Kalahari Resort

Great Wolf Lodge

Christmas Morning

Christmas Eve Gift Exchange

Simplx Door Decorating Contest

Simplx Office Education Day...

Cindy's Diner

All Aboard the Polar Express

Cookie Decorating with Great Aunt Marion

Christmas Cookie Decorating

Skatin' Station

The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe

Simplx Girl's Night at Country Kitchen

Routsong Christmas Card 2021

Garrett High School Concert Band

Cub Scouts Food Adventures

Five Guys

Simplx Christmas Party

Garrett High School Pep Band

Black Friday Ice Skating

Thanksgiving 2021

Fort Wayne Light the Night

Marching Band Banquet 2021

Jaxton's Birthday Party

Two Front Teeth

Family Photo Shoot

Cub Scout Camp-In

Dawson's Besties

Date Night with Little Nathan

Happy Birthday Jaxton

Oak Farm Fun

Cub Scouts at Kate's Kart

Designing Shirts

Owen's Birthday Party

Crazy Indiana Skies

Oak Farm Cheerleading

Oak Farm Basketball

Happy Birthday Owen!

Owen looks like Grandpa...

Green Eggs....

Daddy's Birthday

Mohalks?

Best Buddies

Morning Drive in the Sunrise

Learning to Read

El Dia de Los Muertos

2932 E. Waits Road

Halloween Season 2021

Grandma Sue

Intense Chess

Simplx Tech Retreat 2021

Making Applesauce

Simplx Cares: Making Strides against Breast Cancer

Lexy comes to visit

Sweetwater Sound

The Haunted Castle

Apple Picking at Cook's Orchard

Pumpkins for Halloween

Cross Country 2021 Awards

Dawson & his Hood

Fall in the Backyard

Sunday Family Traditions

Chartrouse

School Happenings

Fall Hiking

Oak Farm Fall Festival

Tiger Cub Scouts

See Hear Now Festival - Asbury Park, NJ

Life Eagle Scout

Kaylee & the Girls

Nathan's Soccer Team

Oak Farm High School Trip

Cracker Day

Nate & Tara Date Nights

Simplx Cares: Project 216

Auburn Deusenberg Auto Show

Kate & Brioni

Middle School Trip

Garrett High School Marching Band

Cross Country Season 2021

First Day of School 2021

Big Brothers & Big Sisters

Summertime at the Park

Mount Timpanogos Hike

 We did it!  We climbed to the top of Mount Timpanogos.  We literally climbed up the mountain with hands and feet up the sides of the cliffs.  It was the most insane thing I think I've ever done.  It was likely one of the most treacherous and physically intense things I have ever done.  It was something that engulfed almost every emotion and feeling and body sensation all at the same time.  There were feelings of joy, exhaustion, fear, anxiety, happiness, freedom, and everything in between.  Words and photos cannot describe the experience.  One must have the experience to fully grasp an understanding of what we just did.  

We were not sure what to expect from this hike.  We read reviews and did some research and even that did not prepare us well for the trip.  We packed backpacking gear, including sleeping bags, tents, cooking supplies, trail food etc.  Some of us had packs, and some just wore backpacks.  We were able to take Becky's Second Nature pack that she used in the wilderness for several months.  It was sentimental as I imagined everything she owned in that pack on her back traveling, hiking and sleeping outside.  What an experience that would have been.  I so wish there were journals of her experience that were left behind.  

