Denver

Philip had a meeting in downtown Denveron Friday, so we went with him. While he was in his meeting, we toured downtown Denver. We started by riding the 16th Street mall trolley for its entire loop. We then went to the Denver Art Museum. The museum had lots of activites for the kids to do. They had tons of fun!

When Philip got done with his meeting, we met him and toured the Capitol.

On Saturday, Jace patiently took our Family picture. Alyssa and Emma didn't want to smile at the same time so it took us a little while to get the perfect shot. After that we went to Payton's birthday party and had a BBQ with Philip's family. The kids had fun swimming and playing on the Slip 'n Slide. The kids were having a water fight with there Uncle Jace so this is the only picture I got as I peeked out the door because I didn't want to get wet.

After the BBQ, we went to a Colorado Rockies game with Heath and Stephanie.

David had more fun smashing peanuts than watching the game.

June 2009 Grandparent Pages

June 2009
Dear Grandma and Grandpa, I had my 15 month checkup this month. I now weigh 19 lbs. 13 oz. and I am 29 in. tall. I got to ride in the bike stroller when we went for bike rides this month. My Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Heath came and visited us this month. They brought me a pretty dress and a doll. Whenever I want my doll I say “mama.” While Heath and Steph were here, we took a trip downtown and looked at all of the sculptures on Main Street. My Grandma and Grandpa Luke brought Hunter and Joseph with them to visit us. We filled the pool full of water and I had fun playing in it. While they were here, everybody but Dad and Grandpa went to the Dinosaur Museum. We had fun looking at the dinosaur bones, digging for dinosaur bones, playing in the water, and using objects to make the water go different ways. We also got to experience what an earthquake is like. We also got sprayed by a dinosaur and watched a show about dinosaurs. After the dinosaur museum, we went to The Museum of the West. At that museum, we got to pretend like we were riding in a stage coach, flying in an airplane, and walking though a uranium mine. There was also a fake town with a saloon, opera house, and school. We pretended like we ordered sarsaparillas in the saloon and Grandma pretended to teach us at the school. We also went up into a lookout tower and could see all around Grand Junction. We went to Grandma and Grandpa Luke’s house to help them clean out their garage. I had fun playing with stuff we found. I went to SLC to the Oquirr Mountain Temple open house. Grandma, Grandpa, Justin, Becca, Maya, Brooks and Parker went with us. While I was in Utah, I also got to go to Hunter’s baptism. I can now say up, poopy, cookie, hot, hat, baby and blanket (pronounced naenet). When I am tired, I tell my mom that I want my blanket. I had two ear infections this month. I also got two new teeth, one on the bottom of my mouth on the 14th and one on the top of my mouth on the 22nd. So now I have eight teeth.Love Emma

June 2009
Dear Grandma and Grandpa, I got to ride in the bike stroller when we went for bike rides this month. My Aunt Steph and Uncle Heath came and visited us this month. They brought me a princess kit, a coloring book, some crayons, sunglasses and a pretty dress. I was so excited to wear the dress that the next day, I got up and got myself dressed in my dress with my tights and Sunday shoes. I went into mom’s room and woke her up and told her I was ready for church. She told me that it was only Saturday, but that I could wear my dress anyway. While Heath and Steph were here, we took a trip downtown and looked at all of the sculptures on Main Street. My Grandma and Grandpa Luke brought Hunter and Joseph with them to visit us. We all washed Grandpa’s trailblazer and earned a dollar. After we were done, we filled the pool full of water and had fun playing in it. We spent our dollars at the Dollars Store. I bought a coloring book. While they were here, everybody but Dad and Grandpa went to the Dinosaur Museum. We had fun looking at the dinosaur bones, digging for dinosaur bones, playing in the water, and using objects to make the water go different ways. We also got to experience what an earthquake is like. We also got sprayed by a dinosaur and watched a show about dinosaurs. After the dinosaur museum, we went to The Museum of the West. At that museum, we got to pretend like we were riding in a stage coach, flying in an airplane, and walking though a uranium mine. There was also a fake town with a saloon, opera house, and school. We pretended like we ordered sarsaparillas in the saloon and Grandma pretended to teach us at the school. The stage coach was my favorite part of the museum. We also went up into a lookout tower and could see all around Grand Junction. I went with my mom to an enrichment activity. It was a princess party, so I got to dress up and wear my tiara. My mom asked me which dress I wanted to wear. I told her the one that the pretty lady (Stephanie) gave me. We went to Grandma and Grandpa Luke’s house to help them clean out their garage. I had fun playing with stuff we found. I went to SLC to the Oquirr Mountain Temple open house. Grandma, Grandpa, Justin, Becca, Maya, Brooks and Parker went with us. While I was in Utah, I also got to go to Hunter’s baptism. Love Alyssa


