have turned the movie off if not for Julia Roberts' acting.

Find another Julia Roberts movie, even one that you have seen, and it will be more worth your time!

2011-01-29T17:11:00.000-07:00

Statehood: A Novel Celebrating Utah's Centennial by Marilyn Brown

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Interesting story about polygamy. The story approaches it from the viewpoint of a woman who marries into a plural marriage, a non-member reporter from the East who witnesses what polygamy is about.

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Missionary

2011-01-21T13:35:00.001-07:00

A great video about preparing for and leaving on a mission:

In the Company of Angels

2011-01-13T13:07:00.002-07:00

In The Company of Angels by David Farland

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the Company of Angels follows three people from the Willie Handcart Company on their trek to get to Salt Lake City during the fall of 1856. Capt. James Willie is the leader of the company. Baline Mortenson is a 9 year old Danish girl traveling with another family to meet up with her sister in Salt Lake City. Eliza Gadd is not a member of the LDS church but is going with her husband and children, all converts to the LDS church. The story follows the trials and tribulations of the Pioneers as they walked their way to Zion.

I actually had a difficult time reading the story, although it was well written. The trek was hard and painful. Many died and the story reflects the misery of trodding along while people are dying. However, since it was a historical fiction, I had to keep reading even though I knew how the story would end.

One aspect of the book puzzled me. As I stated, the story was told from three different viewpoints. However, at the critical time of the book, the author wrote a historical narrative that was not from any of the three characters viewpoints. It felt a little out of place. Also, I felt the story ended too soon. It did not follow the company into Salt Lake City. It would have been interesting to read what could have been a happier, yet conflicted, ending.

All in all, I would recommend it, but not if you want some lighthearted reading.

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Jimmer Fredette

2011-01-12T08:57:00.001-07:00

As Angie would say: Totally!

Our Rockin' Christmas

2010-12-21T22:05:00.001-07:00

I'll bet you didn't know that our family was so musically inclined!

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Robin Hood

2010-12-20T11:13:00.003-07:00

I judge movies on how much I think about them the next day or two. If I hardly think of the movie, it is pretty mediocre. If I think alot about the movie, it is usually really good or very, very bad. Good movies make me think of the storyline, the characters, and the effect it has on my emotions. Bad movies have me thinking what a waste of time it was to watch and how it could have been better. Some movies, however, make me want to do some research and more reading to learn more about the storyline. These movies are invariably movies with some history connected to it. Robin Hood (starring Russel Crowe) is such a movie.

As a movie, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Deb, on the other hand, fell asleep. I enjoy well done movies with some history attached to them. When the movie was over, I wanted to know what was actually true, and what was not. So, I did some research on the Internet to find more about Robin Hood. Of course, the movie is almost entirely fiction since only circumstantial evidence is available that such a character as Robin Hood existed. This movie tells the story of how Robin Hood became an outlaw.

As far as the movie itself, I gave it 7 out of 10 stars on IMDb. The movie felt long to me and it was long (almost 2 1/2 hours). In very good movies, you do not notice the length. Perhaps this movie could have been tightened up a bit so it did not feel so long. Overall, though, for me it was enjoyable. For Deb, it was a snoozer.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-15T20:56:00.000-07:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Movies

2010-12-06T14:23:00.001-07:00

Time to catch up on some movies we have watched, but we have not posted to our blog.

We watched "Ponyo" as a family. It is an animated movie from Japan that used American actors for the voices in the version released in the United States. Disney released it for the US market.

The movie was interesting. I am sure, some of the odd parts of the movie come from the differences in the American and Japanese cultures. It was very difficult for me to believe that the main character, Ponyo, was a goldfish. It had a human face on it and when the boy, Sosuke, first rescues it and when his mother saw the "fish," they didn't freak out that it had a human face! Other than that, the story was quite good and the girls loved it.

As I mentioned earlier, Ponyo is a "goldfish" that is rescued by Sosuke. She falls in love with the boy and transforms herself into a human. However, the transformation changes the earth's balance and the two children must save the world.

On IMDb, I gave it 5 of out 10 stars. I would probably give it more stars if some of the storyline made more sense to me. I am sure my girls would give it many more stars.

The other movie we watched together as a family was "How To Train Your Dragon." This movie was very surprising. I did not think I would like this movie, but it was great. The storyline kept me interested, and the underlying tone of the message of not judging before you get to know someone was powerful.

Hiccup is a young Viking trying to meet his father's expectations to become a Viking warrior. The vikings are fighting the dragons that raid their village almost nightly. When Hiccup wounds the mysterious Night Fury dragon, he cannot bring himself to kill the dragon. Soon, the two form a friendship. Together, they fight to make the dragons and Vikings understand each other.

On IMDb, I gave it 9 out of 10 stars. I highly recommend this movie. The girls liked it, but I think Deb and I liked it a lot more. It seemed more geared to adults than children. Or it could be that our girls are chickens and don't like scary stuff like dragons.

Over the weekend, Deb and I watched a "chick flick" called "Confessions of a Shopaholic." We were pleasantly surprised by the lack of sex and sexual innuendos in this movie. A few swear words were heard which made us cringe.

Basically, the movie is about a journalist that lucks out in getting a job for a finance magazine. She gets the job to help those in debt while she is heavy in debt herself since she loves to shop and buy. A few things seem to be a stretch--like when her boss tries to get her to write a story that she has no idea how to do it but still gets it done. It did provide some laughs and in the end, all works out.

I gave the movie 5 out of 10 stars on IMDb. I am sure Deb would give it a lot more, but, hey, it's a chick flick!

The Count of Monte Cristo

2010-12-06T12:08:00.001-07:00

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Interesting book. One of the few times I felt the movie was better. Although the storyline is basically the same, the movie changed some details that are not in the book. However, as usual, the book goes into much more detail.

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Family Viewing

2010-12-01T10:24:00.005-07:00

Since we no longer have TV (a long story involving being the "man" of the house!), we have purchased a Roku player so we can watch Netflix movies and TV programs on our TV. One of the TV shows that we have been watching together is "Flipper." The acting is corny. The story lines are lame. Yet, it is wonderful! Angie and Lilli both love the shows. They will watch them from start to finish. And when I sit down to watch them with me, I reflect back to my childhood days when we would watch the show together as a family.

One reason (and a big one at that) I'm not concerned about getting TV back was the content of TV shows and the family "unfriendliness" of the shows. Even though Deb and I may roll our eyes with the poor acting or inconsistent story lines, we are watching TV together when we watch "Flipper." Back in my day, that was how it was always done. We watched as a family, but it seemed to have a lot more family friendly programming. Now, with Netflix and Roku, we can do the same.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-23T13:02:00.000-07:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Rivalry Week!

2010-11-23T09:30:00.001-07:00

A great Youtube video about some great finishes in the last few years!

Finished Book

2010-11-22T11:52:00.001-07:00

When Thou Art Converted: Continuing the Search for Happiness by M. Russell Ballard

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great book to remind each of us our commitment to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Babies

2010-10-27T10:52:00.002-06:00

I watched the documentary movie "Babies" last night. Angie has seen the trailer for it and has wanted to see it. The other day, she found it on Netflix and added it to our instant cue. (Since we have Roku, we can watch Netflix instant movies on our TV.) I had heard that the movie showed an actual birth, so we told Angie that Mom and Dad had to preview it before she could watch it. I then checked a great website for parents to help decide what may not be good for kids in movies. It is Kids-In-Mind.com. It said on the website that a baby is shown immediately exiting the womb, so we decided to watch to see if it would be appropriate.

The movie follows four babies: one from an African tribe, one from Mongolia, one from Japan and one from San Francisco. The movie did indeed show an infant right after birth, covered in mucus and the umbilical cord attached. Deb said, "We're not letting her see it." Throughout the movie, it showed the women breastfeeding their babies. Since the African tribe's culture included very few clothes, many times breasts were shown. So, Deb and I decided to not let Angie watch the movie. I am sure she is going to be very upset.

As far as the movie goes, it was OK for about 5 minutes if you don't mind breasts. It showed only the babies with very few words and then in their native language. After about 5 minutes, it became boring. Deb fell asleep 10 minutes in. I forced my way through it. It reminded me of the Puppy Bowl, Animal Planet's programming opposite of the Super Bowl. It's cute for a while, but then gets boring fast. Save yourself 76 minutes and just watch the "Babies" trailer. It shows the best parts of the entire movie without having to watch it all.

More Halloween Fun!

2010-10-19T11:16:00.000-06:00

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How Can Life Be Hard?

2010-10-15T13:44:00.004-06:00

I saw this video on Facebook and had to share the powerful message it has.

Click here to visit his website.

The Last Days

2010-10-12T12:05:00.000-06:00

The Last Days by Joel C. Rosenberg

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyable. Page-turning action.

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Lilli

2010-10-12T11:54:00.003-06:00

Two quick stories that made us laugh:

#1: The Downey 2nd Ward's Primary program is coming up on October 24th. Lilli and Angie both have lines for the program. This past Sunday, Deb was drilling Angie and Lilli on their lines so they could say them for the rehearsal during Primary. Lilli's first line is "Jesus Christ is the son of God." Later, as we were at Fast and Testimony Meeting, Angie and Lilli's Primary teacher bore her testimony. She talked about her class and how much they mean to her. After the meeting, Deb told the girls to tell their Primary teacher, "Thank you for your testimony." Angie went right up to her and did it. Lilli, our social butterfly, had to stop several times to see who was doing what. I then grabbed her hand and took her to her teacher. I said to her, "Tell her what Mommy told you to say." She looked at her teacher and said, "Jesus Christ is the son of God."

#2: Earlier in the week, Deb had put up some peach jam. Then a few days later, she put up some chili sauce. On the day she made the chili sauce, she had a little left over so we used it with our chicken dinner that evening. Lilli loved it and smothered her chicken with. Last Sunday, we had chicken again. While eating, she asked her mother, "Can I have some tomato jam for my chicken?"

Halloween Fun!

2010-10-10T01:09:00.001-06:00

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Catchin' Up

2010-06-18T07:59:00.005-06:00

It has been too long since I have posted anything. Much has happened the last few months. I am going to briefly summarize what has happened. If I get ambitious, I will post pics and videos.

Our family attended Lynn's Pocatello retirement party. It was a very nice ceremony with good food! The Idaho State Journal did a front page story on it. You can see the online version here.

Angie had a dance competition at Lagoon the day before Mother's Day. Thanks to Amy for hosting us the night before. She is such a great hostess (something that has rubbed off from her parents!). It was PERFECT weather for the day. Angie and her dancemates did very well at the competition. We also had a lot of fun at Lagoon. Angie and Lilli loved going on the rides, and I was surprised that Lilli loved the Egg Drop (the kids version of the Rocket). Angie went with Mom on the white roller coaster. Deb said she screamed and clung to her big time. She was all smiles when she got off, but she didn't want to do it again. The downer was when I locked the keys in the car. While we were waiting for the Lagoon Security people to unlock our car, I was huddled with Angie and Lilli to keep them warm. Angie looked up a me and said, "I sure hope my husband doesn't look the keys in our car." Angie's our worrier! (A week later, Angie asked Heavenly Father to bless Dad that he won't lock the keys in the car again.) Thanks again to Amy for the unplanned stay on Saturday night.

Earlier this Spring, we were preparing to go to Lake Powell on the houseboat with Lynn, Leisha, and other family members. A week before we were to leave, the boat sank! So, after some scrambling, Lynn and Leisha's family chose to go to Quail Creek State Park. It was a lot of fun but very hot! On our way down, we stayed at Todd and Chelsea's. The girls loved playing with their cousin Lyla.