We traveled uphill for 6 miles.  The whole thing was up.  It was hard.  We had to stop and rest often and drink water.  We passed one giant waterfall about a mile from the bottom.  After that there were no other sources of water until we reached Emerald Lake at mile 6.  Some struggled with backpacking gear quite a bit, carrying weight uphill constantly.  We rearranged packs and items and supported one another through the experience.  We got to the Hidden Lakes, a mud pit that the kids went wading in and used the green mud as war paint.  Once we realized that this was not our destination, we were glad.  We hiked one more mile to Emerald Lake which was a beautiful destination.  We camped our tents on the raised grass in the middle of the lake and enjoyed the beautiful view of the Mount Timpanogos all around us.  The lake was clear, beautiful water, very cold.  Some kids took a dip and cooled down from the treacherous hike.  We had water to filter and fill our water bottles and cook our Cup'O Noodles with.  We explored the area, tried out fishing using a hiking stick and fishing line with pepperoni as bait.  Dillon, Jaxton & Cameron slept under the stars up near the hiking shelter.  They said the stars were incredible in the night and there were some night hikers that came around while they were up there.  Cooper, Amanda & Spencer slept in a tent.  Summer & Blair had their tent, and Nate, me and Gramps had the other tent.  It was a cold night and windy.  Knowing we wouldn't sleep an ounce helped to not be discouraged by a rough night's sleep.  

The  next morning we arose around 6am to hike the last stretch to the summit of Mount Timp.  We were told this would be about a 2 hour hike.  We hiked around the mountain and up to the saddle.  Some of the trails were literally straight up the mountain to the saddle and we had to use hands and feet to climb up the loose rocks.  I was always terrified we would begin an avalanche of rocks.  At the summit there were 2 mountain goats headed our way.  We were not sure whether they were nice or not.  I was good at this point to stay at the saddle.  As I looked ahead to the hikers ahead of us, I saw that they were literally walking on the ridges of the rocky peak.  If they lost footing, they'd fall 11,000 feet down.  It was that far down!  I began to have some anxiety about walking along the ridges of the rocky peak.  How could this possibly be safe and how could it possibly be even allowed as a thing to do?  Everyone began walking away from those mountain goats and so I followed.  The trail was wider than it looked from afar, and as you keep your body angled toward the mountain, it wasn't a terrible trail.  But you just couldn't look down because it could throw you off balance and you'd be gone.  

As we approached the rocky peak, the trail got worse.  There were small switchbacks going straight up the ridges of the rocky peak.  So as you switched back, you literally had to use your hands and feet to climb to the next ridge.  There were 6 or 7 of these switchbacks that we are literally climbing at 11,000 feet with no rope or anything secured to us.  It was purely at our own risk.  It was so insane.  We got over the peak which led to the next trail to the top peak and we stopped for a break.  The sun was shining through this ridge and we paused to reflect.  I was terrified.  Some of the kids were terrified.  There were tears here at this ridge realizing the intensity of what we had just done.  How had we survived that?  How would we ever get down?  What if someone lost their footing.  We would need a helicopter.  I was done at this point.  I was emotional.  Spencer was done.  He was frightened.  Grandpa did not remember any of this from his previous hikes 30 years ago.  This was literal insanity.  We all had an emotional moment there at the ridge.  The summit shelter was on ahead straight in our view.  Would we continue?  Would we be done?  What should we do?  It could mean life or death.  Grandpa and Spencer decided to stay put there on the ridge in the sunshine.  They watched some mountain goats come not 10 feet from their place 11,000 feet up.  What an incredible thing!

The rest of us trudged on, and thankfully the trail became less intense as the rocky ridge had been.  It was more doable, but we still avoided looking down or loosing any footing.  We climbed with hands and feet to the tip of the summit where we were able to step into the metal shelter constructed at the tip top.  We had made it.  We all were freezing cold up there, shaking with fear and chill, anxious as ever, fear and anxiety and joy and exhaustion and every emotion in between.  It was an exhilarating moment. 

The way back down was better, not quite as scary, but there was always the worry about loosing your footing.  The hike back down to Emerald Lake felt longer than the way up.  We were exhausted beyond measure after that, both physically and mentally and emotionally and had to lay down and decompress.  After a bit, we got some coffee, ate some snacks, filtered some water, packed everything up and prepared for the trip down the mountain.  The trip down was quicker, less tiresome and downhill.  It used different muscle groups and footings than going up.  Stepping downhill on loose uneven rocks does a number to ones' feet.  We finally got down and felt amazed at the accomplishment that we had just done.  Something unforgettable and memorable.  A feat we never imagined we'd do.  In fact, if we had known how treacherous the experience would be, we may have declined going at all.  But I am so glad we did it.  We accomplished something absolutely amazing and incredible.  I will never look at a mountain the same again.  I have a new perspective of those ridges around a mountain peak and I am grateful for the experience.  

