Into The Wild

Nate and I had a great time camping last weekend. It wasn't very far away, but was still really nice to spend a night in the outdoors. We then followed that up with a hike up and around our campsite for some panoramic views, and then along a stream to a waterfall. The deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) were everywhere so we had to stay vigilant, but fortunately we seem to have prevented any burrowing. Here are some pictures of our night in Boulder Canyon:

Setting up the campsite on Friday night.

A distant picture of our secluded campsite. The boys are setting up their tents in the background.

What 12-13 year old boy doesn't like playing with fire?

Picture from my chair in the morning while warming up by the fire.

While we were supposed to be preparing breakfast, Nate and his friend, Noah, went up one of the peaks behind our campsite. Here is the zoomed-in picture.

This is pretty much what it looked like from where I was. See them up there?

While walking around in the morning, Nate wasn't paying attention and was attacked by a tree. It wouldn't be camping without the reminders to respect the wild.

Looking west after climbing up one of the many peaks we just had to hike up after breakfast.

Looking south.

Nate was a ringleader for the boys. He led them from one peak to the next.

The rocky piles were just high enough to get a good workout, then to catch your breath and enjoy the view before heading off for the next peak.

Nate is wearing the red shirt.

We followed this stream to see where it would take us.

We found this waterfall, but would have been even better if this tree hadn't fallen and messed up the picture a little. ; )

Nate climbed to the base of the waterfall to see if it was true that all waterfalls had caves behind them as they do in the movies.

Happy Mother's Day!!

This is a late post, but we still wanted to put a picture up on our blog of the best mom in the world! Fortunately, the cake the boys and I made didn't kill her. Thanks for being so great in every way!

Love,
Brian, Austin, Nathan, Leo, and Tony

Info about Nate

Nate sent me an email recently that he wanted me to fill out. I thought it was a great snapshot of his current life and thought I would post it here:

Six names you go by:

1 Nathan

2. Nate

3. Dude

4. Wally

5. Natie

6. Garrett

Three things you are wearing right now:

1. Pele jersey

2. Jeans

3. Underarmor

Two things you want very badly at the moment:

1. School to be over

2. To not be sick

Three People who will fill this out

1. Aj

2. Dad

3. Sonny

Two things you did last night:

1. Play video games

2. Watch tv

Two things you ate today:

1. Cake

2. Pizza

Two people you last talked to on the phone:

1. Aj

2. Dad

Two things you are going to do tomorrow:

1. Go to church

2. Work on the garden

Your favorite beverages

1. Italian soda

2. Dr pepper


My (Brian) comments are:

Six names you go by:

1 Brian

2. B

3. Dad

4. Bro

5. Tunquist

6. BT

Three things you are wearing right now:

1. Colorado Rockies baseball T-shirt

2. Nike Sweat pants

3. black socks

Two things you want very badly at the moment:

1. Sleep

2. to be in Hawaii already

Three People who will fill this out

1. AJ

2. Lisa

3. Grandpa

Two things you did last night:

1. shopping

2. Watch tv

Two things you ate today:

1. Chimichanga

2. cake

Two people you last talked to on the phone:

1. grandparents

2. Dad

Two things you are going to do tomorrow:

1. Go to work

2. Hang out with family

Your favorite beverages

1. Cherry Coke Zero

2. Milkshakes (preferably fruit ones)

We'll try to get Austin and Lisa to fill this out next....

Happy Birthday Austin!!

15?! Already?!!! We had a great time celebrating Austin's birthday this past week. Lisa did a great job on a 4-layer chocolate cake with fresh strawberries and strawberry frosting. It was really good! Austin continues to make us proud at school, sports, and is now working hard to become a lifeguard. Looks like he will be nice and tan when we go to Hawaii in July. Below is a picture of one of the things we gave him for his birthday.


It is a sturdy wall-mounted basketball hoop that we put a UNC tarheels sticker on to match his recently painted UNC colored room. It is a lot of fun to play horse in there now, and really works well since he has such a high ceiling. Now he looks forward to driving!! We love you Austin!