The Story behind the name: Dorian Charles Gustaveson

Hi, this is Brett taking over.

We call our kids lots of nicknames--Wil, Maisita, Ace, Doodle, etc.  Nicknames come and go, and they are fun, but the true names we have given our children are meaningful.  We think deeply, debate, ponder, and ultimately decide together what we will name our children.  We want our children to see their names as important parts of their identity. We teach them about their names and hold them accountable for honoring the names of those who carried their name first.  

We named our little "Doodle" Dorian Charles Gustaveson.  Here is what we will teach him about his name:

I have an uncle named Dorian Gustaveson.  He is a good man who I have always admired.  He has lived a very interesting and adventurous life as a contractor and union boss, and is an avid hunter and fisher.  He has lived most of his life in Idaho, after growing up in Utah and living a few years in Hawaii.

Uncle Dorian is an expert at all things having to do with flooring.  He is a master tile layer and has been called upon by my parents and others repeatedly when they have desired an intricate or difficult tiling job at the house.  He has always generously given of his time to help my parents with their projects, only asking for a little fishing time in return.

Some of my earliest extended family memories involve Uncle Dorian, or "Big Guy," as I used to call him, tickling my with his very ticklish beard.  Whenever Uncle Dorian is around there is always laughter and liveliness.  We hope our little Dorian can light up a room and light others' lives just like his namesake.

Uncle Dorian with his latest fishy victim


The middle name Charles is in honor of my maternal grandfather, Charles Dibble.  He was another great man who accomplished great things.  Does your grandfather have his own wikipedia reference? Mine does.

As a Spanish teacher, I really appreciate the coolness of my Grandpa being a translator of ancient languages.  What a brilliant man and what a great contribution to society.  He left a legacy that will last forever.

I wasn't able to really get to know my grandfather intimately while he was alive, but I do remember that he was a reserved, scholarly man.  I enjoyed speaking a little Spanish with him after I got back from my mission.

In addition to his great academic and professional accomplishments, Grandpa Dibble was a great organist.  He also had a large fruit orchard on his property.  I wish I would have gotten to know him better.

My grandfather Charles Dibble

We hope Dorian Charles can honor the names of these two great men!

Maisy's Baptism

We are so proud of Maisy!  She was baptized on November 3, 2012.  

She looked so beautiful in her white dress that Grammy bought her.  

Many of our friends and family came to witness her baptism.  This is her friend and neighbor Macie.  The Spirit was present and many tears of joy were shed (including sweet little Maisy--she even had to get up and grab a tissue.)  

All of these family members came to support Maisy.  Everyone participated in the program which really meant a lot to us.

Aunt Di came from Utah and sang a special song with Wilson.  Pop and Uncle Cameron gave talks.  Charlene and Aunt Kressyda gave prayers.  And the cousins sang a song.  We sure love our family!

Disney World

We went to Disney World in Florida!!  It was amazing--and something we have been looking forward to for a long time!  We went with all of our Ming family--everyone was there.  

One of the most festive things we participated in was "Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party."  We all dressed up in costumes and had a Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom.  The parade was such spooky fun and we got lots of candy from trick-or-treating.

We also went to Hollywood Studios.  Brett was part of "The American Idol Experience" and performed on stage.  It was a great memory.  There was also a rain storm in the early evening which was kind of scary for us all, but mostly for Ace because thunderstorms are his greatest fear.  But once Pop purchased Mickey ponchos--they were not afraid any more!

This was Ace's favorite ride--Toy Story Mania

More costumes for the Halloween Party

Epcot!  We loved Epcot!  There certainly was not enough time to see everything that Epcot has to offer.  We will have to go back and explore every nook and cranny of each country.  We did eat empanadas and that made us happy.

Maisy dressed like Mulan and was very happy when she actually met and had a picture with Mulan!

We stayed at Saratoga Springs Resort in the Treehouse Villas.  It was beautiful.  We had a truly magical time and many many magical memories were made.  Everyone was so much fun on the trip and so helpful and patient.   Thank you to Grammy and Pop who made this trip possible!  We LOVE our family!