We have been looking for a bicycle for Angie. We found one on Craigslist and checked it out. It was a little big for her (20 inch bike), but the $15 price tag was too hard to turn down. The family also had a 12 inch bike they wanted to sell for $5. We decided to forgo on it, but then the family offered it to us for free, so we took it. The family also had a Barbie Beetle power car and an electric ride-on four wheeler which they also gave to us. They didn't run, but they said they were working before the batteries went out. Not sure if that is the case; we still haven't got them running, but batteries cost $63 a piece. After we loaded them into our minivan and started home, Angie said, "Bless God!" When asked why she said that, she said she didn't think she would ever get a car and was extremely excited. I just hope we can get them to work now!

Angie and Lilli just finished with swimming lessons. Both girls love getting into the water and did well with the swimming lessons. Deb was Lilli's teacher for the last two sessions. When coming home from Downata after their last lesson, Lilli said (without any prompting from anyone), "Mom, thank you for being my teacher." Deb beamed as she told me the story.

For the first time in a few summers, I will be working all summer with my new job at ISU's athletic department. However, we are looking forward to the Brower reunion at the beginning of July and and the Gambles reunion during the middle of July.

Go Christie Go!

2010-05-14T10:28:00.001-06:00

I love this man! Christie for President!

Gov Christie calls S-L columnist thin-skinned for inquiring about his 'confrontational tone'

Remembering Twila (and Swan Lake)

2010-04-09T21:30:00.003-06:00

We just returned from the viewing of an incredible lady, Twila Gibbs. Although I was never really close to her, I considered her a friend and was saddened deeply when I heard of her passing.

As I remember her, she always had a smile on her face. She was a friend to all. She had a wonderful family. Each one of them were in one way or another a friend to me.

As a child, I especially remember DeeAnn. She and Sandra Henderson were close friends to Dad. I can remember riding the bus with Dad before I went to school, and DeeAnn and Sandra would talk with Dad and play with me.

Later, after I returned home when Dad passed away, I became great friends with Trent, Kay and Twila's grandson who lived with them. I really appreciate that friendship to this day.

As I drove home from the viewing, I reflected with some melancholy upon all those great Swan Lakers who had varying degrees of influence on my life. Many of the adults from my childhood have passed on. I fell compelled to list them, although I know that I will invariably forget someone who I should remember: (no particular order) Max Kay, Joe Kay, Doris Kay, Kay Gibbs, Twila Gibbs, Albert Nordick, Pearl Nordick, Glenna Joy Yearsley, Dutch Hadley, Belva Hadley, Arem Allen, Lucy Allen, Boyd Allen, Fay Merrill, Lionel Merrill, Alda Merrill, Ruby Merrill, Venna Gibbs, Martel Thomas, Jim Abbott, Erma Abbott, Don Henderson, Wanda Carlson, Swede Carlson, Edith Millard, Wayne Millard, Verla Bell, Fenton Matkin, Ray Henderson, Colleen Henderson, Marie Henderson, Cal Henderson, Merrill Beckstead, Woodrow Sorensen, and, of course, Grandpa Gambles, Grandma Ruby, and most of all Dad.

Then there were those who I grew to know after returning to Swan Lake at Dad's passing: Rachel Adams, Gladys Heckert, and Linda Henderson and my childhood friend, Mary Ann Matkin.

Each of these souls had an influence on my life. To be sure, they had varying degrees of influence, but all influenced me. I miss them. And I look forward to seeing them again.

Jon Schmidt

2010-03-17T16:37:00.002-06:00

I love piano music played well, and Jon Schmidt knows how to play the piano well! I first heard him when he did a Coldplay "Viva La Vida" and Taylor Swift "Love Story" combination. You can find his website here and listen to his music (for free!).

March Madness

2010-03-16T10:44:00.003-06:00

It is once again time for March Madness. For those who would like to play a pick-em contest, go here.

Last year, Jackie won the tournament. However, this year I will win it all!!!!!

Life's Toughest Lessons

2010-02-16T20:02:00.002-07:00

Often time in life, we must learn hard lessons. At times, these lessons seem not so difficult. Other times, it seems like we can never overcome the problems that life presents us. Yet, sometime it can be the small, minuscule things that teach us the biggest lessons. For instance, learning to not fall asleep on the toilet may come the hard way!

I hope she loves still in 10to 15 years!

Hoorah! Hoorah!

2010-02-07T22:24:00.003-07:00

We have big news coming from the Gambles household. Lilli has been going potty!!! It has been a struggle, but over the weekend she decided that she would give it a try...and she is doing it! She has even gone to potty without anyone's help. She announced she was going potty, went into the bathroom, went potty and told everyone about it. We are so proud of her!

Angie at Dance Camp

2010-02-07T22:20:00.003-07:00

On Saturday, February 6, 2010, Angie went to the Idaho State University Bengal Dancers Kids Clinic. She performed at halftime of the women's basketball game that night. ISU played Montana and lost. Ugh. Grandma Bet joined us for a fun-filled evening though. We are all proud of Angie!!!

Angie at Cheer Camp

2010-01-31T20:22:00.003-07:00

Angie attended the Marsh Valley High School Mini-Cheer Camp hosted by the cheerleaders from Marsh Valley. She enjoyed it very much. At halftime of the basketball game that night, Angie and the rest of the girls performed. Of course, Angie was the best! No bias here!

Remembering 9/11

2009-09-11T17:56:00.003-06:00

Eight years ago today, the nation, indeed the world, was changed forever. It is a day which I shall never forget.

I was getting ready for work. As I always do, I had the radio tuned to KSL. I heard them reporting about a plane that had crashed into one of the World Trade Center buildings. Then they announced that a second plane had hit the other tower. I knew then it was not an accident. It was an attack. I ran upstairs and told Mom what was on the radio. She quickly turned on the TV and we watched the news reports and saw the video of the second plane hitting the tower. It was stunning.

I drove into work, not even paying attention to the road. I was intently listening to everything that was being reported. I was working in Preston at Freedom Plastics as a sales representative. I think I received 2 phone calls all day long. When the first tower fell, I was stunned. When the second tower fell, I just sat at my desk and stared out into space. I could not believe it. I said a silent prayer to myself.

I have often wondered what I would have done if I had been at the twin towers on that day. This video is about someone who was.

Adoption and Independence

2009-07-09T07:58:00.010-06:00

Angie's Adoption Day was June 29. Prior to the day, we asked Angie what she would like to do for her day. She asked that Riley Evans (her next door neighbor and best friend) go swimming with her and sleep in a tent with her in the yard. Since we celebrate the day as a birthday, we said OK even though that meant Deb and I would be sleeping in a tent with her!

The day started out slow. When we finally go ready to go to Downata Hot Springs for swimming, a thunderstorm passed over closing the pool. We decided to go back home and have dinner--macaroni and cheese with hot dogs. Angie loves mac and cheese and every time we ask her what she wants to eat, she says, "Macaroni!"

After dinner, the storm passed and the pool at Downata was open again so we went swimming. We had a blast and Angie went down the Dragon Slide (pictured on the left) a bunch of times. In fact, the one time I went with her, she sprinted up the stairs, and I could not catch my breath when I got to the top. I thought I was going to die!!!!

After swimming, we suggested that maybe it would not be a good idea to set a tent up in the yard since it may rain. We said we would set it up in the front room, and she and Riley could sleep there. She agreed and we hurried home and set up the tent in the house before she could change her mind!

The next day, Angie asked if Lilli would sleep with her in the tent. Mom said OK. That night as we were getting ready for bed, we asked Lilli if she wanted to sleep in the tent. She said, "No. My bed!" Mom then offered to sleep with her in the tent. Angie got excited, then Deb remembered she would be working at the library the next day. I then offered to sleep with Angie in the tent so Deb could get a good night's rest.

My sleeping arrangements were me sleeping on a sleeping bag in the tent on the floor of the living room. I like a firm bed so I thought that would be OK. Man, was I wrong! I COULD NOT GET COMFORTABLE AT ALL!!!!!! I think it was the worst night of my night. However, Angie loved having me sleep with her, and I would not change that for a million dollars!

On the 3rd of July, we went to Logan to watch their fireworks. We found a spot along the road just west of the stadium to park and watch. It was a lot of fun, and the girls enjoyed it.

For Independence Day, we went to Arimo for their parade. After the parade, we stayed around for the pot luck lunch held at the city park. It was very delicious with an overabundance of food! Late afternoon we went to Pocatello to meet with Landen Brower so we could go to "The Biggest Show in Idaho" fireworks show at the Bannock County Fairgrounds. Since Landen works for Courtesy Ford (a sponsor of the show), he is able to get us in. Every year, it is awesome. Deb, the kids, and I love it. This year, though, we began to wonder if the fireworks would go on. It started to rain and did it ever rain. At about 8 pm, it started to let up and at about 9 pm we went to the fairgrounds. The skies cleared up and the show went on, although it was quite chilly.

All in all, we had a wonderful day with family celebrating the great country which God has given us.

Swan Lake Makes the News

2009-06-18T19:42:00.004-06:00

KPVI, Channel 6 out of Pocatello, did an "exclusive" on the flooding in Swan Lake on Sunday, June 14. We were watching the news when it came on. Bob Hayes and Kim Thomas were interviewed for the story. I checked KPVI's website, but they do not have the video there, but they do have a story about it. You can find it here.

Deb and I along with the girls were in Swan Lake that day to support Jackie's friend, Shannon Fleischmann, and her baby boy Noah being blessed. Brad did it for the family. Rex and Lori Criddle with several of their children were also there for support. We had a delicious Dutch oven dinner (chicken and potatoes) along with other delightful delectables! (I sound like a food critic!)

After dinner, Jackie, Brayden, Shantae, Taylee, the Criddles, and Fleischmanns left. A few minutes later, it started to downpour and then subsided. Shortly after that, a huge river of floodwater was roaring down Swan Lake Creek. The Matkin home was completely surrounded by water, and Brad got a call that the church was flooded. We began to wonder if we would have to stay there all night since we were surrounded by water. Eventually the floodwaters did subside, and we were able to get home.

Lake Powell

2009-06-13T20:05:00.003-06:00

On May 31, we motored to Wahweap Marinia just out of Page, Arizona, to join Lynn and Leisha Brower on their houseboat. We spent a week just swimming, reading, playing games, and eating! It was a lot of fun.

Of course, Lynn and Leisha were there along with their daughter Kaylee. Deb (and Lynn's) mother, Idonna, was on the boat. Our family rounded out the Brower's on the boat.

Leisha's family members that came were her mother and father, Marge and Mel, her brother, Val, and his son Kevin, her sister Annalee and brother-in-law Dave and their children Zachary, Aurianna, and Gretchen, her brother Terro and sister-in-law Lorie and their children Tameka, Brennan, Bonita, and Marin.

We parked the houseboat in Last Chance Bay. It took us 2 to 3 hours to get where we were going to stay for the week. We were in a nice little cove which according to Lynn, the water was 89 feet deep off the back of the boat. Lilli's swimsuit lies there now! (Thanks to Deb's thoughtful and wonderful husband who does every wish that Deb asks!)

Deb and I along with her mother were in charge of the Sunday evening dinner and Monday morning breakfast. We got the cooking out of the way fast! On Thursday night, we did the "Huddle." Every night, each family is assigned to do the Huddle which is a mini version of Family Home Evening--a thought and a prayer. When we did ours, Grandma Don read a scripture on families, Angie sang "My Eternal Family," Deb provided an object lesson on families, and I read a story from my first mission president's wife about families. To conclude, Lilli led everyone in the "Hokie Pokie." Grandma Don then prayed.

Saturday morning we brought the boat back to Wahweap Marina and disembarked from the boat. We loaded up and headed for home. Highway 20, which goes from Highway 89 to I-15, is a very windy road. Right after we got off the road and onto I-15, Lilli puked. And this was no gentle puke. It shot out of her mouth. Of course, it took some time for us to clean it up at Exit 100 on the freeway.

All in all it was a great time. If you would like to see some pictures from our trip, you can see them on our Picasa web album here. Also, for those on Facebook, pictures can be seen on my account here.

