Random Photo Post

I don't have a specific reason for this post, other than to post some random photos I've received recently.

My mom took some family photos from a birthday party for my dad last week. These are a few of them. I'm not favoring Seth, he just happened to wiggle his way into all of them. I don't think I'm being biased when I say I have some good looking nephews. See for yourself.

Happy birthday Dad! (my brother David also pictured)

Miss you Grandma!

Me at church with Mari, Kanisha, and Princess.

Welcoming the sunrise atop Mt. Takao with Derek. This is the reason I live in Takao. I have these endless mountains right in my backyard.

Angie sent me this old photo out of the blue, and it's my new favorite thing. From my trip up to Moses Lake for an Earl family reunion. This was taken during our side trip to Seattle. Joey looks 7 years old. I had hair. Good times.

Arizona Camping Trip

Camping last week with my brother and 3 out of 4 of his boys. (The infant stayed home with mom) We were in the Haigler Creek area outside of Payson, AZ. Highlights included:

Lunch at McDonalds (not my pick)

Campfires (Owen pictured)

Shoveling

Hiking

Geocaching

Rope Swinging (Owen)

Seth

Me

River Crossing (Isaac in front)

Views

Picnic lunch on the way home (Seth demonstrating his middle-out sandwich eating technique)

Squirrel Chasing / Feeding (Owen)

Heber Family Reunion

We had our family reunion in Heber, AZ over Memorial Day weekend. I hosted 3 double elimination tournaments--all hotly contested. I'm posting the results here so we have something to refer back to when doing next year's seedings. We take these things very seriously. (Ok, I take it very seriously)

Jake demonstrating an improper defensive technique

Air Hockey

CHAMPION: Josh
2. Dave
3. Amy (After beating Amy in the first round, she came back and kicked my butt in our rematch)
4. Shane
5. Jake
6. Rachel
7. Sammi
8. Aaron
9. Brad
10. Mary

Amy demonstration a proper defensive technique.

Pool

CHAMPION: Aaron
2. Shane (The rematch here was between Josh and I. He knocked me into the losers bracket, but I fought my way back to win him in the semi-finals, before losing to Aaron.)
3. Josh
4. Brad
5. Dave
6. Jake
7. Mary
8. Rachel
9. Dad
10. Amy

Ping Pong

This is the most important and longest running tournament in our family. David has been the undefeated champion for more years than I can remember, but his time will come.

CHAMPION: Dave
2. Shane (Again, I was knocked into the loser's bracket by Jake, but came back to win our rematch in order to play Dave in the finals.)
3. Jake
4. Josh
5. Mary
6. Rachel
7. Amy
8. Brad
9. Dad
10. Jenny

Geocaching

Before flying down to Arizona, I loaded up my GPS with some caches around Heber to find with the family. More people were interested in the hunt than I anticipated.

These are from caches hidden in Black Canyon

This ammo box was an extremely well hidden, but Dave spotted it when he sat down to fix his shoe.

Does it make me a bad person if I was rooting for Dave to fall into the creek? We all went around, but he insisted on pulling that log across and making a wobbly bridge.

This would have been a much better picture if Dave had made a giant splash as he hit the water.

They wanted to do one with "funny faces".

The boys went out the next day to find a few more in town.

Family Picture 2010

Dragon Taming

My brother Dave and I took his two oldest to see "How To Train Your Dragon" in 3D. His family was in Utah for Easter.

We pleaded with them to look at the camera for 30 seconds. They were glued to the previews. Isaac completely ignored us. Nothing could pry that kids stare from the screen. Seth pretended to look my way, but the photographic evidence shows otherwise.

Dave and I spent a lot of time trying to make Isaac keep his glasses on during the movie. I'm not sure he fully grasped the 3D concept.

Chickens & Goats

The rest of my photos from Arizona...

Spent a day at Jen's house. I've always liked pets that do something for you, besides simply being a pet. Goats mow your lawn and chickens lay eggs. Perfect pets.

Who could resist this face?

Celebrated my birthday at Dave & Julie's house with friends and family. As you can see, dinner was delicious.

And exhausting. Remember when we used to fall asleep mid meal, and then someone would carry us to bed? I miss those days.

David performed in a live nativity scene that evening.
Lacey's adorable girls with my nephew Seth. All smiles. Even the goat.

It was pretty cold out for Arizona. But then again, my mom would still be freezing even if she were wearing a polar bear suit in the Sahara desert during mid day.

Jen & Jake

My sister Jenny and her husband Jake

Thanksgiving 2009

Visiting the family in Arizona for Thanksgiving again this year. Started off the day with the Mesa Turkey Trot. I think I've run it about 8 times now.

This is Amy coming in the home stretch.

Our family has outgrown having Thanksgiving at a house, so this year we moved it inside the church cultural hall.

Sad Owen

Mary

Making gravy

Standoff

Grandma holding McKenna

Happy Owen

Isaac

Mom & Dad

Spencer & Sammi

Tessa enjoying some of Grandma's jello

Andy, Mom, Dick, and Grandma