Sunday, October 31, 2010

Dad's Birthday


Since it looks like I am the only one who posts on this blog I thought I would add another post. We celebrated Dad's birthday it wasn't too exciting but we did have fun going to dinner and to the movie. Here is a picture of him and his presents. Thanks for all the money that the rest of you contributed to the new sprinkler funds. I am sorry that winter is on the way. How about you?

Mom

Friday, October 8, 2010

October Birthdays

I am having trouble with some of my pictures. I don't know what happened but the ones I took of James for his birthday aren't working so I thought that I would just write and wish a happy birthday to all those in our family who celebrate this month. It starts out with Liston on the 2nd, followed by Steve on the 3rd, James the 6th, Kumi Oct 16th, Dale the 22nd and me on the 30th. What a busy month. I hope that you all have fun birthday's me included. October must be the best month to be born since so many of us chose it. We love and appreciate you all Happy Birthday. Love, Mom Grandma

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Jazzy's cool cast


I thought that you might like to see this picture of Jazzy and her new cast. She had to have her ankle operated on this week and she has two screws in it. I hope that she is better soon. It sure did mess up her soccer playing for this year.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Happy Birthday Morgan!


Today is Morgan's birthday. I surely hope that it has been a fun one. We wish we lived closer so we could eat birthday cake with you and help blow out the candles. Hope your day is special in every way.

Love Grandma and Grandpa S.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Scary picture.


GeoTagged, [N34.30229, W134.74259]

Luke at the beach.


GeoTagged, [N34.30229, W134.74259]

Dog bite


GeoTagged, [N34.30229, W134.74259]

Luke got in the way of our dogs fighting over food and got puncture. I was cleaning it right after and a small yellow ball of fat came out. Luke was ok right after but a few minutes later he said " I feel sick I need to sit down". He was ok. We did take him to the emergency room and they cleaned it and gave him some antibiotics etc. The doctor said dog bite often swell up but he was ok. And just to add some politics, the bill was $8.50. How is that?

Sunset


GeoTagged, [N34.30229, W134.74259]

Luke


GeoTagged, [N34.30229, W134.74259]

More beach


GeoTagged, [N34.30229, W134.74259]

At the beach.


GeoTagged, [N34.30229, W134.74259]

You probably know that we live about a quarter of a mile from the beach. The kids go often but this was the first time this year for mom and dad. We usually go in the evening to avoid the heat and sometimes the crowd.

Sean's painting


All of the students have to paint something during summer vacation. Sean painted the local Buddhist temple gate. He did get a little help though.

Sean dancing.


GeoTagged, [N34.30229, W134.74259]

He'll be mad if he knew I put this up.

Another sports day


GeoTagged, [N34.30229, W134.74259]

It was Sports Day at Sean's Jr high on Sunday. His team won. He is wearing his tennis club uniform in the picture.

Friday, September 10, 2010

other posts

by the way I think that the rest of the family could post on the blog even if you do post stuff on facebook. We need to keep the family blog alive.

Jasmine broke her ankle


Jazzy was playing soccer yesterday up north with her school and she and one of the players of the opposing team tried to kick the ball at the same time. She ended up getting her ankle kicked and today when the Dr. xrayed it he said that it was broken. She if going to see a specialist up north soon. Until then she has to wear a boot and crutches. Too bad for her last year she played soccer when she was sick this year she hurt her foot. Her luck is about as good as Brian's was when he tried to play football.

Friday, September 3, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCI


I am a little late getting this posted but I thought you would all like to know that it was Marci's birthday on September 1st. She just turned 30 like all women do as they get older. Marci I hope you had a great day spending time with your family. We all love and appreciate you.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

The blog looks great

Who ever fixed up the blog with new decoration I wanted you to know I think it looks really good. Thanks. I hope that the rest of you will post from time to time on Skinnertopia

An interesting letter from Hyun

Dear mom and dad,

How are you doing this days?
How is the weather in Utah? Weather here is a little crazy in Beijing, one day rain in the morning and sunny in the afternoon and rain again in evening. I really don't like it. ^^ I missed the california weather.
I been thinking about you guys and I want to write you email.

