To the Men

Happy Father's Day

to my wonderful, magnificent, amazing Daddy and to all of his sons (my brothers): James, Justin, Bryce, and Joe. All of you are absolutely great and I am blessed to have each of you in my life. I'm sure everyone feels the same and thank you for all you do everyday.

We love you!

Just one small thing . . .

As you all know mom always has little projects for dad to do. We were privileged to be around this weekend to witness one of these small projects and help out. The job was simple . . . take a few couches upstairs. No, not one couch but three couches up and one that had to come down. One of them even went all the way up to the third floor but back down again later when the last couch wouldn't go through the door. Oops! And to top it off that one couch that wouldn't go through the door was a hide-a-bed couch that was so heavy dad lost his pants while trying to get it up the stairs (sorry no pics of that). Here are some fun pics that were modest enough to share. And now mom is happy! And that is what is important!

I need one of these.

The Manslator

Drive Don't Walk

Now, how many times have you heard that one? I was headed to the church tonight and was going to walk because I was missing my exercise session. As I was leaving the prompting was very strong to drive. Strange I thought. Well, when they drove by the church they saw my car...
and stopped...

I laughed so hard. Episode 2

I laughed so hard. Episode 1

Photos of Basset Hounds running.

Like Grandfather... Like Granddaughter

When we saw Jodi's email we just had to post this picture. Grandpa Hutchings traveled a great deal and I guess I too wanted to be a part of it. Maybe that is where I got travel fever... Interesting, I actually have a memory of climbing into this suitcase.

James quotes

Well there have been a few more quotes, but here are a couple that you need.

At the beach yesterday we saw a lovely old man and this is how he was so lovingly described as best as I can remember . (I couldn't write it down cuz my phone is broken and of course no one else did)
"It's like beef jerky squeezed into a [neon orange] rubberband walking around!" - James
try to picture that!

And the second happened just minutes ago. I was rather sick yesterday and James so kindly asked me how I was doing this morning. I am doing a lot better, only my throat hurts. To which he replied,
"Your throat hurts today? Well don't lick the inside of my mouth. ... That's probably a given." - James
eyeah....

That's all for now folks!

Quote #2

You know, I hate to top post on Mom's quote, but this was not to be missed. Heard from Heather's mouth as I was sneaking a cookie:

"Did you seriously pee on your brother?"

In case you're wondering, the answer was "Yes."

"...with all your heart, mind, and strength..."

I heard a quote in Sunday School today I wanted to share with you.

“He loves the Lord with all his heart who…is ready to give up, do, or suffer anything in order to please and glorify Him. He loves God with all his soul…who is ready to give up life for his sake and to be deprived of the comforts of the world to glorify Him. He loves God with all his strength who exerts all the powers of his body and soul in the service of God. He loves God with all his mind who applies himself only to know God and His will, who sees God in all things and acknowledges Him in all things.”

Elder Howard W. Hunter, April 1965

Year 18... How Many More?

Yes, this is my 18th year umpiring softball. It is hard to imagine my life without it and even more hard to understand my quirky start.

• 1992 -- Moved to Utah where Heather and Michelle started playing softball
• 1993 -- Coached because the coaching was so bad
• 1994 -- Started to umpire because...
• 1995 -- The first year (and last) that I umpired in Grantsville
• 2000 -- First National Invitation. Declined for a wedding
• 2009 -- First National Tournament
• 2010 -- Declined National Tournament for a trip to China
• 2011 -- Accepted National Tournament. May get a second
• 2011 -- Tonight -- Region Semi Final game. Now qualified to go to State in Virginia

As you all know, there are many, many more markers and milestones mixed in those dates. I just wanted to share that today I took a very important step to one of my goals in umpiring.

You see, for some reason, it is getting harder, physically, to participate in this avocation that I really do enjoy. So I decided that I should determine just want I wanted to shoot for and determined there are a few things:

• Be good at what I do. Ask mom
• Umpire with my family. Every one of our children has registered and umpired or planned to umpire with me
• Umpire a State High School Tournament
• Join the ASA National Indicator Fraternity

I have completed the first two. The third can not happen until next year but because of tonight, I am considered qualified. The last requires three national tournaments. I have one, one this year (maybe two). So, I am hopeful that in 2012 I can reach these goals.

So, what happens then? Ask me then. Most likely I will have a hard time walking away, I do enjoy it. Love you all.