The Ray & Laurie Gessel Family

2010 WSU Keyboard Explorations

2010-07-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

Connor got to go to the 2010 Washington State University Keyboard Explorations. He got to perform a chamber music piece (Rhumba by Michael McLean) as well as perform a Chopin piece (Waltz in B Minor) that he has been working on for a about a month.

Connor 27 Feb 2010 Recital

2010-02-28T17:45:00.000-08:00

Connor February JAMS

2010-02-14T19:00:00.000-08:00

Connor's JAMS 13 Feb 2010 - taken by my cell phone, not the greatest quality.

Connor's 19 Dec 2009 Christmas Recital

2009-12-21T19:36:00.000-08:00

On December 19, 2009, Connor had his Christmas Recital. These were his two

7 December 2009 Band Concert

2009-12-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

Connor JAMS

2009-12-14T17:16:00.000-08:00

In November, Connor participated in JAMS and these are the two pieces that he played. He was excited that he got to play a Steinway!!!

Donida Horse Show

2009-07-19T22:06:00.000-07:00

2009 Running of the Meridian Elementary Mini Marathon

2009-06-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

At the start of the day, Connor does not look like he is really sure if he wants to run.

Me at the starting line thinking about the first big climb.

Here comes Connor, finishing before me, fourth place in his age group.

I finished behind Connor by over a minute.

Connor waving at the end before the awards ceremony.

I caught Connor Blinking.

Connor receiving his fourth place ribbon.

Connor holding his fourth place ribbon...there is no ribbon for finishing as far behind as I did.

Another shot of Connor as we finished the race.

Connor's time was 21 minutes and some odd seconds. My time was 22 min 31 seconds. The course, according to my Garmin, is officially 2.51 miles.

Laurie's Horse Show - 9 May 2009

2009-05-10T09:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Laurie was in the Horse Show at Bridal Trails in Kirkland. She had some great rides! She took a first and a couple of thirds! Here is some video.

Ashley's Wedding

2008-12-27T15:35:00.000-08:00

For a day in December, in the Tri-Cities, in the midst of brutal winter weather, Ashley picked a wonderful day to get married. Although it was still cold, the temperature had warmed up from the previous two days and there was no precipitation. She and Kyle looked truly like a couple. Here are some of the pictures we got at the temple. The open house is tonight in Lewiston and we will add some more from that.

A number of people were slipping and sliding including the photographer and Connor, but, not Ashley. We wondered why, until we spied her footware.

Snow everywhere!

2008-12-14T15:00:00.000-08:00

Kelsey called us Friday night and told us it was snowing. Apparently some of the snow had left by Saturday, because it warmed up a bit and turned to rain.

However, Sunday morning she woke up to snow again. She took a picture at the house.
Meanwhile, in Idaho Falls, we also got snow. Connor, Chris and I got to shovel Saturday Night and then again after Church. Ironically, in Kent, church was canceled, but not in Idaho Falls where we actually received more snow and had colder temperatures (between 2 degrees and 5 degrees f).

We did a "progressive" block for church; we attend Priesthood and Relief Society in Matt & Amy's ward, Sunday School in Jennifer and McKay's Ward and Sacrament Meeting in Stan and Sharon's Ward. Before we went to Jennifer and McKay's for Dinner, Connor built a snow cave. He has really enjoyed being around all of this snow!

TSR Raceway

2008-12-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

For his birthday, Connor's grandparents paid for him to go to TSR and drive the go carts. Chris, Matt, Colby, Ashlynn and Brinley went with us.

Chris, Connor and I raced the adult race track. Because I had to keep my hands on the wheel at all times, I could not take pictures while I was racing. So, I got some before.

After the first race, we watched Ashlynn and Colby race the Youth track. Everyone had a lot of fun. I was surprised at how much work it was. What a blast, though!

Between the races we went and played some of the arcades since we got tokens with our entry to do so. We all challenged Chris at air hockey, but, he managed to beat every one of us! My commitment to true sportsmanship prohibits me from talking about my feelings about my losses.

As mentioned before, Friday night it started snowing. There was snow and lots of wind on Saturday morning so TSR was not really busy. It snowed more Saturday Night.

2008-12-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

Last Night was Chris and Lindsay's graduation. We started off with the Graduation Banquet.

Even Parker was awake for part of the time.

President Clark, the University President, addressed those in attendance. President Uchtdorf presided and spoke to us as well. He talked about how the Temple, that now sits just above the campus, is Heavenly Father's temple and that our bodies are his true temple and we should care for our bodies as well as we care for the Temple.

After the Graduation we took some pictures of Chris and Lindsay after they put on their robes and went to the Hart center.