June 2009
Dear Grandma and Grandpa, My Mom, Nathan, and I rode our bikes while Alyssa and Emma rode in the stroller a few times this month. My Aunt Steph and Uncle Heath came and visited us this month, they brought me an awesome remote control car. They also got to watch me play baseball. I played really well for them. While Heath and Steph were here, we took a trip downtown and looked at all of the sculptures there. My Grandma and Grandpa Luke brought Hunter and Joseph with them to visit us. While they were here, they went to one of my baseball games. We also washed Grandpa’s car and earned a dollar. After that, we filled the pool full of water and had fun playing in it. I bought Donald Duck with a parachute on his back at the dollar store. Later, we went to the Dinosaur museum. We had fun looking at the dinosaur bones, digging for dinosaur bones, playing in the water, and using objects to make the water go different ways. We also got to experience what an earthquake is like. We also got sprayed by a dinosaur and watched a show about dinosaurs. My favorite part was digging for dinosaur bones. After the dinosaur museum we went to The Museum of the West. At that museum, we got to pretend like we were riding in a stage coach, flying in an airplane, and walking though a uranium mine. There was also a fake town with a saloon, opera house and school. We pretended like we ordered sarsaparillas in the saloon and Grandma pretended to teach us at the school. The stage coach was my favorite part of the museum. I also really liked this museum because we had just watched the Apple Dumpling Gang the night before. And we could pretend like we were just like those outlaws. I also enjoyed looking at all of the guns in the museum. We went up into a lookout tower and could see all around Grand Junction. Baseball ended this month. I missed my baseball party because I went to Grandma and Grandpa’s house instead, but I got my baseball medal later. I was very excited to get it. We went to Grandma and Grandpa Luke’s house to help them clean out their garage. I had fun playing with stuff we found. I went to SLC to the Oquirr Mountain Temple open house. Grandma, Grandpa, Justin, Becca, Maya, Brooks and Parker went with us. While I was in Utah, I also got to go to Hunter’s baptism. I got to ride home with Grandma and Grandpa because mom left Nathan and I to stay with them for a few days. Dad cut holes in the boxes from Grandma and Grandpa new washer and dryer. We turned it into a bank; Grandma and Grandpa made deposits.
Love David

