Photographing in the Cemetary!

I just discovered Find a Grave. I became a volunteer headstone and monument photographer for my geographic region. Here's the first two photos that I've taken for someone (Location-Pleasant Green Cemetary).

The Newest Little Angel in My Life...Devry Dot.

ISN'T SHE ADORABLE?

Fun at the Festival of Trees

I had another great year helping out with the Festival of Trees. My friend Stephanie agreed to be on the same committee as me a couple of years ago. I have fun doing stuff for Festival with her. This year we made our crafts for the gift shop together. We acquired some soap dispensers and put fun little quotes on transparency film inside of them. My other friends Heather and Shana helped us finish tying the bows on them. I wish I remembered to take a picture of them. I'm sure you've seen something like it before.

I have some awesome friends. Check out this picture of some of us that helped wrap-up the Festival. The others had already left for the evening before I could get everyone to group up for the picture. I love these guys. I hope they're all free next year to come and help again. I sure had fun.

We wrapped the trees on Saturday night. On Sunday morning, Stephanie and I joined Kathy Purser and her family to go and deliver the trees. Here's a picture I got of another group loading the tree that my sister's friends, the Millers, made in honor of their son who died a few years ago. The name of the tree is "It's all Good." It had a Nightmare Before Christmas theme. The tree was upside down with Jack Skelington poking his head out the top. The tree was almost too tall to fit in the truck.

I'll never forget the years that my cousins, Brad & Nathan, brought everyone from Helaman Halls down to help wrap the trees. If they ever move back to Utah, maybe they can join us and we can have an even larger super crew.

United States Armed Forces Medley

One of my favorite things to listen to is the Armed Forces Medley of the United States. I love it when it's played at an event and all the veterans of the different forces are invited to stand and be honored. My heart is filled with excitement as the crowd claps and cheers.

My favorite experience to date, is when I was at the Castle Valley Pageant in Castle Dale, Utah. The pagent started with this medley. Riders on majestic horses galloped across the stage area carrying the different flags of the different forces. It was stunning!

It's Veterans Day this week. I'm so thankful for the sacrifices of so many to protect our precious freedoms. This is my small way to honor and thank them. I love America!

C.E.S. Firesides are AWESOME!

I'm always strengthened when I attend the LDS Church Education System's fireside broadcasts. Tonight President Uchtdorf was the speaker. It was an AWESOME experience to hear him tonight. Truth is beautiful.

What's Glee?

I keep seeing references to a show called "Glee"? in the blogs I read. What is it? I've never heard of it. Maybe, it's because I typically watch re-runs of Perry Mason, I Love Lucy, or My Three Sons, on KBYU at night, the Disney Channel, the 10:00 news, Monk, or Psych.

Ralphie's Jammies

I don't know if I'm trying to return to my childhood, or if it's the cold weather...but I've felt driven to find myself some footed pajamas. In my recent searching, I came across this website. I'm in love with these pajamas, there's only one problem, they cost a fortune.

I would feel horribly wasteful if I bought them with my regular income, so I've decided to try and find some additional work I can do to earn them. Recently I was advised by one of my teachers to use my resources to acquire good experiences (which become a part of you), rather than more "stuff" that collects dust and ends up in the landfill.

If I do some extra work to earn these pajamas, I see it as a potential "best of both worlds" outcome. I would get the good experience of working harder for something extra that I want, plus the experience of wearing the jammies (they make a great costume too). I only hope they are of good craftsmanship, I don't want them wearing out too soon and ending up in the landfill.