"Church Trunk or Treat"

We again enjoyed a wonderful "Trunk or Treat" at our Chapel this year!  What a great turn out!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2066404&id=1278014355&l=f9a98ee82b

"Hellboy" a Six year old Halloween fantasy!

       

            Taylor was invited to a classmates house for a Halloween party.  I have always wanted to be "Hellboy" for Halloween.  You couldn't find a mask on the west coast.  I even had to order this one on line.  The party was fun, Taylor and I did a little Missionary work with her friends.  Good food, lots of candy and lots of fun.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2066403&id=1278014355&l=9b0b398e27

"Halloween Trunk or Treat" School

                                   Taylor, Sandi and I enjoyed Taylor's "Trunk or Treat" at her school"... I was in the Haunted House all night and missed everything but had fun anyway.  Taylor and all her friends hung out and Sandi mingled with friends and the school Principle Mrs. Wooldridge..  Everyone had a fun time. 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2065313&id=1278014355&l=270b778096

"Student Council"

      

              Tayor tried out for 5th Grade Student Council President today.  We spent lastnight preparing her speech.  Although popular, another classmate was selected.  She was chosen over thiry candidates to be "Sgt.at Arms".  We are very proud of her!

"Happy Anniversary"

                                                      

                   Taylor surprised Sandi and I Sunday afternoon with an Anniversary surprise dinner.  She had spent weeks preparing the menus and decorations.  She dressed up, brought her keyboard downstairs for the music, lit a candle, and made romantic napkins.  She escorted us to the dinning area after the Cowboy's lost, and brought both of us to tears as she took our orders and prepared the simple food from the menu.  It caught us both by surprise.  We have truly been blessed with a wonder and special daughter.  After Family Home evening Monday night we all went to an nice restaurant and had great baby back ribs and everything else you can imagine.

"Family in the News"

                             UPDATE:  Cardinal's Rookie QB  "Mad Max"  Hall wins his first NFL Start!

Mad Max Hall, undrafted Quarterback from Brigham Young University, will start for the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL this Sunday.  Max is the son of my first Cousin Mark Hall of Mesa, Az.

Sara Bishop (second from left) joins the UNLV REBEL Cheerleader squad for the second year.

Jan and Chris Bishop lived down the street from us when we purchased our home in Las Vegas.  Jan was the first person to welcome us at a church function and Chris was our first Church visiting home teacher.  We had been neighbors for 7 years until they spoke in church due to moving away to Henderson, Nevada.  I noticed in HP Quorum that after Jan's father introduced himself, he had the same last name as my mothers maiden name.  I found out that day, that his grandfather and my grandfather were both from Minersville, Cedar City area and were Brothers.  Jan is my Second cousin.  Good luck Sara!

"Time for a new Car"

              Decided to purchase a new car this week.  My older "gas saver" had 53k three thousand over the warranty.
I loved the new 2011 VW Jetta SEL.  Fully loaded, and has all the new toys including the usual Sirius Radio and Navigation, heated seats, sunroof.  Pretty exciting...  Sandi insists on hanging on to the SUV. Why not, only five years old and 58K on it.  Sandi wishes she could have taken the new SEL to the Condo in Vail this year... Heck, I wish I could have gone period.  But all is going well and I even have most of my hair, ha ha ha!  The question is, what shade should I have the Window tinted?  Wait, I can probably do that!

UPDATE:  I decided on the dark tint this time.  More privacy and more heat rejection.  Took me less than an hour.  Turned out perfect!  Like riding a Bike, you never forget!  Maybe I should do this professionally!

                                                                                      

Brad Dunn's Semi-Pro game...

Linebacker Brad Dunn poised to go in on Defense.

Taylor enjoyed KFC and a football game with Dad.

Linebacker Brad Dunn takes a breather!

Head Coach Mike Kelly and ass't coach Chris Davis and I played together at UNLV...

Ass't Coach Chris Davis (big guy, tan hat, far right, played lineman with Mike and I at UNLV.)

                Taylor and I went to Brad's game at Freedom Park yesterday.  It's touted as a Semi-Pro league.  Not sure if it is.  These guys could probably beat BYU or UNLV.  Fun to watch!  Head coach Mike Kelly and Ass't coach Chris Davis and I played together and UNLV, way back when!

                                       Brad Dunn closes the line and goes in for the Tackle.....

"Another year of Student Council, Congrat's Taylor!"

