Summer's Coming!

The feeling is in the air. The kids want to stay up until the sun goes down.  There are the open windows and doors.  The smell of fresh-cut grass.  The lazy warm nights on the deck staring out at the city lights and few stars.  The noise of the kids in the neighborhood playing night games. There is a lot to like about summer.  God has blessed us a bunch.  I am glad I get to counting my blessings every once and a while--it makes one more generous and charitable.

In one short week school will be over and our little ones will be free to probe the breadth and depth of summer in all its glory. We have so much to look forward to this summer after a long and snowy winter.  Back in February, summer seemed so far away.  But just assuredly as the sun rises, here we are on the cusp of summer like a bunch of race horses waiting for the bell letting us know we are free to run, and run and run.  As our kids grow up, the less I want to restrain them in their childhood--let them go and find the secrets and simple pleasures that come from just being a kid in summer.  Love each an everyone of my kids.  Cheers! And have a great summer.

Here are a few pictures that capture our family in the last few weeks.

Father's and Sons Campout. Chicken and cornbread.  Thanks Blake.

Boys and fire.  How do you think we made it to the moon?

Posers.

Good feelings here.

Sisters.

Girls together.

The crew between photos.

Brothers.

What doors will he open?

Sent a text with this picture to my family with these words: "Keep your enemies closer."

One of the kids took this picture.

Bathroom and dishwasher are his favorites.

Pure sugar and sweetness.

Enjoying the game.

Ruby hiding from the Bee.

Laney cheering for the Bees.

The Bee.

Joaquin got this hat at the game.

Sam giving the hat a test drive.

Joaquin rooting for the Bees.

Ruby putting on some moves.

Deck Project

It took a while to finally get one the projects done that I wanted to do.  For the past three or four years I have wanted to replace the ceiling of our deck because it was old and because it was cracking and having major problems in some places and just generally looked ugly. 

I was always talking about how I was going to rip out the blue ceiling and replace it.  There was always a reason not to do the work, but it usually was me thinking we did not have the money to do it.  Well, I was reading a story where the topic was that of thought and we think about things and feel like we are doing something when we are really not. After reading this I decided I was going to just do the demolition work and then I would have to work get it done or have an even ugly looking deck. Good thing Blake offered to help and I accepted because he knows a few things about remodeling.  

A Saturday a few weeks ago I got out the tarps and put them on the deck, took my hammer and got up on the ladder and started to tear out the drywall ceiling.  Joaquin became very interested and he and his friend Ben began helping me by pocking holes in the dry wall with brooms.  They actually helped a lot and after a couple of hours the drywall and crown molding where gone.  

I decided i would replace the ceiling with 1 x 6 tongue and groove douglas fir.  Shauna and I picked out a grey-blue stain because we did not want to go dark like the deck, but we didn't quite like the color of the douglas fir.  I had the material delivered from Burton and picked up the stain.  I also called the electrician who installed hookup for a ceiling fan.  Shauna and I then stained the wood one night at like midnight because Blake was coming over the next day to help me install the boards.  Luckily Burton sold the wood in 16 foot pieces and the deck was 16  long.  This made it a lot easier because we did not have to cut and fit the pieces.  

I had to put up some blocking between the trusses so we would have something to attach to boards to. It took Blake and I a few hows to do the blocking and the boards but it looked good.  I had to order the crown molding and a couple of boards because of damage and I underestimated a little.  It then took us a few hours a week later to hand the molding but it worked out without to many problems and you can see the results below.  

I have not installed a fan yet because we have not needed one but I will as it warms up.  Shauna is going to pick some curtains and pots to go on the deck as well.  Our deck is like an extension of our house during the summer, so It will be nice to have it finished in not to long.  No I am ready for some more projects that need to get done.  

This is a picture of the ceiling before.

Same view after remodel.

Just Enjoying Spring

We have been enjoying some spring weather around here the past few days.  It is have been nice to be able to open the windows and doors and enjoy the fresh air.  The kids had spring break last week and did a bunch of stuff having fun.  I took them skiing one day to Alta and had a good time there are well.  They are great kids and picked up the skiing really fast considering we have not been this year.
We also enjoyed our conference weekend while the kids made a fort out of blankets and occasionally listened which is pretty good for them.  We had real gourmet waffles at the Brimleys on Sunday morning--they are good people to let us come over with our four kids and invade their house.

Joaquin also had Pinewood derby and I don't think I helped him much getting his car in order.  We tried a bunch of new tricks this year, but it did not seem to help much so back to the drawing board.  Joaquin really wanted to win, but he handled his middle-of-the-pack finish with grace and aplomb.

They are turning into really good kids that care for each other--except last night when Joaquin kicked the soccer ball into Laney's head while we were on the trampoline.  Oh, well can't win em' all.

Hiking

We are planning on doing some serious hiking this year to get our kids out and enjoying the out of doors.  This will not only get us in better condition, but we will be able to spend more time together as a family.  This last week we did a favorite hike that is very popular in Sandy.  This is the Bell Canyon hike.  We did not hike all the way to the falls, because it is far and dangerous for small kids.

Our kids did have fun and did a great job doing the hike considering I led everyone around the east side of the reservoir where we all stepped in mud and slop up to our ankles.  If you look close in some of the photos, you can see our dirty shoes.

It was a fun time and it was a productive morning--which most mornings are not.

Honey? Do you need a restroom?

At the top.

Sleeping baby.

Looking for trout.

The view.

It Feels Like Spring

We have had some weather around here that is almost spring-like.  It has been in the 50's and 60's although this looks like it will change next week.  The kids got a trampoline for Christmas and were waiting for the snow to melt so we could put it up.  We had a lot of snow this year, but the snow was gone by the end of February so up went the trampoline.  They have had a blast and friends have been coming over to play everyday.

Joaquin finished Jr. Jazz and will be playing soccer here pretty soon along with Laney.  It should be fun and as spring gets closer, life is looking brighter and brighter.  We still have our family difficulties and Shauna and I are hoping that we can have the spirit in our home on a more regular basis.

A Sweet Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is a time to remember everything good about relationships.  My dear and lovely wife Shauna has been the best friend, wife, and lover I could ever imagine.  We have had our challenges, but have also had our success and triumphs.

I want to let her know how much I love and appreciate her this day (well I am a couple days early) but in any event she is awesome and is a wonderful person and is always willing to serve others and bless their lives.  She is a great example to me and has always been patient with me when I get out of line.

Love ya Shauna.  You are the best person I know.

Happy Birthday!

This post is for Laney who is a wonderful, beautiful, smart and loving seven year-old today.  She has been talking about this day for several weeks.  Laney makes our family complete and brings us together with her penchant for wanting everyone to be involved and happy.  Last night for FHE she had a game where she wrote everyone's name (including Nana and Papa) on a heart and we had to say what we liked about that person.  It was a great activity and brought the family together and the spirit into our home.  

So on this wonderful day we have to celebrate Laney and her unique and loving personality.  Here's to you Laney!  Hope you have the best birthday in seven years.  We love you with everything that we have.