San Diego Fire

Mitt Romney. I thought this was a nice non news story. You won't see this in the news papers, but worth the pass along. 

Ice Skating

"Yes I'm going, but I'm not going to skate and you can't make me." 

Suzi has her ways of making me do things that I don't want to do. You might think I could choose to do something different, but you are so wrong. So, so, so wrong. 

I think I threw a big enough  fit that she won't make me skate. She said I can go and just take pictures. We'll see if I really  get to not skate when we get there. 

A Good Read

It's not a diet book, it's an owners manual. You Staying Young. A good book, and it should be a required read multiple times a year.

I love this gift!

You might think I'm crazy, but I have been begging for one of these for years. I LOVE IT. Yes it's just an excuse not to hang my suit up in the closet, but finally I have it. I usually wear one suit, and one tie a week in the field. I hate putting it back in the closet door every night. I want it to be able to hang without being cramped by other clothes in the closet. Anyhow, I love it. Thanks Suz!

Who won who lost?

I forgot to post this picture. I love the drama included in a video game of tennis. The boys were playing a hard game of doubles. Obviously Garet, and Patrick won. Cameron there dropped to his knees with the loss. Too funny.

A night of playing Wii

We went to the Hazelhofers last night, and the boys played Wii all night. They had a great time. Sam woke up this morning complaining of being sore. Tennis, bowling, boxing, fishing, baseball, and more. I think they played for 3+ hours. Suzi, and I jumped in late in the night and the boxing game was rather intense. 3 rounds of 3 minutes of shadow boxing. It got my heart going.

New Tennis Stars?

Well they are going to look good playing tennis anyhow. They are both excited to star taking lessons here soon. Any sport that includes wearing cute skirts is going to be very much loved by my two girls. A couple of months back at one of Patricks soccer games, an older sister of one boys on the team came from a tennis match in her very cute white tennis outfit. Hannah & Georgia wanted to what that was all about. Maybe they'll become big lovers of the game like their GG.

Sam's new bike!

Sam also got a new bike. It was a popular gift here in the Kelly house hold. Sam has had bikes, but they were always Patrick's first. This is his first new bike.

Suzi got her very own bike!

You may not be able to tell, but that person hiding there is Suzi. She's sitting on her new bike.
Lodi is a very small, flat town, and beach cruisers are very popular here. She has four little ones who love to ride, and now Suz can go cruising with them. I need to get her a basket still, but she loves the idea of riding down town for farmer markets, and around town with the kids. She's going to look very cool doing it on her cute bike.

Thinking about moving? Like where you live?

City Data
Info on your town A-Z. Interesting stuff.

Patrick and Sam on Tree Safety

Their first Youtube video....oh I'm sure they will be many more to come.

Jonah or is it Johanna?

TALCAHUANO, CHILE
Much of Chile recently came to know of a faithful LDS girl who was lost at sea — then returned to her prayerful family and friends days later.
Indeed, the dramatic experiences of 15-year-old Johanna Cardenas Constanzo is a story of hope and friendship and comfort. Many simply call Johanna's story a miracle.
In September, Johanna traveled with her two sisters, Marina and Leslie, and several friends to a popular beach spot in Talcahuano in central Chile. The girls ventured to a hilly, picturesque area running alongside the Pacific in hopes of getting some good photos.
"As we were taking our photo, Johanna grabbed hold of a rock to steady herself. The rock came loose and she fell into the water below," said a friend, Lorena Jaramillo. "We could hear Johanna screaming for help, but a wave took her away."
Despite being a fit athlete, Johanna was no match for the power of the shifting sea. Johanna's sisters and friends were left frantic as the girl disappeared from their sight.
News of the accident and its well-liked victim spread quickly. Friends and priesthood leaders from Johanna's ward and stake came immediately to the aid of the lost girl's family. Concepcion Chile Stake President Ruben Concha enjoyed a special association with Johanna and her family. President Concha had served as Johanna's bishop when the girl was baptized years earlier. Many times he had seen Johanna arrive at seminary soaking wet because she had rushed through the winter rain to faithfully attend her class.
As he sat with Johanna's mother, Gladys Constanzo, and the rest of the Constanzo family, President Concha also remembered the girl's strong testimony and faith.
The support and prayers of President Concha, Bishop Raul Vargas and other local members buoyed the spirits of Sister Constanzo and her family even as the Chilean Navy dispatched rescue helicopters and divers in their aquatic search for Johanna. The search was soon joined by fishermen and fellow members.
As the hours turned into a day, and then two, Sister Constanzo said she held tight to an unspoken hope that her daughter would be found alive. That day, President Concha decided to visit the spot where Johanna fell in the water. He planned to again ask for the Lord's intervention on behalf of a girl that many loved and missed.
As President Concha was nearing the beach he witnessed an unforgettable, ecstatic scene. Rescue workers were shouting with joy. Johanna had been found. Johanna was alive.
Soon President Concha, Sister Constanzo and all of Chile would know Johanna's remarkable experience.
Johanna's luck, they learned, shifted from bad to good moments after she fell into the sea. That large wave that prevented her from reaching the shore had swept her into an underwater cave. A small air pocket at the end of the ink black cavern held enough oxygen for Johanna to breathe. For two days she held tight to the side of the cave, battling hunger and fear.
"I yelled for help, but the hours passed. I was alone and I prayed a lot and cried a lot," said Johanna. "I could hear the helicopters...I prayed and cried."
Fortune again visited Johanna when a diver who knew of the underwater cave joined the rescue efforts. After repeated attempts, the diver found the cave and Johanna.
"I hugged him and asked him to help me," Johanna said. The diver happily granted her request.
News of Johanna's remarkable rescue spread throughout the country. The word "miracle" often headlined the media accounts. Two days after recovering in the hospital, Johanna returned home to her family and friends.
"I'll never forget this experience," she said. "I have no doubt that this was a true miracle."

