Ward Trip to Minnetonka Cave

Our ward took a trip to Wyoming this summer.  Here are a few photos of our trip to Minnetonka Cave.  Of course we played a bunch of crazy games and ended up laughing our heads off.  It was fun.

Halloween 2008

I've always enjoyed Halloween.  My "Where's Waldo" costume from 2006 was such a hit that I decided to wear it again.  

See if you can find me in these photos.

The only problem with my Waldo costume is that it is WAY TOO WARM to dance in!!!

Birthday Info for June 27th

So I took this little questionnaire online where you enter your birthday and it tells you all about yourself.  Sorry no photo with this one, but I thought it was keen:

You are a spiritual soul - a person who tries to find meaning in everything.

(I analyzed this statement thoroughly, and yep!  I agree.)

You spend a good amount of time meditating, trying to figure out life.

(This is exactly right.  But I’ve also learned to multi-task, so I can do this while having a conversation, working, or driving, which may be more dangerous than talking on a cell phone and driving.)

Helping others is also important to you. You enjoy social activities with that goal.

(This is true.  I used to want to personally contribute something amazing to the world.  Perhaps those idealistic goals have been clothes-lined by personal disappointment, bureaucracy, and my own stupidity, but I think this is still my primary goal in life.  I guess I’m still just trying to figure out how and where…)

You are very generous and giving. Yet you expect very little in return.

(This is totally true.  I don’t receive compliments very well, but I sure do try to make mine sincere.  When I meet somebody that I particularly love for no real reason, I give them the heart off my sleeve so they can blow their nose.  Unfortunately, I probably blow my nose on a lot more heart-sleeves because I don’t expect the shirt off someone’s back.  I just have a runny nose.)

Your strength: Getting along with anyone and everyone

(Wow, right on!  I’ve always been a people pleaser, rooting for the underdog, contributing to classes meaningfully as a mix of the teachers pet and the class clown, dancing with all the girls who dance and chilling with the wallflowers, a true social butterfly, flitting from flower to flower, and trying to figure out Humpty Dumpty with all the King’s horses and all the King’s men.  Still figuring.  As I get older I find that I’m more interested in getting along with my peers than my superiors, but more and more superiors are my peers, so that’s a good thing, right?)

Your weakness: Needing a good amount of downtime to recharge

(This is one of my weaknesses, especially when I’m burned out, but I never really recharge.  I end up filling that downtime with more important things, like music, ideas, people, and sleep.  I could add a whole list of other weaknesses to this one, but I think I need some downtime first.  Smirk)

Your power color: Cobalt blue

(Whoa, really close.  I looked up Cobalt, and its not far from Royal blue or true blue, the best color for blue jeans.  Cobalt is a little more subdued, which sounds cool, so whatever.)

Your power symbol: Dove

(So the symbol of peace is my power symbol?  Hmmm.  I can accept the symbol of the Holy Ghost as my power symbol.  I’ve always particularly loved Him.  He’s given me a ton of insights and really made life worth living.  Of course when I think of a dove, I also think of it as Noah’s guinea pig, the first one, that he threw overboard to see if there was any dry land.  It never came back.  Gulp!)

Your power month: September

(Yesssss!  September is just a month away!  I think this is probably right.  Allergy season ends then.  That’s also the month that school (and thus social life) used to start.  My mom says that I tend to get moodier and more obnoxious in March, which is the opposite of September.  Plus there are a few fairly peppy songs about September, like the one on “Dan in Real Life.”)

Family Trip

Over the 4th of July, I visited my newest family members, and a few not-so-new ones. I have such a great family!

Me as a Cartoon

Location Scouting

Tamilisa is a professional everything.  She helped me scout out the best family history center.

"Mr. Snowman, are you okay?  It looks like you were attacked by some deer!  Did they eat your nose?"

I thought this was a hilarious snowman!

Well, we stumbled upon poor frosty while we were scouting locations.  For the past six months or so, I've been able to work on a project for the Church of Jesus Christ.  I believe next year there will be a new Sunday School class about how to do your family history.  I've been blessed to helped set up interviews with people from all over the world.  That has been such a neat experience.  Also, I got to direct a few of the segments that deal with searching public records for your family history info.  

This last photo is St. Mark's Cathedral in Salt Lake.  Gorgeous!

Love ya!

Long Lost Photos

Today I found a roll of film that was in my camera when I dropped it over 4 years ago. Only 5 of the photos developed, and here they are. Thank goodness Halloween 2003 didn't get overexposed.

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Today was the funeral for the most influential person in my life, aside from my immediate family.  Looking back at the last 15 years, I can see that my experiences in the Church of Jesus Christ have been in a large way provided by this great man.  I admire his global vision and constant service throughout the world.  I think some of that example has rubbed off on me.  

I feel so blessed to have been so personally influenced by this great man.  He has truly made the world a better place.  I love President Hinckley.  How has my life come to be so blessed?  

I consider it a miracle, that through President Hinckley, I have come to know Heavenly Father better and been lifted on so many occasions.  I would highly recommend a serious study of Mormonism to anybody looking for this fulfilling happiness in their own life.  I promise you will feel heaven reach down into your life and into the world as you do so.

blah blah

You Are An ENFJ

The Giver You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed. Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections. Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down. You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine. In love, you are very protective and supporting. However, you do need to "feel special" - and it's quite easy for you to get jealous. At work, you are a natural leader. You can help people discover their greatest potential. You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist. How you see yourself: Trusting, idealistic, and expressive When other people don't get you, they see you as: Bossy, inappropriate, and loud

What's Your Personality Type?

Yellowstone

Talk about a winter wonderland!  Between Christmas and New Year's, my family and relatives went snowmobiling in Yellowstone.  My cousin is a ranger there.

It was so gorgeous there.  We saw bison up close and personal, bald eagles, and a lot of amazing scenery.  

Best of all, of course, was the chance to see each other.