Cub Scouts in Space (The Sock Monsters Attack!)

New Handbook

At the yummy dinner last night at Kim's house, we talked about the new Church handbook and orientation meeting. Both the handbook and the video of the meeting are available online now. Enjoy, especially for those who were traveling or hosting family this weekend and couldn't attend!

We had a great time this weekend. We sure missed those who couldn't be there, too! Love you all.

John is old

Everyone say a little prayer for John today as he is having knee surgery! I am excited to see everyone this weekend! :)

My Kind of Football Play

Sorry if you already saw this. I thought it was the most clever trick play I've seen in a while.

CONGRATS TO THEO AND THE LADY SAND DEVILS- STATE CHAMPS!

An Eventful October

Our October has been busy and fun. Drake and Corbin ran a bunch of cross-country races all over the Rez. Corbin even made the move up to the varsity team by the end of the season!

Every year the boy scouts have a cardboard boat race. This year Drake and Corbin got to participate after a campout at Wahweap. All boats actually stayed afloat this year which is a big improvement over years past!

I got to carve pumpkins with Rex's class for their Halloween party.

The stake had a trunk-or-treat and carnival. It was great to see our big kids help out with some of the booths.

We sure love spending time with our kids and friends in a place that we love!

Outside Our House Today

A Tender Mercy

I have enjoyed watching my family rise to the occasion as we try to meet the challenge set to us by Grandpa Ross! Of course, we have prayed a lot about how to deal with what Debbie is facing. It has been frustrating at times as there is not a lot out there that specifically deals with transgenderism. Last night I was up at the church to drop off my boys for a scout activity and to get my Bishop's signature on some scout forms. He wasn't there yet, so I sat in the little waiting area for a few minutes. With a few moments to sit alone and reflect, I turned to the look at some papers left behind on a nearby table. Someone had abandoned a copy of a talk by President Uchdorf. It was written for me! Heavenly Father loves us so much. We are so blessed. Read the talk at this link http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=fe0fde009da38210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

A Link

An interesting link about Pres Packer's talk

FB News: Clark Jacques Married Today

From Facebook, I gather that Clark Jacques got married after church today, basically without really telling people. His Facebook page doesn't say her name, so I don't know much. Perhaps she is from Alaska? I know he just went on a huge vacation up there. A commenter said her name might be Konnie?

Nicole, I'm expecting some research and reporting soon!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa

Thanks for being so awesome! Love, The Bradley Ross Family

(P.S. We can't wait to see you tomorrow here at Michelle's!)

Feeling Nostalgic

How Do They Put Up With Us?

I mean to ask, how do these kids put up with all the grownups? :)

Ty's farewell

Customize your own photo slideshow

Happy Birthday, Grandma

We love you!
From Bradley, Keryn, Ezra, Mercy, Gideon, Heber, and Miriam

Learning

Interesting piece in the NY Times today about learning and study habits. Here's a taste of the biggest example in the story:

...psychologists have discovered that some of the most hallowed advice on study habits is flat wrong. For instance, many study skills courses insist that students find a specific place, a study room or a quiet corner of the library, to take their work. The research finds just the opposite. In one classic 1978 experiment, psychologists found that college students who studied a list of 40 vocabulary words in two different rooms — one windowless and cluttered, the other modern, with a view on a courtyard — did far better on a test than students who studied the words twice, in the same room. Later studies have confirmed the finding, for a variety of topics.

 One other thing they mentioned in the article was about learning styles. They linked to an abstract that made the following conclusion. 

Our review of the literature disclosed ample evidence that children and adults will, if asked, express preferences about how they prefer information to be presented to them. There is also plentiful evidence arguing that people differ in the degree to which they have some fairly specific aptitudes for different kinds of thinking and for processing different types of information. However, we found virtually no evidence for the interaction pattern mentioned above, which was judged to be a precondition for validating the educational applications of learning styles. Although the literature on learning styles is enormous, very few studies have even used an experimental methodology capable of testing the validity of learning styles applied to education. Moreover, of those that did use an appropriate method, several found results that flatly contradict the popular meshing hypothesis.
We conclude therefore, that at present, there is no adequate evidence base to justify incorporating learning-styles assessments into general educational practice.