It's been little crazy month because I hurt my girlfriend almost died.
One evening after dinner on my way home driving my e-bike with her and she was seating back seat.
She told me to slow down and don't bounced the bike up and down but I didn't listen to her and I keep doing it because don't like the noise from e-bike.
I wasn't driving very fast. I was going only about 30km(fast)? and my e-bike was making so much noise and bouncing up and down like riding a horse trying to stop the noise. She fall of the bike and hit her head on the ground can't move or talk or feel anything. for awhile I thought she die.
So stupid of me I should listen to her.
She was conscious for 5-10 minutes and I was holding her and cried and pray for her life.
I was so scare keep holding her I don't know what to do. I asked GOD for forgiveness and take my life for her.
I took her to the hospital have CT scan and X-ray thank goodness she's okay and I promise I will never do that again. Now she's almost 100% heal better then before.

I want to tell you this story because no matter where you at in this world GOD is watching over you. I know I don't go to church every sunday and read the book mormon. Deep in my heart I know church is true and the book of mormon is word of god. My girlfriend really like the church but she can't go (chinese law). I did took her few times anyways^^

Mom & Dad I'm really glad that I'm part of your life even I'm far from you half around the world and when I was living california you should visited me ^^
I just want to tell you. I talked about my family to everyone because how beautiful my family is and I show my family photos to everyone. I don't know it's good or not?
I LOVE YOU ALL!

MOM & DAD please stay healthy and I will visit you soon with my girlfriend.

I LOVE YOU from my heart! Best thing happen to me in my life...

Your son from far away land.

Hyun

Friday, August 20, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOON--AUGUST 16


I know that I am a little late in getting this posted but I still wanted to put it on so that all of you could remember that it was Soon's birthday. We had a good visit from her a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed spending time with her and the kids. I hope that you all keep in contact with her even if she isn't on facebook.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Reunion update




We went up today to meet Karen and Larry and to go to their cabin. It is really nice it is at Scofield Resevior. There will be lots of fun things to do. They have a very nice house, games, great accommodations and even four wheelers for us to use. There are lots of fun activities, they have bicycles, there are tennis courts, basketball courts, fishing, climbing etc. Here are the basic directions to get there but it isn't real easy to find.

Go up Spanish Fork Canyon continue going until you come to Hwy 96 South Scofield. Turn right at State Park Gate. Tell them you are going to the cabins. Go past Boat Launch and Aquatic Camp and Aspen Cove. Go through the gate by pushing the code the keypad. If you are going call me and I will tell you the gate code. That will lift the gate up. Go up the hill and turn on Mt Ridge Circle. The Cabin is on Mountain Lane Drive Lot # 79. It is two stories with Green roof and has silver container holding Snow Mobiles next to house. The entrance door is to the back of the cabin.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Glenn Beck may not be welcome in Driggs!

This was printed in our weekly paper. Wow, some strong opinions! (And sorry if this causes controversy on the family blog!)

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Hunter

Brayden

Mindy

Rach & Joel

Rachael & Joel's kids


I thought that you might like to see some of the pictures I took last weekend when we were at Rachael's house. The kids are surely growing up fast. They are a good looking bunch.

Alicia came home.


We had a late birthday party for her.

A few trees I planted today.


Even more


Our new dog Kiaru.

Even more pictures.

My yard work day.


