A Beautiful Day at the Cabin
Saturday was a beautiful day and what better way to enjoy it then spending it up at Uncle Noley's cabin. They are laying some new water pipes and lots of the roads were torn up which means there were some big trucks and big machines sitting around. We were able to get out and see this big excavator. It was really cool to be so up close and personal to it!

Within about the first hour up at the cabin, we were able to do some fishing. No, not for real fish, but for balls. Somehow most of the balls I throw end up under something . . . like the refrigerator. Fortunately Uncle Noley had a flashlight and long stick. It was a nice relaxing day. We enjoyed sitting on the deck and watching the hummingbirds and being with family.Uncle Noley and I played "Tiger in the grass".

I think I can growl louder than he can!I love being able to help out when I'm there.

Here's a question for you . . . . how many people does it take to re-hang a fallen birdhouse?Answer: One - one tough little boy with a power tool!

There was some lightening and thunder and a few sprinkles and so the adults were a little reluctant to go for a nice, long hike.

So - - I took off on my own hike. Can you see me way up on the hill just above the fallen tree?

Yes, daddy had to do a full blown tick-check after we got home last night!I also enjoyed learning about "Pantsing" someone. That someone will remain nameless in order to protect their dignity ( . . . Uncle Noley . . . )!There were lots of beautiful mountain hummingbirds flying around the cabin. They are incredibly loud and sooooo much fun to sit and watch and listen to!!!For those of you who don't know this about me . . . I'm a HUGE fan of rocks! I collect rocks - - almost every rock I see. The mountains are a fantastic place to collect rocks! Look at these big ones I found. I now have my own rock collection site by the cabin. Oh - and it was extremely important that I got my rocks to shelter when it started to rain! They shouldn't get wet!!! Thanks for a great day at the cabin! And for the yummy lunch - we were asleep in the truck before we even got back to the highway!

Sam Alert: Hi everyone - - Sam here. I really am feeling tons better. I'm getting to be quite the climber and hardly even mind the feeling of grass on my toes and legs anymore. Here I am hanging with the boys on the deck of the cabin.

And here I am with daddy - we played Lincoln Logs.

Happy Memorial Weekend, Part 2

On Memorial Day (Monday) morning, daddy saw a report on TV that it was baby animal day at This Is The Place Heritage Village - and we decided to go. It turned out to be amazing! And it wasn't just because of the baby animals. They really have done a nice job with the village - there was so much to do, we ended up spending most of the day there and didn't even get to see all of it.

Here is the required picture of Samuel and me at the monument at the entrance to the village.

There were definately baby animals to see and touch. This is a baby bunny rabbit.Baby goats . . . .And our favorite - the baby lambs . . . .And of course they had ponies that we got to ride on. Here is Sam on his pony (Honey). She didn't want to follow the rules!And here I am on my pony.Then we wandered around the village. The buildings were really cool and they had lots of craft things for us kids to do at some of the stops. I got to make my own marbles.And I got to stamp my own leather piece.And I made my own wooden snake - ok I colored my own wooden snake - but it was cool!We got to go on some train rides - big trains . . . and little trains, like this one.They just opened the Native American area - it was really neat - - teepees, hogans, and an arrowhead necklace for me.All in all, it was a really fun day. Some lunch and some ice cream and a beautiful day . . . .

We highly recommend this place - it was a great day!

Happy Memorial Weekend!

What a great weekend we have had so far! Saturday was a very long but very fun day. I got to do something I have been wanting to do for a very long time - I met Thomas the tank engine. He came to the Heber Valley Railroad to meet the kids and give train rides.

Our day started early with a doorbell ring. When we opened the door there was a package with a note on it for me - - it was from Sir Topham Hatt (the superintendent of the Sodor Railroad, where Thomas lives). He sent me some supplies for the day - a new train whistle and a Thomas hat. I was very excited!Then we headed out for Heber and met Thomas and hoped on board the train. Sam loves trains too!I think even more than loving trains, Sam loves the wind in his hair and just being out and about!I was very serious about this train ride but I had a GREAT time! We got to meet the conductor - he was very nice. He gave Sam and I official certificates from Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt. There was a whole Thomas themed carnival at the train depot. I got a tattoo (temporary), and blew bubbles, and played with some trains. They even had a petting zoo and storytellers and live music. It was a really fun day!After our day with Thomas we met Grandpa and Grandma L. at the turnoff and headed up to a cemetary to take some flowers to daddy's relatives. Apparently it is always cold and windy there but I warmed up after running around and around the cemetary!

