2007 Favorite Pics

November 2007

It was great to see many of you yesterday at the baptism. What a wonderful day! Natalie was radiant and I was a humbled father – grateful for the privilege to perform one of the saving ordinances of the gospel for one of my children. The Spirit was strong and the love and support we felt from each of you (even those who weren’t physically there) was so appreciated. Thanks “aunt” Karen for your great talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It really meant a lot to Natalie. Seeing her singing and doing the sign language to the song “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus” was really special. I think that the older I get, the more I appreciate the simple yet sublime joy that comes from seeing my family progress in the gospel. We’re very pleased with Natalie – her choice to be baptized, and the way she lives her life.
Natalie had a fun birthday party with a big group of friends. It was a “bride” party and each of the girls got to wear a tiara with a veil. Becky made a “wedding” birthday cake and many of us got blue tongues and lips from the blue frosting roses that Becky bought to put on the cake. Natalie has enjoyed starting to attend Activity Days – feeling like she’s finally one of the mature girls.
Isaac starts basketball this Saturday. He continues to be a voracious reader. He read all of the Harry Potter books in a 2 ½ month period from May to July (I just barely finished book 7 on Halloween night) and continues to devour anything he can get his hands on. He just finished a book called Dragon Rider. He, along with Natalie and Auriana, got a perfect report card last week. He is such a good speller that he aces the pre-tests at the beginning of the week and doesn’t even have to study for the real tests on Friday. Natalie and Auriana always get 100% on their spelling tests too.
Isaac and I really enjoyed our trip to Washington to hang with his cousins, Daniel and Jacob. Daniel is done with the initial 6-month period of intensive chemo treatments, and other than losing his hair and gaining a bit of weight because of the medicine, he seems his old self with plenty of energy and enthusiasm. I got to play with little Sarah who is Miram’s age, and of course enjoyed the time with my sister, Catherine and her husband, Dave. It really was a wonderful time. Isaac wished he could have stayed for another two weeks. It really meant a lot to Isaac to have that time with them since most of his other cousins are either not his age or are girls. I enjoyed the time to relax as well. We’re grateful to Mike and Alison and family for giving us a place to sleep on our way up and on our way back and feeding our hungry bellies. Isaac had a blast playing with the dump truck remote control construction set.
Halloween was fun. I was telling my brother yesterday that Halloween is the only time parents have to mooch from their kids. Can you hear me saying, “who is going to be nice enough to share their candy with their dad?” Usually I get a pretty good response, but sometimes I have to resort to the guilt trip, “after all I do for you, you’re not even willing to share one little piece of candy with your dad?” ☺
Ellie has officially entered her terrible twos. She’s very excited for her birthday tomorrow. She’s talking so much better all the time. She cracked us all up the other night when Chad was visiting, when she started dancing and wiggling her shoulders and rear end to some music. One of those times when you wish you had the video camera but know if you run to get it that they’ll stop. Miriam loves dancing too and regularly entertains us. And of course it just isn’t right unless she is wearing a skirt that can twirl so pretty.
It was a blast having Chad here. The BYU football game, the movie and the golf (even though it was a pitiful game) and the Nertz and Pass the Pigs were all a lot of fun. Our kids sure love their uncle Chad. We’re really looking forward to seeing the whole family of Georgians, as well as the rest of you at Christmas time. We can’t wait to experience the personal tour and/or open house of the temple.
Well that’s about it for us. Auriana got a spacer in her mouth in preparation for braces. The Harvest Moon Hurrah this year was once again a success, though I’m very happy to have it over. I was recently released from the Elder’s quorum presidency, and am now the committee chair for the Redeeming the  Dead committee, so I look forward to more time in the temple and great experiences with quorum members as we improve our efforts in that regard. Becky’s efforts with the primary program are going well, though I’m sure she’ll be happy when its over. Enoch is still loving preschool, and Miriam loves being the ringleader on those mornings when Enoch is gone. The other night when I was putting Miriam to bed she kept on licking her lips. When I didn’t respond, she finally said, “Dad, when you lick yous lips, dat means yous firsty.”
We wish we could have been in Rexburg today for the blessing of Micah. We were sad that Alan and the girls got sick and couldn’t make it for the baptism. It means a lot to us that you would even consider coming down in the first place.
I’m off to locate constellations with Auriana for a school assignment.

