While the boys were away...

While Dan's dad and his boys were out hunting, I stayed in Utah with both families. I had gone there while Dan was in training, so all totaled it equalled a month of visiting family. Although Sam was sick for part of it (go figure, but at least no hospitals this time) we had a great time reconnecting with grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins of course. Sam and Tristan playing in the shower. Cousins Luke, Samantha, and Liam at the pool table, trying to decide whether to play pool, ping pong, or some other kind of crazy game.Sam and cousin Liam playing with a Daylight Doughnuts toy truck, or are they resting after a long day of play? I wish I had this life.With his cousins at McDonald's. Little did we know how much he would love that place.Sam and Tristan act like they are playing a masterpiece at my parents house. I can tell you, it was no work of art.Sam and Tristan, the two cohorts in crime, maul a picture of Dan. Dan had that made for Sam when he deployed last year so Sam wouldn't forget his daddy, and it was still at my parents house. Every time Sam saw it he would reach out a hand and say "da da." So cute!Aunt Ashley with Sam and Tristan on a walk in my parents neighborhood.Sam riding his favorite toy at the Stromberg's, his very own Lightning McQueen car.Sam loved the doggies in both grandparents houses. He tried feeding Sadie, but it didn't work, so he just followed her everywhere. I'm sure Sadie is getting her much needed rest from the Saminator.He looks guilty, probably because he is. If Sadie was sick of him following her around she would bark at him which would normally scare a baby, but not Sam it only encouraged him to do this type of war dance with his hands in the air and dance around her. Feeding the geese at Sugarhouse Park. He sure loves any animals.Playing at the park, we thought he acted like the king only at our house.Swinging with his grandma Stromberg at Sugarhouse. She was showing him how to do it.One day we got to go to Hogle Zoo with Sam. Despite getting slightly burned, he loved all of the animals, including this white alligator, a very rare find.

Sam and Grandma Carol watch a giraffe.Sam gets to ride on a Ferris Wheel for the first time. He was a little hesitant so I helped him a bit.Got home passed midnight, now he is stuck in a pumpkin.

THE Elk Hunt

After returning from 737 school in Texas around the first of the month, I promptly headed out to Utah to reconnect with Laura and Sam, that is, until I left for the elk hunt. Me, my brother Jeff, and Dad went down to Manti LaSalle National Forest to hunt elk with my dad's hunting partners and some of their sons. My dad had finally drawn a permit to hunt the big ones, 5-6 points is what we were looking for. My brother and I went to help my dad since this was such a long time in the making, and appropriately it was a big deal. We had a great time, and although we didn't get the big one, we saw plenty of animals and had some great fun just being together. Here are some pics!The three experienced hunters surveying the land.Scouting the first day. Luckily we all had ATVs for transportation, because we were all over the place.A nice sized elk I came up on one hike, too bad my dad wasn't there!Dad and Jeff opening morning.Part of the hunt area, this view is from a place called Woodtick Point.
Self portrait after almost 2 weeks on the mountain. Dirty, and I need a shave.The three hunters; Gary, Milt, and my dad the day we broke camp.

The REAL Laura

So, I am home alone, and with not much to do around the house, I have decided to torment my lovely wife. So, I am posting some awesome pictures I have found of her. I start with the 50's, clearly they were good to her.

1952, very classy.

1964, love the glasses babe!1966 1976

1978, the fro is awesome. Looks like we could have been twins had I let mine grow out.

1980.

1984, definitely a child of the eighties.

1994

For those of you who would like to torment a significant other or if you just have an hour to play with, check this site out http://yearbookyourself.com/

Sanity Provided by the Backyardigans

Why you wonder... because my Sam loves them and I love them too because...

1) Dan is gone for 2 weeks to Dallas, TX for training in a commercial jet, so I am a one man show.

2) Sam has been sick with this nasty thing called the Summer Time Virus! Basically it's a cold that started with a rash all over his body that gets worse in the heat (not good he loves being outside) and it itches so I slather him with Calisone Cream. My poor baby.