June 2009
Dear Grandma and Grandpa, I lost another tooth while I was at baseball practice. I told my coach that if I had a journal, I would write about it. My Mom, David, and I rode our bikes while Alyssa and Emma rode in the stroller a few times this month. One time, I fell over on my bike and I got my shirt stuck in the bike chain. I ripped my shirt. Another time when we were a long ways from home, my bike got a flat tire. Also, the bike stroller got two flat tires so we had to walk all of the way home. I was hot and tired when I got home. My Aunt Steph and Uncle Heath came and visited us this month. They brought me an awesome Darth Vader Tie Fighter Lego. They also got to watch me play baseball. I played really well for them. While Heath and Steph were here, we took a trip downtown and looked at all of the sculptures on Main Street. My Grandma and Grandpa Luke brought Hunter and Joseph with them to visit us. While they were here they went to one of my baseball games. We also washed Grandpa’s trailblazer and earned a dollar. After we were done, we filled the pool full of water and had fun playing in it. I bought a pirate dress up kit at the Dollar Store. While they were here, we went to the Dinosaur museum. We had fun looking at the dinosaur bones, digging for dinosaur bones, playing in the water and using objects to make the water go different ways. We also got to experience what an earthquake is like. We also got sprayed by a dinosaur and watched a show about dinosaurs. After the Dinosaur Museum, we went to The Museum of the West. At that museum, we got to pretend like we were riding in a stage coach, flying in an airplane, and walking though a uranium mine. There was also a fake town with a saloon, opera house and school. We pretended like we ordered sarsaparillas in the saloon and Grandma taught us at the school. The fake town was my favorite part of the museum. I also really liked this museum because we had just watched the Apple Dumpling Gang the night before. And we could pretend like we were just like those outlaws. I also enjoyed looking at all of the guns in the museum. We went up into a lookout tower and could see all around Grand Junction. Baseball ended this month. My last game was cancelled because it was raining really hard that day. But my coach still had us come to the ball park and he gave us trophies. As we were leaving, I heard the coaches tell Mom that I was very fun to have on the team and that I was very entertaining. We went to Grandma and Grandpa Luke’s house to help them clean out their garage. I had fun playing with stuff we found. I went to SLC to the Oquirr Mountain Temple open house. Grandma, Grandpa, Justin, Becca, Maya, Brooks and Parker went with us. While I was in Utah, I also got to go to Hunter’s baptism. I got to ride home with Grandma and Grandpa because mom left David and I to stay with them for a few days. Dad cut holes in the boxes from Grandma and Grandpa new washer and dryer. We turned it into a bank. Love Nathan

Dinosaur Museum and Museum of the West

When Hunter and Joseph came with Grandma and Grandpa Luke to visit, we took a trip to the Dinosaur Museum and The Museum of the West. The kids had fun at both of the museums here are some pictures.

Making Dinosaur tracks

Earthquake!



The size of a dinosaur heart



Digging for dinosaur bones



Joseph taunting the spitting dinosaur

riding the stage coach

flying an airplane

Grandma teaching us at school

Talking on the telephone

Ahhhhhhh! Two wild animals you wouldn't want to run into.

And no I don't mean Hunter and Nathan.

Mommy's little helper

Just a cute picture of Emma, she was my helper today as I was cooking dinner. Mostly she just pulled stuff out of cuboards and drawers.

4th of July

For the 4th of July, we took a trip to Joe's Valley. We had lots of fun. On Friday, the kids went out on the boat fishing with Grandma and Grandpa Luke at Pete's Hole, while Philip went mountain biking.

On Saturday we went for a bike ride on one of the trails and had fun until the seat in the stroller broke. We then headed back to the cabin which made Nathan happy because he was compaining the whole way about how tired he was and how it was too bumpy. He didn't compain at all as we were headed home. I did hear David and Alyssa, who were in the stroller, complain a few times when there bottoms scraped the ground and rocks when Philip went over them.

We also went for a 4-wheeler ride to the waterfall. I was the only one compaining. I don't really like 4 wheelers.

We went to Huntington to watch fireworks and I was impressed with their fireworks show. While we were waiting for the fireworks to start, the kids shot off the few fireworks that we had.

On the way home we took the Moore cutooff and stopped at the overlook by where the Moore cutoof and I-70 meet.