A Christmas Eve Conversation

Georgia: Where's mom? 

Me: Out shopping. 

G: Well let's go open presents anyhow. 

M: That's tomorrow babe. It's Christmas eve today.

G: Well what are we going to do today all day?!

M: Drink egg nog, act crazy, and party.

Patrick: The way you tell the difference is, if this were Christmas, Mom & Dad would still be sleeping this time of day. 

No double buckle

We are going to the movies  with our kids and with some friends. I wanted to take one car, and load all the kids in, the car seats six and there were eight of us total. Suzi said we could take two cars, and I said no we can double buckle. Georgia pitched a fit and demanded everyone needed their own seat belt. NONE of our other kids give a crap. Reason: remember Suzi got a seat belt ticket a year back because Georgia wasn't in her seat belt. You'd think she'd paid the ticket, she gets distraught when someone isn't in their seat belt. Wish she could have given a crap a year back. She could have saved her mom $187. Long story short, we are taking two cars. No one felt like arguing with Georgia about it.  

Yep, that's the One!

I tried to play a practical joke on my buddy Mike with the help of our friend Corey. I wasn't able to teach my class at church so I asked Mike if he would fill in for me. Corey was in the class with Mike and told me that when Mike speaks, sometimes he waves his middle finger around pointing at things, at someone, or to emphasize a point.

I knew this about Mike, and told him a long time ago my that my Grandma Kelly does the same thing. I remember as a kid my sister Steph and I would just about lose it when she did it, and I'm sure it came across that we were being disrespectful. Steph was, I wasn't. Good memory, love you GG. I'm sure they have Internet access in Heaven.

Anyhow back to Mike, so Corey called me and says "Hey lets play a joke on Mike, and he told me about the lesson and gave me an idea." So here is what Corey suggested, and what I did. I called Mike and left him a message. I explained , with a serious tone, that I debated if I should bring this topic up, but that Patrick had come home from church and complained that he thought Mike was being offensive and irreverent. I explained that Patrick was confused with Mike waving his finger around the room the whole time, and wasn't able to focus on the lesson. I finished asking that maybe he could just consider not using his finger while teaching, and maybe apologize to the boys.

So I got a text message from Mike on my phone later that night from Mike titled "This Finger." I opened it up, and bam. There's a picture of Mike's monkey length finger. I just about hit the floor laughing. Too funny. It's hard to pull a practical joke over on a practical joker.

TV

As a rule the TV shouldn't be on during week nights. Generally Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night is the only time it should be on. Unless they are on vacation, or Mom & Dad are in a mood to look past it. I'm telling you if the TV goes on, well.....look what happens. There are only a few shows the kids like really. Drake & Josh, Hannah Montana, maybe sponge bob, and that is about it.

They could probably name a bunch of other shows, but that's about the extent of what I see when they turn it on. Me, I think it's best to kill the TV. Not that I don't have my favorite shows. I just never get a chance to watch them. Oh, I forgot, Suzi loves American Idol, and Dancing with the Stars. If the kids are done with their homework, they will get to watch those shows with Mom if she ok's it.

Homework

Don't you just love homework. Sam's in 5th grade and I'm struggling to help him at times. Any subject, but math please. Patrick is the math tutor if Sam will let him.

Santa!

