Eleven times Three

Today was the Shipley triplets birthday party. The one big difference for us this year is that we got them an early birthday present about a month ago. On New Year's Eve we talked their parents into letting us get them a dog. We went the next Saturday morning and picked up Ashley and Matthew (Mikayla didn't want to come). We headed off to the animal shelter. We didn't find the right one there, so we went to the Humane Society. They soon fell in love with a small chihuahua mix. We soon found out that they would not let us adopt him for them. We had to call and have Steve come down. Mikayla and Spencer came with him. It was a long, drawn out process to get everything cleared for them to take him home. We were worried for the first week wondering how things would go with them. After the first week, everyone seemed to be getting along fine.

So, today was the first time we have been to their house since they brought him home. For a little while I was wondering if he still had the ability to walk. He was being held all the time. I saw him being kissed by a couple of the kids and Spencer was telling us how he sleeps with him. He has truly found his home. They seem to really love him. Since we had already gotten them their present, we gave each of them a dog toy. It wasn't long before he was running, jumping and chewing on these. They seemed to be a hit.

Then we took a party of 18 to the Texas Road House. It look a while for them to get a space cleared for a group that big, but we had a great time. Janice asked for a full "rack" which just got everyone laughing. Now, we have leftover ribs for lunch tomorrow. Sweet, sweet leftovers.

"I sailed, my first try"

Yesterday we got home from our first cruise. I think that I can safely say that it will not be our last. Amanda and Scott went with us. We had a BLAST. It is such a different vacation experience.

So, Monday we flew to Long Beach and caught a cab to the ship. We were on the Carnival Paradise. We spent the evening exploring the ship and eating (of course). I have to say that the staff on this ship are truly something special. Everyone was so friendly and helpful.

Tuesday morning we woke up in Avalon Bay at Catalina. I am sorry to say that I didn't know much about Catalina. It is a beautiful island with about 4,000 residents. Our first order of business was to take a Segway tour of the island. Jane and I had ridden them a little bit in Disneyland last year and were excited to get to do it again. It was a great way to start the day. They took us around the town of Avalon and told us a lot about the history of the island. We really enjoyed it. The only problem was that when we were going back down the canyon road, Amanda was literally thrown off. Jane was right behind her and almost ran into her. Luckily she only got some minor road rash on her hand and leg. The Segways were the older first generation models and I have heard that they are not as stable as the new ones. So, when we get rich and buy ours, we will be sure to get the second generation model. We then spent a few hours walking around and shopping. We found out that you can get to the island via ferry in about an hour from Long Beach. We may have to go back next time we are down there.

Wednesday morning we woke up heading into the harbor of Ensenada Mexico. We took the shuttle bus into the main shopping area of the town. It was fun to walk around the shops. The man at one of the shops where we bought a couple of things was really funny. We were happy to spend some money there because he was so entertaining. There was a taco stand that smelled so good that I had to stop. I first got a shrimp taco, then Scott, Amanda and I each had some beef tacos. Jane, wasn't up for trying it. It was really good.

Thursday was our at sea day. I was afraid that I would be bored, but that was not the case at all. One of the fun things about a cruise is the people watching. There were a lot of Red Hat ladies that entertained us every day. Between their amazing outfits and their constant drinking and dancing it was a non stop show. There were people of every shape, size and age. The thing is, so many of them seem to come on a cruise to just let loose and be silly. People singing along with the performers, dancing and just having a great time.

The hardest part of cruising is coming home. I have been off the ship for more than 24 hours and still feel like the room is swaying. Also, last night when I realized that I couldn't just head up to the Lido deck and have a bagel and smoked salmon sandwich made for me. Back to having to take care of my self. Darn..

Christmas Eve..

Here we are. Christmas Eve is here. I love this day. The big Yeates family party, the Holiday is here. The magic of Christmas is still alive for me. Just 24 hours till I can play with my new toy. I am getting more and more excited. Tomorrow we will get a call from Jordan and then just have a quiet day.

I am grateful for this this season to spend time together and most important to celebrate the birth of the Savior.

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!!

So Much to be Thankful For

This Thanksgiving day I have so much to be thankful for. I am often amazed that I am where I am in life. I look around me and wonder how did that shy kid end up here?

To think that I am married to a beautiful, wonderful woman for 26 years now. That I have a true partner in my life who loves me and supports me in all that I do, is overwhelming.