Angie's Dance Recital

2009-05-22T15:19:00.001-06:00

A professional photographer was at Angie's Dance Recital held on May 16. Go here to see a slideshow from her dances.

Sockie & Me

2009-05-05T11:49:00.013-06:00

Over the weekend, we watched Marley & Me on DVD. It was a fun movie, especially for a dog lover like me. As for the movie, I found the acting compelling and the story very interesting. Deb, not being a dog lover, would have given the heave-ho to the dog in the first 15 minutes of the movie! In a big turnaround--I cried and Deb didn't!

SPOILER ALERT!
If you have not seen the movie and do not want to know how it ends, do not read the rest of this post. I am going to relate aspects of the movie to my first dog, Sockie, especially on how the movie ends.

I have always been a dog lover. When an opportunity came up to get a dog, I jumped on it. I was living in Salt Lake City with Uncle Ralph at the time. Tom Gambles, my cousin, hooked me up with a year-old Cocker Spaniel. The owner had moved and was unable to take the dog with him. The dog was living at the owner's parents home, but they were gone a lot so the dog was left alone--chained up in the backyard. A neighbor would feed and water him, but the dog wasn't happy with his life. Naturally, the owner's parents were very willing to let me take him.

Tom took me to pick him up. When we got there, Sockie went crazy. We could hardly contain his excitement--especially when Tom unhooked him from his chain. Sockie, who was named after the Portuguese word for volleyball, was a big, matted ball of fur. For those that know about Cocker Spaniels, they need haircuts--and often. Sockie must not have had one for months.

We loaded Sockie into the back of Tom's pick up and headed back to the house. A few blocks down the road, Tom looked back where Sockie was supposed to be, but he wasn't there. We turned around and found him trying to make friends with another dog. He loved other dogs and it did not matter how viciously they were barking, he wanted to go sniff the other dog. In any event, we tied him in the bed of the truck and went home.

The next day, I took Sockie to get groomed and to have a check up. I think the receptionist about had a coronary when she saw him. He was so furry and matted. When I came back a couple of hours later to pick him up, I did not recognize him. The vet said he was healthy except his ears had an infection. He told me that was typical with floppy-eared dogs, and I would have to keep on top of it. As I turned out, it was a battle all of Sockie's life.

When I first got Sockie, it was to be a temporary arrangement. As such, I tried to keep my emotional distance from him. I did not want to get too attached to him because I did not want to get heart broken when the owner came to get him. However, as the days went by, it was tough to keep my distance. Then one late summer evening, I was sitting outside petting Sockie. He was on my lap. I realized that I did really love the dog, and I was in it for the long haul. As it turned out, the original owner never did ask for him back.

When I first got Sockie, he hated to be alone. I was determined to make him an outdoor dog. However, he would bark and whine every time I would go into the house to go to bed. It was Uncle Ralph who told me to bring him in and make him an indoor dog. Uncle Ralph was to blame for all the clothes that Sockie chewed!!!!

As an indoor dog, Sockie was very easy to house train. I only had to correct him a couple of times before he knew that he had to do his duty outside. Although Sockie loved being outside, he did not want to be out there alone for a very long time. However, his male instincts would take over at times, and he would disappear for a long time if he caught a scent of a female anywhere near. It was at such one time when he disappeared for a few days. I finally found him in the pound. Being locked up didn't keep him from wandering though. Years later, when we had him "fixed," he did stop wandering.

Sockie made the transition from Salt Lake to Swan Lake quite easily. The typical Cocker Spaniel haircut--short on the top and long on the bottom--was done, though. He would come in from outside with all kinds of burrs and weeds in his fur. He never got another "Cocker cut" again.

When I got married, Mom (bless her soul) kept Sockie with her. A few months after we were married, Mom called me to tell me that Sockie was not doing good. He was not eating and had diarrhea with blood in it. Deb and I took him to the vet in Preston. I held Sockie on my lap as Deb drove. When we got there, the doctor confirmed my fears. Sockie was dying. He said we could try to stop the bleeding, but it was very unlikely that he would recover. He suggested that we put him to sleep. With a broken heart, I agreed. As in the movie, the vet left us alone with Sockie to say our good byes. I told Sockie how much he had meant to me, and that I loved him. Then the doc came back in. Unlike the movie, though, I could not stay in the room and be there when he was euthanized. We took Sockie back to Swan Lake and buried him just across the fence in the backyard. Everytime I pull up to Mom's house, I think of my great friend Sockie.

"A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbol means nothing to him. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his." (Quote from the end of the movie--and so very true!)

Emma-Angie's Little One

2009-04-28T09:22:00.004-06:00

Here's a fun picture tag. The rules:

1. Go to your documents/pictures

2. Go to your 6th folder

3. Go to your 6th picture

4. Post it, and blog about it

5. Tag 6 people to do the same

6. Name your picture

OK. Chelsea tagged me about four million years ago and I finally got around doing it! I followed the instructions, and this is the picture I got:

I took this picture on New Years Eve 2008. We had gone to Grandma Don's to celebrate the New Year. I was taking pictures and Angie asked me to take a picture of her "baby."

Angie is a wonderful little mother. She has two dolls that she plays a lot with--Emma pictured above and a bigger, cloth doll she has named Deidre (recently renamed from Tracy). In fact, the day before yesterday, she announced that Deidre had just had a baby. Therefore, she (Angie) was a grandmother and I was a great-grandfather. However, Deb was a grandmother also. I'm a little bummed about that!

A little later, Angie told me that Deidre had rode in an ambulance. I asked her why. With a little bit of contempt in her voice she said, "She had her baby!"

Then a few minutes later, Angie asked me if I wanted to see where Deidre had a shot. I said sure. She lifted the doll's dress, and Angie had put on the stretchy stuff that I had for my arm when I had my IV last fall. I asked her what the shot was for (I'm a little dense at times!) and again she informed me that Diedre just had a baby. She then asked me if I wanted to see the "newborn" (her word!). She had wrapped up her smallest doll into a blanket. I asked her what her name was and she said Alyssa.

OK. Why is my little girl growing up so fast! I'm already a great-grandfather for crying out loud!

Now, for the six people I will tag: I don't know if all of these follow my blog, but I tag Amber Smith, Kaiann Womack, Ally Probst, TJ Probst, Jennie Wilding, and Rachelle St. Gelais.

Have fun!

Angie

2009-04-23T14:22:00.004-06:00

I was browsing the Internet when I decided to go to Dan Lewis' website. He is an artist living in Downey that has done several church-related paintings. Right after we got Lilli, he asked to paint Angie. The picture on the left is the result. Of course, we were very proud of Angie when she "sat" for the portrait. Actually, Dan had her sit and walk around while he took pictures with his camera. He then painted Angie from one of the pictures. When Dan first showed us the portrait, it was Angie in her Easter dress and little flowers in her hair. He then changed it a made her into a little Pioneer girl. At any rate, I was quite surprised to see Angie's portrait on his home page. To visit his website, go here.

JJJJAAAACCCCKKKKSSSS!!!!

2009-04-07T08:14:00.003-06:00

Jackie become the champion of the Gambles Family NCAA tournament contest. She dominated the field with 1570 points. Deb was second with two of her brackets scoring 1380 points. Nathan was third with 1360 points. Jackie correctly got 99.6% of the games right.

JJJJJAAAAACCCCCKKKKKSSSSS!!!!!

How All Funerals Should Be

2009-04-03T09:53:00.002-06:00

Alright, this is one of the best funerals I have ever seen. I wish all funerals were like this!

March Madness

2009-03-17T08:58:00.003-06:00

It is the time of year again to see who can be the best predictor! If you would like to join the Gambles Family in seeing who is the best NCAA picker, then go to ESPN's website (click here) and fill in a bracket. After you have filled it in, click on join a group and search for "Gambles Family." The password is 8975555. Bring it on!!

The Holy Temples

2009-03-12T11:11:00.003-06:00

With all of the hubbub about HBO's airing of the endowment, I found this video on YouTube. It relays what the temple means.

We recently went to Seattle to see Deb's friend get married. It was the first time I had been to Seattle. I felt very lost (and would have truly been lost without Google Maps!) until we pulled into the Seattle Temple parking lot. As we entered the temple, I felt I was home--even though I was nearly a thousand miles away. I was in a strange land--but I was home.

Funny Video

2009-02-09T09:38:00.002-07:00

OK. It's been some time so the sting of the ending of last football season has begun to go away. I found this funny video about Utah's football season. Enjoy!

Being a Donkey

2009-01-28T10:22:00.003-07:00

Being a donkey as in being stubborn--not the other word associated with donkeys!!!!

This last Saturday (Jan. 24), I went to get Lilli out of her bed. I told her I would not get her out of bed until she told me her name. We have had a heck of a time getting her to tells us her name. When we asked, she usually responded with Baby or Angie. (As a sidebar to the story, Angie says Lilli's full name is Lilli And Jade!) So, that morning I told her I would get her out of her bed when she told me her name. She tried Baby and Angie and I said no. She just sat there. (As another sidebar to the story, Lilli tried to climb out of her bed once before and fell hard. Yesterday was the first time since then that she tried to climb out of her bed. She succeeded. I expect her to climb out more often now.) I told her I was going to fix breakfast and leave her in bed. She started to cry and I asked her what her name was. She said nothing so I went to the kitchen and started breakfast. A few minutes later, I asked her what her name was and again she said nothing. I did this several times, but she would not answer me.

Each morning, we prepare a milk shake for the kids with nutrients to help in their growth and immunity. Both girls love it and ask for it every morning. We make it with the blender. When I turned the blender on, Lilli knew what was going on and wanted out of her bed. I told her she had to tell me her name. Nothing. I finished her milk shake and told her as soon as she told me her name, she could have her milk shake. I thought for sure that would get her out of her bed. But she refused. Finally, after about three attempts with her milk shake in my hand, she said a hardly audible Lilli. I cheered and praised her for doing it. Yet, she seemed to be defeated. Over the last few days, though, she has been more willing to say her name.

Comparing kids one to another can be very dangerous (and usually stupid), but since Angie and Lilli are complete opposites, it is easy to see the differences. Angie was quick to speak and very willing to repeat what we asked her to repeat. Lilli is the complete opposite. If we ask her to repeat something, she will not do it. She is very strong-willed and stubborn. Raising Lilli will be (and is) very different from raising Angie.

Lastly, even though raising a strong-willed child like Lilli may be more challenging than raising a compliant child like Angie, I would never want it any other way. I love both girls so much, and I love the learning moments we share together. Being a father is much more difficult than I expected, but at the same time it is much more rewarding.

Who Would Believe Ants Could Do This?

2009-01-21T09:09:00.002-07:00

I really enjoy Kim Komando's Video of the Day. On today's video (Jan. 21, 2009), she has a video showing what ants can do. Scientists found an abandoned ant hill and poured tons of cement down it. What they uncovered is amazing!

By the way, I still plan to get some pictures from Christmas posted.

Our Festive Home

2008-12-19T08:39:00.008-07:00

Every year, we try to make our home a little reflective of the Christmas season. So, for those of you that do not get to come to our home during Christmas time, we proudly present pictures from our home:

Our Christmas Tree--picture doesn't do it justice. We have ornaments from BM (before marriage, not bowel movement!) from both of us and ornaments we have collected over the years.

A view of our home from the street. Notice the garbage can on the right--part of our outdoor decorations!

A closer look at the decorations on the left side of our house.

The right side of our house. Notice Sadie on the steps--laying on the rug in front of the door. Also, our Christmas Tree can be seen in the window.

As you can see, we will be having a white Christmas since we have gotten a good snow storm. It is snowing again today and it has been cold, so there is no chance the snow will melt before Santa flies off to deliver gifts.

Angie is incredibly excited about Santa coming. She has been telling us what she was going to ask Santa since before Halloween. For Lilli, it is all new. I'm sure Angie will get her excited about it next year, but I think she is still a couple years away from total excitement.

