At Disneyland...Again

Fresh off of our vacation in Texas, we flew back out to California to spend a few days on the coast.  Of course, we had to spend a day at Disneyland!  This trip was going to be special, too, because Buzz would be coming with us.  Some of Jake's family work for Disney and so they were kind enough to get the three of us in the park for free.  We had planned to meet up with them in Downtown Disney, so we took a stroll while we waited and saw some pretty awesome Lego creations.  Here we are getting hugged by Lego Hulk.

Some of the Lego sculptures were actually pretty intricate and impressive. 

Once we were inside the park we headed down Main Street towards Sleeping Beauty's castle.  As many times as I have been to Disneyland, it never gets old to hear the music playing and see Mickey lead the marching band down the street.  I will admit, too, that from my father I inherited a love of giving tours.  Disneyland only indulges that trait of mine, because there is so much to point out and see.

It was a great day at the park.  I was really surprised that it wasn't crowded.  Most of the lines were only about 15 minutes long.  We basically got onto every ride that we wanted to.  Cory did great on her feet all day, and we made sure to get her a frozen lemonade when she wanted one.  Cory has never liked the big rides anyway, so the pregnancy didn't really stop her from going on the rides she wanted to.  As for the rest of the rides, Buzz went on them with me and we had a great time.  Here they are in line for Winnie the Pooh.  Buzz was rocking her sun hat all day.

I used to be the type of Disneyland guest that loved to get on as many rides as possible during the parades and shows, because lines are generally shorter while crowds gather to watch.  That all changed when I married Cory.  She loves the parades, and so we watch.  I actually have started to really like them again, too, plus Buzz had never seen it.

In the afternoon, we had pretty much ridden everything we wanted to in Disneyland, so we headed over to California Adventure.  We rode the Little Mermaid ride, and then Buzz and I rode the California Screamin' coaster.  I still had never ridden the Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land so I went and rode it as a single rider while the girls took a picture and watched a quick show.  They even saw Lightning McQueen drive down the street.

We did a few more things in California Adventure before heading back to Disneyland for some dinner.  We had already eaten corn dogs for lunch, and Blue Bayou was booked, so we headed to the Plaza Inn.

We ended the night watching the fireworks show, and Fantasmic!  I was VERY disappointed, though, that Tinkerbell didn't fly during the fireworks.  It actually was really bugging me for while, and I was brooding silently.  I had promised Buzz a Tinkerbell showing.  I don't think she even thought twice about it, in the end. Overall, it was a great day at the Magic Kingdom, and it was the baby's first trip! Sort of...

Texas Vacation

Sean and I got to spend a whole week in Texas for Anna's wedding.  The first few days were spent running errands for the wedding.  Once the wedding festivities were over we did some more sight seeing and got to do some really fun stuff with my Dad, Kimberli, and brothers.  We stayed with them for a whole week.  It was great and so fun to get to hang out with them and be back in Austin.  It definitely feels like home there.  I was surprised how well I still remember how to get around.  Most of all, it was so great to have Seanie with me the whole time.  Showing him around all the places that are so familiar to me was a treat for us.

One of the things I miss the most about Texas is the food!  The first night we were in Texas we ate dinner with my Mom, Anna and Jake at Texican Cafe!  That is by far our most favorite Mexican place, of all time!  Still so yummy!

Sean had a fun request for one of the first days after the wedding.  He asked to go to the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library.  It's downtown and actually right across the street from where my Dad works at UT Law School.  I had never even been!  We stopped in to check it out!

They had a lot of cool exhibits.  One of our favorites was the replica of the Oval office during LBJ's administration.  It was a 7/8th's scale.  Super awesome.  They also had preserved Lady Bird Johnson's Office where it actually was in the library.  It was really cute.

Me and the happy couple...ok not really.  They had a whole section about the clothes and dishes and different things that Lady Bird Johnson had and wore while living in the White House.  I have always learned as a Texan to love and adore Lady Bird Johnson.  

This is the presidential Limo used during LBJ's administration.  Sean asked if he could drive it, but they said no.  Also you can see in this picture Sean's little sticker.  They gave them to us when we bought our tickets.  They said "All the way with LBJ."  We got to feel as though we stepped back in time and were big time LBJ supporters.  We probably would have been!

 This is Sean and LBJ.  I don't think Sean appreciated how much he was "leaning".  We really like the museum.  They had a hall with every president and first lady with pictures.  We definitely were getting some good baby name ideas while in there.

At the exit of the Library there was a statue of LBJ's actual height.  Sean got his picture next to the life size replica.  LBJ was 6'3", pretty impressive.  Sean was very intimidated, even though it was just a statue.  Sean has been collecting little bust statues of past presidents since he was a young boy, and really gets a kick out of places like this.  He already has LBJ from when his parents visited the library.

After our little tour we headed over to the UT Law School and met up with my dad for a tour there.  It was nostalgic for me to be back there.  We would go there a lot when we were little.  It still smelled the same and lots of things were exactly the same.  Dad is in a different office, but all his stuff is still there!

He then took us over to the University Co-Op and we bought a longhorn onesie for the baby.  We have to represent.

Tuesday I really wanted to take Sean canoeing at Lady Bird Lake downtown.  I have done this a few times and always have a good time.  It's super peaceful and so beautiful out there.  We went up early to beat the heat of the day.  The pic above is Sean with downtown Austin behind him!  He became a true Austin lover after this trip.

We took my brothers with us mini golfing one afternoon.  We of course headed to Peter Pan mini golf.  They had gotten a new paint job recently and everything was really nice and newly fixed up.  It was sweltering hot but we stayed in the shade and the intense competition kept us moving and happy!

Sean and I made a wager with my brothers that if any of them could beat Sean we would buy them a large size sno cone.  They were all up for the challenge and feeling very confident in themselves.

Davis gave Sean a run for his money with some great holes and even a hole in one.  But, in the end Sean had 3 hole-in-one's and never was over par on any hole.  He beat everyone! 

Everyone still enjoyed their sno cones.  Noah got grape and sour apple.  I am pretty sure he always gets that and I remembering him ordering that from me when I worked at a shave ice stand during a summer home from BYU.  I guess some things never change!

The last night Dad and Kimberli took Sean, Davis and I to see the bats at Congress bridge.  I hadn't been in a long time and forgot how crazy it is.  There are millions of bats that come out, and they come streaming out for about an hour.  Sean tried taking a video.  You can hear the bats but with it being so dark you can't see them.  They are moving so fast and they are small.  You can see them in person, but you have to be looking out against the sky.

We also got to attend a swim meet of Noah and Logan.  Noah is a stellar swimmer.  I had never been to a swim meet, so it was a lot of fun to experience it all!

Overall it was such a great trip and so fun to spend so much time with my Dad's family.  Lot's of fun memories and a fun time.  I am glad Sean and I got to be there for so long.

*Edit* September 22, 2014:

We were looking through the blog recently and noticed we never mentioned in this post that we also went to Six Flags Fiesta Texas one of the days.  It was a blast!

Cory didn't ride any of  the big rides with us, but she kept cool and happy with free refills on the Slurpee boot.

Anna + Jake

Sean and I got to be  a part of the sweetest sealing and wedding day of two of my favorite people.

We have had the chance to watch Jake and Anna grow their relationship into a beautiful love from the very beginning.  We love them both and it was such a happy day.  Both were smiling, beaming, and just the cutest ever!

We headed up to San Antonio for their sealing in the San Antonio Temple.  The sealing was great and so happy.  Anna of course was super gorgeous and I am sure Jake was stunned at how beautiful she was in her wedding dress.  Mom, Sarah, and I all got to help Anna in the Bride's changing room right after the sealing and it was just so hard to believe she was really married.  She just has always been my baby sister.

I was so worried about the heat, but somehow it was breezy and nice and cool in the shade.  The bridal and bridesmaids bouquets were so gorgeous and such a happy and fun pop of color.  I could not get over how super gorgeous they were!  Anna had awesome taste and a fab florist.

After pictures outside the temple we rushed back to Austin to start setting up for the reception.  We had so much help from so many friends and family and everything went off without a hitch.  The cakes were gorgeous, food table was super cute, and the decorations Anna picked out were so perfect and had a happy and rustic feel.