October 2007

Here is little glimpse into each of the kids’ lives…

Enoch – I can ride a two-wheeler with training wheels. I have a new silver tooth. On my birthday, we
broke a piñata and treats fell on my head. We did an obstacle course to get to the piñata. I got lots of cars and my favorite is Chick, my second favorite is the King, and my third favorite is Lightning McQueen. My fourth favorite is Nitroade. I did show and tell for preschool: Lightning McQueen and Long Neck for the letter L, and Helicopter for the letter H. Today during conference, I played Conference Bingo and President Hinckley was on the chart.

Isaac – During Conference today, I liked how lots of the guys had weird and funny accents. I have my last football next Wednesday, I really liked it this year because I’m a really fast running back and I made lots of touchdowns, and one interception! I’m reading Harry Potter 4 again, it’s my favorite one besides 7, but they didn’t have 7 in the school library. My favorite part of school right now is friends.


Natalie – My favorite part of Conference was having Karen here. I just finished soccer, and in the whole season I scored 10 of our team’s goals. I think soccer is my favorite sport. I’m in gymnastics and I’m learning how to do a back extension. I’m excited to turn eight soon and get baptized. My baptism is on November 3 at noon.


Auriana – I’M ELEVEN! I had a fun birthday sleepover with three of my best friends. We went to
Coldstone and then scrapbooked the pictures we took there. The next day I was tired and miserable, but when we went skating as a family it cheered me up. My favorite part of conference was when Karen came over and watched with us.


Miriam – My favorite color is Yellow. My favorite animal is a dog. My favorite thing to do is play with
Little People. My favorite part of conference was the tittles (skittles). I go to gymnastics and I jump on the tramp. My teacher’s name is Miss Kate. I like to go to nursery because we play with toys and babies.

Ellie – I am the somersault queen with very good form. I go to gymnastics, and it’s the highlight of every week (at the moment I’m doing somersaults off of the couch). I’m talking more and more every day. One of my favorite things to say is “No, Mine, Miriam,” in a low growly voice. Also, “People, Please?” meaning I want to watch the Little People show for the thousandth time. I love to eat anything Brenda cooks and feeds to me, and I love to wake up bright and early every morning. I laugh a lot – and for some reason everyone loves to laugh with me.

We already enjoyed the benefits of Brenda’s new job when we went to Thanksgiving Point for a (free for employees and their families) fun time at the Cornbellies corn maze. They had tons of other stuff for the kids to do besides the corn maze and the kids had a blast. We stayed there until 10pm we were having so much fun. Thanks, Brenda!

Bjorn got released from the Elder’s quorum presidency and is focusing now on preparing for the Harvest Moon Hurrah – a yearly event the Arts Council puts on for the whole community. We’re going to try and participate on the ward’s co-ed volleyball team together if we can work it out with all the other things going on. Becky is in charge of writing and organizing the Primary program this year and is glad to have at least the scripting part done and approved. We are all doing well and really enjoyed conference weekend. It always goes by so quickly! Brenda did all the cooking today and made delicious fall food! Having Karen over is always a highlight. We were so excited to hear Mom and Dad’s wonderful news. We’re grateful for their continuing example of commitment to the Lord.

July 2007

July has been a wonderful month!  We enjoyed seeing many of you and experiencing California and the wedding as a family.  The wedding was definitely the highlight. We appreciate Stuart and Heather's perfect example for our kids - we all love to see them when they stop here on there way through.

I asked the kids what their favorite memory of California was...
Enoch - Shamu that splashed me. (NOT the rollercoaster).
Miriam - Sleeping in the hotel.
Natalie - Going the the beach, going to the wedding, and going to Sea World.
Isaac - Going to Sea World.
Auriana - Going to Sea World, seeing the dolphins, and playing at the beach in the waves.

Auriana really did love the waves, she was in the water the entire time we were at the beach.  I didn't even get in the water, but I was completely content to count to seven over and over and over and over and over and over and over.  Seven, because Bjorn was going in way too deep!

Sea World was awesome - I loved the moment we saw the killer whales swimming in their tank.  There was suddenly excitement in the air and all the kids started running to get a better look.  That moment made it worth the entrance fee. We all loved the shows! We all loved being with cousins and grandparents.  Miriam wanted to keep returning to the sharks and Enoch the Polar Bears. Natalie loved the rides (that’s unique in our family) – Thanks Karinne for accompanying her and sacrificing your dryness!

After the Young Reunion we got to experience the Pendleton Reunion.  We stayed in a lodge at the base of the mountain at Brighton. We spent time hiking to several different lakes, visiting with family, playing games, and staying up late. Despite Enoch breaking his foot while jumping down the stairs (He has a cool green cast until Aug 17), it was a very fun and relaxing three days!
We also had a talent show, and for our entry we changed the words to a song the kids already knew and could play on their instruments.  The new words are...

