Family Garden, Game and Festival

So many things have happened in the last few weeks. Our garden has bloomed. We actually have live pumpkins!

Kody had his first freshmen home game against Adams High School. They won 49-6! GO PENN!

The big that has happened it that today we went to the Blueberry Festival in Plymouth IN. It was a good thing that we went early because later on in the day it was PACKED! Kasey, Cindy and Kody got a wrist band that let them go on as many rides numerous times all day. They had a blast! Kasey even meet up with his friend Sam. What goof balls! I brought my friend Samantha. We saw so many booths that had B-E-A-UTIFULL crafts, paintings, wall hangings with great quotes on them. Samantha and I did find a great time out box. It reminded me of Shreks out house in the beginning of the first movie. It would be a great time out box. Anyone could be put in there and then it would be locked on the outside. The person would have some light coming through because of the moon shape cut out in the door. Kasey and Cindy fit in there no problem but Kody......when he would sit down the door wouldn't close. He had to sit diagonally in order for the door to shut.

The best part was when Samantha and I were getting ready to leave and we stopped and got a Deep Fried Candy Bar. I know some may think that it would not taste so good. Well all of you should try it before you make your opinion. You could choose from a Snicker, 3 Musketeer or a Milky Way to be deep fried. Samantha got a Snickers and I did originally asked for a Milky Way but then they decide that I should try a Snickers. It wasn't bad at all! I think that power sugar should not be put on top. Also if it just came out of the fryer.....the candy bar should be cooled down before one eats its.

Kasey's First Baseball Game 2009

Kasey did wonderful today! He has 3 RBI, 2 Strike Outs and 1 Run. He also scored a run. It was GREAT! They won their game 8 - 0. We all hope that the rest of his games are just like this one or better. GO TEAM!

Hike #03: Donut Falls

I convinced Chelsea that we needed a shorter and much easier hike after last weeks hike to Timpanogos Cave. We, actually I, chose to go to Donut Falls up Big Cottonwood Canyon.

The hike was short and easy! Just what I needed...

There were several families with young children, along with a couple of groups with young children. In fact, there were 2 large white vans with young kids and an orange bus with young kids in the parking lot.

Hike #02: Timpanogos Cave

This weeks hike was to Timpanogos Cave. We attempted to make an early start, but didn't quite get out as early as we wanted, but was still early enough to avoid the afternoon heat on the hike up. The temperature was to reach 95 degrees.

As we waited in line for tickets, the family ahead of us was told that they would have to wait an hour before they could start on the hike. Chelsea and I didn't want to have to wait that long, becuase the heat increasing by the minute. When we purchased our tickets at 11:20 we were told that we could get started immediately and were scheduled for the 12:50 cave tour.

We ended up getting to the cave 20 minutes early and were able to take the 12:40 tour. The tour group was small, so we were able to hear everything that the ranger said.

We both enjoyed the hike!

Hike #01: Twin Lakes Hike

Chelsea and I headed up to Brighton Ski Resort to take a short hike around Silver Lake. Chelsea decided that it would be better if we not only did that hike, but that we also hike to Twin Lakes. She convinced me that it was only 1 mile and it wouldn't take very long.
Well, an hour later and numerous stops on the way, we made it to the top.

Red Skelton dissects the Pledge of Allegiance

Photos From Kaj in Sweden

Below are a few photos of Sweden that Kaj has recently sent me.

Cindy, Kody & Kasey Enjoy the Beach

Cindy, Kody and Kasey went to the beach at Lake Michigan with the Crowder family a couple of weeks ago (June 12, 2009). They enjoyed every minute of it and so did I. I was at home while they were at the beach. I hate the sand and sun.

kasey's trip to Idaho

quess what I did in Idaho?I got to drive a fourwheeler , and shoot a 22 riffle. and I also whent to the Allen family reunion at a water park. the water park was fun. I got to go down a huge slide.cindy was to scared the first two times.Then she went the last time around.And I went to Iggys with the Gwilliam family.I love idaho.

Scout Camp

This year was my third year at scout camp. I had a pretty good time. The only thing that was bad was, it would rain like crazy and then get scorching hot in the next half hour and be humid for the rest of the day. Then the mosquitos would eat me alive! During scout camp, I earned 4 merit badges. They were Metal work, Orienteering, geology, and oceanography. With these merit badges, I only need two more required to recieve the Rank of Ealge scout. My goal is to have my Ealge by next summer.

Utah / Idaha Family Vacation Photos

Family Trip

Wednesday night around 7:oo pm, my mom, dad, Kasey and I left for Utah. After the tiring 24 hour trip we arrived at grandma Gwilliam's.

