Tukker Turns 10

Tukker hit double digits this summer. 

He had a water party with his peeps. 

From left to right: Ryan, Taggart, Jhett, Gradee, Canyon. They had a blast playing in Yaya's big inflatable waterslide, on the slip n slide, and going down the zipline.

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Tukk's favorite presents were his soccer goals and his Nerf chainsaw blaster of doom.

He is still the most fun to be around - ever. He loves everything, he's excited about everything, and he's always game for any adventure. He's really into soccer and chess right now, throwing and catching a football, and anything that lets him get outside. He is THE BEST!

July 2018

Last July we finally found the time for a hike up the Santaquin Canyon Narrows. I'm so glad we did, because our whole world caught on fire soon after. We still can't get up the canyon to see what damage was done to our favorite hiking spot, but I'm so glad we have some pictures from before the Bald Mountain and Pole Creek fires hit. 

Tukk even braved the river. The water is NEVER warm.

Drinking from the spring. 

Hitching a ride with Dad.



The best hiking hat EVER.

Look how beautiful and green it is. I really, really hope this area escaped the flames.

Aaaahhhh... the scenery.

More feet-freezing river walking. If you can just last for about 90 seconds your feet go numb and you can't feel the cold - or anything - anymore.



There's just something a little bit magical about this hike.

We also played with Benny.

Wore him out. (Three rowdy boy cousins is a LOT to deal with when you're a baby.)

Celebrated the 4th of July.

Said goodbye to Gram, which I already posted about. We can still hardly believe she's gone, but the giant hole in our hearts reminds us every day.

And we took the paddleboard and kayaks out to Spring Lake. I think this was the only time we got to go. Somehow this summer slipped away from us and I'm not sure where the time went.

Things That Require Pants

Not rocking your baby cousin to sleep. 

Not having lunch. 

Not watching a show on Yaya's iPad.

Not playing blocks with Benny.

Definitely not lounging on the couch.

Not perusing the fridge. 

Not eating green eggs.

Not hanging your head out the sunroof like a rockstar. Obviously. 

Fact: almost nothing in this life requires the use of pants.

Another Fact: if your family gets tired of your hardcore nudist phase, you can always switch things up with a little Hugh Heffner chic. It may be more modest, but at least there are still no pants involved.

June 2018

Last June, we made slime. It was a bad choice. 

We also took our Christmas trip from Yaya and the Babe to Tuacahn. For the past couple of years they've decided to give our kids a trip instead of more junk for Christmas, and it is the best idea EVER. We just wish Kory lived close enough so that his kiddos could come, too, and that Darby wasn't too busy running her summer camp to come with us. Poor Cole had to work that weekend so he got left out, too. And Benny is too little for Tuacahn, so we had a lot of missing comrades this trip.

We rented a house in St. George. Staying in a house together is way more fun that hotel rooms, because the kids can run around together. And also I always want to murder my children about 20 minutes into a hotel room stay, sooooo...

We saw Matilda.

We spent lots of time by the pool at the house. This is what doctors do when they're not saving lives:

The Babe introduce the grandkids to Grandpa Shark. I'm pretty sure he almost broke Tukker's back, and he definitely threw his own back out at one point, but they LOVED it.

While we were together we also did the YB&NBBBP: Yaya Barnes & Noble Birthday Book Buying Party. This is another amazing tradition - she gives each grandkid a $50 budget and lets em run wild. The only problem is that a couple of them *Tukker, cough cough* CANNOT decide what to buy. We have to budget for at least an hour of mind-changing. We were smart this time and showed up an hour before closing, so no one could run long in their decision-making process.

Breakfast at the house.

Our last day. Boo!

 We also spent as much time as we possibly could making Benny smile.

And making Grandpa Kyle smile.



We went camping with some friends.

Rand took us for a leisurely T-rex ride.

And then he had his first dentist appointment. And Cole and I began plotting which of our children we would sell on the black market to pay for all the cavities he was going to need fixed. I guess when they say not to let your kids go to bed with a bottle, there's a reason?

He's number three. This is what happens.

Tukk got to go to scout camp, which he LOVES.

Look at that face. He's always excited about everything. He's so dang fun to hang out with. 

And that was June!