May 2009 Grandparent Pages

May 2009

Dear Grandma and Grandpa, I started out this month at Becca, Justin and Maya’s house. When my Mom and Dad got there it was late and I was asleep. They loaded me in the truck early in the morning while I was still asleep. When I woke up in my car seat, I gave them funny looks. It didn’t take me long to remember them. I was excited to see my brothers and sister again and had fun playing with them. My mom brought me back a wood carved giraffe and a doll from Africa. While my brothers and sister were at the JUCO training, I kept running from my Mom and hiding behind the fence. I thought this was so much fun because she would grab me and carry me back to watch. As soon as she set me down, I would run back to the fence laughing. I still love to play outside and will bring my mom my shoes and try to go outside whenever I can. I also still like to eat dirt and still try to sneak handfuls when ever I can. I like to go outside with Dad and play in the dirt while he is working on the yard. When he brings me in every night I am always covered in dirt. When Grandma and Grandpa Luke returned from Africa, I gave them both hugs even though I didn’t know who they were. I like to go exploring and so I have started to try to wander off by myself. I said two new words this month. I said shirt and please. When someone asks me a questions, I will answer them with “yes” or “no.” At the end of this month I got an ear infection from a cold I had. So I haven’t been sleeping well. Love Emma


May 2009
Dear Grandma and Grandpa,
I started out this month at Grandma Kaye’s house. I am still Grandma’s helper and I bring her the phone when it rings. I also made myself a power belt out of bright green scraps of fabric that Grandma was making costumes out of.
While Grandma and David went to Trevor’s track meet, I got to go to my Aunt Sandi’s and play with Tara. We made necklaces and she painted my fingernails pink.
Grandpa took me for a ride on his horse. When it was done, I told Grandma that it was a bumpy ride.
When it was time to go home Grandma drove us to McDonalds in Gunnison where Dad picked us up. When Grandma told me goodbye, she told me she loved me and was glad I came to her house. I told her, “Grandma, I just gotta go home.”
My Mom and Dad brought me back a wood carved elephant and a doll from Africa.
The Junior College World Series was in town this month. The day before it started, they had a JUCO training for kids with the actual players. I got to go with Nathan and David to train. When the training was over, they gave us t-shirts.
I got to go to Grandma and Grandpa Luke’s house and surprise them when they got home from their mission in Africa. All of the grandkids drew on a sign for them and I held it up with my family when they drove up so that they could see it. I was afraid to give Grandma and Grandpa Luke a hug but later I warmed up to them and gave them lots of hugs.
I had fun playing with my cousins at Grandma and Grandpa Luke’s house. I was especially excited when I saw Maya because I had just played with her the week before. Grandma and Grandpa Luke brought me some souvenirs home from Africa, they brought me a pink safari hat, an overnight bag that says Kenya on it, a paper bead bracelet and a t-shirt.
Love Alyssa






May 2009

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,
I started out this month at Grandma Kaye’s house in La Jara. I got to go to my Uncle Trevor’s track meet. It rained on me and Grandma, but we had fun anyways. I even named my bear after Trevor. I also got to ride Grandpa’s horse while I was in La Jara. When it was time to go home to Grand Junction, Grandma drove us to McDonalds in Gunnison where Dad picked us up.
My Mom and Dad brought me back a wood carved Cheetah and giraffe from Africa
Soccer ended this month and I had a pizza party. At the party, I got a soccer medal and a soccer trophy.
The Junior College World Series was in town this month. The day before it started, they had a JUCO training for kids with the actual players. I got to go with Nathan and Alyssa. When the training was over, they gave us t-shirts which I now wear as pajamas.
I got to go to Grandma and Grandpa Luke’s house and surprise them when they got home from their Mission to Africa. All of the grandkids drew on a big sign for them. I held it up with my family when they drove up so that they could see it. I was so happy to see them that I gave them a big hug.
I had fun playing with my cousins at Grandma and Grandpa Luke’s house. I also had fun playing with my Uncle Adam. He even tried to help me eat my dinner by bribing me with a cookie
Grandma and Grandpa Luke brought me some souvenirs home from Africa, they brought me a safari hat, an overnight bag that says Kenya on it and a t-shirt. Love David




