Random Pics for our Long-lost Father

It's now the middle of June, which makes it 3 1/2 long months since Brad left to begin work in Germany. We've had two very brief weekends with him since then, but that is really not enough. We all feel like it has been FOREVER since we've had a dad around. As rotten as it has been for us, I know it has been much worse for Brad. He's had to start a new job in a new place - a really different place - all by himself.

So Brad, I just want you to know that we all miss you and are thinking about you all the time. We will be especially sad this weekend when we have to celebrate Father's Day without our dad. Here are a few random pictures of us and what we have been doing here in Utah without you...just so you don't forget what we look like...

Adam, a couple of days after we arrived. This was the first picture I took with my new camera.

I told you Adam and Jayce have been spending hours in the basement building things out of Construx. This is their masterpiece. They each built part of it and then put it together. There was much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth about 10 minutes after this picture was taken when Austin decided to break it apart. You'll be happy to know that Adam was able to restore the masterpiece to its former glory.

Pepper was dying to learn how to ride a horse by himself, so my dad took him for a little lesson. Luke and Austin were a captive audience. Just this last Monday, Dad took Pepper with him and Jessica on a little trail ride. Pepper was not ready to ride a horse on his own, so he rode with my dad behind the saddle. Dad says that about 10 minutes into the ride, Pepper decided he was done. Unfortunately, there was a long way left to go. Pepper would not let my dad gallop AT ALL, which is what Jess loves to do, so once the trail ride was over, Dad let Pepper off by the horse trailer and he and Jess went for a wild gallop. I think Pepper's big desire to be a cowboy might be over. The idea of horseback riding was a little different from the reality!

Last Thursday, the kids and I went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. It is really a beautiful temple. I loved all the glass and windows throughout - it has a very open, light feeling everywhere inside. The three older kids liked seeing inside a temple and had lots of questions afterwards. Luke was just afraid that we were going to make him get into the baptismal font, so he was paranoid about that the whole time. Ever since Adam's baptism in February, Luke has been nervous that we are going to dunk him in water.

Yesterday, we drove up to Brigham City to see my Grandma Darrington. We had a very nice visit with her and it was good to see Grandma looking so well.

Always the teacher, Grandma taught Adam how to multiply by 10's. Adam was very pleased with himself when we quizzed him and he got them all right.

This morning Pepper got a much needed haircut. He went into Great Clips looking like a hippie, and came out looking like a missionary. Big improvement!

When I was taking Pepper's post-haircut picture, Lukie couldn't stand not to be included. So, here is Luke getting his face time with the camera.

So Brad, this is us wishing you a very happy Father's Day. We will be thinking about you all day and wishing you were here. We love you!