2008, Best Summer Ever!

Wow what a busy summer. It passed so quickly and Shelly kept fretting that she would never be up to date with her blog, so I thought that with one entry I would fill in some of the moments that she wasn't able to get to.


Sammy has been crawling all over the place. He has this cool trick in that he pulls himself up to something and then lets go, smashing his face on coffee tables, walls and stair railings. Quite an amazing trick, but for some reason he stopped doing it a week ago, now he just sits himself down slowly.
Gracie and her blankie. I know that other kids may do this, but she chews on her blanket when she goes to sleep. I've seen her drag that blanket all over the place and chew on it at night. Pretty gross.

This is the kids when we slept on the trampoline. I personally would like to thank my 6 neighbors, whose houses I can see from the backyard, for keeping their outdoor lights on all night.
Hudson and Jonah helped cut out the holes on Shelly's bean bag toss that she made. It was really cool, Shelly spent about 15 hours on the bean bag toss and I put in about an hour and yet at the school carnival, everyone was saying how well I did making it. No work and most of the credit, I could get used to that. No really Shelly, you did a great job on the bean bag toss.
Here's spider face, Spiderman, and Fairy Girl at the school carnival.


I'm going to miss all the weeds that made it into our house last summer. Not to mention the sand, flowers and grass clippings.
The kids love to go camping whether in the mountains, the backyard or in this case: the kitchen.

I don't know why I love this picture, but this is our summer in a nutshell: Candy, smiles and blankets tied around our necks to make us superheroes. Which gets me to something I think about a lot when I get ready for work or church. In old period movies (like the Count of Monte Cristo) you see men wearing neckties and capes. How come the stupid neckties lasted for centuries and yet somehow we lost the capes, I would really like to start wearing a cape to work and church. Nothing cheesy with letters and stuff on it, but one that matches my suit. I think that a three piece suit shouldn't be pants, coat and vest; it should be pants, coat and cape.
I love you Shelly and you make great food, but I will always remember this salsa for how great it wasn't. It was so bad that we laughed about it for a couple days. People may think I am mean for putting this in our post that represents our whole summer, but it just emphasizes how really disgusting the salsa was.
This was the best game that Gracie played for about 2 days. 1-She would get in Sammy's bouncer. 2-We would laugh. 3-She would ask for us to help her out. Repeat about 306 times in those two days.
We went to Fairview only once this year and finally found this tree. I had heard about from when I was little. My late grandfather(and my namesake), carved his name and the date (9/14/22) into this tree.
Summer was a fun time for lots of roasted marshmallows!
Many days it was too hot to play outside, and the kids love to play computer games on those particular days. I think that we are the only people who have a computer with stadium seating.
Jonah's first day of school was really really really really bad. He did more in those 2.5 hours than anyone thought could be done. Anyway, after school we went to the store and had him pick a toy that he could earn with 10 good days at school and 12 school days later Jonah had earned his Obiwan Kenobi light saber. I thought that he would have wanted a red Darth Vader, but Jonah wants to be like Obiwan at school because Darth Vader's dad is really mad when Darth Vader doesn't listen to his teacher. Good Job Jonah!
Happy Birthday Emma! I can't believe that you are already 7.



We had a chance to get together with some of Jonah's friends that he knew in Ethiopia. The kids played so hard and had a ball. On the way home we picked up some Injera that Jonah devoured. After inhaling the Ethiopian food, Jonah went into the garage and puked everywhere. EVERYWHERE! It was awesome.

We were trying to get a picture of Gracie gnawing on the cob, but everytime we went to take a picture she would stop gnawing and say "cheese." We finally gave up.
Jonah thought that corn on the cob was one of the funniest foods in America.
Hudson shooting arrows with Grandpa. Now they call it archery, but what is the verb? Do you say shooting arrows? Or can you say "archering?" If anyone knows, please leave a comment and let me know.
The kid had fun on uncle Jace's brand new 4-wheeler. we feel bad, because the week after this camping trip, we found ringworm on Hudson's head and Ethiopian head bugs on Jonah's. Thanks for the great ride Jace, but we probably infected your new helmet.
Shelly and Sammy on the banks of Bridger Lake.
Walking to the fishing spot.
Hudson in the back of Grandpa's truck. Rain came and forced us home one day early, but he was perfectly happy.
Hauling firewood.


