California

For my graduation present, my Aunt Wawa bought me a plane ticket to fly out to Cali to stay at my other aunt's house in Camarillo for a little vaca, just the two of us. And it was awesome!! We got to go to the beach, Magic Mountain, and just hang out, having a total blast the whole time!! Thanks Wawa!


Wawa's Jak Jak hat


Isaac and Ami


Audrey and Aaron sleeping


Aaron being pummeled by Addie


Audrey


Addie


Ben and Shek

Called To Serve

Sorry it's been so long. I've been out of town for a while. But I have some very exciting news!!

On Friday, August 15 I received my mission call! I'm going to the Sweden Stockholm mission!! (yes speaking Swedish) I leave for the Provo MTC on December 3 and cannot wait!!!! If you can' tell I'm really excited ha ha.

One reason for the excitement, especially on the day of opening, was because I had to go through so much crap to get my papers ha ha! I seriously hit every single road block possible and I didn't think my call was ever going to come! But it did and it feels so so right! I make frequent trips to

Ikea now for Swedish meatballs, candies, chocolates, etc. getting ready haha! I'm so so happy!



This is the Sword of Truth. Several of us have opened our calls with it. There's rules with it though. First, its from Pakistan so if you get called there you get to keep it lol. If you get called to the same mission as another missionary who opened their call with the Sword they must take you out to dinner. But if you get called to a rival mission, i.e. Washington D.C. South vs. Washington D.C. North, you have to take them to dinner ha ha.

A Day of Firsts

Well yesterday was a day of firsts! And it was awesome! No the first grandchild wasn't born...BUT it was Tyler and Erin's first baby, the first time our growing family had cousins, and the first time Ai got to go to the Labor and Delivery floor of the hospital without feeling like she had just pulled a firetruck around the block a few hundred times and wasn't covered in all sorts of nasties. Little baby Luke is 7 lbs 13 oz 20 inches long (his daddy was 7 lbs 13 oz 20.5 inches...weird huh?) and was born with little complications. All in all it was a beautiful day! But I'll cut the crap and throw down some pics ok? :) (You have to forgive me I forgot my camera in the thrill of it all so all of these are off my phone so the quality isn't that great.)

What's New?

Just thought I'd update you on my life...which is very simple and pretty boring buy hey it works for me! :)

I'm working at a landscaping company called Scenic View Landscape. This is my fourth year working there (third full-time) and I love it. Each year I've gotten a raise and slowly worked my way up the ladder. This year I received a new position (guess you could say a promotion); I am an account manager. What that basically means is this: I drive around to all of the different properties the company manages and first check out the place, make sure there aren't any problems--dead flowers, shrubs or trees, dry grass, need for pruning, things of that nature--I check all sprinklers for breaks or other problems, make sure the crews are doing a good job and using their time well, etc. Basically make sure the places look sweet :) Then I go in and talk to the property manager or whoever happens to be in charge at the property and make sure they're satisfied, let them complain to me, promise everything will be taken care of, give my report to the boss, and move on to the next place. On top of that, if the only thing we have done is some sort of installation--water feature, sprinklers, flower beds, trees, etc.--I try to sell them our weekly maintenance, tell them that Scenic View is the bomb and they should give us their business. So I get to work by myself, have full control of the radio, its easy work, and I get to practice talking to new people. I love it!

I've been attending 2 Institute classes at the Sandy Institute--Pearl of Great Price (Tues 6pm) and Themes of the Book of Mormon (Thurs 7pm). I am really enjoying it. The teachers are great and the classes go so well every week because everyone who is there really wants to be there...even though some are just trying to get a wife...and they're really really weird...but its still good :) Everyone who goes (except me and my 2 friends) are all RMs so we are quite younger than the others. But I really don't mind because they usually have some really nice things to say and can bring a lot to the class. If anyone wants to come there are 2 weeks left!

I know I said my mission papers were going to go in on the 18th...but there was a little hiccup. My stake president was gone most of last week and now he's sick so I am still waiting to have an interview with him. I spoke to my bishop today and he sent the stake president an email asking him about scheduling a meeting. The bishop and stake president are going to meet and then I can interview with the stake president. After that my papers can go in! I'll be sure to let you know when they go in. :)

I think thats really all I'm up to this summer. Well and the usually hangin out :) I'll let you know if something else comes up :)

What Happened to Little Mac?

