"The Forest"

I also wanted to share this story about how we are taking advantage of the "forest" that is so close to our home. It is such a blessing to have this deserted lot just blocks from us with our four little boys. We were there again this week and love it.

Char's Story

Hey guys! Charla sent me another sweet story that I got to post on my blog here. Love you Char!

35 Things (and counting!) that we love about Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad you are an inspiration to us and we love you! Happy THIRTY FIFTH wedding anniversary! and on this special day buzzing with excitement about the royal wedding, we admire your love and commitment to each other. So to honor this day we started a list of things we love about you two… some about Mom in particular, some about Dad in particular, and some about the two of you (vidva in Slovene)- so since we couldn’t keep it to just 35 and more will be added, I think it’s a good sign that the love you have and the example you set is a vibrant, growing and long-lasting incredulity!

From Ian:
Oliver is one of the most humble, long-suffering people I've ever met. He carries such a huge load and I've never heard him complain. He is a great example of selfless service.

Coleen is incredibly generous and I truly appreciate how much she loves the grandkids. Couldn't ask for a better Nana!

The two of them have cultivated such a great relationship. It’s nice to find a couple that really are eager to serve one another and the two of them are a great example. Something for me and Melissa to aspire to!

From Beej:
I like how Dad has always shopped at the thrift store so that he would have enough money to take us on vacation and buy nice things such as tuition for all the kids. I like how Mom is always willing to help whenever she is wanted or asked to help and even sometimes when she's not exactly asked but still knows that her help is needed. The thing I like about them the most as a couple is how I recall very few instances as to when they ever fought and I have never ever heard either of them ever make a disparaging remark or even a sarcastic put down or anything like that behind the other's back which is amazing.

From Wooz:
I love Dad's sense of humor. It's often when you're least expecting it that he will say some funny remark, like a one-liner or just a bizarre statement that relates in some way to what we're talking about. It often catches me off guard but I always love hearing it. Dad is great at those one liners. I love talking to Mom about anything. Whenever I have a problem of some sort, she always has some great advice to give and when I'm discouraged she always makes me feel better.
I think Mom and Dad are great as a couple because they are different in a lot of ways but they also have a lot of similar interests and hobbies, like hiking/walking. Both their differences and similarities show how they complement each other so well. Love you both!

From Spence:
One thing I've grown to appreciate about Oliver is his level-headedness. It doesn't matter whether the situation seems to call for, Oliver is always unflappable. This attitude reflects on the rest of the family so they also benefit from a calm demeanor.

One thing I've grown to appreciate about Coleen is her desire to give her family any support she can, especially on the road. Whether it's traveling to Edmonton to support Oliver, John and Jordaon or to Los Angeles to assist with Melissa's children, she's willing to put herself second and do whatever she can to help out her family.

One thing I appreciate about both of them is the complementary strengths they bring to any situation. Having been together for so long, they know what each one would be better at accomplishing and what they would be better off doing themselves.

From Meliss:
I love how Dad is just a really hard worker. He gets up early to work, helps clean up after meals, works at his callings, and just I always remember him working really hard. I love how Mom really tries to make family a priority. She works hard to find times when we can get everyone together and she has made it a priority to be close with and visit her parents and siblings. I also like how as a couple they love our family and are always encouraging and supporting us.

From Rico:
One of the things I really like about Dad is that he is unselfish. He is always thinking about ways to keep people happy and he never makes a deal about his accomplishments although they are many. He never makes things revolve around him.
The thing I like about Mom is that she is very festive. She makes the holidays an event. And even though she has many traditions and decorations, she still keeps the focus on the core things of a holiday. For example with Christmas she still helps us remember Christ's birth and on Easter she still helps us remember Christ's Atonement. She does not let the side decorations become a sideshow.
The thing I like about them as a couple is that they are both united in the cause of making the family happy. They make sacrifices as a couple for others.

From Linds:
I love how Mom's always so fun loving, planning great activities and keeping cool traditions, even on your visits here in L.A. (Jrs) You also like to try new things! (Griddle) I think those are two qualities that balance each other well!
Dad's always loving, greeting me in the morning with a nice smile and cheerful words, or sending nice words on email. He’s such a support, great example and a good study buddy of the news or of the scriptures. Intelligent man!
I love that they are active as a couple, hiking, traveling, taking us out on sightseeing adventures or boat rides, but especially that you walk and hike and ski together- it's so fun to see the pics of you two out in nature! I love that!

From Snej:
About mom:

Mom has always been there for us when we've needed her. She has always been willing to help out especially when we're in a jam, whether it's driving somewhere, proofreading an essay last minute or just being there generally when we need her. She is very generous in helping out and will always be appreciated for doing so.

About dad:

I love how dad always loves to spend time with us and enjoys spending time with the boys who always look forward to his visits. He has always been very generous with both his time and his willingness to surprise us with extra little things which are always appreciated and he has always had a great sense of humour.


Other things we love:
That you have been happily married for so long!

That you had the same wedding date and cake as the Royal Couple, which we think marks good taste! Points for you for April 29th and Fruit Cake!

We love you!!

So do kate and will ;)

Happy Birthday Ian!

How old are you turning this year? 37

What is your favorite food? Sushi (especially from high end places like Sasabune, not that we get there often)

What is your most frequently purchased grocery item? Milk

What is your bedtime routine like? After getting the kids down, I do as little as possible before dozing off to the sound of Melissa editing her latest church project.

What are three things you absolutely have to do every day? Shower, check email, read up on the news

What do you listen to most (artist, radio station/program, podcast)? I have a few channels on Pandora, but have been listening to the Glen Hansard channel recently.

What’s one skill you wish you had? serious lack of carpentry and automotive skills

What skill are you most proud of? I'm good in the kitchen.

If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go? I've been intrigued by South America lately. I'd like to get to Argentina.

What is your favorite place you’ve been? tough question. I really loved the Turkish baths in Budapest.

What are three of your favorite books? BBQ USA, The Man Who Planted Trees, The Road

If you had to buy any magazine what would it be? Variety

What is one thing that gets on your nerves? Being late

What is your favorite sport to watch or play? Basketball to watch, flag football to play

What do you love to do when you have nothing to do? Sleep

What are three things you wish you had? More energy, more time and more hair

What is your favorite treat? Peanut butter cups from Trader Joes

What are a few things you hope to accomplish or learn this year? Finish the Camp Pendleton Mud Run, swim 2 miles, coach the kids in soccer league.

What are your favorite things to watch (tv show/movie)? on tv currently, Modern Family, The Office, 30 Rock

What are your three most visited websites (besides facebook/email)? LDS.org, realclearpolitics.com, hollywoodwiretap.com

Birthday Questions for the Juice

1. How old are you turning this year?

53, no wait that was the year I was born.
2. What is your favorite food?
It's a tie: BBQ ribs and Mom's chicken wings.
3. What is your most frequently purchased grocery item?Bananas- for my morning smoothies.
4. What is your bedtime routine like?
Turn off heat, lock doors, brush teeth, close eyes
Alternate routine - fall asleep in front of tv
5. What are three things you absolutely have to do every day?
Get to work right on time, read scriptures, check sport scores
6. What do you listen to most (artist, radio station/program, podcast)?
I like NPR for "unbiased news"
7. What's one skill you wish you had?
Public speaking - for me it's a lifelong struggle
8. What skill are you most proud of?
I like being able to give people a pleasant sleep
9. If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?

Australia/New Zealand - it's a long way to travel, but eveyone says it's worth the trip
10. What is your favorite place you've been?
Scotland- for the amazing golf and relatives
11. What are three of your favorite books?

Lord of the Rings, 1984, and Shakespeare comedies
12. If you had to buy any magazine what would it be?
Golf Digest- always looking for that magic tip
13. What is one thing that gets on your nerves?
Slow drivers give me road rage, but so fair I haven't done the Jack Nicholson and put a 5 iron thru someone's windshield
14. What is your favorite sport to watch or play?
Watch hockey and play golf
15. What do you love to do when you have nothing to do?
On those rare occasions I like to take a power nap
16. What are three things you wish you had?
More hair, a smaller spare tire, and lower golf scores
17. What is your favorite treat?
Haagen Dazs ice cream bars since B&J doesn't make them. Too bad they're not sugar free.
18. What are a few things you hope to accomplish or learn this year?
Strengthen the family, travel to China and learn more about it, and endure to the end.
19. What are your favorite things to watch (tv show/movie)?
Live sports, action/adventure movies, and romantic comedies for date night
20. What are your three most visited websites (besides facebook/email).
Alberta Health care, lds.org, espn.com

Oliver's first hockey game

I meant to post these photos a few weeks ago when we went to this game but I thought it was a milestone for Oliver given that this was his first ever hockey game (actually he did see about a period and a half of Beej's and my intramural game earlier in the season, maybe that counts too). He loved going and talked about the game afterwards for a few days and an added bonus for him was that Beej and Grampa were also there. But if there was one thing though that he kept talking about, it was Guba the Bear Guba the Bear, the U of A mascot that fascinated him. At the end of the day he probably was interested more in the bear and the popcorn than the hockey but we will have to take him again next year if only for him to see Guba the Bear again.

