26 July 2009

Father's Day in Atlanta

We ended up in Atlanta for Father's day. That was just a bonus really. We had originally intended to go up to help my brother his house. But here was the party for Father's day.


While most of us were working feverishly on the house, my sweet wife took the kids to see their great grandpa. He really liked the visits from the kids. It was good for him. They would spend about half an hour there letting the boys play while grandpa got exhausted watching. I made it over a few times too.
They created all sorts of things with the Ikea train set that they had there. This was the most elaborate so far that we have done.
While working on the house, I somehow managed to burn or at least hurt the skin just below my bottom lip. Shaving that area wasn't really a good idea, but I had to trim it up to look reasonable. I had some meetings on the Tuesday when we got back home, so I shaved it as much as would look reasonable. I kept the look for a few more days beyond that until it was ok to shave again. My wife liked it, but it is not exactly a good Florida look for me. June and facial hair don't work together so well.
One of the members of our family likes dressing our kids up to look like each other. (I think it is a mom thing.) But there they are all 3 dressed alike.

Then there was the night I was out at meetings. The boys all had baths... and their hair stylized. Mo-Hawks for everyone.
It made more sense for some than others.


Well, at least they like each other.

17 July 2009

So we made it to St. Louis on our trip and stopped by the Science Center. This was the only picture we got there, but it was quite the visit that the boys had enjoyed. It only lasted 2 hours, but we still got to see most of it.


On our way out of town, we got a picture of the Arch. We sure were happy about that. It is hard to explain it without them seeing it, at least from the outside.

The bridge was amazing for the boys. It is a great river and good memories.

A few hours later, we made a stop in Metropolis, IL. It was really just to see this Superman statue. It was raining outside. We only did a driveby to avoid getting wet.

They also had this statue outside of the grocery store. My sweet wife sure did like them. Maybe we can get one someday.

We were able to go to Atlanta after driving through some more of the USA.


With Nana in tow, we went to the Atlanta Temple before it closed for the renovations. Someone enjoyed being Grandma.

My brother and I have close birthdays, so we had a joint celebration while we were there. The kids decided how to decorate the cake. What do by brother and I both have in common? According to our kids, trucks, though we each have only owned one each... and it was the same one.

We submitted to the singing and had some cake.

I don't remember who blew out the candles, but it worked out just fine.

Well, that is all of the trip. We made it back home afterward. Hurray for family vacation.

12 July 2009

We rarely get a picture of my sweetheart and I, but here was one we managed to get while still in Wyoming. She sure is beautiful.

On our trip back, we made it to see Laura and the gang again. Laura wanted proof that she was pregnant in picture form, so here it is. 2 sisters with 4 1/2 kids.

Say cheese.
Just a stop on the way back. They were really good.
We stayed a night in Lincoln at a hotel. Then we stopped by Omaha in the morning to visit Winter Quarters. It was excellent for us and the kids. That was really a special place... not quite as big as Nauvoo, but equal in Spirit.


They had the visitor's center there with the cemetery across the street. Beautifully situated there just down the hill from the cemetery was the Temple. It was really pretty. It isn't really big, but amazing none the less.

We got a family picture there. Unfortunately, the light post was there, but we were traveling anyway.
This was a really good stop.

So, we didn't take any pictures again at Sarah's, but we did visit and have a nice time.

Next stop, St. Louis and Atlanta with a little Metropolis in between.

5 July 2009

Fun with family


We saw many relatives up in Wyoming. Here is Grandma and Grandpa Skinner.

With the family.
Just those boys.
With some more cousins.
Just being Grandpa.
Cousins at play.
Family at play.

So what do you do for a week in Wyoming? Watch the clouds go by.
Burn things.
But hey that is what everyone does on vacation, right?