At commencement, we heard from President Clark and President Uchtdorf again. President Clark told the students to serve faithfully in church callings. President Uchtdorft talked about families and about how the graduates should go forth into the world and serve faithfully. There were 42 couples that were graduating together including Chris and Lindsay.

After the commencement, we prepared for the convocation. We took more graduation pictures.

Henry J. Eyring, VP of the School of Business spoke at the Convocation. He talked about having an "Autopia" experience, referring to the car at Disneyland. He noted that there is a metal rail down the middle and when you try to go off course, the metal rail puts you on. He told of how he had wanted to be an investment banker and planned a trip to Wall Street the week of the stock market crash of 1987 and how that changed his direction to where the Lord thought he would do best. He said that we should look for those experiences and yield to the Lord's will and that if we did our part, the Lord would help us to stay on the course we need to be.

The diplomas (or rather the diploma folders) were handed out:
After the convocation, we took more pictures. The snow held off until we got back to Idaho Falls and then the wind really started whipping up.

Connor's Birthday

2008-12-07T08:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Connor's Birthday. Last week we bought him a new suit as one of the gifts for his birthday, so, I thought it would be nice to post a picture of him in his Birthday Suit.

Yesterday, we started off the day with the traditional birthday breakfast. Connor had requested an omelet with Orange Juice. It was a such a simple request.

Connor's main gift request was "guitar hero". As you can see, it was one of the few Birthday requests that actually gets granted in the Gessel household.

Connor also had a recital on Saturday. He did an outstanding job, unfortunately, the video did not and I had to make him stay in his recital clothes and play his selection when we got home. Here it is.

After the recital, Connor, Briana, Mike, and three of Connor's friends, Spencer, Jason and Alfredo, went and played Laser Tag. Jason fought me for my code name, James Bond, so I let him have it and simply went by 007. Everyone had a great time, I think Spencer was the high scorer out of our group.

We then came home and the boys challenged each other at guitar hero; I think Alfredo, who beat everyone, plays way too much. We then had birthday cake!

I was enjoying watching the boys play guitar hero, but, we had to cut the festivities short to attend another party in Bonney Lake where we exchanged Christmas gifts. I ended up with items of food, Laurie ended up with a blanket and Connor ended up with another Lava Lamp.

It was a very fun, but exhausting day!

Kelsey's New Apartment

2008-12-07T08:49:00.000-08:00

Last Monday we helped Kelsey move into her new apartment. To date, she is the first of our children to leave home at age 19 and venture out on her own. But, with her cosmetology training and job, she is certainly capable of doing well. She is very excited about her apartment and it is a very nice apartment. We didn't take any pictures, but, Kelsey must have some on her blog.

Pre-Thanksgiving - Family Photo

2008-11-24T22:52:00.000-08:00

I thought since we had everyone here, except Ash, that we would take a pre-Thanksgiving Family Photo (Ashley will be photo shopped in by someone more talented than me). Here are a couple of pictures!

Connor's Covington Piano Competition

2008-11-02T10:09:00.000-08:00

Connor played 2 musical selections for the Covington Piano Competition. Here they are!!

Happy Halloween!!

2008-10-31T19:48:00.000-07:00

We took Parker to his 1st Halloween Trunk or Treat at our church parking lot. It was a lot of fun, but he slept through most of it, basically until after we were done making the rounds and collecting candy. He was a good sport, being hauled around in his little costume!! We had a fun time.

2 Months Old

2008-10-19T20:48:00.000-07:00

Well Parker turned 2 months old yesterday. He is growing so fast, it's just amazing. He is changing every single day. He loves to play with his floor gym that we bought him a couple weeks ago. He likes to look at himself in the little mirror and also make the little fish swing back and forth. He also really likes his music and lights on the bouncer and has figured out how to make it keep singing...all he has to do is kick is legs a little to make the animals swing back and forth and the music starts all over again! He is so cute and makes us laugh everyday. Here is a picture of his cute self...Enjoy! :)

Bell Family Update

2008-09-18T12:05:00.001-07:00

Okay, so it's been awhile since anyone has written anything on here so I thought I would update you all on us. Parker is 1 month old today which is just amazing. I can't believe how fast he is growing and changing. He is starting to stay awake more and is also smiling more. It's so much fun to watch him grow and change. Here is a picture of him that I took this morning and I think it's one of my new favorites!

We have been so blessed to have a very content baby. He doesn't scream hardly at all and after getting fed and changed will just sit or lay around looking around just as content as can be. We are trying to get him through his first cold which has been interesting, but I think he is starting to get over it. Once I get the video I took of him this morning to work, I'll post that as well.

Chris and I have started school and are just about to complete the second week. It's going well so far but we are still trying to get used to taking care of a baby and trying to juggle all the homework. It's getting better but it's definitely a challenge. At least we only have until December and then we'll be done with school!! Well I think that's all the news we have for now.

