Henrik

I cannot look at this photo without crying.  Our hearts are broken today.

April Composition 8.30.13

We secretly recorded this this evening.  Hope you enjoy.  We did.

April Composition 8.30.13

One more for the road...

The allure of a snail.

Photo Friday

Simple joys.

Photo Friday

Our first cantaloupe!  It was amazing!

Halloween costumes are going to be super easy for me this year!  They can make their own!

Isn't this the best way to start your day!

Have a great holiday weekend!

Photo Friday

I am sorry that I have not been a great family blogger, so here are a few fun pictures that normally I would not post.  Enjoy.  :)

This is how we spent last week . . . painting!!!   This is my great painting outfit which is quite colorful now.    

A deer enjoyed one of our cantaloupe, so I was trying to smell them to see if they were ripe.  Those pesky deer will not get all of our good produce!

Hyrum loves gardening!  And I was trying to get him to look at James.  I obviously failed!

Summer Visits

Jodi specifically requested photos of the kids.  So, I thought I would post a few from the visits we have had from "the kids" this summer. The wonders of Grandma's house!   Hope you enjoy!

The outlet mall with the Hutchings boys!

Pool with the Packards

The pool with the Petersen's

Collinita

Princess Julia

The joy of the wildlife

Yucky wildlife

Historical Mount Vernon

Sure enjoyed all the visits this year!  Really missed Jodi and the girls and Joe.  I think we got to see everyone else.  Grandpa and Grandma's dream of the perfect summer!

Photo Friday

Come on!  Can I see some pictures of your cute kids?  Your jobs?  Give me a snapshot of your life, or some moment in the past, on this Photo Friday.

I decided to deep clean the kitchen.  The kids took that
opportunity to empty my closet and liberally dispense
the baby powder they found.

Homemade yogurt is just too good to waste.

We tried coming up with something creative to do when the kids went to bed.
 Justin thought of blindfolding me and instructing me how to make a new treat.

Just Some Memories

Michelle's Blog and a Facebook post of a mother giving "Kangaroo Care" for the first time brought back some memories so I thought I would get a jump on photo phriday -

First things first.  Michelle was not being a monkey jumping on a bed but a roller skater crashing.

 Here are two shots of kangaroo care.

Love you all.

No more monkeys jumping on the bed!

Funny how history repeats itself. Poor Julia got a compresion fracture on Saturday. How does the song go, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed." You can figure it out from there.

Here are some fun pictures from Julia's Birthday. She got all dolled up! We had chocolate cake and dancing. What more could you ask for?! She loved it!

Photo Friday

A camping picture I like that didn't make the cut for Justin's camping post.

Smores Bars as made up by ME!  They were amazing...

Jaime likes to dress up in my clothes (this is a
swim suit top for all those who are worried).
Vida likes to take as many clothes off as possible.

Homemade whole wheat lasagna noodles.

Music in the Home

It is so great to savor the Sunday evening singing.

The Boy Scouts of America recommends that Scout Troops go on an overnight camp at least once a month. The hope is that regular outdoor adventures will help young men be active in the troop and participate in other character-building activities. I have tried to take this counsel to heart, and have not been disappointed in the results. 

This month I wanted to get a little more off the beaten path (I have decided there is no reason in the world to take Scouts to an organized camp ground when you live in a place like Utah). So, off we went, not really sure where we would end up. Left fork of Hobble Creek canyon led us to what I assume is a rather unknown canyon: Bartholomew Canyon. It may have involved passing through private land (with permission), and some very rough roads, if you could call them roads at all. And we found ourselves here...

The following morning the boys wanted to continue the drive into the middle of nowhere, so we did. We passed some cows, and continued through some rather rough terrain. The road eventually turned into a four-wheeler path, but we continued to follow (was that a mistake?) until we could go no further. The boys hopped out and led us on a two mile hike up the mountain, following cow trails to the summit of the nearest peak.

Why share this weekend adventure with you? Because it was something new for me. I don't like not being in control of a situation, especially when parents have entrusted their children to me. But I just couldn't bear to go on another run-of-the-mill campouts. I, and the Scouts, needed change. But that change didn't come comfortably. I think this is common with most changes we desire in life. But the rewards are incredible. Waking up to a serene view from a remote clearing in the mountains, ascending to the top of peak, and looking off into the distance to only see green mountains for a hundred miles. It was worth the personal discomfort.

Next time you feel like change is needed, and things get a little uncomfortable, don't be afraid to press on. Great things lie in store. Maybe even a cow or two...

Photo Friday

These are the 3 photos I sent to Justin yesterday while he was at work.

The girls rough housing.  Vida is naked, as always.

Vida can't leave these tapes alone.  This was the final straw before I made them inaccessible.

Jaime asked me to send a picture of her hard work to Daddy and said "he'll be so proud of me!"  It felt really good for her to say she knew her dad would be proud of her.

Our Living Waters

A couple of years ago Mom showed us what she called her 'Living Waters' (a scripture journal) and helped us make them at Girls' Weekend.  Well, for Family Home Evening this week we decided to make one for each of the boys and had a great time doing it.  I am pretty sure we were told it was the best FHE ever - even Michael thought so!  So, thanks mom for the idea even though it took us a couple of years to share it with our children!

Now they are excited to study their scriptures, receive revelation and record it.  I can't imagine anything better than that.  Though, doing it with a multi-color pen is very exciting, too!

Dinner on the Streets of Chicago

Mom and I had the privilege of celebrating Pioneer Day together in Chicago.  It sure made my trip more pleasant. 

I have found some restaurants that I really enjoy.  One in particular is an Italian Restaurant by the name of Pizzano's.  Yes, it is a family restaurant and the food is wonderful.  Even Guy Fieri thinks so.

 The tables on the sidewalk were out so we enjoyed the "ambiance" of a Chicago evening with the "L" running overhead in the background and

Lake Michigan in the other direction.  After dinner we enjoyed a walk along Michigan Avenue.  It was wonderful to have my bride with me. 

That Was a Bear of an Interview Bishop

I guess some interviews are just that way.  They make you really think as you walk away from the church...

Girl's Weekend Quotes

I forgot to post these earlier, but they just had to be shared.  I hope you think they are as funny as I thought they were.  :)

Heather:  "Liz is trying to kill me."
Jodi:  "Oh, that's cool."

Michelle:  "I feel protective of pregnant people."
Jodi:  "That's good; I like special treatment."

Thanks Jodi for the comic relief.