Adam's Canyon

We discovered a great hike on Memorial Day. We went to Adam's Canyon which believe it or not is only about 15 minutes from our house. The hike was beautiful and we had a great time. Brendan was trying to pass some things off for his bear badge in cub scouts and so he had us all prepared with sufficient water and snacks. He also included sunscreen, bug spray and a first aid kit in our pack. He made sure we all had adequate clothing, including dressing in layers and wearing hats. We were ready to begin our adventure.




The trail started with a switchback trail. Here are a few pictures from that part of the trail.

The boys wanted to navigate so they went on ahead.

Stopping to smell the flowers and taking a water break.

Pausing to look over the edge to see how high we had climbed.

After climbing the swithback trail you cross over a bridge into the part of the trail that starts up the canyon and follows the river. A great temptation for all children, especially when you tell them to be careful and not get wet.

We had to navigate around and through the river at times, but we were always successful.

Taking a break to rest.

This is a snack break and a very cool tree that we encountered on the trail.

This is the first of three waterfalls. This one is the smallest. From this point on the trail is very rocky and well I would say not much of a trail at all. We just followed the crowd of people that also decided to make this journey on their day off.

The 2nd waterfall.

At last we reach the destination that everyone comes to see. If you cross over this river back around the corner is a waterfall that is so beautiful. I can only say that I did not make the jouney across this portion of the river beacause Mati and Brendan did not want to cross so I stayed behind with them, but the picture of it is amazing.

This is Taylor and Matt crossing the river to see the waterfall.

Benji made it!!!!!

We had a great time. If there is anyone who would like to join us when we go again we would love to have you.

Boys will be boys

Brendan's soccer game was cancelled on Saturday because the other team forteited so a few of the kids from his team came over to our house. I walked outside and this is what I found. Five boys from the soccer team, Benji and Mati digging through our bush to find snails. Those little black specks on the steps are the snails. They must have found about 50 of them. I guess that means that Matt and I need to lay down some snail bait. Oh well, they had a great time. We gave each boy a box to put their snails in so they could take them home. I hope they made it there alive.

Catching Up

Easter!!!!!

It has been a while since my last post. A few fun things have happened. We had a little different Easter this year because it was very cold, rainy, and snowy. We usually go to the desert and have a picnic and roll our Easter eggs down a path that we so very carefully navigate with a shovel to make sure that the eggs will roll just right. Because of the weather we ended up staying at my parents house and rolling Easter eggs down a make shift trail. (a raingutter leaning against the side of the deck). The kids didn't care they still had a blast.

These are pictures of my cute kids and all the their cousins minus my sisters kids. These were taken right before an easter egg hunt that for some reason I did not get any pictures of.

Dance Competition!!!!!
So, Matilyn had here first dance competition. Her group competed at Roy High School and they won 1st place. She was so excited. She looked so cute and their dance was awesome. Here are a few pics of her at the competion.

Not at the competition. I don't know what happened to the pictures of her with her 1st place medal so I just took a random one of her showing it off.

Is there a teenager in the house?

Yes!!!!! I cannot believe it myself, but Taylor celebrated his 13th birthday on Thursday. Time has flown by and he has turned in to quite a young man. We love him and are so proud of everything he has done with his life. Happy Birthday Taylor!!!!!

The Birthday started off early on Sunday the 22nd. Matt's dad was in town and Taylor's cousin Paisley celebrates her 1st birthday on Sunday the 29th so Uncle Thom and Aunt Jamie threw a combined birthday party for the two of them so grandpa could be in attendance. Thank you Thom and Jamie!!!! It was a blast!

Aunt Jamie is putting candles on Taylor's very own cake.

Uncle Thom is cutting Paisley's cake.

The party continued with his real birthday on Thursday the 26th. He is still not too old for one of Matt's awesome character cakes. This year he chose Wolverine from the X-men.

Getting ready to blow out the candles.

Now for the presents. Taylor got so many nice things. He got several cards from family members with cash inside of them. He got a new wii game from Grandpa Kerry and Grandma Dana, Grandpa Stansfield checked him out of school early and took him shopping for some new clothes from he and grandma, his cousins sent him a new bionicle, his brothers and sister gave him some new sunglasses. (He lost his other ones at seaworld), and mom and dad came through with a new cell phone. (Against my better judgement), but he put together a very convincing argument why he needed one.

His birthday concluded with a golf game with his dad and grandpa. They had to go the day after his birthday because the weather was so miserable on his birthday, but he still had a great time.

We love you Taylor. Happy Birthday!!!

March Matt-ness

Well folks, it is that time of year again, when 65 of the countries top basketball teams square off for the title of National Champion. Matt refers to it as the greatest time of the year. It all starts on March 11. Matt's birthday. Happy Birthday honey!!!!

His birthday coinsides with the conference tournaments which makes planning his birthday easy, because he is happy to sit down and watch the basketball games. In fact, he prefers it. The sunday following becomes an event. The selection show. He gets to see where his beloved Tar Heels will be seeded. Usually #1 so it is really never a surprise. The three weeks following become bracket mania. There are usually about 6 different brackets to follow, because for each bracket pool he is in there is a completely different bracket to ensure that he wins the cash. He spends as much time managing his brackets as he does watching the games. He has taught our family the art of bracketolgy as we compete as a family for fun and crazy prizes. The championship game is an emotional roller coaster. A new king is crowned but it brings an end to the season and out come the Tar Heel games on tape to keep him occupied until October when it all begins again. I love you Matt!!! Happy Birthday!! Enjoy the madness.

First Post

So, here it is, our blog. I thought that I would start with a little update on our family for all of you friends that have been so patient and wanting to know all about our family. For family members who have long awaited our blog be just a little more patient as you probably already know all of this stuff.
Taylor is 12. He will be 13 in 2 weeks. He plays a mean guitar, he is on the jr. high ballroom dance team, plays in the band, enjoys listening to his mp3 player, loves to play rock band on the wii and loves to play golf with his dad. Taylor at a ballroom performance. Dancing the Tango.

Taylor giving the family a recital at grandma's christmas party.

Brendan is 9. He LOVES soccer. He eats, sleeps, and breaths soccer. We follow him all over the state. He also likes an occasional basketball game, and golf game with his dad, but he loves soccer.

Brendan receiving his 1st place trophy from the very cold and snowy presidents cup.
Brendan and his best friend Brooks showing off there 2nd place medals in the Rampage Classic.

Brendan showing off his 1st place medal in the indoor soccer league that his team recently played in. He was one of the top 10 players of the season.

Benjamin (Benji) is 6. He is our family jokester. He is constantly making us laugh. He also likes tumbling, and playing soccer. He is just learning how to golf so his dad will have his foursome.

Benji at his tumbling class.

Benji on one of his make everyone laugh moments. He hit the head off this pinata and so he decided he would put it on his head.

Benji thought he needed goggles to play outside in our kiddie pool. Go figure.

Matilyn (Mati) is 5. She is our little princess. She takes after her mother in that she enjoys to dance and do gymnastics.

Matilyn at her Christmas recital.

Here she is doing a forward roll on the balance beam.

Showing off her backbend.

Stay tuned for more.