Boys to Men

No, I am not referring to some lame boy band. I am talking about our young boys going on their first backpacking trip with the men. Just about every year for the last 8 or so years me and my brothers (Marie's brothers and my brother) get together for a backpacking extravaganza which Rhett organizes. This year however was a special one. We had 4 first timers, 3 of which are our oldest boys. They are Tanner (mine), Cameron (Rhetts), Parker (Jesses) and Issac (Ryans).
It was quite the experience having them there for the first time. Not only get them introduced to camping in a way that encourages them to want to do it again, but also to get used to having to think about taking care of someone other than yourself. The boys mostly handled the weekend well. We had a few snags and setback but nothing worth ruining the trip over.
It will be fun next year to be able to load them up with more equipment!

Good friends are hard to find, especially in Rome

f/3.2 @ 1/60 sec, ISO 800, 70mm

This is my best friend Sean. We became friends while serving missions for the LDS church in Guatemala. You are probably thinking that calling someone your best friend seems rather juvenile, but the truth is, I wouldn't call him anything else. We have been like brothers practically since the day we met. His kids even call me Uncle Brett.
Right about now Sean is arriving in Rome where he will spend the next 5 weeks working on projects for his Masters Degree in Fine Arts. What an exciting opportunity he has to expand his vision and knowledge in such a visually rich place. I am grateful for the internet and how small it makes the world. Being able to talk with him via email and applications like Skype make it feel like he is close to home.
Yup, my best friend Sean.

A Chosen Land?

1/500 @ f8 ISO 400, 70mm

Well it has been some time since I have written on my blog. When I spoke last I mentioned a trip we were taking to Bermuda. Well, we had a great time and I took lots of awesome photos. The one here was taken early in the morning as we approached Bermuda. I think it speaks for itself.