Blessing

Hi Gang,

Greetings from the bonnie land of Scotland. Nano and I are here enjoying the hospitality of Jordan, Char, Oliver, and Benjamin.

The highlight of our trip has been the blessing of
Benjamin Jordan. Nano remarked on a fascinating bit of Schneider trivia. Our three oldest grandsons were blessed on the same day, and our three youngest grandsons were born on the same day of the year. Benjamin is the sweetest little guy. One of the few times I've heard him fuss is when his dad was blessing him. More later. Oliver needs the computer.

Luv,
Gramps

THOSE BUTTERFLIES REALLY GET AROUND

And to add to Auntie Lindsay's post -
Guess what Caleb and Julian were excited to find at Disneyland - right near the petting zoo?!
(Look carefully at the flower on top)

BRIDGES ON THE RIVER DEE

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Each time we come to Scotland we find something different to amaze us. This time of course the amazement centers on Baby Ben. He’s absolutely beautiful. Grandpa’s post will tell us more. That’s because this month I'm the one who says something about
On Your Way Home. And I’ll do that by telling about an amazing hike I took yesterday.

The Schneider car has room for five, not six, so yesterday Char and sons went to visit a friend while Grandpa, Jord and I took a drive to the picturesque and charming village of Ballater. Its claim to fame is that it’s next door to the royal hideaway of Balmoral Castle.
While the guys played golf I decided to explore the area. I’d heard there were some ‘lovely’ walk/rambles nearby so I stopped in at Tourist Info. The lady at the desk told me, in singsong Scottish, that her favorite hike takes you five miles (8 km!) into the foothills nearby. It’s called the ‘Seven Bridge Trail’ because you cross the River Dee seven different times. So I started out. The scenery was spectacular! The directions said that I’d cross a footbridge (bridge #2) and after that I’d take a turn uphill.
Well my idea of a footbridge is like the one in the photo above (bridge #4) so when I came to an uphill turn I thought ‘This can’t be the turn. I haven’t crossed any footbridge.’ So I kept going and going until I found myself in a horse pasture. Then I kept going until I couldn’t go any further. I was literally in someone’s backyard.
So then I realized I MUST NOT have noticed when I crossed the real footbridge so I backtracked to the uphill turn. I followed that until I came to a road. But wait, I was NOT supposed to be at a road! So I decided to take another look at the directions! And I realized I hadn't read them right - I WAS supposed to be at a road.

Needless to say by that time the map said I was a quarter of the way done but an entire hour had gone by. And now I wasn’t having a good time or enjoying the spectacular scenery.

So by now you’ve guessed what the analogy is to On Your Way Home.

Recognize all footbridges for the
opportunities they are to point you on your path.
Read the directions. They'll get you to where you need to go.
And then you'll enjoy the scenery because you're On the Way Home.
BTW - after I took the advice above, it really was an amazing hike!

Cooking

So one of the new things I am improve is my cooking skills. I have decided that after seven years of essentially living away from home and being malnourished it is time to eat well this year. So far this resolution has not been entirely successful what with the hundreds of pages of law school textbooks I have to plough through not to mention a newfound love of watching football with my roomates, the Champions League, the start of the Edmonton Oilers season, intramural sports, running and just a general lacksadaisacal disposition that I have to fight against everyday plus all these dates I've been going on lately (jk don't want to get your hopes up Momma) I just haven't had the time.

Anyways, I am currently getting my collection of recipes together so if any of you guys have any good recipes you've discovered lately please let me know I particularly enjoy fruit salads, creme brule, light regular salads with balsamic vinegar dressings no I'm sorry that's another terrible joke. I like meat, I've read portions of Omnivore's Dilemma, I've read about the bad things about red meat but I just can't turn away. In fact I got an appointment with my butcher this saturday to bbq another brisket so (and this is no joke) if anybody has a good colesaw recipe let me know. PS- I will have pictures of Peru soon. Ok I gotta go

Dear Julian and Caleb

I have seen your butterflies twice already!! Once last week, flying over the kindergartener's playground, and once this weekend all the way over here in Santa Monica!!

Abu Dhabi group seeks to make big impact in EPL

One of the most interesting stories this year will be how Manchester City FC will fare. Outsiders and critics describe it as “a small club with a small mentality” that has not won very much in the last 20 years. But after what happened last season that could all change very quickly. The club was bought by oil rich Abu Dhabi United Group from Dubai with the goal of making Manchester City FC the biggest club in the Premier League. It’s been another example of huge foreign investment channelled into one team similar to how Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich invested in Chelsea FC a few years back.

The new owners wasted no time in luring some of the top players from the league and abroad including Brazilian Robinho and England National player Gareth Barry. They even managed to lure Argentinean Carlos Tevez from rivals and recent league champions Manchester United which will undoubtedly cause even more bad blood between the two long-standing Manchester rivals (which has been fairly lopsided in Manchester United's favour for the last several years). So with reportedly sky high wages for their new players and extremely lucrative bonuses to win certain games against the other top teams it will be interesting to see whether the wealthy Dubai owners will succeed in bringing big time success to the team.

