HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARIA

She's no longer a teenage.  She's moving into the 20s. Aria and her Dad are down here for a birthday weekend.  Disneyland, the beach and a Dodger game.  Sounds like a great way to celebrate.

Off to Disneyland!

This sent from her Dad at Disneyland taken on the last day of her 19th year.They did get in to SJC around midnight and were at Disneyland bright and early the next day and they intend to close it, so a girl's got to take a break now and then.

THE TRACKER

Ken and Coppelia have come up with a new work incentive for their family.  Here's an explanation in Ken's own words.

A beautiful family picture recently taken (2012)

This might be a fun blog post.

Having a lot of kids in a house brings a lot of fun, but it also brings a lot of messes not to mention that keeping a house in some semblance of organization gets to be a challenge. Of course, this is nothing new and parents have used some form of "chores" for generations. Then there is the other side of the child income statement known frequently as "allowance." Kids want to buy stuff and parents want kids to be responsible. This creates a dilemma where the older kid will go and get a job. Now they have money, but the parent often looses they're best helper. Its not like the teenager is going to come home and say "hey Dad I just made $200 at my job, here's $100 for me not being around the house as much to help." Can't see that happening. It certainly didn't happen when I was a kid. 

We've been working through this issue for years now, but I had an idea that technology could provide a solution. My kids are pretty computer savvy and having worked with spreadsheets and knowing that all my older kids could get access to google docs I came up with the Task Tracker. Its been in place for about a month and frankly I love it. It rewards those that want to work hard and teaches basic, but fundamentally economic principles of economics. 

Here is how it works essentially:

Every week, there are a list of tasks that parents want completed. The tasks are given values for their completion. Some tasks are basic like empty the dishwasher or deep clean a bathroom, but others are more involved like paint the fence. We have some limits on who can do what (JP might not be ready to paint yet), but for the most part each older kid can pick their tasks. We increase tasks values by the week depending on whether they're popular or how badly we want them done. Right now windows is valued at 5 points PER WINDOW (up from 2 points a few weeks ago). Finally, it has a taker (thanks Aria). We assign a baseline of points that each kid must complete per week based on their perceived capacity. That gets adjusted for events (I.e., Davis and Steven were gone on a 50 mile hike last week and that pretty much nullified them). The industrious kid (and we've got those) can plow into tasks and earn task dollars, which in our case actually mean real dollars, but if I had younger kids, I would probably have said that 10 task dollars equals a date with Mommy or Daddy or something like that. Now, I don't have to worry about allowances. I say to my kids if they want to buy something go earn it. Obviously, this leaves them the option of getting a real job, but then they still have their baseline to complete. 

We add tasks to the board and remove tasks to the board, adjust points as needed and keep track of earnings. This would be a pain, but a google doc makes it much easier. This google doc is their spreadsheet that is excel light, but has a lot of sound features. Best of all, its fully accessible by anyone that you invite. So, each kid can access and update their scores as tasks are completed. They have a Dad who is pretty good about checking on their work and adjusting point value up and down for excellence of work performed. This makes doing tasks a bit more fun I think. Plus they can see their "Bank" increasing as they do more. Mom and Dad get the option of adding items that they want to see done by simply increasing the value and decreasing the tasks that get picked all the time. We have about 50 tasks on our board right now. Some are interesting. We divide into indoor, outdoor and special tasks. Steven has a task to learn a new hymn that earns him 4 points at 1 hour of learning. Kitty box cleaning is a 2 point task (Dad doesn't like dirty kitty boxes). Mayra finishing the painting of the Christmas Train is 40 points. Replacing all of the dead lights in the house earns an amazing 10 points. Cut wood for 30 mintues is earning an amazing 15 points (but only Davis is authorized). 

(I tried to enlarge some of it so it is readable. Sort of)

We like it. Besides its free and accessible on smart phones, Ipads, computers, etc. There are other developed Aps out there, but I like the simplicity of my tool and its something that I think most any kid (even JP) can use and any parent can use. Thought you'd enjoy. If you want to use something like this, let me know.  Ken.

