Top Ten Voice Performances

While I was studying for the bar and waiting to join the Air Force, I was programming Computer based training for University of South Dakota. This required me to do a lot of narrating. After speaking into a microphone for months, and then having to listen to myself, I have found a new appreciation for voice overs. So I have been thinking recently about some of the great voiceperformances, and come up with my top ten:

10. Janeane Garofalo, Ratatouille (2007). Most people don’t realize that this is even Janeane Garofalo. I do admit I have been a huge fan of Ms. Garofalo’s work (not politics) for a long time (since her brief stint on SNL). She adds emotion, an incredibly great accent, and make a supporting part wonderful.
Best Line: “What is this? Keep... your... station clear! If meal orders come in, what will happen? Messy stations slow things down, food doesn't go, orders pile up, disaster! I will make this easier to remember: keep you station clean... or I WILL KILL YOU!”

9. Liam Neeson, Chronicles of Narnia (both 2005&2008). CS Lewis has been quoted saying that Aslan would never be animated like a Disney character. Of course with what Aslan symbolizes, Mr. Lewis always wanted to ensure that he was always taken majestically, reverently, and in no way a silly talking animal. Liam Neeson’s voice by itself captures this, adding the wonderful animation, Mr. Lewis’s words, and powerful performance makes it work.
Best Line: “If the Witch knew the true meaning of sacrifice, she might have interpreted the deep magic differently. That when a willing victim who has committed no treachery, is killed in a traitor's stead, the stone table will crack, and even death itself would turn backwards.”

8. Mel Blanc, Speedy Gonzales. Academy Award winning animated short was probably the best the man did. Not that all of his voices weren’t brilliant, but his passion and excitement made this character one of the best.

Best Line: “El Greengo Pussygato”

7. Eddie Murphy, Shrek (1-2001 & 2-2004, the third was a waste of time and talent). Eddie Murphy ironically said that he feels that despite everything he has done, he will be remembered most for his portrayal of Donkey. At the end of the day, Donkey makes the first movie, he and puss makes the second (Antonio Banderas basically played himself or may have made it on the list). Everyline Murphy gives it his all to make is special, memorable, and funny.

Best Line: “Then you gotta gotta show a little tenderness, chicks love that romantic crap.”

6. Robin Williams, Aladdin (1992). Nathan Lane said working with Williams was like being in a telethon for hyperactive children that never ended. This role was quintessential Williams, funny, hyper, politically incorrect, without all of the vulgarity and profanity. His prior voice experience was Fern Gully, where his talents were wasted on trying to make him more of a plot line. This role paved the way for other comics to let loose in an animated film (see Murphy above). Animation works perfect for his kind of humor, because in animation you are free to go from one thing to another. Hence, he can jump from Genie to Nicholson to Dangerfield freely and not attempt to craft a reason why.

Best Line: “First, that fez-and-vest combo is much too third-century. These patches. What are we trying to say? Beggar? No. Let's work with me here.”

5. Tom Hanks, Toy Story 1 & 2. Watching the DaVinci Code, Tom Hanks looks bored. After reading the book, I understood, its boring. But he seemed lethargic through the whole movie. Hard to believe, that he was the same one who seemed to make a cowboy doll come to life. Hanks gave this plastic object laughs, feelings, anger, and a lot of emotion. Despite his four Oscar nods and two wins, I think this was one of his bests. He seemed to bring more energy to this part more than any other.
Best Line: “You are a toy! You aren't the real Buzz Lightyear! You're - you're just an action figure! You are a child's play-thing!"

4. James Earl Jones, Star Wars Series. A voice that conveyed so much, with such ridiculous dialogue. Sorry but George Lucas is really not that talented in writing dialogue, nor getting good performances out of great actors (Samuel L Jackson, Natalie Portman, Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, all great actors, but under Lucas they are cheesy). But James Earl Jones voice over with his voice, his anger and infliction for each of the lines puts a soul into a plastic mask.

Best Line: “Apology accepted, Captain Needa”

3. Lucille La Verne, Snow White (1937). Of course it is easy to go out there more when you are playing a villain. But this performance as both the queen before and after transformation made her scary, realistic, and I believe set the standard for voice actors in animated movies. Funny story: While recording her part as the old woman, Walt Disney kept telling her she didn’t quite get it right. After several retakes La Verne asked if she could go to the bathroom. When she returned and tried again to do the voice, she performed it perfectly. Amazed, Disney asked how she had achieved it. La Verne replied that she had removed her false teeth.
Best Line: “Now, a formula to transform my beauty into ugliness. Change my queenly rainment to a peddler's cloak. Mummy dust, to make me old. To shroud my clothes, the black of night. To age my voice, and old hag's cackle. To whiten my hair, a scream of fright. A blast of wind to fan my hate. A thunderbolt to mix it well. Now, begin thy magic spell.”

2. Brad Bird, The Incredibles (2004). #1 and 2 were a difficult decision, tomorrow I will probably change my mind and want to switch them. But for now…With only like 3 scenes, Edna Mode makes everyone count. Voiced by the director Brad Bird, the rumor is that they offered the part to Lily Tomlin, who after hearing Bird’s directions, said it sounded like he could do it better. She was right. Not that Tomlin is talented. But everything he says is full of life, humor, and the perfect presentation.
Best Line: “Your suit can stretch as far as you can without injuring yourself, and still retain its shape. Virtually indestructible, yet it breathes like Egyptian cotton.”