Now that school is out, I've had quite a lot more free time. A good portion of that time has been spent playing video games, something I never get to do during the school year. A few weeks ago a wandered down to Best Buy to see if I could find any cool new games for my GameCube. You know, some I hadn't beaten 2 or 3 times already :) To my horror I found out that the store no longer carried anything that had to do with the GameCube! I was sorely disappointed. But its ok because there is a GameStop just next door, and they sell used games there. NO! Not there either! I frantically ran over to Wal-Mart only to find the same bad news. Nobody carried GameCube merchandise anymore! Am I that outdated? I felt so old...

Now I only bring this up for one reason: I chose to purchase my GameCube for a reason. I chose a GameCube over all the other available consoles for a reason-they had far less violent, rated M (mature) games than the other consoles, and a lot more Mario-type kid-friendly games. The bloody shoot-em-up games really aren't my thing. So when I found out the GameCube was completely outdated (well...I suppose I could check pawn shops...I mean I do have my hepatitis shots...) it made me sad that the more violent systems had won over and become more popular. Now it is possible Nintendo simply did away with the GameCube to make more room for their new and quite popular Wii, and I do hope that's the case, and not that Halo won. But I remember back in the day when you could find NES, Super Nintendo, N64 systems and games and all the different GameBoys and games virtually everywhere. Oh, and the other less cool stuff too. Why is that now you have to have the latest and greatest or its nothing for you old-timer!? I want my classic video games, like Mike Tyson's Punch-Out, which is still to this day the greatest video game ever made! I want to be able to walk into any electronic store and find a game I want for whatever system I have. Is it really that much to ask??

I've Got the Power!!

On Father's Day I was ordained an Elder, by my father, and given the Melchizedek Priesthood, and man can I tell you...an AMAZING experience. It reminded me so much of when I received my Patriarchal Blessing, that's how powerful and spiritual this was. I was so happy and it still feels so great. Its just another step for me on the path to my mission. I will be turning my papers in on July 18 and expect to receive my mission call that first week of August. I am so excited! So now I'm just working and preparing for it. It absolutely is my #1 focus, and I just can't wait to leave.

Reflections on Graduation

Needless to say I've been busy sorry ha ha. I'm resolving to be better at updating this blog for everyone...anyone who still reads it...which is few if any. The sad thing is is I am so much better at updating this than my journal. A lot better. Pathetic I know but hey so am I. Seriously I watched all 3 X-Men movies yesterday. Oh well.

................................


Well I graduated! I was my class's Salutatorian as well! So exciting! Ever since I found out what a Valedictorian was when I was in 8th grade I've made it a goal to become my class's Valedictorian when I graduated. Didn't quite make it but I am completely satisfied with what I did achieve. Especially since the Valedictorian, Justin Warner, has credentials coming out of his ears and is a super nice guy and a great friend of mine to boot :) Although, strange as it may sound, I'm not sure it's quite hit me yet what that means exactly, to be graduated--the whole growing up, moving on thing, the friendships that sadly end, the leaving on a mission. I didn't even cry at any final concert, end of year, senior, or graduation thing. It all feels so surreal. However, when I do realize that I am growing up the idea of moving on to bigger and better things becomes rather exciting so all in all I'm doing great!

My best friend Emily :)


This is me with the Valedictorian! Cool huh?


There is something, however, about the end that tends to make you reflect on the beginning. As you may or may not be aware, music, especially band, was an enormous part of my high school career. And by golly we were really good. High school music is judged and given a rating that works similar to school grades. A I (one) is considered a Superior Rating and is like an A. It goes down from there, I-, II+, and such to V. My entire time at Jordan, every band I participated in received straight I's, a feat not often achieved by any band, and it goes without saying that I am thrilled and extremely proud. That is a total of 48 I's given by judges at every Jazz Band, Wind Symphony, Orchestra, and A Cappella Choir competition I've been in the last 3 years. COOL!!