The first dance was such a sweet moment and the whole night was happy.  There were so many people to see and chat with and catch up with.  I haven't been to Texas in years and there were so many old family friends I hadn't seen in so long.  Always fun to see old familiar faces.

The happy couple being sent off!

Adventures of a Road Trip

Just driving down to California for a week long vacation/wedding extravaganza, and I couldn't help but share this.  I walked into this restroom at a gas station and found this.  It is a urinal.  A waterfall urinal.  I had never seen anything like it.  

1.) It was broken 2.) Even if it was working, this is disgusting to me. 3.) How many are supposed to use this at one time? 4.) Despite my initial disgust, I was also intrigued. 5.) After standing in deliberation for a few moments, I decided to use a stall.

All Good Things...

...must come to an end.

I have been anticipating this post for a very long time.  The last milestone as an MTC teacher: leaving.  I finished teaching my last district of missionaries, and had my exit interview.  I no longer work at the Missionary Training Center.

L to R: Sister Rasmussen, Sister Tanner, Sister Vincent, Sister Redford, Me, Elder Moss, Elder Richan

For a long time I felt pressure that I would have to summarize my experience once I was done.  I can't possibly remember, let alone recount, every detail of my time at the MTC.  So summarizing it would be convenient, but I don't think it is possible.  It is difficult when people ask me things like, "Oh, how was it working there?" or "Did you like it?"  What do you say?  "Yep.  Loved it."  Long story short: it is hard to describe the last three and a half years, and this post isn't going to be a summary of my experience.

It was definitely bittersweet for the last two weeks as I taught my last group.  I totally felt like I was on my A game, like an aging athlete that gives one final great performance.  That thought is actually the opposite of what the MTC is trying to accomplish, namely that the experience is for the missionaries, not to stroke the ego of a teacher on his way out the door.  Nevertheless, I felt like I was having some great results in the classroom.  It helped me appreciate in the moment how great my time has been there, and how much I have grown and changed as a result of the experience.  Also, the joke, "What are they going to do? Fire me?" never got old.  I said it at least twice a day.

As the days came and went, I couldn't help but think, "This is the last time I will ever teach this." or "This is the last time I will do this activity in the classroom."  Then, as we said our goodbyes on our last day, I half-joked that "I am not just saying goodbye to you, but to all missionaries I have ever taught."  For those interested, I didn't cry.  I had to be strong for everyone else.

The greatest take-away from my time at the MTC will be the many relationships I have come to cherish.  I taught 248 missionaries who served or are currently serving in 14 different countries.  Many have returned home, and some keep in touch through Facebook and other means.  The vast majority are still in the field.  I also developed close relationships with my fellow teachers.  It was really great to work with such high caliber people.  Lastly, I can't forget my boss, Rand "The Man" Erickson.  We had a good run together in the Spanish area, as well as the English area--working together for a solid three and a half years.  He taught me a lot through his example, and during our many discussions together.  Thanks Rand.

I am not sure when it will hit me that I am not going to be walking back through those gates anytime soon.  For now, I think back on the many happy memories during my time there.  The MTC is a special place where a sacred work is progressing, and it will always hold a sacred place in my heart.

Boiling Point Reunion

One last time before Sean and I head out to Tennessee, and leave Utah forever, I got to get together with these ladies.  So glad to see them.  I always feel at home and comfortable around these girls.  They are such amazing women, and now amazing mothers to two of the sweetest little ladies.

We ate yummy dinner, chatted, and caught up, and it felt as though I had never been separated from them.  I think that's how you know you really get along with and love someone.  It just feels as though no time has passed at all.

I got some good advice about motherhood, birth, and raising a baby.  Both Summer and Stefanie have had such different experiences and I enjoyed hearing all about both, and their advice and suggestions.

Maybe one day all 6 of us will be reunited again.  It seems nearly impossible, and Sean and I moving over a thousand miles away makes it even more difficult.

Love you two!

Anna's Endowment Weekend

Anna's Endowment weekend brought us all together.  So great to all be in the temple together! 

