Did it snow where you grew up? If so, what did you do in the snow?

When we lived in California it was a rare occurance to have snow. I remember once when it snowed we woke up in the morning and went in to our parents room to tell them it had snowed. THey didn't believe us and had to look out the window to check for themselves. It didn't snow a lot but enough that we could go out and have a good time in it as a family.

When we moved to WA we did get snow each winter. Not usually many days, and usually it would snow and be gone by the end of the day. I remember the first summer we lived there we would sled down the hill because not many cars could actually make it up the hill. Shortly after that many people ended up buying 4 wheel drives so it was no longer "safe" to sled down. We also enjoyed going into the woods behind our house to do some sledding. I remember playing in the snow with the neighborhood kids (Tova and Kara). One thing we enjoyed doing was getting in Tova's hot tub and then jumping out to do snow angels and then getting back in! :)

Mom would always have hot cocoa waiting for us when we would decide we were too wet and cold to play outside. We'd come in and get warmed up and usually end up back outside.

As a family we also enjoyed the snow! Snowball fights, walks down the street to enjoy the beauty, building snowmen and just having a good time.

As I have gotten older I have decided that I don't like the snow so much. I don't enjoy getting cold and wet and the snow only makes it harder to go places. I do think the world looks very pretty after a snowfall but would rather enjoy it from the inside than being out in the middle of it!

What are you frightened of? Why?

When I first read this question I immediately thought, "that's easy, 'failure'." When I was in junior high and high school I wouldn't try out for the school volleyball team because I was afraid I wouldn't make the team. I have to remind myself that I can't sit back and not go for something just because I am afriad of failing. This is a constant battle for me.

A year ago my teammate Joan transferred to a new school and it left me at my current school with two new teammates. I was worried about having to do the Shakespeare play, broadcast and other activities that we had going with the 6th grade by myself (the teachers hired were new and didn't have any experience with it). I was afraid I would fail at being a 6th grade teacher. but I proved to myself I could do it!

At times I am afraid of where our world is coming to. The family is not a strong central unit anymore. Family dynamics are changing. Kids are spending more time home without mom or dad. Many parents are getting divorced and it's not being looked down on. Same sex marriage is becoming ok in the eyes of many Americans. I am grateful that we have the family proclamation to guide us and help us keep the family unit strong. We have to remind ourselves that if we are prepared we shall not fear. We need to make sure we are doing our part to be prepared for the waves that come our way!

Tell about your Father: personality, talents,temperament, family stories about him, his role in your home etc.

I have many great memories with my dad! Ever since I was old enough to understand the dangers of a gun and how to handle a gun safely my dad has taken me shooting! We started out target shooting. He would often take the young men and young women shooting for their mutual activities too. To this day I enjoy, and look forward to, the times when we get to go shooting. We now go trap shooting and I enjoy that much more than target shooting.

Dad has always been one to love working with the scouts. He loves to go to scout camp and to help in any way needed. He sees the importance with scouting and wants to instill the love for scouting in the young men. He has stories he will never live down, like the dutch oven cobbler!

Dad takes his membership in the church seriously. I often see him studying his scriptures and writing in his journal. He is an example to me in both of these areas. He has always been a worthy priesthood holder and able to give me a blessing anytime needed. He always gave us kids a father's blessing before the first day of each school year. He magnifies his calling and always completes his home teaching.

Dad has worked for the navy as long as I can remember. He was a ship scheduler at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard when we moved to WA. He is now retired and fills his time with working as a drivers ed trainer and a tax guy (I don;t know the term). He also is involved in a corvette club and the gun club.

Dad has always been a tease! I guess that's where I get it from! He always has to one up us so you don;t start something unless you are willing for dad to get you back even better. One night mom and dad were headed to bed and so I went up the stairs before them. I turned on my bedroom light and shut my door (so mom and dad would think I was in my room) but went into their bathroom and stood right inside the shower. I wanted to scare my dad! They came up and dad went into the bathroom to brush his teeth. When he walked in I came out of the shower and said "Boo." I will never forget how high he jumped and the scream he made. It was amazing! Usually I don;t get him but this time I succeeded!

As we were growing up (and still to this day) if we got hurt but there wasn;t any blood dad would tell us "there's no blood, so it doesn;t hurt." Not the most sympathetic. Well, this has come back to haunt him many times. Like when he fell off the tall ladder and crushed his heal, or when he fell of the roof and hurt his shoulder really bad, or when he was in the hospital with blood clots. Each time he gets injured we remind him "there's no blood so it must not hurt."

Dad also bets on football games with us! He and I use to bet on the NFL monday night football but last year we started betting on the BYU cougar football. We bet a candy bar each week. Our conversations on the phone cna last a LONG time as we determine who will take which team and how many points the one with the favored team will give the other person. He is a scrooge when it comes to trying to get him to give me points! I have to stand my ground and hope I can wear him down and he will give in and give me some points. :)