I'm in the Governor's Cirlce of Friends

So how many of you can say you got a Christmas Card from the Governor of your State? Well check this out, I got a Christmas Card from Governor Perry, Texas Governor and his family. Oh yeah, I'm in Governor's circle of friends. :)

I'm still trying to decide if it's my substiantial contribution to the GOP or the fact that I was a Republican Delegate for Precinct 1719 and got a seat at the District Convention. Nevertheless, I got a card from Governor Perry! I'm feelin' special!

St. Mary's Uniform

Guys, I wanted to show this picture...this is Masina's school uniform today. Isn't it crazy that this is the same as school uniforms for girls in Samoa? And the color...that's St. Mary's school uniform colors--white blouse with navy blue dress/skirt. Crazy huh?

Two Days Below Freezing

Two days of below freezing, today's high was 31 degrees F while yesterday was 32. It snowed a little but lots more freezing rain. On the way to take the kids to school, lots of patchy ice and our vehicle slid a bit. Nevertheless, we traveled to and fro safely.

What Tribe Are You From?

Jennifer and I just got back from Forth Worth where we attended a Native American Council annual gathering. It was fun. It took an hour to drive, then took another 30 mins to locate the place but when we sat down, they were just about to bless the food. Better yet, we sat right next to the food, the only place available. Since there were 1100 people there, sitting next to the food was the best!

So then the people we sat with asked what tribe we were with and Jennifer answered Choctaw. The guy said he was with the Yawa tribe. They then turned to me and I said I was from the tribe of Lehi. 

Rightfully so, the poor lady was confused as she mentioned that she's never heard of that tribe before. Well, I think she hasn't read that part of the Book of Mormon yet. What an amazing thing when the American Indians finally see that they are descendants of Lehi and the Book of Mormon people.

Elder Wirthlin dies at 91

SALT LAKE CITY 2 Dec 2008 Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, the oldest living apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died last night, age 91. Elder Wirthlin had gone to bed at his Salt Lake City home, and died peacefully at about 11:30 pm of causes incident to age.

Mouse in the kitchen

Yup, we caught it! Poor guy, Keil and I had to give him a proper burial. And since Keil couldn't see "his thing sticking out" he reckons it's a "femail" mouse (note the spelling)!

Keilani's Schoolwork

Here are just a few of Keilani's schoolwork to share. Next post...report cards again.

Keil's Math Mid-Term

We got Keil's Math Benchmark exam back and he did alright. I told him I'm happy for him doing okay but he wanted a 100%. Well, he knows exactly what he needs to do to do better and it's always good to aim higher. Keilani set a goal to be commended two years ago after her first benchmark and by years end, she was commended.

Masina's Coloring

Masina wanted to ensure these were posted so Gramma and Grampa (both sets) would see them. She drew a picture of her family and a picture of her in bed. There are more to come but she wanted to start with these.

Slumber Party

A quick snapshot of the kids in their slumber party downstairs. Keil is waving to us as Masina's legs cross over him. Keilani is sleeping calmly. Enjoy!

I Got Tagged

8 Things About Me

I'm not one to do these things but I'm playing along. So y'all have to play along too. Jill Baker tagged me so here is my post. Enjoy!

RULES

1) Post rules on your blog
2) Answer the six "8" items
3) Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving them a comment

8 Favorite TV shows
Hmm...I don't really watch TV and when I do, it's either a game, the News or the History and/or Science Channel. So these are what I've caught in the past that I enjoy.

1. Decoding the Past (History Channel)
2. MonsterQuest (History Channel) 
3. Decoding Mega Disasters (History Channel)
4. The Weather (WFAA)
5. NightLine (ABC)
6. Ancient Discoveries (History Channel)
7. ESPN News
8. BYU Football 

8 Things I did Yesterday
1. Rode my bike to work
2. Family Home Evening
3. Cleaned up the house
4. Practiced Piano with the kids
5. Took the boys to school
6. Did the dishes
7. Cracked my back
8. Tied Masina’s shoes

8 Things I look forward to
1. Riding my bike anywhere (in the cold)
2. Playing Ultimate Frisbee on Saturday mornings
3. Playing football on Thanksgiving
4. Weekends and Sundays
5. Going to church on Sundays
6. Practicing basketball with my children
7. Playing Acquire with my wife and children
8. The day I can run everything on a computer

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. IHOP
2. The Thai Place
3. The Mediterranean Place 
4. Panda Express 
5. Outback Steakhouse 
6. Dennys
7. Rock Bottom
8. MacDonalds 

8 Things on my wish list
1. That we were out of debt now
2. To make lots of money on the stock market
3. To travel with my wife, or serve a mission together
4. To have Eternal Life
5. Start my own company
6. That my friend Wade would accept the gospel someday 
7. I could eat MacDonald’s breakfast everyday
8. That my children would all marry in the Temple and stay active in the gospel

8 People to tag
1. Mike Woodward
2. Stephanie Collao
3. Juanita Velazquez
4. Tonia Phillips
5. Wade Anderson
6. Lindsay Maas
7. Mary Tuihalagigi
8. Jake Hinckley

Halloween People

From last Friday...Keilani went as Cleopatra, Keil was a vampire and Masina was a horse. We went with a few families in our ward and it was a fun evening. We walked around and did the TorT thang and then came home and took it easy.