Now on to the next event, the WEDDING!

One Year Older

In a last minute turn of events, Cory and I decided to spend my birthday weekend in Wyoming with my family.  My mom said it would be nice to have the whole family together before we moved to Tennessee and all that sentimental mumbo-jumbo, but we all know that she really wanted us there because my birthday is her favorite day of the year!  Once we confirmed with her that we were coming, she asked me what I wanted to eat for my birthday dinner.  I decided to get the family involved in making an Argentine menu.  Here is Dad tenderizing some beef for the milanesa.

Lacey and Chris were on empanada duty.

Cory got in on filling some empanada shells, too.  The baby was helping her.  I love my girls!

Here is the milanesa, ready to be breaded and fried.  It was delicious.

As we sat down, the special red plate was out for my place setting.  Family tradition, but it had been a while since I have been home on my birthday.

For dessert, Mom whipped up a banana cream pie.

It was fun to see my family's reactions to some of the different foods they tasted that I ate on a regular basis in Argentina.  Successful 25th birthday!  The truth is that I was actually home for almost a week, and Cory flew up on the weekend, so we made a lot more memories watching movies, playing games, and visiting.  On Memorial Day, Dad planted flowers we had gotten the previous week.  And my parents' new dog, Winnie, rounded out our Red, White, and Blue theme.

I don't know when I will stand on this porch again, but it was a great trip, and I was glad to have the time at home before we head east of the Mississippi.

The Ultrasound

This was a day that was much anticipated by both Sean and I.  Leading up I was having a lot of nervous feelings.  While we were sitting in the waiting room, Sean was getting nervous and had sweaty palms.  It did seem like a really big moment for us and the pregnancy, and it was exciting to know that we would be finding out so many things about our baby all in one moment.  We were already super in love with the baby and were so excited to find out how everything was going and looking in my belly.  Of course, we also were so anxious to know the gender!

The actual ultrasound was very peaceful.  The lights were dimmed and the tech was super sweet, nice, and excited for us. I laid down on the table and she covered me with some warm gel and went to town!

It was so amazing to see our little one moving around inside.  They were moving around so much.  It's surprising that I can barely feel flutters every now and then with how much they were kicking and wiggling.

Even though it was one of the last things we were able to see, I will tell you now...It's a GIRL!

We took tons of measurements and saw so many cool images of the baby.  Her heart, spine, stomach, arms, legs, and cute little profile.  I couldn't believe how perfect she was already.  She measured a few days small but nothing to change the due date over, she is just a petite little lady. 

Our technician said the baby was breech, but she would most likely move in the next 20 weeks.  Also, she told us that my placenta was low, but again it would most likely move before the birth.

Sean's favorite thing we saw was her whole spine from head to bum.  It was so cool that we could see all the little bones from top to bottom down her whole back.

My favorite thing we saw was her little legs kicking in the amniotic fluid, it was getting all stirred up and looked like she was kicking up glitter in the womb.

We got some printed off pics of her and I scanned them and sent them all to my family.

My favorite is the profile with her little fist by her face!

I had totally prepared myself for the little one to be a boy.  Mostly because I really wanted a girl and didn't want to be disappointed when it was a boy.  I think I was very unsure of what the gender would be, but was definitely convincing myself it would be a boy.

I know I would have been excited either way, but I was pretty shocked when it was a girl.  I had been preparing myself so much for a boy that when she said it was a girl I was stunned.  I think Sean and I both were.  We were both silent, and I had little tears streaming down my face.  The tech must have been surprised by our reaction because she said, "Is that alright?"  She probably thought we were sitting in frustrated silence about our little lady.  It was definitely the opposite.

Sean thinks he will be a better first time dad to a little girl, and I am so excited to see him as our little baby girls Daddy.

It all feels more real now that we have a gender to put with the baby.  Now time for some baby girl clothes shopping.

Arthur

Yesterday, my district of missionaries headed off to their missions in South Carolina and San Antonio.  It was one more reminder that my time at the MTC is quickly coming to a close.  I will only be teaching one more district before I leave for good.  I will deal with those thoughts/emotions when the time comes.  I realized that I am 7 years older than the average missionary I teach, which makes me feel uncomfortable about the amount of time that has passed since I was in their shoes.  In accordance with what the youth are doing today, we took our district picture in the "selfie" pose.

