I'm sorry - we really miss BW3's

Before we begin - this is my Grandpa Sullivan's farm land that is now being developed. It's been a long time coming as my Grandma has been trying to get rid of it for a reasonable price for a decade now. It's bitter-sweet watching the farm structures come down, but we're excited that it will be more than a scavengers' and photographers' paradise.

Lauri and Co. moved to Henderson, NV on Friday and that's all she needed to say. We had two cars full of volunteer movers, including my brothers and two older kids (Seth would've come if we let him). Why so eager to assist in the move? She is relocating to within less than 2 miles from a B-Dubs!

Lauri has the picture of us actually doing the moving - or at least finished up moving. It took us exactly 17 minutes to completely empty the trailer and only 4 more minutes to assemble their bed.

We put down 100 traditional wings - not to mention chips and salsa, buffalo chips, and celery and bleu cheese.

My lips required a coat of bleu cheese lip balm to cool them off.

Finally - the kids did well with their lemonade stand. They sold the leftovers from Erika's baby shower. $18 split three ways - not too shabby for an hour.

Boring - but done.

Memorial Day Weekend

We are all very excited to know that Mom is not going home by herself anymore.

It was a wonderful occasion to gather as a family in support of our Mother's happiness, and we all are so excited that Mom and Randy have found each other. So here's to another phase of life - one with less loneliness!

Randy should've been in this one, but I like it, so I include it anyway.

This is pre-wedding dinner preparations...Mason tossing the salad.

A long held Wells family tradition - sliding down the stairs at the cabin in Pine Valley.

The rest of the weekend was spent catching things...

like one fish. We think that there is only one fish in the Gardner's pond, because we caught it once and never bit again (we also lost a lot of Papa Judd's lures)

We even got our hands on a couple snakes.

We put in some early morning work in the garden. Shana and Laynee planting the onions...

Seth, Drew, and myself planting the spuds.

The McArthurs hung out with us and even took the kids for a spin on their 4 wheeler.

Looking good Laynee.

And finally, remembering why we celebrate Memorial Day. We spent time in the Pine Valley grave yard cleaning up the grave sites of loved ones. No, they didn't necessarily serve in the armed forces, but we do appreciate all those who have and currently do serve our country in uniform. Thank you.

Jack at Grandma Effie's headstone. We all worked hard pulling weeds and grooming the grounds with shovels, rakes, and...

...me and my ho(e).

Veyo y'all

I was not at all disappointed when I heard that our ward reserves the Veyo pool and campground for Father and Sons outing. What made it even sweeter was the fact that the food was just like I remember from my childhood. They have replaced the "...notice there is no 'p' in our pool - lets keep it that way" sign with the one below, which I equally enjoy.

First things first - the crawdad harvest. Some people use hot dogs, others - cups or buckets, but only the tough guys use their bare hands. They got boiled and eaten later that evening.

Off to the pool. Sadly, there is no longer the two slides, nor the diving board, but with our increasingly litigious society - I can't blame them. Interestingly, Veyo pool is a natural spring. The pool is completely drained and filled on a daily basis. It takes about 45 minutes to drain, and 9-10 hours to fill (my sources tell me).

This is where I ordered a pronto pup when I was young, and with the exception of a new awning, it looked the same.

Remember how happy Drew was last week just to set up our new tent - I felt the same way as I sat down with my boys to eat these world class Pronto pups. They were delicious and I plan on returning.

I had to take some pics of the facilities just because it hasn't changed.

Boys locker room

I don't think the Mothers and daughters necessarily care what the Fathers and Sons do at our annual outing, but if you were wondering - it's pretty much a course in pyromania. Watch things burn and melt.

Bishop provided the smores, and Jack said, "Thank you, may I have another."

Completely oblivious to the fact that he's covered in mallow.

And this is what Father and Sons looks like in the morning.

Right back at the fire - no joke. Boys love fire.

Fact or Opinion

It's the name of a game we made up on long road trips back in KY. I would make a statement such as, "Ice cream tastes good," and the kids would have to decide if it was a FACT or OPINION. Get it? Here we go. Baseball is a sport. (Fact) Soccer is a sport. (Fact) Baseball is a better sport than soccer. (and it's at this point that I would have to explain to the kids that even though you may completely agree with the statement, it doesn't necessarily mean it is a fact - nevertheless and in this case, opinion) Waiting in oppressive mid-day heat for hours to watch your son run one race at a district track meet (and hoping they come in 3rd or worse so there is no possible way for them to advance to the next track meet in Richfield, UT) is worse than watching a soccer game end in a tie. (FACT! Hard to imagine, but still a Fact)

I've mentioned in previous posts that I am an Eagle Scout. For the most parts, I loved scouts. Sure, I faked sick at the Klondike Derby so I didn't have to take part in all the silly snow games. No, I don't remember any knots other than the square, clove hitch, and granny. Yes, I pretty much bagged scouting altogether once I received my Eagle 3 months after my 13th birthday - but I'm not against camping. We just haven't made it much of a priority for the past 15 years. So you can imagine the joy in my boys eyes when we brought this tent home today in preparation for Fathers and Sons outing next week.

Drew's exact words were, "I'm so happy right now!"

We were just going to set it up in the house, but they insisted on sleeping out back. As I tucked Jack in, he asked what if there's a tornado. I told him that the forecast was clear for tonight, but there might be coyotes.

And a quick ode to the Mothers in my life. This is a metaphor of our relationship. My family needs someone who will take the bull by the horns. Love you Shana

Love you Mom - I'm happy. I think we all are.

My awesome Grandma Sullivan - amazing woman.

Best Mother-in-law I could ever have hoped for.

I Slept Through the Kentucky Derby

You'd think after spending 9 years in Kentucky, I'd be a little more excited, or at the very least knowledgeable, about the "most exciting 2 minutes in sports." You'd think. The fact of the matter is that for the 9 years we lived in Kentucky we were students...not starving, but you get the idea. The derby is a ritzy shindig, and I was never invited...so when the opportunity presented itself to take a snooze - I took it. I was rooting for Gemologist (before I started snoring).

I admire all the participants of the Ironman competition this weekend. Apparently, it was wicked-awful out on the water and many strong athletes had to pull out early. I admire all the preparation, but mostly just wanted to leave town to avoid all the crowds. So I slept through the derby and avoided the Ironman.

Finally, my lineage is not richly laden with hispanic ancestry, and we didn't dare go into town for some good Mexican food due to the crowds - so you could say that we did not celebrate Cinco de Mayo this weekend, either (but my kids apparently took a bubble bath and swam with cousins).

A Jack-Dandy of a Week

Five years ago this past week, we were at Norton Suburban Hospital in Kentucky awaiting the arrival (incision and extraction) of, what we thought for sure would be our baby girl. Similar to his two brothers before him, we chose not to find out the gender of the baby prior to delivery. During the C-Section (of which I have contraband full video documentation) when Dr. Penta said "It's a boy baby," I looked at Shana, wiped away her tear and quietly said, "I'm sorry." Flash forward five years - we're grateful our boy is a boy. He eats like a man...at least a man who likes to eat candy. He's the baby of the family, and still plays the part well. We love little Jack-Jack Spencer Wells.

He's had a big week. Birthday, Captain Jack at preschool, graduation from preschool (Magna Cum Laude), and throw in the usual baseball activities - it makes for a busy week.

These are Jack's colleagues.

We are pleased to announce that following graduation from Dixie College Preschool, Jack has accepted a position to study in kindergarten at Little Valley Elementary.

On other notes, Drew anchored another piano recital. He did great with all three songs. Stumbled a bit in Hava Nagila but gathered himself nicely to finish strong.