No longer single

2008-07-08T20:16:00.000-07:00

Well I said I would add something when "something" happened...well in my life I guess when it rains it pours; good thing I like the rain. This is Kyle, my boyfriend. Yep. I'm no longer single. I like him...lots...and I think he is muy guapo ;).

Hmm...I don't know what else to say on here about it, just thought I would give everyone an update on my life. Well the leg is doing fine and I am getting over being sick...so I should be back at BYU shortly :).

Hospital Detour

2008-06-27T21:38:00.000-07:00

Well I told ya I would add something when something "interesting" happened so here it is....When I was in high school I ruptured a ligament in my ankle and torn another one. To fix this they took half of my tendon and drilled a hole in my bone and put part of my tendon through that hole to act like the ligament. Yesterday I was playing tennis and I was putting a ball away and I came down wrong and my foot went right under me and I kinda rolled.

When I got up at first I thought I was fine it just hurt a little bit. Well then blood seriously started gushing out of my ankle and there was a whole that you could see down to the bone. The medics took a little bit to get to me, but they did and thought I had broken my ankle. I got to ride in the ambulance.

They took some x-rays of my ankle and hand...nothing is broken thankfully. But my old surgery had so much elastic power that when it snapped it went through my skin and other layers (at least I think that's what the doc said).

So now I am in a cast for three weeks and the next three weeks a walking cast. Plus I think I will be moving apartments to be on the first floor. Oh but the exciting part is I get a cool wheel chair :).

Clark Lake Ward AP Campout

2008-06-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

The Clark Lake Ward Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration campout was held this past weekend. Michael Jenks wanted to ride his bicycle there and we got Derek Titus to agree to ride with us. The ride was a nice ride and uneventful. It will probably end up as part of a new route.

When we got there, Mike and and Connor were already there with the tent almost set up. Without even being asked, Connor unpacked everything that needed to go into the tent and loaded it up. He and Mike took a quick trip down to the beach while I started to prepare dinner. We had hot dogs, chili and Connor's special request: Corn on the Cob.

After we got done eating, we went to the beach; that was the place that Connor wanted to spend all weekend I think.

After the beach we had a great campfire. Pat Snow drilled us on Gospel Trivia and then we sang songs and had Bishop Bement talk to us about the commemoration of the Aaronic Priesthood. After that we made s'mores and hit the hay.

The next morning, I went on a 7.92 mile run (I thought it was longer but found it was shorter after I put it into google earth). We had a breakfast prepared by the Bishopric and Brother Smith made a mountain man breakfast which went fast!!!

After breakfast and breaking camp, we went back to the beach. Connor and I waded in almost to my waist and up to Connor's waist. Then we played ultimate frisbee. The weather was great and we had fun!

Ashley adds her 1.5 cents

2008-06-17T20:07:00.000-07:00

So just to let everyone know Dad sent me four requests to add to this blog...but I hadn't added anything because I don't have much to say right now...still single, still in school, still working and still living in the ghetto in Provo. But good news is stats is over tomorrow when I take my final. Bad news is the picture explains what I was doing for the second half of my stats review...ugly news is I spent the next five hours in the library. So I guess you can say I'm still a nerd as well.

I promise to post when something exciting like happens, such as finding somewhere to live for the fall so I'm not homeless after August 25th. :)

wax museum

2008-06-16T18:48:00.000-07:00

Today I had to do this project called the wax museum. our classrooom was hot! I was wearing a big wig and that did not help to keep me cool. I think that it was pretty dumb but I am ahppy that I didn't have to sit in my chair and do math. But still I didn't like the project. My friend Austin was Abner Doubleday And next to me Alfredo was Coronado. it was kinda fun.

Connor's Classroom Performance

2008-06-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

Laurie and I were just dying to see how things went in class.

We helped Connor haul his stuff over and set up. Both of us forgot the camera, so, I had to run home and get it. Laurie had to head to Costco. All of the students were setting up when I got back.

The classroom was very warm and I immediately felt badly about making Connor wear a wig and the rest of his costume for that matter. I think he was agreeable to toughing it out.

I think the project turned out okay. Here is another clip of his presentation in the classroom. I tried to get pictures of all aspects of his display. Connor and Laurie put a lot into this.

Flying Wheels Century Ride

2008-06-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

Saturday, in honor of Kelsey's Birthday :-), my friends, Bishop Bement and Rob Dempsey joined me on the Cascade Bicycle Club's sponsored Flying Wheels Century Ride. We actually had to add miles on after the ride to make it a full 100 miles which is my only criticism of the planned ride.

You can read all of the gory details of the ride in my cycling blog. For the most part, I enjoyed the ride. There were two very challenging climbs which I could have probably walked faster than I rode. However, Rob and Bishop were kind, the weather was great and the scenery was gorgeous.

