Idaho

The kids headed to Idaho over Easter weekend to ride grandpa's John Deere's one last time. We were happy to get a picture with Braden on the 4450.
The kids have really loved grandpa's tractors over the years. Paige and Brock were especially excited after this visit because grandpa was talking about how well they drive on their own. Brock proudly said, "grandpa said I'm good enough to drive all by myself!"
All that love all those mistakes
What else can a poor man make?
Something else was on my mind
The only ghost I'm haunted by
I hear her howling down below
Idaho oh Idaho

Following a perfect example.

Paige has decided to follow the perfect example of Jesus and be baptized. She will be baptized this coming Saturday March 29th at 4pm, you are all invited. Please call or email for the details if you do not have them already.

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. . .

. . . And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matt 3:13, 16-17)

We believe in God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost. We believe they are three separate and distinct individuals. As in the above scripture, Jesus is in the water, the Holy Ghost descending in the form of a dove and the voice of God from above. These three individuals constitute the Godhead. Separate personages, yet one in purpose. That purpose is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of all people. We also believe little children are innocent and have no need of repentance. That because of the atonement of Jesus Christ little children are saved, the curse of Adam taken from them. The age at which our church has determined that children can and should be baptized is 8. Although we read the scriptures together as a family and attend Sunday church meetings and other church functions as a family, this is Paige's decision.

As parents we are happy that Paige has something to believe in other than us or herself. That having faith in God and Jesus Christ will provide her with the structure and opportunity to be successful in life. We hope that Paige will always choose the blessings Heavenly Father has for her and we hope everyone we love and care about will also choose to enjoy those blessings. We know God lives, that we are his children, and that he desires to bless us. We know it because we feel it with our hearts. But his ability to bless us is predicated upon our willingness to accept those blessings.

"And now if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfill all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy to be baptized, yea, even by water. . .

. . . Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh the a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost." (2 Nephi 31:5, 17)

By taking this step Paige will be making sacred covenants with her Heavenly Father, to keep his commandments and to always remember Jesus. Her Heavenly Father in return promises that His Spirit will always be with her. She will have the opportunity to renew her covenants each Sunday as she partakes of the Sacrament, the same Sacrament the Savior prepared for his disciples. We love you all and look forward to seeing those of you who are able to attend Paige's baptism.

Fun from Phoenix

I worked every morning while in Phoenix from about 6am (9am EST) until 10am. This is essentially what I saw every time I looked up from the computer after Brock was awake. Always an adventure!



Brock and Brett chillin' at the In-N-Out Burger in Tempe before heading to Packard Stadium to watch Arizona State play Arkansas. We enjoy college baseball as well.
Too much fun???

Flying home.

Random Thoughts and Pictures from Spring Training

I hope you all enjoyed our post's last week. Brock and I had hoped to keep you updated with what we were doing. The only activity we engaged in other than baseball was swimming. I was surprised at how much Brock identified with what we were doing. He really enjoyed getting close to the players and watching them warm-up and practice as well as play. Brock had a ball given to him by Glen Sherlock, the Diamondbacks bullpen coach. Ryan Sweeney of the A's signed that ball for him. A Milwaukee Brewers player looked at Brock punching his glove as he watched them take batting practice. This player then turned to me and said "he's ready!", I said he's just waiting his turn. Brock had a chance to show off his baseball skills as well. For a 5 year old he makes great contact on the ball when hitting, has a better than average arm and is improving rapidly at catching the ball with his glove. Baseball was something I shared and continue to share with my dad. I look forward to a lifetime of sharing it with Brock. For me there is something special about baseball, maybe because I was naturally good at it? But I find that each year that passes I appreciate the game of baseball more as compared to other sports. Here are my top five reasons for loving baseball:

5. The beginning of baseball season is a time of renewal as it coincides with spring.

4. The smell of wet dirt and freshly mowed grass as you take the field in the first inning.

3. The sound of steel cleats on concrete.

2. The crack of a wood bat making contact with the ball.

1. Brock. And maybe one day in the not too distant future, Braden.

I could go on all day about why I like baseball. The unhurried pace of a game, statistical reasoning, individual achievement within a team sport, strategy and situation, sunflower seeds, there are a hundred reasons. People say baseball is too slow and too boring. I guess it's not right for everybody, I'm certainly not going to try to change anyones mind. But I know those of you who will follow Brock through his playing days will become baseball fans. The appreciation I have for a simple game has been its ability to bridge the canyons of my life. It connects me to my brothers. It will connect me to my sons.