I spent all day doing yard work. I watered my garden, planted a few trees, pulled weeds, and moved some raspberry bushes. I also washed my wife's car and installed her ETC reader. ETC is used to pay tolls on the highway here in Japan.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

We didn't need more snow


We had a nice snow storm last night if you can call snow nice. When we measured it we had about 7 ". I guess there are two good things about it, 1. it will water the lawn. 2. It won't last long. Dad and I have been busy walking and picking up cans. We made it all way to Wales this week, by doing a little each day. We collected about 15 grocery bags of cans. We take them to our friend and she recycles them. I think we are becoming know around town, people wave at us.

family reunion

Dad and I have gotten the family reunion scheduled and we have a new place to go. Karen and Larry B. have said that we can use their cabin in Spanish Fork Canyon, we are very grateful to them. It is going to be the 3rd week in June, the 24th thru the 26. We hope that you can all come. We hope to have lots of fun.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

laundry detergent



Some of the people in our area have been using these recipes to make cheaper cleaners and laundry soap. I thought that you might be interested in the recipes. One thing that I thought about was that it would be much easier to store the ingredients and make soap in case of an emergency because it would take up much more room to store the already made detergents. I made up the liquid laundry soap and it seem to work pretty good. It doesn't suds up but otherwise it cleans the clothes and has a nice lemony smell.

Motther's Day and Father's Day

Dear Family,

If you are wondering what to get us for presents, let me give you some suggestions. I need a new movie camera and Dad wants a new tv stand so if you would like you can just contribute a little money toward the purchase of those two items and then you won't have to worry about what to buy. If you already have purchased presents don't worry that will be fine too. I just thought that you might appreciate the suggestions. Dad has been working hard the last few days trying to put some bricks around the yard to edge it. It looks like spring has finally arrived in our area. It has been nice and warm the last few days.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Mare's visit



We sure had a fun time with Mare and Todd here. I hope that they weren't too bored. We all liked going to see the Dragon movie. Here are a couple of pictures that I took. One is of us visiting the Alpaca's and the other is just in the house. Hope that you are all doing well. Dad shared his cold with me so I am feeling a little under the weather.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Brian;

Hey Bioware is having this auction thing. To gets points for the auction you have to have people click on some link once a day. It just takes you to the bioware site and doesn't do anything, but then I get more points. Here it is if you want to click it. ONly once a day though.
http://social.bioware.com/brc/6363

Friday, March 19, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHAEL


Dear Rach,

Hope you are having a fun day with lots of family and friends. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Monday, March 8, 2010

New Pictures
















Here's some pictures of our

family and there's the picture for Grandma with the boys.

Allred Update
















Well, things have been pretty crazy lately! Our downstairs is completely torn apart and the rest of our house is packed full with all of the stuff from downstairs, but at least things are starting to move along. The sheetrock should be done this week, so we're all pretty excited about that. We've been lucky enough though to have some great friends and people from our ward helping us. Even through this trial we are sure blessed. I'll post some pictures of our lovely basement. But aside from that we're all doing good and we hope you guys are too. We love you all and miss you.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Happy Birthday Sean.


Sean is fourteen already. He had a real mini party as kumi had go to a PTA meeting and I had a class. We just ate cake and he will get his presents later. It is also midterm test time so he had to study too.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Ogden temple

The leaders of the church must read this blog.   I am pleased to report that they are remodeling the Ogden temple.  http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_14419370?source=rv#

back from pittsburgh

We made it back from Pittsburgh yesterday.   We were supposed to come back Tuesday but our flight got cancelled.  They made us go to Atlanta then Salt Lake then Great Falls.   It was a long day.   Kenson is now a Deacon.   He should be good at passing the sacrament.  Aarons dad was there.   He is going to go to the temple with Harry this saturday.   We went to the Kirtland Temple then we went to the Rock and Roll hall of fame.    It was a tourist trap.  I did get to see the Origininal piece of paper that "Highway to Hell" was written on and Michael Jackson's glove but it was dissapointing.    We got lost in a real bad part of Cleveland.  Actually the whole city is bad.    I feel sorry for people who live there.    I am tired as you can probably tell so I will end this short little report.

Friday, February 12, 2010

I thought that this was an interesting article. I hope that you like it.

You might want to see the original and the pictures in the Meridian Magazine today.