The Bourne Ultimatum

2008-12-16T12:47:00.003-07:00

Over the weekend, we watched The Bourne Ultimatum, the third movie of the Bourne series. We found the movie very entertaining and would recommend it to anyone wishing a good action movie. We are fans of all three of the movies.

Thanksgiving

2008-12-12T11:30:00.008-07:00

I know this is way overdue, but I decided I had better get something written about Thanksgiving.

Our Thanksgiving weekend actually started on Tuesday. At work, I do a lot things with the Holiday Inn at Pocatello. Each year, Holiday Inn hosts ISU employees for a meal and then provide us with a certificate for a free night's stay at the Holiday Inn. We took advantage of that on Tuesday. Angie loves the Holiday Inn since she can go swimming in the Holidome. So, Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning was spent swimming.

After we checked out of the hotel, we then went to the movie Bolt. This was a very cute movie. Lilli watched half of it before falling asleep while Angie watched the whole thing. The movie was presented in 3D, but we could not get Angie to keep her glasses on. That seemed wierd since without the glasses, it was blurry. In short, the movie is about a dog who is in a TV show where he has super powers. The producers do not let the dog know that he really does not have super powers so his reactions are genuine. The dog gets out of his trailer and falls into a box that is shipped to New York. Once in New York, he thinks he can use his super powers to get back to his owner. With the help of a cat and a hamster, he goes cross country to find out what is real.

On Thursday, we spent Thanksgiving with the Gambles. It was a very delicious dinner, and being able to lounge around and visit made it a great day.

On Friday, Deb and I braved the early morning shoppers in Pocatello. NewsChannel 6 in Pocatello did a news story about Black Friday. Even though we are not in the video, we were in the crowd that was rushing into Shopko. I knew I had to run or be trampled!

We went to Preston's Festival of Lights and then the Bar J Wranglers on Saturday. Chelsea posted pictures on her blog.

Sunday, Angie gave her third talk in Primary. She did a great job. Dad was incredibly proud and Mom was beaming from ear to ear as she did her talk. After church, we had dinner at Mom's and said good-bye to everyone.

The Christmas Sweater

2008-12-12T11:02:00.005-07:00

As a fan of Glenn Beck, I had heard him talk about his book, The Christmas Sweater, a lot. So, when I heard it had been published, I asked Deb to look out for it at the Downey Library. When the library got it in, Deb checked it out for me (the first to check the book out from Downey!).

In short, the book is about a 13 year old boy who has already lost his father to cancer and then loses his mother in a car accident. He lives with his grandparents and becomes bitter about how his life has become. Through the help of a neighbor named Russell, he begins to understand what is really important in life.

The book is not too long, and I was able to read it in four hours over two days. Before I read the book, I wondered if this book would be the same as The Christmas Box. The overall theme of redemption and fixing things right are the only similarities. As I came to the end of the book, I shed a few tears, and I was very grateful for the opportunity to read the book.

I Am Legend

2008-12-12T09:29:00.004-07:00

Several weeks ago, Deb and I watched I Am Legend on DVD. In short, the movie is about a man, Dr. Robert Neville, who is immune a virus that turns humans into zombie-like creatures that are sensitive to sunlight. Dr. Neville uses his days to search for other survivors and finding a cure for the virus.

As a "time to time" movie viewer, I judge my movies on how long I reflect on the movie after seeing it; how much do they make me think. For days after the movie, I would find myself thinking about one scene or another. I found the premise very interesting and the twists and turns very intriguing. As such, I would recommend this movie. However, as we started to watch the movie, we realized it was way too intense for children and finished watching it when Angie and Lilli were asleep.

Update on Ted

2008-12-11T08:47:00.004-07:00

I thought that I should update everyone on how things are going with me. On Nov. 6th, I finished with the 24-hr IV therapy. I still had the PICC line in so they could draw blood from me for the next few weeks. However, a few days later I noticed that my vein in my arm just below my elbow had a hard lump in it. I went to the hospital, had an ultrasound done of my arm, and then told that I had a blood clot in the arm--caused by the PICC line. The PICC line was removed and I went to Dr. Gibby to see how to treat it. I am now on blood thinner (coumadin--actually the the generic version of coumadin).
Dr. Gibby said it would probably be about six months before I can stop taking blood thinner. On we go!

Accidents Do Happen

2008-12-10T10:22:00.004-07:00

Last night, Dec. 9, Angie was trying to be helpful. She had turned off the lights on the Christmas tree and the lights around the Nativity scene. She then wanted to turn off the light in the curio cabinet when she grabbed the glass shelf to sturdy herself. Of course, the shelf was not attached and it sent everything tumbling to the ground, breaking one piece of a Nativity scene that Deb had in the cabinet. Deb and I were in the kitchen talking when the accident happened. We went running into the front room to see Angie dashing to hide behind the couch. When I grabbed Angie as she was trying to hide (with a great amount of fear and apprehension on her face), she screamed and then started to cry. I quickly realized it was an accident after I saw that the lights on the tree and around the big Nativity were off. I told her to stop crying and tell me what had happened. When I told her that we knew it was an accident, she stopped crying to tell us what happened.

As a parent, I began to wonder if I have not been doing right in raising her. Why would she want to flee and hide after an accident? Why did she not run to us for protection? I know we have put the fear of death into her if she broke any of "Mommy's pretties." Perhaps we need to give her more support and comfort. I don't know. This is the first time around for this parenting thing!

The True Meaning of Christmas

2008-11-21T23:18:00.002-07:00

Each year, the two stakes in Marsh Valley (Arimo and McCammon) put on Michael McLean's The Forgotten Carols. For using local talent and following the script as a readers' theater, it is a wonderful performance. The talent we have here in this valley is amazing, and it is brought out with this production. However, the fabulous story that is told by The Forgotten Carols is what makes this such a great production. Each time I watch the program, whether Michael McLean's stage show or this local show, it really moves me. How he devised the ideas of the "forgotten" people involved with Christ's life is so moving, it is hard to explain it.

My favorite part of the whole story is of the innkeeper. Here is a man, who realizes too late, that he could have been part of something more important than the money he made that night. The second favorite part is the story of Handel--the young man wanting to take part but must wait until his full talent blossoms. And of course, the whole underlying story of The Forgotten Carols is the ability to recognize that Christ is there for each of us, and He can lift us beyond our own limitations. It is hard to express in words the feelings of my heart. I do know this--I love Christ and what He has done for me, my family, and the world. I just hope to show my love to Him by word and deed.

More Holy War Excitement

2008-11-19T10:44:00.002-07:00

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I have been reading Quinn Gooch's blog. It is very informative and gets me stoked up for each game. Today (Nov. 19), Quinn posted a description of the final drive of the 2006 game. It was written by John Beck. It gave me goosebumps as I read it! You can find it here.

GO COUGARS! BEAT THE yewts!

Bring It On!

2008-11-17T16:01:00.002-07:00

I know I haven't posted much since my illness--because I have been so busy!--, but I needed to post this. I read former BYU player Quinn Gooch's blog, and he posted these videos on his blog. I have to share them here!

BEAT UTAH!

The first video is from 2006--Harline is still open!

This video is from LaVell's last game, 2000:

Here is 2001's great game (and our third date--pantyhose anyone?):

Again...

BEAT UTAH!

Lilli's Adoption Day

2008-09-18T08:29:00.003-06:00

I have put off doing this blog entry because I wanted to post some pictures from Lilli's Adoption Day. However, we are in the process of rearranging our basement, and I cannot find the disc that had the pictures from that day. It is some pile in the basement. We also forgot our camera so we have no pictures of the day. (The picture is from Leisha when Lynn blessed her.)

Unfortunately, I have let too much time go between her Adoption Day and now so some of the specifics of the day are gone. However, we did take the girls to the zoo in Pocatello for the day. The girls loved looking at the animals, particularly the bears. The zoo has a play area with a slide and the girls loved going down the slide.

After the zoo, we did some shopping. The girls had torn Deb's swimming suit from grabbing onto her while swimming, so we looked for a new swimming suit for Deb. Deb found a suit at Kmart that she wanted to try on. Angie decided she wanted to see Mom in the dressing room when she had put the suit on. Deb let her in. When Angie got into the room, she said in a voice load enough for everyone nearing the dressing room to hear, "Hubba, hubba!" Oh--she's my girl!

The Sick and the Afflicted

2008-08-24T18:00:00.005-06:00

I thought that I should probably update everyone on what has happened the last few weeks. Since my last post, we have had Lilli's Adoption Day (July 31), the two Brower reunions (Ariah & Annie Brower reunion--Deb's great grandparents [August 2] and the O. L. & Idonna Brower reunion--Deb's family [August 2 through August 7]), Elvin's wedding (August 7), our one day visit to the South Bannock County Fair (August 8), and Deb's visit with Uncle Jay (August 11). I will blog more extensively on these events later. However, I would like to update all on what has afflicted me the past few weeks.

As I have mentioned, we went to the O. L. & Idonna Brower reunion. Most of the reunion was at North Canyon just outside of Liberty, Idaho. We packed up and left early on Thursday to come home for Elvin's wedding. Friday, I had plans to get everything settled from camping and to do some yard work. I was so tired, though, I could not do anything so basically I laid around and slept. At the time, I thought it was just from camping (though I was unusually tired), but now in hindsight I can see that it was the beginning of my body telling me something.

That evening, we went to the fair and looked through all the buildings. My back bothered me a bit, but I thought is was from all the lifting and bending from camping. When I started to crawl into bed, the muscles in my back spasmed. It was painful but as I relaxed in bed, it went away. Some eight or nine years ago, I got muscle spasms in my lower back. After a day or two, they went away so as I fell asleep I thought that is what would happen. This time the spasms were in the middle of my back and not in the lower back. However, as the night progressed every little move I made caused my muscles to spasm. By the time morning arrived, every little twitch made my back spasm. It was incredibly painful. I have had appendicitis and broken my collar bone. Neither of those could compare to the pain I had each time my back spasmed. I laid around all day Saturday dumping ibuprofen and Tylenol into me to ease the pain. I had a very difficult time sleeping and on Sunday I stayed home from church. I insisted that Deb and the girls go so I stayed home and slept. It was still very painful and I was also beginning to get a little fever now and then.

On Monday, Deb had to go to Jerome to pick her mother up. She had gone out earlier to Aunt Lavon's so she could visit with Uncle Jay who was coming to visit. Deb called Mom and had her come and babysit me and Lilli while Angie and Deb went to Jerome. While Mom was here, we ran down to the HealthWest Clinic here in Downey to check me out. About an hour before going, I had taken an 800 mg ibuprofen. The pain and fever would significantly subside whenever I took the ibuprofen so when I saw the doctor, I actually felt pretty good. I thought I had whipped it and was on the mend. However, when the ibuprofen began to wear off, I started to get sick again. Not only that, but my stomach began hurt. I was afraid I had taken too much medicine and now my stomach was reacting to it. Mom called our neighbor, Ben Evans, to come and give me a blessing. Ben called Bishop Johnson and together they blessed me. That night, I slept a little better than I had previously, but I was still a sick boy.

Tuesday, Deb's Alison Pantry order came in. I laid in bed and on the couch as Deb did all the work. Usually, I am at work when her orders come in so she was looking forward to my help on this delivery, but I could not. Although the doctor had warned me that too much ibuprofen and Tylenol would be disastrous for my stomach, I kept taking them. I would take 800 mg of ibuprofen and then four hours later take three 500 mg tablets of Tylenol. As the day progressed, the Tylenol seemed to lose its effectiveness and only the ibuprofen offered some relief. That night was the most miserable night I had ever spent in my life. My back was still spasming very painfully. My stomach was killing me. I was chilling and then burning up. I could not get comfortable. During the night, I called the Franklin County Medical Center to see what I could do about my stomach. They suggested Pepto Bismal. I took it and it settled my stomach and I finally fell asleep at about 4 a.m. It didn't last long though as I woke up again at about 5 a.m.

