Ensign-isms

An ensignism is a story about Taylor, Alisa, Cassidy, Mckay, and Kelsey Ensign. These stories may be elaborate or mundane, but with the combined personalities of our little family, they are sure to be entertaining.

26 May 2009

A New Memorial Day Memory

Left to right;(Brother) Grant, (Brother-in-law) Taft, (Brother) Tanner, Myself,
(Grandfather) M. Dale, (Father) Eric, (Brother) Mckay, (Brother) Hunter.
Memorial Day 2009!

Yesterday morning I had the opportunity to play a little golf with members of my family. Most importantly, it was yet another opportunity to play some golf with my grandfather (red shirt), who at age 82 continues to get out and swing the clubs with us. We wanted to take the opportunity to play a round with him, before he leaves to serve another mission. This time to serve in the Temple in Sweden. He continues to serve as an example of service.

However, playing golf with my family must always include some friendly competition. I don't want to boast, but the photo of the winning two-man scramble team is shown below.

16 May 2009

We've been busy with fun

Happy 6th Anniversary to us!!

We celebrated our 6th Wedding Anniversary on May 7th, and spent the weekend down in sunny St. George. We capped-off the fun weekend seeing Brian Regan at Tuacahn. (Note my "cup o dirt" T-shirt-my prize for having a winning entry in the Brian Regan Art Contest. see post below)


The weather was beautiful and the show was really fun.


We also recently attend the Celtic Woman concert at the E-Center. Before you even ask, I am the one who got the tickets and I am the one who dragged Lisi to the show. And Yes, it was an impressive show.
Liberty Park




We were attacked by Canadians!!! Ok, so they were Canadian Geese, but they were still Canadian. It didn't take long for us to attract every bird in site, and it took even less time to go through the three loaves of bread we brought. They were quite aggressive and made Mckay a little nervous.





Rio Tinto Stadium



Real Salt Lake 0-Kansas City Wizards 2

We finally took the kids to a soccer game, and of course, it is the first home loss of the season. The kids had a great time, and we had a great time trying to ensure that they had a great time.


Life is always better with a Churro!

02 May 2009

Keeping Busy While Mom is Away

Alisa is away at a Sign Language Educational Weekend. The kids have certainly been missing their mom, so we have been doing a few activities to keep us busy. She sent us a message that she may have access to the internet where she is, so we thought we would send her a little message. We love and miss you Mom.

New Additions to the Family

We made playdough. I know what you are thinking, "Taylor MADE playdough?" Yes I did. I can also make mac and cheese, and, well, I guess that is about it.




We Love you MOM!!!

28 April 2009

A Princess Bike for a Princess

Our little princess got her first bike today, and of course it had to be a princess bike. I don't know if she was more excited about the helmet or the new bike. At least it won't be an issue making her wear her helmet. It was a little too windy today for much of a ride, but she rode it long enough to work up some good speed on the sidewalk before running into the neighbors mailbox. All in all, I would say a pretty productive first ride.

24 April 2009

Weekend Trip to St. George













Alisa was in charge of an American Sign Language Interpreter Workshop down in St. George last weekend. We decided to go along and make it a little family vacation. We had a fun time swimming, playing at the park, and even making time for a little mini-golf. Most of all we enjoyed the warm weather.

10 April 2009

Winner of the Brian Regan Art Contest!

Brian Regan is my favorite comedian.

Alisa and I have seen him perform three times, and for our Anniversary in a couple of weeks, we are going to catch his show again. Several weeks ago I found an Art Contest on his website. The only rule is your submission has to incorporate something from Brian Regan's comedy.
My favorite bit that Regan does involves Art. (I added the clip on my http://www.bardenpembleton.blogspot.com/ blog) Part of that bit involves him trying to disguise the fact that he doesn't really know anything about art. Those around him ask specific questions about certain artists, and his answers reveal his lack of knowledge.

So I chose to submit a piece, and although I am not an artist, my little sketch was selected as a winner. Before I get too excited, I would guess they accept all submissions as winners, but it is still fun to see it up on his website.

I have attached my submission below, but if you want to check it out with a blue ribbon attached you can go to: http://www.brianregan.com/. Then click "News." The first item is Art Contest Winners. My entry is the top left entry "Taylor E." Enjoy.

Ready for Spring?

We knew there was trouble when we heard the water running, we just didn't know we would find them in swimsuits playing on the bathroom floor. I think they are ready for the weather to be warmer so they can play outside. We are ready for them to play outside too!

Highlights of the clip?

  1. Cassidy playing with her swimsuit on backwards.
  2. Mckay slipping on the water and falling down.

06 April 2009

General Conference Memories

What a pleasure it is to hear from the leaders of our Church. I was reminded this past weekend of how much I needed General Conference while I was serving my mission. I recall several times on my mission where I would think, "You know, I am really enjoying teaching others about the gospel, but it would sure be nice to have someone teach me for a change." Being able to enjoy General Conference was always a nice charge to my mission batteries. Strangely enough I remember being the most homesick during Conference. I was usually busy enough on major holidays, and never really had time to feel homesick, but as I would sit in a chapel to listen to conference, I would begin to imagine my family sitting together at home listening to the instruction of our leaders.

Now that I have two small children of my own, sitting around watching General Conference with them, is well, how should I put this......difficult! It was still a pleasure to sit and listen to our church leaders, however, instead of being in a quiet chapel on an island in the Pacific, I was instead listening to our leaders while helping to dress Barbies and playing with Play Doh. Although if I had to chose, I would chose to play with Barbies, than be alone in a chapel. Missions are fun, but Children are much more fun.

This Conference also made me realized how blessed I am to live in such close proximity to our General Authorities. In fact, it dawned on me that I have met all the members of our current First Presidency. I have met President Monson twice (both times at funerals), I met Elder Eyring as my wife and I were waiting in the Temple to be sealed, and I met President Uchtdorf while sitting just two seats away from him at a Utah Jazz game.

As always, Conference was a pleasure, but I am definitely going to need to read all of the talks in next months Ensign. I may have missed some important teachings while making sure Barbie was dressed modestly.

16 March 2009

Brushing Teeth


This is what happens when you send the kids to brush their teeth all by themselves.

We need to take them to the dentist. As you can guess, we aren't very good at getting their teeth brushed properly.

13 March 2009

Disney on Ice........again.




Well, Disney on Ice rolled into town again, and once again I was a sucker for the disounted pre-sale offer. At least this time I had our camera. Cassidy continues to remember details about all of the previous Ice Shows we have attended, and is quite good at giving you the highlights of each show. Mckay tried to hide at my feet when Captain Hook got close to us, but luckily Peter Pan came to the rescue.