X factor here we come....

Here's a little clip that my mom filmed about two weeks after Ben was born.

There's a first time for everything!

Ok, I've had a lot of firsts lately, and most of them have to do with living on your own at college. But this first is a little different- I got a black eye. I did not get in some kind of gang fight, which would probably be a more interesting story.
I was playing capture the flag. In fact, it was an attempt to break the World Record for the biggest game of capture the flag ever played. And we did break it! (The record was 1200 and we had 1280 or something like that.) However, the excitement came at a price for me. It was really dark, and all I could see was the blue and yellow glow stick bracelets that everyone was wearing to identify which team they were on. The game had just started and I was doing my duty, trying to tag people coming into our yellow territory, when all of a sudden I find myself knocked onto the ground with a throbbing pain just below my eye. I felt so dizzy and disoriented that I barely realized what happened. My friend Spencer said "whoaa are you ok?" I had apparently just run into one of the girls I was trying to tag. The appropriate apologies were exchanged, and she went off. However, as I tried to stand up, I realized the injury was a little more serious than I expected. I could feel the injury swelling, already. With the help of Spencer, I made my way back to the fieldhouse and got an ice pack. Unfortunately, I was out of commission for the rest of the game. Later on, the officials of the game informed me that I had been the only injury in a world record breaking game.
Hopefully my name will be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records!

P.S. This happened last Friday, so I'm happy to say that the black eye is pretty much gone. But I've posted a picture for your enjoyment.

Dogtanian

Over the past few months Oliver has watched a few episodes of an old classic cartoon known by many people over here (but one I don't ever remember hearing about in Canada) called Dogtanian. It's basically the entire story of the three musketeers, seems to stick pretty well to the original as well, told over several episodes and has mainly dogs as characters of the story.



As it features a lot of fighting we think it's kind of caught onto Oliver and recently he has gotten two sticks together gives one of them to Char or me and says "let's fight together!". He'll then start with the usual verbal insults "take that you fand!(fiend?)" or "take that you coward!" as quoted directly from Dogtanian himself when in battle. Luckily there haven't been too many serious injuries yet in the house but one can only wonder whether any of his playgroup friends have also been called to a duel as fiends or cowards as well.

Grandpa and Nana

Last week I got a chance to practice my photography (posted about it here) on Nana and Grandpa and the boys. Unfortunately Christian was recovering from his adenoidectomy so he didn't get his picture taken ;( another time... but it was a lot of fun! I didn't get a chance to crop these, but thought I'd share them. It was great to see you guys and look forward to our next visit!

I'm a big wig, for now!

So the studio is relocating most of its legal staff over the next couple of months. My current space (which I've been in since I started a couple of years back) was in the Fred Astaire building. Small office, but nice and I've really enjoyed being on the lot. Well, the production staff on Spiderman 4 also likes our space, so I've been relocated. Problem is that they don't have a permanent space for me yet, which is kind of a pain, but has a silver lining. I got a massive office for the next month or two, which makes me feel like a real power player! I'm only able to attach a pic from my computer camera, but it gives you a little idea. Anyway, I'm not getting used to it, but for now I'm very special!

Running

Some of you know that I've started training for a marathon. I'm not much of a runner and I couldn't make it a half block when I first started. As far as progress goes, I was excited to complete a 12 mile run a couple of weeks ago. Its great to have a long term goal (other than weight loss) and to mark the improvement over time. The running has reminded me of the "On The Way Home" goals we set a few years back. I know that faithfully implementing them will aid you in building up a great deal of spiritual strength and endurance, regardless of where you are starting off at. Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well with their goals and is happily engaged!

Choir Choir Choir

TodaY I got a text asking if I could meet with one of the Bishopric members. I knew what was coming, because last week they asked me if, theoretically, I were to be called as the Choir Director, would it be something I would want to do? I had said yes. Sure enough, my opportunity came today. My home teacher, who is also in the Bishopric, called me in and extended the calling. It was exciting to be given such an assignment, because I think it will be fun. I LOVE music. Immediately I had all these ideas of things I could do and the music we could create and how we would do the Christmas program. I always learn and grow so much from my callings and I know there's a reason the Lord wants me to do this right now.

What We've been up to-Project 365

I decided to post some of the Project 365 Pages (a scrapbooking project where you take one photo for ever day and then write about that day a little) that I've been scrapbooking as a way of recording our lives. I love to keep a photo journal of this exciting time of our lives! I've been taking an online photography class because as I've been taking so many photos for this project I've found that I want to learn how to use my camera better and try to take better photos. The class is just ending and I think my pictures have improved a lot! I've also learned a lot about my camera. Anyways, here's some of our photos. If you click on the page you can read some of the journaling.

Big Ben

Ben is so sweet and we all love that he's joined our little family. These past three weeks have been happy, thrilling, exhausting, painful, hazy.....
I came across the following quote a little while ago and it's come to mind a number of times in the past while:
"Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes, and adversity is not without comforts and hopes." - Francis Bacon
I've struggled with my recovery from the delivery and am still having a hard time with feeding Ben but the difficulties are wonderfully overshadowed by the blissful comforts and hopes of having this little one in my arms.

"Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multifuly thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children..." Genesis 3:16
I don't know why the sorrow was mentioned but not the joy. It just seems like the two are married when it comes to motherhood. From the very beginning to the very end. Children come and there's sorrow, children leave and there's sorrow and I guess that's just the price women have to pay to be able to taste the joy that comes from raising children. Sooooo worth it!

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist,
directs you where to go.
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why.
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time.
It's something unpredictable,
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

So take the photographs,
and still-frames in your mind.
Hang it on the shelf of
good health and good time.

For what it's worth, it was worth all the while.
It's something unpredictable,
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
-Green Day

BYU!

Hello all! It has certainly been a unacceptably long time since I last posted, so I apologize for that. Lots of exciting stuff has happened! Benjamin arriving + Christian and Jack's 1st birthday!, Beej getting back from Peru, college classes starting for many of us, Mom and Dad being empty nesters for the first time in over 30 years, etc. But I just wanted to give you guys some of my impressions about BYU since I moved in here. I live in Heritage Halls with 5 roommates who are all super nice. I'll have to post some pictures of them when I get a camera. The people in my ward also seem really cool and I'm really liking my classes. The campus is beautiful too. I had the chance to go for a hike to the Y on Monday, since we had the day off, and I got some awesome views. There's also another picture I took from campus of the Y on the mountain, so you can see Provo from two perspectives. Anyways, I haven't made any best friends yet so I still miss my friends back home but I'm glad to report that I am enjoying BYU and I'm sure I'll make some good friends soon enough! If anyone has some tips on how to make friends, let me know... I could probably brush up on those skills since it's been a while since I've needed to use them! Haha. Well I love you all and look forward to hearing from you!
~Wooz

Transitions

This has been an eventful summer for the two of us. We've celebrated Rachel's graduation, welcomed David home from his mission, seen John and his friends travel to and from Peru, welcomed a new grandson to the world, helped two kids settle in Provo, and gone from a houseful to an empty nest.

We found this list of best things about an empty nest:

A week's worth of garbage fits in a cute little bag.
Finding a parking spot in the driveway is much easier.
Cereal boxes in the pantry contain cereal.
Restaurant take-home-boxes are still in the fridge the next day.
If you fall asleep watching TV, the same channel is still on when you wake up
The TV remote control is where you left it.

Last night Coleen and I were discussing the years of raising six awesome kids.
'The days are long, but the years are short'.
Our children are truly the best part of us. We miss you so much but this is your time and the world is lucky to have you.
We are really blessed and proud to have six amazing adult children, an incredible son and daughter-in-law, and six beautiful grandsons. You are welcome and encouraged to hang with us anytime you want. But please give us a heads up so we can hide the remote :)
You are with us always in our thoughts, prayers and in our hearts.

Love Mom and Dad

Goodbye Summer - Gone so fast! ( But maybe not for you Char! :) - Welcome little Benjamin Jordan! Redds, next time you visit I'll have my camera...

Family Reunion

And More Family Reunion

Our New BOAT :)

Adios Juan Pedro - Have fun in Peru!

A

EMP with the Can Am Youngs and Tour Guide Elliot

Happy Bday Rico! 22 - the Start of Something Big

Vancouver Harbor with Janice

Blackberries Jamberries, Kalamazoo

Vampire Alert in the Olympic Peninsula

Star Power - Coming to a Stadium Near You

Goodbye Launchees, Hello Empty Nesting

Birthday Extravaganza... the fun continues!!

Thanks for all the warm wishes from everyone for my birthday! It was awesome this year! Meliss and her boys got me started with the birthday celebrating with cupcakes iced with pink frosting and the cutest ever rendition of 'Happy Birthday,' Caleb kept saying, 'you're birthday's not over yet!!' It was such fun. Thanks also to everyone else for all the warm birthday wishes! Love you guys-

As for the actual big party- I've done a dinosaur party- for my 7th birthday. There was no sleepover like my 11th or canoeing trip like my 18th... It was an 80's dress like an icon party my roommate threw at our friend Tims!!

Here are a few pics so you can sample what a good time it was



There was an awesome turnout, and if I showed you more pics you'd see Billy Idol, Degrassi High look a likes, and people from Random music videos. There was also a Ninja Turtle and Pac Man (Uncle Hu would appreciate that :)

My cake was 80's looking




compliments of my awesome roommate. A friend (one of the guys in the back of the pic where I am blowing out my candles,) sprayed my hair to make it pink. He says he's good at 'tagging.' My character was JEM, the 80s Cartoon character ;)



It was so fun to put her outfit together. There are some great thrift stores around here, and with a little luck I found the right clothes for her outfit. The heels just needed some pink nail polish and sparkles, and VOILA! We had some great times. 80s music blaring, dancing out on our friends balcony under some Christmas lights. Good times :)