May 2009

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,
I started out this month at my friend Parker’s house. I lost another tooth while I was at his house. Luckily, the tooth fairy came when I was back at home in my bed.
I had so much fun at Parker’s house that the day my mom picked me up I asked her if I could go and play at Parkers house. My Mom and Dad brought me back a wood carved zebra and giraffe from Africa.
Soccer ended this month and I had a pizza party and got a soccer medal.
I went on a field trip with my class to the Connected Lakes State Park fish hatchery and I got to hold a fish and put it in the water. Everybody in my class got to release a fish into the water. At one of my baseball games this month I got hit with the ball again. This time I was standing on the pitchers mound.
The Junior College World Series was in town this month. The day before it started, they had a JUCO training for kids with the actual players. I got to go with David and Alyssa. When we were done with the training, they gave us all t-shirts.
I got to go to Grandma and Grandpa Luke’s house and surprise them when they got home from their mission in Africa. All of the grandkids drew on a big sign for them and I held it up with my family when they drove up so that they could see it. I was so happy to see them that I gave them a big hug. While at their house, I had to sleep on the floor in my mom and dad’s room. There was a night light next to my bed. During the middle of the night, I woke up and yelled, “somebody turn off the sun, it’s to bright.” Dad got up and turned off the night light but then I woke up and got upset that the night light was off.
I had fun playing with my cousins at Grandma and Grandpa Luke’s house. Grandma and Grandpa Luke even brought me some souvenirs home from Africa. They brought me a safari hat, an overnight bag that says Kenya on it and a t-shirt. I really like my shirt because it has a lion on it that is running really fast and I told my mom that was just like me because I am really fast too.
Love, Nathan

April 2009 Grandparent Pages

April 2009
Dear Grandma and Grandpa,
It was raining on Easter but luckily it stopped long enough for the Easter Bunny to deliver eggs to us. I figured out what to do really quick and while carrying around my Easter basket I filled it with as many eggs as I could find. I thought it was so much fun to go around and pick up the eggs. I also tried to open them because I remembered what was in them from when I went to Goblin Valley. When I finally got one opened, I really had fun eating the candy. The Easter Bunny also brought me a bunny Mr. Potato head.
I got to stay with Becca, Justin, and Maya at the end of this month while my Mom and Dad went to Africa. While I was there, I went to the zoo and played outside a lot. While at their house I got sick and threw up a few times. I also got to go and stay at Amy, Brooks and Parker’s house for a few days. I had fun playing with both of my cousins. I thought Becca was my Mom, so I didn’t even miss my real Mom while she was gone.
I said some more new words this month I said cheese, Alyssa, and dressed.
Love Emma

April 2009
Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

It was raining on Easter but luckily it stopped long enough for the Easter Bunny to deliver eggs to us. I found lots of eggs and got lots of candy. The Easter bunny also brought me an Ariel Barbie doll.

At the end of this month my mom and Dad went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Luke in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa and so Grandma Kaye came and stayed at my house. I got to help Grandma Kaye wash dishes and sort the clean laundry by telling her what belonged to who. Grandma scrapbooked while she was visiting me and so I got out my magnifying glass to check out her scrapbook. While we were picking Nathan up from school I saw the crossing guard holding a sign and I told grandma, “somebody cut down a sign!” Another day while grandma was scrapbooking I told her I was her garbage helper and put her scraps in the garbage.

One day I was playing outside with my brothers in the playhouse and we were pretending like the playhouse was an animal shelter and all of the balls were different animals.

Grandma and I got to go out for ice cream one day and I told her that I love Ice cream. We also went to Hobby lobby a few times and I told Grandma the second time that we went that we had already been to hobby lobby this week, I remember this. I also help grandma when she is driving and make sure that I warn her when I see a red light ahead.

One day my brothers were being really noisy andI told them “Be quiet! I’m trying to think. At David’s soccer game some guy told me that I was gorgeous and I told grandma, “I’m not gorgeous Grandma, I’m Alyssa!“ After David’s soccer game Grandma drove me and David to her house.