With the family I love, having fun wherever we go.
With a team spirit strong.  Coolest people I ever did know.  
So, we listen and obey, we’re kind and happy all the day.  
We know that we can be forever in the Pendleton Circle of Love.

Later in the month we got to attend a concert in American Fork with the three oldest kids. We wanted to see their music teachers perform with John Schmidt, Peter Brienholt, and Ryan Shupe!  We had a great time.

Other highlights of the month…
*Purchasing a blow up waterslide to beat the heat without having to go the pool.
*Attending day camp with Isaac – archery was his favorite activity there.
*Hearing the story of “Ellie and the Butter” from Bjorn.
*Enjoying “Meet the Robinsons” as a family.
*Having A 24th of July barbeque with some good friends.
*Enjoying several picnics and evenings in the park.  Our kids have a favorite spot by the river they call Terebithia!

We’re just trying to enjoy our last few weeks together before school starts.  It will be nice to get back into a schedule again, but it will be sad to have less freedom to just do whatever we please. For example… The other day Miriam was staring out the door with a smile on her face.  I asked her what she was looking at. She replied, “A car – and it was beautiful and white.”

May 2007

Ellie – started Nursery and loves it.  Talking more and more.

Miriam -  Really enjoyed turning 3 and is now very happy to be 3.

Enoch – lollipop race – Isaac yelled Go Enoch
Actually sat still in the dentist chair finally, but needs six fillings
Zack’s head is as small as a giant water balloon.
Cut his face on a rock.

Natalie –  played the piano in her school talent show.  

Isaac – 3rd place in 100m -- baseball

Auriana – played the mandolin in her school talent show

March, 2007

We enjoyed a family gathering last night with Stuart and Heather, Karen, Steve and family, Brenda and Scott.  It had been so long since we had seen anyone, we had a great time visiting and celebrating a few birthdays.

What went on in February?  

Auriana wonderfully gave her memorized speech on Abraham Lincoln, stovepipe hat and all.  She won her class spelling bee and a few days ago read The Bridge to Terebithia all in one night.   She often comes upstairs an hour after we thought she was asleep because she’s been reading. Isaac finished up basketball with remorse -- it will be a long wait until baseball. He also read The Bridge to Terebithia, and both he and Auriana are looking forward to seeing the movie. Bjorn and Isaac went to a BYU game and had a blast. Natalie nominated me as a hero at school for helping her when she has to do hard things, and we won.  She was delighted to be recognized in an assembly at school. She hung a medal around my neck and later that week we both had our picture in the local newspaper. Enoch realized today that when you stay in the bath too long you don’t actually turn into a raisin, your fingers just look like raisins. He has started taking mother-taught piano lessons and really enjoys it. Miriam went to her first birthday party. She went in very timidly, but had a really fun time.  She can often be found locked in her room, playing (with Natlalie’s toys -hence the locked door), and singing to herself. Ellie walked all the way around the block with Isaac cheering her on. She waves, runs, smiles a lot, and shrugs her shoulders and we all think she is very cute. She has added several words to her vocabulary, including bottle, ball, and Brenda (“de de”).

Bjorn surprised me the day before Valentines Day and we spent a very relaxing day and night at a cabin in Sundance.  We were grateful for Brenda and the Shumways for watching the kids while we were away. We’ve had a few teeth come out this month and we have a few teeth trying to come in.  We painted the kids rooms on President’s day – the kids proved to be very proficient and diligent painters. They didn’t give up until we were done! When it was my turn to teach preschool we learned about fire safety and took a trip to the fire station.  We though we were entering Spring with wonderfully warm weather, but the Winter returned. We have had two weeks of snowstorm after snowstorm.

Bjorn here – I thought I would emerge from my cave long enough to look at the sun and write a bit in the family letter. This has been a very busy couple weeks for me. I have been up late almost every night and up early most mornings trying to stay on top of projects and demanding deadlines. It was sure nice to enjoy a relaxing Sabbath today – I needed it more than I can describe. I told myself when I started my business that I would never work on the Sabbath no matter what, and that has been a real blessing to me. One of my clients is opening an LDS bookstore and art gallery that sells the books put out by The Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship (formerly FARMS) and Truman Madsen, and features the art of Joseph Brickey, one of my favorite LDS artists. They are the same client that I did the Journey of Faith stuff with. Anyway, I got to design the big outdoor sign on the building and all the other signage inside the store as well as window displays and advertising. I still need to put together a couple of websites for them, but it has been a really fun process. They had their special opening on March 1 for all the Maxwell Institute scholars and leadership who were in town for a conference and said that everyone was blown away. We have given it a very rich, old world feel. I’m also finishing up the 700+ page biography: Anson Bowen Call: Bishop of Colonia Dublan. It mentions Helaman Pratt several times saying that he was a good friend – even has a map showing where his home was in Colonia Dublan, and covers many of the events that I’m sure Mom’s family experienced there in the colonies. Helaman Pratt’s daughter, Dora, was one of Bowen Call’s wives. The Call family first came to me four years ago to start working on the project. It is going to press first thing in the morning. Can you hear the sound of trumpets triumphantly heralding the event?!

