Merry Christmas, All!

Well, if you have followed our blog regularly over the year, you pretty much know what is going on with our family, but here are a few little extras:

Brad is relieved to be done with his PhD work (even if it is a little "early" in his mind).

Lindsay is glad to be moving closer to her family (albeit in their basement).

Mae is learning to read--and does quite well sounding out her words.

Ian can actually talk, put together sentences, and communicate in an intelligible way.

Noah sits up now--he loves it too.

Wanna know more... feel free to ask any question you want to know the answer to!

We are pretty sure

that Noah does not like Peas.

Welcome Will!!

Britany and JJ's little boy was born Wednesday November 26 (Happy Birthday to Britany). He was 8 pounds 13 oz. He is perfect and everything went wonderfully. Apparently he has his days and night mixed up. You can't see because of the hat but another picture JJ posted on their blog showed that he has some blond hair. I guess Mae is a little to used to Noah's dark hair because the first thing she asked when seeing the picture was why they shaved his head?! Congrats Brit and JJ, and I am excited to have a new little nephew.

Mae's Little Accident

Mae cut her chin on Sunday while sliding down the hall on her pillow--she thought it was a good idea at the time! Anyway, this quick video of her (above) was taken as we waited in the ER for an available doctor... I think it betrays the fact that she was a little nervous for her first stitches.



Here is the after video. She did really well and was amazingly brave! She followed the doctors instructions perfectly and didn't even cry one bit! We go back in about a week to get her stitches out. Leave a comment to let he know how brave she was!

I am gonna give the last word on the rivalry...

...to Hitler.

Because I am having trouble embedding video right now, you will have to go here to listen to/view his thoughts.

Enjoy!

Obligatory "We lost, yew won" post.

...and I want to emphasize the "we lost" part.

I mentioned in one of my posts below that turnovers would be the key--and that proved to be the case. There is, quite obviously, NO WAY a team can expect anything but a drubbing if they turn over the ball six times--all at crucial moments.

Too bad, the yewts will have to enjoy a BCS game (a big loss if they play a Big-12 or SEC team, but an easy win if they play ACC or Big-East) while BYU heads for another toilet bowl.

Oh well... there is always next year.

Some of the little things we are thankful for...

Ian is greatful for his BYU hat and for his "Cars" boots--they
are literally the first things he puts on when he wakes up.

Noah also likes Ian's hat, but he is also thankful for a great big sister and big brother who play with him and give him his binky when he needs it.

Mae is thankful that she didn't have to get any more than 3 stitches this weekend. She thought it would be a fun idea to show the missionaries how she could slide on her pillow across our newly polished floor (something we had warned her not to do). Long story short, she hit her chin on the floor and recieved three stitches for her acrobatics. As soon as I can again post video we will put up some snipits of the ER visit.

Don't freak out...

we didn't vote for the guy, but I do have a funny story for you about this pair.

Yesterday morning I got up with Mae and I turned on the TV. The Today Show was talking about the possibility of Obama adding Clinton to his cabinet. Mae looked at the footage they were showing of Clinton and Obama interacting with each other and she asked, "Is that his mom?" I laughed a little bit and she instead said, "Oh, it must be his grandma."

I couldn't help but laugh about that--she does look pretty old.

Annual Smack: Day V

I feel the need to say to all of those yewt fans out there...

Win or lose on Saturday...

You are still a yewt, and not much can be worse.

I also have to say... thanks for reading--football smack is soooo much more fun when you do it before the game, not after (my hat is off to you, Bruce... you are the only one who wanted to play).

Ok... so I guess it is fess-up time. Who do I REALLY think is going to win this one? Here is my breakdown:

Utah is strong on defense and is very good a rushing the passer. They have a strong secondary that is good in coverage and linebackers that are serviceable (at best). Kruger will be the make/break point of emphasis for the Cougars. If he can be contained (along with Misi) the Cougars can win this game--because that will give Hall the time he needs to get rid of the football.

Utah is good on offense with a strong running game, good passing game, and very good gimmick plays. BYU has been fairly good on run defense this year, but has been pretty weak against the pass and will force a QB to beat them with his arm--this has been their strategy all year and it has paid off for the most part. My point in this is that it all depends on Brian Johnson's ability to complete accurate passes consistently. If the rest of the season is any kind of indicator, the Cougs will not get a whole lot of pressure on Johnson--though we may get a sack or two due to Brian's miscues. That said, Johnson will have to have a very good passing day to win the game. My only worry is that Utah will effectively spread the offense out--which forces our defense into "man" coverage (easily our BIGGEST weakness).

