Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Home for the Holidays

Again we find ourselves on the cusp of another holiday season.  It would be nice to slow down and enjoy this more, but not only is it the most wonderful time of the year--it is also the busiest time of the year.  It could be that it just seems that way with the shorter daylight we have.

Sometimes it is just nice to kick back and sit for a few minutes and enjoy the scene rather than feel like if we aren't doing something every second of everyday we are missing out.  I think you can start to see a theme in my posts about how sometimes I just like to enjoy a night at home.  Don't get me wrong, I like going to parties, concerts, family dinners, and the like, but taking a second to let it all sink in is nice too.  It gives a chance for reflection on Thanksgiving and Christmas and what is important about these holidays.


If this one creeps you out, try the one below.


Here's to another special and wonderful holiday season.  Let us enjoy and give thanks for all the blessings we have and not neglect a thank you that needs to be shared.


Friday, November 14, 2014

Joaquin's Baptism

Our first born is growing up into a smart, talented, and wonderful young man.  On November 1, 2014, he followed through with his decision to be baptized and receive the holy ghost.  It was a fine day with family and friends that came out in large numbers to support this great young man.

He wore a new suit for the occasion and cut a fine figure.  We love this young guy and hope and pray the best for him.  He is a joy to have in our family.




 

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Eight Years

Hard to believe that eight years has gone by with awesome, nice, smart, good and loving son.  He turned eight this month and will be baptized November 1st.  It makes us happy to see him getting excited about his baptism and tries really hard to read his new scriptures.

I would like to take some space here and let Joaquin know that he is a blessing to our family and he has brought so much love, goodness, joy and adventure into our home.  You are a smart, kind, energetic kid, who loves his family.  Thanks for the wonderful eight years!!  We love you.  This is to many more years of wrestling, clash of clans, building Legos, riding your bike with out shoes, and generally keeping life interesting around here.  Happy eight my son.


Oreo and milk accidents.


Hanging with famous literary figures.


Carving awesome pumpkins.


Funny face paint.


Working hard on Christmas list.


Swimming.


Photo bomber.


Go Utes!


Only time he has ever taken a nap since he was two.


Happy kid.


Loves vacation.



Wants to drive.  Not yet.


Knows how to kick back.


Again.


Skier.


Cute kids.


Buddies.

Friday, September 26, 2014

More Pictures of Teton Relay

Just got a bunch of pictures from Cami that she took of our team during the Grand Teton Relay.  Enjoy.



Start Ashton, Idaho

As I said in my previous post, we were in last place at the start of leg five.  That is a lonely road.


Sarah finishing leg 5 and Todd ready to start.



See how many people we had passed by this point.  That would change.


Todd in the heat.


         
Thad on a long 9 miler.


Dusk on leg 8.


This was a brutal climb of 900 feet in about 4 miles.


John blazing on leg 9.


Aubrey and Blake piloting the ship.


Blake looking good on leg 10.


Cami and Shauna.

   

Shauna's leg in the early morning.  Beautiful.



Not sure what is happening here.


Team headed into Wyoming.


Bunches o' kills now.



John heading up Teton pass.  Another brutal climb of 800 feet in 2.6 miles.





Blake coming in from the downhill 900 feet.


Finished.


Grubbing in Ashton.


See all of those kills?

Friday, September 19, 2014

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.

Shauna, Paul, and Joaquin Mayer

This is the Mayer Family blog. This is our attempt to keep a record for ourselves of the happenings of our family. It is also an attempt to make it easier for our family and friends to see pictures and get updates.

Joaquin and Papa play

Joaquin and Papa play
Joaquin and Papa play

Running in the sand

Running in the sand
Running in the sand

Sitting on the sand bench

Sitting on the sand bench
Sitting on the sand bench

big boy

big boy
I'm a big boy now!

bath

bath
Getting ready for my bath with daddy

dad and his hat

dad and his hat
I look cool in dad's hat