Fun in the sun. . .

with cousin Jordie. Thanks Alli and Dave for having us down and for the delicious food! We're definitely coming back soon. Brian had so much fun playing with Jordan in the water.

Happy Father's Day. . .

to those wonderful fathers in my life!


Thank you Mark for always putting your family first before all the other things you have going on. Thank you for being a better father to Brian than I ever thought anyone could be. He adores you and I love the relationship you two have. The time you spend with him when you come home exhausted from work everyday means so much to us and benefits Brian more than you know. We feel how much you care about us by your actions and I appreciate your hard work every single day to take care of us and to provide this incredible life we live. Our current circumstances are unbelievably good because of you. Thank you and happy Father's Day. Brian and I love you!


Dad, how can I thank you in one little paragraph for basically EVERYTHING! You gave me my life, you provided everything for me, and through your example and expectations you (along with Mom of course) shaped my character into what it is today. I am still learning from you and I value your opinion and thoughts above others'. Many of my most precious memories are of times when you were sacrificing your time and money to be with me and to provide educational and life altering experiences for me. I'll always have etched in my memory those Wednesday nights when you would pick me up from cello lessons in Salt Lake after work, and even though you had had a long day, you always seemed happy to see me as you took my heavy instrument out of my hands put it in the back seat and said "Hi Jenzo! How are you?" Then without me even asking, you would drive through McDonald's and let me get a chicken sandwich and we'd speed up the Canyon maybe even passing Mom and the other girls on the way home. Then there were those special times when it was just you and me traveling through Peru or Bolivia, first when I was 14 and then later at 19 years old. I think only you can understand what it meant for me to learn to love those people and to see your love and generosity for them. You have taught me the meaning of selfless service and you have definitely helped my testimony of Jesus Christ and the Gospel to grow. I still often wonder why I was so blessed to be your daughter. Not only are you an amazing father, but you make a great grandpa too. I am excited for Brian to be old enough to really get to know you and for him to learn from your example as well. Thanks for everything Dad and have a happy Father's Day.

Daniel, I honestly could not have asked for a better father-in-law for me and grandfather for my children. Your energy and attitude about life inspire me to be a better person and to get more done in one day. I am constantly amazed that you can care about me so much in just a few short years. Thank you for treating me as if I were your own daughter and for putting so much thought and time into making our lives easier and more comfortable. Brian is so happy when he gets to play with you and I think you are quickly becoming one of his favorite people in the world. I do recognize how much you do for our family and I can't thank you enough.We are blessed to be near you. Thank you and have a wonderful Father's Day!

Mostly Rainy Days

We've had to find fun things to do indoors the last few days.

Brian is happiest when he can play with Daddy in the evening.

He's still pretty happy though during the day. I love this kid.

He's also become very interested in the piano as well as listening and dancing to music.

The boys (Mark, Jake, Brian, and Xander) having some fun in the yard.

We Missed You Mark

Mark went on a business trip to Mexico for almost a week, and Brian and I missed him dearly, but we found fun things to do to keep our minds off him being gone.

The first few days I cleaned the house, did laundry, ran some errands, and read a good book while listening to the loudest and largest thunderstorm we've had in what seems like forever. I thought the house was going to fall down, but maybe I was just super alert because for the first night in a long time Brian and I were all alone in the house (our basement renters were on vacation).

Then I thought since Mark wasn't here, Brian and I would go on our own little vacation, and what would be a better place to vacation than the Ranch? We packed up our stuff and headed up to the Ranch for three days of horse rides, baby jeep rides, hikes on the hill, playing in the streams, soaking in the hot tub, good dinners, and of course great conversations with my Mom, Dad and Mandy.

Brian did not really know what to think of the horse ride, but I'm sure he'll warm up to it with time. I however, LOVED the few rides I got to go on and I'm so happy to have horses at the Ranch again.

He still loves the jeep.

He just can't stay away from any sort of water even though all the water at the Ranch is ice cold spring water.

So to provide a little warmer water fun, Grandma filled up this little bathtub out on the lawn. Despite the lack of space, Brian and Jordan had a blast playing in this until. . .

. . .the hot tub was sufficiently cool enough for the little ones to 'swim' in.

Thank You Grandma

I LOVE the sandbox!