Championship Summer

Richie's soccer team played in two tournaments this summer. The first was up at beautiful Park City. The facilities were really nice and we took advantage of the outlets as well. We could not stay in the city so we just drove back and forth between Lindon.

Richie heads a ball to his teammate Bessor. He can put a good touch on the ball with his noggin.

A burst of speed and Richie blew by his opponent.
Richie almost scored on this corner kick. It was just to the outside of the bar. Good idea Rich

Richie and team pose for the camera. It was very difficult to get a shot with everyone's eyes open. I think this is the best club team Richie has played on.

A close up of the back row show some excellent soccer players. Bessor, to the left of Richie, is one of his best friends. They went to Lakeridge Junior High together. They took 1st place in the Park City Tournament!

Here they are playing in the Sparta Cup. Richie puts his head on the ball and volleys it to himself on the run.... great stuff.

Richie plays in the center midfield and enjoys being one of the quarterbacks of the team.

The Sparta Cup trophy is proudly displayed as the boys where their medals.

Lions, Tigers and Bears.... Oh MY

A few weeks ago before I started back to school Jessica, Lynne and Jacob took me to the Life Science Museum at BYU. I have been to the museum many times, in fact I use to volunteer in their arthropod collection. I have donated many specimens to their collection. If you have not seen their arthropod collection, put it on your " bucket list". Going to the museum with Jacob was much different than any other visit. We took our kids when they were young but not as young as Jacob. I am older and much more self reflective lately and doing things with Jacob helps me remember my relationship with my children. What a glorious time those young years are. I know it's hard but the rewards are truly a treasure of memories that wealth and fame cannot duplicate. I challenge you all to slow down... take a moment to enjoy some time and simple activities with those around you. During school, life seems like such a blur and my family and students all need my attention... I feel stretched physically and emotionally. It is when we plan little field trips (BYU Museum), games in the backyard and family dinners that help me during these busy times. Last week we all went to Jessica and Dan's house for dinner and social time. Jacob and I played with balloons. We hit the balloons around a vent and they kept getting sucked to the grate. We hit them laughed and hit them again and again and again. Good times little man. Well this blog is really about the trip we took to the museum so I wanted to thank you Jacob for a fun little field trip! Love Grandpa
Mommy (Jessica) points out critters to Jacob. Of course he is very excited even though he as visited the museum in the past. I think he is going to be a naturalist when he grows up.

Grandma proudly walks Jacob through the upstairs displays. Jacob did really well. He would grab our hands and pull us along to show us what animals he wanted to look at. When he was done looking, off we went to the next thing that caught his eye.

Baboons are very scary but cool creatures. Jacob approached, but with caution. No wonder! Take a look at those teeth. Check out that tarter... give the critter a brush will you.

The natural curiosity of a young child... what a blessing.

Jacob give Smokey the Bear a high five !

Some of the interactive displays allowed him to burn off some energy.

Jacob likes matching or what I call pick-a-boo type of learning games.

One of his new words is "Guck" or what we would call a Duck. Jacob is learning a lot of new words. I think ducks were his favorite bird at the museum.

Grand Canyon Outing

Rich and I took off for a little get-away. I have never seen the Grand Canyon and so we took off just the two of us.One of my favorite moments during our visit was sitting on the edge of the canyon waiting for the sun to set.
It was breath taking and quiet. There were many people walking by and watching. They were all speaking different languages but they were all speaking so quiet.
It was almost like we were there all alone. It was really a beautiful memory for me.
I also loved to walk along the edge of the grand canyon. I could not believe how huge and vast this place actually is.
We had a wonderful time together, Thanks Rich for taking me here. Love you!

Stream Jumping - Pine Valley

Why do we jump streams .... because we can ! As little kids we ran up and down the stream getting muddy and wet. The little stream runs all year and many little fish (brook trout) inhabit the stream. Check out these active young people.

Jimmy gets the most air out of all the contestants. The B52 arm form gives him balance and lift.

Rachel clicks her heals for joy because she is soooo happy to be married to Jimmy and that they were able to be in Pine Valley together.

Heather is just glad she made it over the river without a face plant.

Corey is using his Olympic long jump form to get a few more inches. The tongue movements also get him a little more distance.

Richie jumps here for the mighty M.V Bruins. Arms are not held as good as Jimmy. Could have experienced more lift if he would have followed his example. Nice yell though !

I had to put one more of Jimmy to show his Orthopteran-like abilities.

Stream Dip Pine Valley

Every year we attend Pine Valley, almost everyone takes a dip into the frigid stream. I am highlighting Richie, Jimmy, Rachel and Heather even though many of the observers in the background of these images did the same. I hope that Jamie and Lisa post some of their water images. The goal was to stay under the water for a few seconds. Yes it was very cold.

Let the razzing begin. Needless to say there were many words of encouragement.
OK get your head and toes under the water !!!

Yea !!! All the way into the freezing water !!!

Everyone who came out of the water had interesting facial expressions.

Accompanying the facial expressions were loud vocal noises.
I love the way the water is falling off his head and arm. You can click on the images to get an enlarged image.
Quick movement by his left hand kept him from falling back into the water. The shock of freezing water causes the body to fling every which way....while scrambling towards warm dry ground.

Look closely at Richie spitting protista and various water organisms (gardia, paramecium, amoeba etc.). Hey next time don't drink the water.

After a quick shake of the head he made a quick escape to the shore.

Yea ......... I'm done !!

Jimmy you get "the back smack" award. This backwards belly flop is not only skillful but daring. Beautiful splash !
Now you see me!
Now you don't !
It took about 20 minutes to get Heather in the water.
After the chanting and razing they are about ready to enter the water.
Heather keep your shorts on......there are people behind you!
Just as we were ready to give up Rachel pulled her into the water (look at her Kung Fu grip on Heather). Help Mommy, please save me from the freezing water. Daddy is so mean for making me go in the water. Mommy !!
Rachel is all the way under the water and Heather made a valiant effort. Thanks you guys it was very entertaining.
Flee... quick..... watch out for the leeches !

Cooking in Pine Valley

Here are a few images of people preparing and tasting the camp cuisine. There were many good meals and thank you to all who prepared and cleaned up. My favorite meal was Grandma G's slow cooked pork. Great stuff !

We are getting ready to prepare dinner. Rachel has the cutting board and Corey is looking for food. He was are official taster !

Some of us did some dirty work ...... cleaning the fish. Conner was a good sport and cleaned all these fish by himself. Brandon also cleaned a lot of fish.

Father and son cook breakfast "IRON CHIEF" style. Bacon, eggs, and pancakes...YES!

What would camp be without pancakes..... well according to Lynne it would not be a camp breakfast.

Luke was Lynne's big helper.
Keep on stirring little man!