Elder's Quorum Activity: Clay Pigeon Shooting

Clay pigeon shooting - a manly thing to do for any activity that involves a bunch of guys.   Right up Jed's alley for sure.

Since the young adults over 12 years old were allowed to accompany their fathers on this activity, Jed took Aubrey.  Although Aubrey hasn't shot a whole lot and this was her first time clay pigeon shooting, she was stoked to go.   :)

So here's little Aubrey, the only girl, and she's in heaven (mostly cuz she's with her dad.)  Apparently, from all reports, she's a good shot too.  Jed handed her a 12 gauge shotgun, gave her a few tips, and Aubrey was set to go.

Wow, that first clay pigeon came flying out of the thrower and Aubrey shot it down without any problem!   She missed her second one, but nailed the third.  She made her daddy proud.   I'm sure she impressed all those other boys too.


Jed taking his turn. 

Jed was happy to report that his daughter out-shot half the guys there. They had an awesome time together...nothing like daddy-daughter bonding with a shotgun in hand.


Aubrey's also got a nice bruise and a sore arm to show for it all too.

A Proclamation to the World

Sixteen years ago today, this proclamation was released. The words contained therein are just as powerful and potent and needed today as they were back then.  I am taking a moment to read it all over again, you are most welcome to join me.  :)   Even though the philosophies and ideas of our human society are ever changing, God is the same today, yesterday, and forever.  I am well aware that much of the world has their own opinions of what is right or wrong.  I, however, would much rather put my trust in God and in His commandments.  I know that if I do this, I can't go wrong, no matter what the world says otherwise.

A Proclamation to the World

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.


In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.


The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.


Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.


The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.


We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.


We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

Small Town Harvest Celebration

The air smells of autumn and crop harvesting is well under way.  This time of the year also means celebrating the harvest for our small town.

It starts out with a parade in the late morning.

The kids are excited because they know that this particular parade means getting a lot of candy.

As with every year, the parade begins with police cars and fire trucks.  Jed and some of the other soldiers were asked to lead it this year....they all declined.  Jed didn't want the spotlight and attention....besides, these soldiers had only been home from Iraq for a few days and so there is still much adjusting going on for them.

I didn't mind helping Rigdon get some of the candy that was being thrown out, especially when I know I'll be sneaking a few pieces later.  :)

Meanwhile, Rigdon was getting a kick out of all the candy he was finding.

Those firetrucks are soooo loud.

Rigdon still gathering.

Both Connor and Aubrey were in the parade this year, playing their instruments.  Connor's Strings Class has only had a few weeks of playing time but they sounded great!  They did a fiddling song so they all got to dress up "western-like."

Connor was happy and proud to be wearing his dad's calvary hat for the parade.

Mr. Potato came around shaking hands too...Rigdon didn't like him too much and hid behind Jeds' legs. 

Aubrey's band class was the last entry of the parade.

Ronin gave her a high five as she marched past.

Later on, Connor and Ronin wanted to try a few fun things out.  Connor chose rock climbing.

Ronin opted for the inflatable slides.

Meanwhile, Connor made it to the top a few times.

My favorite part of the day - the "Spud Tug."

Spud Tug is where teams compete with a rope tug-o-war over a pit of sloppy mashed potatoes.  Yep, runny mashed potatoes mixed up and poured by a cement truck.

 
The recently crowned Miss Russett opens up the competition by tasting the potato mush to make sure it's ready.  This year was unique when she actually got in it to taste it, much to the delight of the crowd.

Let the Spud-Tug begin!!!!

Of course the best part is when the losing team falls into the pit and gets all messy.

The adult teams are the most fun to watch. 

If you'll notice, Moses Kinikini from the last season of The Biggest Loser was on this team.  They won their first match but lost their second.

It's safe to say that the most favorite team of all are the LDS Missionaries, they always get the loudest cheers from the crowd.  They compete every year and usually win the entire competition.

This year, they won their first match but lost their second round, bummer.  But it's great to see them get messy in their nice dress clothes.  :)

What the crowd loves to see - someone totally sopped with mashed potatoes. 

The boys favorite bought item of the day:

This should keep them occupied for quite some time....hopefully without hitting anybody else in the process.

A fun day.   The end. :)

Welcome Home Soldier!

Jed is finally home for good!!!!  :) 

We tried to surprise Rigdon too, but.....

Never as a child did I think that in my adult life I would be so intimately and personally exposed and involved with some of our nation's freedom keepers.  But how grateful I am for the wisdom, awareness, and perspective it has given me as a soldier's wife.  As this group of soldiers walked off that plane and began walking toward us, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for every single man and woman who serves in our military.  My heart swells with pride to know my husband is a part of serving our great nation.  This deployment has given me a whole new appreciation for our country, our freedoms, my family, and most especially for Jed. 

Our family is whole again.  There is no better feeling than that.

First family dinner ALL together!!!!  :)  Yay!

Welcome home, Jed, welcome home!

Special thanks to my sis-in-law, Lisa, for taking photos of our special moment.  And thanks to Malin for stepping in so suddenly to do our videotaping!!!  You are both wonderful!!!!

Muddy Mess

Our sandbox almost became a swimming pool this week when Connor decided to flood it to the gills with water.  This instantly attracted boys from all over the neighborhood.

I say go for it, boys!

Rigdon liked "mixing" his water and mud together, I guess it tastes better that way.

The sandbox looked more like miniature mountains with reservoirs and rivers.

This "mountain" was big enough to deserve a name.  The boys made a tunnel from one side to the other.

So the "pool" sprang a leak and Rigdon was determined to fix it by putting more sand on the hole.

It didn't work, but that didn't keep Rigdon from trying anyway.