To be the father of my children is one of the greatest joys of my life. To watch them progress in their lives and make great choices is what life is all about.

I have watched Amanda go to the temple and marry a man who truly loves her and treats her as her dad wants her to be treated. I watch her and Scott serve in the church, go to the temple and be a great example to their friends and family. I am so proud of the strong and truly good person that she is.

I rejoiced when all five of us were in the temple the day Jordan took out his endowments. I have been so impressed by his desire and determination to serve a mission. He worked hard and saved all he could before going. Now we read his letters and watch his progress and love to watch this part of the Lord's plan work. There is no other place on earth I would want him to be and nothing else I would want him to be doing.

I am grateful that Jane and I have jobs where I feel that we do meaningful work. That we add to the world in our small way. I am grateful for the church service we are able to be a part of and all that I have learned and the people I have come to know while serving over the years.

I am grateful for all our extended family. For the ever growing circle of love that they bring to our lives. Each new child and each new marriage just extends the circle.

I am grateful for great friends. Both at work and at church.

I am truly blessed. The Lord said "man is that he might have joy". This day as with all days of my life, I can say that I do indeed have joy.

For Unto Us...

As I begin this week of Thanksgiving I want to first start with the thing I am most grateful for. Let me explain.

We went to see Mainheim Steamroller in concert on Thursday night. The program began with the Hallelujah Chorus. As I listened, I was overcome by the reality of the fact that he shall indeed "Reign Forever". Truly King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The greatest gift ever given to man.

This was a Christmas concert, but it seems such a great way to start the season of Thanksgiving. Because of this blessing, all other blessings that I enjoy are possible.

Let us all shout Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hal-le-lu-jah.

A little part.....

Last night Jane and I got to join a few others from our ward in cleaning the Jordan River Temple. They gave us white scrubs to wear and had the two of us go vacuum the chapel and the sealing rooms.

We started in the chapel. I did the stand first and then we worked our way back through the benches meeting in the middle of each. It was fun to work together on this. As I went I started to think about what would be taking place in this room the next day. I thought of all the people that would come into the chapel, sit and listen to the music and maybe read the scriptures. They would sit with friends and family as they prepared to go on a session.

In the sealing room hall way, I first took care of the office where I could envision the workers tracking the work that is being done. Then I did the waiting room and I thought of those who would be there. Next, I started on the sealing rooms. They had us start at the back of each room and work our way to the door so as not to leave foot prints in the room. I started behind the small desk and worked my way around the alter and through the chairs. I thought of the times I have been in room such as these and how special those times were.

I am grateful that we had the chance to play a small part in the great things that will take place in the temple today. If we did our jobs well, no one will think about what we did. They will have no distractions to take their minds off the great things they are participating in. For some, it will be the most important day of their lives, as they make covenants with those they love and with the Lord. For others it will remind them of when they were the ones making those covenants. The day I was able to kneel at an alter with Jane was certainly on my mind as I was doing my little part.

San Diego

Last week Jane and I went to San Diego for a few days. We stayed on Harbor Island where we were surrounded by water. Out the one side of the hotel were hundreds of boats. Out the other side was the main harbor. It is a beautiful place to stay.

We went to Sea World and had a great time. We loved the shows. The highlights for me were the following shows: The Sesame Street 4D movie, brought to you by the number 4 and the letter D. The 3D was great and the 4th D included getting sprayed with water and the seat shaking. The seal and otter show is always great and of course the Shamu show is incredible. The most amazing show had nothing to do with the sea. It is a show called Pets Rule. The show is done with cats and dogs rescued from local animal shelters. We have all seen dogs do amazing things and this show was no exception, but I had no idea you could train a house cat to do anything. (I have always felt that our cats have trained us, not the other way around) They had cats doing things I could not believe. They had one climb a pole and then cross the stage on a high wire. It was truly amazing.

We went to the San Diego zoo and were amazed at the size of the place. You would need at least two days to see everything. We took the bus tour around the zoo and then decided to see things that we could not see at our zoo. The pandas were indeed the highlight.

We went to Sea Port Village one evening, Old Town another. Our last evening was spent on the beach on Coronado. We watched the sun go down from there. It was beautiful.

The highlight of the trip was the temple. We went to a the temple Thursday morning. It was a very small session. Jane and I were asked to be the witnesses. It was a great experience and such a beautiful place.

I am glad that we were able to get away for a few days.