Neal participated in basketball camp at Westminster last week. He attended the same camp last year. Since Geoff finished his eligibility this past season, and this was his last summer helping at camp, we thought it would be important to have Neal there again. Neal did a great job. He’s really learning a lot! Good job Neal!
Here’s Neal with Geoff and Jeramie Hopson. Riley wanted in on the photo action as well.
Filed under: Family
Last Friday, I took the boys to our ward’s fathers and sons campout at Horseshoe Springs, just west of Grantsville. I went out there a few times when I was a Boy Scout. It doesn’t seem like much has changed
We left early so the boys could have some fun playing on Friday night since we had to leave a bit earlier on Saturday. The weather didn’t cooperate for us though. We were the first ones from the ward there, and the wind was blowing really hard. It was blowing dust everywhere! So, we just stayed in the car and waited for others to show up.
The wind finally died down around 7:30, so we could light the stoves and cook dinner. We had hot dogs, and chips. For desert, we made banana boats. Have you ever had a banana boat? Well, you slice a banana while still in the peel, and add marshmellows, and chocolate chips. Then you wrap them in aluminum foil and cook them over a fire or a grill. They were good!
We had a fun time playing, talking, and laughing. The boys were great!
Riley and Neal took their baseball gloves. Check out Riley’s wind-up!
Our family finished reading the Book of Mormon again on Sunday night. The boys were pretty excited. It took us a while, but we did it. We missed a lot of nights, and didn’t have complete attention from each of us at one time or another, but we got through it again. Neal asked if we could read the Pearl of Great Price next. I’m happy to see the excitement he has for reading the scriptures.
Filed under: Family
Neal’s Cub Scout pack had their annual Raingutter Regatta on Tuesday night. Neal won the whole thing. Not only did his boat look good, but his blower worked good.
We helped Neal put his boat together. And, yes, we helped a lot, but he did most of the work. To help us, we went a little bit further than just using the instructions that came with the boat. We used some helpful tips on making the ultimate raingutter regatta from Boy’s Life magazine. I thought the pointers were very helpful.
Good thing there weren’t any pirates nearby. That might have been the only thing that could have stopped him!
Filed under: Family
Our Memorial Day weekend was a busy one. We spent Friday and Saturday with Grandma Poulsen’s side of the family. Each year around her birthday, which happens to be around Memorial Day, we get together. First, we go to the temple together on Friday night. Then, we get together on Saturday morning and clean-up grandma’s yard. Then, we get back together on Saturday night for dinner. I look forward to it. I really enjoy the Poulsen family. Enjoy some pictures below of us in the yard at grandma’s.
On Monday, while Amber was finishing up an assignment, the boys left early with Grandma and Grandpa Packer to my Aunt Linda, and Uncle Rob’s cabin in Pine Mountains, which is about 50 east of Salt Lake, just east of Kamas. Amber and I met the family up there later in the day.
Rob and Linda’s cabin is amazing! It’s large and can handle the big family gatherings. The weather at the cabin was a bit cooler than in Salt Lake. It was nice. In fact, it hailed for a bit while we were there.
We had some great barbeque, and lots of laughs. We also were able to get on the four wheelers. Riley and Neal loved it!
It was a fun weekend, and a great taste of what’s going to be a fun summer. The hardest thing about Monday, was having to get ready to go back to work on Tuesday!
The tryouts for the talent show at Neal’s school will be held on Thursday. Neal came home yesterday and said he wanted to play the theme song to Star Wars in the tryout. He’s only been practicing two days. I think he’s doing a great job. Good luck, little buddy! By the way, you picked a great song from a great movie series!
Filed under: Family
I am lucky. I have some pretty amazing moms in my life. We were fortunate to be able to spend some great time with many of them this past Sunday. Here’s a picture of Amber, my mom, my grandma, and my sister Rebecca at dinner on Mother’s Day. Four beautiful women, indeed!
I’m so indebted to my mom for all she has done for me. She’s taught me many great things. I haven’t always been the easiest child for her, but I want her to know that I value what she has taught me and wouldn’t change it for anything!
I’m also thankful for my mother-in-law. What an amazing person. She has to be, since she raised the most perfect woman in the world! She is a great example of someone who loves unconditionally. I appreciate what she does for our family.
