Fall Football

Go #78!! Carter has been a star player this year in flag football with lightening fast defense to stop many from making a play. His position is outside safety for all the defensive plays for his speed and agility. He also has played quarterback and running back for the offense. We are so proud of Carter! He is determined to stick it out through high school to play for the Park Rangers!! This year his team was on the field at the high school game to hear the cheers of the crowd as their names were introduced and they also rode on a float during the homecoming parade. They only lost one game this season thanks to an amazing coach. GOOOO CARTER!!

SOCCER BOY!

Gavin has started soccer and we are so proud of him! Being a parent is the best! It is so rewarding to watch your kids enjoying their lives, meeting friends, and playing some fun sports! Gavin is a pretty good little player, he loves to steal the ball and do some "slide" steals :) In the second to last picture he scored a goal and was so happy! GO GAVIN!!

The majestic Pine Creek

The morning of Gavin's birthday we took a drive to one of the most majestic places above Paradise Valley called Pine Creek. I wanted to show my dad this beautiful spot and to let Gavin wade in the cool mountain stream. It was beautiful that morning despite all of the smoke filled skies which gave the stream a suddle glow. The boys went down right away and started to wade in the water while my dad took time to take in all he was seeing and marvel as he took pictures. It was so nice to have my dad there to share this moment with him and to see him happy and in his element. If he would have had his fly rod it would have been that much better! He showed the boys how to build a dam in the river and Gavin worked hard at moving rocks for quite some time while Carter, my explorer, crossed the river and was on his own adventure. We love this place so much.
On a sad note... A fire started just days after these photos were taken and our community has been praying for relief. There have been 5 homes lost at Pine Creek and we hear this area was burned. I am so grateful that we made it up there that day to make this special memory on Gavin's birthday and now we will have to wait patiently for the re-growth to come. It will always be a special place.

Birthday dip in Chico

Chico Hot Springs is a historic landmark and one of our most favorite spots to enjoy a day of soaking and eating diner food by the pool. The boys enjoyed their swim in the warm water on a hot day and cooled off with some montana made vanilla ice cream! My dad opted for the huckleberry ice cream sandwich. Yum. I love these boys and their individuality and unique spirits. Its a wonder how they are each so different but when they come together its always a busy and crazy time! This was the second stop on Gavin's birthday adventure and it sure was a hit!

Gavin's 6th Birthday!

 One of Gavin's favorite spots is the Pop Stand to eat and play the coin operated video games!
It is such a landmark in Paradise Valley and serves up great food and ice cream for all.
It was a special treat to have Grandpa with us that night to enjoy his company and celebrate our fun and unpredictable Gavin. :)

 He took his "wish" very seriously as he pondered for quite awhile while the candles were lit but once he knew he happily blew out those 6 candles with one big breath!

 Gavin is over the moon about Pokemon cards right now. He seems to spend all of his hard earned chore money on them whenever he gets a chance! He also was ecstatic about getting a new fishing pole and a scooter to ride around the neighborhood and down to the park. Thank you all of our family for the many cards and money sent for Gavin. He used it to buy.... Pokemon cards!

 A RARE sighting of two brothers showing that they do really love each other. :)

A large canister of gumballs! I think he has consumed them all by now!! What a kid! We love this fun-loving, creative, active, silly, and determined little guy. I can't believe my baby is now 6! The years just seem to fly by now.

Father's Day

Father's Day ended up to be a perfect day. . We started the day off at church and I was able to watch my boys and Aaron sing in Sacrament Meeting and it was so nice to hear them sing about the Priesthood and to realize how blessed we are to have the gospel! After we packed up a lunch and headed to the West Boulder River. When we arrived it poured down rain for about ten minutes so we ate our picnic in the car but then the skies opened up and we were able to go enjoy a walk by the river. It was BEAUTIFUL!! So green, wildflowers were abundant and the river was high and fast. It reminded me of my favorite childhood spot, our Great Grandpa's cabin and the Weber River. We saw lots of wildlife including a bear way off in the distance at the tree line with 3 young cubs, deer, antelope (which came charging towards the car), and some wild turkeys. I know Aaron was wishing he could pull out a gun but I was happy to shoot away with my camera! We also went on a little treasure hunt with our GPS to find a geocache (which is like buried treasure that people hide all over the country and you look up the coordinates online and track with your gps). Sure enough we found it and inside were some badges and little toys.. (its the picture of Aaron and the boys holding a green container). If you take something then you leave something else and inside is a note of all the people who have found it. Its so fun for the boys! On the way home they used a marker in the car to entertain themselves by coloring each other's faces! OH BOYS! It was so nice to have a perfect day. They are rare but when they happen the memories last a lifetime. I am grateful for Aaron and for all of his love for our boys.