Happy Father's Day!

have you ever heard of wing suit base jumping?

my friend mark posted about this today and i'm going crazy over it. i wonder how many people die in a year trying this?

Zion National Park - West Rim Trail

A few photos from our Friday/Saturday backpack and overnighter. Two sons, two sons-in-law and one grandson - had a great time together. The photo's can't capture the real grandeur of the place but it was an amazing hike. And, we learned that Jared is clearly in better shape than the rest of us. But, at least we all made it - no rescues required.

The start of the hike (Delos taking the picture).

Nice level ground to start out (for about the first 5 miles)

Beautiful canyons, mountains, rock formations.

Fortunately I arrived just in time for me to keep this tree from falling on all the "young ones" hiking with me.

Saturday morning after leaving our overnight campsite, I was able to prevent James from jumping into this canyon as a faster way down - he was pretty tired you know - you can see how fresh and strong I am!

Pretty amazing mesa's covered with greenery as we begin our descent (we also did a significant amount of climbing - about 1200 feet elevation increase as you went up and down various places on the trail)

Son and grandson still hanging in there (Delos' son David was also planning to come, but developed a cold and bad cough before we left, so he missed this one). If you're wondering why sons-in-law Jared and David are not in my pictures it's because they were always a mile or two out front - seems I was a tad slow for them!

Part of the trail was carved right out of the side of a 400 foot cliff - it was truly incredible - hard to imagine how those workers did it (in the 1930's). It gave you butterflies in your stomach just to walk along that portion of the trail.

Looking back at the cliff we had just walked down.

Elevation drop of 3000+ feet in the last five miles. The last couple miles there were LOTS of people (saw very few earlier) as they were climbing up the lower part of the trail to Angel's Landing (and it was hot, about 95).

So, total trail length, about 15 miles not counting side trips. A good time was had by all - and we'll believe that even more after our very sore leg muscles start to recover. I'm walking like an old man. Wait - I am an old man!

Isaac's Birthday

Isaac's friend party was Friday, so today was the lame family party. We went to the spaceship playground (Burger King) for dinner, then came home and very quickly opened presents (as in, 2.4 seconds and he was done--didn't even bother taking the paper all the way off).

Then he goes, "Where's my bike?"

Darn it. I knew a locked bathroom door with a bike hidden inside wasn't a good enough hiding place. So we brought it out. (There are 2 here because I wasn't sure which one would fit better so I'm taking the other one back).

And here is the maiden voyage:

Happy Birthday, Alexis!

try not to play any practical jokes today!

Happy, to each Mother

Mom, Alice, Sara, Misty, Ellen, Holly, and me.

happy happy birthday summer & abby dears,
happy days will come to you all year!
if i had a wish that it would be,
a happy happy birthday to you from me.

"that it would be"? is that right? it sure doesn't sound right.
anywho, happy birthdays!

Three brothers at their elder brother's funeral

Larry sent this today. I liked it so thought I would post it.

3 and 3 months

Here are kate's 3 year pictures and Eliza's 3 month pictures. They were so cute I had to share.

Uncle Odell

I thought Uncle Odell's funeral was really nice. Incredibly sad--why do we do funerals anyway? They're heartbreaking--but also a time to get together with family and be there for one another during such a sad time. It was nice to see cousins, hear Craig play the piano like a pro (who knew he could do that?!), and be there for Dad. I haven't been to Grandma & Grandpa's grave site since Grandpa was buried in 1995, so it was nice to see their headstone. Here are a few pictures from Saturday:

Odell Larson

Odell Larson had a great life and we all hope he is now happy, he is with his father in heaven. We love Odell and can't wait to see you again!

He is risen, as He said.

Happy Easter to you all!















(first 2 images from delos & misty/mom & dad's trip to israel)

Binkie Fairy

All of my kids LOVE binkies, but Kate took it to an even higher level. It was more like an appendage, a necessity, a part of her. So when she turned 3 on Monday I was dreading taking them away. But yesterday I told her no more binkies and we put them in an envelope for the binkie fairy. The binkie fairy brought her a fairy book and magnets which she was thrilled with. I waited for the meltdown that I knew would eventually come, but she just cried a little at nap time and hasn't even mentioned it since. WEIRD. Next conquest - the potty. :(

Happy Birthday, Dad!

There's never been a Dad (or Grandpa) quite like you.
You're the best.
We love you!

Hope you had a good day.

Happy Birthday Crazy Bones!

Hope you have a very happy birthday, dude.

Hunter, August 18, 2001 (3 years old)

Hunter was born my senior year of high school.
Mom was out of town so I asked Dad if I could skip school the next day (my birthday)
and go see him at the hospital.
He said no.
I went to first period, then went anyway.
Dad was there too.
Whoops.
But I was so happy to see my Crazy Bones.

Love ya Hunter!