Summer fun . . .

Aren't siblings great . . .

Kids enjoying the day and taking a break from boating.

Lou and Ryan.

Hannah and Gus.

The happiest Dad.

A Family Trip . . .

Our kids walking off into their future . . .

Well, our babies are growing up, heck they're hardly kids anymore, more like young adults every day. It is so much fun to watch them in this final stage of their childhood.

We feel really lucky to be here in this time of their lives, babyhood was special and they were such fun as children; but this final stage where they're figuring out who they are, asking important questions, and gearing up to make choices that will affect their lives . . . this is really cool.

We took them on their first trip to look at colleges this week, and watched them grow up another whole step right before our eyes. They were a little confused and overwhelmed at the first college, getting it figured out by the second one, and pushed their way to the front of a large group during the third tour . . . lol, they're gonna' make it just fine.

Our tentative plan is to look at Idaho colleges this month, Oregon Colleges next month and then maybe California colleges in August.

Here are some pictures from this first trip . . .

Checkin' out the dorms . . .

On tour with an English Professor.

Meeting with the Art Professor . . .

Filling out paperwork . . .


A very proud Dad!!!

Gus's First Job . . .

Mark and Gus (in work uniform)


Well, I spent quite a bit of time driving Gus to pick up and drop off job applications this winter. I thought it was rather futile as he isn't even 16 until July, but he was persistent. He got over the initial fears, learned his social security number, found his birth certificate and practiced writing legibly. I was getting a little worried that he would get discouraged as jobs are few this year - even McDonald's was staffed almost entirely by adults. But then we hit on Roaring Springs! He made it through the cattle call, the interview, the call back, orientation, training, and on to the first day of work at his first job. Mark and I are very proud of him, he has to get up at 6 am to be there on time and we haven't had to wake him up once. He's a very conscientious hard worker just like his dad.

These are some shots of him heading off for his first day on the job . . .