The other important thing in my high school life was obviously my academics. To me my Salutatorian medal is not a symbol of honor and recognition but rather a symbol of my hard work. Cuz dang it I did work hard! I managed to maintain my 4.o GPA all throughout middle school and high school, all while taking as many Honors and AP classes I could. And yes I passed all the AP tests :) Kind of a load but I managed. Between the GPA, AP tests, and a 32 ACT score the University of Utah offered me the Presidential Scholarship, a full ride tuition scholarship plus a little extra, which I accepted but deferred until after my mission. It does, however, require I maintain a 3.7 so my work isn't done yet. I don't mean to brag but rather inform about my high school experience and what I plan on doing now.

I am going to miss Jordan High a lot. I never got Senioritis at all this last year. Maybe it is just because I was too busy for it, but I really never felt like I wanted to get out. I loved high school. It was a great experience for me. As cliche as it may sound, I really did find myself in high school. I met so many wonderful people and made such good memories--memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. I do, however, recognize that all good things must end and that it is now time to move on to greater things. So really its not an end, but a beginning. A beginning to a new life, one with new adventures, experiences, trials, and maturity. So look out world here I come!

Charlie bit my finger - again !

General Conference

Wasn't it awesome!! I want to hear YOUR thoughts and feelings about it though.

For me, during the Solemn Assembly when Pres. Uchtdorf asked the Aaronic Priesthood age boys to stand and sustain the new prophet, something just whispered to me really strongly that Thomas S. Monson is in fact a true prophet called of God and that he will do many great things for the church and offer us, its members, great counsel if we will just follow it. That was one of the things I took away this time around. You?

One-Two Knock Out!!

For about 2 years now my best friend Emily and I have had a friendly competition regarding our nieces and nephew. To finally put an end to the debate, I give you my niece, Maya, to finally end the debate. She is cuter EmJ!



Look at this!! She was beautiful just hours out of the womb! I immediately fell in love with her :)





Here she is with her favorite uncle :) I know you can't see her very well but trust me she's a doll! It gets better!






Now can it get any more priceless than that? And that's Caden in the background. He is such a good big brother :)





Ok I understand that this maybe isn't the most flattering picture of Maya, but its still cute in a hilarious way ha ha! She is totally saying "huh??"





Look at that face! Emily look at this? You really think you can do better than that? She's gorgeous!!







If anyone has seen "Hook" they'll know who I'm talking about when I say Thud ha ha. When I took this pic I was laughing SO hard! This is one of my very most favorite memories I have of her (same time as next pic). She was just chillin with me, totally sprawled out on my lap-she fits perfectly between my body and knees-as I was sitting on the love sac. We were watching The Little Mermaid, which she loved by the way. But she was just looking up at me and smiling while I played with her, blowing in her face and such. And she was just so cute she totally melted my heart! :)


And here is my crowning jewel! Maya has the most beautiful and contagious smile I've ever seen! Doctors go on and on about how babies can't smile let alone laugh at a young age. Well Doc, eat your heart out! MY baby can! And look! Hello gorgeous!!





I don't have as many recent pics of Caden but I thought I should throw in a few here. This is Caden saying "cheese" because my camera told him to lol! (the camera on my phone says "Say cheese!") And yes he's wearing Marti Gras beads. He walked into my room and walked out about 10 seconds later wearing them! It was so funny! He's so fun and has SO much energy! He IS perpetual motion! And his vocabulary gets bigger and better everyday, in both English and Japanese (yes, Caden and Maya's mommy is Japanese. And we all love Ai so much! She's awesome!)


Cute little squirt :) Anyway those are my babies! I think that I just hands down swept the competition! There is no way Emmy can even touch this! Sorry dear...but I win! :) But its ok I still love ya :)
And sorry Bum and Ai for exploiting your children for my gain...I couldn't resist! They're just way too cute and I love them!!

Month in a wrap (not rap sorry)

Hey guys sorry I've been such a slacker in letting you whats going on. Since I have so much to catch you up on that I've missed I'm gonna have to do a blanket report so sorry about that.

On March 8th the JHS Jazz Ensemble competed at the Crescent Jazz Festival in Orem. We played the best we ever had before but were politically shoved out of an award position so that was really disappointing to us. But we made up for it at Region Jazz Festival on the 11th where we blew everyone out of the water and received Superior Ratings across the boards; strait I 's for anyone music savvy.

