Formula SAE

On a lighter note, Ryan and I realized that we haven't really explained what the formula team is very well. Formula SAE stands for Formula Racing for the Society of Automotive Engineers. Ryan is going to be a manufacturing engineer. Here is a video of last years team to help explain what Ryan is doing. You will want to stop our music on the right before you push play. Also notice the sun go up and down in the windows...its pretty cool!



This next video is from the Heroes of speed that we went to last August. Ryan has been wanting me to post this for some time! It's a 289 at 7000 rpm. It ROCKS!

Not quite ready

I feel like last night is going to be one of those times when you remember where you were when... I was at work trying to get some things figured out in the back recording room when my supervisor came back and told me that our Prophet President Gordan B Hinckley had passed away. He was the prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was so sudden. I did not know how to react. I feel at peace one moment and then I am not at peace the next moment.

I keep reflecting on his life and my life since he has been a Prophet of the Lord. I was in High School when he became our Prophet but I remember well when he was in the first Presidency before then. I had the opportunity to go to Women's conference when I was about 12 years old. It was up in the old tabernacle and I remember the strong spirit that I felt when he spoke, and when I watched him. There was a peacefulness about him that I would never forget. He is the only Prophet from this Church that I have come to know, and have been old enough to fully understand. He has been an example to me throughout my life, along with his wife Sister Marjorie Hinckley.

The knowledge that he is reunited with Sister Hinckley makes this passing so much better. I know he missed her and I could not imagine what it would be like at 97 years old, still not finished and not able to be reunited with your love.

I cannot believe all that he has been able to accomplish while serving our Lord. He led a wonderful life! I know that he is happy. I only hope that I can do my best and be my best as he did. I don't feel that I am quite ready to let him go. All I can think to say is "God be with you 'till we meet again"

a week of Celebrations!

Happy Birthday! I had to post this picture because today is RACHEL's Birthday! Happy birthday girl!

This week actually brings a ton of birthdays. My sister-in-law Leslie, my friend Jenn Mobbs (yesterday) and my wonderful Grandpa is tomorrow.

Happy birthday to you all!

Proud Parents

I know its not setting the greatest example, but today Ryan and I cut class to go see Paxton in Primary.

I cannot tell you how proud we were. Our little boy is a Sunbeam!

I think we weireded out every adult in primary because they noticed us watching him and noticed our giggling every time he made a good comment.

We kept knodding at each other in approval like, of course they picked him, he is so smart! They even picked him to put a scarf on a snowman that they were making and after he put it on he announced to the class, "hey, that's me!" Everyone was laughing and again, Ryan and I looked at each other, so proud.

We watched as he learned to sing "Head, shoulders, knees and toes" "I am a child of God" and every song there was. He politely raised his hand and quieted down whenever the teacher asked him to!

I had to announce that my boy is a Sunbeam and that we love him so much!

Paxton, we are so proud of you. You are such a good boy!

(I snuck this shot, Pax is sitting right next to the teacher, he is the big one)

"I got to get my exercise"

"I got to get my exercise" is Paxton's way of telling us to take him back to this place. My friend Mindy told me about a place called Jumping Jacks. I have meant to take the boys there for awhile now and after Mindy posted about it, we had to go.The whole place was filled with these slides and balloon things to jump on. They even had a little Kid place for children under 5 to play that Gauge really enjoyed. It didn't take long before these guys jumped themselves out, which is always nice for Mom and Dad.

These two pictures are of the 5 and under area where they don't get trampled by the...teenagers (yes there were teens there and I am not judging because I went down a slide and it was AWESOME!!)

These pictures below are in a CASTLE that had a slide coming out of it, it was a big deal for Prince Paxton!

Paxton was so brave! I couldn't believe the things that he was doing here. He had no fear which really isn't always like him, he is the more cautious type. The picture below shows stairs that he had to climb up to slide down one of the steeper slides, he is at the top.

This slide below was for the 6 year olds and up. Paxton climbed up the steepest steps all by himself and went down without a thought. This one was so steep, you actually go air-born when you hit the bump in the middle. I followed Paxton up the second time just to make sure he didn't fall down and I had second thoughts about the slide down. In the second picture, you see the stairs Paxton braved by himself and also the top of my head...I was just too fast for the speed of camera!

Gauge-matage, he makes little driving sounds now for cars and trucks.We couldn't believe that no one ever thought about doing a place like this before now. We will be going back-Paxton needs some exercise, and next time Ryan and I are jumping too!