We had some of my YM spend the night and we had a fun night playing Balderdash eating chocolate, candy and chips. Well, it was a good night.
Here is the Vampire minus the fangs and although you can't really tell, Masina is a horse but it was quite hot here so she wanted the horse-head off as it was a warm costume.

Wanna See My BooBees?

Yeah, it caught my attention too.

Okay here's the story, I was in the middle of a presentation and up pops my email notification with a "WANNA SEE MY BOOBEES?" It caught me off guard and I thought, "What the heck?" I was so caught off guard I half stared at the subject line amazed!

This was from a good friend from BYUH, not SPAM that somehow made its way into my mailbox. I was stunned. I swear if I could blush I would have. I was mortified! I thought, what is she (my friend) doing?

I hoped the people in my presentation didn't notice; yeah, wishful thinking. Well, luckily a few made jokes about it and then moved passed it.

Well when we got to my desk, my coworkers and I carefully checked the email (the whole time I'm thinking, hoping really, "surely this cannot be something bad from Lisha--it's Lisha!!!") PHEW!!! it was safe! When it was safe, I finally said to my coworker, "this is an LDS friend of mine from BYUH so it couldn't have been bad." Well I was really hoping and glad it was safe.

And yes, that's the picture above; they were just Bees as ghosts saying "Booo!"

Detention!

Well, I've been tossing this up to see if I should post it or not. Well, I decided what the heck, it's a happening albeit a 'mishap' for Keilani. So my Keilani got detention--I thought the reason was funny but nevertheless, I'll support the teacher.

The funny thing is I got thinking and thought well, we've all been in detention at least once. But wouldn't it be funny to know if Gramma Wilson got into Detention? Actually, all the old guys like my folks! It would be funny to see a member of the Temple Presidency and think, hey he was in detention once! Or to see Mom Noonan and say, hey you served 4 detentions? That would be funny if I get comments from you guys that you were in Detention. What did you do? Dang!!! :)

Even funnier, I told Keilani to take pictures of the "thing" so I can post them later and she said, "Dad, you want me to have more detention?" I was just thinking of making a fun "thang" out of it. Alas, I could how they wont like it if Keilani took pictures.

Oh well, she served her time and got out okay :)

Report Cards are Out

Well, the first six weeks of school has ended and the report cards are out. This is the kid's first report cards from their new schools. Nothing too alarming or out of the ordinary. They both seem to score the same way they did in their previous schools.

Okay, just wanted to share their report cards. I don't know if Masina had one but if she did, it didn't make it our way. Anyway, the first one is Keil's and the second is Keilani's. Enjoy.

Exploring Duck Creek, Garland TX

Every city we've lived we have a tradition with my children that we go exploring. We've hiked many places, swam in funky smelling water, watched the sunrise from various locations and have even tumbled down hills. We've encountered protected birds, snapping turtles, and crossed paths with many snakes and water snakes.

Yesterday was no different, except this time we encountered a homeless person under the Shiloh Rd bridge. It was a first for us. The other thing we did was I conducted the kid's interviews while we were out exploring. I normally conduct monthly interviews with the children at home on Sundays but yesterday I did it while we were out exploring. It was fun!
So these are just two pictures from when we stopped for a quick break and when we reached the end of the creek where it is dammed. That's where we stopped and hung out and took it easy, ate our lunch and even heard some animal growl at us. Well, enjoy and have a good one.

Piano Practice

Just wanted to capture Keilani practicing her piano. We go to the church every morning at 6:40 so Keilani and Keil could practice their piano. Sister Hapeman from our ward is their teacher and we're greatful for Sis. Hapeman for donating her talent to the children. They are both getting better with their piano it amazes me.

I'll capture some pictures of Keil another time. Because Sister Velazquez picks up Keil first, he was already gone this morning when I took these pictures. Well, enjoy!

Just Hanging Out

Well, just before Malaela returned to Utah, we took it easy with the kids and snapped up a few photos. Ta went back today and here we are, beginning a new fun week.

Keil Gets Baptized

The Day Keil had been waiting for arrived with a bang! Faaliga and his family arrived late last night (Friday) and we all hoorahed and hung out. Then we all started the new day with Ultimate Frisbee and because the YM had a Volleyball game, we ended up having Keil and Keilani play. So that was a fun thing for them too.


Then we all came home cleaned up a bit, helped out at home, all the boys got haircuts and then we showered and then Keil and I headed to the church. We ensured the font was being filled, passed out the programs and then Keil had his interview with Bishop. It was a very spiritual event and Keil thoroughly enjoyed his day. After his baptismal, he told me he felt very good and he was excited. I was excited for him too.

It was an awesome event and here are just a few pictures prior to his baptism. In addition, here is the web album of the pictures of the after-function.

Thank you to all you guys that came and made Keil's day extra special.

Birthday People

Well, today was Jennifer and Keil's birthday and we had fun. It started by Jennifer and the kids going to the airport to get Uncle Ta. Then after they picked him up, the kids got Fastfood with Uncle Ta while Jennifer and Joey went out to dinner.

Later, everyone celebrated the two birthdays with chocolate cake. It was fun and especially funny when Keilani and Masina pushed Keil's face into the cake. He enjoyed it thoroughly.

So now next up, Keil's baptism Saturday. Tomorrow though, the Filimaua's should be arriving from AZ. They fly in tomorrow night and we look forward to receiving them.

Okay have fun!