The primary parade.
Getting dirty at the ward campout.
Jonah's first time fishing.
Jonah's first fish.
Sammy is starting to suck his finger less.
Nana and Papa at Jonah's birthday party. Thanks for making the great superhero cake Nana!
Showing off his new shirt.
An epic battle between spiderman and venom.

Shelly walked in on Jonah drawing this picture of Jesus. Jonah has always been concerned with Jesus' facial expressions in different paintings. He looks at them and says that Jesus is sad or Jesus is mad, etc... One day he asked "Why Jesus never happy?" We explained that he is happy and rewards us when we keep the commandments, but he countered with his impression of the paintings in our home and church. About a week later, Jonah was helping me clean the garage and he found an articles of faith card that on one side had a picture of Jesus with children. He was squeeling "Daddy Daddy, Jesus Happy. Jesus Happy with Jonah!" Sure enough I looked at the picture and Jesus was clearly smiling. Smiling at the small black child he was looking at in the picture. I gave it to Jonah and he promptly taped it to his headboard.
What a great summer to grow a family!
I don't want to be taken the wrong way, but I just have to say that Shelly has very very nice eyes.


This summer was full of all the fun described. Not to mention, a lot of time outs (pictured above).


Now we are done with summer and we are tired. I was all geared up for fall. This morning we woke up to 4 kids screaming "Merry Christmas!" You see it snowed today. Hopefully next summer is just as fun.

Thank You Cubs For Another Season. See Ya Next Year.

We are not only mourning the loss of the TV but also the end of a season filled with hope that the Cubs could have their first World Series title since 1908. We should have known early in the season that this one would end like the previous 99, with a loss. When we went to Ethiopia, it has been well documented that our luggage didn't show up when we did. In that luggage was clothing for Jonah, so the orphanage loaned us clothing for him to wear. If you would have told me that one of my kids would ever wear a St. Louis Cardinals shirt I would have vomited all over myself (this is where Shelly would want me to clarify that this is Boyd writing again) But on April 29th 2008 this is what my oldest son wore and I should have known then that the season was lost. (Can you believe how much Jonah has grown and how cute he is in such a crappy shirt?)Shelly even got in the spirit this year. I think this is her sexiest outfit.
Jonah was quickly indoctrinated upon arrival.
Sometimes I wonder if I'm messing up my kids by letting them be Cubs fans. The other day I was watching the Dodgers play the Phillies and Hudson walked in and asked if the Cubs were winning. "No," I said "the Cubs are done playing because they lost." "The Cubs are never playing again?" he asked, very concerned. "Not until next spring." I explained that only one team wins the World Series each year. "It's okay Dad, the Cubs will win next year." he proclaimed. If he only knew.

A SAD DAY FOR DAD AND HUDSON

Hi, this is Boyd. I have never actually made a post on our blog. But I wanted everyone to share in our grieving over the loss of the flat screen. We borrowed a Nintendo Wii to see if it is something the kids would want in the future. Hudson really liked bowling, the TV didn't.

Grasshoppers anyone???

Boyd took Jonah and Hudson to the Father and Sons campout this year (with Grandpa) at North Fork. The boys entertained themselves the ENTIRE time with all of the grasshoppers. Their fascination with these delightful insects was only fueled with Dad's story of eating one when he was younger. Apparently, this scored lots of points with these young impressionable boys. I'm sure they would have ate one themselves but he had the good sense to tell them it was absolutely disgusting!
That was in early August and ever since they have been searching our yard (and the surrounding ones) for more grasshoppers. When they finally find one, they wear it right out, and unfortunately it loses it's strength to escape. Hence the pictures with the grasshopper just sitting there on their faces and clothing! Not surprisingly, Emma and Gracie are in on the action too. Boyd took these pictures at the campout and while I was fixing dinner, thanks hon!

Ten Years of Bliss, Baby!!