1. Daveigh Chase, Lilo and Stitch (2002). At age twelve, young Ms Chase took on an extremely complicated role. She had to pull off humor, sadness, kindness, excitement, love, and deep sorrow. Only using her voice (added by the animators of course). She was the story, remember stitch didn’t really say anything, she had to carry the story. Which she did, and up to this point the last great hand-animated film.
Best Line: “And today we were out of peanut butter. So I asked my sister what to give him, and she said "a tuna sandwich". I can't give Pudge tuna…Do you know what tuna is... It's fish! If I give Pudge tuna, I'd be an abomination! I'm late because I had to go to the store and get peanut butter 'cause all we have is... is... stinkin' tuna!”

Zach's post about Dart Attack

The game is going to take a while to make, but there will be hundreds of worlds to play in a really cool guns. People will use darts and it will be really fun.

Our Passports came in the mail!

They actually got here a lot quicker then we thought. Needless to say we are very excited.

Blue and Gold Banquet

Scouting at its best...the only "banquet" that is also a pot luck. Our new pot-luck meal by the way is hotdogs, because all our kids will eat them, so at least we know they will eat something. (Not that one of the many jello salads aren't appealling.) Anyway the kids did got, got awards, did skits, Tyler had four art projects to show and Zach got his Wolf Badge.

For the Record

Favorite Part of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"
Brayden - Sword Fighting
McKayla - "What are you going to do, bleed on me!"
Zach - "Come back! I'll chew your leg off"
Tyler - Its a furocious animal! - and its only a bunny..that chews heads off
Nick - "I'm not dead yet..I think I am going to take a walk"

New Years Resolutions

Brayden - Learn Knight fighting
McKayla - To think about Jesus Christ
Zach - To have fun
Tyler - Not to be so Bossy

Tyler

Hey, Ron what is you favorit super hero?

Tyler's favorit move

I watch the "GOONIES" .It was very funny.One part I like is that one kid was told to tell the bad guys every thing so the kid started to tell about his life.

From Zach

hi this is zach. This week I didn't do that much. Last night I watch "THE GOONIES", it was very funny. Soon I will make a game called dirt attack for the computer.

Wall-E one of the best movies of our time.

Years ago, I read an article wher I believe John Lasseter said that the best movie ever made was Dumbo and that the movie should be studied because of the Artistice relevance it has in society. At first it was an interesting comment, but later when I watched it with the kids, I gained a new appreciation for it. One thing that is hard to remember when I first saw it was that Dumbo doesn't say a word, and the words out of Misses Jumbo's mouth are extremely limited (off the top of my head I believe that it is only one line "Jumbo...Jr"). Yet the amount of communication that these animals have is amazing. With the critical response to The Piano, it is hard for me to not see why a silent communicator in animation didn't get the same recognition.

At the end of the day, Dumbo, is somebodies doodling. Not to discredit animators by calling what the do doodling. But at the end of the day it is, "ink on paper" but every single mother and most children balled there eyes out when Mrs Jumbo rocked her baby through the bars. It is hard enough for people to act in a way to spark emotions, but somebodies drawing, thats just amazing. So I was struck so much by how an animator can draw something that invokes such emotions from people. And found myself, trying to see more of the artistic side to animation, and not just the enjoying movie. Some other animated movies that I thought excelled in the artistic ability as well as entertaining were: Snow White, Peter Pan, A Bug's Life, the Iron Giant, Lilo & Stitch, and an honorable mention for the new Curios George movie (honorable mention, because I think the artisticism was lost in the attempt to create a story and ending to a movie that they should not have done). This is not to mean that other Animated movies are not extremely well done, entertaining, etc. (Toy Story, Emperor's New Groove, Shrek 2, etc)

I also had a discussion with a film professor about Dumbo, she looked at me like I was insane, and instead said Citizen Kane was the best movie ever. I never liked Citizen Kane, nor thought it was a good movie. This coupled with my opinion of Marlon Brando's overacting when he says "I was going to be an contender" means I will never be a film critic.

For Chirstmas Ron got me Wall-E. The movie was wonderful. In fact, I would easily say it was the best movie that I have seen this year. Though realize, I don't watch R-rated movies and don't watch a lot of movies at theatres in general.

Wall-E steps back to the magic of silent films, like Chaplin, etc. Leaving the story and performance to have to come out in an actual creative way. Where they can ask DeNiro, Depp, or Hopkins to act sad, a computer artist had to show emotions from graphics. But even a step more difficult then Dumbo, is that Wall-E is a machine. He doesn't have tear ducts, he doesn't have facial expressions, that had to create what they created and all they did using their imagination and reaching down deep to tell the story on an "object"

Now, I think the movie could have been better without the human story part, but I don't think it takes away. Nor do I believe their is an environmental message about the film. If anything, I believe that it shows what happens, when a society looses focus on the individual choices and instead allows a society to give power and control to somebody else. Allowing this controlling force to tell them what to buy, what to eat, what do do.