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS!

Back in the day, our movies under the stars was called a Drive-in movie theater.  Pack the kids up in the back of the station wagon and for one car admission we could enjoy two movies.

Erik and Kristin have taken this to a whole new level.  In his words:

Dive-in Movie…(get it...)

Here are some pictures of our latest backyard summer activity. We now can watch movies on our new outdoor theater.  Using our digital projector and a painters tarp that we have anchored like a clothes line, we made a movie screen that is 20’ wide and 7’ tall.  (Note from Mom:  They bought a painter's tarp and cut it to size and Kristin hemed it and then they punched grommets in the top and wove it through the wire).  It hangs over our pool so we can watch movies either under our patio cover or while enjoying the pool or Jacuzzi.  With the weather so nice this summer and our pool temperature at 87 degrees it is a great way to watch a movie at night.

Kristin lining it up.

A view from the other way.

R

Now that's comfort!

The latest buzz is that the we ordered a 50’ HDMI cable to connect to our TV receiver and it arrived last night. We plugged it in and guess what it actually worked (other ideas I’ve had have not worked out like I would have thought, so this was thrilling for me). We can now watch live TV outside in addition to DVD’s. We plan on watching Monday Night Football or maybe Dancing with the Stars outside this year.

Plenty of seating.

The outdoor screen is a hit with the kids and their friends.  Thankfully our neighbors are frequent attendees so we don’t have to worry about noise complaints (so far).  If you find yourself in Murrieta stop by for a free movie screening…

FIRES

Recently there was a wild fire somewhat near, (but not dangerously near), the Utah Agles. It made the air murky and not pleasant to breathe.  Dennis sent this picture.

MORE ON THE MUD RUN

Erik and their friend Dave had head cameras on and here are some of the shots they took.

They have their next Mud Run booked, October 13, 2012, and it looks to be very challenging. Check it out at

 Rugged Maniac website http://ruggedmaniac.com/

Those are a couple of Marines to help you if you need it.

Dave

Another couple of Marines.

YEAH, MAN!

A WONDERFUL WAITRESS

Before Sashy makes that leap this fall to working at Disney World, she's earning $$$ as a waitress at a restaurant called Cracker Barrel.
 
Borrowing from her blog I copied her entry on the questions I assume she gets asked everyday.  Great responses!  Those lucky people that get seated at her tables.

Hi there, welcome to Cracker Barrel!

How would you like your eggs?

The difference between country ham and sugar ham is that sugar ham is sweeter.

Coke products.

Im sorry, no limes, just lemons.

How does that look to ya?

2 sides.

Is it alright that that costs a little extra?

Biscuits, corn bread, or both?

We sure do serve breakfast all day every day!

Today we have potato soup and vegetable soup.

Would you like any dessert tonight?

I've worked here about 4 months.

Blueberry pancakes (with extra butter), it's the best thing on the menu!

Unsweetened or sweetened?

We don't have fry sauce but we do have ketchup and mayo.

Dressing comes on the side.

I'm sorry, meatloaf/baked potatoes will be another hour.

A1 or Heinz 57?

I'm sorry, grits are unsubstitutable.

For your convenience, I'll just set your ticket here on the side, but please no rush, I'll be around for absolutely anything you need.

(January, Carol & Ruth.  Does this bring back memories?)

REMODEL

When Ken and Coppelia bought their home in Mapleton there was a gorgeous view out the back windows that they were told would probably always be there. The operative word was "probably". 

The only thing missing is the horses that were usually there.

Alas, a few years later some guy figured out how to put in a cul-de-sac and put a huge house right behind theirs.


Since they have lost their view, and they don't like their back door (or care for the view) plus a few of the windows have a problem leaking in the double panes, they have opted to take out that wall of windows and replace it with a new door in another place, and French doors going out on the patio.

The work is now in progress.

Door is dry-walled and taped and just two more windows to go.

Will they find brick to match?  Will it be something different altogether?
Keep tuned in for progress reports.

