Here are a few of the photographs and videos taken by Steven, Jill, and Rick. Click on the images to enlarge. If you cannot see the videos, click here.

We unloaded and pitched the tents. We were only staying overnight but it seemed like we had food for a week. That’s Jill by the picnic table. The campsites were large, had running water, and some had shade. We had quite a view.

I brought plenty of wood for a fire to cook our hot-dogs.

Aurora was ready to eat…

…just about anything.

After we ate Bryson and Aurora put to good use the local materials that were lying around. Aurora used her truck to level the ground.

We had lots of adults to go around when the grandchildren needed to be held. Here is Sarah with Aurora.

Steven with Cassandra. Steven is the one on the right.

Derek with Bryson.

And me.

We retired to our tents while Jake slept out in the open.

In the morning, before breakfast, Derek took Bryson for a walk.

Jake is a handy guy to have around when you are hungry for some ham.

Sarah appears to be enjoying her breakfast.

Any left for me?

Before noon we broke camp and drove a few miles onto federal land to visit Cascade Springs in Uinta National Forest. The trail through Cascade Springs consists primarily of a raised boardwalk which crosses over a series of clear shallow pools. Calcite mineral deposits accumulated and formed terraces over which the water cascades.

Adelaide holds Cassandra, who didn’t really want to see running water just right now.

Jill loves the outdoors…

…while Cassandra has yet to make up her mind.

I do believe we will go camping again. There is no better way to spend the weekend than with family.

The water coming from the springs has made a long journey from limestone caverns deep within the earth. Forced through cracks and fissures, the water emerges here as “travertine”. The deposits have gradually accumulated to make the terraces for the pools at Cascade Springs. Approximately seven and one-half million gallons flow from the springs each day.

Related posts:

1. Return From Texas Exile
2. Cassandra Is Blessed
3. Old Iron Town State Park

Davis High School Flag

This morning was the Independence Day Kaysville Rotary 12th Annual 10K and 5K Run / 5K Walk “Run for Reading” at the Davis High School Stadium. In 2009 there were 873 participants who entered, beating the previous year by over 200 runners. The proceeds of the $15 race registration will go towards the purchase of “I Like Me” reading books for Kaysville area elementary school children.

I was there to take a few photographs. Click on the images to enlarge.

Before the race

Sarah's with her friend Jennifer and her husband

Sarah, Derek, Jill, and Bryson

Bryson was not too thrilled at the early morning start to the race

Start of the 5K segment

Jill at the finish (39:25:00)

Derek, Sarah, and Bryson at the finish

Related posts:

1. Kaysville and Fruit Heights Independence Day Parade
2. Kaysville Independence Day Parade
3. Return From Texas Exile

Derek, Bryson, and Sarah

Perhaps the title of my post is somewhat over done but to me it seems like Derek, Sarah, and Bryson have been in exile. However, the part that says return is right on. Yes, Derek, Sarah, and Bryson are returning to Utah. Derek has found work in Salt Lake City and the family will be here by Memorial Day.

When Jill heard the news she was just ecstatic. Jill is not an emotional women (sounds contradictory, I know) but this once she was a whoopin’ and a hollerin’ all over the house. You could not find a happier woman in all of creation.

I am just glad it has finally happened, a lot sooner than I supposed. I admit the last month I have been praying every morning for them to return. Why am I then surprised when prayers are answered? Lack of faith I suppose.

One thing is known for sure. We won’t be letting them get away so easily the next time, if there ever is a next time.

Welcome home!

Photograph by Adelaide

Related posts:

1. Sarah and Bryson Leave For Texas
2. Independence Day Kaysville Rotary Run For Reading 5K
3. Derek, Sarah, and Bryson

Sarah at Fort Worth Zoo

This photograph of Sarah was taken in April at the Fort Worth Zoo.  You are invited to write a caption for the photograph.

Usually the prize is limited to Kaysville and environs but this time it is open to all. The prize is a One Hundred Trillion Dollar banknote. It is not worth anything except that to hold it is very worrying when you realize that your own currency could also end up hyperinflated. Especially with government borrowing at record levels. This 2008 uncirculated Zimbabwe banknote was part of the annual inflation rate of 89,700,000,000,000,000,000,000%.

Rachel holding Zimbabwe banknote

When you submit your caption include your email in the comment form. That way I can contact the winner for their address to mail the banknote. If you are reading my Facebook page, click on “View Original Post” to come on over to my blog. If I cannot obtain your address the prize will go to the second place winner.

Only myself and the judge are not eligible to win. Sharpen your keyboards and good luck with your captions. One hundred trillion dollars awaits you. Rachel not included.

Related posts:

1. Caption Competition #8 Winner
2. Caption Competition #6
3. Caption Competition #5

Sarah behind bars at The Aquarium at Moody Gardens

I took this photograph in March at The Aquarium at Moody Gardens on Galveston Island, Texas. Amidst all the fish tanks and displays was this cage so my daughter Sarah agreed to create my next caption. This picture will be easier to write a caption for than the last competition so go ahead and stun us with your creativity and wit.

Rachel holding NASA chocolate bars

The first prize (Kaysville and environs only) is a Johnson Space Center 3oz almond milk chocolate bar. The motto “Failure is not an option” is printed on the wrapper along with the famous NASA logo. Second prize is a smaller milk chocolate bar with the image of the space shuttle blasting off into space. A sight that you now will only see on chocolate bars and old newsreels.

For the judging I will ask my readers to vote on one or more of the captions written for this Caption Competition #6. Those writing captions can also vote. And yes, you can vote for your own caption though all the world will know you absolutely have zero social skills.

Even if you are not local we will be totally spaced out to hear from you. However, we cannot mail prizes because importing this space age chocolate from Texas brought our budget crashing to earth.

Related posts:

1. Caption Competition #6 Winner
2. Caption Competition #7 Winner
3. Caption Competition #3

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It was a sad, rickety day as Sarah and Bryson prepared to leave for Texas. Derek has found work there so it was necessary to move. With Bryson being our first grandchild, and just starting to smile, he will be especially missed. However, Adelaide’s due date is seven days from now and so the newest arrival will receive all our lavish attention. Poor thing, I hope you know how to smile . Now I know why movie stars wear sunglasses — to protect themselves from all the flash photography. Jill is already planning a visit to Texas and I expect we will become quite familiar with the lone star state. The motto of Texas is friendship so if any of you Texans from Keller see Sarah about town be sure to say “Hi”.

Related posts:

1. Derek, Sarah, and Bryson
2. Bryson Tries Cereal
3. Baby Bryson: Six Days Old