Utah Trip with Bigs

Swim Team 2021

 Club North Point Swim Team has been such a great experience this summer.  All 6 kids participated on the team.  Owen was old enough to be on the Prep Team.  Every kid had different goals and different experiences this summer and it was neat to see that.  Jaxton was hesitant to join, but it was a great form of exercise all summer and he really enjoyed the practices.  His award at the end of the season was the "Practice Award" because he practiced hard, worked hard, enjoyed the practices and never really complained.  Cooper's goals were speed.  He tried to beat his own personal records and he even went to the city meet to compete.  He was awarded the Lane 6 Squad award with his lane 6 buddies, and the Kaylee's goals were form and having fun.  She has amazing form that was perfected all the more this summer and she made some new friends and had a lot of fun. She also competed at the city meet. She got the Quiet Achiever Award because she quietly achieved great goals.   Dawson's goals were to have fun.  There were some mornings that he woke late or was not in the mood to swim, and nothing could change his mind (besides a popcicle).  Other days, he was the first in the pool and having the time of his life.  He did his first meet this summer and it was fun to see him try to beat his peers across the pool as he kept looking up and over to check who was winning all the way across the pool.  He also lived for those buddy gifts from his swimming buddy!  Dawson won the "Best Eyelashes" & "Best Breastroke" Awards.  Everyone would die over his long black eyelashes.  Nathan also went for the fun of it.  He loves swimming and he loves being on the team.  He can get all the way across the pool on his own and did his first ever meet this year.  He won the "Tiny But Mighty Award" because that describes him perfectly.  

Owen somewhat enjoyed Prep Team but tended to get cold a lot and disliked that.  He wanted to swim and dive for toys faster than the other kids in his group.  But he loved his Coach Macy and made sure to get her gifts on Buddy Days.  He won the "Best Goggles Award" because his goggles were hilarious and he loved them.  

Swim Buddies:

Jaxton -------> Claire

Cooper-------> Zoe

Kaylee ------> Kelsey

Dawson -----> Chloe

Nathan ------> Will (same as last year.  His idol)

Owen -------> Coach Macy

Swim was a great experience for all. 

Cooper at Work

 Cooper got a summer job at Simplx as an inventory assistant to our inventory manager, Kurt.  He worked every day from 11am-2pm, sometimes longer.  He became the receiving expert and would receive any shipments that came in.  He would check the order against the purchase order, label all parts and shelve everything.  Some days he had a couple boxes, other days he literally had 20 + boxes.  He was a busy bee.  A few days he got to help out the Fire Team with Felix.  He helped recharge some extinguishers and learned how that process worked.  He says that Felix is an amazing teacher and looked up to him a lot.  Good effort Cooper!  He will be training the new intern next week, before school starts, to take his place.  He certainly set a standard of hard work this summer.  

Simplx at the Tin Caps

 Our Simplx summer party was held at the Tin Caps field for an evening game on Saturday night.  We rented out the Treetops section for our group and invited families to join us.  It was a great party with all of our employees and their families.  Everyone was able to eat great food, have great drinks, enjoy some great raffle prizes and cheer on the local Fort Wayne Tip Caps baseball.  There were fireworks at the end of the evening and a great run around the bases after that.  Adults and children alike ran around those bases like a baseball player.  It was great fun!  It was a lot of fun to see our employees outside of the work environment and with the people they love the most.  Successful summer party - Check!

