We're Alive!

Let's see, it's been over two years since the last post. But we are alive. This is mainly a test, or some activity to keep the blog from cycling out due to inactivity.

Simplicity

Michelle spoke in the Summit Creek Branch to day on the topic "Simplify your life." It was wonderful, and as usual extremely well prepared and researched. Now we must live it.

Happy Anniversary -- to Us!

Happy Anniversary to us! Happy Anniversary to us! Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary! Happy Anniversary to uuuuuuuus!!! And many morrrrrre!

The Birthday Dance!

At Melanie's birthday dinner, Brooklyn Michelle decided to perform for us. She started by singing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and it turned out so cute that Melissa couldn't resist getting it all on video. So heeeeere's Brooklyn!!!!

And here is the encore:

American Festival Chorus - Night to Celebrate Lincoln

This top picture shows Chris, Melissa and our friend Brenna Clarke after the fantastic performance at the USU Kent Concert Hall. Craig Jessop, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's former director is now directing a community choir here in Logan. He led the choir and Orchestra in a night to celebrate Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. They had pictures on a screen during the performance that showed pictures from that time period. It was a truly inspiring performance.

Chris auditioned for the choir in January when Melissa told him they needed men. They didn't even audition any women. Luckily, Melissa tried out in August and has already had a semester under the direction of a true master, Dr. Craig Jessop. It was a sold out concert. Senator Bob Bennett came and narrated parts of the performance. They sang such wonderful pieces as Peace Like a River, Shenandoah, America the Beautiful, and the Story of the Battle Hymn, etc. We were thrilled that Melissa's in-laws even came to support her from Pocatello, Idaho!

The bottom picture is Chris just before going to the concert. I had to take a picture to document the occasion. This is his first tuxedo. He had to purchase one as they wear it every time they perform. I think the local men's store in town is glad Craig Jessop came to town and requires only the best. Doesn't he look handsome!!! Wow! Now I may have to have him take a dancing class or two to put this tux to good use!

Chris plays tag.

Here's my shot at responding to Creighton's tag. 5 (random) things I love about my wife: 1. I love her voice, especially her phone voice – very feminine. 2. I love how she loves babies and small children – Her example is a big reason all of our children are great with small children. 3. I love her commitment – she is diligent and persevering to the core, and unwaveringly faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 4. I love her enthusiasm and drive, including her famous primal scream. 5. I love her strong appreciation and talents for beauty – music, painting, calligraphy, cooking, and making herself, her children, and her home, look and be (more) beautiful. 5 of my favorite movies (not necessarily in order): 1. African Queen, with Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. 2. Hell in the Pacific, with Lee Marvin. 3. Lord of the Rings Trilogy, with Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen, Elijah Wood, Liv Tyler, John Rhys-Davies, Orlando Bloom, etc. 4. Sergeant York, with Gary Cooper. 5. Valdez is Coming with Anthony Quinn. 5 of my favorite foods: 1. Paella Valenciana (make sure it has squid). 2. Michelle’s Four-layer pudding cake. 3. Squirt. 4. Lime sherbet. 5. Michelle’s oven Bar-B-Q chicken. 5 random things I am proud of (that happened before I met Michelle): 1. Being voice for the dedication of the city of Vitoria, Spain to the preaching of the Gospel in 1977. 2. Driving round trip from Logan, Utah to Guatemala City, Guatemala with my brother David, and uncle, aunt, and cousin, in a Dodge Dart in 1975. 3. Climbing to the top of Waynu Picchu, Peru, with a Japanese friend I met the same day in 1971. 4. With a companion from Chile (Roberto Alarcón), laying the brick, including herringbone, kitchen arches, and a three-story chimney stack, in a house in McLean, Virginia, in 1972, and surviving a lightning strike on a scaffold. 5. Helping my brother, David, keep our immediate family’s farm in Weston, Idaho, running while Dad was in southern Chile helping run the extended family’s farm at Lago Ranco, 1968 or 1969. 5 things I am thankful for: 1. I’m with Creighton’s #1 pick, the Atonement and Gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. Fabulous family, including in-laws (keep it up, Jeff and Joanna, the bar is WAY high). 3. Better-than-I-deserve health, including a good memory (except, Where did I put my keys?) 4. The personal sacrifices, past and present, made in behalf of the freedom I enjoy. 5. Greg Bagley’s slush. As far as passing it on, I am not sure who is watching. If you catch this tag, please let me know in a comment so I can follow it on your blog!

Joanna's Girl's Choice

Today was the Girl's Choice dance at Sky View High School. Joanna went with a blind date with a guy the girl in blue asked her to ask. She didn't have to twist Joanna's arm too much. She does not like dances and she is not big on dating much yet. I am glad she decided to go and the group looks like they will have fun. P.S. Joanna's eyes turned out really red so we photoshoped them to make her look more like a vampire. Worked eh?