Raingutter Regatta

Spencer and I have been putting together a custom built OCC chopper rain gutter racer boat for his Cub Scout's Raingutter Regatta.

Spencer was funny, he kept telling me . . . . "I'm scared . . . I just don't want to lose." "Oh Spencer, it will be fun" . . "I know, but I need to make sure I beat someone."

Well, he ended up taking first place. He lost only one time. I wonder where he gets his competitiveness from. . . . Dawn!!!

Killin' or Missin' . . . . Still Fun!

We went Pheasant hunting on Saturday with Grandpa Al and had lots of fun. Parker, Spencer, Dad and I took a day trip to Cache Valley to shoot, snort, and scratch. We missed more than we hit but still had a great time.

Best shot of the day was made by Dad. Shot was at least 50 yards out and down it went. Some guy's dogs hunting next to us even picked it up for him. I was surprised to see the bird go down. Nice Shot!!

Best "crap your pants" moment of the day is when Parker scared up a hen and still shot at it. Good thing he missed . . . . funny what nerves will do to you. Another moment Parker had like that was pushing through thick brush when he stepped into an irrigation hole and down he went.

Best chase of the day is turned in by me. I winged a pheasant, when I tried to pick it up it took off and the chase was on. I felt like Rocky Balboa chasing the chicken. Even trampled through mud and water to get the stupid thing. Poked my eye running through weeds and other garbage.

Most consistent shooter of the day was Spencer. He rarely missed hitting the Mountain Dew bottle and corn stalks. Great job Spencer!

Best treat of the day was the devils food cookies.

Most annoying moment was Dad snoring on the drive home!!!!!

We had a really good time. Thanks Dad for arranging the trip!

Summer's Top 10

Wow, time flies. It's been a few months since I last posted. Lots has happened since last post, in this post I want to capture what I enjoy about summer. Maybe this will cause you to reflect back to some of the best of your summer.

These are not ranked best or worst;

1. Summer's cool mornings and nights.

2. Utah's sunsets are the best.

3. Hangin at the ball field watching the kids play.

4. Going camping with the family, especially Flaming Gorge. Which includes cliff (small) jumping into the lake, hiking, floating the Green River, and being on the lake.

5. Riding my motorcycle, feeling the wind in my hair and face.

6. Running outside, on new paths.

7. Being in the mountains as the leafs turn their autumn colors.

8. Having the kids make me a smore and mow the lawn.

9. Going to a great outside concert.

10. Sunshine on my face.

So, that is my top 10 . . . . what is yours?

El Presidente . . . but still our "little Courtie-Bear!"

Courtney last year was nominated to President of the FCCLA group at Riverton High. Family, Career, Community Leaders of America. We are super excited for you Courtney, you are a terrific young women!!!

You have a very busy year ahead of you . . . we know you can do it!!!!!

Happy Birthday Baylee!!! Love you . . . .

Well Baylee just turned 13. I can't believe she is getting sooooo mature! We love you very much Baylee, hope you enjoy your birthday and like your presents. You are a terrific young lady, we love having you as a daughter.

Hugs and kisses!!!

JOURNEY concert!!! It was killer man!

Dawn and I had a great time at the cheap trick, Heart, and the best band ever . . . . JOURNEY concert!! With new singer Arnel Pineda as the front for Journey it was a terrific concert. The bands all sounded great, Dawn and I had a great evening together!!!! She wouldn't let me take any pics of her.

Neal Schon from Journey argueably the best guitarist alive!!! He is unbelievable!! Below are misc pics of Ross Valory (bass), Jonathan Cain (keyboard and guitar). Didn't get a good pic of Deen Castronovo. Deen is an awesome drummer . . . he rocked it . . . . dude!

Give me an A and maybe an A- . . . . . . .

We just received report cards and I have to brag about little Courtie-Bear for a minute. CAN YOU SAY 4.0??? . . . . . . She finished her Sophmore year with a single A- the rest straight A's all year. Now we are talkin' hard classes too, not just your run of the mill basics, we are talkin advanced placement and she still pulled those kind of grades.

Courtney you are extremely disciplined and a very hard worker. We love you regardless of your grades . . . . YOU ARE SIMPLY A TERRIFIC YOUNG WOMAN!!!!

Nice job Courtney!!!!

Baylee also did terrific with a 3.6, you too Baylee are terrific!!!! But this blog is about Courtney since we have been bragging about Baylee so much and her softball. . . . .

Feel the Heat!!!!

