The Carter's: 2010

Itty Bitty Hunt

We had an Itty Bitty Hunt for our combined youth activity at church this month. We made a collage of pictures of hard to find things at the church building. The kid's seemed to have a lot of fun. The original idea was from here. If you're ever at the Borden building, see if what you can find.

Best Day at the Beach

Today was extra warm so we decided to go to the Beach. The tide was the lowest I've ever seen, and the conditions were very nice. When you first walk in the water, there were ridges in the sand about 2-3 feet apart and almost a foot high. The water was crystal clear. Then, the sand was very flat and the water was about 6 inches deep. See how far out Zack and Subaru are and how shallow the water is.

Out further, the waves were glassy. Normally we get pulled North by the current and would have to fight to stay in the same spot. Today there was no current.
Later I noticed the strangest thing. After the waves would break to the shore, it would then wash out and form a small wave going out towards the ocean. A wave coming in would then collide with the outgoing wave for a cool effect. See video.

Remembering Barbara Smith

I noticed in the news that Barbara Smith passed away. She was the General Relief Society President for the LDS Church from 1974 to 1984. When I was a missionary in São Paulo, Brazil, I worked in the mission office and had the opportunity to pick Sister Smith up from the airport.

I had no special feelings or admiration for her before this meeting since I wasn't personally interested in the Relief Society, however I vividly remember how I felt in her presence: I felt a holiness that I had never experienced before or since. I can't explain why I felt that way, but remembering it makes me want to be a better person.

Barona Raceway

We took our young men to the Barona Raceway in Ramona. The boys seemed to enjoy it.
Our Crew: Trevor, Erik, Scott, Leo, Jordan, Spencer, Eddie, Roman and Jared.

Burning rubber.

The Rocket Truck

Del Mar Fair

Last night Zack and I went to the Del Mar Fair. I got to see his entry that won Best in Class for student entries (category 4575). He down-played the whole thing, but I remember thinking it was pretty clever. His assignment was to merge the logos from two companies. He merged "Pet's Mart" and "e-Harmony" to make "Pet-Harmony". It says "Where the pets go...to find their true love".

We went on a crazy ride, had funnel cake, went to the Kenny Loggins concert. It was nice spending the afternoon and evening with him.

I snapped this photo on our way out.

Getting hurt by things you love

I was walking up stairs as Zack yelled "ouch" and started rubbing his head. He was taking the guitar off and as he slipped the strap over his head he bumped heads with his guitar.

Later he came in a showed me a small welt. The first thing that came to my mind (and out my mouth) was "Zack, you always get hurt by things you love". I then showed him the scar on my forehead from when I was loading a computer in my car. I love the computer (though not as much as people).

He thought for a moment and then said "I never got hurt by the piano!". I asked, "Did you love the piano?" He responded sheepishly, "no". Then a light bulb went off and he said "Girls!! Basketball!!". I proudly said "See, I told you so."

Then I asked him if he's ever been hurt at the beach. He said yes.

Severe Weather

Kristy and Dalan are visiting from Rexburg before Blake leaves for the Army. It rained last night so I decided to look at the weather report. For some reason, there was a "Severe Weather Alert". Compare to Rexburg with no weather alert. Is an 63 degrees with an 80% chance of rain more severe than 37 degrees with a 60% chance of snow? Or are Southern Californians wimpier so it seems to like "Severe Weather"?

Animal Eye Care

We saw this last night. I had to take a picture. We love our pets, but I don't think we would go this far.

Junk Yard Wars

Our combined mutual (church youth group) activity was "Junk Yard Wars". We brought "clean junk" to our church cultural hall, then split into 5 teams. The teams had a relay race to collect their junk, were armed with a giant roll of duct tape and started creating.
The final creations were impressive considering what they started with and how little time they had.

Here are the results in no particular order: