Those swift feet...

Happy day - it's soccer season again 

and we get to watch those swift feet of Hunter's

carry him up and down the soccer field.

My favorite thing!

A visit from our down-unders...

Our nephew, David, went on a mission down-under to Australia. 

He returned from that mission and before long 

was on a plane back down-under and there he has lived for the last 20ish years.

(photo by Elaine)

 We love it when he and his family come for a visit

like they did just a few weeks ago!

(Thanks for taking the picture, David!)

His oldest daughter is the same age as the twigs 

so it's always a good time when they're together.   :)

We had so much fun 

playing games, laughing, and 

even got in a tad bit of tree climbing.

Australia is so lucky to have you!

Much love  <3

Elaine, we promise to remember it's "put our rubbish in the wheelie bin".  ;)

Island fun...

A few weeks ago, the twigs invited

friends to join us hiking & geocaching 
(and playing king of the log) 
on the island. 

We saw lots of critters, 

furry

and not so furry.

The critter below was actually a cache container. 

Hahahah pretty clever - eewwww! 

It was a beautiful evening on the island

for skipping stones

and watching the sun sink below the horizon

and for laughing till our faces hurt.

    =D

Happy news for Hunter...a mission call!

It happened! 

Hunter's mission call came in the mail. 

He was so fun to watch through all his anticipation! 

What a happy guy! <3

Thanks to our girlie reminding me in the nick of time, 

we got a little video of him opening the call.  

Hunter opening his mission call to the 
New Hampshire, Manchester Mission. :)

Many, many thanks to all you kind, giving, wonderful people 

who have helped him prepare 

for this next chapter in his life. 

New Hampshire here he comes!

We're all so excited for him!  =D

Caching in on Spring Break 2016...

One of our last chances to get out for Spring Break, 

we went geocaching. 

Hunter was just a little boy when Bambi, 

his cub scout leader, 

took her group of cubs geocaching.

Hunter loved it and we decided it might be a fun thing to do as a family. 

We got a GPS for Christmas that year 

and have had lots of geocaching fun since then.

Just to give everyone a chance to find the cache, 

we came up with a code word to say when we've found it. 

We'll nonchalantly walk away from where we eyed the cache and call out "Hucklemucklemoo baby!" 

(Zac's friend, Mark, added the "baby" part 

when he was caching with us one day and it stuck.) 

As others find the cache, 

they'll call out too until the last person finds it...

or asks for hints.   ;)

Some containers are pretty clever which is fun...

 but I think our favorite part of geocaching is being outdoors 

with each other and with friends. <3

It's just another chance to ramble out yonder. 

Come join us!!!

Found a troll and the "entrance to the bat cave"...

The twigs invited some friends to our family temple night. 

It was both of their friends first time in the Salt Lake Temple 

so the twigs were excited to show them the "entrance to the bat cave."

Two sister missionaries 

were kind enough to visit with us and snap a picture or two. 

The temple visitors center has 

a great display about the Salt Lake Temple 

and temple work. 

We got so lucky this night because 

BYU's Chamber Orchestra was performing on Temple Square!! 

Don't you just totally LOVE chamber orchestras??! 
Me too!! <3

The conductor told us about composer George Butterworth, 
his early demise, 

then performed his orchestral piece called

The Banks of Green Willow. 

The Banks of Green Willow - George Butterworth

Pictures were allowed during their warm up. 

Then it was off to Gourmandise for desserts and much laughing. 

(photo credit: iheartsaltlake)

That's where we found the most stellar of waiters! 

Jaxson was his name and he must have eyes in the back of his head. 

It was a busy night at the restaurant 

so I surprised he was able to pick up and join right in 

on the conversation. 

He was quick and very funny.  :)

Then again...how hard might it be to notice this? 

It didn't last long, only a fleeting second or two, 

but Jaxson saw it

and didn't let this young man off the hook.

This great young man is in no way a troll 

but he sure can pull off an uncanny troll face!!

No goats or trolls but more spring break fun...

Our mini adventures continued with Scott & April. 

We didn't have enough time for our favorite Moab red rock

but The Mr. found a place nearby called Red Ledges. 

There were places to climb...

...an arch and lots of beautiful red rock.

From the back side of the arch

we were able to make it up to the opening.

It was a neat little place!

After stopping for yummy Belgian frites and waffles, 

the twigs disappeared around the corner.

I guess they didn't get their fill of climbing.  ;)

Scott & April had to head home

so they could get back to serving their ward members and neighbors.

We love them!

A few days later,

we drove up to Snowbird...

and watched a wild ski movie.

Spring break is a good thing,
a very good thing!