BYU has a stellar offense. TCU found a way to stop us, but there is not a team in the MWC that can match TCU's defensive athleticism--Utah comes close, but not close enough to be able to do what TCU did. That said, BYU will be able to score the points they need to keep them in the game as long as we commit ZERO turnovers.

Big surprise to you all, but I am picking BYU to win a close game--one that will be decided by less than 6 points. I think that our defense will be serviceable enough to hold yewtah on enough drives that we can manage to keep up offensively. My decision is also based on Utah's tendency to kick the field goal as soon as they are in range. They are so dependant on Sakoda that I really think he may be the downfall to this year's team--granted, he will be ice, and he will hit every one he kicks (except for the one we block), but the rub is that the yewts will need to have TD's (not feild goals) in order to maintain the lead.

Gonna be a good one!

GO COUGS!!!

Annual Smack: Day III (and IV)

Harline poses as the human "Y" after a Cougar victory
the last time we played at Rice Eccles.

I was laid up in bed all day yesterday with something the kids gave me--but nothing that a few doses of NyQuil couldn't fix.

As a result, I have just an extra joke or two and also a bit of extra reading for you. Click here to read about the finale to the 2006 game as remembered by John Beck--a good read for yewts and Cougs alike (Beck has some good things to say about Eric Weddle).

A couple of jokes:

2 yewts walk into a bar after the BYU game against TCU and order a round for the house for TCU's "big win" over the Cougs. The bartender asks why they are ordering celebratory drinks if their team didn't even play that day. They say, "We're doing what any good fan would do to support our yewts." The bartender then says he wished they would have come in after the big win against Oregon St. to order a round for the house since business hadn't been that good as of late. The 2 yewts had a confused look on their face and looked at the bartender and ask, "We played Oregon State this year?"

Q. What's the difference between a litter of puppies and Ute fans?
A. Eventually the puppies grow up and quit whining.

Annual Smack: Day II

I love this picture of Kyle. This was created just after his
inexplicable 27-0 loss to UNLV last year.

Ganther is one bitter yewt. Click here, scroll down a little, and look at the brief video on the right hand side of the screen. One warning... his lithp is very notithable... try not to laugh. I also like that he blames Jan Jorgensen for playing a complete game after openly admitting that he (Ganther) held Bryan Kehl (an admittedly much better athlete) on EVERY play.

Rivalry joke for the day: How many yewt fans does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

Answer: 3. One to actually do the work and two others to stand around and complain about how Urban Meyer could have done a much better job.

Annual Smack:

The "What is our mascot?" yewts/hawk/pirates Vs. BYU Cougars.


It has recently been brought to my attention that yewt nation may just make their second BCS bowl appearance in X number of years if they beat BYU this Saturday. Conversely, there are scenarios out there that put BYU in a BCS bowl if they can summarily dismiss the yewts at home--something like what they did the last time they played at the yew. For a brief reminder about what happened two years ago, click here--or for just the audio (for those of you who simply can't bear to see "Beck to Harline" again) you can listen to the audio as called by Greg Wrubell (BYU's guy) or by the guys on KALL 700 (the guys who call games for the yewts--this one is particularly funny). Nothing like a refresher from two years ago to bring yewt nation back to reality--not to mention the fact that we converted on 4th and 18 last year to keep the drive alive that won the game.

Though this rivalry has nearly given me a coronary the last three years of play, I have to say... it has been good to have scoreboard smack for two years in football. During most years, yewt fans can rely on Basketball season to ease the pain of such heartwrenching football defeats against BYU, but that hasn't been the case the last two years because BYU is 4-0 against the yew in basketball (also, it doesn't help that the yewt men's team lost to a div 1-AA opponent AT HOME just last week... exactly WHO is Southwest Baptist?... I guess the yewts know who they are now).

Anyway...though I could bring the rhetorical smack in more ways then one, it often falls on deaf ears. So, because pictures are a little more difficult to dismss, enjoy what I have posted below:

Snapped during the 2006 loss in RES--you gotta admit,
yewt fan or not, this guy is priceless.

