Geneology, I am Doing it . . .

Today Ethan was asked to give a talk in Primary. Here is a copy of his talk as well at the photos he shared. Enjoy!



Today I’ve been asked to speak about how Family History and Temple Work Bless all the generations of my family.



I was named after my GREAT, GREAT, GREAT grandfather, Ethan Leonard Brown. He is on my dad’s side of the family.



My GREAT grandfather, Ernie Niederhauser, was one of the first Eagle Scouts in Salt Lake City, UT. He is on my mom’s side of the family.



My GREAT, GREAT grandmother, Ada Pratt Hansen was a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She is on my mom’s side of the family.
(photo dated April 1963)



My GREAT, GREAT, GREAT, GREAT grandfather, Ephraim K. Hanks helped rescue the Martin Handcart Company which was stranded on the plains of Wyoming. He is on my dad’s side of the family.

These are just a few of my relatives who have been faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because of their example, as well as the faith and obedience of my other ancestors, there has been a constant stream of church membership on both sides of my family.

I am grateful for my ancestors and their testimony of Jesus Christ. I look forward to learning more about them in the future.

Surprise!

Today we drove up to Cincinnati to celebrate Matt's birthday with his Sister's family as well as his Mom who was in town. Once we arrived at their house, his sister Sarah said there was a surprise for him in the basement. To his surprise, his sister April from Arizona appeared. What a nice surprise!

We had a great visit with everyone. We had a delicious BBQ, wonderful birthday cake, and lots of fun!

Click HERE for pictures of the big event!

Happy Birthday, Iron Matt!

Today is the big day . . . Matt's birthday! Happy, Happy Birthday! If all goes right, we MAY get to go out on a date.


Here are a few pictures of Matt from throughout the years. If it wasn't midnight, I'd scan some others in. Maybe tomorrow!

Pre-dating photo - Matt making stir-fry at my parent's house. 1996-1997?

Matt and Ryan - July 2005 Huntsville, Utah

Ethan and Matt - July 2005 Snowbird, UT

Brinley and Matt - November 2007 Frankfort, KY

Matt and Ethan, September 2008 Cynthiana, KY

Happy Birthday, Matt. We all love you to pieces (except Ryan - he said

he doesn't like you. LOL)

Does anyone remember why I call him "Iron Matt"?

We R Bummed!

I received word today that Matt and my favorite restaurant in St. Louis had a fire yesterday morning. The reason why it is our favorite restaurant, besides the delicious food, is this is the restaurant my Mom and Dad took us to (along with my brothers) the night before Matt and I got married. We went back to this restaurant for many of our wedding anniversaries. My parents would watch the little boys and my Dad was always excited for us to return. Not because the boys were too hard to handle, but because we always brought him our leftovers. We still visit Zia's when we visit St. Louis. Luckily they were able to save the celebrity photos that decorate the front parlor. Hopefully they will get it up and running before our next trip to St. Louis!!!

More on the story here.

Blog Candy Giveaway Extraordinaire!

Holy Cow! Check out this grand blog candy giveaway! What a generous lady!!

Click HERE

Are you kidding me???

Ashton's 1st grade teacher is great. She sends out an email nearly every day to give us the deets on the daily events. Today's email grossed me out. Check it out . . . . if you dare. LOL



Dear Parents, ***I know this is a lot, but PLEASE READ!!!******

We have had quite an eventful day. First of all I would like to let you know about something that happened during recess today. Our class came in from recess to find a puddle of urine on the floor in front of the mailboxes. No one seemed to know who did it or how it got there. After some investigation with other first grade teachers, I found out that it was a student from another class. Why? I don’t know. It was there and Mr. Flynn came and mopped it up and then I wiped with Clorox wipes after that. I just thought I would let you know what happened from me.


Not really getting it. Seriously? Is it really that hard to tell the difference between a classroom and a bathroom?

Makes me want to go take another shower. Ugh!

Friends Forever

I received this note from a friend and wanted to pass it along. Apparently it is National Friendship Week.

One day, while trying to make a living for his family, a poor Scottish farmer heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.'I want to repay you,' said the nobleman. 'You saved my son's life.''No, I can't accept payment for what I did,' the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel.'Is that your son?' the nobleman asked.'Yes,' the farmer replied proudly.'I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.'

And that he did.Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.What saved his life this time? Penicillin.The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill ... His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said:What goes around comes around.Work like you don't need the money.Live like it's Heaven on Earth.Make new friends, keep the old. The first is silver, the second is gold.

Tornado? Straight Line Winds? Hurricane?

Last week, as many of you probably saw on the news, Kentucky was hit with some terrible storms which created lots of flooding. Here are some pictures from around town.

Kids by flooded Elkhorn Creek (across from Arby's)

Measuring stick at Elkhorn Creek

Waterfall across from Cardome

Elkhorn Creek off Crumbaugh Road, Scott County

Waterfall off Johnson Mill, Scott County

Same waterfall as above, other side

And another view, same waterfall

Damaged tobacco plants

Pop up trailer that has seen better days

Blown over tree (close up)

Same tree - full view

Another blown over tree - Crumbaugh Road

First Day of School 2009-2010

Ethan is a big 3rd grader this year. His favorite part of the first day was he was a "buddy" to a new boy named Josh. Ethan was in charge of making sure Josh had a great day. I am pretty sure he did the job!!

Ashton, our All American Boy! He started 1st grade this year. His favorite part of the day was when he went to the cafeteria with no money today (ooops!) they still let him eat! Hooray!

Bosom Buddies!

Ashton in Action (photo courtesy of my neighbor)

The only problem with today was Ethan's allergic reaction to a bee stink he suffered over the weekend. He was stung near his ankle. His leg became very swollen, red and hard. After a quick visit to the doctor yesterday we feel much better that his leg will not have to be amputated. Yipee! The only down side is we now have to have an epipen with us at all times. No biggie!

Back to School

Tomorrow my big boys will start back to school. What a drag! Summer vacation was way too short. Stay tuned for "first day of school photos" tomorrow!! I will miss them while they are away.

Batter's Up!

This past Saturday we decided to take a day trip over to Louisville to visit the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Ethan and Ashton had earned free admission tickets by participating in the Summer Reading Program at the local library. It is a quick 1 hour, 15 minute trip. While in Louisville we also went on a trolley ride and went over to Churchill Downs. We didn't make it inside Churchill Downs this trip, maybe next time. I am glad we went there on Saturday and didn't wait until this week as it is UNDERWATER. Eeeeek!!!

I highly recommend this tour. We all had a great time. At the end of the tour everyone receives their own mini bat (which was my kids favorite part!)

The cost is $10/adult and kids are $5 (unless you have a coupon!) Kids 5 and under were free. So by using our coupons we only had to pay $20 to get in. I do have 2 extra coupons for anyone. Speak up and they are YOURS!

I posted all our pictures on facebook . . . let's see if this works!!

Click here for pictures!