L to R: Elder Adkins, Sister Johnson, Sister Smith, Elder Gajkowski, Elder Webb, Me, Sister Stidham, Sister Clawson

As part of my job at the MTC, certain missionaries teach me as I role play the part of an investigator.  They set up teaching appointments, and when they knock on the door of the classroom I am in, I go into character.  I do not break character the entire time they are teaching me.  I do what the investigator would do, say what he would say, and react to their message like the investigator would react.  Now, I am not a trained actor, but the experience is generally effective in helping simulate a meaningful teaching experience for the missionaries.  We have always been instructed to take on the role of someone that we know personally, so that our role play is as authentic as possible.  Most teachers take on the role of someone that they taught on their mission, and that is what I have done for the past three and a half years with my missionaries.  Until this district.  

Knowing that this might be my last district (It hadn't been confirmed at the time that I would teach one more), I decided that for the first time, I would take on the role of my grandfather.  Not to get sappy, but I thought about it carefully, because I wanted to make sure that the missionaries had good experiences, and that it didn't just become some self-serving, cathartic trip down memory lane.  So, when Sister Johnson & Sister Clawson knocked on the door for the first time, they met Arthur Walker.

The last picture of Grandpa and me before his passing.

I feel like I know quite a bit about my grandpa's conversion story.  He was baptized when he was 70, but had been attending church, and basically living like a member would for years and years.  I knew some concerns/doubts I could incorporate into the "character" as the sisters taught me, and gave answers to some of their questions that I thought that he would give, or in a lot of cases, that I had actually heard him give in similar real-life conversations.  It was a great experience for them and for me.  

Obviously the work I do at the MTC is very spiritual in nature for me.  All of the activities revolve around the principle of Heavenly Father teaching his missionaries through the Spirit.  There is no way to teach them everything they need to know before they hit the field, but if they can leave the MTC knowing where they can look to for the answers they need, and have had tangible experiences doing just that, I consider it a success.

As I have done this role play activity, I have learned that the Spirit guides me as a teacher just as much as the missionaries.  It has led me to ask certain questions, respond specific ways, and even feel distinct feelings all in the context of the "character".  It was those experiences as I played my grandpa that made the experience so great for me.  During the lessons, I felt things I didn't think I would feel, or didn't know Grandpa would have felt.  My simple concern about the validity of Joseph Smith as a prophet was suddenly accompanied by a more complex worry, and even intense guilt, for a failed marriage, Jim, and the pressures, responsibilities, and expectations of being a step-father.  I really felt like I walked a step or two in his shoes.

Now, I fully understand and am content with the fact that maybe Grandpa didn't say everything I said to the sisters, and maybe some of the feelings I felt or motivations I used weren't exactly how his conversion took place.  Honestly, it doesn't actually matter to me.  I didn't walk out of the experience thinking that I had discovered something that nobody else knew about my grandpa.  I did walk away with a greater appreciation and perspective for who he was, and what he went through.  I knew him the last quarter of his life, once he was weathered, and had been refined by a lot of his experiences.  I heard stories, but never had a mature conversation with him about his regrets and lessons learned regarding his relationships.  This  activity allowed me a glimpse of maybe what a conversation like that would have produced.  

I know that Heavenly Father knows His children.  God lives.  He loves Grandpa.  He loves me.  He loves Sister Clawson & Sister Johnson.  He loves you.  The MTC has afforded me unique opportunities and experiences, and I am grateful for the Spirit that dwells in those walls.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

This year is a special Mother's Day because Cory is pregnant.  Cory has that little baby all safe and snug, just like a good momma should, and that is a cause for celebration!



I have no doubt in my mind or heart that Cory is going to be an amazing mother to our children, mainly, because she is already an amazing mother to me.  Cory must have learned it from somewhere, which is why I can't now celebrate any Mother's Day without recognizing and feeling grateful for my mother-in-law, Buzz (a.k.a. Paula).