Not a very good picture. I ran back into the house to get my camera. I love this Lodi tradition though. Sometime in early December the local newspaper publishes the route Santa is going to drive through Lodi. For a week or so he makes his way around town in the evening. We knew he was driving through our neighborhood on the evening of the 19Th.

So that night we listened for him. Around 7 or so we could hear the fire engine blaring, and Christmas music and Santa saying hello to the children who run out to greet him over the loud speaker. I think it was Georgia who was first to hear him. She screamed "SANTA, and ran out the door with the other kids chasing." He drives by at a walking pace with his helpers handing out candy. The best part was when Santa saw Georgia he said "Hi Georgia, have a Merry Christmas!" That was kind of magical.

Anyhow, I think it's a great small town tradition.

The Nutcracker

Suzi, Sam, and Hannah went to see the Nutcracker. They had a great time. Georgia, and I were sick in bed so we didn't have to.....didn't get to go. I can't remember where Patrick was that night. What a good looking group.

Dog Show

Hannah: Dad what are you watching? 

Me: Dog show. 

H: Why? 

Me: I'm curious to see if the Akita, Puji, Irish Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Chow Chow, or the Japanese something or other is going to win. It's a nail bitter Hannah. Who knows who's going to win. See the old guy with the giant earlobes, he' s the judge. Look at those earlobes. They are enormous. Anyhow, he's looking to see which dog has their game face on, he's looking to see who came to win today. He's looking to see which dog is going to have his day. I'm telling this is serious stuff. You win one of these as a dog, and people are going to know who you are, and what you're all about, being a winner. These dogs have trained for this moment sister. Sit ups, pull ups, running laps, walking laps, eating a strict diet of dog food, laying around all day, and crap'n on the lawn. It's going to be somebodies pay day. I'm going with the Irish Terrier. He's got it going on. 

H: You're so weird. I won't tell anyone you were watching this. 

Me: Thanks. Oh I can't believe the Akita won. That judge has his head up......he doesn't know what he's talking about. 

H: Whatever. Bye. 

Words to be afraid of.....

Whenever my wife is on the phone, and she uses the phrase "oh yeah, he would love that, yeah sure, of course, yeah, he would love that", or a variation of that phrase I usually get quite anxious before she hangs up the phone. My first response is usually something like "you better be talking about Patrick, because whatever you just committed me to, maybe I don't wanna."

She's so funny, but I'm afraid of her and those words. Not that I haven't done that as well. "Of course she'd love to speak in church this Sunday! Suzi loves to help out wherever she can, on top of the 1000 places she's already helping out!" 

Life is good.

Vanity

I use to tell Suz, people are so pretty in this state. I don't think this is the reason why, but I do think my assessment was correct. I also think that Utah is a big keeping up with the Jones's state, and that's why.
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_7743424

Interesting Times

It has been interesting over the last couple of weeks to see the word "Mormon" in the news as often as it has been with Mitt Romney running for President. I'm probably much more aware of it, being a Latter Day Saint, than the average Joe. I kind of scan for it when I open CNN.com to see what's being said today.

Much of what is often stated is often inflammatory and intentionally incorrect, but it doesn't bother me like those comments use to when I was younger. Makes my blood boil for a few minutes, but I calm myself reading something else.

I look at those comments and think "why in the world are those allowed to be in print?" I think the reason most people don't come to the defense of "Mormons" in those situations is because they aren't really sure if "Mormons" believe what was just stated. Pat Buchanan sure did a good job when Lawrence O'Donnell went on his crazy rant.

I haven't seen this type of fever since I was a missionary. At least a couple times a month someone would go out of their way to verbally let us have it. Once I took the name tag off, it stopped happening. Interesting.

Politically speaking it's funny how most Latter Day Saints are so beholden to the Republican Party, but nationally that party isn't so beholden to "Mormons." At least that's what it seems to me.

On the flip side, I remember when those "would you vote for a Mormon" polls first came out, and the group with the most reservations were those who fit in the "liberal" category. Being a Democrat Mormon has worked out well for Harry Reid. Anyhow, whatcha gonna do? Why not independent is what I often wonder.

With that being said I love living in California where their are plenty of Latter Day Saints, and plenty that aren't. Not to mention they weathers pretty nice.

Patrick's School

Elkhorn. 

This has been a pretty hot topic for a bunch of families here in Lodi. The hot topic is fighting for a spot at this school. More kids have been identified as "GATE" kids, than they have room for come 7th grade. A lot of the kids who are involved in the GATE program 4-6 won't be allowed to continue 7-8th, due the change in the way they identify a GATE student. 

