Hangin with the cousins

Okay, we tried to get pictures with Ethan but I haven't figured out how to get a toddler to hold an infant upright... they fall flat and the pictures always look uncomfortable and strange.

Silverwood Lake, San Bernardino

Camping is a dirty business... I don't care if you have quarter showers or not... after a single day nothing is clean.  It also requires a crazy amount of stuff, just so you can eat and have sleepless fits all night.  Family camping is extremely more hardcore and complicated than guy camping, where everything is optional.  But watching our children playing in the dirt and catching frogs with Grandpa and their cousins makes the whole experience worth any misery we experience.

Pine Valley, Dixie National Park

Pine Valley (while Michael slept in)

This was Henry's first camping trip.  Since we didn't have reservations anywhere and it was Independence Day week, we thought it prudent to visit a less popular national park.  Pine Valley was the perfect getaway from the heat and crowds.

Brush fire

Of course, Sara didn't believe me when I told her the interstate in Utah was closed due to brush fires.  I was driving my brother to Utah.  We got a late start so we already expected to arrive in Salt Lake late at night.  But rather than wait for the smoke to blow over we took one of the longest detours of my life.  For the next hour we drove south, down into Arizona... it seemed like forever before we turn north again... up the 89 which slows down at every small town it passes through.  We passed through Kanab... a long way off from our original route.  After nearly three hours we finally pulled back onto the interstate shortly above the point we had pulled off.  On the way home I snapped a few pictures of the brush fire still blazing.

For the record

During my short visit to Utah I visited Carly + Jeremy and family.  For the record I arrived practical unannounced.  Of course, I brought my camera and took the opportunity to shot their small apartment before they move... documentary-style!  Jeremy updated me on the recently Supreme Court decision on Obama Care.  Carly fed me waffles for dinner and apologize for the mess... no apology necessary.  Raymond put on his cape and socks. Ginny showed me her room and toys.  Carly's children are so adorable.  I am so grateful they let me come over on such short notice,  it was definitely the highlight of my trip.

Clarke & Leslie visit

During my brother's visit, I took them on a short hike to the railroad tunnels.  It was a nice hot day and despite being uncomfortable from the heat, everyone was cooperative enough to let me take pictures.  Maggie had fun with her cousin Michael and Henry had fun sharing rocks with Aunt Leslie.

On the cob

Henry and Maggie love eating corn on the cob.  Who would have thought!  At first I cut the kernels off for Henry but when he saw Maggie enjoying hers on the cob... I could tell what he was thinking... I want to eat my corn on the cob.

Our first visitors

If I had a couple trillion dollars I would buy a high-speed-railroad between Vegas and SLC so we could visit our family in Utah more often.

Chasing the dream

I was born into the middle of my family and I loved the perspective it gave me.  I had siblings I could tease and  siblings to give me advice.  Getting married to Sara has given me the perspective of the oldest.  You see all the family changes with amazing clarity. Life is filled with many struggles and I think her siblings handle them in good stride. It is an amazing wonder to watch her family and it has been fun watching them chase the dream. 

It's a boy

My little sister had her baby today.  She wanted the sex to be a surprise but during one of her recent doctor visits, her doctor commented, "So... your having another baby girl???" She responded that she didn't know but she was certain the doctor had slipped.  Today's biggest surprise... it's a boy.  She said, Tod's face lit up and they were both shocked.  Ethan Peirce Egelund 8lbs 13 ounces, 20.5" long.

Great Grandma T

Before Sara and I got married, Sara lived with her Grandparents, Bonnie and Chuck.  Whenever I was visiting, I stayed in one of their guest rooms.  I really enjoyed those moments chatting with Chuck and Bonnie in background correcting his stories or filling in little details.  They were both generous and kind to me.  But what I love most about Great Grandma Torgerson is that she has always remembered Taya's birthday and anytime we talked she asks me how she is doing.  It is impossible for me express what that act of consideration means to me.  Needless to say I adore her for that generous and simple act of kindness.

Tyler rolls

Paige rocks

Sisters

There is something dangerous when the oldest and youngest siblings get together.

Chasing down childhood

 

Maggie and Henry had so much fun running around with their cousins.  It was the quintessential moment of childhood endless play.

First baptism

Tanner's baptism was last weekend.  It was a great trip to California.  It is hard to explain the importance of baptism and the feelings that follow.  I remember my baptism very well.  It don't recall all the details but I remember the powerful feelings.  Feelings that have faded over time but have returned with amazing clarity as I have turned my life more and more towards the Lord.  I don't think everyone experiences the same thing but for me it was a feeling of extreme cleanliness and peace. I remember being completely overwhelmed at the time because being only eight it didn't seem like that big of deal until afterwards.  It is something has given me the desire to utilize the fullness of the atonement in my life.  And even though I have felt similar feelings like that since, it has never been with that same force.  Congratulations Tanner, I hope you can always keep the memory alive.

Pictures of the new house

Entry / Stairs

Living room

Living room

Kitchen

Master bedroom

Henry's Room

Maggie's Room

Backyard

Apple

Maggie loves apples.  She refused to eat apple slices, she wants the whole apple.  She eat all the skin off first and then eats it down to the core if she is really hungry.  Henry happened to get the remains of her half eaten apple and refused to give it up.  Needless to say, we now have two apple eaters.

What a mess!!!

Okay, I started out my day excited to document all the messes I clean up everyday but after the second mess I was already exhausted.  I thought I could prove to Sara and to myself that I actually do things during the course of the day.  The funny thing is... while cleaning up one mess... another mess is being created in the other room... pausing to take pictures only begins to compound the problem.  Pretty soon, there are two or three messes to cleanup and photograph.  Needless to say... I gave up rather quickly.

Cousins at Calico

This morning we went to Calico Basin for the first time.  It was hot and I was happy to have remembered sunscreen.  Aunt Jenna (my cousin), Uncle Mark and Cooper were in town visiting.  Mark actually took most of the pictures above.  Later at the house Jenna took Maggie to the market.  Later, they returned with a balloon labeled "Happy Assistant's Day!" apparently, that is the one she wanted.  Later Sara got home and we had an amazing meal, courtesy of Jenna.  More later, Mom (Cindy), Aunt Tasha and Paige arrived, just in time to join in the meal.  Late, later our guest went back to LA and we were left alone to reminisce