And yes,
Bria's mother had her carve a pumpkin.
Resurrected.
This blog was resurrected on July 27, 2013 after a long, long absence. So much has changed . Be sure to read the post on "The Summer of 2013." That will catch you up a little. Pictures may follow.
Moving into the mainstream
Now that we have an empty nest minus the calls for free babysitting, there is more time for other pursuits. Lupe finds herself on Facebook and Pinterest while Steve dabbles more in Facebook, Blogger, Google+ with mere beginnings on Pinterest and Twitter. Steve wants to learn as much as he can on social media while promoting some of his interests. Lupe on the other hand keeps in touch with friends and family on Facebook and has a ton of things on Pinterest.
Promotions
Joy was recently promoted to assistant manager of her Verizon store. Tim was made foreman at Leprinos, a cheese factory, where he will run a new line. He has been helping with the installation.
An Olsen Painting.
Varsity Scouts in L.A.
Seth and his dad went with the varsity scouts to the Los Angeles area and Santa Catalina Island the week of June 22 -27th.
They spent 3 nights at the Los Angeles Temple apartments where they performed baptisms and confirmations on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
Monday they went and swam in the ocean in Huntington Beach.
Tuesday they went to a Science Center, Guinness Museum of World Records in Hollywood, and the Pacific Park Pier.
Wednesday they went to Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Thursday they traveled by ferry to Santa Catalina Island where they set up camp a little more than a mile uphill from Avalon. That day they went sea kayaking along the cliffs of the island. Trevor Flores and Bro. Sare both jumped off a 25+ foot rock that stood high near the shore. That night Steve went to bed early and was so sore that he could barely turn over in his sleeping bag. (Camping, by the way, was done under the stars with just tarps for cover. Flush toilets and showers were a plus for this campground.)
Friday the scouts took a five mile hike in the rugged terrain. Steve tried but didn't get very far and headed back to camp. That afternoon the boys hit the beach where the sites were aplenty. Those who weren't too exhausted went snorkeling although lots of fish could be seen just from the shore. Friday night the conservation center put on a campfire that was enjoyable teaching about the island's history.
Friday had Steve a little upset. An LDS scout from another troop rode his bike through our camp twice. So when that troop left the campground, their tents were turned in different directions and an alligator lizard was put in one of their tents. Also during a the campfire presentation some kids from a nearby tent camp kept flashing a laser at Steve and Seth. They got a little scared when Steve went and scolded them how lasers are not toys.
Saturday, everyone boarded the ferry for Long Beach and we arrived back in the valley that afternoon to near 100 degree weather.
Bria Soon to Graduate from Milan Institute
Bria will be finishing up her studies at Milan Institute of Cosmetology sometime by the end of September or early October. She will be taking her state exams aroumd this time. This could be a stepping stone to other opportunities. Her mother really enjoys her nail work and her dad loves trying new hair colors to get rid of the gray.
Seth's First Dance
Although, neither parent was there to watch but. . .witnesses and Seth's own confession says he's a real stud muffin at dances. First, a pretty blonde from the ward teaches him how to slow dance. Then we hear that a seventeen year old girl approaches him and asks for the next slow dance. He is also caught dancing with two girls at once (both blondes). The DJ was our inside witness that Seth has no problems with the opposite sex or hitting the floor with some smooth dance moves.
Chalk another one up to Bria, his sister and mentor, for instilling in him the motivation and desire to be his best.
Chalk another one up to Bria, his sister and mentor, for instilling in him the motivation and desire to be his best.
Seth Accepted to Lemoore Middle College
Lemoore Middle College is a high school charter school that offers both a high school diploma and two years of community college all rolled into four years. Seth has applied early and was accepted so he has a guaranteed spot. It is also located on the West Hills College campus where he currently attends school.
History Day 2009
Seth recently completed a video slide show with narration and music on Robert the Bruce. The theme was "The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies." What Seth didn't know when he chose Robert the Bruce, who became a king of Scotland, was that his ancestors, the Mc Arthurs fought along side him against the hated English kings. The legacy part of the theme followed Seth's genealogy from Robert Mc Arthur to John McArthur who left a description of where the Mc Arthurs fought and who fought in the New York Militia during the American Revolution against England to Duncan Mc Arthur who was a bodyguard to Joseph Smith to Washington Perry Mc Arthur who was the first doctor in Mt. Pleasant, Utah to Almeda Mcarthur who married John Carter (he at the age of 10 was part of the fateful Martin Handcart Company) to Ella Orania Carter who married Henry Matthew Todd who with two small children lived in a dirt cellar in Idaho until a mill could be built to cut logs to Boyd Todd whose family were the first members of the church in Modesto, CA to Leith Todd, a WWII veteran and who helped construct churches and ag buildings to Stephen, his dad who serves his fourth term on the local school board, to himself who currently is a Life Scout who has hiked thirty plus miles in the Redwoods, camped in the snow 3 times and who will one day make a difference of his own in this world.
New House
Tim and Joy have purchased their first home. They got a loan rate of 5.75%.
It is small but a very comfortable home with a fireplace 3 bedroom 2 bath home. There are no neighbors behind their house. It comes with a salt water pool for easy maintenance and spa. The neighborhood is not that old. They really enjoy their new house.
It is small but a very comfortable home with a fireplace 3 bedroom 2 bath home. There are no neighbors behind their house. It comes with a salt water pool for easy maintenance and spa. The neighborhood is not that old. They really enjoy their new house.
The Stephen Ough Todd family
- Ough! Know!
- Pronounced "Oh! No!" this is a play on my great grandfather's last name of "Ough". I am a husband, father of two girls and two boys, Latter-Day Saint,Kindergarten Teacher,and a LUESD School Board Trustee
Walking through the clouds with a circus mind that's running wild, butterflies, and zebras. . .
Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA. And, if you don't know it, Lupe is a collector of zebra memorabilia. It reminds here of a yearly retreat in Cambria, CA with friends in the church when she was first married.