At the end of the day, if you don't own Wall-E, shame on you. Yes I said own, not just watch, own. I believe more artists could learn about story telling, imagination, and the conveying of emotions from this film then any other.

McKayla's New Years Post

My New years was a party at our house. Durng the the party, we played Dress-up:

I think about Jesus Christ. After the game, we celebrated new years, with a countdown and noise makers:

Happy NewYears Everybody!

Christmas at the Carter's

We had a wonderful Christmas. Uncle Ron spent it with us, and made it a lot of fun.
We had to finish putting Candy Canes of the tree:

Decorate Christmas Cookies:Made Gingerbread House:

Christmas eve we watched "Joy to the World" and talked about Christ's birth and the importance of it. The next morning Zach and Uncle Ron were awake first. We began opening gifts.

During this time, as of course, traditions are important. Hre are some of the traditions that we continued this christmas:

From the Madrishins:

• Pajamas on Christmas Eve. A tradition of getting new pajamas on Christmas Eve was continued
• 12 Days of Christmas. Grandma and Grandpa began the 12 days of Christmas for our children. Jen remembered how exciting it was when she was a kid to go through it. The kids loved going through it this year. It was great fun and great tradition I am sure they will look forward to next year.
• Jolly Old Santa Clause. Read on Christmas Eve. As the kids get older they are able to sit more quietly through it. But they love it and enjoy looking through the pictures to find particuliar "brownies."

From the Carters:

• Games on Christmas Eve. Though we didn't open up a new game this year, we made sure that we played one together. This year it was Phase 10, or more like Phase 4, because it was taking a long time and we quit early.
• Nerf Guns. This year we were sent 100 bullets for nerf guns, so we first sat down at the TV, turned it on the news, and then attempted to shoot as many Democrats as we could.
• Christmas Message. Typically I am used to my Dad's wonderful christmas message. We also talked to our kids about Christ, we watched the video mentioned above, to better keep their attention. They seemed to enjoy it and think and be grateful of Christ.

We hope everybody had a great Christmas. We love you all and hope that you all have a great year next year.

The Best Children's Christmas Book ever!

Well, ok next to the bible. But a great book to read to the kids is: "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!" Good story, that actually talks about the true meaning of christmas, funny for adults and entertaining for the kids.

Tyler in Treasure Island

Tyler had his first two performances of Treasure Island this last week. He did a wonderful job, and is having a great deal of fun. Please see his big scene below:

Page out of today's script

Nick: The kids haven't had lunch yet.
Jen: It's two oclock?
Nick: We've been working
McKayla: Yeah, playing Rockband.

Federal Power run amoke!

It is curious to me that everyone was concerned about the patriot act giving too much federal power, yet, those same people seem not to be worried about the government taking over the banking, autos, and health care?

Current Favorite Movies

Brayden - Robin Hood
McKayla - Tinkerbell
Zach - Kung Fu Panda
Tyler - Indiana Jones (except Temple of Doom)
Jen - Whatever is playing during Friday Night Movie Night
Nick - The Jason Bourne Series

Tis the season

I hope everybody is having a good time preparing for the holidays. Today we had a busy day. It started with an early morning Elders' quorum service project, which is a great way to start of day of holiday fun. Then we went up to see The Lion, Witch , and the Wardrobe (The Musical), we got free tickets on Halloween.

We also picked out a tree, despite the cold:
Then began decorating the tree: All-in-all a great saturday:

McKayla Winter Concert

Tonight we went to McKayla's Winter Concert. She did wonderful and we got some cute pics.

And yes I know that is is a Kwanzaa song and not a christmas song, but she sings it just so cute.

Jason Bourne?

I find it interesting that Nick likes the Jason Bourne series. I remember watching the first one and thinking how violent it was. What I thought was more interesting was that I saw a movie that has been one of favorites for years. Entitled Where Eagles Dare it starred Clint Eastwood, and Richard Burton. Having seen it at the theater twice, and on home recordings for years, the recent purchase of the DVD let me know that it was violent. I never saw the second Bourne movie but I did enjoy the third one better than the first.

Dad, sorry 'bout using Mom's identity.

Because of a new list here is the old one

Our Favorite Memorials and Historic Places
Brayden - Ft McHenry
McKayla - Mt Rushmore
Zach - Mt Rushmore
Tyler - Lincoln Memorial
Jen - Mt Vernon
Nick - Independence Hall

Christmas Gifts

Nick and Fam,

You texted today about drawing names. This idea did not work all that well, with Becky's family and now we just rotate.

We would like to do this, so that we do not have to send off four packages of Christmas gifts every year. That only makes it one package every year and you make sure that you rotate every year.

This is what we suggest. For this Christmas of 08, Ron will buy gifts for my family. We will buy for your fam. You will buy for Eric's fam and Eric will buy for Ron.

Then next year, Christmas 09 Ron will buy for you, we will buy for Eric and you will buy for Ron and Eric will buy for us.

And so on and so forth.

Let us know what you think.