We decided I had better go back to the clinic to see what can be done. When I got there, I had a fever of 104.9 degrees. The doctor said I needed to go to an emergency room and quickly. We decided to go to Preston since Dr. Mark Gibby had been my doctor for years. When Deb's mom arrived to watch the kids, we took off for the Franklin County Medical Center. Lucky for us, Dr. Gibby was the on-call doctor so he saw us right after we were checked into the ER. He immediately ordered an IV for me so that a painkiller and other things could be pumped into my body. I then had some blood drawn and I gave some urine for more tests. After awhile, I was admitted to the hospital and then had chest x-rays and a CT scan done. Dr. Gibby called me the mystery man because he could not figure out what was going on with me. I spent the night at the hospital and Deb, bless her heart, stayed with me sleeping in a recliner.

Thursday morning, Dr. Gibby came in and told me that my blood culture had grown staph (staphylococcus aureus). Somewhere in my body, I had a staph infection. Dr. Gibby then said he had talked with several doctors, bouncing off ideas what may be going on. He then mentioned that one doctor in Pocatello, Dr. Cary Jackson, would take my case but I would have to transfer to the Portneuf Medical Center. Previously while taking my vital signs, it was noticed that my blood-oxygen levels were below normal. They had put me on oxygen to keep them in the normal range. When I was told that I would be transferred, Dr. Gibby said Deb could take me if my oxygen level was normal. Otherwise, I would have to go by ambulance.

When Deb found out I was going to be transferred to Pocatello, she felt I needed another blessing so she called Bishop Wakley to ask for some suggestions. Bp. Wakley said he would call his brother, Randy, who was living in Preston to see if he could do it. About an hour later, Randy (who was also a classmate of mine through all my school years and also a roommate at BYU) came with a neighbor, John Hyde (who told me that Mom was his first girlfriend!). Together, they gave me a blessing. A short time later, the nurse checked my vital signs and my oxygen level was normal. I would not have to go to Poky by ambulance!

When we arrived at the hospital, Deb got a wheelchair to take me in. As soon as I sat down, I told Deb I was going to throw up and just as she got something to my mouth, I let it go. I had thrown up twice before while at Preston and since I was on a liquid diet, it was the easiest puking I had ever done!

After I had checked into my room, Dr. Jackson showed up. He told us that he had a whole slew of tests that he wanted me to do the next day. Since I was doped up pretty good, I did get some sleep between all the visits from the nurses to check my vital signs. Again, Deb stayed with me and slept on a chair that made into a bed (much less comfortable than the recliner in Preston).

Friday morning started early (5:45 a.m.) when I had blood drawn. Then I was taken to test after test. I had chest x-rays done, I had an EKG, I had an echo cardiogram, I had an MRI. It just seemed like I had barely returned to my room when another nurse showed up with the wheelchair to take me somewhere else. By the time the day was over, I was exhausted. Never had my body been poked, punched, probed, and prodded so much. At the end of the day, Dr. Jackson said that they were narrowing down where my infection was. He wanted me to have another MRI on Saturday along with a probe into my throat to look at my heart to have a closer look at something that appeared on my echo cardiogram. The doctor then prescribed some intravenous antibiotics and morphine for the pain. I convinced Deb that she needed to go home so that she could be with our girls and get a good night sleep in our bed.

I would like to make a couple of observations from the tests I had. While doing the echo cardiogram, the technician showed me my heart as it pumped blood. You could clearly see the valves opening and closing. I sat there stunned at being able to see my own heart beat life through me. Before the echo gram, I had an MRI. I was very nervous about the MRI. I was afraid I was going to panic with claustrophobia. I then reflected on my youth when Dad when put a blanket up against the desk when we would play under it. I would panic thinking I would never get out of it even though it was Dad holding me in. I thought to myself as I entered the MRI machine, "If I panic inside here, I'm blaming Dad!" I was very nervous at the beginning but as the test proceeded, I kept telling myself that it was OK. When I was finished, the hair on the back of my head was completely drenched from sweat.

The MRI on Saturday was done with a contrast injected into my IV. That way the doctor could better pinpoint where the infection was. After the MRI, I then had my throat scoped. A cardiologist, Dr. Gonzalez, scoped my throat. I had to swallow a tube with a camera on the end (yes I was awake through it all). He then would look at my heart and valves with the camera in my throat. Let me tell you, for someone who has a hard time swallowing pills, it was a very daunting task to swallow a tube about the size of a child's finger! I choked and gagged big time!

The scope to look at my heart was clean. I had no heart problems. We were very thankful for that. However, the second MRI with the contrast showed that I had an infection laying on my spine in my mid back. So Dr. Jackson said we needed to treat it aggressively with antibiotics through an IV. At first, he said the treatments would be 6 weeks to three months but after getting a good look at the MRI, he came to the conclusion that it would be more like 3 to 6 months of IV antibiotic treatment. On Saturday evening, a PICC line was inserted into my vein in my upper left arm. I would receive all my IVs through the PICC line.

Sunday, Deb came to the hospital as soon as she dropped the girls off to Grandma Bet. They went to church in Swan Lake while Deb came to the hospital to be with me. Later, Grandma Bet brought Angie and Lilli to see me. I had not seen the girls since early Wednesday morning and I was anxious to see me. When they got to the room, Angie was more excited about riding the elevator than she was in seeing me. Lilli wanted to crawl up in bed with me when she saw me. I sure appreciated seeing the girls. It lifted my spirits.

On Monday, the doctor finally took me off a liquid diet. The first solid food meal I had was chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy and peas. I scarfed it down. I was never so thankful for a good meal than I was when I get to eat real food rather than broth, jello, Popsicles, and juice.

Deb was such a great sight for sore eyes during this time. All I could do was lay in bed and watch TV. Thankfully, one of the cable stations showed Hogan's Heroes quite a bit. I got to see a lot of episodes of my old favorite show! Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday were spent just laying in bed. Eventually the pain subsided and I went from morphine through my IV to a pill. During the night Monday, I did not have any painkillers at all.

On Tuesday, Dr. Jackson came in to see how I was doing. He asked us to go and see the MRI of my infection on the spine. Both Deb and I were stunned at how big the infection looked laying on my spine. Because of the size of it, Dr. Jackson said that the IVs would probably been 3 to 6 months rather than the 6 weeks to 3 months that he initially thought. He also said that he would make sure that we had home hospice come in to show Deb how to do the antibiotic IVs. Finally, Dr. Jackson said he would turn my case over to an infectious diseases doctor, Dr. Martha Buitrago. Unfortunately, her office is in Idaho Falls so it would mean commuting there to see her. We have an appointment for Wednesday, August 27.

I was very thankful to get home and sleep in my own bed. It seemed like an eternity since I had been home. Since I have been home, Deb has been trained on my IV antibiotics. I have two antibiotics that are administered. One is given to me continuously through a pump that I have to carry around. The other is administered for about 30 minutes every day. Deb has stepped up and been a great nurse for me!

I have thought a lot about my battle with my staph infection. I have wondered what would have happened if this had occurred 10 years ago. Would the doctors been able to diagnose the problem? What about 25 years ago? Would it have been a fatal infection then? I am so blessed to live in a time now that computers and machines can literally look inside my body to find the problem. It is a miracle.

I have also greatly appreciated all the doctors, nurses, and technicians that were so willing to help me find the problem and then get the solution. These men and women are so talented and I am grateful for each one of them.

Finally, I am so thankful for the prayers of so many--friends and family. I have grown to appreciate the girls and they joy they bring to my life. I do not know where I would be if I did not have my wonderful wife by my side each step of the way. She has been such a strength and a support. I love her with all my heart.

I am still sick. I still have the infection to fight off. But with the help of talented medical personnel and the prayers of those close to me, we will win.

This Will Hurt Me More Than You!

2008-07-31T12:05:00.005-06:00

Yesterday (July 30), we had a crisis in the Gambles' household. Recently, Lilli has been playing in the toilet. We have repeatedly punished her for it. However, Angie has also started getting into the toilet even though she has seen Lilli punished for it. To make a long story short, Angie got caught playing in the toilet just a few minutes after Lilli had been punished for the same thing. We decided drastic measures were needed to get Angie, who knew what she was doing was wrong, to stop doing it. We had told her earlier that we were going to the Downey City Park for an Elders' Quorum party. She was excited since she knew she could play on the swings and slides. So, we decided that Deb and the girls were going to stay home from the party. However, as we thought about it, it wouldn't be fair to Deb and Lilli to be forced to stay home. So, as punishment, Angie could go to the party but could not play in the playground. Before and after supper (superbly cooked, I might add), Angie would sit or stand on the edge of the playground. I could tell she really wanted to go play. It broke my heart, but I knew she needed to learn her lesson. There were several times I just about said, "Go ahead and play." I understood, though, that she would then learn that breaking the rules would have no consequences. I bit my tongue and watched her suffer.

Later, I reflected on how sometimes our Father in Heaven must feel when we break his rules, and then he has to punish his children. I never dreamed that fatherhood would be so challenging...yet so rewarding!

Pioneer Children

2008-07-29T22:20:00.004-06:00

On Pioneer Day, the Downey 2nd Ward Primary held an activity. The children (and leaders) were encouraged to dress up as pioneers. Angie Taylor, president of the Downey 2nd Ward Primary, had a dress that she lent to Angie so she could dress up like a pioneer. So Deb and Angie went to the activity at the church. One of the activities they did was walk down to the city park and look at the cabin there. You will notice the boots Deb had on. They are actually too small for her and by the time she was done with the activity, her feet were killing her. You may also notice that Angie's shoes are actually flip-flops--authentic pioneer footwear!

That evening, we went to Clifton to watch the fireworks. We took Grandma Bet with us. It was the first time in years that Clifton put on a fireworks show. It was pretty good considering the small town and no one was charged any admittance.

Lilli waving to the camera:

On July 26, Angie was in the Lava Hot Springs Founders' Day parade. She was with her dance academy. She loves being in parades and is proud to see her family. Before the parade, she told us she would throw candy to us when she went by. Unfortunately, however, there was no candy for her to throw! She still enjoyed it, though. We took Grandma Don with us to see the parade.

When we got home, we went to Swan Lake to celebrate Pioneer Day with them. We had a fabulous supper of chicken with potluck salads and desserts. After dinner, the Swan Lake tradition of a water fight broke out. We, fortunately, stayed dry.

After clean-up, Deb and I went to Brad's house where we played Killer Bunnies with Katie (Henderson) and her new husband Tom Reck. It was a complicated game that was very confusing. In the end, Tom won (since he knew all the rules!). Angie and Lilli went with Grandma Bet and stayed with her. Lilli crashed and Angie kept Grandma Bet active until we got there at about 1 a.m.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

2008-07-20T20:05:00.001-06:00

The Idaho Falls Chukars (a minor-league rookie team) had an Idaho State University night. Since tickets were free for ISU employees, I picked up 6 tickets. Since our mothers were not willing to go, Deb and I took the girls to the game. The girls enjoyed the game--for the first five minutes! After that, Lilli made her presence known to everyone around her. She made sure she touched or grabbed all of our neighbors or screamed. Thank goodness, all of our neighbors were understanding! When asked if she liked the game, Angie said no. Next time, it will be a date--we will let one of the grandmothers tend the kids!

The game was actually a good pitchers' duel with the Helena Brewers coming out on top 3-1. All in all, though, I enjoyed the time with my family.

The Gambles and Bear Lake

2008-07-20T19:54:00.001-06:00

On July 10th, Deb, the girls, and I drove over to Liberty to begin our vacation and to kick off the George Gambles Family Reunion. Since we knew that Lynn, Leisha, and their family were camping up North Canyon just outside of Libery, we drove over and had supper with them at their campsite.

