Happy #13 Tavin!

Happy BIG 13 Tavin!  We celebrated it first at our house and then at his.  Money and candy seem to be the best thing to give at this age!  We love you Tavin and we are proud of you!  Happy teen aging!

Torin Carl Borrowman arriives!

Torin arrived a bit earlier than expected at 3:20 pm on August 26th (just missed sharing his birthday with his big brother Tavin by several hours) but all is well.  He weighed 7 lbs. 9 ozs. was 20.5" long.  He's a cute little guy, and his family all seem pretty thrilled about having him join the gang.  He is #23 and we couldn't be happier.  So glad that everything went well.  He was born at their beautiful new home. What a great way to make it feel like a special family place.  So glad you are here Torin.  We love you and look forward to getting to know you!  Congratulations Ferf and Ryan!

Happy #26 Bean!

Hard to believe Bean has hit #26!  Even when they are 26, guys still like fun toys for their birthday!  Hope you enjoyed your day Bean.  We love you.

Yankee Doodle at last

Saturday afternoon we finally did Yankee Doodle!  Supe, Beacher and Moss were the experts and me, Paul, Jasmine (Beacher's sister) and Bean got to come along and enjoy the fruits of their experience.  We started about 4:30 and it was perfect with no other people and just right weather conditions.  There was some water to wade through in several spots, but it wasn't freezing and was still fresh enough that it wasn't stinky.  It was good to go with people who could make the scary parts doable and fun!  So glad to finally get to do this nice little canyon!  I think there were 6 rappels with the longest one about 100 feet.  Some places that Supe, Moss and Bean just down climbed, the rest of us rappelled just to be safe.  Supe's guiding experience was invaluable for us less than comfortable in high places people.  And Paul's knees did great! We wanted a waterproof camera, so we used Paul's phone.  Not the best of pictures, but better than none. It was nice that Bean went with us since it was his birthday.  He seemed to have a good time.  

Willis Creek

  I have been wanting to do this hike for a long time.  We finally made it.  It is a long drive to get to the trail head, but it was worth it.  It was just right for Paul's first hike of much distance since his knee surgery.  We just did the Willis Creek part of a 3 part (Sheep Creek and Bull Valley) hike.  We will get the others done some other time.  

There were two little waterfalls.  Here they are with a top shot of one of them.  Wished I had my wading shoes on so I could have just waded pretty much the whole hike and gotten into these little beauties!

The trail head, an open section and "Shark Fin Rock" dubbed such in honor of shark week!  

There was plenty of variety with narrow and deep sections and wide open or not so deep sections.  A just right hike.  This section (to the junction with Sheep Creek) is only 5 miles round trip.  Great day!  

Last camp before school starts

Friday after noon we decided we had better get that last camp in before school starts on Monday and before the bow hunt gets going.  It was a great camp with perfect weather, very few other people out, good food and no bugs!  We even got our favorite camp spot in the Brian Head area.  We even did a little hike and Paul's knees did fine.  6-week check-up coming up this week and so far, so good!

Triple Great!

What a great week end line up we had!  First we went to Enoch for Ellie's baptism and Joel's blessing.  It was such a nice time with lots of people there to enjoy the wonderful event with Ellie, Joel and family. Afterwards Lou and Bryan had a really nice lunch gathering at the house where everyone could visit and the kids could play.  

After that we continued up the road to Lehi to enjoy Essie's blessing.  Moss and Christie and kids were there just finishing up her family's reunion.  Brynn "slaved in a hot kitchen" to make us a wonderful orange chicken dinner.  After the blessing Sunday we enjoyed a yummy brunch and time again for visiting and for the kids to play.  I don't see how it could have been any better weekend than it was!  Such wonderful events to celebrate with such wonderful people.  

Plein Air in PIne Valley

 Friday afternoon we decided to head to Pine Valley for a walk along and the trail (a good one for Paul in his current state of recovery) and a little Plein Air painting.  It was a beautiful day with the mountains full of rumbling thunder but no rain falling in the valley.  We walked up the trail from the lake to the end of the road where Paul found a nice scene to paint.  While he painted I walked back and got the car.  When I got back he needed a bit more time to get to a stopping point, so I hung out with my feet in the stream and enjoying the scenery.  It was such a nice break from the heat!  Have to get back up and finish that painting.