Our week was filled with fun. Friday night we went to dinner with my dad's family. It was alot of fun and the food was amazing. Saturday morning we went to my mom's family reunion, even though it was cold and rainy, Kasey and I still went to the water park. It was so much fun.

The most fun thing was going out to Idaho and visiting my mom's parents. When we arrived, Kasey and I went 4 wheeling and shot a 22 riffle. It was alot of fun. The trip was so much fun, even though the ride was extremly long =)

Indiana Sunrise by Kasey

Kasey took this sunrise photo a couple of days ago before he got on the bus for school.

Kasey Stars in NUTS

Kasey was an ACORN in the 3rd grade production of NUTS. He enjoyed every minute of it. Kasey is located in the center, just above the microphone.

Kasey, Kody and Chelsea in Indy for Spring Break!

From all the pictures that were taken I would say that these three had a wonderful time down in Indy. Going to the children's museum and seeing a movie and so much more it makes me jealous

Robotics Update

Kevin is currently in Atlanta at the FIRST Championship. He is having a great time. There are 249 different robotic teams on 5 different fields. After 5 competitions, Kevin's team is 11th out of 88 teams in their division. They are team 135 in the Newton division. They will compete all day on Saturday, April 18, 2009.

Live video is available online at http://mfile.akamai.com/18569/live/reflector:45973.asx?bkup=52174&prop=n.

Match schedule and results are online at http://www2.usfirst.org/2009comp/events/Newton/matchresults.html.

Team standings are online at http://www2.usfirst.org/2009comp/events/Newton/rankings.html.

College Applications

Kevin has been accepted to Florida Institute of Technology and Chelsea has been accepted to Ivy Tech Community College. Neither of them have landed on a specific major.

Kevin is still debating between Civil Engineering and Computer Sciences. Chelsea is still trying to narrow down her major, so she may just focus on general ed the first year.

We are very excited for both of them as they continue their education!

Kasey and the Pinewood Derby

The annual pinewood derby was last night! Kasey designed his as a football. You can see it in the top-right corner of the photo below. He won 3 of 5 matches!

Bro. Crowder was a great help in getting the track setup and Bro. Campbell, as always, did a great job as the emcee!

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Matt Passes First of Two Certification Tests

Matt passed the first of two certification tests for his web development training. He is now preparing for the second test and should be completed in the next 5+ weeks.

Purdue Regional Robotics

Kevin left early Thursday morning to setup the robotics pit and robot for the Purdue Regional Robotics competition.

Since I passed the certification test on Thursday morning, I was able to return home. Kasey, Kody, Chelsea and left early Friday morning for Purdue to cheer on Kevin and the Penn robotics team. We had a GREAT time watching the various battles!

After Friday's preliminary qualification rounds, we walked Chelsea to the Purdue institute because she was attending the Priest/Laurel conference. This was perfect timing and location!

Kasey, Kody and I then headed to Indy for the night, so they could check out my pad while I'm attending school.

We got up early to head back to Purdue to watch the finals. Lori and Charly headed down from Granger to meet up with us. We had another great day watching the numerous battles with the robots. Penn's team made it to the semi-finals. They now prepare to attend the nationals in Atlanta in April. I believe the nationals are broadcast on ESPN.

Photos and competition information can be found at http://regional.purduefirst.org/.

Willy Wonka Performs - aka Kody

Kody takes the stage as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka Junior presented by his 8th grade choir. He spent several weeks preparing for the presentation and spent many hours with a family friend, Stephen Drye, practicing the numerous songs that he would perform during production.

He did a GREAT job as Willy Wonka!

He had also performed in a Northern Indiana choir presentation at Goshen College the week before, where he also did a great job.

Chelsea's Art Receives Recognition

Several items of Chelsea's artwork that she has completed this year have been included in the Penn High School Fine Arts Festival and the Regional Scholastic Art Awards.

She has also volunteered at these events. You’ll notice that her chess piece artwork was included on the cover of the Fine Arts Festival program.

Long Awaited Update...

It has been several months since the last update and several changes with the family.

Lori has been called as a counselor in primary. The van has finally died, so Charly bit the bullet and purchased a pre-owned car. Matt has found himself unemployed and is now in Indianapolis for the next 3 months taking a web developer course with Microsoft certification. Chelsea has her drivers license, Dakota has been shoveling driveways to earn money for his DC trip with the 8th grade and for scout camp this summer. Cindy has been working hard on her sewing projects for school, Kasey spends alot of time playing in the snow with his friends and we haven't seen Kevin since the First robotic specs came out.