My mom called us from Africa one day and I told her that Grandma has two Babies! And I got to play with the baby dolls and grandmas quilts. One day at grandmas I was pretending to talk on the phone on a banana. While I was at Grandma Kayes I got to ride the tractor with Grandpa. I also got to play with grandpa’s dog chief and I told him, “I love you Chief.” Love Alyssa

April 2009
Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

I started playing t-ball this month. I’m on the Seminoles. At my first game, I forgot which way to run and started running the wrong way on the bases. Also, while I was on 1st base waiting to run to second, the ball got hit over by me so I ran off the base to go and get it. I also run after all of the balls no matter where they go when I am in the outfield.

It was raining on Easter but luckily it stopped long enough for the Easter Bunny to deliver eggs to us. I found lots of eggs and got lots of candy. The Easter Bunny also brought me a pirate Lego and a Star Wars costume.

At the end of this month, my Mom and Dad went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Luke in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa. Grandma Kaye came to may house to watch us. Sometimes at church, I don’t like to go to Primary and so Grandma had to chase me down the halls to go to Primary one Sunday. Whenever Grandma drove I made sure that she knew that red means stop, green means go and yellow means slow on the stop lights. I found a penny one day and told Grandma that it was my lucky day. I then tried to collect all of the pennies that I could find.

At my soccer game on April 25th, I scored two goals, but then I got hit with the soccer ball and I wasn’t very happy after that. After my soccer game, Grandma drove me and Alyssa to her house but on the way Grandma’s spare tire came off of her SUV, so I told her, “I think the road is too bumpy.”

Grandma Bessie was staying at Grandma Kaye’s house while we were there because she just had surgery. I noticed she slept a lot so I asked Grandma Kaye, “She’s sleeping again, why does she always have naps?” While I was at Grandma Kaye’s, I also got to ride the tractor with Grandpa Dwight. Love David

April 2009

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

I started playing baseball this month. I am on the Gators coach-pitch team. I have got a few hits and even made it all the way around the bases several times. At my first baseball game I was playing third base and the baseball hit me in the ankle. It really hurt!

It was raining on Easter, but luckily it stopped long enough for the Easter Bunny to deliver eggs to us. I found lots of eggs and got lots of candy. The Easter bunny also brought me a Power Miner Lego and a Star Wars costume.

At the end of this month, my Mom and Dad went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Luke in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa. Grandma Kaye came and stayed at my house to watch us kids. I told Grandma that we should put up security cameras in the kitchen because David, Alyssa and I like to get into the smacks in the cupboards.

I take a snack to school everyday and one day all that we had were strawberry shortcake fruit snacks. I didn’t want the other kids at school to be able to tell that I had girl snacks, so I opened them and dumped them in a Ziploc bag.

I am getting better at baseball and I get a hit almost every time that I get up. After my soccer game on April 25th, I was eating an apple and I lost a tooth. At the end of the month, Grandma Kaye had to go home so I got to stay at my friend Parker’s house. While I was there, I played outside with Parker with his walkie-talkies. Love Nathan

