Happy Birthday Max

I just wanted to post some pictures of Max on his 2nd birthday since I'm sure Allison is busy baking a cake and wrapping presents. I love all my nephews and Max has been such a joy to have in our family. We love him!
Happy 2nd Birthday Max!

Studious Alex

Alex stopped by today to show us his new glasses. He said "I really don't need them but I can do my math better with them." We aren't sure how you can be better than the best but more power to him. He won't find out how it affects his skiing until tomorrow when the family goes to Park City to watch Sam race again. We wish her good luck.

Happy Birthday Polly!

I can't believe she is two! Nothing brings me more happiness and tests my patience at the same time more than being a mom. We love having her in our family & look forward to all the years to come. I wish I had more to say besides how much I love her, but it's been a pretty long day so I'll get going with some pictures. You know I didn't just choose a few either. :)

Jack says Bring it On

Weekend storm dumps chest deep snow in the backyard? No problem, says Jack, I'll just eat my way out.

Snowbanks next the sidewalk make Jack look like he's about to get swallowed up in a double overhead wave.

Enough is enough... NEVER!!!

Enough is enough... NEVER!!! It's only enough if your snowblower is broken during one of the biggest snow weeks on record. (I was gone most of the week so Shelly had to shovel the snow, one more reason I lover her). It is a good thing one of the favorite sons, Bob, stayed a couple extra days to help dig out Twin Pine Ranch, thanks. I guess it can be too much if the possey can't ski a decent groomer at the Beav... As always, Pray for Snow!

Grandma Emmett schussing at da 'Bird

No....... Not THAT Grandma Emmett..... and btw, this is not the Grandma Emmett from Smithfield or Charleston either. This is Grandma Emmett from Irvine.

Brian seems to have shadows under his skis

John has the governor off

While Annie, John, Brian and I waited for Sam's second run at Snowbird today, we were able to get in a couple of fun runs. These photos are on a groomer in Mineral Basin. This is a much different scene than the day before when Chad joined Brian, John and me to ski close to 30 inches of fresh powder. Snowbird reported 22 inches, but the wind blew several bonus inches into Mineral Basin. The windy and snowy weather kept the crowd low so we were still getting fresh tracks up until lunch - which is very rare at Snowbird. One of those extremely rare days where each turn brought a face full of snow. Chad even gave me permission to describe it as EPIC.

Sam owns the podium

Some of the Irvine Emmetts were treated to a front row seat watching Sam wear the Emmett colors proudly (they look a lot like Canada's colors) at a Slalom race today at Snowbird. Wow. Not only does Sam look "fetching" (her word) in her race suit, she also looks smooth and fast. Very fast. We missed her first run by just seconds but we were in for a treat watching her second run. She dominated. I have 30 photos to prove it. Here's two for your viewing pleasure. If you look close you can see her cousin John and mom on the left hand side of the photo at the finish line. She proved her all around talent by finishing second in her first skill event to go along with her 3rd place finish last week in the Super G - a speed event. She can do it all. Please forward any interview requests to her new agent - Uncle Bob.

Happy Birthday Elder Emmett

Elder Mikey is celebrating a birthday tomorrow!! How lucky is that to have a birthday on P-day? He is representing the Lord, himself and his family well. His enthusiasm for the work is inspiring and infectious. His smile alone makes investigators of the gospel want to learn why he is so happy. We are very proud of him.

Update: Kristin's tribute to her baby brother is here

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Kristin's thoughts are here

Lonely No Longer

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/beloved-church-president-gordon-b-hinckley-dies-at-97

Sadly tonight we learned of the passing of our Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley. He passed away at about 7:00pm MST. Two weeks ago, President Hinckley spoke via satellite at our Stake Conference which was broadcast to all of southern California. I'm not sure if his talk was live, or a tape of an earlier talk. Either way, he was showing the signs of his age. He mentioned, as he has on several occasions recently, that his has been lonely since the passing of his wife, Marjorie, in 2004.

Tonight I was in a multi-stake Young Single Adult planning meeting with Priesthood and youth leaders from neighboring stakes. Following our meeting, I was waiting for the prayer meeting of the YSA fireside to begin. Elder Joe J. Christensen, former member of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy, San Diego Temple President and Provo MTC President was scheduled to be the speaker. Just before our meeting at 7:00PM, President Clayton of the Newport Beach Stake stopped by to tell us the sad news. Since I was presiding at the YSA fireside that was about to begin, it was decided that I would make the announcement prior to the start of the fireside. As I walked to the chapel, I called mom and dad to confirm the news, which they did. As the meeting was about to begin, I could see several in the audience checking text messages as the news began to spread. The chapel and over flow were filled with about 500 young adults when I stood up to make the announcement. It was very difficult to make the announcement because there were already many faces with tear filled eyes looking up at me.

The fireside was great. Elder Christensen adapted his remarks to share some touching experiences. I'll always remember the great spirit I felt the few times I fortunate enough to be in the presence of President Hinckley - the most special of which was seeing President Hinckley stop and wave to us with his cane as he walked down the hallway of the Newport Beach Temple during the dedication.

We will all miss him.

January Skiing - Sam, Mac & Alex

Alex dropping the rock on the Back-Side of Beaver


Mac looking over the race list.


Mac on the Back-Side of Beaver, steep and deep!


Both Sam and Mac are #1


In the Needles Express Gondola


Alex taking a break waiting for Sam to race.






Sam letting them run....


Sam finished 3rd in her age group (ages 14-16) at the Snowbasin Super-G
with teams from Park City to Sun Valley....

Nao pode escecer das fotos

Ben at the baptism of Rose who he and his companion, Elder Preston, taught and two brothers who he can't remember their names but were taught by Elder Neilson (his MTC companion) and Elder Mello.


Ben and Elder Mello who has a huge crush on Molly.

J & L Dr. Pepper Pub

Of course, you recognize the picture on the wall. The Dr. Pepper was given to us by Jake's first counselor. It's bottled in Dublin, TX with Imperial Sugar rather than corn syrup. It's extra yummy! J & L Dr. Pepper Pub is only open at 10:00, 2:00 and 4:00 to relatives and very close friends. Reservations are recommended but not necessary.

The Proposal: Brian and Jackie

This was the original place I wanted to do it but it turns out there was already a guy asking a girl to marry him down there. The area was blocked off and we got their limo driver to take this picture. You can see the other couple hogging the space just next to my elbow. I was getting nervous because my plan wasn't working but I decided to go and try to find another place.
We asked a lady to take some pictures for us and she willing did. She kept asking me questions on how I wanted to the pictures and I was just so nervous that I wasn't really answering her questions. We then switched spots and I got her to take this video, even though she didn't know she was going to be filming.





She said she would marry me! It might be hard to hear on the video but she said it.



After the proposal we went to Mozambique, a restaurant in Laguna Beach. It was a lot nicer than the Mozambique Jackie and I came to know and love.