Try harder girls.

Snapped just after Harline caught the ball in the endzone
in the closing seconds of the 2006 game. It was a tough loss.
I can understand.

Admittedly, I didn't know that K-Fed was a fan.
Good luck flippin' those burgers!

Awesome, but I already have a brain and I don't need another one to know how to spell.

I wonder if this is how the members in California have felt lately...

(If you couldn't tell, the sign says, "Vote Yes on 8.")

All I can say is that I am glad that there are many members who are fighting the good fight. We are proud to support the stance the Church has taken on this issue (that we don't oppose rights for homosexuals, but that we support traditional marriage) even way out here in OK.

We have seen pictures of members who have had their homes and cars vandalized, pictures of families walking to church in the midst of ridicule from supporters of "No", and heard numerous, sad stories of how people have been treated for casting a "Yes" vote on proposition 8. We realize that our stance makes us a target, and we are glad that there are people out there who are representing our church in the best way possible.

Addendum... Click on this link to see a collection of photos that I thought were pretty telling of who is tolerant on this issue and who is not. Note the vandalism to various churches and on the temple walls, the hateful language on various protesters signs (by FAR not the worst I have seen), the supposed "peaceful" protests, and especially the little girl calmly walking to her church meetings--she is braver than anybody I know.

Wanna laugh until you cry... literally? Read on:

Lindsay and I were rolling on the ground laughing at this story--and it is the third time we have read it. Let me know what you think.

"Pocket Taser Stun Gun, a great gift for the wife."

This was submitted by a guy who purchased his lovely wife a "pocket Taser" for their anniversary.

Last weekend I saw something at Larry's Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest. The occasion was our 22nd anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Toni. What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse-sized taser. The effects of the taser were suppose to be short lived, with no long-term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety.... WAY TOO COOL!

Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home. I loaded two triple-a batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! I was disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button AND pressed it against a metal surface at the same time; I'd get the blue arch of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs. Awesome!!! Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Toni what that burn spot is on the face of her microwave.

Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn't be all that bad with only two triple-a batteries,. right?!!!

There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target. I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat. But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised. Am I wrong?

So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, taser in another. The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; a three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water. Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries.

All the while I'm looking at this little device measuring about 5" long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference; pretty cute really and loaded with two itsy, bitsy triple-a batteries) thinking to myself, "no possible way!"

What happened next is almost beyond description, but I'll do my best.....

I'm sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side as to say, "don't do it master," reasoning that a one-second burst from such a tiny little ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad.. I decided to give myself a one-second burst just for the heck of it. I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and HOLY MOTHER, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION@!@$$!%!@*!!!

I'm pretty sure Jessie Ventura ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs. The cat was standing over me making meowing sounds I had never heard before, licking my face, undoubtedly thinking to herself, "do it again, do it again!"

Note: If you ever feel compelled to "mug" yourself with a taser, one note of caution: there is no such thing as a one-second burst when you zap yourself. You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor. A three second burst would be considered conservative.

SON-OF-A-.. that hurt like hades!!! A minute or so later (I can't be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape. My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace. How did they up get there??? My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching. My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs. I'm still looking for my testicles? I'm offering a significant reward for their safe return.

BIG NEWS...for us anyway.

All of our friends in Oklahoma...we are going to miss you, because all of our friends and family in Utah...WE ARE COMING HOME!!!

This has been a decision in the making for a few months now. Brad has realized that the path he has been taking isn't one he wants to be on anymore. He wants more time with his family (us), and wants us to be closer to both of our families (a lot of you). These two things might have happened eventually, but realistically wouldn't be for something like 10-15 years (if at all). If and/or when he landed his first job with a University, his schedule would resemble his current one where he isn't home very much, and during any of the time when he might happen to be at home, it would be on one of the two days during the week when I am at work. We could handle this schedule if it were while he was in school and if we saw some sort of an end in sight, but long term, it simply isn't worth the sacrifice.

So...our plan is still kind of fuzzy. We don't know where in Utah we will end up. Brad will be applying for all English High School teaching positions across the state, and we will move where he gets a job. Since most of the positions will be opening up next fall, we are going to move to St. George, live in the "Brown Hotel" (what would we do without parents...we all need them every once in a while, right?), I am going to work full time at the hospital, and Brad is going to play full time Dad. We could end up finding something in St. George, which would be great, or up north, which would also be great!

