Christmas Time Again!

Yes...I do know that none of us have posted anything in FOREVER!!! sorry. sorry. sorry. So here's what's new...lately. CHRISTMAS!


Home and Vistiting Teaching Families



Nathan is such a good sport!



Ward Christmas Party!


Christmas Tree!

Have You ELF"ed" Yourself?? Take 2

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Have you ELF"ed" Yourself??

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Proposition 8 in Santa Clarita

For those of you not in Cali right now...Someone in out stake lately has been going out our local street corners and interviewing people on both sides of Prop 8. This video is mostly "yes" but there are still "no" and more "yes" videos to come from him. My mom is interviewed in this video and most of the people that are are from our stake or wards. Yesterday, a bunch of friends and I went wave signs for "Yes on 8" on one of our corners. Though most of the responses we got were thumbs ups and honks, we did get a few things that I will never say, like Charlotte said in her email. People came up to us to argue and make rude comments and I was very suprised with the way we all took it (myself definitely included), smile and wave. Overall, yesterday was a great experience, despite all the negative things said or directed towards us. I felt like I was doing what's right and it made me happy that I was able to help make a difference...Zoe and Abby have even been waving! Oh yeah! Abby is in this video to, next to my mom and at the end in pictures. All of my friends and I were interviewded in a video that should be up in the next couple of days so I'll let you know when it is. Here's some of what's been going on around here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtcZnLXhiJo
Thanks!...<3kacy>

Here's our GREAT TURNOUT!

Hello Friends and Family...

As many of you are aware, California is in the middle of a crisis and it has nothing to do with the price of gas! Our family has been given the unique opportunity to participate in a grass roots effort to help get Proposition 8 passed.

I'm sure you remember Prop 22 some years ago. That proposition allowed our state to vote that marriage was defined as between a man and a woman. Unfortunately, the State Supreme Court ruled the voters descision unconstitutional and overturned the proposition, making same sex marriage legal. It is again up for a vote in this coming November's election labeled Proposition 8.

Rodney and I have both been blessed to know many same sex couples whom we consider friends. Most, just like most heterosexuals, are kind, lawabiding people who just want to be happy. We feel for the anguish they have suffered in their lives , most at the hands of their own families, and wish them only the best. Unfortunately, some, just like some heterosexuals, feel the need to go to extremes and cause great turmoil for the rest of us. Thus, Proposition 8!

It is no secret that we are a religious, conservative couple trying to raise conservative children who will someday be honest, compassionate, hardworking adults that will greatly contribute to society. We hope that they will never unrighteously judge anybody, feel love for ALL of their neighbors and continue to grow in strength and character. We WANT them to be an example of tolerance while standing firm in their beliefs and bearing testimony of what they, and we, KNOW to be true; that marriage between only a man and a woman is ordained of God and ALL children born have the RIGHT to a mother AND a father.

If those reading this have a different moral stand on this issue, that is your free agency and your RIGHT as given to you by our founding fathers as stated in the Constitution of the United States. I would always encourage you to follow your compass as long as you KNOW it to be true. So, trying to persuade some on an intellectual level, the following is some information to consider should Propostion 8 fail. As adults, we could probably handle the consequences however unpleasant, but think of your children and your children's children. I DO NOT want the state allowed to teach my children moral issues, they have already crept in far too much. I want the private sector and business' protected from those who would go to extremes just to prove a point. I WANT my religious freedoms protected as designed centuries ago by inspired and brave men. DO NOT allow few in power positions to determine what your children should be taught, who your business can serve and what your religon can preach...that is NOT religous freedom nor the "American Dream" that so many long to have!

Six Consequences If Proposition 8 Fails:

1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay.

*The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890)*Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.

2. Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public. Ask whether your pastor, priest, minister, bishop, or rabbi is ready to perform such marriages in your chapels and sanctuaries.

3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston has already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.

4. Religions that sponsor private schools and which provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine, or lose tax exemptions and benefits.

5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.

6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today’s activist judges), think of the money – your money, your church contributions – that will have to be spent on legal fees.And think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot even foresee at this time. Where will it end?

Sharing my thoughts and this blog is certainly ok with me as long as those who read it remember that this is a FAMILY blog, children read it. Please be appropriate in your comments. Should you disagree, that is your right, just do so on your OWN blog! Should you post an opinion rated anything other than G, it will be removed immediatly and you will be blocked from our blog. I appreciate you taking the time to read and understand all opinions. Please be mature enough to handle the rise in emotion that politics, and this issue in particular, cause within you. May we all ponder the issue and VOTE our true conscience! Good luck in November to all....

Soccer Pics!

