Days off

Today I went down to Provo to the BYU - UCLA game. What a game. It was remarkable in that we expected so much from that game and UCLA forgot they were supposed to show up and play. Long flight home for them!
Today though, I was most impressed, as I have been over and over again, how fortunate are I and my family. We all seem unusally close. I have said this before, as have each of my siblings. Today, however, I felt fortunate to have the brothers-in-law that I have. They are remarkable men and wonderful husbands and fathers. I don't know how or why my sisters fished the best out of the pond but that they did and they, as well as the rest of us, reap the rewards. I have said before that anyone who says always or never is a liar. However in this case, I am always better in the end having spent time around them. My Book of Dave quote for today.

Today is my son Gibson's birthday. I remember each child's birthday with a story of their birth. As my age goes, so does my memory but let's try.
I'm not certain, give me time to embelish later, the exact circumstances that brought us there but...
My mother was in town taking care of the rest of the kids. Gib was a total surprise as we thought we were done. I called my mom and said, "Bring the kids over, it looks like its time." She did. She stays around for a while with nothing happening. She is ready to leave; small room room, no toys yada yada... Finally, as I walk out and out trying to be certain that my boy will be here soon (small waiting room), mom decides to leave. As she is going, the time comes closer. I run outside. The birthing room is next to the waiting room, "Wait! We are really close." I run back inside. I'm participating as father's do...
Nothing
Gib is born
He cries
My son is here. My son.
Moments later I go into the waiting room. My mother is crying; "I haven't been this close to a birth in so long."
All of my children heard their brother's first sound. First sound. Cool.
My mother fondly recalls I took each child into the room to introduce them to their brother. It was magical.
Happy birthday Gibson. You were everything we all wanted. Certainly, you were everything your brother ever wanted after hanging around all those girls. He used to ask me all thetime, "Can I have a brother?" The highlight of our lives and so truly welcome.
Happy birthday son. I want for you what I want for all my kids. That you love the Lord, that you know He loves you, that you serve honorably and honor your name.

New

I spent some time today reading my sister, AMR and my Bro-in-law's posts on their blogs. I like each. AMR says it takes a time committment and I agree but I like Bryce's style of posting thoughts. This is supposed to be just a place to place thoughts I have and meaningful missives so I'll encompass both.

Another weekend of not house stuff...

I went down to Zion's to hike Subway with some guys from my new Elder's Quorum. It was great opportunity to get to know some of that quorum better. A most enjoyable and beautiful trip. At one point I thought, "Where was I yesterday? Not here. Where will I be tomorrow? Not here." A great time to stop, reflect and enjoy the moment. As I have heard before, it never comes again in its exact form.

A day with kids and grandkids..

Our trip to the zoo....









I got a kick out of this one. Hanging in front of the monkeys who were hanging.... De-evolution?


We are done here.
All of us are done!!!

A bit of time off...

More progress...

Gib and I took a day.....

Some days are more dramatic than others, today...

Again, Gib was great help today. We saw some progress. Some days are caulking; some days reveal floors. Nice.

House progress....

Hard to show the drama of freshly caulked windows, doors and moldings. Ceiling painting in the living room is done other than touch up and windows and doors next. Gib and I are cleaning up in preparations for Danna and her brood. We are excited to have them stay!

New additions.

Terra had her baby a couple days ago. Here is a picture of Gibson and "Generic". Also, Gib has put up a blog site as well. http://thegibsonchronicles.webs.com

More updates. Busy and accomplishing yesterday...

This is the hallway heading downstairs. Not sure if it is just really old oil based paint or what but it was disgusting. Here are some before and afters... Thanks Dad.

Another update. Progress was made a couple of months ago. Needs showcased just the same.

While the bedroom changes have been done since early June, I thought it might be nice to see those changes as well and give credit. Thanks to SS and Kate. Hard work and lots of laughs.


This room is the master bedroom. Needless to say, there was not a bed in the bedroom.

After 3 years in the Army, the color is very close to OD Green but I really like it! Imagine.

The color sets the floors off well.
Our first color choice, Baby poopoo yellowish, as we looked at it and contemplated our choice, Kate showed up. "That color is ICK!" I think we may have eventually got to the same conclusion, she just pushed a little quicker.
Baseboards coming soon.

The floors are really nice but the pad has been down so long the residue is like concrete to get off. Again, the help has been great. Many hands and all that....