Mr. Dallin

Looking through my summer pictures, I couldn't help but stop and ponder on these two photos. For whatever reason, it caused me to think back on days gone by and the many sunny summer days I enjoyed as a kid. I hope his are as enjoyable as the ones gone by for me.

These days I still have good summer days, it is just simply put different. My joy seems to come more from being with my family and friends, and seeing them enjoy themselves.

Life is good...if not, try grabbing some ice cream on a stick, dipping it in chocolate and it's bound to get better.

Disneyland here we come...

Natalie and I have been planning a family trip for several months now. After considering all the logistics involved, school, church, work etc...we almost gave up. It seemed that each week we looked at, there was a conflict. I then realized that there would always be a reason not to go. So we picked a week, bought some tickets and made hotel arrangements.

The next phase of our plan was to some how keep it all a secret. The only problem was that several weeks back, in family home evening, I had mentioned we would take a family trip in November. Well little miss Ashlee just would not let me forget that I had PROMISED that we would go on a family trip in November. Week after week, she would bring it up in family home evening, and I would skillfully move us on to another discussion, thinking she won't remember next week. Natalie was right...she remembered EVERY week.

So we ( I use this term loosely) packed up through out the week, and then loaded the suburban after the kids were asleep. Now I had every intention of just driving and not telling the kids where we were going, but Natalie wisely informed me that we just might go crazy trying to keep it a secret for 10 hours in the car.

In the car we piled with questions abounding. So then I asked the kids "so do you want to know where we are going? Or do you want it to stay a surprise...." TELL US they say....

And then the Shock...

Oh the beauty of a good surprise.



Let the fun begin....

I had the opportunity to attend a Technical Conference in New Orleans this month. While there, I took a few pictures of the area and destruction that still exists. Some areas have received much care while others seem to be mostly untouched since the great devastation.



You can click on the picture to see my New Orleans picasa album.

Tonight was family night, and the kids wanted to do a little 4-wheel'n. So I ran off to dig up some fried chicken and potato salad and off to the airport we went.

Once we got to the airport, it was a bit too hot for the baby (really we are wimps) so we ate in the air conditioned motor home. While we were eating, Ashlee made the comment..."Trevor and Kathryn must eat a lot of chicken, since they live in Kentucky." Natalie and I thought that was pretty funny!

The kids had a great time tonight. They are getting a bit too adventurous though. Just as we were about to call it quits, Ashlee rolled over one of the 4 wheelers. She is okay, but it was a reminder that helmets are a must, and maybe I should turn the throttle limiter in just a wee bit more.

I sent Natalie out with Dallin for a while, and when they came back, he was quick to tell me that "mom went WAY faster than you dad"...maybe that explains Ashlee's final adventure. Natalie did mention that he was giggling the whole time. All in all it was a fun night.

Soccer continues...

As promised, here are more pictures of the soccer kids. I made it to Ashlee's game tonight and was able to get a few shots of her in action. This is Ashlee's first year in soccer, and she has really enjoyed it.

Ashlee was quite the goalie tonight as well...ok the girls did a pretty good job of keeping the ball on the other side of the field, but doesn't she look cute in that goalie shirt. Keep up the good work Ash!

Dallin also had a game tonight. Natalie and I tag teamed the two events. I got to Dallin's game about 1/2 way through the game. A serious rain storm was just reaching us when I arrived, so I didn't get too many shots.

Dallin also played goalie or "defender" as they call it for the 4 year olds.

Over all a good night of soccer. The rain storm did end the game a tad early, but the kids had fun regardless.

Soccer Begins...

Soccer started this week for our munchkins. Natalie enrolled the whole crew...well at least all that can walk, in soccer this year. So along with the start of school this week, the kids have all been rushing off to soccer practice, games and pictures.

Ashlee and Dallin had games yesterday. Unfortunately, I had church meetings that kept me from seeing their first games. However, I was able to get to Abriana's game tonight and took a few pictures. As you can see, she is quite the cute little soccer player. I hope to add a few more pictures of the other kids and their soccer events as the season goes on.