It's Great to be 8!

Slade turned 8 in July and has been enjoying all the attention that comes with it. He had all the normal B-day attention then got to start going to Cub Scouts and his first Pinewood Derby. This past week he was baptized and had a party to celebrate. Needless to say, he's been on cloud nine for about a month.

Slade with his Uncle Tom and Uncle Bucky. Bucky baptized Slade and Tom gave Slade his Confirmation Blessing.




Proud parents

  

Slade with his chocolate football cake that he chose.





He was more than really excited to get this suit and his very own scriptures.







Yep, it is definitely GREAT to be 8!

1st Day of School 2011

You'd think by now that we would be old pro's at back to school preparations, but somehow this day always sneaks up on us. Here the whole crew is ready and chomping at the bit to start the new school year. Abby is now in 6th grade (that's right 6th not 9th or 10th). Brooky is in 4th grade and ready to learn and socialize, as always. Slade is ready for 3rd grade, not sure if 3rd grade is ready for him. Our little Bella is now in 1st grade and was so excited for school to start that she gave us a bi-daily countdown for the past three weeks.

Pinewood Derby Time!

This was Slade's first Pinewood Derby and it was a bit of a rush to get it done in time. However, he finished and had a blast. He didn't win the whole thing but won a few heats. He already knows how he wants to build his car next year and even though it's top secret, I have to say it's a cool idea and will probably be a very fast car. So in the spirit of all who fall just short of their sports goals, "Next year! We'll get 'em next year!"

33 and counting!

I thought this was pretty funny. This June I turned 33 and we didn't have 33 candles or two # 3 candles, so the kids decided to use one #3 candle and a #2 and #1 candle since 1+2=3. Put the #3 candle next to the sum of the other candles and you have 33. Leave to school kids to incorporate math on a birthday cake.

Memorial Weekend

We took our annual camping to Happy Jack this last memorial Day, and had fun despite very windy weather. Here's a few less than exciting pictures I took. I'm not a very good historian when it comes to taking pictures. 

Fathers and Sons 2011

       Slade and I made a our annual Fathers and Sons camping trip a few weeks back. We tagged along with my friend Ben and his boys to their ward's outing. We stayed up late, ate roasted marshmallows, continuously stoked the fire and then got up early to get as much fun packed in as we could. We took the boys to shoot some pop cans and water bottles whose dastardly deeds had been discovered over the course of the day. Before we headed home we stopped at the creek to play in the icy water. Slade was the only one brave and crazy enough to go all the way in. Lots of fun!

"Got you right where I want you."




"You talking to me?"




The pop can tried to roll away but it never had a chance.



"So cold, so cold, so cold, so cold!"



"It wasn't that bad."



***Slade was closely monitored at all times while firing and handling firearms.***

Old News but New to Blog.



In front of the Titanic scale replica at the Luxor.



Sunny & I celebrated our 12th anniversary at the end of February and because Sunny's favorite play is Phantom of the Opera, I got tickets for the Vegas show. While we were there we went to the Bodies Exhibit and the Titanic Exhibit, both were really interesting. We also saw Criss Angel, who was good but not as good as I expected. Finally, for the main event, it was off to see Phantom of the Opera. We left the Luxor (north end of the Strip) with an hour to walk to the Venetian (middle to south end of the Strip) were the show was. I had no idea how far that was. The hotels are so big, I guess it messed up my internal range finder. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the weather. Freezing rain with the chance for snow! Well, it didn't snow or rain on us while we were walking there but it was cold and windy, which is why I didn't post the pictures that we had taken at the play. Between the cold wind and the physical exertion to get there on time, then the immediate warm air in the hotel, our faces were flushed and "glistening". However, we did make it and Sunny LOVED the play and I thought it was good (admittedly, I may or may not have dozed a few times). All in all, we had a great time!

Snow Day!

Brooky posing (of course) as she sled down the hill.

Abby getting started downhill.

Otis catches his breathe between chasing kids downhill then uphill.

The hike back uphill always makes you contemplate if it's worth it.

Finding the perfect snowman arms.

Snowman building team.

If you have ever lived in Arizona you know that when it snows you have to take advantage of it because it might not last long. (Or it might snow all winter long. You just never know.) So we took a day and went and played in the white stuff.

Family Hike

Southwestern view near the top of the trail.



We stopped here to rest not knowing that the end of the trail was literally around the corner. (Maybe 30 yds.)



Sunny & the girls hangin' out at the top, high above Mesa, as you can see in the background.

A couple weekends ago we took the kids to Usery Mtn. Regional Park. We hiked the Wind Cave Trail, which was a little challenging for the kids (& adults if we're being honest). We had fun and got some exercise.