On the 12th the JHS Wind Symphony was privileged to host the University of Utah's Wind Symphony for a joint concert. This is a HUGE deal because well...the U doesn't do this for just any high school band. We are very proud of our achievements and are looking forward to our upcoming competitions: Region Band, State Band, and the Heritage Festivals at San Diego (band tour!!). Choir is good too. Not as good as band but good. Our last concert on the 5th went pretty well. But I'm pretty busy with that too. I've got Region, State, and Heritage Festivals also coming up

On the evening of the 8th [yeah this was really fun getting to after the jazz festival :s ] I got to accompany my dear friend Rachel Peckham to the 1st Annaul Jordan High Seminary Prom held at the U of U Institute building. It was so much fun, and lucky for Rachel cheap ha ha (girls choice). And our dear seminary teachers and Council did a wonderful job at making it as little like a stake dance as possible which was so good. And talk about clean!!

My beautiful niece Maya was blessed on the 16th. She is just so much fun and wow talk about a killer smile! Even at 3 months she is all smiles! [Em pics are coming soon for the competition. A whole entry will be dedicated to this beautiful lady :) ]

For those that haven't yet heard...Nate...and Nicki...are engaged!!! As of Easter Sunday! And the family is thrilled! They are being wed on August 8th so if we like you mark your calendar for that date :)


Well its the end of 3rd quarter this week. My last quarter of my high school career begins next Tuesday. Its really bitter-sweet for me...but i guess its time...

Well thats my March. The highlights anyway. Really its been such a crazy month for me! But I'll try and be better at keeping you updated. Keep watching March Madness! Best time of the year!

P.S. Grandma is out of the hospital and is in a rehab clinic where she is making progress but its unlikely she'll ever come back home again.

Pi Day

Hey everyone happy Pi Day! Here's the first 1,000 digits of Pi!! How exciting! :)
3.
1415926535 8979323846 2643383279 5028841971 6939937510 5820974944 5923078164 0628620899 8628034825 3421170679 8214808651 3282306647 0938446095 5058223172 5359408128 4811174502 8410270193 8521105559 6446229489 5493038196 4428810975 6659334461 2847564823 3786783165 2712019091 4564856692 3460348610 4543266482 1339360726 0249141273 7245870066 0631558817 4881520920 9628292540 9171536436 7892590360 0113305305 4882046652 1384146951 9415116094 3305727036 5759591953 0921861173 8193261179 3105118548 0744623799 6274956735 1885752724 8912279381 8301194912 9833673362 4406566430 8602139494 6395224737 1907021798 6094370277 0539217176 2931767523 8467481846 7669405132 0005681271 4526356082 7785771342 7577896091 7363717872 1468440901 2249534301 4654958537 1050792279 6892589235 4201995611 2129021960 8640344181 5981362977 4771309960 5187072113 4999999837 2978049951 0597317328 1609631859 5024459455 3469083026 4252230825 3344685035 2619311881 7101000313 7838752886 5875332083 8142061717 7669147303 5982534904 2875546873 1159562863 8823537875 9375195778 1857780532 1712268066 1300192787 6611195909 2164201989

Jordan Sweethearts

Saturday it was my privilege to accompany my dear friend Carly Yeager to the Jordan High Sweethearts Dance. That afternoon we went over to a friend's house, Taylor, and played Curses. Some people got in the hot tub but Carly, Taylor and her date Brandon opted to stay dry and play Phase 10. I told you we stayed dry.

Then we went over to the house of a girl neither me nor Carly knew, Sara-she goes to Alta. But we forgave her for that. There we had a very early but very delicious Dutch oven dinner. I got a few hours break after dinner and then Carly picked me up again for the dance where I showed off my sweet dance moves I'd been working on all week. Afterwards we went over to Destiny's house and watched Kate and Leopold. No I'm not speaking metaphorically. We really did go over to Destiny's house...my good friend Destiny Glover.

There's my dance dance recitation.

Welcome

I figured since everyone has a blog I might as well get one too. I'm new at this so there's not too much to enjoy right now but keep checking back and I'll keep you posted on what's goin on in the life of Zach.