Happy 17th Anniversary to Us

 Nate and I spent our 17th Anniversary in downtown Indianapolis.  We decided to stay downtown near the rivers and spend some time biking the river trails. It was the most beautiful day and biking was just so much fun.  We traveled along the canals and got to feel like we were in Europe!  We also visited the Indiana History Museum and could have spent 3 days there.  It was so fun to learn but overwhelming to take in everything that was offered there.  We hope to go back again to glean more from the beautiful museum.  We had lunch there on the canal, took a nap in the grass together under a giant tree at the park and we also hit up IKEA while we were in town.  A quick weekend getaway to celebrate us!!

Order of the Arrow

 Jaxton was nominated by his Boy Scout Troop for the Order of the Arrow.  This means he had to attend the "Ordeal" and be initiated into the Order.  This was a unique experience for him.  He had to pack well and sleep under the stars for his initiation.  Then he spent a whole day of manual labor helping beautify the camp.  He was awarded, along with the other nominees, an arrow sash as a new member of the Order of the Arrow.  Congrats Jax!!

Cub Scout Shooting Skills

 We joined some friends for a Cub Scout Day Camp program where all the kids were able to participate in some shooting sports, crafts and activities.  The highlight were the sling shots and BB guns.  Owen's face says it all as he is trying to aim and shoot!  Kaylee loved shooting also.  It was great fun for the whole family!!

Bike Ride

 Kaylee and I took a bike ride on the Pufferbelly Trail.  We both enjoy riding and hope to ride many trails this summer and take advantage of the beauty of our city.  Love you Kay!

Father's Day 2021

Happy Father's Day to our hero!  We celebrated Father's Day this year by heading to the Parkview Park to open up Dad's gifts and play together.  Then we headed to get some ice cream.  We love Dad so much!!  Kaylee worked hard on a project to create Dad out of paper.  She clearly put tons of thought into it.  And we got him a blanket with all the kids names on it.  Fun day!  We love you so much Dad!!

Indianapolis Getaway

 We wanted to see off Austin Gregory, our nephew, for his mission to Chile.  He is doing online MTC for 6 weeks and then heading to Chile after that.  His MTC time begins on Tuesday, so his family had a farewell for him this Saturday.  We took the weekend and decided to stay in downtown Indianapolis with the kids and with Melissa, John & Jace, and Grandma & Grandpa.  It was a super fun overnight trip with great dinner and breakfast and fun with family.  We spent the morning on Sunday exploring the Downtown Circle Center and the Courthouse and down by the canals.  

Austin is excited and ready for this adventure!  We wish him all the best as he enters the next couple years of his life story!

Strawberry Picking Tradition

 The Strawberry Picking Tradition continues on this year.  The Stuckey family and ours filled many buckets full of strawberries.  Many berries were squashed, stepped on, juiced and tasted amongst filling buckets.  Leila, Jude & Lucy came with their mom Emily.  This has become a tradition to go picking with the Stuckey's.  Nathan dislikes gardens; so he became our photographer.  He did a great job!!  

After work today, we got busy making jam.  We used pectin and calcium water to thicken the jam and filled 22 jars of all sizes!!  Each kid helped in one way or another and we knocked it all out in a couple of hours.  We had slicing the green off, mashing & blending, mixing ingredients like lemon juice and sugar.  Boiling pectin water and blending.  Mixing in the calcium water.  Putting jam in jars and placing on lids.  This will all be freezer jam.  Thanks kiddos for keeping up with the tradition!

Order of the Arrow

 Jaxton was nominated by his Boy Scout Troop to become a member of the Order of the Arrow.  He attended an initiation campout and had to sleep under the starts and do a full day of manual labor for a service project.  He is a couple weeks away from earning his Life Badge, which means he likely has less than a year before he has his Eagle.  Way to go, Jax!

Utah with the Littles - Day 7

 A bittersweet time, to leave Utah and head home.  I am ready to get back to routine and to my own house and schedule and bed.  At the same time, there is just not enough time in the day and in this trip to build relationships and connect deeply.  It was a whirlwind of a trip with lots of fun exciting things planned.  I wish the distance was not so far.  I am going to make a better effort to keep in touch with my family and with Summer.  Can't wait for the next trip out here with the Big Kids in August!