Saturday morning we woke up Courtney and Nathan at 5:30 am and drove them up to Antelope Island for the Antelope Island Stampede.  Weather permitting, we were hoping for some hot air balloons and then later a kite demonstration by “professional kite flyers.”  The weather was perfect for hot air balloons, with hardly a breeze in [...]]]>

Saturday morning we woke up Courtney and Nathan at 5:30 am and drove them up to Antelope Island for the Antelope Island Stampede.  Weather permitting, we were hoping for some hot air balloons and then later a kite demonstration by “professional kite flyers.”  The weather was perfect for hot air balloons, with hardly a breeze in the air.  Unfortunately there were only a few balloons there on Saturday.  And of course no wind meant no kites.  But we enjoyed the balloons that did launch, and since the crowds were small we could get right up next to the balloons to watch them make their preparations.

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This month’s Cub Scout Pack Meeting was the annual Raingutter Regatta.  I was the world’s lamest dad because we didn’t start putting Nathan’s racer together until the day of the race.  As you can see, we went all natural on the finish. But Nathan had a great time and won both of his races.

This month’s Cub Scout Pack Meeting was the annual Raingutter Regatta.  I was the world’s lamest dad because we didn’t start putting Nathan’s racer together until the day of the race.  As you can see, we went all natural on the finish. But Nathan had a great time and won both of his races.

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Nathan had his 9th birthday party this week.  We went to dinner together on Monday, and had birthday cake with family and friends on Tuesday evening after his Pack Meeting where he received his Wolf badge.  It’s hard to believe how fast he is growing up!

Nathan had his 9th birthday party this week.  We went to dinner together on Monday, and had birthday cake with family and friends on Tuesday evening after his Pack Meeting where he received his Wolf badge.  It’s hard to believe how fast he is growing up!

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Muir Woods was a favorite spot on our vacation to the West Coast earlier this year.  It is a very peaceful place not far from the busy city life of San Francisco.  We felt pretty small next to the giant redwoods, and it was amazing to consider just how old some of these trees are.

Muir Woods was a favorite spot on our vacation to the West Coast earlier this year.  It is a very peaceful place not far from the busy city life of San Francisco.  We felt pretty small next to the giant redwoods, and it was amazing to consider just how old some of these trees are.

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It is 97 degrees outside [...]]]>

It is 97 degrees outside this afternoon.

When we need some family time, one of our favorite places to go is to the family cabin near Banida, Idaho.  On the edge of a dry farm, we aren’t out in the woods.  But it is quiet and out of the city and you can see a million stars at night.

When we need some family time, one of our favorite places to go is to the family cabin near Banida, Idaho.  On the edge of a dry farm, we aren’t out in the woods.  But it is quiet and out of the city and you can see a million stars at night.

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Our vacation to Yosemite this year was at the height of the Spring runoff, which made the waterfalls spectacular.  We tried to walk to the base of Bridal Veil Falls, but the water spray was so intense it was like taking a shower and the pathway was a river.  Lower Yosemite Falls was pretty similar, although [...]]]>

Our vacation to Yosemite this year was at the height of the Spring runoff, which made the waterfalls spectacular.  We tried to walk to the base of Bridal Veil Falls, but the water spray was so intense it was like taking a shower and the pathway was a river.  Lower Yosemite Falls was pretty similar, although we got their without getting soaked too badly.  Like many of the other images I made on the trip, these photos of the waterfalls are a bit like postcards.  But they remind me of the beauty in Yosemite Valley.  I hope you enjoy these images too.

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When Kellie and I recently visited Cedar Breaks, the wildflowers were just beginning to bloom.  The contrasts in plant life were really interesting.  I hope you enjoy these images it as much as I did the scenery.

When Kellie and I recently visited Cedar Breaks, the wildflowers were just beginning to bloom.  The contrasts in plant life were really interesting.  I hope you enjoy these images it as much as I did the scenery.

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Our family recently attended the Heber and May Swainston Family Reunion, held in Preston, ID.  I thought I’d try posting a web gallery of the photos I took.  To see the gallery just click on the image above, or click this link:

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As you can see, we had a lot of fun. [...]]]>

Our family recently attended the Heber and May Swainston Family Reunion, held in Preston, ID.  I thought I’d try posting a web gallery of the photos I took.  To see the gallery just click on the image above, or click this link:

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As you can see, we had a lot of fun. Kellie and her sister Sylvia liked it so much that they volunteered to organize the next one in two years.  Well, something like that anyway.  It was interesting to hear the stories of Grandpa Heber and to see how the family trees have grown since we last met.  Since that time, Aunt Colleen passed away, so now there are six remaining siblings.

The reunion was a two day affair.  Our family made it up for the activities on day two.

This is the story of Kellie’s great-great-great grandfather, Ezra H. Allen.  He was a member of the Mormon Battalion and was killed on this spot while returning home after the Battalion was disbanded.   We visited this memorial on our trip to California earlier this year.  Tragedy Spring is not too far from [...]]]>

This is the story of Kellie’s great-great-great grandfather, Ezra H. Allen.  He was a member of the Mormon Battalion and was killed on this spot while returning home after the Battalion was disbanded.   We visited this memorial on our trip to California earlier this year.  Tragedy Spring is not too far from Lake Tahoe.

There was still quite a bit of snow in the area, which made it hard for us to find anything beyond the markers at the entrance.  There was only one other car in the parking lot so we knew someone else was there somewhere.  We heard voices and followed them up the hill to where the actual spring is located.  We met a local man and wife who just happened to be visiting the spot for the first time.  We were fortunate they were there because we might have given up before finding the spring, the fountain, and the replica of the tree inscription.  It was a very quiet area, with a very reverent feel.