MANTI TEMPLE PAGEANT

This in from Ken:

We decided that this year we would go to the Manti Pageant. We've actually never been to Manti's Pageant since we've moved to Utah although we have been to two other pageants in the state (there are about 4 of them).

Aria's good friend Brett McPhail was visiting from Aurora, CO and we thought it would be fun. Besides, we had a resident expert in the pageant in the form of Mayra, who was born and raised in that area (Manti is about an hour south of Provo).

On the day of the event, however, Mayra was called into work, so that meant that we were without our expert. Davis and Steven didn't go because they had just come home from their 50 mile hike (not quite like Ashlee's, but compressed and over our local "hills" (aka the Uintahs). One thing working in our favor was that it was a Thursday night and I had heard that it wasn't as crazy on Thursdays.

The show doesn't start till 9:30pm, but we took off around 5:30. We arrived around 7pm and found a slight carnival atmosphere, but in a good wholesome way.



I recognize Sophie but . . .



 We found a place on the grass near the show and had great food. They certainly do try to feed you there. I think the highlight of food was the giant double chocolate covered strawberries. They were pretty spectacular.

We were going to stay on the grass, but venturing into the seats, we decided to move since there were still good seats available (its free, but first come first serve). They seat 14,000 people. I think they've picked up every church folding chair for 20 miles. We sat around until 9:00 and waited for the show to start.

Most of the pageants that we've seen have been wonderful, but very, well small townish from an acting point of view. But, this is the granddaddy of them all and actually it was pretty good. They had pyrotechnics and I was moved by a number of the scenes. The backdrop is absolutely spectacular and sitting below the umbrella of stars with the Manti Temple to gaze upon was pretty fantastic. All in all, I would say the Manti Pageant delivered.

The show ended around 11:15 so small kids were all asleep, so we drove home. We took the long way home, but I'd heard that it takes a lot less time since the traffic is terrible the other way. Still took awhile, but Brett was willing to drive the last 45 minutes, which was great. Made it home around 1:15a, tired, but all relatively happy.

(Note:  We took the kids to the pageant in the '70s and were so glad we could travel home going south as hundreds of cars were all headed north and very few turned south.)

THIS 'N THAT

Remember when I showed the nest with two eggs? 





When I showed it to Ken he said I was too short. There are 4!

I can't get the camera inside the wrought iron work, but there are four.



Today, (Thursday) Erik was in Orange Co. and we met him at the Spectrum and he treated us to lunch.

NO NEWS IS NO NEWS

NO NEWS IS NO NEWS

- - - -AND - - -

NO PHOTOS IS NO PHOTOS

 ;-(

ANOTHER BLOG TO CHECK OUT

A few of you might be aware of the project that Ruth, Ken, Dennis jr., & Julie are working on.  It involves a book, but much, much more.  A growing experience for all concerned and happily is marching towards fruition. 

Dennis wrote a bit about it and it's worth a read if you don't keep up with his blog.  You can check it out by going to "My Blog List" on the right of this page and clicking on "Dennis' Liken Technicolor Dream Blog" and specifically, "What I Learned from Dame Judi".

 (And if you have seen the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", thank you for not sending me to India to spend my "golden years". )

AN INTERESTING BLOG

I have some friends who recently moved to Johannasburg, Africa.  He, Dave,  just retired from his law practice and they are serving an LDS mission for 18 months.  He speaks French (learned on his mission years ago) and will need it for many of the 37 countries in which they will be involved.

The LDS church does everything through the "front door", and each country has different legal requirements.  It 's a daunting job.  She, Pam is keeping a blog and it is fascinating and full of wonderful pictures.  If you have time, it is worth a look.  You can acess it by clicking on the"My Blog List" just to the right entitled, "Larsens in South Africa"

CATCH UPS

Here's a few miscellaneous catch up items.
Recently Beki spent several days at January's and they hit a lot of garage sales and thrift stores. Her PT Cruiser didn't have a spare inch it it when she packed to go home.

Ta-Da !

I did it!

A couple of years ago, the Lancasters had part of their lawn dug up and they planted a rose garden.

That's a lot of roses.

