Monday, September 27, 2010

Random video of the boys

While we were on vacation in Idaho, we visited Mesa Falls. There was a water fountain which offered a wet surprise to anyone who got a drink. The boys had fun with it.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Balloons!

What child doesn't love balloons? Ever since the boys were little, they got excited about getting balloons. Imagine seeing a giant hot air balloon take off right in front of you, needless to say, they were SO EXCITED!

We got up early this morning and drove to a nearby city so we could see the balloon festival. I went yesterday and wanted to share the experience with the boys, I knew they'd love it. I wish I had seen their faces when the first one lifted off, apparently people were taking pictures of the boys as their mouths hung open. After watching a few take off, they joined me at the bridge to watch more hot air balloons as they dipped into the river. They were nearly jumping up and down with excitement, people around them couldn't help but smile at these two excited boys.



Here are some more highlights....

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

This one is 100% legit, Larry saw the original with his own eyes. I just happened to be in the right place and at the right time.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Vacation to Idaho

During the last week of August, we traveled to Idaho for our vacation. We go every year to spend a week with my sweet grandma in Ashton. I always look forward to spending time with her! My aunt also lives there now that my grandpa is gone, she takes care of grandma so we don't have to worry about her being all alone. I decided it was time to get some nice photos of grandma.....

Photobucket

This year we brought Tabitha along, she is Larry's 15 year old cousin who didn't really get a vacation this summer. We also had the opportunity to meet a new member of the family, Helaman. He was born in July to Tara and Gnanam and he is cute! He was blessed on the weekend we were visiting.

Photobucket

Part of the tradition of being in Ashton is that we visit Yellowstone (which is like Disneyland for a photographer). Here are some highlights.... click here to see the best of the best on my flickr page.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Every year, we hike in Yellowstone. Normally we hike to the top of Mt. Washburn, but this year we decided to visit Meriman Falls. The only problem is that we didn't know the trail very well and missed the turn off at some point. So we hiked 4 miles and didn't have much to show for it. We called it the 'hike of disappointment' as a joke.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Because we didn't get the chance to see any bears in Yellowstone, we decided to visit Bear World. The kids love the petting zoo at the end. Jared and David figured out a way to hijack the little machine that had food inside (sort of like a gumball machine, except there was pet food inside). Well, the turkeys know that these machines produce a treat and they eagerly waited for the boys to get food out of it. Jared and David both tried to run, but the turkeys were faster. At one point, David just threw his hands into the air like he was under arrest.



David makes new friends wherever he goes...
Photobucket

And so does Larry....
Photobucket

Jared told me he had been waiting his whole life for a ride on the tractors, I think they both agree that this is the reason they love the farm so much. They also got to help rebuild the old chicken coop. There's nothing like good ole fashioned hard work!

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

I took a couple of pictures of the old homestead. My grandpa was raised next to this grain house, it sits less than a mile away from the current house. 'Bird Rock' is also nearby, it's easy to tell why the local people call it that.

Photobucket

Photobucket

On the way home, we stopped in Mountain Home to visit the Air Force Base. We met up with our dear friends to have lunch and spend time with them. We found our old house, it was empty. I'm pretty sure they plan to tear down this house within the next couple of years, many houses in that neighborhood are empty. It was David's first home and we have a lot of fond memories.

Photobucket

Photobucket

25

My brother, Jared, would be 25 years old today. I miss him! I can't help wondering what he'd be like today. Would he be married? Have a job? Have kids? Where would he be working right now? What would his hobbies be? Of all of my wishes, having him back trumps them all.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket