Jumping

Here are some photos of the kids jumping on the trampoline. This first one is exactly as I shot it. No cropping, editing, etc. I don't know why but I really, really like this photo.

These next two of Mary where taken by my wife and I really like them also. Good work Helen.

Weekend in Midway

We spent a weekend at my parent's home in Midway last week. Lots of good times although the weather turned bad Saturday afternoon. Friday evening we had a short bike ride around the neighborhood. Sorry no photos. Saturday morning we went on a family hike in the Wasatch State Park. Here are some of the happy hikers.

Here is Benjamin taking a break in a secret spot along the way.

We stopped for snacks in this nice little field.

After our hike we drove up to the top of memorial hill. Looks like we've got some fine soilders in the making.

Family Olympics

Helen organized a family olympics while her family was visiting from the U.K.
This is my new favorite photo of Mary.

Benjamin was intense on the bouncy ball.

Hannah intense at soccer (a.k.a. football).

That's actually my cowboy hat -- I was just letting her borrow it.

Helen dominated on the pogo stick.

Baseball

We signed Matthew and Benjamin up for baseball this spring. They loved it, but games twice each week turned out to be a lot.

Ms. Mary

I love these photos of Mary. The first day it felt like spring, the kids all went outside to jump on the trampoline. Mary climbed the ladder and tried to join them.

Benjamin did a good job of keeping Mary off the trampoline.

More Emma

Here are some more artsy-fartsy photos. The proud papa. I actually may have been asleep here. It was a very late night.

Update on Emma

Helen's grandfather, Joseph Picknett, passed away on Saturday. In honor of that great man, we have changed Emma's middle name to Josephine. Here are a few more photos.

Ready for Spring

Hello, yes I still do exist, just not so much in the blogsphere any more. Kids are ready for spring as am I, so we went outside today to test the weather. A few good ones of my darling, Hannah, although truth be told she spent most of her time out side tormenting her brothers.

She's quite fond of those pink boots. Never seen them with the pink pants before.

Benjamin trying out the skateboard again. All paded up and ready to go.

I think I heard that most skaters actually do wear argyle socks.

And then there's Daniel. Matthew not very photogenic today, so I'll have to post some of him later.

I'm not going to lie, having kids is pretty great. Can't think of a time when people have actually jumped up cheering when I came into the room, but I get that every night when I come home from work and that's some good business.

Popular Photo

I posted this photo on Facebook and, even though I thought there were better photos I had taken that day, this is the only one that got comments. It's hard to figure out what people will like in photos and why. Or maybe I am just strange and different from the rest of humanity...I mean I know I am, but maybe when it comes to what photos I like as well.

Adam's Canyon

We had a fun Saturday afternoon in Adam's Canyon. The fall colors were fantastic.

Helen and Mary taking a rest.

I just liked the light on these leaves in a shady spot on the trail.

Looking up. It was a perfect fall day.

Good little hikers.

Soccer

It was freezing cold, but the rain stopped so the soccer match was on -- the first of the day. Our side was down two players, so Matthew and Benjamin played the entire game.

Things looked good during warm-ups.

We were even able to find the back of the net a few times (still during warm ups).

Once the game started, things got ugly. The black team was good.

The other team brought a ringer. If I had a hair sample and the right equipment, I'm pretty sure I could have proved that the curly haired kid below is Valderrama's offspring.

We brought our A-game and our best moves.

But at the end of the day, we mostly just had fun.

Our teammates brought it today as well.