We wish you and yours had a GREAT Thanksgiving and we wish you a VERY merry Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody

I hope everybody has a great holiday.

Well...this sucks

Despite the disappointment of Madagascar 2, I remember the best part of the first movie was the penguins. My favorite line was when they all finally make it to Antarctica, despite all the expectations, they realize that: "Well...this sucks" Below are a list of the things that we feel entirely did not live up to their expectations.

• Carnegie Deli: In NYC, despite being mentioned in an Adam Sandler, I heard a lot of reviews from the internet and people I knew about the "World Famous"and always great place to eat Carnegie Deli. Well, yeah, not so much. First off you don't get your own table, you have to share with strangers, and most of the food isn't even hot. Needless to say Jen said next time I pick a restaurant relying on an Adam Sandler song is not the best idea.
• The Corn Palace: When I first told Jen that I thought The Corn Palace was a "Well this sucks" she thought it was actually pretty cool. Well, when I say Thge Corn Palace I mean the Corn palace circa early 1990s, when the family first ventured in because of the recommendations "that we have to see the corn palace." Needless to say, even though the murals may be interesting, inside is nothing more than old gym (circa 1990s today is a little bit more dressed up.
• Enchanted Tiki Room: Need I say more. Ron said he had to see it, we went, we saw, we were glad when it was over.
• Any movie with the words Woody or Allen associated with it.
• Old Faithful: Now, before people get upset, remember the biggest basis for the list is he expectations that things hold. Well, after driving one day 14 hours to get the Yellowstone one day, the next day we spend another 20 hours driving around the park. Then we make it to Old Faithful, well we apparently barely missed it and thus had to kill an hour or so waiting for its next show. The perfect response after waiting hours, and hearing the hype was said by one in are party: "That was it!"
• PT Cruisers: While I was working for the Market Research Firm in Boise. I had to take a bunch of Interviewers to California to survey train riders. Anyway, they rented me a car, and the people at Entreprise supposedly "upgraded" me to the PT Cruiser. I was pumped, when I got on the So-cal freeway, reality hit, and I realized that these cars are not really that cool.
• Titanic: The movie, of course the boat itself didn't live up to expectations either. After hearing how wonderful this movie was, Jen and I went to see it. Jen being 8 months pregnant with Tyler. To this day I consider Titanic the biggest marketing ploy. Few actual redeeming qualities, they exploit the death of children, use cliche plot lines as boy from the other side of the tracks and winning tickets in a card game, have Celine Dion sing the balled, cast Leonardo to keep the 14 year old girls returning to the movie theatre, and then added an innaporpriate scene to get the 14 year old boys returning. At the end of the day I beleieve Titanic was the worst movie of all times, and it is disappointing the the Academy actually picked this movie. (Though most of the time the Academy gets it wrong anyway.)

Anyway, expectations are a funny thing. To keep it positive, I will soon post a list of things that we had very low expectations that exceeded them greatly.

Ironman

When I was a kid, if I imagined that my kids would be walking around humming a Black Sabbath lick, I would have thought it was pretty cool. However, now that my kids are doing it (and they are all under 10), I find it incredibly annoying.

Last Lines from Movies

I saw a list of top ten movie lines that came from the end of a movie. Only three I somewhat agreed with:

"I am having a friend for dinner" - Silence of the Lambs
"Where we are going we don't need roads" - From Back to the Future
"Nobody's perfect" - From Some Like it Hot (I thought of this line before I opened the page)

Though, I am sure Dad will agree with the Some Like it Hot line, I am sure me and him agree that it was incredibly disappointing to see that "Ditto" from Ghost was left off the list.

Anyway, as I have thought about movies that I did like I realize that a good chunk of last lines are pretty corny. Let me know if you guys can think of any other cool "Last Lines"

Mutiny on the Blog

That's right I am taking it over. Though I do appreciate the lovin care Jared and Becky showed recently. But it seems like we are each getting our own thing going on. I will also start to post more often.

Adaption of the Little Red Hen

Becky's family sends around a monthly letter. In this letter people attach what has been going on for the last month. This month one of Becky's cousin put this in it. I wanted to share this with you.