I had fun taking pictures of Stuart and Heather yesterday in the freezing cold. Hopefully some of them will show up in the video they’re going to have made for the reception. We’re trying to figure out how to work out our dilemma of having the Pendleton family reunion at the same time as their wedding.

Well, enough for now. We hope Alan and Konnie are enjoying their travel abroad and that Mom and Dad are enjoying day-to-day parenting again for a short time. We love you all and appreciate our interactions with you whenever and however they occur.

February 2007

Auriana:
I won my class spelling bee.  I won with the words watermelon and throughout.  I get a candy bar from my mandolin teacher if I practice for 20 minutes every day – including Saturday.

Isaac:
My best friends, Tyler and Landon, are going to have a new baby brother.  I won my class basketball shootout. When I practice the guitar for 20 minutes every day I get a candy bar from my teacher.  I have the same teacher as Auriana. I’m doing good in basketball, and I made two shots at my last game. In primary, we’re memorizing all the books of the New Testament.

Natalie:
I’ve never missed a spelling word in school.  Brenda got balloons from Scott on her birthday.  We use the ribbons to play Tail Tag. This is how you play:  We stick the long ribbons in the backs of our pants like a tail.  Then the other people try to step on it and make it come out. I’m learning to play Devil’s Dream on the fiddle.

Enoch:
L-R-T-U-B
I love you.  I went to the Bean Museum with my preschool class.  We had fun and there were fake animals that were the same size as real ones.  There was a live show with a real lizard and snake and a turtle and I petted them.   When the little show was done I stood up in front of everyone and said, “Everyone say Thank You at the same time.”  And they did. I like to go to your houses and ride in your cars.

Miriam:
I’m potty-trained for the third time.  I love my slide and I’m very sweet! I like to play with Ellie now and she likes to play with me.

Ellie:
I can say “Elena”.  I love Brenda!

Becky:
Ellie is one of the kids now!  Quite often she runs off to join the fun and I’m left to clean the house.  That may not sound like a happy thought, but I’m really enjoying a cleaner more organized house!  We just finished a very nice stake conference with Elder Hinckley. It was wonderful to hear first hand about President Hinckley.  One of the talks that spoke to me could be titled “Recognize, Rejoice in, and Remember the love of the Lord in our lives.” We’re enjoying being healthy and looking forward to an early spring, if the groundhog is right.

Bjorn:
It was a great conference. Our ward choir sang in the Sunday session. I really enjoyed what Elder Hinckley shared – personal insights from his life – even told of the day his mother died and how all the family was gathered around with President Hinckley at the side of the bed leaning his chin on his cane and every once in a while reaching out to pat her hand. Very tender. One of his main messages to us was for more seniors to go on missions.

We just finished a fun and delicious birthday meal for Brenda – I think it was her third or fourth party, but that’s ok she deserves getting spoiled. We got the Café Rio recipe from my sister, Marianne, for the yummy shredded pork and the creamy tomatillo dressing. Becky did a wonderful job of it all and we ate until we were stuffed. Later on we had cream cheese pie for dessert. We missed having Steve and family come down because of Scott getting sick. Karen couldn’t make it either, so we’ll have to have a make-up party some time soon.

January 15 was the five-year anniversary of Pendleton Creative LLC. I celebrated by working. Actually Becky and I did go out to dinner that week and let the company pay. ☺
I am in discussions currently with two other guys to form a new company – a full service marketing, business coaching, and custom software development firm. I would be in charge of all the marketing and creative. We’re stepping into it carefully. I’ll let you know what comes of it. The Arts Council just started its first ever Cultural Arts Education for Adults program. We have had 84 people sign up for 8 classes and have had many expressions of appreciation for offering the program to the community. With the help of the mayor, I’m trying to get the steering committee formed that will help get a Cultural Arts Center built in Spanish Fork. We had put the effort on hold for a year or so while we strengthened several programs and performing groups, but feel that its time to pick things back up and really start pushing it. It’s going to be a long haul, but I think it can happen.

