Zach Gets Ordained

There have been a number of things over the past few weeks that have strengthened my resolve, strengthen my faith. To cap it all off, my eldest son Zach received the Melchizedek Priesthood and was ordained to the office of an elder today.

The next step is to officially submit his papers to church headquarters (already completed, just waiting till December, 3 months before he turns 19). At that point, he will be able to take his own endowments out at the temple and continue preparing to leave on his mission in March.

Zach, we are proud of you and your decision to receive the priesthood and go on a mission. Take Pres. Uchtdorf's council to heart to work hard and always learn.

Apart from the weather, I know it was not easy for everyone to be here. A sincere thanks to those who were able to attend this special day and for your sacrifice.

Back to School!!!

After what appeared to be a short summer, today was the first day of school!

Wes is a junior at Pleasant Grove High.

CiCi is in the 8th grade at Pleasant Grove Jr.

Looking forward to a great school year!

Summer Re-cap!

Can you believe that summer is just about over? I can't believe how fast the summer went, then I thought back on what we did…here is a run down…

Zach's HS graduation…Aaron and Zach's Europe trip for 3 weeks…Wes soccer camp…Wes' 16th birthday…CiCi and Mom to American Idol concert…CiCi Young Women's Camp…Wes to EFY in Provo…Zach's patriarchal blessing…Zach and Wes to San Diego…Jill's many trips to Logan to be with her Mom…Aaron and Jill's Harley weekend…

I believe that about covers everything…no wonder the summer went so fast!

Looking forward to a great school year!!

The Rouelle's & The Temple

Jen & Brian are going through the temple today. I remember thinking when they first got married if Jen was making a mistake. Not that Brian is not a cool guy (Brian is seriously one of the coolest, nicest and laid back people I know -- and he's a great dad), but I know how difficult it can be when to people of different faiths marry.

Well, no surprise, Jen has worked hard at being a good example to Brian and the kids. About a year ago or so, Brian took a brave step and got baptized, even though he knew how that decision would affect his relationship with his own family. Way to go, Bri!

And now today, Brian & Jen are taking the biggest, most important step of all -- brian is taking his own endowments out and the Rouelle Family is getting sealed for time and eternity.

Wow, Bri! What a blessing. You have just a inkling of what this means, but it will be one of the greatest accomplishments you achieve in this lifetime. Thanks for your example and being so good to my wife's sister.

You are a good man, Brian.

Thanks!

Aaron

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Aaron D. Alder
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Zach is going to college ... then a mission!

Zach and I visited Utah Valley University on Thursday to take an assessment/placement test. I can't believe that I have a child in college! He already has a semester under his belt because of concurrent enrollment (college credit) courses he took at PG High. He has decided to take one semester before his mission.

Speaking of his mission, Zach is getting really excited to go. Many of his friends are already out and Zach often expresses a desire to be out already. He enjoys going to the single adult ward and attending the missionary prep class.

Keep it up, Zach!

Sweet 16!

Wes turned 16 yesterday. What a SPAZ! :) I can't believe it was just yesterday that I was running to the base hospital (Ft. Ord, CA) to just barely catch his birth. Yeah, Jill "birthed" him in about 45 minutes. I was just finishing up my training for the day, came home and saw a sign on the garage door, something like "We are at the hospital...hurry!" No kidding!

Wes, you constantly amaze me at your intelligence, perseverance, smile, laugh and sincerity. I look forward to 16 more great years: sports, graduation, mission, etc. Know that I am proud of you even though I get after you some times. I love you and want the very best for you in life - I promise. :)

Have a great summer and let's hang. I have some golf passes, let's plan on going soon.

XOXOXO

Dad

Trip to Germany (and almost forgot about our blog)

Now that the entire family is on Facebook, the blog has been put on the back burner. It's kinda unfortunate actually because I think the blog is a little more personable (strangely enough) than Facebook. And you know, all this "social networking" stuff can get kinda old after awhile. Who really cares whether I am picking my nose at this very moment or not (waiting for your comment, Scott & Joel). ;-)

I suppose the most amazing thing that has happened in the past month or so is the trip Zach and I took to Germany. What an amazing opportunity! Just a few of the things and places we got to see were:

• Meißen (Provo's sister city and the birthplace of Karl G. Maeser, Meißen Porcelain Factory)
• Dresden (Frauenkirche, Pres. Obama)
• Sachsenring Race Track
• Leipzig (Völkerschlachtdenkmal, St. Nikolai where communism fell in Oct. 89, Thomaskirche where Bach is buried)
• The VW plant
• Görlitz
• Spreewald
• Munich (BMW Museum, Dachau, Hoffbraeuhaus, Frauenkirche)
• Poland
• Berlin (Gedächtniskirche, Potsdam Film Museum, Brandenburgertor, Pergamon Museum, Bendlerblock where the real story of Valkyrie took place)
• Several East German (DDR) museams
• ...and more!

Can you believe that?! Seriously, what an amazing trip. If you'd like to see more pictures and videos, check out Zach's or my Facebook account.