3) I am trying to tie up all the loose ends before Sam and I fly out to Utah for awhile. It's not the easiest thing to pack when you have a sick, demanding toddler.

So as you can see this is why the Backyardigans are #1 in my book.

I caught Sam dancing to the Backyardigans song and he caught me taking a picture, so that's why the weird smile because he is saying "CHEESE!"

Trying to get the house clean upstairs before we leave, so I attach Sam to the DVD player so he is in my sight.

Little Gym

At the beginning of the summer we enrolled Sam into a gymnastics class at The Little Gym. It isn't too intensive, but we hope it will get Sam interested in activities, and will be a good place to socialize and learn structure. His age group is called the "Little Birds." They have been learning to grasp and swing on a bar, sit and stand on the balance beam, jump, forward rolls, monkey jumps, run and gallop. He was very hesitant at first but after the first few days it all changed. He now charges in the door as soon as his teacher tells them they can go in. It has been so much fun to see my little boy grow and learn.

Biking at "Rails to Trails"

Since Dan is off from work for a while, and now that we finally have a nice bike rack we really have enjoyed taking a bike trip each week. This week we decided to go to Pemberton and bike a trail that used to be railroad tracks. Several years ago the tracks were converted to a nice bike/jogging path that begins at the old Pemberton train station which is now a museum.

We never imagined NJ would have such beautiful trails!Sam enjoyed this trip as much as the last. And even more impressive, he still is fine with the helmet. He won't wear a hat to save his life, but as long as he is on the bike, the helmet is OK with him.Daddy must be a good driver, or Sam is easily bored with nature. Here he catches up on some (insert sarcasm) much needed sleep.Daddy and Sam by one of the train cars at the museum. Sam had to inspect the museum thoroughly, so here he is checking out some very old luggage.

Historic Palmyra

It was a must while living on the East Coast to visit Palmyra, New York, since it is such a part of our church history. We planned a few day adventure up there since Dan is off of work for a while. Here is the Hill Cumorah and the monument on top. How exciting to be where it all started!

Dan and Sam's reenactment. The angel Dan bestows the plates to a seriously young Sam.

More of the hill, where Joseph Smith found the golden plates.

This building was where the Book of Mormon was first published.

A first printing edition of the BoM.

Our feet touching the same floor Joseph Smith walked on.

A reproduction of the cabin where the church was organized at the Peter Whitmer farm. Sam was having fun running all around outside, after having been shut in a car the day prior. The Palmyra Temple through the trees on a path to the Sacred Grove.The home Alvin started for his parents. Here Joseph hid the gold plates a couple of times. This was mostly original!

Sacred Grove: Shortly after entering the Sacred Grove, Dan took his hat off and I looked over at my cute little Sam and noticed he had his arms folded(which he loves doing every time we say "Let's say prayers" and then grins wide). He must have realized how quiet it was even though there were a lot of people walking around. There definitely was a sense of sacredness and a feeling of the spirit. My favorite part of the whole trip!

What became Sam's favorite pastime in our hotel! Luckily, Dan unplugged it so he wouldn't bug the front desk or room service.

Hill Cumorah Pageant: We scheduled this trip while the church was holding the pageant and decided to attend the second night we were there. Unfortunately, as we made it through the 4th scene (out of 10) Sam decided to have a melt down. We couldn't have Sam disrupt the pageant for everyone, so we packed up and left. We were so disappointed and frustrated, I mean Sam was the only one of the billion kids there melting down. What was wrong with our kid, or was it his parents?! So I talked Dan in to giving it one more shot, the next and last night we were there. I went to the Target by our hotel in search for something that might help save the night. I called my expert mom for help and she suggested glow sticks, it made no noise and he could see it when it became dark. Yes, this was the answer along with a little nap and his friend Lexy who happened to be there that night too. Luckily I bought two sticks, so Lexy got one too. We were able to make it through all 10 scenes and it was amazing. The trip felt complete!

The saving toy, thanks Mom!