I’ve been having fun practicing guitar each morning with Isaac. We kind of take turns teaching each other. I’m kind of proud of the calluses I’m developing on the tips of my fingers. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to move my fingers along those strings as fast as any of my children though. I’m amazed at how well each of them are doing. When I practice every day for a week, Becky buys me a candy bar. ☺

January 2007

December went by so quickly.  We enjoyed the fun and togetherness of vacation time, but it’s nice to be back to our old routine.   I’m excited to be writing this letter on my new Christmas iMac. As of yet, the kids have spent more time exploring the fun new options it presents, but I’m looking forward to my turn.

We started out December by putting up our Christmas tree – the kids were very into “traditions” this year and were excited about every little holiday celebration.  John Schmidt’s Christmas concert has become one of our favorite holiday traditions. The kids especially love his goofiness, but we all really enjoy his music. Peppermint candy, Christmas stories, Christmas music, lighting candles, gifts of love, moving Mary and Joseph up the path, acting out the Christmas story, ableskivers for breakfast Christmas morning:  these were all fun and important parts of our celebration this year. Natalie kept asking, “When do we get to do our next tradition?”

I especially enjoyed watching the kids as they read their gifts of love to each other this year.  The Christmas Eve tone in our home went from excitement and anticipation to joy and love. It was one of those perfect moments!  It was a perfect way to start our celebration of the Savior’s birthday.

One other tradition that we started last year is to give the kids an ornament on Christmas Eve – something to help them remember that year in their life.  We gave Auriana a little unicorn ornament – she loves unicorns, but this year she somewhat graduated from that and is more focused on horses now. We gave Isaac a nutcracker ornament since he became a soldier for Christ when he was baptized this year.  Natalie has become an awesome reader this year. We gave her the “wisdom” Willow Tree ornament with a young girl reading. Enoch received a Lightning McQueen ornament with working headlights. For the last few months, he has constantly had a car (from the movie “Cars”) in his hand.  I’m impressed with how well he can take care of them, since he takes them everywhere and has only lost one. Miriam received a “Belle” ornament. She absolutely adores Belle from “Beauty and the Beast”. It’s odd since I don’t think she’s ever seen the movie. Ellie’s ornament is a baby taking her first steps.   It’s amazing how fast she has grown up. She thinks she’s one of the big kids now and likes to do whatever the rest of us are doing. We all think it’s cute when she nods or shakes her head in answer to our questions.

Bjorn’s Christmas concert with the community choir was a big success.  It was fun to have Mom and Dad, Brenda, and Karen join us for that. Bjorn was also in charge of the program for our ward Christmas party.  It turned out very well as it ended with the whole ward gathered around a manger scene singing “Come Lord Jesus”. We had learned and practiced the song in our different organizations.  The primary had their own verse and it was very touching to hear them sing it at the party. Everyone felt involved (even the Young Men standing next to me were singing). A lot of people commented afterward about the feeling that was there.

We took a trip to Sundance for a few days right before Christmas.  A client of Bjorn’s offered us the use of one of his rental cabins.  We had fun relaxing, sledding, building fires, playing on the circular staircase, and watching the Cosby show for hours.  A friend gave us the first season on DVD -- the kids love it.

Another important highlight of our month was a very fun and relaxing trip to Rexburg.  There’s something very rejuvenating about going home, besides the fact that Grandma and Grandpa’s house is one of the kids’ most favorite places to be.  Thank you Mom and Dad for a wonderful and memorable time. Bjorn got to spend one day while we were there snowmobiling across the barely covered farmland.  That was his birthday wish, so it seemed like it snowed a little just for him. We were glad Alan, Konnie, and girls got well so we could spend some time with them.  We enjoyed experiencing the new “Mom’s Kandy Kitchen” as well as “the Backyard” restaurant with them.

We celebrated New Years with Bjorn’s family and slept over at his brother’s house in Lehi.  So Bjorn got to spend his actual birthday doing one of his favorite things – playing games with his siblings.  After a little party with the kids here at our house Brenda was so kind to tend (even a sick Ellie), and Bjorn and I went out to dinner and a movie to celebrate.

We really missed Brenda for the two weeks she was in California, but she sure spoiled us with gifts the night before she left.  She was so thoughtful in giving exactly what each of us would want and more. The kids were so delighted and grateful. We all love and admire her so much.  

Isaac started basketball this week.  Natalie and I needed to leave his first game early for the baptism of her friend, but I got to see him make a basket in the few minutes that I was there.  His surprised and excited reaction when the ball swished was really great.

We love you all and wish you the best!