We're Talking Softball....

So one of the things formed at work is the work softball team. I found out about this almost immediately when I started work here in L.A. None of us have any aspirations at all of making it big in the major leagues (though one person on our team did play college baseball) but we're there mainly to have fun.

We call ourselves the Misfits. I play catcher and we have a lot of fun, even if we're not very good. Most of the people on the team have nicknames. I got "Bambino" because one of the first times I was up at the plate, I hit a home run. They've been few and far between, but I still hit a dinger every now and then.

Lindsay is our #1 fan. That's mainly by default, as she's the only spectator that shows up. But she still shows up and cheers for us, even when we're screwing up and giving up another 10 run inning. Once again, it's all for fun.

Ward softball just started up yesterday too. So now I'm playing in two leagues for fun. Double the pleasure, double the fun.

Happy Birthday Beej!

1. How old are you turning this year? 27ish

2. What is your favorite food? Mole (It's Mexican)

3. What is your most frequently purchased grocery item? Kellogg's Corn Pops Cereal

4. What is your bedtime routine like? Usually I watch sports highlights, read for a bit and then drift off into la la land

5. What are three things you absolutely have to do every day? Read some on-line newspapers, do at least one thing I deem productive ("productive" can be defined loosely), do one thing that makes me laugh either at myself or someone else

6. What do you listen to most? Silence

7. What's one skill you wish you had? Knowing how to fix, repair or replace things

8. What skill are you most proud of? Playing the cello

9. If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go? Mount Everest Base Camp

10. What is your favorite place you've been? Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico

11. What are three of your favorite books? Lord of the Rings, Book of Mormon, Plato's Republic

12. If you had to buy any magazine what would it be? The Economist

13. What is one thing that gets on your nerves? Challenging and timed examinations

14. What is your favorite sport to watch or play? My favorite sport to watch is hockey, my favorite sport to play is soccer

15. What do you love to do when you have nothing to do? Surf the Internet for travel destinations

16. What are three things you wish you had? More travel time, a quicker brain, a greater ability to be compassionate

17. What is your favorite treat? Probably Mom's Rolo Cookies (Editor's note: John indicated in his response that Rolo is a registered trademark, but Blogger won't let me copy and paste so I can't insert that in here. Sorry)

18. What are a few things you hope to accomplish or learn this year? I hope to complete a marathon and an outdoor triathlon, climb a mountain of significance, improve my mountaineering skills, strengthen bonds of unity with friends and family, finish law school

19. What are your favorite things to watch (TV show/movie)? I love mostly TV shows; Modern Family, Community, Better off Ted, Arrested Development, Seinfeld

20. What are your three most visited websites (besides Facebook/email)? The Globe and Mail.com, NY Times.com, IMDB.com/cinemaclock.com

Blog to check out!

It's been a fun few weeks around here and we had to post about at least one of the goings on...
http://theferreros.blogspot.com/
Wooze and Rico- you will be the closest siblings to LA this summer! Feel free to stop on by southern Cali! It was great having you guys and Beej too last summer! We could hike the hollywood sign again, go to the beach, and play tourist!

The Parable of the Cruise Ship

So for those who went to the priesthood session, we heard Elder Uchtdorf's parable of the cruise ship. Since we were recently on a cruise ship, I found it very relevant and thought those of you who did not attend the priesthood session would appreciate it. What is below is a paraphrase; the full text will be in the Ensign next month as usual.

A man wished to go on a cruise of the Mediterranean, to see Athens, Rome and Istanbul. So he saved up his money for a long time and was finally able to afford the ticket. However, he had very little money after paying the ticket, so he brought along very simple and cheap foods to eat in his cabin. He also didn't leave the cabin to participate in the swimming pool, mini golf, and sumptuous feasts that were provided every night, because he thought he couldn't afford it. He was able to tour the cities that he wanted to and this dream was fulfilled, but other than that he rarely left his cabin.

On the last evening, a crew member asked him which farewell party he would be attending. The man then learned, to his sorrow, that the ticket he purchased was not only for the travel, but included the mini golf, the swimming pool, and all the feasts that he had missed.

Elder Uchtdorf then likened this to the priesthood holders who only participate in the minimum, the do not "live up to the privilege" that the priesthood can provide and thus do not receive all the blessings that are available. I would extend this to the entire church; are we receiving all the blessings we can, or are we just sitting in our cabins, missing out on what we could have?

Cold beans in the cabin, or lobster after lobster being delivered to your table until Beej has to cry for mercy? The choice is ours. I hope we choose the lobster. That lobster was tasty.