I'm back

The pictures are as follows (top-bottom)

First two famly trip to Zions Canyon

Snow Canyon sand dunes

Brick in the mud hole

Dain, Bella, Jonah, Londyn, Brick extend stop in Rupert on the way home from Washington

Jonah's first time paintballing (Ask him where he got hit)

The big dipper at the Father and Sons

So I haven't written on our blog (Michie's blog)for some time. I have done this as a courtesy to you. Many know that I am currently finishing my thesis and am preparing to defend soon. Originally I was to defend tomorrow (June 29th) but one of my committee members is out of the country. Now it will be some time later, but before too long. Why may you ask does my lack of writing help you at this time? I am glad you asked. I am studying geology and when I explain to people about what I am doing there eyes glaze over and they begin to fall into a coma. So since I have had a serious case of rocks on the brain and knowing that this would overflow into my blogging I ceased for a short time. Enough with the boring because as of late my life has been nothing but boring. We have traveled afar and experienced many new and exciting experiences. Currently Michie's sister ShaRee is up helping us pack since we are moving July23-24 to Ohio. I have had the chance to see what being a father of eight would be like. It is much louder. I have been lucky because it seems that the kids are better behaved when there are others to observe. I also went on the Father and Sons camp out with Jens, Dain, Jonah, and Brick. I have been looking forward to this for some time and with the recent delay in my thesis defense felt no guilt in attending. We loaded up and followed the vague directions up the mountain. We noticed that what was suppose to be brown was still green. We found the campsite and were welcomed by rain. This washed our spirits and we then waited until about 8:30 for dinner. Jonah showed me a caterpillar he had caught and pointed out that it was bleeding. I corrected him and told him it wasn't blood but the caterpillar was pooping on his hand. He must have liked this because he caught several dozen the rest of the night. We went to bed and listened to the wails of the younger boys and woke up the next morning to see voids were sleepless father threw in the towel. I must note that this was my four father and son as a father and to date we are two for four on staying the whole night. Earlier this month we drove up to Washington for my family reunion. We first stayed at ShaRee's house which was a blast. The kids played in the mud hole in the back yard. This is something I think all yards should have. I had one as a kid and had more fun with it than a swimming pool. In fact it is like a swimming pool that changes shape. We then went to my brother Mike's house for a three day reunion extravaganza. I love to do nothing with somethings thrown in and this reunion was just that. My physical endurance was tested as I jockeyed for the perfect seat in the Main lounging room. The conversations were stimulating in a good way and there were only three families that broke down on the way home. The hot tube had a greener ting then last year. It was absolutely enjoyable. I can still smell the smells. Hope all is well with all and hopefully we survive the upcoming events.