Cowboy Hat

Nan bought Gavin his very own cowboy hat.
The redneck doesn't fall far from the tree.

What the ?!?!

April 25th, 9:30 am
10:30 am
3:30 pm

Fun with kiddies (and mommies too)

Earth Day was GORGEOUS in Cache Valley and Gavin and I were delighted to celebrate it with our friends. Melanie and Ethan (2.6 years), Greta and Juniper (1.8 years), and Mae and Andrew (0.7 years) came out to Hyrum for a visit in the morning before I had to leave for work. We had coffee and muffins and fruit and then played outside on the trampoline and the swing. What a treat!

Photos (from top):
Mae helps Juniper onto the trampoline.

Mae, Andrew, and Juni.

Juni and Gavin on the porch.

Greta watches over Juni and Gavin.

Melanie with Ethan and Gavin.

For some reason I couldn't get a photo of Ethan in the air (darn digital delay).

Juni the adventurer loved the swing (and the trampoline for that matter).

Fun with Hillbillies

We had the rare opportunity/pleasure of hanging out with Nan and Suz and family over the weekend.

On Saturday morning we ran/walked the Michael Alleman Memorial 5K. The event raised $$ for the family of a fallen soldier who previously taught at Nibley Elementary School. The weather was gorgeous - though the 8 am start was a little early after a late night of beer and poker...

Brandon left on Sunday for Detroit (we miss you, Daddy!) so Gavin and I joined Suz and family at Second Dam for a picnic. Gavin was in heaven with all the fresh fruit. I was in heaven with the cheesecake. Mmmm... cheesecake...

Photos (starting at the top):

Suz ran her first 5K! That's her hubby Jeff in the background.

Suz and DJ taking Gavin for a stroll at 2nd Dam.

Suz and Gavin checking out the ducks.

Nan let Gavin use her chapstick. His cheek was very well protected.

Ken, Nan, Jeff and Cass (the birthday boy) relax post-picnic.

Mama's Crocs

Goodbye winter, hello spring.

Brandon built this snowman a week ago.
And here's a picture from this morning.

A delightful visit

Man, do we wish the Frantzes lived closer (a LOT closer). Ohio might as well be Timbuktu! They were in Utah because Jonathan was attending a conference in Park City, and because the conference conveniently coincided with Henry's spring break. We hadn't seen them in over two years, so they were thrilled to finally meet Gavin and we were excited to see how much Henry has grown and changed. We spent Friday and Saturday night with them in Park City. Henry, Susan and Brandon went skiing (yes, Brandon skied too!) at Park City Mountain Resort on Sunday. We headed home on Sunday evening and they joined us in Hyrum on Wednesday after the conference ended. Hart, Luke & Ruth Evans joined us at Baby Animal Days at the American West Heritage Center on Thursday. Henry threw tomahawks and was one of the only kids who tried it that actually got one to stick in the log targets. Gavin was enamored with all the animals (ok, we all were - but I shudder to think how stressful it is for the babies to be held by kids all day). They put on a neat program with wagon rides and scads of volunteers with pioneer-era costumes. The Frantzes are avid birders so on Friday morning we went to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge where we saw all manner of winged critters - cranes, pelicans, avocets, ibis, sandpipers, cormorants, grebes, shovelers, mergansers, teals, coots, mallards, geese, herons, blackbirds, and the list goes on and on. From there we drove north into Idaho to Maple Grove Hot Springs. Susan and Henry had been there with us before and we took Gavin there a year ago, but this was Jonathan's first time. At one point or another the boys (except Gavin) all jumped into the icy cold Bear River. When we got home Sean & Emily had just arrived and later on the Robinsons and the Evanses came over. I adore watching Gavin interact with other kids and to see him and Henry and Luke and Ruth and Ethan all playing together was heartwarming. This morning the Frantzes rolled out a little before 7 am and we have been missing them ever since.

Action!

A few choice videos from our fun with the Frantzes....

Henry and Susan shredding the Park City slopes.

Pickin' with the boys.

One of Gavin's many jumps into the pool.

Swimming with Mommy.

Henry can jump, too - and FAR!

The Frantzes are Here!

Jonathan, Susan and Henry are visiting us this week. Gavin took a shine to them right away and we're having a ball together. We don't see one another near often enough (they didn't meet Gavin until Friday of last week!) but when we do we seem to be able to pick up right where we left off. We are fortunate to have such great friends.

Fork'n BBQ Pork

We're pretty sure at this point that Gavin is going to be right-handed. He used to use whichever hand was convenient but now he almost always uses his right hand to throw and to stab his food.