New web site - new job

Since returning from the Beijing Olympics, my work at the Deseret News has gone from sports writing to writing for the Church News section. Several weeks ago, I was asked to accept a new position in Church News - that of assistant editor, with responsibility over online content.

We are in the process of creating a new Church News web site - one that will be available for free to anyone throughout the world. Previously, the Church News' printed section was available for subscription with the Deseret News in the state of Utah, mail subscription outside the state of Utah and online for a $20 annual fee.

The First Presidency recently approved our request to make the Church News available for free - one of my primary jobs will be to make sure we have fresh content every day - right now, we transfer the Saturday section from the printed edition online once a week.

Also, we're in the process of testing a Beta version of the Web site. We still making improvements and changes all the time, but feel free to visit ... feel free to tell your family and friends, too. There will be some bigger announcements right around the first of the year.

The Web site for the Beta version is ldschurchnews.com/home/ (you need both back-slashes).

Aren't You Glad We Like Each Other?

You know...I look at Michelle's blog and how often she writes and how many cute things her little kids do and sort of miss those days.

But then we have some of those days around here too...not the funny old days when Breanna used to lick the sidewalk just to see how it tasted, or when Jenna jumped on the bed yelling "When I grow up and get married, I'm living alone"...yeah Tyrel...see what happens?

No, we have the "older generation" of kids to relate to on a daily basis and it may not be so funny all the time, but I find it immensely satisfying.

Jenna calls all the time to check in and report on day to day events and wanting to know the details of each life away from hers.

Austin and Laura come over regularly to hang out with us and to help Braden feel like he is not an only child...oh yeah, and to play XBox with him too!

Breanna calls and comes over and shares all the fun details of life at BYU and in the apartment...and brings tasty recipes or some pomegranate 7-up..yum!  She also takes Braden to play D&D now so they have a weekly date as well. What good siblings!

A while back Braden commented just out of the blue..."I'm glad we like each other in our family."  I asked why he was thinking about that and he told me that he hears so many kids at school or church saying things about their families that are negative or rude.  I told him that hopefully, some are just trying to get attention or seem cool to talk that way, but that I as well have friends that just do not like each other in extended family situations, or that just have crazy, mixed-up families.

So, "Aren't you glad we like each other?"  I know that I am glad!!!  We just love all our family and all our extended family.  We love Tyrel and Laura's families that we have added to our own and cannot imagine not having them in our circle as well.  

We appreciate all the great examples from all of you and want to tell you THANKS at this time of year.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all of you!!

BYU Tailgate

We followed a tradition that we started a couple years ago to host a "tailgate party" when the BYU vs. Utah game was "away."

Addie checks out our "Cougar" in a suspicious way!

Laura and Amanda decorated the tailgate in "true blue" cougar fashion for the event!

Braden invited over a bunch of friends to play some football in the yard and eat tons of food and yell and scream during the game.

It was humerous to see the mass exodus of middle school age boys to the kitchen at each commercial break or time out!  Thank goodness for lots of nachos!

We were pretty excited for the BYU team chances to win the game until halftime...and then it was one interception after another to a sad defeat.

But any woe can be gladdened by another hour or so of football under the street lights on a nice November evening! So...GO BYU!  We can't wait for next year!!