Summertime Smorgesborg

 Our busy summertime has led to a poorly updated blog.  Here are pics of some of our latest adventures.

 Logan enjoyed his fishing trip with his Grandpa Affleck and Dad at Fish Lake.

 Logan caught the biggest fish of the trip... but he wouldn't hold it by the gills.

 Logan love his chickens. They have grown quickly, but have yet to begin earning their keep with egg production.

 Stockton is always happy to get some extra fiber in his diet. He eats everything he can get his hands on, even vines.

 We're teaching him early about the joys of irrigation day.

 This is Logan and his bestie, George. They'll be moving away before too long, so we're getting in as much cousin time together as we can.

 We've been picking these by the buckets.

 These three cousin cuties had a fun afternoon fishing. Thanks, Aunt Lizzie, for catching out only fish and giving Logan the credit.

 This one makes me a little teary. John is my favorite brother, and not by default. He's on his way to get his Ph.D in a couple of weeks.

 Logan hiked all the way up to Cecret Lake, up Albion Basin. No,  I didn't spell Cecret wrong. The dunken miners who named the lake a hundred years ago did.

 Logan and Grandma by the wildflowers.

 Stockton just loves smearing food all over his face.

 Stockton and Daddy at Cecret Lake.

 Logan was incredibly cooperative to take pictures along the trail.

 Stockton has been doing his duty, helping us grow the garden this year.

 Happy summer! Come stop by for irrigation day soon.

Weekend Getaway

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for hosting a little weekend getaway at their vacation home down south.  We made some lovely memories.

 Logan got to drive us around the lake in the wind.

Stockton got 3 baths a day,

which he loved,

 almost as much as his Grandma Janet.

 We found a fun little historic section of town with a candy shop

 where Grandma spoiled Logan with a round of unhealthy confections.

 Here we are in front of a tiny little jail that once housed Butch Cassidy.

Happy summer little boys.  Lots more fun to come!

Memories from the Week You Turned 30

Hi Topher,

You're turning 30 in a few hours.  Ten years from now, you may have forgotten the little memories from this week.  This post is to remind you, when you are an even older guy than you are now.

 Stockton has been supervising outside projects from under the apple tree.

 Six baby chickens live in our living room.  You are constructing a coop outside, and it can't be done fast enough for me.  One day while you were gone this week, the chickens escaped from their crate, and Stockton tried to help me catch them.  I ended up "sweeping" them out the front door with a broom until you and Logan got home.  I can only barely tolerate the chickens.  Logan, Stockton, and you all love them.

 Stockton loves bouncing in the doorway.  He also loves playing with and sucking on a plastic snake he nicked from Logan.

 We have been working on the garden together.  Until this year, your schedule has been busy, and you haven't had much time available to help us.  We're glad to have you on the brute labor force this year.  You're good at it.

 This is you hoeing in the corn rows.

This is Logan planting the corn.

Sometimes Logan takes a break and plays with the chickies.

Oh yeah, the week you turned 30, you got a diploma for your MBA!  We celebrated by having a little "staycation" downtown and seeing some of the sites.  Your graduation ceremony will be in July.

 We spent one evening at the Red Butte Gardens.

 Where we took lots and lots of pictures.

 We also went to your favorite Brazilian Steakhouse for a carnivorous dinner.  Logan's favorite dish... the rattlesnake.  Yours, the cheese bread and chicken hearts. 

 Stockton planted open mouth kisses on you throughout the evening.

 We met up with some of our favorites, the Birds, to play at the Family History Library. 

 Then, we headed over to check out the new City Creek mall,

 followed by a trip to the planetarium, 

and a train ride for Logan.

Happy Birthday!  I hope the next decade is a happy one for you.