1 year ago

"I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there's purpose and worth to each and every life."-Ronald Reagan

On the bright side

Well, I have found that I am in a bit of a funk. The last few days although pretty, have been a bit dark. It is making it difficult for me to get things done. I just seem to want to sleep. My friend Julia's blog talks about a doorway into summer. I thought, YES! That's IT! I have to THINK Summer. Thats when I went shopping online for some swim wear. Not only did I find some good suits, I found what we are always looking for ladies...MODEST suits!

My favorite is the "slimmer Swimmer"

Go get em!

http://www.wholesomewear.com/

(update) I guess I may need to clarify...I am joking!

Not Surprised

I title this post not surprised, because I am never surprised when Ryan does such a good job on anything. This is what he does. I am always amazed at how perfect it is however. He is a perfectionist and I wanted to share the beautiful frame he made for the Formula 1 Race Car. Good Job Baby!

What he did was use this table to make a Jig. From there he measured out where the engine would be and tac welded a platform onto the table and the engine sits on it. He has all of these measuring tools that were used to check, double check and to put these pipes in the correct place.This paper he is showing me is the design that was given to him by his team partner. They are both assigned to the frame. His partner being a mechanical engineer, did most of the designing. Ryan did all of the building. The different colors on the design are different weights of the pipe. For speed but for safety they drop weight were they can to keep the car light.

Below are more pictures of his jig and the sections he will weld this week.

This next picture is the whole thing. The suspension is going to go BEHIND the engine, far end of the table back there. It will have nothing to do with the frame. That surprised me a little bit. The engine is also in the back, behind the driver.

Here are a couple of picture of the garage that the Formula 1 team works in.

When Ryan got back to school this last week everyone was impressed. In fact, his professor that is over seeing this project interrupted a lecture. He walked into the lecture while it was in progress, stopped the lecture and said, I think we owe Ryan a round of applause. Pretty cool!

SNOW, Snow, SNOW!

Utah sure is beautiful this time of year, all that snow!We went for a drive yesterday after a weekend of snow fall and found ourselves unable to stay in the carIt was so beautiful outside, that excited winter feeling hit us. You know that feeling, where you fill up with energy and you have to just RUN IT OUT! So we did. It was a rush. We had a good time.So beautiful!
We finally got the right kind of snow, so that Paxton could build his snowman. Daddy helped-just a little bit.

The update

This little man walks. He walks everywhere. He has been walking without help for about 2 weeks now and he turned it up a notch this last week. Its crazy to see this little guy growing up. He talks his little head off too. Paxton talks more, but Gauge is starting to give Paxton a run for his money. I get the best hugs from this kid. He gets so excited when he sees us. He gives high 5, he's starting to figure out how to give a kiss--open mouth kisses--were working on that too. He loves Elmo, almost all of his teeth are in on one side of his mouth, he is a picky eater and his hands just keep getting bigger. His hands are HUGE! He is a little ball of energy and he is so happy.This one just doesn't stop. He talks and moves and pretends all day long. He goes from being a princess, to a prince to a super hero to a fire man to spider man a cow boy, the magician is a big one...his newest one is Detective Secret. He keeps going up to people and whispering that he is detective Secret and they have no clue what he is talking about. I just can't keep up. Every time I see this kid he is something else. My favorite thing lately is that once in awhile he will pull off the hat and cape and put his arms up and says "ta DA" to show me that he is now Paxton. "Mom, Its me!"

He loves books, he loves Backyardigans and Curious George. He loves sleeping with Mom and Dad. Every time I get home from work at 5am, he's in my spot! He is still a lover and can't ever wait to see whoever is absent.

Ryan and I are hanging in there. Ryan has been up at the school every day for the past week or so building this car. I will have to go up and take pictures! The frame is coming along and I know his capstone team is going to be stoked when they get back from the holiday.

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I have just been working on some New Years resolutions. I have some goals in my head that I just can't get out. They are still personal, I don't want anyone to laugh at me but Ryan is probably tired of hearing about it every single time I see him. I have just found something that I am really passionate about and I can't learn enough about it and I want to incorporate it into my life.

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On some more resolutions notes, I started a work out blog like my friend Julia. The difference for me is that mine is VERY private...but I love it. I am putting progress on there and pictures and hints or facts that I find and its keeping me really motivated to continue with some of those goals.

I hope your all working on those resolutions if you've come up with any. I never really believed in them but I guess with my age I have realized that there is nothing better then setting and achieving goals. New Years is just a good excuse to come up with some more. Its empowering, healthy and I believe that it is wise.

Its going to be a great year!

Feelin' Great in 2008

Happy New Year everyone!

I am not usually big on the whole new years resolutions, but this year I decided to try it. I have set some specific goals and am actually really excited to change some things. I hope you had a wonderful New Years Eve!

We love you all!