Shoot It

 Benton, 6 years old, playing in the Little Lobos Basketball Tournament. 

He's been shooting it since he was in diapers.

His first words were, "shoot it."

This boy loves the game.

His uncle Robert made a basketball and hoop for Benton using a garbage can and a tennis ball once to appease this little man when he was a baby.

When at church, during Sacrament meeting, he would wad up paper balls and throw them into a hoop made from my thumb and forefinger (the OK sign).

Benton would draw a basket ball hoop, cut it out and hang it from his bedroom door. 

Every birthday he asks for a new ball and basket.

When he was an infant he would cry while in the car unless he was holding a ball. We once, while traveling, had to stop our caravan of family to see if anyone had a ball in their car that Benton could hold so we could have a pleasant trip home. 

 Every year my mom buys my children Christmas dresses/ties. This year did not disappoint.

 Adalyn, my tiny ballerina. 3 years old.

 Brody and Ada

 Daddy and Brody

 Every afternoon Benton drives to Grandma's house to read with her. He loves his little truck and Ada loves going for rides with him, so does our little Chihuahua dog, Bitty. 

 This is what early morning scriptures and prayers looks like. My four little bobble heads. 

 The hands of a toddler.

 Happy Broday- 6 months

 Alex's style

 Brody- 6 months

 Bryson and Brody- 4 moths

 Last summer we had the boys together for 10 days. Everyday was a new adventure.

Benton, Jayden, Kolby

 Ballet 2013

Tori and Alex

 Benton always seems to injure himself. Today it was his finger and a pencil sharpener.
Benton is our little gentleman. He always gets the doors for me and his sisters and tells us, "ladies first."

 My little Tori is growing up so fast! An official Tween now.

 Summer fun at the Neilsen's pool. 

Alex, Benton, Tori and Ada

 Mommy and Brody during church. 4 months old.

 Benton's first day of Kindergarten.

 Brody

Adam Hatch

Our cousin and next door neighbor drowned on Mexico Independence day while kayaking with his brothers down the river in town. I had the honor to help prepare him for the viewing and Garrett was asked to dress him. It was the last act of service that I was able to perform for this member of our family. I am forever changed.

father of 4. friend to all. outdoors-men. fisher. camping expert. ice cream connoisseur. chef. generous. hair stylist. high adventure coordinator. million dollar smile. gardener. cement contractor. house renovator. world traveler. family man.

You will be greatly missed. Until we meet again.

Oh Canada

We finally got around to taking our kids up North this summer. It was amazing to take my kids back to my roots. We had a fabulous time. We got to waterski, jet ski, hike, bike, swim, eat, visit, play games, laugh, play tennis, and enjoy being together as a family!

 We hiked Bear's Hump as a family.

 All the kids did great. After the hike we laid down for a nap and my mom woke up with a blood clot that she could feel traveling up her leg. She was in immense pain and couldn't walk. She requested a priesthood blessing from Garrett, Dave and Rock then was rushed to the hospital. My mom was administered a shot and tested borderline positive for a blood clot. She was sent home until the morning where she would be given an ultra sound. There were no traces of the blood clot the next morning. It was a miracle!

 The first morning in Waterton my niece Sydney was baptized in the freezing cold glacier water at Waterton Lake. It was an incredible baptism that we will never forget.

 My kids loved the small town and being able to walk or ride their bikes everywhere. Their favorite was the candy store and ice cream shop.

 We hiked at Red Rock and then played in the water. The rocks are smooth enough to slide down if you can stand the ice cold water. We saw 4 bears on the way home from Red Rock, including a Grizzly and a Black Bear and her cub.

 We started our trip in Montana at Uncle Larry and Aunt Flora's beautiful cabin. We spent every morning on the lake skiing and boating and swimming. The water was warm and the most beautiful turquoise color. 

 One afternoon I took my girls to High Tea at the Prince of Wales.

 Christine, Janelle, Louisa, Rachel and BarbaraJo

Sisters together again.

 All of the Matheny grandchildren (minus 1).

 Alex, Grandpa Dave and Grandma Laurel

 Renting sureys was always a childhood favorite. It was fun to take my girls.

 One quick pit stop to see the World's Largest Truck.

 9 of the 10 grandchildren.

 Red Rock

 Christine Hull, Louisa Matheny, BarbaraJo Hatch

 High Tea at the Prince of Wales

 The Prince of Wales.

 The view in Montana from our bedroom window.

 Tea Time with my girls.

 Canadian Wildlife.

 Grandma Laurel and Baby Brody

Montana fun!

 Garrett and Brody in Montana on the porch. 

 Every morning Tori and Alex would go Kayaking in the warm lake in Montana.

 Benton and Weston were fast friends and little buddies the whole trip.

 The boys...Benton, Weston Hull and Lincoln Hull

 Hadley Nelson and Adalyn Hatch

Terrible Twos X 2.