The Birthday Girl

She's a big 9 now. Amazing to watch how quickly it all happens.

Fran's Resignation

A few months back a friend of mine sent in her resignation to our boss, and copied a few of us on it. I loved it so much I haven't wanted to delete it. I was cleaning my email and saw it again, and thought I would post it here because Fran McDonald is a "Kelly" (maiden name) from Kansas City. Her family has been in the Lenexa area for generations. I'm guessing we're related somehow, so that makes her part of the Clann. I want to post it because I liked it to much to delete forever. That being said, her letter:

Hi Everyone!

It has been a great privilege to know and work with each of you. I will miss you, and sincerely hope that we will stay in touch.

In the mean time...I hereby officially tender my resignation as a "grown up." I have decided that I would like to accept the responsibilities of a child again. I want to go to McDonald's and think it is a four star restaurant named after me. I want to see who can blow the biggest bubble. I want to think that M&M's are better than money because you can eat them. I want to drink Kool-Aid and eat Lemon heads with my friends. I don't want to change clothes because I got a little dirt on them. I want to enjoy every day like it's summer vacation. I want to return to a time when life was simple.. when you didn't know what you didn't know, and you didn't care. All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware of all things that should make yo unworried or upset. I want to believe that anythng is possible. I don't want my days to consist of computer crashes and mountains of paperwork. I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs (especially grandchildren hugs), a kind word and the imagination.

And if you want to discuss this further, you'll have to catch me first, cause "tag, you're it".. I'm off to pick daises!

Fran

I hope Fran is enjoying, and surviving her new life style.

Neil's House

This is Ruth & Neil Anderson's Home. Some friends of ours here in Lodi. Neil is one of a kind. I took this picture when all of the lights on his house are lit up. However, all of those lights are set to music, and they flash with the music. There is a sign that isn't seen in this photo that asks you to tune your radio to a certain frequency where he is broadcasting a music set to the lights and a message from his family. Does it every year. Changes the music multiple times throughout the season. Always a line of cars in front of his house watching the show. Fun Stuff.

Who Left the Door Open

Someone left my office open, and I caught someone living in her. Sleeping away. Yep, guilty. He doesn't look remorseful at all.

Hannah Says.....

I always get those guys George of the Jungle and Tarzan mixed up. I think it's George of the Jungle that I like. 

The Ringer

That's my phone. Looks like a good phone, and as phones go it's a good phone. One feature I don't particularly enjoy is that you can change the ringer to tunes.

I'm not sure how Suzi the "technology challenged girl" figured it out, but she did. I don't know she even knew this phone had this feature, because for the first couple days our phone worked fine. Then all of the sudden it started playing the national anthem anytime someone called! Holy crap I've always loved the star spangled banner. I'm afraid to say that I almost hated it! You know what saved it? "We wish you a Merry Christmas" that's what saved it. I have no clue how many tunes this thing plays, but I think a phone should ring. My cell phone rings, or vibrates. That's all.

You should have heard yesterday as she ranted about how great it is that the phones play Christmas tunes. She loves Christmas tunes. She better switch it up so I don't end up hating any one particular Christmas tune.

We've Been Quarantined

Hannah and I both got sick. We're both running a fever, and my stomach has been killing me all day. Hannah has been sleeping most of the day. We both are feeling a little better, however I'm afraid this is the eye of the storm. What a horrible way to start the weekend. We aren't even allowed to go in the rest of the house.

I hate the TV now. I remember as a kid thinking staying home from school was the greatest idea ever, and then half way through the day I would go nuts with boredom. I'm big time bored off my butt.

Georgia had the assignment of taking care of Hannah and I while Suz was out shopping with the boys. She did awesome. She wasn't necessarily happy with her assignment though. She kept asking: "When is Hannah going to wake up, and when is mom coming home? I'm bored."

She's great.

Costco Organic Milk

Suz and I picked up some of this milk this go around at Costco. I spoke with someone who works in the organic milk industry and with dairy farmers to educate them on what it means to have an organic dairy farm.

At her prompting I bought some, and really like the difference in the taste. I didn't expect it to taste different than the non organic milk, but it does. Significantly, in my opinion, and I think you'll like it. 1%. You'll have to give it a try. Next time your in Costco pick up the organic milk read the label, and see if you want to try the stuff.

Life Is Good

I have one of my brother Jim's old "Life is Good" t-shirts and I got hooked on their clothing. I love their clothes, and bought a few more. I love the message of their clothing. 

Beyond the great clothing, whenever I read the shirt, or people in public places read the shirt back to me it reminds me of Jim every time. I think that has been a great part of the magic of the shirts as well.