The False Apron and the Tree of Death and Rebirth
By Jeffrey M. Bradshaw
We read in Moses 4:13 that after Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit, “the eyes of them both were opened.”In other Old Testament instances, this phrase connotes a sudden vision of hidden things.1 By this change they realize that they “had been naked.”2 The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob equates a “perfect knowledge” of “nakedness” with “guilt” and “uncleanness” while associating the perfect knowledge of the “righteous” with “enjoyment” and “being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness.”3
Partaking of the fruit of the tree allowed Adam and Eve to begin to experience and distinguish good from evil—the “opposition in all things” described in 2 Nephi 2:11. In demonstration of her new capacity for discernment, Eve immediately “sees through Satan’s disguise of clever hypocrisy, identifies him, and exposes him for what he is.”4
Unlike the richly-described, finely-nuanced account of the temptation dialogue, the tightly-coupled chain of verbs that follow it (“took,” “eat,” “gave,” “eat”) “indicate rapid, single-minded action”—nothing more is said, seen, or felt until the moment we are told that the eyes of Adam and Eve are opened.5 Then, at once, the hurried action restarts (“sewed,” “made”)—all the frantic movements proclaiming loudly, by their silent execution, the anguished undertone of shame and fear—“the physical act… as an expression of an inner state of an alarm.”6 The desired effect of this economical yet artful mode of narrative construction is to help the perceptive reader understand that the Lord God, Adam and Eve’s benevolent provider, who has been absent from their minds throughout the previous episode, has now reentered their thoughts with painful effect.
The False Apron
The derivation of the Hebrew term for apron (˙agorah), sometimes translated as “girdle,” confirms that this was an article of clothing intended to “enclose and cover the area of [the] lap or loins.”7 The fig tree has unusually large and strong leaves and its fruit is known for its abundance of seeds. Thus an apron of green fig leaves is an appropriate symbol for Adam and Eve’s ability to procreate, to “be fruitful and multiply”8 after the Fall.

Ostensibly, the aprons functioned to hide Adam and Eve’s nakedness—but is there more to the story than this? Ancient readers would have recognized the function of aprons in ritual context as a sign of power and authority. For example, a sacred tree was symbolically represented on an apron worn by the eighth-century Christian king Charlemagne, as in the figure above.9 Kings in the Middle East were often described as various sorts of trees.10 In both Egypt and Mesoamerica,11 foliated aprons were also used as a sign of authority.
In Moses 4:27, God Himself will be the one to clothe Adam and Eve, whereas in Moses 4:13 we were told that Adam and Eve “made themselves aprons.” Like their tasting of the forbidden fruit,12 the endeavor of Nimrod to build a tower to “reach unto heaven,”13 Sarah’s essay to realize the blessing of posterity through her handmaiden Hagar,14 and Rebekah’s disguising of Jacob to assure that he would receive the birthright blessing,15 this action exemplifies the “recurring theme… of the attempt and failure of human effort in obtaining a blessing that only God can give.”16
It is perfectly in character for Satan to have planted the suggestion of making their own aprons in the mind of Adam and Eve, since he often appropriates false signs of power and priesthoods for himself in order to deceive.17 Thus, we are not surprised to find the Zohar associating Adam and Eve’s fig leaves with a knowledge of “sorcery and magic,” false forms of “protection” and counterfeits of the true priesthood.18 Moreover, it is consistent with the plan of the Adversary to encourage sinners to flee from the presence of God rather than to reconcile and return to Him.19
In this instance, the contrast between the false clothing made from leaves and the true clothing made from the skins of animals seems paralleled in the story of Cain and Abel, where the former makes an unacceptable offering from the fruits of the ground while the latter follows the God-given pattern of animal sacrifice.20 Citing another scriptural passage, Brown discusses the lambskin aprons of the warring Lamanites in the Book of Mormon, bringing to mind the Lord’s warning about “false prophets which come to you in sheep’s clothing.”21
Note that Satan made three attempts to mislead Adam and Eve by false appearances. First, he made claims that confused the identities of Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life. Second, he appeared as a serpent, deceptively employing a symbol of Christ. Finally, in the episode of the fig-leaf aprons, he suggested a course of action to Adam and Eve that substituted a self-made emblem of power and priesthood for the true article obtainable only when authorized by God.
The Tree of Death and Rebirth
When Adam and Eve heard the voice of the Lord, the English text says that they “went to hide themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.”22 However the Hebrew for “tree,” etz, can be read as singular or plural in this verse—an important subtlety glossed over in nearly every Bible translation. As a rare exception, André Chouraqui’s French edition holds to a careful rendering of the key phrase describing Adam and Eve’s place of concealment: “in the center of [i.e., within] the tree of the garden.”23 As Kastler observes, “they are not merely touching the [Tree of Knowledge] but they have for all intents and purposes merged with it… The tree has become their refuge—or perhaps their prison.”24 They have experienced a kind of death.25

