Alecia turns 15!

Alecia's birthday was a crazy day for our family.  Either she was gone or Bill and Karl were gone, so she celebrated her birthday with her friends.  During lunch they sang to her in the cafeteria.  Apparently there was clapping, standing on the seats, and all around fun.  She loved it.  We celebrated her birthday the next night after her clogging recital.  This picture shows her in one of her crazy dance outfits.  She was super excited to get a cell phone.  Happy 15th!

Karl's 17th birthday

All Karl wanted for his birthday was one of the MacGyver seasons on DVD.  So we went big time and got him the whole series.  I've never seen him smile so big.  Because his actual birthday was so busy, we celebrated it a day early.  I can't believe he is 17 already!

Karl

Karl is keeping rather busy.  Tomorrow is the district science fair.  He made a computer program and called it "Study Aide" to test if  students would do better on vocabulary studying on their own or with the program.  So far, the computer is quite helpful.  He is also involved with a concert at Weber State tomorrow with his Wind Ensemble band.  It is also his 17th birthday.  He took first in two events at the Science Olympiad Invitational on Saturday--remote sensing and technical problem-solving.

Yesterday was high council Sunday for our ward.  The speaker decided to talk on the word "first."  It is used in several scriptures, so he wanted a good definition for it.  He asked several young men before the meeting started what they thought the definition might be.

Speaker:  Matt said, "If you ain't first, you're last."

Chuckle from the congregation.

Speaker:  Then I asked Karl.

(small chuckle from the congregation)

Speaker:  Karl said, "An object in a series or sequence that precedes all others."

(big chuckle from the congregation)

Speaker:  And, he came up with that off the top of his head.

(Laughter from the congregation) 

Karl definitely has a reputation around here.  People do know who he is!  And they like him!  Makes me smile.  He is an amazing young man.

Let's celebrate some birthdays!

We took the kids to Tucanos--a Brazilian Grill restaurant in Salt Lake--to have their birthday dinner.  Karl loves the beef brisket!  Alecia was hoping the staff would sing happy birthday to them, but Karl was hoping they wouldn't.  I guess Karl's wishing abilities are stronger, because we left without any of that embarrassment.

Novelty Dance

Karl asked Autumn Eads to the high school Novelty Dance.  I guess it's a tie-dye dance.  They had a good time with a group of friends.  The evening before the dance they went to a play and then played a game.  The day of the dance they had dinner--spaghetti with weird utensils-- and then went to the dance.  I'm so glad there are guys around here who include Karl in their group when they go to dances.  Next year Karl may have to be the one setting up the group. 

Alex plays basketball

Alex played basketball this year.  He was on a pretty good team.  He learned a lot, but he's more actor than athlete, I'm afraid.

What do you think?

We recently purchased a new sectional and drapes.  What do you think?  The sectional is chocolate and the drapes are silver.  Could I get away with throwing in a few red pillows? 

Random Alex

Okay, I really need to write this down before it's lost forever in the black hole of my mind.

Karl has been tutoring other high school students in pre-calculus, so we talk about this in our home to make sure the students are understanding and progressing with his help.  One day in the car Alex said, "Hi, I'm your tutor--pull my finger."

Got a laugh out of that one!