I hope in some small way you have enjoyed the last few posts as much as I have. Take me out to the ballgame. . .

Preston

Spring Training Part 3

Look closely and you can see Brock's arms hanging over the railing. Ryan Sweeney, LF for the Oakland A's is signing a ball for him. Brock was on the railing by himself when Sweeney emerged from the dugout to sign autographs. Before he knew it Brock was shoved aside by the group surrounding him. Sweeney noticed Brock from the start and signed other people's items but returned to Brock to sign his ball and then ran to the outfield.
Dream big and don't be afraid.

Patiently waiting for an autograph. This is what things looked like before Ryan Sweeney came out of the dugout.

Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Tempe, AZ. Spring home of the Oakland A's

Spring Training Part 2

Brock getting a ball signed by Justin Leone, #21 firstbaseman for the San Francisco Giants.
Watching the Milwaukee Brewers take batting practice in the batting tunnel. Brock thinks we need to build a tunnel in our backyard. Looks like I might have a new project.

In Phoenix at the Milwaukee Brewers Maryvale Spring Training complex.

Hanging out above the Giants bullpen.

Spring Training

Surprise Stadium in Surprise, AZ. Spring Home of the Kansas City Royals.

Brithday Pictures

Happy Birthday to Paige

Well I guess google's servers were having problems so we are unable to post pictures. I have been traveling so weekends are the only convenient times to make a post. Paige is 8 years old today. Because she wanted to do some things that were not conducive to Sunday's she had two days worth of celebrating, lucky her. Yesterday afternoon she was surprised by Charmayne in picking up her friend Summer and heading to Bonnie Nails. All three girls got a hot wax hand treatment and a manicure. If that wasn't enough we then headed to Gateway and visited the Build-A-Bear factory. Paige, Brock and Sidney each picked a bear (or - rabbit, dog, bear), watched it get stuffed and dressed it. I think they all had a blast! I will post pictures from this event as soon as I can. We finished Saturday by going to Olive Garden, Paige's favorite restaurant. She ordered her usual fettuccine Alfredo. The rest of us enjoyed dinner as much as she did.

Today, the senior primary sang happy birthday to her, so did the singles party next door and of course we all did as she blew out the candles on her chocolate cake with white chocolate frosting. We rode bikes because the sun was shining. It was still a little on the chilly side but we are all so anxious for spring that we couldn't miss the opportunity to put air in our tires and oxygen in our lungs.

I drove four hours through a snow storm from Columbus, OH to Detroit, MI to make sure I got home for the weekend. I didn't want to have to explain missing number 8. Columbus wound up with 22 inches of snow. When I flew out of Detroit at 5pm Friday night it was dry as a bone. Paige is a great girl. We wish you all could have been with us to celebrate her birthday but the presents that were sent and the phone calls you made have left an impression on her. Thank you for staying in her life and the other kids lives. Paige has great examples to follow, thank you for raising the bar for her. Have a great week. Brock and I will update the blog this week with our adventures at Spring Training.

Our Love,

Preston

A Utah Game

The only thing that gets us through baseball's offseason is Utah basketball. Unfortunately, the Utes have been less than impressive the past three seasons. It looks like Coach Boylen might bring back winning but we can wait because baseball is beginning.
If it is not obvious from the pictures we like to head to the top of the arena and enjoy our own space and the game. Sidney's favorite part is seeing Swoop, Utah's mascot. She waves her arms to get his attention but I don't think he has ever been able to see her. Paige likes the atmosphere and being with dad more than the games. Brock surprisingly has become very good at watching and cheering for the Utes. Luke Nevill had a two handed jam against Dixie State that brought Brock out of his seat with an "OH, YEAH!" We have fun cheering for the Utes together, even if they stink.

A dog named Bandit

Aunt Jayme came over a few weeks ago to introduce the kids to her new puppy, Bandit. Bandit is a purebred bulldog and 100% goofball. Have you ever met a puppy who couldn't stop eating snow? Well we did - Bandit. Even after he was so cold he was shivering he couldn't stop himself from eating more.

It took Paige and Sidney a while before they would get close to him but after a few tears and watching Brock play with him they decided he wasn't so bad. Thanks for sharing your puppy with us aunt Jayme!