Texas State Aquarium with Andersons

The day after Brett's birthday we went to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi. We went there a couple of years ago with Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen but this was the Anderson's first time there. The weather was great and we had some fun in the sun.

Ryan with one of the giant sea turtles.

Sarah with a giant sea turtle.

Jared and Flat Stanley with a giant sea turtle.

The dolphin exhibit is really great. It is fun to watch the dolphins swim underwater and the kids had a a great time. Here is Sarah, Ryan, Brett and Jared.

Jared with Flat Stanley and one of the dolphins. The dolphin wanted to get a taste of Flat Stanley.

Ryan, Jared and Brett waiting for the Dolphin show to start.

Brett, Jared, Lori, Ryan, Sarah, Debbie and Lynn waiting for the bird show to start.

Jared and Sarah playing with the crabs.

Ryan in the fish bowl.

Brett in the fish bowl.

Jared and Flat Stanley in the fish bowl.

Sarah in the fish bowl.

Family picture at the Aquarium.

Brett's Birthday

The day after Christmas was Brett's birthday. He does not mind having his birthday right after Christmas because he never has to go to school on his birthday. Lori does a good job of making the day special for him. This year once again we were planning to leave for a week of fun in the sun on his birthday but we took care of the birthday business first thing in the morning.

We started the day with pancakes and Brett lit his 11 candles on his birthday pancake.

Brett was able to blow them all out with one breath.

Ryan blew out his "unbirthday" candles in his pancake...

... and Jared did the same.

We got a web-cam so the kids could share their Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Dimond. It was Uncle Paul's idea and he coordinated it all. We decided to take advantage of the web-cam and Grandma and Grandpa Dimond were able to watch Brett open his gifts. Here he is opening his gift from Grandma and Grandpa Dimond. It was some Greatwood (Greenbay) Packers stuff.

Brett opening some Star Wars Legos.

After opening gifts and getting packed, we headed for Corpus Christi/Padre Island and met-up with the Andersons. We had the opportunity to spend some of our vacation with them before they move to Germany. For Brett's birthday we went out to eat at the Joe's Crab Shack in Corpus Christi. This is Ryan, Jared, Sarah, Brett and Flat Stanley at the Joe's.

Jared, Ryan, Sarah, Brett, Lynn, Debbie and Lori at Joe's Crab Shack.

For Brett's birthday they had him look for a Cherry in some whipped cream. Brett put all his effort into finding it even though it was not there.

They dropped the cherry in after he was done. Bret was a really good sport and I think he enjoyed the opportunity to get messy.

After dinner we went to see the replica of the Nina that is in the bay. Here is Brett, Jared, Ryan, Sarah and Sandy by the Nina, which is too the left. It is hard to see it in the dark.

Shooting with the Teachers

In December we had a Teachers Quorum Activity shooting guns. I forgot one of the guns and Lori graciously brought it to us so we could shoot-up a bunch of .22 bullets. In addition, one of the teachers brought out his 9mm handgun and we were able to shoot it. I brought Brett, Jared and Ryan to the activity with me because they would not allow me to leave them out of a shooting activity. We had a great time.

Lori's reward for her effort to bring one of the forgotten guns out was she got to take a few shots with the 9mm handgun. After shooting the handgun everyone in our family agreed that we need to get some of those. Now Obama will be President in a few weeks we need to hurry up and get some before they are banned.

Jared is doing a Flat Stanley project for school so he came along for the activity. Here Flat Stanley is taking some shots with the Rossi .22 rifle with Jared's assistance.

Jared shooting the rifles with one of the Teachers.

The other Teacher that attended the activity (there are only 3 in our Ward) taking some shots with the rifle.

Even Ryan got into the action. He can really go through the bullets.

Brett taking some shots with the handgun and deciding we need to get one of those.

Even Flat Stanley took a few shots with the 9mm pistol. Flat Stanly things we need to get a handgun as well.

Jared taking some shots with the handgun and falling in love with it. After that trip the pressure has been put on me to get a handgun. I have never looked into it much so I need to do my research. I think we will start with a .22 pistol because it will not cost me so much to shoot it. The kids really know how to burn through the bullets.

Thanksgiving with Anderson's - San Jacinto and Battleship Texas

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we went to the San Jacinto Monument and the Battleship Texas with the Andersons. This trip was not as scary for Lynn as going to see the alligators in their natural habitat. We also wanted to make sure they saw some of the Texas sites before they move to Germany. We will really miss them.

Jared, Ryan, Brett, Lynn and Sarah outside San Jacinto Monument.

The San Jacinto Monument, which is a little taller than the Washington Monument.

This is the 3rd time we have visited the San Jacinto Monument and the first time we were able to go to the top. Every other time the elevator was not working. It was great to be able to go up and look around. This is looking over the Houston Ship Channel.

Looking South toward the ocean.

Ryan looking out the window.

Looking out across the refineries and chemical plants in the area. It is just about enough to bring a tear to a Chemical Engineer's eye looking at all those tanks and processing equipment.

The Houston Ship Channel and the Battleship Texas.

The reflecting pond and the Houston Ship Channel.

Brett at the top of the San Jacinto Monument.

After going to the Monument, we went and had some lunch and then came back to tour the Battleship Texas. Here are some sailors getting ready to go.

Everyone crossing the bridge to the ship.

Ryan and Jared shooting the big guns.

Jared doing his part to aim the gun.

Brett taking careful aim.

Brett and Jared teamed-up to shoot.

Ryan and Sarah teamed-up to shoot.

Sarah taking careful aim while Lynn provides technical support.

Brett and Jared working as one.

While Sarah and Ryan were not as synchronized. It is tough to get synchronized with a red-headed 4-year old.

I am decided to see if I could help out the independent red-head and take careful aim at the photographer.

Ryan, Jared, Sarah and Brett taking a snooze on the roomy bunks.

Looking from the Battleship Texas back towards the San Jacinto Monument.

Debbie, Lynn, Brett and Lori on the ship.

Ryan and Sarah coming down some of the many stairs on the ship.

Everyone moving back down.

Ryan, Jared, Brett and Lori with the big guns.

What are you thankful for?

There are so many things I am thankful for that it is tough to list them all. A partial list of what I am thankful for is below, in no particular order:

• A wonderful wife who I love very much
• 3 healthy boys who are the joy of my life
• Really good kids who are doing great in school
• Kids who are not afraid to speak in Sacrament Meeting (Jared did a great job on Sunday and Brett has already helped me out by being a "Youth Speaker" even though they are both still in Primary)
• A job with a great company
• To have been born of goodly parents
• To have been born into a family that taught me the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• Jesus Christ and his atonement
• Good brothers and sisters
• Good in-laws
• That my in-laws will be coming to celebrate Christmas with us and will be with us when Brett received the Aaronic Priesthood
• That my parents will come on Christmas and will be with us when Brett received the Aaronic Priesthood