Lots of changes happening with us, so keep us in your prayers, and keep your eyes peeled for jobs for Brad!!

Mae's Primary Program...

The best Sacrament Meeting all year! I worked a night shift last night, got home at 7:00 am, then went to church at 9:00---the program made it all worth it (not that our regular meeting aren't worth it). Mae did amazingly with her part and got many compliments from our ward members. I was sitting on the back row and when they sang "I am a Child of God", I could hear her voice, loud and clear, over all the other kids. I was amazed, especially this year for some reason, at how strongly I could feel the spirit, and how refreshing of a testimony strengthener the program was. To have 5 year olds speak about The Proclamation to the Family and how how they are grateful for eternal families. With all the talk in the media about the definition of marriage and people's rights, I got emotional when these young kids talked about how having a mother and a father for children is the essence of why Heavenly Father created families and marriage. These kids don't watch the news, but to them, this was both important and uncomplicated.

The program had the classic kids who had the part memeorized and zoomed through it while staring at their shoes. The one who messed up mid way through, chastized themselves and started over, the ones who's cute way they talk make it a little hard to understand but leave you with the biggest grin, and of course the poor 12 year olds who are sooooooo ready to be out of Primary and show their complete lack of interest in the songs and their parts.

Ahhhhh...like I said, this program was great and put me on a spiritual high that will totally get me through this next week--hey thats what church is for right?!

With no further ado, here is the star herself...

Because the fire engine video (below) was so boring...

... here are a couple videos of the kids you might like.

The first one is of Noah having his first taste of applesauce (we have another, funnier video, but the file was too large to post).

The second one is of Ian asking to watch Ronan Hood (a.k.a. Robin Hood). I managed to get him to say "robin" alone, but he can't seem to say "Robin" and "Hood" together (I thought it was funny).

Anyway... enjoy!

Oklahoma State Homecoming...

Homecoming in Stillwater is absolutely CRAZY!!... but lots of fun too! The night before the game all of the frat houses team up with different sororities and they build these huge structures in front of their houses which they then decorate with different themes The one above is, obviously, a 007 theme, but there was also a Indiana Jones theme, a Dr. Suess theme, a Pirate theme, and a variety of other creative works. The celebration is called the "walk around" (creative, I know), and not only are there great decorations and LOTS of people, but there are also a variety of overpriced foodstuffs and goodies.

This one is Mae's favorite, the Dr. Suess theme. Most of these things have moving parts, and the kids get to watch them all and see what they do.

This one is the Pirate theme, and Ian thought it was pretty cool--he even tried to go under the restraining rope and play on the makeshift beach that had been created. He actually dropped his new BYU hat there and luckily someone picked it up and gave it to some guys running a nearby booth. About a half hour later we realized it was gone and re-traced our steps to find it--Ian HAS to wear it whenever his dad wears his.

Ian is pointing at the shipwreak on the beach--admittedly, this one was pretty cool.

The '80s theme was the one we liked the most. There was an NES, a boom box, a TETRIS screen, MTV allusions, and other favorites from the '80s.

When we left the walkabout this float was parked in front of the exit to the parking lot we had parked in. The guy who parked it there had locked the keys in it and we had to "offroad" in our Pilot in order to get around it--so, we felt like we had to take this picture this morning at the homecoming parade.

Had to get a picture of this horse and cowgirl queen. That is all.

Below, I posted Ian's favorite part of the parade. I had to restrain him from running out in the road for a closer look.

Catching up...

Well, with grad school in full swing, a couple of quick trips to Utah, and Mae's kindergarten underway, we haven't posted much in the last month. Sooooo....

Here are a few pictures to catch everybody up:

Yeah. The crazy pilots let Ian in the cockpit--I am sure you can all imagine how fun it was dragging him out of there. He did have fun, though.

At least once a week we have a family movie night. We pop some popcorn, make some brownies and watch something together. It is always fun and the above picture is what eventually happens--Ian with the popcorn bowl finishing off every last kernal.

Noah was getting pretty shaggy.

But after a quick trim-up he looks great!

Ian's HAPPY birthday...

So...