Wow! We spent this last Friday - Saturday with Baylee at her Allstar Tournament in Tooele. We ended up taking our trailer this year so we didn't have to make late night and early morning trips out to the park . . . learned our lesson last year.

Overall, Baylee and her team did terrific taking 2nd place in the tournament behind an accelerated team from Syracuse.

WAY-TO-GO BAYLEE!!!!! I heard Dawn yell that so many times this weekend!! We are very proud of Baylee for working so hard, she did terrific. Saturday was the biggest day starting at 7am and she finally stopped at 9:30pm. Now that is a long day to play fast pitch! She is a great ballplayer . . . but will always be our little princess!!

And little Spencer . . . what a trooper, he stayed in that heat and sun all weekend . . . what a great little Bro you are!! But even he has his limits, crashing and burning!!! Thanks Dad for coming out early Saturday morning and staying with us ALL day, it was lots of fun to have you. Also thanks Mom, Jamie, Ayden, and little Addi for coming and staying til the end!!

Bubble Bursting CHAMPIONS!!

So Dawn and I 12 weeks ago were asked to coach Baylee's softball team because the league didn't have enough coachs. We agreed . . . . . . . and so the story begins. Over the last 12 weeks we have taken a team mostly made up of girls that have never played softball before and set out on a course to end the season as tournament champions. Overall, we had 4 girls that were rock solid of course one of those is our Baylee, they were the core of our team.

Dawn was the Assistant and put up with some serious attitude from me during this season. There were a few games that not only ended in loss but could have easily ended in the "D" word if you married folks know what I mean. I love you sweetie, please forgive me but darn-it pay attention over there. LOL!

Baylee did terrific, and was selected for All-Stars so once again our summer will be filled with tournaments and blistering hot days.

The girls selected "Bubble Bursters" as their team name. We finished the regular season in 3rd place, but came on strong in the end of season tournament to "burst their bubbles" as tournament champions.

YOU GIRLS ROCKED!!!

WAY-TO-GO PARKER!!!!

Gathered together before heading over for the graduation.

We all love and support you Parker!

Parker, Aunt Jamie, and Ayden . . thanks for coming girls!!

Parker we are proud of you and know this is only one of many great accomplishments for you!!

Everybody wants their picture taken with the big man . . . .

The Grandpa's

The Grandma's

After all the hoopla . . . . hey man where's the diploma? . . . . . what's up with that??

REAL Salt Lake Game

Spencer and I went to a SL REAL game tonight, we had lots of fun. I'm not really into soccer but I must say it was fun!

It's Official

Well, it's official Parker is on his way to graduation . . . we have the cap and gown, tickets, etc. in hand. Nothing like waiting til the last minute! How sad, our first is graduating. In a way it is both exciting and nerve racking.

Your Mom and Dad sure are proud of you Parker . . . make the best of it from this point forward!!

Update on Kids

Holy Crap!!!! What happened to the last 18 years . . . Parker is graduating on June 3rd. Well, maybe he is graduating, it's a day to day update. He is playing this big game and driving his Mom bonkers. He is being a bit of a dink. I guess he is just testing the waters to see how far he can push it.

So we sent out the graduation announcements and might have to recend them next week if he doesn't pull his head out this week.

Anyway, Courtney is ending her Sophmore year at Riverton and what can I say, absolutely a driven, smart, bright, cheery, cute girl she is. Nearly straight A's all year maybe one A-. High honor roll, she is the President of the FCCLA club next year. She is a terrific young lady and a real treat.

Baylee is ending her 7th grade year and she too has had a terrific school year in terms of grades. She is our social butterfly and can get into some trouble now and then. She is playing fast-pitch softball and suckered Dawn and I into coaching. We are 6-3 and I have only been kicked out of one game. Not Bad!!! Baylee is developing if you know what I mean. . . . . .

And then there is Spencer! What can I say . . . I love hangin' with him! He is my buddy. Spencer decided not to play baseball this year but is doing soccer instead. He likes it better because it is more interactive and not as boring. He is a joy to have in our lives. I am a little biased but he is so sweet and caring. He doesn't have a mean streak in him.

Well that is probably good for now, I am just trying to figure out how to do this blog stuff. Can't let my little sis out do me ya know!!!!

2004 VTX

Well this is the latest project recently sold. Worked pretty much through the winter on this bike, new paint and lots of added accessories, and then sold it this spring. I drive Dawn crazy because I like to tinker with something, get it exactly where I like it but then I'm bored and need a new tinker project.