Where oh where are you tonight?

OK OK. I know I haven’t been here in a while. So let’s move own. So much has happened in the year and a half I have been gone. I am not gonna try to catch up everything. Suffice it to say there have been changes. Dallin won the state championship in pee wee football for 12 year olds, Amanda's twins turned four, Hailey started High School, Jenn is getting married this summer, Jeremy and Eliza had number 5, Aimee is going to have a baby in April, (that’s 15 total grandchildren if you are counting) Cooper gave his first talk in primary, Jeremy is the gospel doctrine teacher in his ward, and I am the bishop of my ward. (Shocking) That’s about all I guess.The picture is our oungest grandchild. She just turned one. I sure love my wife, I am still having joy in my posterity. Love my family and the Lord's tender mercies.

A quote from an Ancient Prophet

Weather yo believe like I do or not the message is the same. An Ancient American prophet said the following. I know it to be true. 9 Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the and of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to take away the land of their inheritance; and they shall dwell safely forever. 10 But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord—having a knowledge of the creation of the earth, and all men, knowing the great and marvelous works of the Lord from the creation of the world; having power given them to do all things by faith; having all the commandments from the beginning, and having been brought by his infinite goodness into this precious land of promise—behold, I say, if the day shall come that they will reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Redeemer and their God, behold, the judgments of him that is just shall rest upon them. Look out cause it's a coming.

Great CCR Song from the past

"Just got home from Illinois, lock the front door, oh boy. Got to sit down and take a rest on the porch." Only we just got back from Flagstff, but oh boy is right. We had a wonderful time. Great to see some of my kids and grandkids. We saw deer from our condo, played games, sat and talked, swam, "chilled" in the Spa, played pool, went miniture golfing, played the local pitch and putt golf course, went to the Grand Canyon, and rode the desperado. Absolutely MAGNIFICENT. YEs I am having joy in my posterity.

Happy Fourth of July on the 3rd

Going to the park today to celebrate the 4th of July. Got to keep the Sabbath day holy tomorrow. Barbecue, fireworks, and friends. It just doesn't get any better than that. Hope yours is as good as mine is going to be. Only one thing better, and that's to have the rest of my family here. " I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy, a Yankee doodle do or die. A nephew of my Uncle Sam, born on the fourth of July." Maybe some pictures with my new IPhone4 to follow. Stay on the edge of your seats fans and I will deliver.

Just a few things that have happened.

I haven't updated in a while, so here it is.

1. I won a biggest loser contest in our office. The first prize was $800.00. I lost 61 pounds, no I don't have dyslexia, I lost sixty-one pounds. That's my current picture to the right.

2. I just got back from a backpacking trip to the Sierras. It was just awesome. Good times with great friends, good food. I took a video - go to youtube - "weaver lake June 2010".

3. We are headed to Flagstaff for a family reunion with our kids. Hope they all get to go. I am really excited to see them. I love my family so much. Nothing more important than family..

4. Most of you know we have 13 grandchildren. Well that's going to change to 14 in January of 2011. Jeremy and Eliza are expecting their 5th. Can't wait. How blessed are we? VERY!!!

5. A week ago I passed my ham operators license. Yes I am an official ham............ radio operator.

6. I am walking 5 miles before work, about 5 days a week. Because I have lost 61 pounds, I am thinking about running a triathlon (sprint- you know a short version) before my 60th birthday.

7. I am a devout Lakers fan an I am so excited that the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA title. And they beat the (yucky) Celtics. My daughter Amanda's family likes the Lakers too! Can't you tell. Go Lakers Go!!!!

8. Fathers day was just plain awesome. I got to hear from all my kids and several of my grandchildren said La lou papa.....translation love you papa.

Well that's all folks....at least for now.

Oh my Gosh!!! Better than I imangined!!!!

I am in NM and it was so fun to see the Clyde's. The TX Clement's are on their way. Seven out of my thirteen grandchildren will be here. Can't wait. The twins when prompted with "what does a conductor say", they respond with "All Abroad". I agree with you, it is the cutest thing I ever heard. So Anita got on line 2 weeks ago and bought them conductor hats, red bandannas, and a train whistle. Brink loved them Braxton, not so much, Brady goes along wiht anything. Love those smiles. Yes I got lots of hug and kisses. Is there anything better than having joy in one's posterity? If there is, I haven't found it.

Shot his age!!!

