A Budding Hairstylist

So for you who have read 'Fancy Nancy' books, we have our own little girl, who loves to accessorize. This is our little girl and her skills in hair accessories.

Here she is after falling asleep. Note the number of clips in her hair!


Any good hairstylist has someone to work with and practice on. Here is Kell as a somewhat willing participant. He obviously doesn't know what he is getting into!


Why not try it out on Mom too! Campbell doesn't quite have enough hair. Fortunately dad has avoided her styling!

OK a couple last pics from Puerto Rico

So Saturday I took a walking tour of Old San Juan. It is an old city (from european colonization standards) and is anchored by a huge fort and walls surrounding the city. The fort was started in 1550s and was in use by several countries (primarily Spain) in several wars (with the British, Dutch, Americans, etc) through WWII when it national historic site. I would recommend anyone visiting la Isla de Encanto to visit the Castillo San Felipe del Morro (the name of the fort).

Here is a shot of the famous 'garitas' or sentry boxes that sit at strategic corners around the city.


This last one is of the city wall, and is about a mile from the first shot. It shows the extent of the fortifications that were built up over the past 450 years. Yeah it isn't all 450 years old and they have done several reconstruction projects to bring everything up to its former glory.


Now I promise not to show any more pics of Puerto Rico, or of me... Probably

Caribbean Sand

So I have been informed that people only really visit our blog to see pictures of the kids, and right now, mainly to see Campbell. I will agree, but as I am online today and without pictures of the kids (Campbell), I have to share some pictures of my own. Sorry, I have direct orders to update the blog with Campbell's pics when I return to Iowa. In the meantime, here are some pics of fun in Puerto Rico.

First here is a picture of me in the Isla Caja de los Muertos (Coffin Island) which is a 45+ minute ferry ride southeast of Ponce the city I was staying in. I went to the island with about 50 other people from work who are here for a meeting, so no I didn't leave my family to have a 'break'
This is a 'desert island', yeah I know you wouldn't quite believe it being in the Caribbean and all. If you want to see the cacti on the island I can catch you up on this...


Here is the opposite side of the island from the former picture. There is a lighthouse (no I didn't visit it) and the beach you see is restricted such that only turtles live there.

Train and rains

For you avid iowaspuds followers, you probably realize that we mainly update when one of you remind us that we should be sharing our Iowa adventures. Here are a few pics of the trip we went to the Boone railroad tour, which took us through some nice country in Central Iowa. Grandpa and Grandma from Utah came out and shared the ride with us. We were super excited to have them with us and to spend some time with them. Here are some of the highlights.


Here is a view over the tall bridge. The track was only as wide as the train. Yeah that was fun!

Halfway through it started raining good, here is a picture of Kell while we were going over the Des Moines River.


Here is the crew after the ride looking down the track.


I thought I would throw this one in too. Here is one of Kell and Grandma while we were going over the bridge.

Lots of fun. Thanks for coming by.

Kell Speaks...

In the last 3 days we have had about 5-6 inches of rain. So much in fact that my rain gauge is filled to the top. Last night we had a dark thunderstorm that rolled over Central Iowa. It was one of those that made the whole sky get dark very quickly and then the light show began. Our house shook with all the thunder and lightning. I was watching out the front door as the rain rolled in. We had streams on the side of our house and a river in our street. I exclaimed "Holy Cow" as the wind blew the rain in our front door and came down in sheets all around us. Kell was watching as I said that and shut the door, then he ran right to the window and said, I want to see the holy cows!

What a crack up... I tried to get a picture of the rain and rivers in the road, but it didn't quite work. Gotta love Iowa weather.

Blessing Day

We were blessed today to have Campbell's grandparents, and Aunt Lisa in town this weekend for Campbell's blessing. In our church there isn't a baptism, but authorized individuals (i.e. priesthood holders, of which I am one) are able to present the child before the church to be named and blessed. Campbell's grandparents and some good friends also participated. It is a humbling experience to hold a small child and pronounce a blessing on them. Parents have great aspirations for their children, not the least of which they are able to grow up healthy, strong and wise. I know I pray that they will cultivate their spiritual gifts, that their testimonies will grow and that they will be stalwart and faithful members of God's kingdom.
Here is a picture of the crew (Lisa is behind the camera)

Here is Campbell with the new quilt fom Grandma B.


Here is a pic of Grandma B and Campbell.


On Saturday we went to the Living History Farms and this is Grandpa B and the boys in the trailer going out to the farm.

Random Updates

Since our blog is less about ranting about the most recent random thought that piques my interest and is more about pictures and communicating to our family and friends about what we are doing. Here is the newest 'random' post.

Our city is like most small towns where once a year we have a city wide party, complete with parades, cheap amusement park rides attached to the back of a semi, and a 'fun run'. In my effort to become more 'fit' I decided to do the 5K, and in doing so signed up some friends and convinced Cole to do the 1 mile fun run. Here is a picture of the crew. You may notice some other famous individuals often featured on the blog.


Here is an action shot of Cole rounding the home stretch, his shoe came untied and he kept running... What a trooper!


My cousin is really connected and was able to hook me and the boys up with some tickets to the Saturday edition of the Iowa Corn Indy race (the Saturday race was the Indy Lights race for you motor heads). It was a 100 mile race, and very fun, loud, but fun. We got a little rain at the end of the day, but we had a real good time enjoying the sights sounds and fast cars.
Here are Kell and Sam ready to race.

And here is Cole and Josh, straight from Cub Scout Day Camp.


Lastly, a neighboring town had their community events on the Fourth of July. Our Cub Scout Pack had an entry and Cole got to ride in the pickup and throw some candy out to the crowds. How much more excitment can you get!