Yes, we celebrated our 10 year anniversary on August 19th and boy what a wonderful 10 years it has been! We normally don't do a lot for our anniversary, maybe go out for dinner or something. But this year we decided to really celebrate. So in a few short weeks we will be going on our first ever cruise! We are excited that 4 other fabulous couples that are friends of ours are coming too! We have been planning it for a long time and I can't believe it's already here.
We also decided it was time to get a new bedroom set. Boyd promised me this when I was sick and bed ridden for all those months. My prison was our bedroom and I really hated being in there because of all of the negative memories. Not so good, considering you spend a good deal of time in there. But what pushed him over the edge was having trouble sleeping in our taco mattress and having back pain. I think it was a sign from heaven that it was time to upgrade to a king size bed. With four children that like to crawl into bed with us it was a must, right? We were able to get a really good deal from Down East Outfitters on a fabulous bedroom set from Pottery Barn and can I just say that I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! It's crazy how much I love it. Boyd and I both love to spend time in there reading, talking, escaping from the children...it's fantastic. When we went to pick it up Emma was concerned because she said she really enjoyed cuddling in our old bed. But when she came in the next day to cuddle, she was so happy, she told me it was the "best, most wonderful, most comfortable bed she had ever seen." Those last few weeks of summer were so fun. The kids would bring books in and we would read stories, tickle and laugh! Who knew a bedroom set could be so much fun? Definitely worth the wait, thanks babe!
So, with these two huge, selfish purchases we agreed that we were set for anniversary gifts for the next 10 years so imagine my surprise to get a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered with a card that read "10 years of bliss, baby!" I immediately called to tell him he was in big trouble and that he was the best husband ever, in almost that order.
We also got to have two date nights in a row, which is a miracle in and of itself. Our nice neighbors invited us to see Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband with them and it was so much fun! And then we were able to go to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner the next night (and do a little school shopping as well)!
But the best gift of all was the heartfelt letter from my sweetheart that I ask for every year and never get. It was mildly cheesy, which I can handle. Thank you babe-I love you!

Jonah took our picture right before we left for Ryan Shupe! He's really quite good.

"The" flowers

My little piece of heaven on earth! I have my own bedside table and everything!

The 1st Day of school!!!!!

Emma is a big 2nd grader now and she has several friends from the neighborhood in her class. On the way to school I asked if she was a little nervous and she told me "No, Dad gave me a blessing and so I feel just great!" It made me realize how much she is growing up and what a sweet girl she really is. I was really sad when I got home, which is really unlike me. I even shed a few tears for my sweetheart because selfishly, I will really miss having her home with me. Poor Boyd didn't quite know what to say, I think he was in shock because I have been so excited for school to start. Oh well, I guess you don't know what you got 'til it's gone!!


Jonah started Kindergarten and he has been telling me nonstop "Thank you Jonah go to school Mom, thank you!" He is in afternoon Kindergarten and we were surprised when they tested him that he tested out of the all day kindergarten program they have at our school. I was listening from the hallway when his teacher tested him the first week of school and again I was struck (meaning, I was crying like a baby) at how far he has come in 4 months. No English. Practically no social boundaries. Totally different country and culture. And yet he was answering most of her questions-at least the ones he understood, correctly. Although he is not where I want him to be as far a readiness for school, when I think of how far he has come is such a short time it is a miracle. We were not planning on sending him to Kindergarten this year but now I am sure we made the right decision. I'll post later about his "first day" without me there later because I don't want to diminish how well he is doing now. What a story.

Hudson started preschool with Miss Evelyn the week after Emma and Jonah and he was more than ready for his turn! He knew exactly where he wanted his picture taken and was very excited to see his friends. He also informed me when I went to walk him in that next time he would like to walk himself, which I agreed to. His preschool is three days a week and he goes in the afternoon when Jonah is gone which he enjoys. They really have fun playing together in the morning and are getting along so well. It's crazy to think my buddy is 4 1/2 and will be going to Kindergarten next year. Time is flying by and I'm trying to enjoy the small moments while they last, even if sometimes I feel like our life is a crazy one!

Super Face Painting!

My Mom and Mel were helping me out the other day while I went to Activity Days and I came home to...wild animals! Mel had bought a new book on face painting for our upcoming school carnival where she volunteered her talents and she wanted to try them out a little. The kids were thrilled! I have no artistic ability whatsoever so I guess she got the entire families share of talent in the art dept.