After supper, Angie went with Grandma Don into Lynn's trailer to go potty. Grandma Don quickly found out that anything you say to Angie will be repeated. Grandma Don had gone to the bathroom and told Angie that she needed to light a match (for obvious reasons). When Grandma Don and Angie emerged from the trailer, Angie announced, "Grandma needs to light a match!" Of course, Grandma Don went 20 shades of red!

That night, we slept at Lynn and Leisha's and got ready to go to Garden City for the George Gambles Family Reunion.

We arrived at the Garden City Park just as the reunion lunch was beginning. Many cousins, aunts, and uncles were there. We enjoyed visiting with those that were in attendance and missed those that did not come.

Here are a few pics from the reunion:

Uncle Milton, Aunt Virgene, Mom, Aunt Camille, Aunt Lois, Uncle Bob, Aunt Marilyn, and Uncle Ross:

Lilli at the reunion:

Angie playing in the sand at Garden City Park:

After the reunion, we went to the cabin we rented at Harbor Village. It was a spectacular place. Here is the view from inside the cabin:

That evening, the hot tub was used and many conversations were done. Some headed to Bear Lake for a short while. That night, Mom won Gambles Reunion Survivor, beating out Nathan.

On Saturday, Shauna, Scott, Mom, Deb, and I drove to Swan Lake to attend the funeral of Fay Merrill. It was a wonderful service. While we were gone, everyone else went to Bear Lake and played. That evening, we played games until the wee hours of the morning.

Sunday morning we checked out of our cabin and then visited with the Kent's/Hess' family. We then returned home to end the fabulous time.

As Sid's family was leaving, Angie got emotional and did not want to leave. She began to cry because she was sad. As a kid, I got emotional and did not want to leave our family reunions. She is like her dad.

Here is a link for the web album on Picasa of all the pictures that I took while at the reunion. Be warned, the pictures are big--especially the panaromic pics.

2008 George Gambles Reunion

Death and Life

2008-07-19T23:33:00.005-06:00

The older I get in the life, the more meanful death becomes. The passing of Uncle Keith and Fay Merrill brought death back into my life as these loved ones passed through the veil. As always, it is a very mournful time of life when those that we love leave us. However, as a think about their experience of going through the veil, I wonder what that is like and what Dad is doing.

I am sure that Dad was standing in the background as Uncle Keith hugged his mother and father after passing through the veil. The hugs were given to Clair and Ralph. Then Dad shook Keith's hand and welcomed him to life without pain but also without a body. Dad may have even done some missionary work--explaining that the Plan of Salvation is true and that Dad would be glad to share its message with Keith if you would like to hear it.

When Fay passed through the veil, I am sure Dad was anxiously waiting in the background as Fay hugged her family members. Dad was probably wishing it was Mom coming through the veil as I am sure he misses her dearly. Then, when Dad and Fay greeted, it was with a warm hug. Dad then peppered Fay with a million questions about Mom, all of us kids, and his grandkids. He then asked about his fellow Swan Lakers--and I am sure he beamed from ear to ear as Fay reported on his son as bishop of the Swan Lake Ward (although I am sure he already knew about it). They probably talked more than they should have.

Over the years (it hardly seems possible to be 16 years!), the sting of Dad's death has faded. But my love for him and missing him has not. I believe he has news of all the goings on with his family--though like letters. As a missionary, I loved getting letters from home. There were times, though, letters were not enough. I wanted to be home experiencing what my family was experiencing. I feel that is the way Dad feels. Love you Dad. Here's to seeing you soon someday--but not that soon! I have kids to raise!

Highliner

2008-07-07T14:10:00.002-06:00

Another Kim Komando video to highlight. This one is about a "highliner." They are essentially tight-rope walkers. Watch the video and ask the question, "How long will this guy live?"

Independence Day

2008-07-07T11:46:00.014-06:00

Our family had a very eventful and fun-filled Independence Day.

We started the day out at the Arimo City Park for the Arimo Firefighters' Breakfast. We met up with Grandma Don and the Jons family. It was a delicious breakfast of eggs, sausage, hash browns, pancakes, juice, and milk.

We decided to attend the Arimo breakfast because Angie had to be in Inkom at 9:15 am. She was in the parade with the Showtime Dance Academy. The parade was very long. It started up near the cemetery and ended at the old school house. Lucky for Angie, she got to ride in the pickup with some of the other girls in her class. However, the rest of the girls had to walk and do dances all the way. Deb was very anxious and worried about her. In fact, she ran and got her out of the pickup before she was even near where we were parked so Grandma Don, Lilli, and me did not get to see her in the parade. Deb had to catch up with the rest of the group to get Angie back into the parade. Here are a couple of pictures of the parade:
After the parade, we drove back to Arimo for the pot luck lunch in the park. Again, we joined with the Jons for lunch.

After lunch, we took a nap at Grandma Don's--well at least Deb and I took a nap. The girls kept Grandma Don busy doing other things than napping!

We then drove into Pocatello and met at Jyl and Landen's house in Pocatello. We met with other Browers and went to the Bannock County Fairgrounds to see The Biggest Show in Idaho. Before the fireworks, Deb and I took Angie on some slides and rides that were available.

The first slide that Angie went on, she was a little scared so Deb went with her. It proved a little difficult for her:

Angie went next:

Angie then rode on the swing:

Angie's last slide:

We then waited for the fireworks display by visiting with each other, playing games, and eating snacks. Angie and Lilli enjoyed playing with their cousin Benjamin:

Lilli enjoying a moment with Grandpa Lynn:

The fireworks were spectacular. Thanks to Landen (who works for the sponsor Courtesy Ford), we had a great view of the fireworks on the Bannock County Fairgrounds.

After the fireworks, we went to Logan and Mallie's place where Logan gave us a glow-stick show. It was very good. The kids then did a few sparklers and we came home--exhausted.

Of Adoptions and Sealings

2008-07-01T16:09:00.007-06:00

Sometime ago, I read an article by Dr. James Dobson about adopting children and how there are times when the child feels that he or she is not really a part of the family since they were not born into the family. Dr. Dobson suggested that the family not only celebrate the child's birthday, but also they should celebrate on the anniversary of the adoption. Deb and I decided to incorporate that into our family.

On June 29, 2005 Angie was declared by the judge to be ours legally and later that day, a temple sealer declared Angie to be ours for eternity. So, on Sunday we made a big point to have Angie understand what a special day it was. We asked her what she wanted to do, and she said she wanted to go swimming. So we told her we would do that on Monday. The video is of us right after the judge made Angie officially ours.

On Monday, we had both grandmothers for dinner. However, thundering and lightening scared us off from swimming. So we gave Angie her presents (a doll stroller and a doll play pen). She loves them both.

Can She Really Do That?

2008-06-28T12:14:00.002-06:00

OK. I'm not sure if I am freaked out by this or amazed. In any event, this is another Kim Kamando Video of the Day. It was on her website on June 28th. The lady in this video is known as Snake Girl and she has been doing this contortionism since a young child.

True Friendship

2008-06-26T12:22:00.002-06:00

I get most of my videos from Kim Kamando. She has a Video of the Day. Here is what she says about this video:

I’ll bet you’ve never seen a pet like the one in this Video of the Day. In 1969, two friends, John Rendall and Ace Berg, purchased a lion. At the time, Christian the lion was a 35-pound cub. He had been born in a zoo. The friends raised Christian in their London home. All three hung out in a friend’s furniture shop on the weekends.
Within a year, Christian had grown to 185 lbs. Rendall and Berg realized they couldn’t keep him much longer. But they didn’t know what to do with him. A chance encounter changed that. Two actors from the film Born Free walked into the furniture store.
The actors recommended a conservationist, George Adamson, living in Kenya. Christian was soon in Africa. There he was rehabilitated and released into the wild.
In 1974, Rendall and Berg decided to visit Christian one last time. He was now a wild animal. Adamson told them it was doubtful that Christian could be found. No one had seen him in nine months.
The two flew to Kenya, anyway. On the day they landed, Christian appeared outside Adamson’s camp. Somehow, he knew. He waited outside the camp until Rendall and Berg arrived.
This video was taken during their reunion with Christian. What a story! What a video!

Here is the video:

Bearfoots, Buffalo, and Macaroni

2008-06-22T20:56:00.011-06:00

We have returned from our family trip to Island Park/Yellowstone Park. It was very fun! We spent a lot of family time together while we camped and enjoyed Heavenly Father's wonderful creation.

We departed from Downey on Tuesday, June 17. We arrived in Island Park at Mack's Inn and set up our tent in the Mack's Inn camping area. The illustruous leader of the family had forgotten not only wood but matches. We had planned on cooking hot dogs over the fire. We had to beg a neighbor camper for some wood, but since it was large pieces, and we had no real good kindling, the fire did not go as planned. Therefore, we ate cold hot dogs and the smores were just the marshmallows! A wonderful start to our family trip!

Angie, on the other hand, was very excited about camping. She was constantly remarking how happy she was that we were camping. Cold hot dogs was worth that!

On Wednesday, we motored into Yellowstone National Park. Our first stop was in West Yellowstone. Two years ago during the Brower Family Reunion at Island Park, Deb purchased three Bearfoot bears--each one holding a different letter, T, D, and A. Deb ran into the store where she bought them to look for an L bear. She was able to purchase it. She said that her bear family was now complete!

After after entering the park, we stopped to look at the buffalo along the Madison River:

While watching the Buffalo eat, Angie asked what they were eating. I answered that they were eating grass. While contemplating the answer, Angie then matter-of-factly said, "They don't eat macaroni." Oh, the wisdom of a three-year old, macaroni-loving girl!

We stopped at Old Faithful and watched the eruption. It was one of the better eruptions that I have seen at Old Faithful. However, Lilli was more interested in the basset hound next to us. She almost mauled the dog!

On the route around the lower loop in the Hebden Valley, we noticed a park ranger had set up a telescope so we stopped to see what she was looking at. Come to find out, a grizzly bear was laying on some snow about 2 miles away. With the naked eye, the bear just looked like a brown spot on the snow. The telescope view was just a little better--but at least we got to see a bear on our visit!

Our next stop was at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. As usual, it was a spectacular scene. The wind, though, was blowing and Angie and Lilli did not enjoy it too much since the wind made it chilly. It took all we had to get this picture taken:

On our trip through the park, we saw hundreds of buffalo. However, we saw only three elk during our entire trip through the park on the lower loop. That was a little disappointing.

On our way back to our campsite, we stopped at the Outpost Restaurant in West Yellowstone to eat. The food was OK, not the greatest, and definitely overpriced. But in West Yellowstone, it was priced about average.

On Thursday, we just chilled at the campsite. We did visit Big Springs to get carried away by the mosquitos! Our visit to Big Springs was cut short when I noticed that a seagull had pooped on Deb's butt! She didn't even know that she had been pooped on!

That evening, I was able to get a good, hot fire going. We had prepared some tin foil dinners to cook that night. I should have noticed that things were getting too cooked by the smoke coming from one of the dinners! So, we went from raw the first night to burnt the last night!

On the way home, we took the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway and stopped at the Mesa Falls. The falls were beautiful and Angie and Lilli loved going into the lodge and looking at the stuffed animals and skins.

We stopped at Idaho Falls and went to the Tautphaus Park Zoo. The camera batteries died after this picture, or I would have had a picture of Lilli in with the goats. Both girls loved the animals, and I was impressed at what the zoo offered--much more than I expected.

We had a wonderful time on our trip. The girls loved it, but it sure was good to get back into our own bed!

A Couple of Videos

2008-06-14T16:39:00.003-06:00

Here are a couple of videos I came across recently. The first is from America's Got Talent and you may have seen it already. It is quite the magic trick.

The second is for today--Flag Day. It is a skydiver unfurling a huge flag.