Those ads that follow you everywhere

During the family reunion, somebody asked me about those ads that follow you from site to site. You know the scenario where you look at an item on one site and then you see ads for it on other sites? Here is a story about it on Slashdot.

http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/08/30/1258257/Retargeting-Ads-Stalk-You-For-Weeks-After-You-Shop

The Box

Attention, Attention. This could be the opportunity of a lifetime for the RIGHT person.

Yes, I, Grandpa Ross, have created what is destined to be a literal family heirloom... to be given to one of my daughters, sons, granddaughters or grandsons.

And the price is right (free). It will be given to the first one who asks and can demonstrate a sincere need (want).

The alternative is, I can give it to someone for a birthday or Christmas gift and run the risk of having it squirreled away and not used.

First come, first served. If no one calls or emails requesting it, I'll kill myself.

It is 11 inches by 5 inches, and 6 inches tall.

P.S. This is worth being raised at least 3 notches on my last will.

More Miri

A tender moment between oldest and youngest.

Headed home from the hospital

Yellow blanket, yellow outfit, yellow...skin? Oh, well.

Wait, that isn't Miriam! It's Heber, engrossed in a good book.

Papers are in

Ty met with the Stake President last night. His papers have now been submitted to church headquarters. Our Bishop said the call should come in the mail Tues., Aug. 31 or Wed., Sep. 1. We are having a party that night at 7pm to announce the place Ty has been called. All are invited.

We are all putting our guesses as to where Ty might be called. Please join in the fun and send me your guesses. I will flag your guess on the globe.

Happy 30th Debbie!

Baby Blessing Schedule

You are all invited to attend the baby blessing of Miriam. It will be on Labor Day weekend, the first Sunday in September. I know that most of you won't be able to attend, but I hope you know you're welcome. Our ward meets at 1:00pm at the chapel at 300 E. Center St. in Spanish Fork. As always, I would love to have all the Melchizedek priesthood holders (including any newly minted ones!) join me in the circle.

THANKS LAURENE! LOVE THE PICS!!!!!

Beautiful Miriam

Miriam Annette Ross, born 8-9-10 at 1:06 pm, 7 lbs 9 oz, 19 inches.

Ralphette for one more day

Since Ralphette has decided she would like to grow to teenagehood in my womb, we are forcibly evicting her tomorrow. I'm to call the hospital at 5am and see if they have room for me to start the induction early; if not, we wait until they call us to tell us they are ready.

So, tomorrow is the day. 8-9-10. Silly girlie.

We are so excited to meet her! Watch Facebook and my blog for details.

Photo Sharing Sites

A quick Google search for free photo sharing sites pops up quite a few options. It looks like we can all sign up for free accounts on http://photobucket.com or http://www.flickr.com. Each of these websites will allow you to upload photos and video that others can view and download. Has anyone used either of these sites? I did not take pictures, and would sure be grateful to those of you who did if you are willing to upload them to the net! I think that would be much easier than trying to get everyone's stuff for a CD at this point (thanks for the offer Dad!).

REunion Photos

Hey everyone! I have no pictures of our fun reunion. Isn't there some kind of website where you can upload your pics and then others can download them?? Could we set something up all you techie siblings of mine?? I know Michelle, Laurene, and Keryn were snapping away... please share the love.

FOUND

Hope everyone had fun at the Ross Reunion 2010. We sure loved seeing everyone. All the cousins are growing so fast! We enjoy getting to know them better each year.

After everyone cleared out, a few things remained. Please claim them and I will pop them in the mail for you.

brown OP camo swim suit size 10/12 - Corbin?
pink/green/yellow floral dress and white sweater - Elise?
black pocket knife - Drake?
gray Nintendo charger - Rex?
Olympus waterproof camera - Michelle?

If there is anything else you are missing let me know and I will hunt for it.

Claire

Ezra took this picture of Claire at the cemetery. I just love her expression. She could be some Hollywood star being stalked by the paparazzi. "Are you taking my picture?"

Packing List

Ancestor Info for family presentations

Lagoon Outfit

Hiking Outfit

Dinner Outfit (hiking outfit will be really dirty)

Running Outfit

Swim Suit

Beach Towel

Temple Outfit

Dinner Outfit

Saturday Outfit

Sunday Outfit

PJs

hat

sunscreen

walking shoes

running shoes

dressy shoes

toiletries

OPTIONAL

temple recommend

favorite pillow (we have tons if you need them) *still need head shots of Martins & Gillelands*