I wanted to give a shout out to my dad. My 78 year dad. He went golfing Wednesday and shot his age. Yep, he shot 39 on the front nine and 39 on the back. For all you golfers about there, you know what an amazing feat this is. A 78. WOW! That's awesome. Way to go dad. You have always been my hero. The picture is from his 77th birthday party.

I'm leaving on a jet plane......

Guess who is going to get on a plane and go see their grand babies? Yep it's me. Going to NM and help put in some sprinklers and grass for a backyard. Oh yeah there is going to be some tickle time and some lovin time as well. Can't wait. I will get to see 7 of my 13. Not bad odds, but not good enough. But I am counting on the blessings of the temple to have them all for Eternity. Yep Joy in my posterity. Families are forever!!!

Randy’s Movie Review.

Well we did it again. We went to the dollar theater. It should be the 2 dollar theater though. We saw ‘The Tooth Fairy” with Dwayne Johnson. Loved it. Yes it is predictable. Yes it is corny. But I like corny, it’s who I am. I love happy movies, with no sexual content, no profanity, and portray a good moral. The world needs a whole lot more “Corny”. It was funny, entertaining, heartwarming, and had a happy ending. Like I said before I am for anything that is rated PG. Again I give it two thumbs up.

Wild Flowers

Saturday afternoon, my wife and I took a drive up to the mountains near our home. We went to see the beautiful wild flowers that bloom each spring on the hill sides. STUNNING!! Our camera’s battery was dead so we took pictures with my IPhone. They turned out ok, but do not do the view justice. Simply Amazing!! We highly recommend the trip.

Biggest Loser Update

We added another person and the pot is up to a paltry $800.00 smackeroos. Yes Lucy that's $800.00 cash. That will buy a lot cheese and crackers, yogos, and crayons. If you know what I mean.

In It to Win it!!!!

Well it's on! We all weighed in this morning for our office's 90 day "biggest Loser" competition, with $700.00 in the pot. Now for the yucky part, dieting. Oh well here goes. June 21 is the big "Weigh In". Wish me luck.

Movie Review

Anita and I went to the dollar theater last week and saw "Old Dogs" staring Robin Williams and John Travolta. Outstanding. Very funny and it's rated PG. It flows really well, moves quickly, and made me laugh a whole lot. I am for any movie that is funny, entertaining, has a happy ending, and is rated PG. I give this movie two thumbs up. Let me know if you see it and if you like it. Yes as a matter of fact, I do like attention. Why do you ask?

Another Beaufiful Family

Just beauftiful. I know what you are thinking. Yes I am a very lucky Papa. I am 'COUNTINUALLY having fun in MY Posterity!!!

Now that's a BEAUTIFUL Family!!!!

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words. Can you feel what's in my heart?

Still Hanging in There

Yes, I am still hanging in there. Hanging where you say? I am still doing the P90X workout. I started Jan 8 and have been very consistent. I workout 6 days a week, and I have only missed about 4 days. What puzzles me I have only lost 10 pounds. So for three weeks now I have been meeting two guys in the ward at 6am and we walk until about 7am. We always walk 2.7 and sometimes we walk 3 miles. I am also doing my "bring it" workout(P90X) workout at noon. You'd think I'd drop weight really fast, I guess I am also going to have to diet. Yuck!! Keep a good thought for me and if yo think of it, pray for my success. I need it. This last week I also started back to the temple every Tuesday Morning. I get up at 2:15, yes that's A.M., and leave by 3, yes that's am. What a great place to spend a morning. I am preparing in mortality, to have Joy in my posterity in Immortality!!! I am Clestial bound, at least I hope.

Week 4 is in the Books!!

I know it may be mundane for everyone else, but it's news to me. I have completed the P90X workout for 4 weeks now. Tomorrow starts week 5. Yeah for me. The rest/recovery week was very hard, plus I walked a total of 10 miles last week. BooYaw!! Soon I want to go back to Live Oak park and play ball with my friend Chocolate Thunder (Frank E.) Are ya with me C.T.?

Negotiating with a 3 and 5 Year Old, Ain't Easy

So many toys, so little time!!