"Don't Get Mad"

2008-06-10T19:55:00.003-06:00

Angie was in Nursery at church last Sunday. Sister Donna Richardson was substituting for the week. While in Nursery, one of the other kids spilled a bunch of Crayons on the floor. When Angie saw it, she told Sis. Richardson: "Don't get mad. Don't say crap, and just pick them up." She then helped Sis. Richardson pick up the crayons.

"Look at the Whole Wide World!"

2008-06-05T20:38:00.015-06:00

Our family spent the first few days of June on a great vacation! On Monday, June 2, we drove to Heber City to take advantage of a free stay at the Rodeway Inn Bear Mountain Lodge on Main Street. The hotel website talked about the great rooms and the outdoor heated swimming pool. Well, the rooms were well-used (with a hint of smoking smell) and the pool was empty. It was a big disappointment for Deb and Angie when they saw the pool.

To make things better, we went to a park up the street to play on the swings and slides. Some pictures of Deb and the kids at the park:

Lilli and Deb on the slide.

Angie deciding what to do next.

Lilli with Bear!

Lilli swinging with Bear.

Lilli with Bear.

Deb helping Angie on the Monkey Bars.

Angie getting ride to slide.

Angie at the end of her slide.

After playing in the park, we went to Home of the Train Dairy Keen. It is a fun place to eat--though we just had a slush to cool us down. While there, the kids rode a train and sat in a train with tables for dining. Inside the restaurant, there was a table of wooden toy trains, a Lego table, and overhead a model train circled the dining area. Some pics:

Angie and Lilli on the train ride at the Dairy Keen

Lilli and Angie on the train of tables

Lilli, Angie, and Deb on the table train

We then went on ride to the top of Memorial Hill in Midway. Deb got out of the car with Angie and Deb started to show her the Heber Valley. Angie then said, "Look at the whole wide world, Mom!"

We then drove to Pizza Hut for supper then back to the hotel to bed.

The next morning we drove to Salt Lake City via Park City. While in Park City, we saw this bear and had our picture taken next to it:

We then went to Salt Lake and the Tracy Aviary. We got to see many different birds and even a couple of male peacocks strutting their stuff for a female peacock. After visiting the aviary, we went to the slide and swing area of Liberty Park. Again, Angie and Lilli had a blast swinging and sliding!

Angie finishing a slide

Angie at the park

Angie on the swing

Angie in the swing

Angie getting ready to swing

Deb helping Angie swing

Deb helping Lilli and Angie swing

Lilli and Angie swinging with the help of Deb

After our visit to Liberty Park, we went to downtown Salt Lake and rode the Trax. Then we motored over to Shauna and Scott's. Shauna doesn't love us so she made other plans to avoid being with us! Scott was a gracious host taking us to Chili's with Chris and Jessie.

When we got up on Wednesday morning, it was pouring. We had planned to go to Hogle Zoo. We waited around for a while hoping the rain would quit, but it didn't. By late afternoon, it had slowed to a drizzle so we tried going. Even though it was a drizzle, we still got wet but we had the zoo practically all to ourselves. We even crashed a private party for zoo donors (minimum donation to go to the party was $5,000!). We then came home--exhausted, wet, but happy.

Memories of Fay

2008-05-30T23:04:00.002-06:00

Lorie asked me to submit my memories of Fay. This is what I wrote:

I have known Fay all my life. She is always very quick to a laugh and seems to love laughter just for the sake of laughter. As a childhood friend of Randy, I spent many hours at her home. As a visitor, she was always kind, gracious, and very willing to help when help was needed. I am sure in the back of her mind, there were times she would have liked to sent Randy and me to the woodshed and given us a good lickin’. It seemed as though we looked for trouble! (And we did—truth be told!)

This memoir could be pages long, however, I want to mention three specific incidents that reflect my respect for her and some of the great memories I have.

As a child, I can remember many outings with the Merrill family. We would go to a canyon and have dinner together. On one instance, we went to Heart Mountain for a Dutch Oven dinner with our two families. After dinner, the parents reclined in the shade while the kids went off to play. Glen and Brad climbed the mountain and had been able to get a big boulder to come down, landing in the creek—making a big splash and a big noise. For whatever reason, Randy thought it would be funny if I would go running into our parents and tell them that Randy had been hit by the boulder. For whatever insane reason, I thought it would have been funny too. I went running up to our parents, excitedly told them Randy had been hit by the boulder and he needed help. Of course, Fay and Lynn jumped up to help as Randy appeared around the bushes laughing. I thought Fay was going to faint then really do what the boulder supposedly had done. I do not remember much of how Fay and Lynn did after that since Dad grabbed me and gave me the tongue lashing I deserved. I am sure Lynn and Fay did the same with Randy.

As I have mentioned, I spent many hours at the Merrill home. I have eaten many times at her home and each meal was wonderful. We always had punch served with the meals. I never left the home hungry. On one afternoon, I watched Fay make frosting out of powder sugar and water. She added food coloring in it to make it turn pink. She then spread the frosting between two graham crackers and gave them to Randy and me. I thought they tasted delicious. Several days later, Shauna and I were home wanting to have something to eat. Mom had left us to ourselves for whatever reason, so I suggested that we do what I had seen Fay do. However, in my youthful mind, I thought Fay had used flour. The powdered sugar looked like flour and I do not think I had ever seen Mom use powered sugar. So, I mixed a cup of flour with water and added some food coloring. It did not taste or look like the frosting Fay had made. I figured I needed more flour and water. I kept dumping flour and water into the bowl. By the time I figured I was doing something wrong, I had a ball of dough the size of a basketball. I did not want Mom to see it, so I took it out into the field behind our house and buried it. I seem to recall that Shauna kept telling me it was wrong, but in my bullheadedness, I kept using flour. Of course, when Mom got home, she set me straight!

Finally, Fay sitting at the organ and playing at Church will always be a great memory. Being in her home, I remember many times seeing her sit at the organ in their home. I admired her and in my adult years envied her for her musical abilities. Several years ago in Mutual, we had a talent night for everyone. Previously, I had learned the song “Que Sera, Sera” (the Doris Day song also known as “Whatever Will Be, Will Be”) from a song book that Mom had. I had memorized it. So, for the talent night, I played the song. I was very nervous. Fay was serving in the Young Women at the time and was a part of the audience. I can specifically remember thinking that Fay was sitting there and I was going to play in front of her. I got through the song—shaky fingers aside. When I was finished, Fay jumped up from her chair and came over to me. She congratulated me on playing so wonderfully and was very happy to see such a great talent in me. She told me that I should do more with the piano. I regret not taking her advice to my heart.

I could go on and on—her tears shed when Dad died; her happiness for me when I received my mission call, when I got married, and when Deb and I got Angie and Lilli; her tireless devotion to the Gospel and her whole-hearted work ethic in her callings. She is a great example for me and my family, and I will always call her name blessed.

The Ultimate in Sportsmanship

2008-05-30T22:59:00.002-06:00

ESPN featured this story on what true sportsmanship is:

Away Too Long!

2008-05-30T08:23:00.003-06:00

It has been way too long since I have blogged! It has been a very busy month, and it looks like it will not slow down!

Over the last month, Lilli has been the flower girl for her cousin (and birth father) Logan, Angie has had a dance recital in the Marsh Valley Performing Arts Center and a competition at Lagoon, Deb spent Mother's Day in the ER at the Portneuf Medical Center, and Deb's nephew Cody got married at the Logan Temple.

First, Lilli was great as a flower girl. She even tossed out flower petals as she was carried down the aisle by Logan's best man. Deb cried she was so proud.

Angie did great at her dances. Actually, at the Lagoon competition, she was the only who danced while the other girls just stood or cried. Deb was so proud, she was bursting--literally when a migraine headache hit her at the end of the day.

As you all know, Deb had a "wonderful" Mother's Day in the ER. (By the way, the bill was over $5000. I'm hoping for a great Father's Day gift that matches what we spent for Deb!) I was very, very concerned and was relieved when the doctors cleared her of any serious and/or life threatening issues. While the doctors were working on her, I just kept praying that Heavenly Father would make her right. And although the headache took several days to get over, she has recovered and resumed her duties as mother and wife. I love her dearly!

It was an experience going to Cody's wedding--starting with the bride arriving at the temple in her levis (because she was in such a hurry, she hadn't realized she wasn't in her skirt until she got to the temple) to the birde having the wrong wedding dress at the temple to the groom being in the hospital (kidney stones) with his bride (dehydration) during the reception.

As the summer rolls along, we will keep you updated. We have plans for a visit to Park City and Hogle Zoo next week, a family trip to Island Park/Yellowstone at the end of June, the George Gambles reunion at Bear Lake in July and the O. L. Brower reunion also at Bear Lake in August.

Movies Watched This Weekend

2008-04-28T16:15:00.011-06:00

Over the weekend, I watched five movies. Two were picked by Angie and three were picked by Deb.

The first one we watched was the Disney Classic Cinderella. It has been years since I have seen this movie. Angie loves this movie. For Christmas, she got a princess dress-up kit that she has to wear while watching the movie. This movie is very clever and stands up through time. The way the mice are portrayed are very entertaining. Being a classic, I gave it 9 out of 10 stars on IMDb.

The second movie was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Angie doesn't like this as much as she does Cinderella. In fact, having sit through it all for the first time in a long, long time, I was surprised at how dark the movie is. The evil queen who turns into an old woman has some very dark scenes and then the demise of the queen is also morbid with buzzards circling above her after her demise. All in all, though, it is still a classic and on IMDb, I gave it 9 out of 10 stars.

Mom had given us a copy of 9 to 5 months ago and we finally got around to seeing it. I have seen it several times, but Deb had never seen it. It is a very entertaining movie, however, the one scene of doing drugs is a big downer for the movie. It really relays a very wrong message about drugs (and totally unrealistic). Aside from that, it is a fun movie. On IMDb I gave it a 5 out of 10 stars rating. The drug scene dragged the rating down by several stars.

While waiting for Lilli's bedding to dry, we watched Dreamgirls. It was a little different from what I expected. I found it very interesting how the musical numbers were used. In many scenes, the musical numbers started out as a performance on stage but then segued into the story-telling part of the movies. At first, it was a little confusing, but by the end I saw how clever it was. The performances of all the actors were strong and I felt attached to the story. I was impressed with it. I rated it 7 out of 10 on IMDb.

The last movie we watched was Pretty Woman. The most entertaining part of this movie was not the movie but watching Deb watch the movie. She LOVES this movie. She has it memorized. Despite the adult theme and some unnecessary "love" scenes, this movie really feels like a fairy tale. I think that is why Deb loves it so much. The adult nature of the movie brings the rating down to 7 out of 10 stars on IMDb.

Illness Ravages Gambles Household, Part Deux

2008-04-28T14:03:00.004-06:00

Just as we thought all was getting back to normal, sickness struck our home with a vengence! Right after Deb returned from the library, she got sick a threw up. So, she slept most of the time. Meanwhile, Lilli was moping around and very tired. At about 8 p.m., I put Lilli to bed. At about 10 p.m., Lilli started to cry. I walked in with the lights out just to settle her down and get her back to sleep. While she was standing in her crib, I noticed something dark on her head. In the darkness, I thought it was blood so I quickly turned on the light. It wasn't blood--it was chocolate. Lilli and Angie and eaten some M&Ms prior to Lilly going to bed. Chocolate puke was everywhere in Lilli's crib. She had it all over her, her bear, her blankets, her crib bumper pad, and, of course, her sheets. I grabbed Lilli and undressed her and bathed her while Deb--still nauseated--started to scrub the quilt given to Lilli by her birth grandmother. Let me tell you, chocolate puke almost made me not want chocolate any more! So, while we washed and dried Lilli's bedding, we laid her on our bed to sleep. When we finally got the bedding cleaned and back on her bed (we had watched Dreamgirls while waiting), we got Lilli out of our bed. Well--she had an attack of diarrhea and pooed all over herself and our bedding! Back into the tub went Lilli (this time at about 2:30 a.m.) and we stripped our bed of the bedding. After we got Lilli cleaned up and into her bed, I went to get Angie who had fallen asleep on the floor in the front room. When I picked her up, she was wet. She had peed! So, off her clothes went and into the tub to clean her up. By the time we had bedding cleaned and children washed, it was 6 a.m. We basically had been up all night taking care of the kids. It was Sunday morning and Stake Conference was at 10 a.m. I told Deb I was going to bed and not worry about Stake Conference since I would sleep through it anyway. So, just as I started to doze off asleep, Lilli started to cry. I went into her bed to see what was wrong, and she was wide-eyed and bushy tailed--ready to go for the day. I grabbed her and put her in bed with Deb and me. I then fell asleep until about 10:30 a.m. It was a very, very fun night! I love parenthood!