The last climb came at about mile 75 or so. It was long, slow and what I considered to be "challenging". At one point, I think my speed was so slow, I swear I saw a toddler on a tricycle passing me.

<---Mile 86 after the last major climb, ready to ride the last 14 miles!

Connor's Wax Museum Project - Monologue

2008-06-16T05:52:00.000-07:00

Connor has a class project called the wax museum project. I hope that we can attend some. We'll see. He is doing Thomas Jefferson, one of my favorite founding fathers. We had a costume for him. When someone comes by and pushes a "button" Connor, who will be standing still and will deliver his monologue in the character of Thomas Jefferson. We recorded his monologue. I think he has done a pretty good job on this project. Here is the video of his monologue.

Thanks for a Great Father's Day

2008-06-16T05:47:00.000-07:00

Father's Day, yesterday, was absolutely wonderful. All church meetings, except for Sacrament Meeting, Sunday School, Priesthood, Relief Society and Primary had been canceled. Laurie and Connor prepared a great meal for me and showered me with gifts! Laurie and I called our Dads and wished them a happy Father's Day!!! We are blessed with great parents.

I got calls from all of the girls and Briana and Mike came over for Dinner. We had a great steak dinner!!! Then we played Boggle and even though I had an early lead, I came up with too many words that were similar to Laurie's and Mike's. Briana won---AGAIN!! Next time. Then we watched National Treasure to try and get Connor psyched up for his class project---Wax Museum. (See next blog).

Thanks for giving me such a wonderful Father's Day, Family!!!

Happy Birthday Kelsey!!!

2008-06-16T05:35:00.000-07:00

Kelsey was still out of town for her birthday. We missed her, but, Laurie, Connor and I got to call her and sing her Happy Birthday. Because the day had started early, we had debated calling her before I left the house at around 6:00 a.m. and chose to wait until we were all home at about 7:00 p.m. It was good to hear her voice!!!

Rexburg, Idaho Air Show

2008-06-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

Chris and I went to the Air Show today at the Rexburg Airport with Chris' family. We watched it from the park right across the street. It was pretty cool. Some of the planes flew really close to the ground, even over our heads. The weather was finally nice and it was fun to sit outside for awhile and relax. Here are a few videos that I took with my camera...

Hey it Worked!!!

2008-06-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Now you can read things from me on TWO different blogs!!! lol It's finally sunny after about 3 weeks, and the rumor is that it's supposed to get to the high 70's, low 80's...so we'll see if that actually happens.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIANA!!!!

2008-06-09T18:42:00.000-07:00

Briana and Mike went to Ocean Shores for her birthday, so, we had to wait until yesterday to celebrate it!!! It seems like just yesterday that the cute little bundle of joy came into our lives. Besides the dinner and the DQ Blizzard Cake that we all enjoyed, it seemed like Briana and Connor did all the celebrating by playing "Super Smash Brothers Brawl" on the Wii.

Connor's 2008 Pops Recital 7 June 2008

2008-06-09T07:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday was also Connor's 2008 Pops recital. He had been assigned Jurassic Park, but, about 4 weeks prior to the rehearsal it was thought that it would not be ready, so he played another piece. As it turned out, Connor in fact could have played the Jurassic Park piece, but, lessons learned will help us next year.

Connor's End of the Year Band Concert June 5 2008

2008-06-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

Connor's Band end of the year Band Concert was held on 5 June 2008. He is playing the Clarinet. He really took it seriously and seemed to have a good time. Here are the performance pieces.

The first piece.

The second piece.

The third piece.

2008 Meridian Elementary Mini Marathon 7 June 2008

2008-06-08T21:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the 2008 Meridian Elementary School Mini-marathon. This is an annual traditional run which is 2.5 miles. Connor and I have done this run since he was at least in the 1st grade. When Connor was in the third grade he took 1st place in his age group. Last year, in his 4th grade year, Connor and his friend, Nick Harris, decided to walk the route and posted a 33 minute time.

This year, Connor and Nick were together on the run again. However, they apparently decided to run, at least most of the way. Connor posted a 27 minute time and took second place in his age group. Nick took third place in their age group. While this time was not as good as Connor's 3rd grade time, he enjoyed it just as much.

I have been running the mini-marathon course almost weekly. (See my running cycling blog at http://RaymondVG.bimjournals.com). I was able to finish in my personal best time of 21 minutes 15 seconds.
Connor was a bit sore on Sunday but said that he would like to continue to run. He said that he really enjoyed the race (even though this is not the most enthusiastic picture I have seen of him). I hope that he continues to run. He has one more year of this race and I think it will be a good goal for him to see if he can improve upon this year's time.