Alas, they had a hard winter and it got most of the roses so now Julie is working to make it "flower garden".

Julie wrote:
Here are photos of the former rose garden which is now a flower garden due to the loss of many roses during a really bad winter here a couple of years ago.  It is more beautiful in person and still has a long way to go.  There are many bulbs which aren't in yet and I keep transferring plants from other parts of our yard so hopefully in a couple of years it will be packed with flowers in every color.

Here are a few photos of the house being burned across the street from our house.  It has been empty since we have lived here so it is good that it is burned before someone buys it and lives in it as is - yuck!  On our walks in the winter Toby and I have seen a few animals enter through the roof to keep warm.

 

(Note to family.  The volunteer fire department burns these abandoned houses for practice.  This is what Ruth will probably have done with that house on her back property when she gets an extra $500 to cover the costs of bulldozing and leveling after the fire.)

Lastly is a picture of our little frog that I was able to save from the snake.He lives in a planter area next to our back door and it has been fun seeing him come out of his hole when the weather is perfect! 

And now for another "nature" story, here is a picture of the bird nest on my patio.  I'll keep you posted as things progress. 

And yet another sort of "nature" story, Robert recently scaled Mt. Whitney

Here's a little blurb about it.

Mount Whitney is the highest summit in the contiguous United States with an elevation of 14,505 feet (4,421 m).^[Trial Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous, depending upon your experience and skill level. The trailhead elevation is 8,365 feet. The elevate at the summit is 14,497.61 feet. At high elevations, altitude sickness affects many people.

 Good for you, Robert!

THE FAMOUS CAMP PENDLETON MUD RUN

Here's the team all nice a clean.

Erik & Kristin along with 3 other friends recently participated in the famous Camp Pendelton Mud Run.  It is done 4 times in the month of June with 5,000 particpants on EACH run.  You can run individually, or as a team but if you run as a team, you must all cross the finish line together

Prior to the run, one of their team members hurt his shoulder and had to drop out but the daughter of another member agreed to step in even though she hadn't trained and had just returned from Spain the day before.  Thank goodness she is young!

Not knowing the territory, they got there about 6a.  You park your car quite a ways from the course so busses drive you to the starting place.  You check your gear and then wait until the starting time at 9a.  They start them in "waves".  They were in the third wave (of four) and the rest is history.

We got there about 8:30 and after we got on the base it took us 1/2 hour to drive to the place.  It's a BIG base!  We parked and took a shuttle to as close as he could get us and we walked to the starting point.

Here's some pictures to tell the story.

As you can see there were plenty of portapotties.

We got to the starting line about the time the first "wave " started.  The first thing to greet them as they begin their run is the fire hose. 

She was relentless and if you tried to escape, she narrowed the stream and gottcha!

Several groups wore "costumes".  Note the guy's "bra" in the back.  Coconut shells.

They were drenched and further down the line, if she didn't get you there was a fire truck to make sure you got wet on that very cool morning.

We could only see the start line and the finish because the rest was out in the boonies so we headed back to an area where they had booths with T-shirts and the like, food, a couple of bands, and exhibits and rides.

There was several tanks, guns, etc. on display.

Bubble balls for the kids.

A Zip line (didn't go very far, but hey!)  And a calyspo band.  Fun.

Here's where the runners checked their bags.
Very efficiently organized with a couple of Marines to keep watch.

The "HOGWASH" . In an hour or so the line up was very, very long.

Dennis figured they would be near the finish line in about 1.5 hours, so we headed back there to watch them come in.

Here they come in the blue shirts.

Up a little hill and down into the mud bath, the last obstacle. That's Kristin looking at you and Erik getting his head under the wire.

Here's all five team members.  Erik has a camera on his head.

The mud bath was about 30 ft. long and about 2 ft. deep (I'm guessing).
The Marines were there to yell at you at each obstacle.

That's their team in front heading for the finish line as a group.

Had to give her a hug. 

We did it!

The Marines were there to give "free hugs and kisses".

Well done, Erik.

A little different look from the first photo.

I should have worn a darker shirt, but it was worth the hugs.