The image of the guilty parties, Adam and Eve, figuratively being shut up in a tree can be best understood when compared with Egyptian motifs, such as the one evoked by the figure of Ramesses II acting in the role of Osiris, as shown above.26 Nibley also mentions “Book of the Dead vignettes showing the Lady incorporated—all but her upper part, and in many cases all but her arms only—in the fruit-bearing tree [suggesting] that the woman in the tree must actually have been eaten by it; she is the first victim, so to speak, and now invites her male companion to share her condition.”27
Happily, the condition of “death” suggested by the symbolism of captivity in the tree is only temporary. In ancient year-rites in Egypt, the eventual splitting of the tree “both terminates life and liberates it,” allowing the captive initiate to be reborn.28 The splitting of the tree also is also said by Hugh Nibley to represent, “among other things, the ‘splitting of ‘good’ and ‘evil,’” or the law of opposites.”29

Such images of death and resurrection recall al-Tha’labi’s version of the story of the martyrdom of Isaiah: “When their prophet Isaiah finished his speech, they came after him to kill him and he fled from them. A tree met him and split itself open for him and he entered it. The Devil came upon him and seized a fringe of his garment and showed it to them, so they took saws in its middle and sawed it until they cut it and cut him while he was in the midst.”30 Isaiah’s death in the split tree was immediately followed by his rebirth and ascension to heaven.31 Similar stories about Isaiah are found in Christian sources. See, for example, the illustrations from the Roda Bible shown above.

Intriguingly, this same motif appears in the New World. For instance, Garth Norman notes that the “‘broken tree trunk’ symbol” is connected with the explanation of the origin of some tribes, including the Mixtecas.32 This idea can be seen in a “Tamoanchan pictograph or hieroglyph depicting a man emerging from a split tree trunk in symbolic birth.” The “tree of the Mixtec codices is a Tree of Life or World Tree extending above and below this earth, but principally a ‘tree of the heavens’ in Omeyocan guarded by the creator couple where it gives birth to humanity. It can be stated simply that in ancient Mexico the broken tree represents a birth, death, or migratory transition for man.”33

All these stories might be taken as suggesting that Adam and Eve’s passage through mortal life provided an opportunity for eventual rebirth and return to God’s presence by means of the same tree that originally brought them death. In a speculative mood, we might see such a theme as being represented in the portion of the funerary papyrus of Nakht shown in above,34 where the guide Anubis, the “guardian of the gateway,”35 is shown “leading the deceased into the presence of Osiris where he will assist in the ceremony of the weighing of the heart”36 in afterlife judgment. Here, they approach a tree that stands before the “false door,” representing the entrance to the “Other World.”37 To reach that door, they must pass by a tree, a symbol that is frequently associated, like the door itself, with the “horizon,” the meeting place between heaven and earth.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Alex Boye


Last night Dad and I went to Snow college to see a concert aimed at raising money for the people of Haiti. It was a great concert you would have all enjoyed it especially Brian. Alex Boye was the main star he is a singer from England, joined the church several years ago and is a member of the Tabernacle Choir. You might have seen him. I thought you might like to hear some of his singing. Here is a link to one of his songs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR1jojP

I hope that you all enjoy.

Love,

Mom

Reiser latest letter



no one has been posting lately so I thought that you might enjoy reading the latest letter from the Reiser's. It is a good letter gives you some food for thought.