We visited the fire station early today to let Ian have a private tour of the station and the trucks--guess what he liked the most?!... The BIG engine, of course. The on-duty firefighters were VERY cool, and they let Ian crawl around in their trucks to his heart's content--they even pulled the BIG engine out of the garage, raised the ladder for Ian to watch, and honked the horn too! Ian of course loved EVERY minute of it and did not want to leave (practically throwing a fit). What a great beginning to a great birthday!


On the way to the station we stopped at the train tracks and let the kids walk around, and have a quick break. Ian was SOOOO excited to get to the fire station that he [I kid you not] ran the whole way there, which is saying something because the fire station is close to a mile from our house--he simply wouldn't stop. As many of you know, Ian loves anything to do with trains, and while playing on the train tracks doesn't seem like something a normal kid would do for his birthday, Ian absolutely loved it. I mean, c'mon, throwing rocks and waiting to see a train--how could it get any better?


This is Ian's birthday "cake". He wanted train, so we got creative and it turned out well.

Ian's gifts were great! He loves the hat and shirt Grandma and Grandpa Foster gave him, the cape aunt Jeni gave him, the "Robin Hood" movie and "James" engine Grandpa and Grandma Campbell gave him, the new CD player/singer and Lightning McQueen boots Grandma Terry and Grandpa Wendell gave him, and especially the $2.50 airplanes we got on clearance for him at a local toy store!

Ian--obviously loving his planes and boots! In addition to all of the above, we also went swimming, BBQed hot dogs wrapped in croissants, popped some popcorn, ate Ian's train cake, and watched Disney's "Robin Hood" before hitting the sack. Below is a quick video of the fire station. We took a longer video of the truck as the ladder rose, but it was too long to post. Anyway, Ian had a GREAT birthday--even as I type this, he is playing with his planes in his bed, "trying" to go to sleep.

Mmmmmmmm, Brownies!

Seriously, is there anything better?

Okay, maybe the cupcakes where Carly works in St. George..., or the Reece's peanut-butter chip/chocolate cookies.

Is your mouth watering yet?

Mae and her first day in Kindergarten...

She was definately excited and anxious for the few days before class began. Every morning she would wake us up by reminding us that there were only "X" number of days before school began!

I love how her bookbag is nearly as big as she is!

Thanks to her cousin, Kate, Mae has a new collection of beautiful skirts to wear to school this year! Thanks, Kate, for growing out of all of those cute skirts--Mae absolutely LOVES them!

The video below is a quick take of her getting on the bus. The bus was almost 20 min late the first day (leaving to school) and Mae forgot to get off the bus at our house after school, so for us the bus was almost an hour late getting home--we were pretty worried about our little girl! Anyway, not pictured in the video below is Ian's reaction to Mae going on the bus when he actually thought that he was going to be able to get on as well. Every day Ian cries on the floor because Mae has gone to school on the bus and Dad has gone to school on the scooter--and lucky Mom gets to stay home with him (poor kid)!

Anyway... enjoy!

Mae's Vacation...

Well... I had a good time. Like Ian said, the plane ride was good, swimming at grandma's and grandpa's was good (that's me in the video jumping off the diving board), but I REALLY liked the 24th of July parade in Beaver! My cousins and I waited for almost TWO hours to see the whole parade and it was totally worth it!

This is a picture of me and my cousin, Nora. We got lots of candy from the parade, and the Cache Valley Cheese factory float threw out cheese curd for us--and that is what I had been waiting for ALL DAY!


At the very end of the parade they drove a fire truck down the street and squirted the fire hose high in the air so that we all got totally soaked!


Later that day we went boating and also played with Barbies and playmobile. We also watched "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", ate brownies, played volleyball, and dressed in grandma's costume box clothes. Early the next morning I was kinda worn out.


On Ian's blessing day I got to play lots with Ashley and Shanna--they are soooo much fun (they showed me how to pucker up--whatever that means)! Grandma and Grandpa Campbell also came to Beaver to play with me. I got to see my cousins Kari and Jocelyn too... they are getting soooo big. Soon they will be able to play with me for real!


Finally, after a great vacation in Beaver, I got to relax a little at the water park in St. George. I love relaxing in the water, and I already miss all of my family in Utah.

Ian's vacation...

