Dallin is not timid when it comes to letting us know how he feels. This is what he told me one day when I was otherwise trying to do the family finances.

Summer is wonderful for it's increased opportunity to get away and enjoy the outdoors. We've been camping up a storm since Wednesday and got back yesterday from Capitol Reef. We went down Wednesday morning amid on and off showers. It was a fun drive. I'm not sure I ever remember going that far South on I-15. It's pretty down there through Nephi. We then got on UT-50, went through Scipio, down to Salina, scooted over on I-70 and continued on UT-24. Dallin finally woke up when we got to Torrey, Utah. We stopped at the little gas station there and filled him up. He did a great job travelling. I think he's had enough now though. Haven't we all...

He's a kick, kick, kick ... he's a kicking machine. (Sung to the tune of Michael's Dancing Machine.) This boy's a bundle of kicking awesome. And more! My ribs are no match for his bodacity.

Skritter is an awesome site that helps one learn some sweeto Chinese characters. Some awesomeness:

- It's easy to write characters accurately, because Skritter helps adjust them automatically.
- You get to hear the word pronounced.
- There are clues available that fade in and out at just the right moments to not make it too easy.
- The computer gives you some great feedback to help boost your confidence in your waining Chinese skills.

The downside is that it's a paid for service, but if you want to try it out, go here.

It is disturbing to me to see our highest elected official in the land declaring June to be the national gay pride month. I do not think that we should have pride in the adoption of this lifestyle. Morally, I believe it is wrong. Thus, I do not want to have pride in or commemorate the growing number in this country who adhere to the lifestyle. I am disturbed by the agenda that is reiterated in the presidential proclamation:

- "appoint openly LGBT [lesbian gay bisexual transgender] candidates to Senate-confirmed positions"
- "supporting civil unions [...] for LGBT couples"
- "ensuring adoption rights"
- "ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy [of the] Armed Forces"

These and other paths will lead to greater acceptance of and entrenchment of this wrong in our society -- and at more levels.

There are agenda points that the president presents in his proclamation that I believe are good. Real hate crimes should not be tolerated. Homosexuals should not be treated as criminals. Homosexuals shouldn't have to live in fear of harassment. Homosexuals, like everyone else, should help stem the tide of HIV that continues to grow.

President Obama is correct, "These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation." Embracing, encouraging, and having pride in homosexuality will have an adverse effect on families, communities, and nations. Yes, we must embrace -- our loved ones who are challenged with this homosexual attraction. Yes, we must encourage -- those who struggle with the challenge of homosexuality to work against it. Yes, we must have pride -- not in the lifestyle, but in the strength of families, communities, and nations who work together through this challenge of homosexuality, where peace, justice, and rule of law can prevail and where traditional moral values can improve even in the face of adversity.

LOL! Uhh, is now a good time to tell you to check us out @aprilandjake?

A childhood adventure lives again. Today at E3, The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition was announced. This game is a classic! And now remade in full... 2D. Hehe, no, the graphics look nice. I was a little disappointed to see the character movement. C'mon... modern technology must be utilized. The backgrounds were nice. I think it'll be fun. Ant, then we can beat the Sword Master over New Years again. :)

Dallin is getting really fun to play with. Sooooo needed is this play, in fact, that I am getting bombarded w/ his verbal pleas as I write this post.