February 7, 2010

Dear Ones,

Another week - another letter…Are you ready?

We had a nice visit from a Japanese delegation representing AAR - Association for Aid and Relief. We partner with them through the National Rehabilitation Center; AAR builds the wheelchairs. Very pleasant visit; very Japanese people. Another Japanese association this week: We attended a band concert at the Vientiane International School. Brother Koichi Takei and his son Ken are members of our branch, and Ken plays the oboe in the school’s advanced beginner’s band. We loved the concert - Christmas music because the band teacher had an accident just before the concert was scheduled in December, so it was postponed until this week. School bands always are amazing because you see raw talent - potential waiting to happen - and the kids are so excited and into it, if only for the concert. The Takei family returns to Tokyo on February 24, and we’re going to miss them. Brother Takei is one of our heroes - a Saint personified.

Another trip to Thailand for dental work - this has been an unexpected part of our mission, for sure. It’s not entirely awful - since the work needed to be done, it’s nice to get it done here where it’s cheaper at least. Have we mentioned that most of the dentists are women? I would guess 98%. More positives are that we usually stop in Nongkhai for supplies for the Branch that are shipped from Bangkok, we get to see the young elders, and we make a Tesco run and usually get a KFC ice cream cone or sundae! Sanity and soul food!

The rest of the week can be capsulized in one word: HANDOVERS. We had 6 well and toilet handovers…and that’s a lot of sticky rice! These wells and toilets have been done for a long time - most since September 2009 - but for one reason or another, the handovers haven’t been done. We did 2 a day for 3 days. It’s always overwhelming to see the schools, see the villages, and interact with the students and teachers. Our blessings, folks, cannot be numbered. I quote a sentence received this week from a letter from dear MTC friends who served in India: “I don't think I will ever understand in this life how I was given the blessing of being born in America.” That’s how we feel daily, but especially when we are with the people of this developing country and see first hand how they live, what the schools are like (even at best), and eat what they eat (and we recognize they feed us the good stuff). We’ve been here 20 months. This week we saw the first little girl with a doll in a village. We drove by and, regretfully, I didn’t get a picture (President Khamphee drives with focus, and anyway, if we had stopped she likely would have run away), but the image will be forever etched in my mind. She was a ragged, dirty, beautiful little Hmong girl, probably 3 or 4 years old. Her “baby” was on her back in a typical Hmong baby carrier, and she was standing in the yard in front of her woven bamboo house. One doll in 20 months! Our hope is that we can communicate how blessed we all have been and are still - even in the tough times - and what a debt and obligation we have to share what we have with Heavenly Father’s children everywhere…wherever we are. In his CES talk on January 10, 2010, Elder Neal A. Anderson enlarged on three main points:

Number 1: You are on a journey through mortality. Our foreordained opportunities and responsibilities help shape what we are to do in mortality. In ways not fully understood, “our actions in the spirit world influence us in mortality.”

Number 2: You are to be a spiritual captain in the Lord’s cause, with a specific mission to accomplish. You and I have a spiritual destiny, and it does not allow us to ride passively in the back of the plane traveling through mortality. You were chosen and foreordained to have the gospel in your life and to be a leader in the cause of the restored gospel.

Number 3: Your sacred duty is to return safely and bring many with you. Much of your spiritual destiny will be etched in the lives of those you help spiritually.

We recommend the entire, excellent talk or broadcast to you. It can be found on lds.org.

We send our love to all of you. You are in our thoughts and hearts and prayers - always,

Dad and Mom, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister Riser, Scott and Jolene

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

NBA Brian Skinner

Hey Brian;
I found a story that included your NBA alter ego.
It is down toward the bottom where it says Mr. Fifteen.
http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/01/25/morning.tip0125/index.html

Monday, January 25, 2010

Gatlin and the clarinet


I thought that you might enjoy seeing Gatlin playing at the band concert. I think that he looks pretty professional and I didn't hear his clarinet squeak once.