             We went out after school to the restaurant to celebrate Taylor's victory for winning Student Council for the second straight year.  This year Taylor's classmates unanimously elected her to the 5th grade Student Council where she will continue to show her leadership talents at her school....

"NASCAR" Truck races

                 Saturday night a bunch of us met at the NASCAR raceway here in Las Vegas and watched a night full of racing and flying.  Before the race, they introduced the drivers.  During the National Anthem, two Combat Ready F-22 Raptor's surprised us with a flyby.  The crowd erupted!  It was awesome.  I did manage to hear them coming back by and caught the second Raptor chasing the other on straight up before the crowd.  I decided to wear my Shooting ear gear this year so I wouldn't have my patented headache after the race from the extreme noise.  After the  race Steve and I grabbed some "In and Out" burgers on the way home.  No traffic and only one fight!
                Nice and quiet for a change.  And of course a very generous THANK YOU, Lori for the surprise stack of tickets.  I managed to use all but two.  Your the best.  Saw many people I knew there.  Fun night.  Cell calls and texting was miserable as usual.  I managed to have the Church Scout Leader drop off my huge generator at a neighbors house as Taylor and Sandi went to the movies.  Ha! Truck Races, no girls allowed......

"Taylor's 1st Football game"

           
          Taylor took me to her first High school football game.  Our Family friends son was playing on the JV team.  We ate dinner and went to the High School.  When we got there Taylor surprised me by paying for the tickets after I was told I wasn't allowed to "Carry" on School property and had to briefly return to the car.
When I came back, Taylor purchased a new Jersey to wear and refreshments with her own money.  Kind of a Daddy, Daughter night out.  We left at halftime to make another commitment.  It was fun and we won.
She was particularly interested in watching the cheerleaders.  She's growing up!

"Shooting Day with the Predator boys from Creech, AFB "

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"Dinner on Taylor"

                         For taking Taylor to her school PTA fundraiser she surprised me tonight by fixing my favorite "Poi" soup, aka Top Ramen.  Sandi had to close the restaurant tonight so Tay and I hung out.  I was chillin' playing Wii Golf when she yelled; "Soup's on!"... Delicious... They grow up so fast!

"Mia's Blessing"

             We were able to attend two Church services with family and friends today!  Ours and my  "Little Sister's" (adopted by me) service where they recently returned from China and adopted a little girl.
The place was packed and was one of the biggest Blessing Circles I've seen.  The LDS Church offers new Born's a blessing much like the Catholics Baptize at birth..
A lot of people there.... Good services!

"Bingo Night" at School

Most of the Regular PTA staff was there.  We have followed them for six years now!

We sat with Anthony and Stacy, Shane and Carrie's daughter Sidney, and Ms. VanKell, a long time friend and  Teacher at the school!

Everyone got in line early to get the goodies.

And the first number is?

Taylor goofs around while Dad gets his shoes on!

                                                                   "Let's go do this!" 

                      Taylor and I headed to her school for "Bingo" night.  They passed out Bingo boards and free popcorn and candy, drinks and other goodies.  The PTA was on it's annual membership push.  It was a two hour ordeal for me with screaming elementary students.  I got a great headache.  People were starting to leave around 7:30, mostly because the prizes were pretty "cheesy".  I donated a $250.00 gift certificate on the final ("cover all") game.  No one else left till it was over.  A little 3rd grader won the Grand Prize Certificate.  I met the family afterwards.  It was a blast but I was more than ready to get out of there and go home to bed... Getting old is Hell!  The restaurant was too busy for Sandi to get there  and enjoy the fun with us.  Next time!

"Labor Day"

Waiting for everyone to arrive.

Waiting for the Grill to heat up!

Taylor and Sandi found extra time to play with the "Magic Eye" books

Checkin' the BBQ

Being Sassy!

Lauren discusses unruly customers she dealt with at work!

Criss decided to chill by soaking his feet!

                              Steve sits pondering, when will my homemade Ice cream be done?


                  We all got together (family only)  at Steve's house on Labor Day.  He recently returned from Afghanistan with the DOD.
We brought over some thick steaks, the first for me in a long while, Steve Q'd em up nice.  No one felt like swimming but we talked about everything we could until late and Taylor had to get ready for school.  It's good to see Steve back.  Hopefully he won't want to go again for another year, hopefully none of us will have to be there anymore.
Lauren prepared the rest of the dinner, and I thanked Steve for burning me his complete Dokken library.
I guess Halloween is next?