Little Red Hen She called all of her Democrat neighbors together and said, 'If we plant this wheat, we shall have bread to eat. Who will help me plant it?' 'Not I,' said the cow.'Not I,' said the duck.'Not I,' said the pig.'Not I,' said the goose.'Then I will do it by myself,' said the little red hen, and so she did. The wheat grew very tall and ripened into golden grain.'Who will help me reap my wheat?' asked the little red hen.'Not I,' said the duck..'Out of my classification,' said the pig.'I'd lose my seniority,' said the cow.'I'd lose my unemployment compensation,' said the goose.'Then I will do it by myself,' said the little red hen, and so she did.At last it came time to bake the bread.'Who will help me bake the bread?' asked the little red hen.'That would be overtime for me,' said the cow.'I'd lose my welfare benefits,' said the duck.'I'm a dropout and never learned how,' said the pig.'If I'm to be the only helper, that's discrimination,' said the goose.'Then I will do it by myself,' said the little red hen.She baked five loaves and held them up for all of her neighbors to see. They wanted some and, in fact, demanded a share. But the little red hen said, 'No, I shall eat all five loaves.''Excess profits!' cried the cow. (Nancy Pelosi)'Capitalist leech!' screamed the duck. (Barbara Boxer)'I demand equal rights!' yelled the goose. (Jesse Jackson)The pig just grunted in disdain. (Ted Kennedy)And they all painted 'Unfair!' picket signs and marched around and around the little red hen, shouting obscenities.Then the farmer (Obama) came. He said to the little red hen, 'You must not be so greedy.''But I earned the bread,' said the little red hen.'Exactly,' said Barack the farmer. 'That is what makes our free enterprise system so wonderful. Anyone in the barnyard can earn as much as he wants. But under our modern government regulations, the productive workers must divide the fruits of their labor with those who are lazy and idle.'And they all lived happily ever after, including the little red hen, who smiled and clucked, 'I am grateful, for now I truly understand.'But her neighbors became quite disappointed in her. She never again baked bread because she joined the 'party' and got her bread free. And all the Democrats smiled. 'Fairness' had been established.Individual initiative had died, but nobody noticed; perhaps no one cared...so long as there was free bread that 'the rich' were paying for.EPILOGUEBill Clinton is getting $12 million for his memoirs.Hillary got $8 million for hers.That's $20 million for the memories from two people, who for eight years, repeatedly testified, under oath, that they couldn't remember anything.IS THIS A GREAT BARNYARD OR WHAT ??

Take Care Fam.

Halloween

Hey everyone, we now have a blog too. It is http://www.kartyor.blogspot.com/. Check it out and see how we are doing. Could Nick put our blog on this blog so that Diana can access us from here?

Jared was wondering where you are in Smallville. We like it too. Looks like you had a lot of fun for Halloween. Here is a picture of our kids.

Happy Halloween

Hey guys, hope everybody had a happy halloween. Here are the kids' costumes and their (really mine because they will eventually fall asleep) bounty. Zach was Spiderman for the third time in his eight years.

Why is a Raven like a Writing Desk?

Zach's Children's Theatre Debut is Alice and wonderland, he has had two excellent performances and only one left. Zach plays one of the Queen of Hearts Entourage. With his friend Riley (who he was baptized with). It has been a lot of fun for him, and after the final performance he will make his own blog.

Here are some pics (now I know "pics" is not a word, but remember words mean what I want them to mean, because if not the words would be the masters of us and we would not be the master of our own words :) )

Zach and Riley at the Wesley College Homecoming parade

Zach Standing Guard at Alice's Trial

Braveheart, Eat your heart out.

Happy B-day Uncle Jared and Aunt Becky

I am declaring August Jennick month because of our B-days, and now October must be Jarebeck. Happy B-day guys, sorry about the late post for you Jared.

Why am I the only one blogging?

New favorite TV show on DVD

Smallville. Yeah we're lovin them, maybe getting close to Alias, but we will see how the progress. But the DVD thing works much better for us. And gets us away from the nonstop political news.

Dallas playing at Linkin Park Concert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-af36uOe70

warning: Profanity in Background

Happy Birthday Tyler!!

We love you guys; and you sure are cleaning up in August!!

Happy Birthday Aunt Jenny

We hope you had a great day!!

Jared, Becky. Molly, Emily, Tim and Ben

Happy Birthday Nick,

Picture my kids singing this:

Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Uncle Nick, Happy birthday to you.

Hope your 30th was a great birthday. Wishing the best for you and yours.

Jared, Becky, Molly, Emily, Tim and Ben.

Predictions for Breaking Dawn

I just want to go on record to say that at the end of "Breaking Dawn": Edward dies and goes to heaven.

We love Pirates!

So, Disney Movie Rewards has been good to us. We have already redeemed a Ratatouille poster, which we love; and just this last week (or two) we received our second reward. It's this:

Oh, yeah! That's the remote! Cool, huh?

We love it! And it's inspired some Pirate excitement around our house. :)

Happy Fourth

I hope everyone had a happy 4th of July, we did. We hung out Grilled hotdogs and went to watch fireworks. See the pic below of Brayden, McKayla, and Zach watching the big ones. Coincidentally, last year while watching these fireworks names were being drawn for the Harry Potter Death-Draft.

Luvyas

Pictures from the past

Hey guys, I was scanning a bunch of old pictures in today and found this gem..


Later...

Our Dad!

Well, this was the post I was gonna do for Father's Day, but I wanted to give Dad's post and McKayla's victory enough airtime. If you haven't read those yet, you should, cause they're great.
My intent on this post is to put down some of my favorite memories with Dad that have influenced me for good with hopes that I could inspire my three older siblings to follow suit (Yes, Ron, you too! :) ).

