Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Cyberworld vs. Real World 1-0


I hate junk mail.

Okay, not the most upbeat way to start a blog post, but I really, really hate junk mail. And it's not really the mail itself that bugs me so much as the IDEA of the junk mail. I just hate being forced into something that I have no control over. Think about it:

1) You don't have a choice whether or not to receive junk mail.
2) Once it's in your box, it's your responsibility to take care of it.
3) There's no way to stop it from coming. (For all of you out there about to send me links to the sites that are supposed to take your name off of the "lists" -- give it a shot and get back to me if you were more successful than I was...)

This used to be a problem with email, too. Then Google came along. Oh, blessed Gmail. How I love thy spam filtering ways...

No wonder people don't use real mail anymore. Is it any wonder the post office has to raise the price of stamps every 3 weeks?

Okay, soapbox rant completed. I feel much better, thank you.

Monday, August 06, 2007

Saturday, July 28, 2007

I've hesitated posting the last couple of days because of Mel and Robby's tragic news...it seemed kind of mundane. But really, isn't this what it's all about..enjoying the moments allotted to us? Epecially the ones involving family. The following is our little family vacation...back to Utah and Idaho we went - for the SWENsational Family Reunion!



The Dildine Boys - Ryan, 3; Danny, 7; Nathan, 8 (almost 9!)


Ryan with Aunt Natalie




Natalie and Brian in front of the Idaho Falls Temple where both our parents got married!


Sunday, July 29, 2007

The Idaho Falls Sand Dunes
Wes' first experience with sand... He seemed to enjoy it just fine!

Grandma-Great Swensen, Wes, and Natalie just relaxing.




The Traditional Sand Dunes Cousins Pic - with a little bit of sillyness.
Jennie Dildine, David Swensen, Angie Ward, Natalie Hanks, Andrea Erickson, JoLinn Meyer, Lindsay Bradshaw, Lauren Bradshaw, Carter Bradshaw, and Alli Wilkins


Monday, July 30, 2007

Heise Hot Springs (in 100 degree weather, no less) and FHE
Wes' first swimming experience! He didn't like it as well as his bath...probably because it was a little colder than he was used to.


Ryan and Mike sitting in the river outside of the Hot Springs.




The awards for the adults for all their hard work!
Uncle Kirk (Mr. Congeniality), Grandpa-Great Swensen (Keep Smilin'), Grandma-Great Swensen (Taking Care of Business - with some funny glasses), Dad Swensen (Magnanimous Mastermind), Mom Swensen (Best Actress in a Supporting Role), Uncle Linden (Awesome Archivist), Aunt Jenny (Jenny and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamshirts), Uncle Joe (Drinkmiester), Aunt Gaylinn (Chef Extraordinaire)
(Thanks Angie!)


Brian and Wes with his first display of patriotism holding the American flag pinwheel.




Tuesday, July 31, 2007

The last day of the SWENsational Family Reunion...
Natalie, Angie, Jennie, Mom - my favorite ladies!
These 2 pictures were taken near midnight, I think, so it was late Monday night, early Tuesday morning.
Great minds...we all had very similar flip-flops so we had to document it! (Girls, I know.)

Wes taking a nap in his Pack 'n' Play...one of few good naps he got! Poor kid!
Mitchell Ward (14 months) with Uncle Brian
Yellowstone Bear World - yep, I took this picture from the car.
A bear taking a dip!
Those cars belong to my bro-in-law's fam (Brian was in that car) and my Uncle's fam...Mike was doing his best to get the bear to jump on the car without getting in trouble from the park officials. Unfortunately for him, no such luck.

"Wildlife" at Bear World


Saying goodbye to the Swensen fam in the Rexburg Wal-Mart parking lot. Wes with Grandma Swensen.


Wes with Grandpa Swensen

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

To the St. Anthony Farm to stay with the Grandparents Hanks

Wes napping on Grandma-Great Hanks' chair.


Wes hanging with his Grandpa-Great Hanks.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Back to Kaysville and down to Provo to visit the Smith Grandparents (not sure how we didn't get pics of the Hanks Grandparents!)
Wes with strong Grandpa-Great Smith - he was lifting Wes over his head!


Wes and Grandma-Great Smith.
We sure had a great vacation! We love our family and friends and are so grateful for them! Sorry we don't get to see you more often!