Soda Springs

This picture is when I returned back to Texas, Jackson had moved us out of our temporary apartment and into our rental house and so we took one picture of the apartment. It was a pretty sweet deal for me.

Before I flew back to Texas, my Mom, sisters and I went up to visit my family in Soda Springs. Our first stop was Logan to meet everyone for Grandpa's birthday lunch at Sizzler.

When we got to Soda we got our custom snow cones from my cousin MaRhea. Pomegrante snow cones are delicious. We also drove out to check out the farm.

We stopped by the elevator to watch them load hay onto the truck and take turns driving the tractor. We all showed our city roots being enamored with the tractor.

Even Eliza and Bennett took turns driving. Bennett was in heaven, I am pretty sure he wants to be a farmer now so that he can drive tractors all day.

We took a couple turns on the 4-wheelers too. I love Idaho.

slc part one

We took a quick trip to Salt Lake to see family and friends. This is what we did.

Baby Matthew's blessing

Jackson got his first experience with molcajete

He loved it.

Fireworks and swimming at the Snow's

I got to attend the farewell BBQ for the Thurgoods.

Lunch with my girlfriends. Ellie cuddled with the chicken. Seriously, they cuddled.

Jackson's birthday

We have reliable internet once more! So here are some pictures from Jackson's birthday.

Jackson wanted to continue the tradition of mini golf on his birthday. Sadly Dotties/Arnold Palmer's mini golf no longer exists so we made do with the best Austin had to offer.

And we drug Derek and Kristin along with us.

I took a picture of every step of Jackson opening his birthday package from his parents. Enjoy.

Do you notice a theme? Jackson was ecstatic.

a story of Jackson

Jackson's birthday is coming up this weekend. I have a tradition of sharing stories or pictures about him in honor of this event. This year will be:

Jackson- A story of survival

This story requires some visual aids. This is where we are currently living. We are the door to the left.

We came home the other night, Jackson went first to unlock the door.

He looked down to our well loved Utah mat and saw a bug. Now, bugs in Texas are not like bugs that you get in climates that have winters to kill them off. They are massive down here. Massive.

I believe the bug hanging out on our mat was a cicada. According to wikipedia they are usually 2 inches long and about 1 inch wide, almost the size of a hummingbird. They also fly and make loud noises that I can only compare to a rattle snakes rattler. Jackson tried to displace the cicada by shifting the mat, in response the cicada made it's loud rattling noise and started flying up.

Jackson's reaction to this attack was to turn and sprint straight at me yelling 'get out of the way' whilst pushing me into the nasty wreath/bird's nest.

In any case we have learned one very important lesson. Jackson's natural inclinations lean more towards flight than fight.

Happy birthday week Jacks!

more pictures

The Davis Cup came to Austin so we ventured downtown to watch one day of the singles and the doubles play. It was awesome, a similar atmosphere to the Olympics. Go Team America! Although unfortunately Team America lost to Spain.

The matches were held in a basketball stadium. We sat in the upper bowl and were surprised to find we still had a pretty good view.

Did you know America has a mascot?

The Davis Cup is probably the only tennis tournament that hands out noise makers. The chair judge was so annoyed. We got to see the Bryan brothers. I love them.

Illustrating how to use a 'Go USA' fan.

Team USA and Team Spain

My aunt and uncle finished up their mission in Houston last week so Jackson and I met up with them and their two grandchildren in San Antonio. It has been several years since I have seen them, it was so fun to spend the day with them.

Brennan and Kiley were vigilant in documenting their trip.

We took a river tour.

Saw the Alamo

Ate some amazing Mexican food and enjoyed the mariachi music.

We also tried to convince Uncle Dan that the BYU hat had to go. I wasn't sucessful... this time.