I will freely admit that I never expected to get along so well with my mother-in-law.  She is going to be such a fun grandma!  Cory and I went up for a surprise visit to tell her about the baby, and I mentioned to Cory how fun her house will be for our kids.  Buzz keeps us laughing, and taught me everything I know about horses.  Literally.

I am very grateful that Cory has her mother in her life, especially with all our exciting changes happening.  I know Buzz is and will continue to be a source of strength and wisdom for Cory throughout the pregnancy, which is good because she will be getting none of that from me...

Of course, no Mother's Day would be complete without going back to the reason for the season, my mother.  Nothing is ever quite as good as the original.  For a long time, my mother knew more about me than I knew about myself, and that is when I had to tell her to quit being so nosy!  

In all seriousness, though, I have you to thank for most of the successes I've had in my life.  The successes that you aren't responsible for were sheer dumb luck.  I have never questioned for a moment whether or not my mother loved me, or if she had my interests at heart.  I have laughed harder with you than anyone, cried more with you than anyone (though Cory might pass you soon. When did I get so sensitive?), and stayed up later watching movies with you than anyone.

Thank you for investing so much into me, and also into my wife.  I can't wait for our babies to be held by you, sung to by you, and spoiled by you.  Cory and I also won't mind being spoiled every once in a while.  You are now officially the babushka, or just Bushka for short.  Mama Bear, Mama Panda, Bushkamama, Panda Bushka, Mommy, Mom, you are one of a kind!

Save a ride with me to Neverland sometime!

We Don't Smoke...

I knew I wanted to tell my roommates about the baby in a fun way, so I got a few chocolate cigars and handed them out when we were out to lunch.  As you can tell from the picture, we don't actually know how to smoke cigars, but the chocolate was good and my best friends were excited about our news.  That's all you can really ask for.

Incognito...

As some of you may have noticed, there has been a serious lack of updates from us during the last few months.  Now that we have officially announced our pregnancy, hopefully updates will be more frequent.  In March I remember telling Cory, "Everything newsworthy happening to us right now is a secret."

Well, the secret is out, so expect more updates!

First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage, Then...

As a lot of you know already, Cory and I are a really attractive couple.  Also, we are having a baby!!! We announced our exciting news right after graduation, at about 16 weeks along.  We actually announced it on our two year anniversary, which seemed an appropriate way to celebrate.  We had been slowly telling family and close friends before the big reveal to the masses, and we are so excited for the new member of our little family to get here.  Mark October 12th on your calendar!!!

One of my graduation gifts was a actually a BYU athletic polo with a matching onesie, so now our little one will be prepared to watch the football games with me!

Graduation

I am a college graduate!!!

This weekend I graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.  I also minored in Spanish.  It was a little surreal during finals that my time at BYU was coming to a close, but when I walked across the Marriott Center as they called my name it kind of hit me like a wave of reality.  It's over.  A new chapter is starting.  I couldn't help but reflect on all that has happened to me in the last seven years since I graduated from high school.

Of course one of the most influential parts of that seven years was my two year mission to Argentina.  As Dad and I walked around snapping pictures, we couldn't pass up the chance to get a picture by the Argentine flag.  Those two years shaped who I am in a way I can't fully express on a blog.

Graduation was also a promise fulfilled to myself and my bros.  Back at 10 years old, Kyle and I committed to come to BYU together (Brett was going to go to the Air Force Academy, that jerk, but he later came to his senses and joined us in our goal) and here we are 15 years later on graduation day.  They both were commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the Air Force later that day, and report to pilot training later this summer.     

Of course, BYU's most valuable contribution to my life has to be my sweetheart, Cory.  We met here in Provo, and are now both BYU alumni!  She is more important to me than anything else I will be taking with me from my undergraduate career.  She and my parents have been my biggest supporters as I have finished up my degree and prepared to pursue further education in Memphis.

Her dad and grandma even came to celebrate with us for the weekend.  Jake and Anna also came to show their support.  Thanks guys!

Something I have inherited from my dad is that we both like to milk every nostalgic moment out of an experience, which is why we trekked around BYU campus taking pictures at every significant statue or sign.   

GO COUGARS!!!