Happy Birthday, Nate!

"Mom, I'll be fine!" is what I heard at least a dozen times today as Nate was getting ready for his first scout campout. But ... but ... but ... don't you need another jacket? ... what about long pants ... do you need other pair? ... what about a hat? ... I know you have one, but do you need another one? ... what about long socks? ... are you sure you have enough to eat? ... let's see what else we can find for you to eat ... be sure to zip your sleeping bag ... don't lose your gear ... do you have a water bottle? ... are you going to be OK? ... listen to your leaders ... use the buddy system ... "Mom, I'll be fine!" ... "Mom, I said ... I'LL BE FINE!" I know you will son. It's just hard to believe you are already eleven! Happy Birthday, Nate! We love you!

FAMILY UPDATE!

Emily is engaged! :D
She came in the house and was smiling her face off. Of course I knew something was up and sure enough ... as she held her Jamba cup (this could be a good commercial)a beautiful ring was on her finger!
We are so excited for her!
Congratulations Emily and Mike!

Happy Birthday, Sydney!

Pink little girl with ash color hair ...
Running on tippy toes with quite a flair ...

Fun little giggle ...
Cute little smile ...
Lists and lists as long as a mile ...

Zoom you're here ...
Zoom you're there ...
Zoom you're everywhere ...

Cousins ...
Hugging ...
Brothers ...
Barbies ...
Monkeys all around ...

No treats are safe if the bag is open ...
No, there is none to be found ...

Singing high ...
Singing low ...
Morn until sunset glow ...

High School Musical ...
Connie ? Starfish ? Bugly ? Bundt ?
Nails ...
Hiking ...
Biking ...
So many stunts ...

Syd, your years have gone by fast.
We hope the next 14 will be such a blast!
You are amazing! We love you!!!

Here is a video I wanted to share. It is by Jon Schmidt, a local pianist and composer. He does "Love Story" by Taylor Swift meets "Viva La Vida" by Cold Play. He does a Christmas concert every year which is just plain amazing. Enjoy.

Happy Birthday, Brandon!

Brandon Medsker

Boy of many tools

Really cares about others

Amazing

Nice

Downright handsome

Outrageously good at playing tether ball

Noteworthy character

Many talents

Especially cute

Daring and brave

Sensitive

Kind

Everyones friend

Rockin' dance moves

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRANDON!!!

We love you!

Brandon, at 6:30 a.m. this morning when it was time to get up:

"I want to give myself a birthday gift of sleeping in"

Happy Birthday, Aimee!

I still remember the first day you were born with all your dark, brown hair! What a cutie pie! Emily was so excited to have her sister here because she poked you and said, "talk!". You grew so fast through the crawling, walking, teething stages ... it seemed like all I did was blink and poof I was looking up at you and you were looking down at me. :D I remember the cute little doll you had that you named 'Angel' and the way you loved to eat jello with a straw. I remember how we could always count on you to break a bone in the Spring, but luckily you grew out of that stage! ;-) You have always had a kind, tender heart. You do extra chores, make yummy brownies, and do things no one else would ever think of to show your love. Like the one time when the Activity Girls were going to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. You were talking with one of the leaders before they left, which I really didn't think anything about because you were in Young Women and I thought you were just having a friendly conversation. Well, I soon found out when they returned. You had given the leader some money to buy a doughnut ... not for yourself, but for your mother. You presented me with a yummy doughnut and an "I love you, Mom!" How sweet is that! Those acts of kindness are typical of your caring nature. You are an amazing Daughter of God! We have loved watching you grow into a beautiful Young Woman! Thank you for who you are! We are fortunate to have you in our family! We love you, Aimee! Happy 17th Birthday!

Here is a beautiful video about why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints builds temples.

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Throughout history, the Lord has commanded His people to build temples. Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where individuals make sacred promises with God.

-www.lds.org