All 5 of us got a soccer picture together so I just thought we would share it! The guys taking the picture had fun trying to get us all in it! (They had problems trying to place us so...ahem...Mom finally stepped in and said...How bout this??...-FINALLY!) Anyway, we went down in history as having the most people related in a soccer picture at once!

Zoe's Baptism

Zoe's Baptism

Zoe had such an amazing day a couple weeks ago! She had the chance to be baptized and everyone who participated and helped out with her baptism did an amazing job! She had a ton of family there from out of town and some friends she invited to come even showed up! It was a really fun day with lots of spiritual experiences I think we'll all remember for a long long time!

http://w260.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w260.photobucket.com/albums/ii35/Kacy_035/baptism-Scrapblog.pbw" height="360" width="540">

Since its closer to Halloween...

Get your own Scary Prank Toy at pYzam.com

Happy, Happy Birthday!

For Abby and Zoe's 10th and 8th birthdays, Annie, Allie, London, the Coopers, Grandma and Grandpa from Utah all came to go to Scooter's Jungle with us! Its such a fun place...if you haven't tried it-you definitely need to!

Missionary Lesson!

The missionaries came Saturday night for dinner and a lesson for Zoe about baptism. They did such a good job and were a lot of fun! Now Zoe is excited and definitely ready to get baptized!

Soccer Season is Back!

Soccer games have started up again so our Saturdays are pretty much planned! Calli had her soccer game Friday night under the lights at Central Park! Way fun! Then Abby, Zoe, and Gabrielle had their games on Saturday. My game was today so I just get to hear how we did. Calli's team name is Ole! They are teal and dark blue and everytime they score a goal someone plays the Ole! song! Abby's team is the Blue Flames. They are light blue and Dad is coaching her team this year. Zoe is light purple and her team name is the Rockstar Band. Gabrielle, Lacey, and Bella are all on the same team and their name is the Pink Sparkles! Mom is even coaching that one and Kris is assisting! So much fun! There's only a couple pictures of Gabrielle's team , but we'll add more throughout the season!

Swimming!

We haven't had much to update in a while, but just so there's something to look at...Kerrie sent us these pictures she took of Abby and Zoe swimming this summer and they're so cute! When its 105 DEGREES outside, like it is today, THOSE PICTURES LOOK SO GOOD!

Cousins Camp!

Steady & Sure

The week after the 24th, I went to EFY in Provo. It was the best experience I've ever had! I learned so much and met so many friends! I went with my friend, Megan, and we roomed together in Helaman Halls for the week! The day we got there, we checked in and then went to Orientation and spent the rest of the day meeting our Company (ours was called "Shall Know") and getting to know our counselors...which by the way were all so good! After we got there, we met up with Megan's friend Whitney from San Diego. Oh! The So You Think You Can Dance Choreographers were there doing a dance camp so I asked them for a picture!

Tuesday was spent going to different classes and there was one teacher that Megan and I went to. He was really good and lots of fun. He had 4 different classes and we got to go to 8...we went to all of his once!!! That night there was a dance outside with LOTS OF PEOPLE! And we got Jamba Juice every day the rest of the week!

Wednesday was another class day but after we had dinner, we went and did a "Cheer-Off" with our companies and then had devotionals and a pizza party...till 11 that night! Here's some pictures from pizza night...

Left to Right:Kenzie, Emily, Megan, Kelsey, Sammy, Counselor:Jess, Maddie, Catie, Rachel, Ashlyn, and Kacy...

The COOLEST counselor...Jessica...

PICTURES, PICTURES, PICTURES!

Thursday we had a YM/YW Activity, lunch, and then the Variety Show. We had an amazing Musical Program/Fireside and then split up to do testimony meetings, devotionals, journal time, prayer meetings, and then bed time...

Variety Show!

Rubics Cube: Record Time!

Sons of Provo: Love Me But Don't Show Me

Friday, our last day, started out with a morning devotional and then a For the Strength of Youth Activity. After lunch we knitted baby hats for a service project and hurried to get ready for the banquet and the dance right after. The closing ceremonies were so good! There was a slide show of the whole week and then both sessions sang together the EFY Medley! It was so pretty!...There's a video of the medley we sang all week. Afterwards, we escorted back to our residence halls where we had our last devotional and lights out...

All my new best friends!...

Our "Bathroom Buddies!"

All of our counselors!

And...all of our counselors...and one that's not a counselor...at the end of a very long week!

Shall Know Guys...

...and Shall Know Girls!

EFY Medley

Brother Knowlton was our main speaker and he was so funny! He sang his version of "Stop and Stare" called "Stop for Prayer"!...Here's the link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVUuycMwCns

I loved EFY, it was such a great experience and I'm so excited to go back next year!