Fall Coming On

We have been enjoying the out-of-doors quite a bit.  The Arvidsons have invited us up a couple of times to hang out with them in Big Cottonwood canyon.  They were camping but we just visited and ate their food.  Thanks guys.

Ruby in almost full-weather gear up Big Cottonwood.

The first time we went up it was raining like crazy.  It rained the entire time we were there and the kids only lasted a few minutes outside before they retreated into the trailer.  It was Blake's birthday that week and we celebrated with cake and song.  

I did see some smoke coming out the back. Smelled funny.

Creek was raging from all the rain. 

Shauna and I also flew to Arizona for my niece's wedding at the Mesa Temple.  We were lucky enough to have an awesome neighbor and here family stay at our house and watch our kids while we were gone.  It was good to see how happy the occasion was and spend some time with our family sans kids.  Shauna, John and I ran everyday (except Sunday) in the heat.  It was brutal some days, but I was pretty used to it having trained in the 95-degree weather in Utah during the summer. I also ate my weight in churros, cupcakes, tacos, and enchiladas so it was good that I ran so much. 

One day Shauna and I ran to the gym and back and we got lost on the way back.  (The Chandler/Gilbert area is only like 5 years old so all the house and streets look the same.  Well, needless to say, it was 94 degrees and both of us were tired and sweating a ton.  I generally knew the direction we were headed, but gave some false alarms and missed the street and Shauna wanted to kick me in the face right then and there.  I can't say that I blame her--I have a habit of getting lost when running in Arizona.  Last time we were there in 2012 I went for a run in Fountain Hills and ended up bush whacking it with some Javelina joining me.  I finally had to ask some guy how to get home.  Anyway, Shauna made me call my mom and ask for the address to the house.  Nice...  

On Monday for family night (because Shauna was teaching spanish) the kids and I went for a walk/bike ride down to Alta High and raced, wrestled, and tackled.  The kids love doing this and I like getting out and wandering around.  I posted some pictures below of these good times.

Laney with painted face.

Joaquin in need of a haircut.

We have been spending a lot of time out on the deck before bed.

Austin and Audrey getting roasted the night before the wedding.

Meg and Ed at the reception.

Dane and Grady being brothers.

Cutting the cake and smearing it on each other.  And Hi John.

Laney and Rubes up Big Cottonwood without rain.

Curtis and Joaquin gathering flammable objects. 

A lot of things going on here

"Juice"

Making funny faces.

Gymnastics.