March 2009 Grandparent Pages

March 2009
Dear Grandma and Grandpa,
My mom started weaning me on March 6th and on March 14th I was done. I had my first birthday this month. My mom made me a purple, Share-Bear, Care-Bear birthday cake. I really liked how it tasted. For my birthday, I got a set of blocks, a pink bunny, and some clothes. I slept through the night for the first time on the night of the 12th, but I haven’t done it since. I had my one year checkup this month I now weigh 17 pounds and 8 ounces. I am 28 ¼ inches tall. At my checkup I had to have two shots. I went to Goblin Valley with my family, and with Becca, Justin, and Maya. While we were in the goblins, Nate came and hiked with us. When my mom and dad let me out of the carrier to run around, I had fun in the goblins. My Mom and Becca hid Easter eggs for us and we had an early Easter egg hunt. I quickly found out what was in the eggs and had fun eating the candy that was inside of the eggs. I didn’t care when I sometimes dropped the candy in the dirt. I just ate the dirt too. Nathan, David, Alyssa, and I love to play in our backyard. My brothers and sisters like to draw with sidewalk chalk on the cement in our backyard, I tried to eat the sidewalk chalk but it didn’t taste very good so I spit it out. One time the gate was up and I wanted to go downstairs to where Dad was and Mom found me trying to crawl underneath the gate. I didn’t like not being able to go down the stairs whenever I wanted so a few days later on the 22nd, I learned how to go up and down the stairs all by myself. I learned a few new words this month, I can now say shoe, more, milk, and tickle tickle. I also like to give my Mom and Dad kisses. Love Emma









March 2009
Dear Grandma and Grandpa,
I went to Goblin Valley with my Family, and with Becca, Justin, and Maya. While we were in the goblins Nate came and hiked with us. I really liked the Goblins and climbing on them. My Mom and Becca hid Easter eggs for us and we had an early Easter egg hunt. Then we found a dirt hill and rolled our Easter eggs down it. Nathan, David, Emma and I love to play in our backyard. We have a cement pad back there that we like to draw on and one day we drew a town all over it. But the next day it rained and we were sad because it washed away our town, so we drew a new one. Love Alyssa

March 2009

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

I started playing soccer again this month. I am on the same soccer team that I was on in the Fall--the Panthers--and Dad is still the coach. I went to Goblin Valley with my family, and with Becca, Justin, and Maya. While we were in the goblins, Nate came and hiked with us. I really liked to climb all over the goblin rock formations. Nathan and I sometimes ran ahead of everybody and explored the goblins by ourselves. Right outside of the park, my Mom and Becca hid Easter eggs for us and we had an early Easter egg hunt. Then we found a dirt hill. I slid down the hill on my bottom and made a trail for my Easter eggs. I rolled the eggs down the trail I created with my bottom. Nathan, Alyssa, Emma and I love to play in our backyard. We have a cement pad back there that we like to draw with sidewalk chalk. One day we drew a town all over it with roads, railroad tracks, and houses. But the next day it rained and we were sad because it washed away our town. When the cement dried, we drew a new one. Love, David

March 2009
Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

I started playing soccer again this month. I am on the same soccer team that I was on in the Fall--the Stingrays--and Dad is still the assistant coach. I went to Goblin Valley with my family, and with Becca, Justin, and Maya. While we were in the goblins, Nate came and hiked with us. I really liked the goblins and climbing on them. There is a gray hill in the middle of the goblins and I climbed it all by myself several times. One of the times that I climbed it, I decided to send my toy car RC off the side of the hill. It crashed down into the wash but luckily it survived. I also climbed into a cave all by myself and on my way out I almost fell but at the last minute I caught myself. I was very excited as I was leaving the goblins because my Mom let me go ahead by myself for part of the way. Later, at a hill just outside of Goblin Valley, my Mom and Becca hid Easter eggs for us and we had an early Easter egg hunt. Then we found a dirt hill and made trails down it and rolled our Easter eggs. David, Alyssa, Emma and I love to play in our backyard. We have a cement pad back where we like to draw with sidewalk chalk. One day we drew a town all over it. It had roads, train tracks, and buildings. But the next day it rained and we were sad because it washed away our town, so we drew a new one. Love Nathan

boysenberry tree?

We have a tree in our backyard that in the last few days has been dropping berries all over the ground. They look like boysenberries but I have never seen them come from a tree. I have only seen them in bushes in Washington state when we lived there. I need to know if they are edible or not because I know Emma and Alyssa will try to eat them. Here are a few pictures, let me know what you think.

A Picture of the tree

fruit on the tree that isn't ripe yet


Berries that have fallen on the ground

A berry from the tree on a leaf from the tree