BRAAAIIINS.....

Flaming Gorge

Last weekend we set off in the frigid weather to fish in Flaming Gorge with Brent, Rebecca, Cody, and Shannon.  We had such a fun, relaxing weekend.  It was our first ever family trip with Brent and Rebecca alone--not counting Weston's Family Reunions every year in June.  It was really nice.  The boys had fun fishing, relaxing, shooting guns, and throwing rocks.  They love Cody's dog Buddy and I think the dog likes all the attention.  Since my boys idolize Brent and Cody, they thought it was pretty cool to ride in their trucks and on their boats.  Good times.

Cam and Braxton shooting the air soft guns.

Dakota's Rock collection.  He acquired quite a few.  

Cody had the boys put a new deer hunting game on the IPAD, so they played that in the afternoon when they had down time.

We hiked around for a few hours looking for arrowheads.  Cody found two and the rest of us found a ton of chips.  It was really neat being up on the mountain looking over the lake looking for something an Indian made 100's of years ago.  One of the coolest things we have ever done.  

Can't go on a trip without a few projects and problems right?  

Conference Weekend

We started off with our annual pumpkin patch party that I never get pictures of because I am on the lawn mower most of the evening.  It was delightful.  I love seeing the excitement on the kids faces.  This year it was light, so Kiley still dressed up and handed out candy.  She is such a good sport.  We still had hot cocoa and donuts, a favorite tradition.  

Such great memories are made in the pumpkin patch---work, sweat, fun, enjoying God's creations, everyone is different just like all the pumpkins are different, perseverance, friendship.  All of our best friends always come, and family always supports us, and we make new friends every year that come to visit for a pumpkin.  We even get to see some cousins we only see a couple of times a year.  I truly feel like the spirit led me to the idea all those years ago, and believe it or not it was a lot of years ago--7 I believe.  

Then we were able to finish off a great weekend listening to our leaders give us such good counsel.  The kids get out all the toys, conference packets, and sit and play quietly while they listen.  It is such a fun, spiritual weekend.  

Work

 Just looked out my window when I got home from work today and saw these two boys working hard together to build us a lean-to.  I love to see my boys work.  Shane is a project man and I love when the boys want to work right at his side.  I told them I had to document them actually working without any fighting, but I was just teasing.  Work makes strong boys.  It reminded me of a poem president Monson said in conference about Timbers.  I loved that poem, it brought tears to my eyes.

Good timber does not grow with ease,

The stronger wind, the stronger trees.

The further sky, the greater length.

The more the storm, the more the strength.

By sun and cold, by rain and snow,

In trees and men good timbers grow.⁸

Pumpkins 2013

That time of year again.  Man it comes around way to fast.  I cant believe it has been 7 years that we have been doing this.  I also can not believe how much easier it gets when the boys are bigger and actually help.  I put them on a job and they just get it done, it is nice.  We had so many weeds this year it was crazy.  In fact, Cam told Shane "Dad maybe we should sell weeds instead of pumpkins this year."  We took care of most of them, got the area ready, picked the babies, and sprayed the weeds last Saturday, so we can now open this Saturday after conference.

I just wanted to insert a copy of Shane's talk he gave at church last Sunday so we can have it in our family history when I print:

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

The question was asked at work the other day, "what is it that you fear the most?" Answers were given like heights, claustrophobia, flying, water, spiders, snakes, fish, getting old, needles, and dying.

Most of us had different answers and some the same, but the fact of the matter was that each one of us have fears that we face every day.

Today mine is public speaking.

Perhaps its the daily trial that we face, that create the fears inside us.

David chose to take on Goliath.  Was that a trial? you bet it was. Was he afraid? I'm sure he was until he ask his father in heaven for the strength and courage to concur the giant. And even then I'm sure he had a little fear in him up until the time Goliath hit the ground.

A few year ago my wife came up with a brilliant idea to grow pumpkins in our back yard. Growing up my dad had an orchard that we as kids would help with the  pruning and picking of the fruit. Although I hated every minute of it I learned many valuable lessons doing so. So when Geana had the idea to grow pumpkins I was all for it, just for the fact that I might be able to pass those same lessons down to my kids.

Yesterday we decided we needed to go out and do some weeding in the patch to get ready for October. I was the first one out to the patch and was overwhelmed by the shear number of weeds that had taken over the patch. I quickly turned around and headed back to the house, I was convinced there was no way we were going to be able to weed the whole patch. I gave up, I was afraid.

And then somehow Geana talked me into going back out to give it our best effort.
One by one we hand picked those weeds. Cameron turned to me and said "maybe we should sell weeds instead of pumpkins this year dad", I laughed and continued pulling. A job that seamed impossible to complete was done in a little over 2 hours.
What would my kids have learned if I had given up?

Yesterday our pumpkin patch was my Goliath. Today it is speaking to you, And tomorrow may be something else.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I bear you my testimony that with the help of God all thing are possible. We have been given trials in life to help us grow and be stronger, better people. I hope we can all learn from our trials and as hard as it may be, be thankful for them and not fear them.
I am thankful for my wife and kids that push me to be a better husband and father every day.
I know this church is true, ......

Braxton's Birthday Surprise

         Shane and I surprised Braxton for this 11th Birthday with a trip to the FlowRider. He has been asking for years to do this and we kept telling him he was too young.  He was so happy and loved every minute of it.  He probably said thanks 25 times during and after we went.  He liked the body boarding better although did quite well with the surfing.  Shane was doing really well with the surfing.  Only had to use the rope once, then of on his own.
        We then went to Chuck-a-rama (or Chuck-a-gramma as you have taught your brothers) for dinner which is like a little boy heaven, all you can eat of everything.  We don't frequent places like that so they were pretty excited.

Happy #11 Braxton.  Here is 11 things about you right now:
1-You are obsessed with you hair.  Loving the fauhawk.
2-You started to wear deodorant and smelly stuff to school, for the ladies :)
3-You love to be outside.  Every second you get you are out exploring and riding your new motor scooter.  You have to ride your bike everyday regardless of the temperature--in shorts of course.
4-You are playing soccer and baseball right now, and we sure love watching you play.  You are quite athletic.
5-You are very sassy.  Not a sentence comes out of my mouth that you don't argue with.  It is a bit tiring, but I know it is part of growing up.
6-You get very excited about things.  Jumpy, in fact, when you are excited.
7-You really do not like school lunch.  PB&J everyday for you.
8-Reading is not really your thing, but you like it when you are doing your 20 minutes.  You love telling me the plot of your story after you finish your reading.
9-5th grade is going really well so far.  You are getting your things accomplished and getting good grades.  You are getting very tall but remaining very skinny.
10-You are a bit spacey.  Things just don't register all the time.  Like being told two things, you often forget what the second one was and come back to ask what it was.
11- Your mom and dad love you more than anything in the whole world.  You are our world.  You make us smile everyday and we are happy that all those 11 years ago the Lord saw fit for that Doctor to miraculously see what was wrong with your heart so we could spend many years with you.