I’m also lucky because I still have one of my grandmothers with us. Grandma Voorhees is a rock. The strength she exhibits gives me great hope in the future. I’m also thankful for Amber’s two grandmothers, Grandma Payne and Grandma Poulsen. Both are kind, gentle, and some of the most giving people I’ve met.
Most of all, I am so thankful for Amber. What an amazing mother! She does so much for Neal, Riley, and myself. When I asked Neal what he loved about mom, he said: “She takes care of me when I’m not feeling good.” When I asked Riley what he loved about mom, he said: “She does good stuff.” Typical Riley!
I hope she knows how much I appreciate and respect her. She is my rock. She’s the one who keeps me grounded. I owe so much to her. Thanks for loving us. I love you, Babe!
Filed under: Entertainment
Last night we took Neal to see Wicked at Capitol Theatre. My parents and Amber’s parents came with us. It was the first time for Neal and I. Amber saw it two years ago with my mom and sisters in Denver. We’ve been looking forward to going since we bought the tickets last August. Back then it seemed like forever until we could see the show.
It was well worth the wait! I’ve listened to the soundtrack and Amber has filled me in on the show over the last two years. I was really impressed with the whole production. The lighting, the sets, the costumes, the singing. It was all amazing. I haven’t been to many broadway productions – Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – but I’ve enjoyed all that I have been to. I like going to the theatre. There’s something magical about seeing a broadway production. Wicked has to rate as one of my favorites.
Filed under: Family
This week we celebrated Amber’s birthday on April 28, and my Dad’s birthday on April 30. Happy Birthday Amber and Dad!
After watching my dad battle cancer beginning two years ago, its awesome to have him doing so well! His cancer has been in remission since last summer. Right now he’s doing great! His blood work has been good since before Christmas. That means he’s feeling good enough to mow his own lawn this year. I hope he knows that we’re still here to help if he needs it! Thanks for all you do for us Dad. You are a wonderful father and grandfather. I hope you had a great day!
I hope you had a good birthday Amber. Amber means so much to me and I hope she knows that. She’s a perfect mom, and a perfect spouse. She puts up with so much childish behavior from me – which shouldn’t be normal, and from the boys – which is normal! I am so indebted to her for all she’s done for us. She’s a hard worker. She’ll stay up until the early hours of the morning to finish an assignment and meet a deadline to help support our family. She goes out of her way to help and serve others. She’s the kindest and most generous friend. She treats others like you should treat them. To me she is perfect. I love you Babe! Thanks for being there for me. I hope all of your wishes come true!
Last Saturday, I ran in the Salt Lake City Half Marathon. I am so happy. I completed it! And, I met my goal of 2:20 – right on the nose! Finishing the race and meeting my goal was important to me. I wanted to run in this race last year. Just as I started to train for it, I injured my back and was not able to finish my training or run in the race. I was determined to do it this year.
The course was fun. Spectators were on the sidelines throughout the course cheering for family and friends. It was on the cooler side as the race started. It was perfect! I’m glad it wasn’t like my 12-mile run two weeks earlier in the snow. The course was downhill or level most of the way, until there was one mile left. This part of the course went north up State Street to South Temple. The last two blocks of that was up hill and a challenge after running 12 miles.
There were a couple of neat things about reaching the top of the hill at South Temple: First, the hills were now behind me, and second, as I made my way west on towards The Gateway, the Salt Lake Temple came into view. I became a bit emotional as I thought about the importance of the temple and my family. The Salt Lake Temple is where Amber and I were sealed for time and all eternity almost 14 years ago. I am so thankful for that day!
Seeing the temple reminded me of the race we run through life. This race also has friends and family on the sidelines cheering us on. It has it turns, detours, and potholes which we need to avoid. We have to “train” and prepare daily by doing things such as praying and studying the scriptures, in order to reach the finish line or the ultimate goal of returning to our Heavenly Father.
As I reached the final stretch at The Gateway, both sides of the road were lined with thousands of spectators. They were cheering everyone on. Especially the elite marathon runners who were coming in at the same time as us “slow” half marathon runners. It was a neat feeling to come through the finish line and see Amber, the boys, and my mom there cheering me on. I won’t forget that feeling.