Illness Ravages Gambles Household

2008-04-25T09:41:00.005-06:00

A stomach virus hit the Gambles household in Downey. It started with Lilli when she threw up several times. Then Angie got sick and lastly Ted came down with the bug. So far (knock on wood), Deb has avoided it. As usual, Ted was a big trooper and did no complaining and was out of his sick bed helping Deb with the kids!

Stuart Little Video Review

2008-04-22T08:50:00.007-06:00

On Sunday, our family decided to watch a video. Angie picked it out, so we watched Stuart Little. Even though Deb and I have seen it before, we decided to watch it together as a family. For a synopsis of the movie, click on the blog title to go to the IMDB web site.

The movie was entertaining. I had forgotten how much fun this movie was. It was cleverly written and even quite entertaining for Deb and me. Angie and Lilli both enjoyed it. The best line in the movie is: "Talk to the butt." The cat is saying this to Stuart Little as the cat is walking away. I rated the movie 7 out of 10 stars on IMDB.

Grandma Gilbert Rememberances

2008-04-16T10:48:00.004-06:00

In Sunday School, Rick Armstrong, our Gospel Doctrine teacher, was discussing the importance of writing down our personal histories and the consistent use of a journal. He asked class members to share stories about ancestors and their written histories. Several mentioned about histories and journals written by their grandparents and how it brought them closer to them. While in this discussion, I reflected on how I came across Grandma Gilbert's diary. A big majority of the entries were just one or two word entries with most of them being "sewed." While going through the diary, I noticed that Grandma started the diary just prior to World War II. I then eagerly turned to Dec. 7 to see what she had written for that day since Uncle Keith was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Nothing was written. I looked for several weeks beyond that date to see if she had written anything about the day and her feelings. Again, nothing was there. It was a little disappointing. I sure wish she had written something.

However, some years prior to her death, our conversation turned to the attack on Pearl Harbor by the "Japs"--she always referred to the Japanese as "Japs" throughout our conversation. I asked if she was scared for Uncle Keith's life. Of course, she said she was. She said she was very nervous and upset. That evening, she had a neighbor call and asked if she would babysit for them. She said the name of her neighbor, but I cannot recall it. The neighbor had to be somewhere and needed a sitter. Grandma said she thought it would help her get her mind off of the attack so she said she would do it. She went to her neighbor's place, but her neighbor never left the house. She stayed with Grandma and talked to her and kept her busy so that she would not worry so much.

I asked her how she found out that Uncle Keith was OK. She said she got a letter a few weeks later and it was a big relief. However, the censors had cut out a lot of his letter so she said that really disappointed her. She also said that after a few weeks, she realized that if Uncle Keith had been killed, she probably would have known it by then, but still she worried for him.

After her passing, I had wished that I had written everything down that she had told me. Better yet, I wish I had a tape recorder to record the conversation. It was a special bonding moment for me, much like I imagine those who read the words of their passed ancestors bond to them.

Angie's Dance Competition

2008-04-16T10:42:00.003-06:00

Angie competed at Malad High School in the first dance competition of the year. She did wonderful. Her mother and father were extremely proud of her and the great job she did while dancing. Jackie and Grandma Don were also in attendance and they too were pleased with Angie's performance.

I think Angie is starting to understand what performing in front of an audience is really like. She had to go potty several times before her big performance. I think it was a little bit of nerves.

Randy Pausch

2008-04-10T09:37:00.004-06:00

I have recently been introduced by the media to Randy Pausch. He is a professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has pancreatic cancer. As a tradition at CMU, a profressor is asked to give "the last lecture." It is a lecture that a professor were to give if it was the last one. For Dr. Pausch, it really was his last one since just prior to giving the lecture the doctors had told him his illness was terminal. Since he was "outed" by the Wall Street Journal, he has been on Oprah, ABC's PrimeTime, and featured in many magazines and journals. His story is powerful and moving--an inspiration to all. The video below is a synopsis of his lecture from the Wall Street Journal.

Parade Magazine published an article written by Dr. Pausch. The entire "Last Lecture" can be seen on their web site or on YouTube. Dr. Pausch was also asked to give a lecture on time management at the University of Virginia. It is also available on YouTube. A book, The Last Lecture, has been written and released. ABC did a special on Dr. Pausch on April 10, 2008.

BYU Memories

2008-04-09T14:35:00.005-06:00

I am a member of C-Net. It is an email list on Yahoo! that covers BYU sports (the C stands for Cougar). I am reading an email discussion of what the value for BYU sports in general and BYU football specifically are. Some have felt paying for TV to watch BYU is not worth it, while others feel that any price is worth it. One of the emailer's story really struck a chord with me however. He wrote that his son called from the airport on his way to the mission field and shared the following: When the missionaries drove past LaVell Edwards Stadium, the missionary son became very emotional. To him, the stadium symbolized a relationship and bond that he had developed with his father while going to BYU games. As I read the email, I began to reflect on what BYU football games meant to me and my relationship with Dad.

The first game I remember attending was in 1970. Dad, Brad, and I met up with Uncle Milton and Scott and drove to Provo together. It was Homecoming and BYU was playing Utah State. USU was the better team that year and were favored to win. In a downpour, BYU upset the Aggies. I remember sitting in the stands with Uncle Paul and the rest. We had a sheet of plastic over us to protect us from the rain. I remember Brad and Scott getting out from underneath the protection and sitting in the rain getting soaked. It is a very vivid and poignant memory for me--like it just happened yesterday.

Over the next few years, if any tickets were available from Uncle Paul, I would go to games. It was quite frequent. Then before the 1974 season, Dad asked me if I wanted to have my own season tickets. I, of course, said yes. From the 1974 season through the 2004 season (outside of the two seasons I was on my mission, 1979 and 1980), I was a season ticket holder. During the 70s and the 1981 season, I sat next to Dad in the season tickets he would get from Uncle Paul. It was awesome to spend time with Dad among others at the games. I can remember the game against Utah in '74 when BYU stomped the Utes and claimed the WAC crown. I remember going to the BYU-Southern Miss game in 1976 with Sid as a 4-year old. I remember as a freshman in 1978 at BYU being excited to see my family since they were coming to a game and then learned that they had turned around at Logan because Mom was experiencing labor pains. I remember going to the BYU-Utah game in 1981. The winner would be the WAC champ. BYU stomped them! Then after the game, they had a ground-breaking ceremony for the stadium expansion. As a family, we went to the first game of the expanded stadium in 1982.

During the '82 and '83 seasons, I purchased student season tickets. In 1984, I purchased my regular season tickets that I held up through the 1997 season. In 1998, I bought my tickets from Uncle Milton and kept them through the 2004 season. Even though I no longer sat next to Dad, arrangements were made to meet with him. Usually I would go back to Salt Lake with him to be with the rest of the family for the weekend. Those memories of not only going to the games, but being with the family at Grandma Gilbert's house are cherished and very dear to my heart.

When Dad passed away, it was difficult from me as it was naturally for the rest of the family. However, having lived on my own for years before his passing, I was accustomed to the lack of communication between us because of my living in Provo/Salt Lake and Dad being at home. BYU sports helped me come to full realization of Dad's passing. In the late fall of 1992, BYU's basketball team had just beaten nationally ranked Oklahoma in the Maui Invitational. I had gone to Kristi and Mike's in Fairview to watch the game even though they were not there. After the game was over, I can remember getting into my car and thinking to myself that I needed to talk to Dad about the the thrilling Cougar win. It then struck me with a powerful force that Dad was not here to do that anymore and any discussions about BYU would have to wait until I, too, had passed through the veil.

As a new father, this reflection has caused me to look to the future also. What will I, as a father, do to bond with my daughters? Will it be through BYU sports? Will it be through some other avenue? As I was thinking of this, I came to the realization that our Heavenly Father has enlightened us through his modern-day prophets on how this is done. It is called a Personal Priesthood Interview (PPI). In relation to a father and his family, I think this is a bit of a misnomer. It conjures up images that are too formal for the setting of a father with his son/daughter or a husband with his wife in special one-on-one settings. As Angie and Lilli grow, when I have these "PPIs", I will bond with them. What these will be will yet be seen. However, following the Lord's revealed pattern will allow me to bond with my daughters as I bonded with my father and as I am bonding with my wife.

I love my family. I am so looking forward to eternity with them.

March Madness Comes To an End

2008-04-08T08:48:00.004-06:00

March Madness has ended and the Gambles Family bracket challenge is final. Coming in first place and smacking everyone else in the mouth was Deb. She scored 93 points compared to Sid's 72. Here are the complete standings:

iloveblue2 (Deb) - 93 pts.
gambless (Sid) - 72 pts.
gambted (Ted) - 66 pts.
gambted2 (Ted) - 65 pts.
mousehater (Adrienne) - 64 pts.
mkwisner (Mike) - 63 pts.
iloveblue (Deb) - 61 pts.
jackieg (Jackie) - 57 pts.
iloveblue3 (Deb) - 56 pts.
toddg700 (Todd) - 54 pts.
shaunaj (Shauna) - 51 pts.
jackieg2 (Dedre [sp?]) - 47 pts.
iloveblue4 (Deb) - 46 pts.
gambted3 (Ted) - 46 pts.
gambted4 (Ted) - 43 pts.
gambted5 (Ted) - 25 pts.
iloveblue (Deb) - 15 pts.

In the CBS Sports contest, I placed 382,940th overall. Woohoo! I am a tournament picking machine!

Jaydon's First Birthday Party

2008-04-07T22:42:00.008-06:00

We celebrated Jaydon's first birthday at his Grandma Jeannie's place on April 5. It was celebrated then even though his birthday is on April 3. Members from both sides of the family attended. A fun time was had by all.

The video below is from our digital camera. It was on the movie side instead of the still picture so I took a 3 second video when I thought I was taking a still picture.

CBS Sports March Madness Update

2008-04-07T12:38:00.003-06:00

I am 382,910th in CBS Sports' March Madness contest. I am dropping like a rock!

Deb's Birthday

2008-04-07T11:56:00.005-06:00

Deb celebrated her birthday over two days this year. Since she had to work on her birthday, and we went to Jaydon's first birthday party along with General Conference, we did not have much time to celebrate it on her birthday. We did most of the celebrating on Sunday.
However, Saturday morning, Angie came into our bedroom. She climbed into our bed and when Deb rolled over to see her, Angie said, "Happy Birthday, Mom!" I hadn't even wished Deb a happy birthday. Angie is so thoughtful.
On Sunday, we cooked some steaks and shrimp for dinner. For her birthday cake, we had strawberry shortcake. Angie was so excited when I had her help me get the cake ready with the candle. She then carried it in while we sang Happy Birthday.
This year, a tradition came to an end. The first year we were married, we did not have anything to make a birthday cake. So, in trying to find something that would hold a candle, I filled celery sticks with peanut butter and stuck candles in them. Every year since then, that is what I prepared for Deb's birthday cake. Unfortunately, I had forgotten to get celery so we did not do that tradition. Hopefully, I will be better prepared for her birthday cake next year!