Brett's Top 3 Rides:

1. Everest

2. Tower of Terror

3. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Brett's Top 3 Foods:

1. The Roast Beef at Liberty Square

2. The empanada at Epcot

3. Mickey Bars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kasia's Top Rides:

1. Space Mountain

2. Dinosaur

3. Tie between It's a Small World (I've been waiting my whole life to ride it!  Ever since I read that book about Bobby and his trip to Disney World) and Tower of Terror (oh wait, did I go on that?) 

Food:

1. Pineapple ice cream shake 

2. Peanut butter and jelly shake at 50's Diner

3. The Roast Beef at Liberty Tavern (everything was delish there!!)

Wilson's: Expedition Everest and Pineapple frozen bar

Maisy: Peter Pan and Eclair with Chocolate cream

Ace: Toy Story Mania and candy

Some of our favorite memories were Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!  Jaron and Amber's awesome costumes, and people thinking Jaron and Amber were "cast members" and wanting their picture taken with them :)  Also, Olive's face on the big screen when she was "Boo" during Monster's Inc.  And, don't forget the time Brett retrieved the wrong stroller--he strapped Doodle into and everything.  And of course--the barfing!!  After we saw Channa in the airport holding a bag of puke, Maisy was so paranoid she was going to throw up that she rode on the plane with a barf bag over her mouth the whole trip home.  People would walk by her and look very worried--then they would look at me and I would just shrug my shoulders.  Luckily she did not throw up.And many many more fun memories.  Wilson got emotional when he had to say good-bye to the Cali Ming's.  That is saying a lot for him :)

First Day of School

Alton started Pre-K this year.  He is really enjoying going to school.  His teaches love him and say he is a leader in the classroom.  He befriended a new student and showed him all around on his first day.  We are very proud of him!  His teachers asked if they should call him Alton or Ace.  He said, "At school--I am Alton.  At home--I am Ace."  He is growing up!

Maisy started 2nd grade this year.  Her teacher is Ms. Zschau.  She is having a wonderful year so far.  She loves school just like every other year.  Maisy says she loves going to Art and Music (that's my girl!  we don't need silly PE!)

Wilson is in the 5th grade this year.  He has 3 teachers and has begun the rotation of subjects.  His Math teacher, Ms. Costilla, is implementing the "flipped classroom."  It has been awesome for Wilson!  His math abilities have exploded.  Yay for Wilson!

We are looking forward to a wonderful school year!

So summer break is coming to an end.  School starts tomorrow.  We produced this music video to celebrate the last days of our awesome summer vacation.  It was so so so sooooo much fun to make!!  We had a blast.  Here's to an amazing summer and looking forward to a great school year.

maisy's style

Hey! Maisy here! I'm taking wilson's job today.This week the blog is about me. Maisy.   So....the Garners  asked  me to enjoy a mermaid party with them. They made me a tail.  We swam  all around  the  pool  and  didn't see any sharks . oohhh yaaa!

   One morning after I woke up, my mom and dad said that we were going  to a sheep farm. So I put on my bonnet and boots.  On the way there Wilson was teasing about the sheep--telling me they have rabies.  When we were turning into the Denny's parking lot....dad said "Oh yeah, the farmers name is Denny!"   Then I shouted  "DENNY'S"!!  So I enjoyed some chocolate chip pancakes at Denny's "sheep farm".                                      

 Well, as you know we have a garden.  And we have a cantaloupe plant.  This is our first cantaloupe all cut up.  Dad wanted me to take a picture with the cantaloupe.  (and Ace too)  By the way it was quite delicious!

                                                                Hello Farmer Ace!

 So we celebrated the Fourth of July with a parade at the park. As you can see, we decorated this funky lookin' bike with 2 steering wheels and peddles on both sides.  Kenzie, my friend, and I made this cool sign for the back of it.  It said, "Let  FREEDOM RING!!"  I love America!