August 2025

September 6, 2025

We've had a full couple of weeks and I realize that I kept meaning to write about last week and now it's time for a new week! Our adventure to Colorado and Arizona (for H and I) was successful and we made it to all the places we aimed to go. We came home with some sickness and Desmond and Addie were unwell on Tuesday. Thankfully Mom and Dad were able to come help out and that was great - Des loves having someone to read books with him and follow him around as he walks all over the place. They were both pretty much healed by the next day and we were amazed and grateful. Des has taken to emptying Kassie's purse lately, carefully placing each item on the table before going back for more. He loves books so much, and is always wanting to explore a new one. He is sensitive to music and will often start rocking back and forth or spinning at the mere hint of a song - that came in handy at the dentist this week as dentist literally started singing to him while brushing his teeth and Desmond calmed down for him!

Dad and Hinckley going to AZ for Granny's funeral

Face paint at CO state fair

Colorado walking

Pizza at 6148 with Kay cousins

On the road again

Exhaustion

I completed my triathlon and though it was very tough I felt like I did a good job. It was rough! I don't feel any temptation to repeat the experience in the near or distant future. It feels good to hit a goal though, so for that I'm grateful.

Brineman Triathlon

Momentum date

August 24, 2025

We had a good first full week of school and Kassie started her job as a medical assistant at a family medicine doctor's office in Alpine (near Lone Peak High School). She works M-W from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ish. She's really enjoying it! My schedule is flexible enough that I'm able to work before and after those times and that went well with everything this week, and Desmond seems to be adjusting well to 3 days at our neighbor's day care (at her home).

First day as a medical assistant!

A girl with her passions

Ready to walk with mom

Wandering Baby

Paddleboats

Royals

Baby in the boat

On Saturday I went with the three older to the Renaissance Faire in Mona. There were some cool things there and there were highlight moments for all of us, but in the end we were all ready to go. We rode in a paddleboat, watched a guy pretend to shove a tic tac in his eye...! Held a giant wooden sword, and the kids threw fruit and veggie styled sponges of cold water on my head as I was locked up in the "stocks". Mom and Dad watched the kids in the evening and we enjoyed going to our Ward Temple night in Saratoga Springs.

August 17, 2025

This week was back to school! We kicked it off with "Back to school night" on Monday and then Hinckley had a 7th-grade only day at Lehi Jr Tuesday. Wednesday everyone began and overall it was a success. Desmond has been getting a new tooth in and was really clingy/sad for much of this week but seems to be turning a corner. He was extra lonely at home without the kids when they left to school and cried each time they left. Kassie's parents came over on Friday to have a final dinner and games as they are starting to pack up to return to CO. It's be great to be so close to them during this time. 

First day of school

Desmond gets another hair cut

On Saturday Kassie and I had an anniversary date at Sundance and rode a tandem bike up Provo Canyon. We had an amazing time eating Nachos in the shack by Bishop's Bowl and then hiking back down with a small stop at Stewart Falls. Riding on the back of a tandem bike is up there for me of most scary/thrilling/fun things ever. I nearly lost my marbles during the experience and we were both laughing so hard that we had tears streaming down our faces...unfortunately we couldn't take our hands off the handlebars to clear them off because we were both too terrified we'd crash. The kids enjoyed playing at the Kays during that time, and then Addie had a very fun sleepover with Kate and Sadie and they put together some amazing dance choreography moves! 

The Demon Hunters

Over Bishop's Bowl

Ready to hike down (UT valley in background)

Tandem bike riding

Nachos at Sundance (with hummingbirds)

Earlier today I gave a talk in church about Sanctification which went pretty well. We hope it's a happy birthday for Kate and Annie and that R&N had a great anniversary.  

August 10, 2025

Addie turned 10 years old this week! She had a fun time with friends and cousins at a Harry Potter escape room on Saturday followed by cake and mint chocolate ice cream at home with pizza for dinner. She had a blast and appreciated all the well-wishes that were sent. The day before we went to Lagoon - Kassie's parents stayed at home with Desmond. We had a lot of fun going down roller coasters and other rides. Hinckley and Greyson wanted to do the scariest ones and I found myself becoming a roller-coaster lover by the end. Addie plucked up some courage to try a few roller coasters but found her true home on a small coaster that she did close to 20 times (many times with Greyson at her side). It was a pretty magical day. 

Addie and Mom at 10 years old

Harry Potter escape room

Chocolate pancakes in bed

Desmond has started walking full time and enjoys his new freedom stumbling around looking for things to disassemble. He loves pushing things - including ice coolers, boxes, pots filled with napkins, etc. He loves making an "amen" type noise at the end of prayers and laughs each time that happens. He's quite the fellow! 

Lagoon

Hinckley and Greyson at Lagoon

Ready for the Terror Ride again

Cannibal

Cooling off

Pushing around pots and napkins

Admiring neighbor's garden statues

We are all gearing up for school to start this week and the kids are in varying levels of excitement and nervousness. It's a bit like "new years" in that we are turning over the summer time leaf and revving up new routines and goals and such. Kassie has accepted a new job as a medical assistant that starts in a week. She is very excited to be working in a doctor's office and will get a lot of face time with the doctor and other PAs which will be really good experience.