2009 Theme Word Art and ideas

Each year our youth program at church has a scriptural theme. They have recently released what the 2009 theme is and here are a few things that I have found to help with future planning.

First, I must say how cool it is that the church is using technology to help us learn more about our religion, our callings at church, how to help our families. Have you checked out the new video player to watch General Conference and other meetings?

They are also coming out with a DVD and other materials to help end this year's theme and to begin next year's theme. While I wish it were coming out before December - what a cool concept! Maybe next year they will roll out those materials earlier to assist with planning.

Isn't this cool? It could be done on t-shirts, programs, any number of things.


Here is the link to where you can find this- she does a lot of Word Art. You can learn how to download the PNG file by going to this link.

Here is the site where I found the Word Art link and it may have some other great ideas for anyone interested. It is called SugarDoodle.

A beautiful day to be outside!

We started our day with a race...I was a fabulous spectator!
(Spencer and Dave did the running).

Here they are before the 5K race.


It was a wonderful autumn day and the leaves are so colorful right now! Dave was afraid that Spencer would overdo it and he tried to point out the trees in order to help Spencer pace himself but it didn't work- he was too concerned about staying on the path and not running into anyone. There were a lot of people - over 900! A record number this year.

Here they are at the end of the race.

Yep, the fingers they are holding up are the order they finished in. Spencer kicked it into high gear at the end and finished in 29. 40. Check out the results here.

Then we headed home so that Jenna could finish out her soccer season. I wasn't able to see much of her season since I was coaching Spencer's team but she had a lot of fun.


One thing that I am unfamiliar with is organized cheering from the sidelines. The girls would line up and start cheering and clapping for their team. That doesn't happen on any boy teams I have seen.

Everyone got participation medals in 1st grade. It was so refreshing to watch games where the score was not the main focus of the game. I just found myself chuckling most of the time.

I will post a photo of Spencer's team soon. We took the opportunity for a group photo after our next to last game...good thing too since our last game was in the fog, at night. Until then, here is a photo taken after the final game. Our team got second place.

*Update 8/12/08: Poor Spencer can hardly walk today...despite my best attempts to hydrate him and encourage stretching...he is going to be sore for a couple of days.

Cheaper Flights coming to MSP?

Nate just notice a new announcement! Guess who is coming to our airport in March 2009!
Finally. They are adding flights to Chicago and then we can fly to other locations and some of you to us!

I love free things!

I am always trying to find a good deal and do fun things. I love that Macy's has joined with the libraries around here to offer free entrance into many museums and historical places around. We haven't visited a lot but we have gone to the MN Zoo and The Works and other places.

I have recently found out that Target has a partnership with the MN Orchestra for free tickets to upcoming family musical productions. It is a drawing but hey- I will sign up if for a chance to win 6 free tickets. If you are from around here and want to enter for the tickets too check out this link.

I have also looked into volunteering to get you free admission. I got the girls in our church youth group into the state fair for free by having them fill a shift at a little kids farm area. There are also several smaller theaters such as Stepping Stone Theater that by offering to usher (they look for youth groups, I think) you can watch the production for free!

Several radio stations also offer deals for free or discounted gift certificates from time to time. I think that KDWB (Dave's Deals) does and also 107.1 FM I am sure there are others but you actually have to listen to hear when they have good deals. I missed out on a 1/2 price membership to the MN Science Museum because they sold out in about 2 hours from being made available. Bummer. You can find links to the deals through their websites. Many times you can get a $50 gift certificate for $25.

Does anyone else have any suggestions on how to find the best deals?