Halloween and Fall Fun

I really just wanted to show off Derek dressed up as Woody for Halloween -- his work goes all out for Halloween (you can imagine his excitement).

His department all did Toy Story -- here is how they decorated their work area:

Here is his boss, Jeff, and also his counterpart Buzz Lightyear:

I don't remember Woody just chillin' in any of the scenes in Toy Story :)

We posted the video from the corn maze a few weeks ago, but here are some pictures from the corn maze fun -- tractors, pumpkins and a big corn maze!

We carved our own pumpkins too, I love the look on Grace's face in the background of this first picture:

Pictures of Grace, Ryan, and Derek in their costumes -- we had fun trick-or-treating down by Derek's parents house. Thanks to them!

Grace the pretty purple witch:

Ryan the dino:

Corn Maze

Derek is so funny sometimes, he decided to make this highlight video from today's trip to the pumpkin patch and corn maze. It's amazing to me what he accomplishes on a day off from work.

Anyway, this video also stars Grace's missing top front tooth, which she pulled out all by herself on Tuesday night. She is our own little Jack-O-Lantern and mentioned the "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" song the night she lost that tooth.

Enjoy the video:

Grace's Baptism - Aug 27, 2011

Some may have seen the great video Derek put together a few posts ago that was shown during the baptismal service, but it is about time we put pictures up from that beautiful day.

It was great to have so much family and friend support and the Spirit was very strong as we watched our sweet, little girl get baptized.

Here are some of the pictures from the day:

Grace and Derek

Grace with Bishop Francom (uncle Kurt :)

Grace with Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Dennis (Derek's parents)

Grace with Grandpapa (Melinda's dad)

Grace with Granny (Melinda's mom)

Grace with Grandma Clark (Derek's grandma, who played the piano beautifully for the baptismal service)

Derek with Grace (in their baptismal clothing)

Grace with Aunt Kelly (Derek's sister)

After the Baptismal service at the Stake Center, we had a nice luncheon. Thanks so much to President and Sister Ashby for allowing us to use their beautiful home and amazing back yard for the luncheon. It was a great day and the trees offered so much nice shade. President Ashby is the other counselor in the Stake Presidency that Derek serves in. We love President and Sister Ashby!

President Ashby made sure Grace's name was prominent in the cement at the entrance of the yard. She loved it!

Derek's sister, Shauna, with Derek's parents

Ryan being Ryan

President Ashby and Derek (or President Cullimore, to be formal...but I don't have to call him that :)

Grace with Uncle Hyrum

We love our kids!

Grace with Uncle Hyrum and Delilah Gunderson

Other shots from the luncheon:

Thank you so much to all that attended, it was a day we will never forget. We love you all! ~MC~

Get the Rod Out of Here!

A week ago yesterday (Sept 1st) I had a pretty intense surgery on my leg -- 3rd one on this leg now. They repaired some meniscus that was damaged in my knee, but the big one was that they went in and removed this titanium rod and screws that had been hosted in my leg for the last 2+ years now. My recovery is going slower than I would like, but I thought you would all get a kick out of seeing the rod they removed. They had to drill it out of the bone it was driven straight down through to connect my broken tibia during my baseball injury 2+ years ago now. I am trying to figure out which project around the house I can integrate this titanium rod into :)

Grace's Baptism Video

This last Saturday, August 27th, Grace was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I put together this baptism video that was shown this last Saturday while she was drying off, changing, etc.





I am thinking of adding the pictures from the luncheon, etc. to the end of the video and adding an additional song.

-DC-

Happy Fish of July Weekend!

Headed out early Saturday morning (5am, mind you) to do some fishing with my buddy, Rusty.

It was a blast! We headed out to Utah Lake and fought the gnats, overnight campers, and annoying boaters to get some good cat-fishing going.

After a frustrating little while of mud-cats and channel-cats toying with us, we had some success.

Nice catfish!

Rusty also did a fair amount of bow-fishing, he nailed two in one shot with his arrow, quite impressive!

Happy 4th everyone!

Must be that time of year...

You know March Madness is upon us when your treats/desserts begin looking like this:

Melinda makes amazing food and desserts for our family and this one has to be one of my favorites because it represents the best time of the year...MARCH MADNESS!!!

Grace agrees!

Derek's New Calling -- Lots of Change

On January 22nd Derek went to go have an interview at the Stake Center with Elder Christoffel Golden Jr. of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy and Elder Patrick H. Price, an Area Seventy. He knew for a few weeks that this interview would be happening because all the Bishops in the Stake were involved in the interview process to select a new Stake President. Here is the picture that was taken in advance of this interview so the presiding authorities could see all of the people they would be interviewing ahead of time:

So Derek went and said the Spirit was strong and that is was a great interview. He then changed back into his casual clothes and we had lunch and resumed our normal Saturday activities. At about 2:30pm Derek got a call from the outgoing Stake President, who we love and miss, President Moore. Here is a picture of Derek with President Moore a few weeks before President Moore was released:
President Moore said that Elder Golden and Elder Price needed to meet with the whole family as soon as we could get back to the Stake Center. We hurried over there and had Derek's new calling extended to us. He is now the 2nd Counselor in the Stake Presidency.

It was so amazing to meet with Elder Golden and Elder Price and to have so much time with them that weekend. Derek was quite surprised and overwhelmed and is really going to miss being Bishop of the Lee Ward. That is our ward and we love it!

We had the chance to be instructed by the general authorities early Sunday morning for about 2 and a half hours with this group:

This is the new Stake Presidency, their wives, and the presiding and visiting authorities.

Here is the new Stake Presidency:

From L to R (President Ashby, 1st counselor/ President Bulut, Stake President/ President Cullimore, 2nd counselor)

Here is Elder Golden talking to Derek's parents and grandma:

This last Sunday Derek was released as Bishop of the Lee Ward (he had 2 weeks of double duty with both callings) and we got a picture of him with the 3 counselors that served with him:

From L to R: (Nick Romriell (original 2nd counselor and then served as 1st counselor), John Riggs (original 1st counselor), Derek, and Rusty Robinson (served as 2nd counselor))

Bishop Cullimore and Bishop Francom (newly called Lee Ward Bishop)

Here is a family picture with Elder Golden (left) and Elder Price (right)

We feel so humbled for this chance to serve in this new capacity. President Bulut and President Ashby are amazing men and we are excited to serve with them and their families. We loved the chance that Derek had to be Bishop of the Lee Ward for the last 2 years and, although it ended sooner than we thought it would, it has been an amazing experience.

We love you all!