Bathing Buddies

Adam and Morgan like to take baths in the master bathroom because it has jets and makes lots of bubbles! Adam is just about getting too old for these types of moments and we are so glad we got one more chance to capture a picture of them together. Of course they poured half the bottle of bubbles in the tub. Hey, who was suppose to be supervising that part of the bath?

Every Princess needs an Apron-Thanks Grandma!

Morgan's Grandma Marjo made her a special apron. She told Morgan that "every princess needs an apron." Morgan was so excited. She pranced around the house, spinning around in circles admiring her new apron, In these pictures she is on the phone with her grandma telling her all about her new apron!

THE BET

Right before we left the Ranch, I told Seth and Adam that if they swam the length of the pool in the 50 degree water I would take them to McDonald's. Seth dove in, and almost as quickly as his body hit the water, he got out. He got out so fast that it looked like he was walking on water! Adam and Seth started whining that it wasn't fair that they had to swim to be able to go to McDonald's. Their Aunt Lara had pity on them, and told me that I couldn't expect them to swim, if I didn't do it also. She said, I needed to be a good father and lead by example." I told her that no one was giving me anything to swim, so... she bet me pizza for the whole family at our favorite pizza restaurant, if I swam the length of the pool. I put on my shorts and after a lot of mental anguish (how could I let my little sister show me up!), I jumped in the pool! It was brutally cold, but as I started to swim, I heard a splash. Seth had jumped in and was right behind me. Then there was another splash and Adam jumped in. All three of us finished swimming the lap. Lee, Lara's husband came out and was joking around with Lara about how she was going to pay off her bet (she is a stay at home mom). So I told Lee, I would call it even if he swam a lap. For the honor of his family and to save a little cash, he swam the lap! I learned a huge unintended lesson about leading by example as a father! Joel

Can you say COLD!!!!!

The ranch where we stayed had a fresh water pool fed by a mountain spring. The kids really wanted to get into the water, but it was about 50 degrees cold. The kids would jump in for about 5 seconds and then sprint out as fast as they could. We didn't bring bathing suits because who would have thought they would want to swim in such cold water, so we went with the next best thing, undies!

Nysje's and James' visit to Arizona

James, Adam's and Morgan's cousin from Utah came to Arizona for a week. We went to my brother-in-law Lee's Ranch. We rode horses, 4-wheelers (spent an hour getting one unstuck), played games and went swimming in 50 degree water. It was a lot of fun!

When I was in my early twenties, I use to go with Nysje to family reunions and wedding receptions when her husband Don couldn't go. She is about 6 years older than me, but everyone, including relatives would ask if we were married!

Don, Nysje's husband couldn't make the trip. This horse must have sensed she was lonely, because it wouldn't leave her alone. He would nibble on her neck and her ear. Nysje for her part seems to be enjoying it! Nysje took on the title of horse whisperer. She found the one horse that would not allow anyone to approach it, and she worked her magic until the horse let her stroke her face. Even the ranch hand was impressed! Joel