I'll start with quick references and then go into more detail. Dad taught me about home teaching. We went home teaching. Even though Dad didn't even live in Othello most of the week he always made sure we got out and visited those families. This is a lesson I'm still working on, but the memory is there. Even deeper of a memory were those visits in the car. The ones that stood out to me most were about testimony. Dad helped me understand my testimony.
At 14 on a Saturday evening Dad told me it was time to go to Priesthood. I had no intention of spending my Saturday evening in a Church watching Conference. But Dad assured me that we needed to go. I went. I didn't want to, but I did. Grudgingly, but I was there. I sat with my head down, until one of the Apostles spoke. I have no idea what Elder Haight talked about that night, but he made me laugh and I thought, "This is alright." I've paid attention to conference ever since then. Elder Haight became my favorite Apostle. And in the months prior to his death I had the chance to meet him. He held my hand and just asked me about me; where I was from, etc. It's a treasured memory...Thanks Dad.

This story might seem like the obvious choice, but it's had such a profound impact on me. It's basketball. In the Church gym whenever I'd be practicing Dad would always comment on my dribbling. "You're palming the ball," he'd say. Funny enough, I don't think I ever changed my dribbling, me and everybody else out there just does a lot of "palming" or what we now call (if it's done to an extreme) a "carry." Contrast that with Dad on the sidelines or in the stands during my basketball games. I'd look to Dad and he was right there to give me the best coaching I'd ever had. He'd put his fingers on each dimple and mouth the word, "Smile." What's really important about sports? It's having fun and being happy. What's really important about life? It's having fun and being happy. To do that we need to smile. Two scriptures for that (you didn't know how deep of an impact it was, did you Dad?): The first is found in Jacob's amazing sermon on the Atonement found in 2 Nephi 9. Look at verse 39. It reads
"O, my beloved brethren, remember . . . to be spiritually minded is life eternal."
It is that important for us to s.m.i.l.e. Dad, during a priesthood opening exercise shared 2 Nephi 2:25
"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."
Dad explained this scripture in a way I'd never seen it. We are here to be happy. It's a commandment for us to be happy. And that's how we'll get eternal life.
That wasn't the second scripture, however, that was only a side note to the first. Here's the second. Joseph in Liberty Jail writes a letter to the Saints with instructions on what we ought to do with our lives. D&C 123:13,17
"Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light the hidden things of darkness...Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."
Do all we can, but do it with a smile. Dad taught me to smile.

Love, Eric

McKayla wins Clue in three turns

Hey guys, having a lovely family game of Clue with Grandma and Granddad, and McKayla nailed the answer in three turns shocking everybody, especially Zach.

Happy Father's Day

A time to remember our fathers, and I remember mine. Here I am fifty-eight years old, some forty years since I lived with my father, and I can remember fondly the many talks and advice I had with him after those first eighteen. I can remember that after our accident in 2006, some three months after his passing, one of my first comments to your mother was, "I wish my Dad was still here." No not to help with decisions that needed to be made, but that phone call that I would have enjoyed of comfort.

I also am thinking of the many times that your mother and I have commented how wonderful fathers our sons are. I feel that she has the genesis for that result, I'm sure I was no example to warrant such actions.

Finally, I can't help but think how our God, the all powerful, all knowing creator, prefers the title "Father." I thank him for the four sons he has given in my care to help Him guide them. And I thank Him for giving me the chance to be called, "Father."

Guess who?

So a few weeks back we took this picture. 6 GIRLS!! Can you believe it? That is way too much estrogen on one couch. 2 Carters, 2 Harrisses, and 2 Killians.

The "Be" Aptitudes

It was suggested that Family Home Evenings could be centered on President Hinckley's "Six Bes." Such a suggestion I think admirable. I would like to suggest a few things concerning the first of these "Be"s. But before so doing I thought that the "Beautiful" attitudes, the beattitudes, that the Savior gave us could be quite a map to President Hinckley's "Be"s. Thus I'm calling them the "Be-aptitudes."

Be Grateful to the Lord for hia "marvelous Church," President Hinckley says. "Thank Him for your friends and loved ones, for parents and brothers and sisters, for family." We're told how the Lord wants us to regognize his hand in all things, not because he wants recognition, but he wants us to realize how great his blessings are to each and everyone of us. The old Protestant hymn, "Count Your Many Blessings," has merit upon maybe making us feel better when the world is against us. But I think it is to help us to remember how merciful the Lord has been to us. The spirit of humility can help us fulfill our covenants to their fullest.

"Work on it," President Hinckley says. "You will find it will yield wonderful results."

Tyler

You invited Grandma to go crabing. When is the best time of the year to do that?

Congratulations Uncle Eric

Congrats Bud, we are all very happy, excited, and yes a little prideful for you. COngratulations and good luck on the new Job.

Brayden Grandma is sorry

Brayden, I did say a prayer for you that morning. And I am happy you are doing well.

Zachary, Your dad's wheel fell off his first time he went to the Pinewood derby also.
Chip off the block and block. I hope you had good time.

Tyler, Wow good job. hope you had a good time.

McKayla, thank for being a good supporter.

Hey Guys

First off Brayden is doing well after his surgery. He got his tonsils and adnoids removed as well as a new set of tubes. So long story short, they gave him every kids surgery they need. But he is doing good, though still pretty relaxed.

Here is a video from Zach's Martin Luther King Program. He did a good job and it was a lot of fun. Incidentlly this happened on the Air Force Base, which was a little weird when they started singing during a different song: "We ain't going to study no war no more."

