Meg's Update

With Hermana Urban at MTC...she´s now here in the Villas...friend of Ryan Barton a.k.a. Hughie

When I went to the Temple with my companion´s sister and mom because they were getting their endowments out for the first time....super special they are ALL converts.
With Hermana Ortiz before she went home like my second trainer
All the Sister Missionaries in My Area at Temple in Buenos Aires for Conference

My ZONE soccer game...i took this pic :)

(Okay, so I'm getting tired of posting my own stuff . . . so fire me.)

Jake's Baja

Hey everyone,
So, I guess I finally made it. I am really done with school and am graduating this week from college. For those of you who do not know, I am graduating in Mechanical Engineering. What can I do with this degree??? Well, everything. Mechanical engineering specializes in the dynamic world. You know, planes, trains, automobiles, engins, anything that moves or has a moving part. Mechanical engineers also do a lot in the thermodynamic industry (heating and air conditioning, heat transfer in machines, and what not).

We are moving to Idaho Falls on this Saturday after graduation. I will start my new job on the 12th of May. I will work for Bechtel Bettis (NRF) and work on the nuclear engine technology for the Navy (next to INL, but a different company). I can't tell you more or else I would have to kill you. Besides, they really couldn't tell me more in the interview. My specific job that I got is really cool, but I am not sure if I can tell you what I will be doing.

I spent the last year of my school working on my senior design project called the "Mini baja". It is the most involving senior project that we have. I have learned a lot from this and put everything I had into it. The baja is an off-road vehicle that is capable for all terrain (except large bodies of water, but some baja's are designed for that too). The baja will compete in a national competition against other schools in mid June. Sadly, I can not go because of my new job (the competition is outside the country in Canada. I can't leave the country for a while.)

For the competition, all teams are given a 10hp briggs-and-stratton engine,safety regulations, and that is it. The rest is up to us. We engineer all the dynamic and kinematic components of the baja, including the transmission. Once the design is complete, the mechanical components are then designed (material selection, thickness, and calculations for forces, stresses, fatigue, and what not). Our design is then presented in front of the faculty and they get a chance to drill us. They said that our team really pulled the wool over their eyes or else we really had a good design. They could not find anything wrong with it, our testing methods, or numerous calculations. The last 4 months have been concentrated on building the car from scratch. It doesn't look too pretty, but it sure is fun to drive. So far, our car is the fastest baja ever, has the best handling ever, and has the most competitive front suspension designed ever. Our goals were to reach new levels of performance and to win the national competition (between 200+ schools). I really think we have a top 5 car this year! It has been a lot of hard work, but I am glad that it is over.

I specifically worked on the front suspension. I spent most of my time optimizing the performance characteristics (minimizing body roll, camber change, kinematic and dynamic motion). I attached some images of what it looks like so far (not painted yet).

**I posted this for Jake cuz I know he's busy with graduating and moving and all . . hope that's okay Jake. Taylor LOVED the baja!

The Latest with College Grads!

This is congrats to Jake and Dantzelle. Both of them have graduated from their respective colleges, Utah State and EIVT. Jake, Stacy and Sam are very happy to be home in Idaho with Jake's new job starting May 12th for Bechtel Bettis in nuclear engines. Dantzelle took Highest Honors in her class for Surgical Assisting in Medicine. She is very happy to have it behind her. Jake is so glad it is over with for now. His last project, "The Mini Baha" was one of the best buggies the faculty has seen. Way to Go Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!! So proud of you. Good-Luck Dantz in Virgina selling with your romantic Hubby! Dantz's dad told me tonight after graduation that Hanna's team is the strongest in the nation for Honeywell Corporation! All Right! Love Ya!.. MOM
Let's get some pics posted.............Adam and Jake.

PS.. Kim is recovering and has 7 tests to go and Dirk has his Nationals on Friday. Please pray for them. Oh, Asher is so cute and handsome, we need pics guys. Sam is so cute and adorable, everyone blog on those photos.... Colton tell your Dad to teach you the song, "We are the Champions" rock on with that bike. Mindy you are a stud with that knee... hang in there.

Mountain Bike Races

As you can see from the picture Colton took the top podium on his last race April 19th in Prescott. It's been a long season doing 6 races thus far with the final on May 17th in Flagstaff.

Colton has done well, and in a position to take the state championship, but there are 2 other competitors that are also in the same position. We will let you know how it all turns out.


We both have raced in Beginner Category and have been racing against others our same age. I'm currently in 3rd place, but have little hope of taking the state championship. There is a young 44 year old that has been takin it to us every race. Colton finally "broke out" this past race and beat the old guy by over 3 minutes.





It's been a great thing to do together, and Mindy has been out cheering us on. Maybe next year when her knee gets totally healed, I'll get her out there racing as well. Ha, Ha! She likes the road biking and doesn't care much for the mtn bike.
She did go out for her first bike ride on Saturday, and did awesome. She is on her way to full recovery.