25 April 2010 - Emily's Baptism

It was great this weekend to have so many members of our family in town for Emily's baptism. Joanne's brother Karl was called to be the bishop of his ward in Delaware, so he wasn't able to join us until Sunday afternoon. Fortunately all plans came together at Emily was baptized at 5 PM Sunday afternoon with Grammie & Grandpa North, Grandma Fails, and a whole bunch of aunts, uncles, cousins and even a few neighbors in attendance.The baptism girl in her white dress.
You can't have a baptism without an eight-year-old birthday party. All three grandparents made it into town in time for her birthday party Thursday evening.
Our evenings and weekends are very busy with soccer practice these days. Most of our visitors got to see a little bit of the kids in action.It was a double birthday weekend because Emily's cousin Calista from New Jersey turned three on Sunday. We had princess cupcakes......and even a princess cake.All in all, it was a great weekend. The house was full and busy, but it was great to see everyone again and to spend time with our family on such an important occasion.

18 April 2010 - Columbus Temple

On Monday, we had a baby shower, well, really an outdoor picnic for a colleague of mine at W&J. He's a Post-doc in our department, and his wife is pregnant with their first child. The guy in the blue sweater is Sam Fee, my current department chair, and he's swinging his daughter Allison with Jessica.
Yesterday (Saturday) was our annual youth temple trip. This was our first one since being reassigned to the Columbus, OH temple. It was a wonderful experience. We had five young men and two young women and seven leaders attend. We were instructed by the temple president, and performed nearly two hundred ordinances. Afterward, we enjoyed some fabulous burgers at Culver's.

11 April 2010 - Easter Week

We had a good Easter week at our house. Our weather changed really quickly this spring. We went from deep snow to summer heat within just a couple of weeks. It's been hot and cold, so pretty normal spring weather. Over the weekend, it seemed like the cherry blossoms and flowering trees all came out all at once.We got some Jelly Bellies for our bunny baskets.We've tried really hard not to let the Easter Bunny effect overpower the real reason for Easter, but there were a few things on the kitchen table on Easter morning, including Peeps!
And the girls were pleased to find them.

Isn't it strange...

Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange how a few hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say in order to pray, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter in the scriptures, but how easy it is to read hundreds pages of a popular and entertaining novel?

Isn't it strange how we want front row seats to concerts or sporting events, but we'll do whatever is possible to sit on the last row in church?

Isn't it strange how we need to know about a church event for weeks in advance in order to include it in our agenda, but we can adjust for other events at the last minute?

Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn about God and then share with others, but how easy it is to learn, extend and repeat gossip?

Isn't it strange how we believe virtually anything that magazines, newspapers and other people say, but we question the words in the scriptures?

Isn't it strange how so many people want a place in heaven, but they don't want to believe, do, or say what is required to get there?

Isn't it strange how we send jokes and stories to others without much thought, but when we have messages about God, we think twice before we share them?

4 April 2010 - Easter

I made it home from my trip safe and sound on Monday and spent the rest of the week catching up. The girls have been super excited about Easter weekend, even though they were supposed to get spring break for Easter but it was wiped out by snow days in February.
The girls spent their Friday evening working on Easter eggs with mommy.Here are the spoils of their efforts.
Joanne has been looking for an excuse to make this coconut cake for a couple weeks. We had the missionaries over for dinner, so she made it for them.
Madeline can see you!

28 March 2010 - Utah

This week I got to go out to Utah for my dad's 65th birthday party. We were on spring break at W&J, so I had some free time. It was good timing too. My Aunt Sue and Uncle Randy were in town from Vermont and Brandon was up from St. George so we got to hear him in a jazz band concert at Jordan High School.

For my dad's birthday party, we had a huge dinner -- Thanksgiving style. I got to spend some time with my grandma and we even got to meet my cousin Cameron's kids including baby Chloe.The boy formed a barbershop quartet (triplet?) with my dad and Brian.Megan became an ace 4-wheeler driver, as long as Uncle Mike was on the back with her.It was cold while I was in Utah, and snowed hard on Friday. The mountains got more than a foot, making me homesick for the mountains and the good skiing to be found there.I had a great trip and was happy to spend some time with folks that I don't get to see too much any more.