They also had Pinewood derby last week. They had fun, though I definitely need some training as to making those cars. Example was that Zach's wheel fell off his first time down the track. Tyler got 1st runner up, just missing districts.

Love ya guys.

Visit From GrandMa

We had a wonderful Visit from Grandma, GrandDad, Uncle Ron, as well as Molly & Emily.





The Highlight of the Weekend was Zachary's Baptism. It was a wonderful time. Zachary was so excited, and GrandDad gave a wonderful talk. His talk talked about our name Carter, and how when we are baptized we take upon another name of Jesus Christ. And we should remember that. It was very special, and Zach said he felt: "Good."






Other events:

We all went bowling, and Grandma beat us all with a 168, when I was lagging far behind with 145. The kids had fun, and If grandma would start using a digital camera, we would have pictures of it.


Ron came up with some Bday gifts including these cute parasells (Spelling?), coincidentally they all matched the color dress the girls had on for Sunday the Next Day.

We all tried our hand at Karaoke:

Even Ron:

It was a happy Bday all around:

Later

Valentines

Happy Valentines Day. Grandma loves you all!!! Cookies will be on the way.

George Washington, Part II

trieityherald .eorn
Play review: 'George Washington' takes patience, but it"sworth
the wait
The Richland Players' production of George Washington Slept Here gets off to a slow start but turns into a nearly new play at
the half. It's like the coach threw in new plays to jumpstart the second half. Of course, in theater talk, it's directors and
intermissions. And directors don't change the play at intermission, the authors do.
Moss Hart and George Kaufman wrote George in the 1940s. The script adapted well to director Tim Harris' timely updating. It
doesn't feel like a 1940s play, so he did a good job. The timely inserts are funny.
George Washington Slept Here is a comical look at following your dream versus acting responsibly. It's about going outside
the box, crossing your fingers only to find out you've jumped into the fire. City dwellers Annabelle and Newton Fuller, played by
Joyce Bean and Jack Carter, find themselves with a rundown house in the country with a questionable historical value. The
costs to improve the home are never-ending as is the wear on the Fuller family.
But the first act is short on laughs and long on the tedium of the home repairs. The second and third acts improve with the
addition of new characters. Not that the talents of Joyce Bean and Jack Carter can't carry a play themselves, there simply isn't
much to the material until the second and third acts. The liveliness factor moves into high gear and the laughs are closer
together.
June Gillespie is hilarious as a local community theater actor -- is that life imitating art or vice versa? Dick Gordon as Uncle
Stanley -- there are sb many solid actors in this production.
The Players should be happy with the full theater and the audience should be happy with the recently renovated entrance,
lobby and restrooms. George is a well-liked and popular play, not particularly controversial. The set transforms nicely along
with the story. If you can hold out for the later acts, it's worth your time.

President Hinckley" passing

I found it rather sad in one way for President Hinckley's passing, and in another way grateful for his relief. (From the separation of Marjorie, not work; I'm sure he is still at it.)  I thought of many experiences I enjoyed.  But one especially struck my fancy from the opening hymn we sang this morning at Jared and Becky's Ward, Benjamin's blessing.  I remember referring to this situation in one of the very few letters I wrote Eric on his mission.  But during the dedication of the Columbia River Temple, Our President was laying the cornerstone and afterwards stepped back into the temple,  A Young Adult Choir was singing some hymn and when President Hinckley passed by to reenter the temple they started to sing, "We Ever Pray For Thee," our opening hymn this morning.  President Hinckley stopped.  An act that touched me.  Our Prophet was letting us honor him through those young peoples harmonizing, and rather than continue and pass it off, he let us honor him.  I once mentioned this to our High Priest Group Leader who was part of the planning committee for the dedication.  He said that that number was not on the original schedule, but the singing of that song was added just before the ceremony.  I also mentioned the situation during a Sunday School class, and one of the participants said, and I quote, "Maybe the Dude liked the song."  I'm sure he does, but so much more does it mean to me that he was letting all who participated to honor "Our Prophet Dear."

George Washington Slept Here

Well here it is the end of another play. We opened January 11, somewhat postponed from the originally scheduled September 19. The Richland Players Theater was closed for remodeling, which persisted beyond expectations, and we were postponed. Our schedule began opposite the College's opening of Hamlet, and Academy of Children's Theater Production of Peter Pan. Our first night was about three-fourths of the auditorium full, unusual for the opening night. But Saturday, the next Friday, and the next Saturday were all sold out. Sunday matinee was also a sell-out as well as the closing weekend. But weather conditions decreased actual attendance on the matinee and the final Saturday performance. The biggest surprise to me was the ability I had to memorize all the dialogue I had. I shared the lead with a female playing, naturally, my wife. My character was an excited character that wanted to leave the city life of NY to live in a house in Pennsylvania that rumored to be a place that George Washington had slept, while the female lead was less excited. (One line from the play: "Angry? I Could spit all the way to Arlington.") A film in 1940 starred Jack Benny, which I was watching once with Jared. He asked me which part I played, some I should think would assume the Jack Benny part. Unfortunately the roles are reversed from the play and my answer to Jared had to be, "Hers." My female lead had a lot of dialogue to memorize, too. And both of us aren't young, either. I reflected how memorizing all the lines from God's Favorite was easier when I was 13 years younger, and I also had an assistant to help me go over lines when we were less busy, and the four hour trip to Othello each weekend. Anyway, it happened, unfortunately without 100% perfection. The dialogue itself was so often almost repetitive, but not an exact repeat just a close one. But I will admit, the completed task was fun.