I just wanted to be sure to tell you all that I had the most fun out of anybody in my family during this little trip... and the proof is in the pictures:

First there was the plane ride to Utah, and if any of you know me, you know that airplanes are one of my favorite things (next to really BIG trucks--more on that later). I went on a plane a few months ago and now my parents get tired of me saying, "Daddy (or Mommy), I'na go-onna pwayne." I don't realize it, but apparently I say it about 178 times every day (my dad said he counted once). Anyway, planes are awesome, and here I am just reviewing the aircraft safety procedures--just to be safe.

After our plane ride we stayed in St. George at my grandparents house. My parents must think I have some sort of fixation disorder, because when I am in a truck I LOVE the truck, when I am in a plane, I LOVE the plane, and when I am in a pool... I LOVE the pool. I could have spent hours in that water... wait, I DID spend hours in the pool. It was a lot of fun! My favorite thing is to jump off the edge of the pool and keep my face under water for as long as I can (just to worry my parents).


Tell you what, though... after a long plane ride and an afternoon in the pool, I was kinda worn out. My parents sat me on my grandma's bed to watch a movie and I couldn't help but fall asleep--I think they set me up for that one.


Well, we made it to Beaver for our little family reunion and it was great fun! I was all over the place visiting James' boat, all of the family cars in the driveway (at least, the ones that were unlocked) and a few of the neighbors cars as well--my favorite is Ray's jeep across the street. It is red and really easy to get into. I even got to sit in a BIG diesel truck for a few minutes, but my dad came and dragged me out of it--I guess everyone was looking for me and he wasn't too happy to find me a block or so away from grandma's and grandpa's house in my bare feet messing with the switches in the diesel cab (the controls were really cool!).

Anyway, my cousins and I had a great time. We sat in a wagon together at Cove Fort, ate cookies, watched a parade, ate cake, threw rocks in a pond, ate strawberries, rode in a canoe, ate brownies, played with toys, ate more cookies, watched movies, ate chips, played games, and ate some ice cream--it was awesome! In fact, we got soooooo dirty that we all had to take a bubble bath together.


In case you couldn't tell, we had a fun time in the bath as well!


There was, however, this one time when we couldn't go outside because it was raining so hard... so we just watched the rain--that was fun too.


Playing with grandpa Foster is always fun. Lucas and I love it when he wrestles with us and tickles us at the same time.


Well, the trip to Beaver was over too soon, but at least we got to squeeze one more trip in to St. George--which, for me, means water and swimming! Man! What a great vacation--I can't wait for the next one!

Oh... one more thing: Thanks, James, for letting me drive your boat while my mom wakeboarded. in was a LOT of fun!

Noah's Vacation...

Well,

It all started off with a nice flight to Las Vegas--I don't remember much because I was huddled up in a pouch on my mom's lap the entire flight, but I do remember swimming in the pool with my family the next day. St. George sure is nice this time of year. I hope my parents will move back to Utah some time in the relative future (I know my grandma's and grandpa's would like that too).


For the 24th of July I went to a parade with my family--again, I don't remember a thing because I was cooped up in that dang pouch again. Oh well, I heard that the floats were spaced too far apart, the sun was too hot, and the parade was kinda long. I guess I didn't miss much.



Eventually my parents let me out of the bag and I got to play with Grandpa Foster--he sure is fun! I also got to see Grandma and Grandpa Campbell and all of their kids (Brittany and JJ even DROVE 5 hours just to see me!).


That Sunday I was blessed--along with my cousin, Hyrum. I guess it was a pretty great blessing--mainly because I didn't cry, and my dad remembered to give me a name (I hear that he forgot with my older brother). Anyway, I am sure my mom will be posting a few pics of me in my blessing "outfit" in a later post. She wouldn't stop snapping my pictures. There are too many to post here, but I think she managed to get me posed with most of my family, lots of my friends, some of our extended family, a few strangers, a couple of nomads, and some inanimate objects, but she did get a good one of me and my brother, Ian:



In all it was an eventful trip--even though we had to drive back to Oklahoma in a rental van. I was, however glad to see ALL of my grandma's and grandpa's even if it was only for a day or two (thanks for coming to good ol' Beaver everyone!) I have to say, though, the highlight of the trip for me was laughing with my aunt, Tami--she sure is crazy!