We just got back from a Family Weekend in Moab, UT. We spent 3 days in the area hiking through Arches and Canyonland National Parks. The kids were excellent hikers (for the most part) and enjoyed camping out as well. Their very favorite hike was the short one to Sand Dune Arch where they played in the sand and buried each other in it. Geoffrey's pockets were so full of sand that he decided they needed to be emptied. Wish we would have had the camera handy to take a picture of a little boy walking down the trail in his underwear holding his pants upside down.

Upheaval Dome - Canyonlands


Schafer Canyon Overlook - Canyonlands


Sand Dune Arch - Arches


Sand Dune Arch -Arches


Sand Dune Arch - Arches


Delicate Arch - Arches


Mill Creek Dinosaur Walk - BLM Land


North Window - Arches


North Window - Arches

Dad's Birthday Fun - Parent's Wedding Anniversary Present

Dad and Mom arrived from England to find a Party to celebrate Dad's Birthday.




When it was time to light the candles, it took extra hands to get all of them lit. I'm amazed that the smoke detector didn't end up going off when they were blown out.



Evan loves hats and found one of his cousin's and had to see how it fit.



Todd was asked to use his creative abilities to 'disguise' the anniversary present for dad and mom.




Mom asked if it was a year's supply of chocolate...to which one of the siblings answered that it would be more than a years supply.

Basketball Party

Thanks to Coach Lou and Coach Mike, they held a party for the team to celebrate the great season and all that they had learned.



Each of the kids received a certificate of achievement for their participation.



They then had fun shooting hops and generally having fun.

Austin's Birthday

It is hard to believe that Austin is now 8 years old. It seems just like yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital.



He loves to read and will often be reading two to three books at the same time.



His grandpa and grandma Draper came down and celebrated with us by going to dinner and then having cup cakes.

Final Basketball Game

The pre-game show consisted of chasing Evan and Elizabeth around the gym...

Then it was the start of the game...it was a very physical game and our team would end up



having to go out every once in awhile for getting an elbow to the face or falling down.



This mainly happened to Austin, but when the coaches needed him, he would get back into the game.

Half-time was spent chasing Evan and Elizabeth once again around the gym...they had more fun running around then in watching the game.



The rest of the game went really well with both boys doing their best to keep on their guys and used all that Coach Lou and Coach Mike had taught them during the season.



All the players were given a medal for their participation...and the boys both thought that was pretty cool to get something like this.



Since it was also Austin's birthday, we brought the treats for the team...we had fun singing to Austin and then everyone enjoyed the extra large cup cakes, especially since there was enough for parents and siblings.