Scout Falls

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." ~John Muir




"Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow." ~Henry David Thoreau


Our first hike this year was to Scout Falls up American Fork Canyon. I know, we're getting a late start this season. But the weather has been pretty rainy and life has been pretty busy...
Hopefully, we can hit Stewart Falls and Bridal Veil Falls this next month.
Ever heard of the book 60 Hikes within 60 miles of Salt Lake? If you love hiking you should check it out...

Twins take 2nd Place

While Cole was at Scout Camp his team played their last game of the tournament and lost. They were short 1 player. I'm sure if they had 9 players they would have won. Anyway, they came in 2nd place. And are now moving on to a tournament in Spanish Fork. Go Twins!!!!

Carson's Lizard

Last week Mark went down to Cedar City to visit Cole at Scout Camp. On his way down there he pulled off the side of the road and shot a few rounds with his gun. He also caught a lizard for Carson.???? I guess there was a whole bunch of lizards. I think it was really for him but he didn't want to admit it. Joi asked me where Mark put the lizard once he caught him. Well, he put it in the console of his truck. Seriously. That poor lizard. He was probably saying to himself, "Of all the people in all the world why did I have to run into this one." The poor thing had to stay in the car for 6 hours while Mark visited with Cole. Then he probably had to listen to Mark blast his rock music for 3 1/2 more hours. Of all the luck...
When Mark was little he used to catch lizards all the time. One time his Grandmom was hosting a dinner party for all the college professors and Mark's lizards got out 2 hours before the party was to start. I can just see Grandmom McDonald running around trying to find all of Mark's 7 lizards.
Anyway, for the next week or so I have another animal to take care of. Like Rocky and the rest of the clan isn't enough. We will be taking the lizard back to his family on our way to California in a few weeks...

Twins Are Going to the Championship Game!

Cole's baseball team has had a rollercoaster ride of a season.
They lost the first 6 games they played. Then they won a couple and lost a couple. During the tournament they lost the first game they played. Since it was a double elimination they got to keep playing. And much to our surprise they won the next three games. (The last two games the Twins only had 9 boys because everyone else on their team was away on vacation.) So that means that Cole's team gets to be in the championship game next week.
Unfortunately, Cole will be at Scout Camp down in Cedar City. The game will have to go on without him.
But Keri and I are planning to stop by and cheer the team on. Maybe even bring some gatorade...

The Year Was 1909

There was an email going around Mark's work about the year 1909. Here's a picture of a Ford Model R car from that year. And below are a few stats that may REALLY surprise you:

The average life expectancy was 47 years.
Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The average wage in 1909 was 22 cents per hour.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year .
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .
Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION

Wow! We've come a long way baby! Wonder what the next 100 years will be like...

OOOUCH!!

No! That's not nail polish. Although at a quick glance it could be mistaken for that.
Yesterday Keri jammed her finger in one of the Primary chairs at church. She was leaning over to fix the buckle on her shoe. She had one hand on the chair and one on her shoe. Then the chair buckled and she was stuck. She didn't yell.(I would have)She just quietly said, "Please help." Wow! Is that reverant or what?
I think she'll lose her nail. We'll have to see.
I guess there won't be any back handsprings or backtucks for a few days...

Scout Camp

My calling right now is Scout Leader of the Bear Den. So on Friday I had the awesome opportunity to head up to Scout Camp with my group. Here are some of my favorite moments with Carson that day! His favorite part was the BB gun activity...

Carson's Baseball Season

Wow! What a season! Carson's team did great this year! At the end of the season they were #2 in the league. Unfortunately, when they played their first game in the tournament they lost. Since it was a single elimination they are pretty much done for the year. Oh well! We are so proud of Carson and his team. His coach, Andy Larsen, was amazing with the boys. We are so grateful that Carson was able to be a part of his team! Go Astros!!

Kasara's Graduation

We can't believe that Kasara graduated from High School. Is life flying by or what? We are so proud of her.
Here's what Kasara did...


Here's what we did...