A picture in the paper was printed for Friday's opening night. I was in the foreground with the female lead to my left, being angry, and three other cast members looking on. Sunday's bishopric meeting brought some discussions from our Bishop of the picture. I was recently called as an Assistant Executive Secretary, thus part of the bishopric. Our Bishop says that my purpose as an Assistant Exec is to make him look good. He is bald, but not quite as bald as I, so I think that is what he meant. But what made this Bishopric Meeting so memorable was the Bishop commenting on the picture to his family that "Bro. Carter is letting his hair down."

The review of the play wasn't technically printed in the paper. But was obtainable on the internet. (I had intentions of posting the review on the blog, alongside the picture, but am having troubles getting the picture. I will do it later if I can.)
The reviewer's biggest comments were the slowness of the first act, but aferwards the rest was worth the wait. The only comment about performances were of two supporting players who she thought shined, and that we leads could carry the play by ourselves.

One particular part in the play involved my abilities to act as if I were getting involved with a group of drinking adults. I was joined in this group by another LDS actor. Molly and Emily joined their parents to see it, and I wondered what they remembered of the play. The first scene ended with a lot of soot from an old fireplace all over my face and sitting on a chair with a broken leg that naturally crashed. I thought that is what they would remember, but, no, Emily remembers my "acting drunk while talking to the (female lead)."

Well, another memory to add to the many, which sometimes seem to be fading. I will probably be in another one, I'm just not sure when.

Super bowl

Grandma is going for the Patriots!!!!!Who is with me? Do we want a bet?????

Trip to East Coast

Molly and Emily we wanted to show you the following stuff:

• The zoo, it is really cool, they have hippos, Pandas and they are funny. (Kayla said one scratches their butt in the bathtube).
• Abraham Lincoln's Memorial, it is really cool and I like Abraham Lincoln. I think you will like it to.
• Ford's Theatre, where Lincoln got shot, and the doctor's office across the street where he died. It is really neat.
• The Air & Space Museum: Planes, space stuff, Ruby slippers from Wizard of Oz, R2-D2 & C3PO, as well as a piece of the Nauvoo Temple.

These are things I thought you guys would like. We are all excited for you to come here.

Reply to Questions from Tyler and Zach, From Uncle Jared

I am not that much into Marvel Comics, except for Gambit. But I will share what I do know. Venom was an alien that took over a human, and after a while he "spawned", that is part of Venom broke away and joined with someone else and created Carnage. So you could call Carnage Venom's son. Sorry, that is all that I know.
Jared

Hey guys

Long time since I blogged. Things going well, I will give a bigger entry tomorrow. Love you guys!

Uncle Jared: Zach and Tyler were curious about who Carnage is and what is his story.

Christmas memories

Here is my favorite new Christmas tradition (which is a very good thing, because Eric and I are still just not totally agreed on how Christmas should be had. So any great tradition that can be created that we both love is a positive thing!!)

Christmas carols on Christmas Eve. It was the best. I wish the footage was longer.

And here is my favorite picture of these two cute cousins. Notice their "matching" shirts that their fabulous Uncle Ron personally picked out for them at Disneyland.

And look at this little boy--Christmas morning excitement has not left him with age!

As for any other pics, we were having too much fun to remember to drag out the camera! The one thing that we really missed, and could have made this the best Christmas yet would have been to have Nick and Jen and Tyler and Zach and McKayla and Brayden there. We missed you guys!

Happy Birthday Benjamin

Benjamin Nathaniel Carter was born at 3:42 pm on December 29, 2007. He weighed 10 pounds even and was 20 1/2 inches long. We are all doing great. We are so happy that Benjamin is here and healthy.

We had a fun New Year's eve at home. We stayed home and played games and watched a movie. Timothy didn't make it until midnight, but the girls did. We ate popcorn out of our new bowls. It was great. Hope you are all having a great new year.

Hey everyone,

We had a great Christmas this year. Thank you everyone for the wonderful gifts. We are excited to use the popcorn bowls. Hope you guys had a good Christmas as well. Your gifts should be there soon. Becky is going to be induced on Saturday. Hopefully we will have a new baby soon.

Jared, Becky, Molly, Emily, Tim, and Baby

APOLOGY

Sorry guys! It's too good! You'll have to scratch Bourne Ultimatum off of our wish list. We were buying Harry and High School Musical 2 and couldn't help it. So, sorry
-Eric

Happy BDay Viana

Wishing you a happy birthday: For the proper B-day wish, only a daughter of Eric would appreciate "Movie Quotes"

"If anybody asks we were busting mailboxes!"

"It gets painted!"

"You can be the toy that comes with the meal."

"We drew one of you dying because our teacher said it would be more dramatic."

"You were the one getting all fancy with the spices."