They didn't put their port-a-potty out this year - everyone close your eyes! This tree is too tiny - - even for me!

From there we headed back down the canyon and stopped at Great Grandpa G's grave. We were pooped when we finally made it home - it was a long day in the car, but it sure was fun!
Sam Alert: Hi everyone - - I'm doing much, much better now. Food is finally starting to taste good again (kind of) and I'm back to my usual crazy self. I heard mommy and daddy wispering that they think I have a silly glint in my eyes - that they think they might be in for it with me around. Little do they know what I have in store for them down the road! I'm not as sweet and innocent as I appear - give me a year or so to get up to speed and they're in trouble!

We're Surviving!

It's been a long couple of days since Sam's surgery and he's given us a couple of scares along the way. One trip to the ER on Friday and another phone call to the doctor today . . . hopefully things are looking up from here and Sam will do well. He's sees the doctor again this week to get the stent removed - - keep your fingers crossed!

This is a picture of "the boys" doing some reading.

Here's Baby Sam - daddy says he is one tough little guy! And here is another picture of him outside wandering around. He wanted to play in the dirt with me but we're trying to keep him clean. We did do some planting and yard work this weekend. Sam likes to pull up the flowers as fast as we can plant them!

And this is me swinging in the sandbox. I LOVE to swing!
Mommy Alert: A belated picture of my present from Mason for Mother's Day last week. It is suprisingly better than diamonds and gold! We're lucky to have two happy and healthy little boys - we were reminded of that this week after spending some time at the hospital. We are very lucky!

Sam's Very Long Day!

Sam here again - What a day!

I had to have surgery today. (It was an event that had been planned for a long time come to find out.) Talk about no fun at all. Who's idea was this? I'm just a little guy - this type of thing should be banned!

I had the very same surgeon that Mason used a few years back but a different procedure. Mason says he barely remembers his surgery so I shouldn't have a problem forgetting this, and his scar is barely noticeable now so I have high hopes. Time heals all . . . . or something like that! Dad and Mom say it's a good thing we took care of this now while I'm still just a little guy. I'll believe that after a month or two goes by and my memory of today fades a little!

Thanks to the good doctors and nurses at Primary Children's Medical Center for taking care of me! I came through everything very well and was starving after I woke up. I even managed to keep everything on my stomach - which Mason can't say after his surgery.

I'm back in fine form this evening - my sense of humor in tact and all. I do have a little pain and have some crazy drugs for all of that. This stent has to stay in for a whole week and then it can come out and I know I'll feel even better then!

Mason Alert: Hi everyone - I've been taking good care of Sam today, or more accurately - I've been steering clear of crawling all over him and pushing him most of the afternoon. I do give him kisses though and tell him to feel better. We've had a good week even with Sam's day at the hospital today.

This is a picture of me and Sam playing in the sandbox earlier this week. I call this picture - "Too Much Fun!" Enjoy!

Happy Birthday to Samuel!

Hi everyone - Sam here. Today was my 1st birthday. Who knew people made such a fuss over the day you were born? Maybe I'll celebrate these birthdays every year!

We shared some fun treats with all my friends at daycare.
And mommy made a giant cupcake for me. Some of my friends and family dropped by to see me and celebrate with us.
Daddy brought home this special birthday hat. We all had fun wearing it!
I got to eat my very own cupcake. It turns out I have quite the sweet tooth! Hum - a little chocolate and icing never hurt anybody - especially somebody as thin as me!
Here's Mason wearing the birthday hat. And the coolest part of all is that people gave me presents . . . a whole bunch of them. Daddy says I'm spoiled, whatever that means!

Mommy and daddy gave me this really fun wagon. We rode around and around and around and around and around the yard.

Thanks everybody for the phone calls and visits - and presents. I can't wait until my next birthday. Mommy says she hopes it doesn't come around too fast - I say the faster the better!