Andi trying to get more balls

Playing foosball

So a lady in our ward is PG, we'll call her Jill. I bet her that she was going to have a boy. She has 3 girls, whom all three I adore. I know with each pregnancy, the odds do not change. She said no I feel it's a girl. I said I am so sure, if you have a girl, I'll take the girls to John's incredible Pizza. Well she is having a boy and I won. At least that's what I thought. At church last Sunday, we were all sitting together and the girls asked when we were going out for pizza. I said I won the bet and we are not going. They each looked at me and giggled and said yeah but when are we going. Then the mom said he won, you don't get to go. The oldest said yeah but he is taking us anyway and looked at me. Well we went yesterday. Enjoy the pictures cause I had a great time taking them. I took them with my iPhone, quality not too good.

NO Way, 3 Weeks!!!

Yes it's official, I have lasted 3 weeks. Three weeks of what you say? Three weeks of P90X, that's what. No that's not how many times I use the bath room at night. Close, but no cigar. Down 12 pounds and a little stronger. No I am not ready to pull off my shirt at the beach, but I am a little healthier. Monday starts week four. Wahoo! It won't be long and you can call me Randy Swartzenager, or maybe just hey you.

Way to go Jake!!!!

I wanted to give a shout out to one of the coolest human beings on planet earth. My grandson Jacob. He won the pinewood derby this morning in his area, and set a new course record doing it. He won the finals by 2 car lengths. Last night while tweaking one of the front tires, a piece of wood broke on the car that holds one of the front wheels. He was so sad. But with determination, super glue, and some cool work by his dad, all was saved. I told him last night not to worry, that someone had to lose before someone could win, so be a good sport no matter what. He said he would. He called me latter that night to tell me that he and his dad thought the car might be fixed. Jacob said not to worry papa, I know you were worried for me and I wanted to tell you it would be OK. My 10 year old grandson told me it would be OK. And it was. What a kid! Sure love that boy. Anyway CONGRATULATIONS JACOB!!!

Yeah for Week Two!!!!

Wow! I know I can’t believe it either. Today marks the completion of week two of P90X. I have lost 8 pounds and I am definitely stronger. I went out and walked 3 miles today and did it much, much easier than I did the last time I walked. Yes that is a very good observance, I am not fit yet, but I am better than I was last week. My blood sugar is in the normal range and that hasn’t happened in a while. I still have a long ways to go, but I am closer than I was last week at this time. Wish me luck

Who is Working out, are you Kidding me!!!!!

Yeah it's true. I wasn't going to saying anything, but maybe some public commitment and some helpful encouragement will keep me motivated. I just finished week..... are you ready for this. WEEK ONE. Yeah. It's official, I just finished week one of P90X. Yes the Beach Body workout. I am not fooling myself and thinking I will ever have a beach body, but like the old Chinese proverb say, "Longest journey begins with a single step". . I just don't want to have a stroke or an heart attack. Two of my daughters and two of my sons-in-laws are doing it also. I took my measurements and some pre pictures to get started. Pictures may be too graphic for the public. I always thought yoga was for wimps or people who weren't athletic. Boy oh boy was I wrong. The yoga day was one of the hardest. To start off I could only do 5 pushups and 1 pull up. Let's see what I can do in 90 days. January 8 was the day so April 8 will see.

Who wants a autograph??

Amanda told me that she and the three kidos went to a doctors appointment today. She got everyone up at 6:30 and got them dressed and out the door by 7:30. Just the four of them. She said the twins were wearing their sunglasses and were wearing them the whole time in the car. I said honey please take a picture. Being the super duper kid that she is she pulled over into a parking lot and whipped out her trusty camera. You get to see the results. I know what you are thinking, and yes I am a very blessed father and grandfather. I know I am biased by those are some very cute kids. Yeah Yeah, I am having joy in my posterity.

What a great time.

I know it's been a couple of days since my last post, but I don't think anyone noticed. We went to NM for Christmas and had an incredible time. We drove over 2,000 miles and had the company of two of our girls on the trip. We listened to several conference talks, and several talk by John Bytheway, and of lot of oldies but goodies. We got to see all our children and all our grandchildren. It snowed several times, 9 degrees one day in NM and 75 in AZ a week later. We saw Avitar in 3D Imax, fantastic, went to the park, had great food, made and decorated sugar cookies,opened presents, hugged and kissed a lot of grandchildren. There was reading a bedtime story, tickle time, hide and seek with flashlights, board games, chatting, ne of my favorites,just great times with great people. We even went repelling in AZ. Yes that's me in one of those pictures going off a 100 foot cliff. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I did taking them and looking at them later. Such JOY in our posterity.