Old Firetruck

A couple of summers ago we headed over to grandpa Braniff's. He has here a 1921 Packard Firetruck. It's actually in good shape. Much better shape than the 1942 truck he and Tommy had finished. They even had it running last summer for the 4th of July parade but it locked up. Since then they have figured out what the problem is. Dad may have it going for this July 4th.

That same summer dad had the boys take out an old freezer from the basement. It was ancient. It was a tough job but they got it up those narrow stairs and onto that truck. After they got it out they were all complaining about how heavy it was. Seth asked, "Grandpa, how did you get that into the basement in the first place?" "Well, if I remember right your grandma and I toted it down there." Whatever. This may have been one of the jobs that Seth got paid for too. I think dad sent him a thank you note and a $.01 check.
Todd is in the background doing bunny ears. I AM SHOCKED!

Happy Anniversary Joel and Caitlain

Look at this cute photo. I think this was the senior year Valentine dance. Congratulations to a full year of bliss. They are so great together. We love you Joel and Caitlain.

Old Braniff Photos

I thought I would post some old photos. I hope I can explain them clear enough. This is my dad with his favorite cousin Pud. Pud was 4 days older than dad and always 3 times bigger. Dad said he always felt a little insecure about that until Pud's dad looked dad over one day and said, "he's big enough" and that became his nickname.
This is always shocking to me that cameras were even around on some of these photos. Actually that someone had a camera is probably more shocking. This is a photo of my Grandma Braniff's grandparents, The Swansons. That would make them my great great grandparents on my Grandma Braniff's mothers side.
My Grandma Braniff, Mattie Susan Craig Braniff. She taught Sunday School at the Vale Christian Church forever. I mean forever. There didn't seem to be a release on that calling
My dad is in the front, if you can't tell. He's in Korea.
My Grandma Braniff's father, Grandpa Craig. His wife died when Grandma was 2. He was left with 3 girls. His sister's helped raise the girls. He ran a road construction crew with mule teams. That is how my Grandpa Braniff met Mattie. Grandpa was working for Thomas Craig.
Grandma Braniff taking D'Ann and I to church one Sunday. We went with her many times. I learned some great Sunday School songs. The Mormons should use "Fisher of Men."
This is a photo of Thomas Craig's parents. Pretty rough life.
A photo of my Grandpa Braniff. Very handsome dapper fella. I hope you enjoyed the photos. I was looking for the ones with Dad and his adopted horse. I'll find them.

Swimming Pool Update

Okay, you have requested so therefore I succumb. Here are some photos of the pool progress. It's going slow. This dig was a couple of weeks ago. It's 2.5 feet into the ground.
Now they put up walls that will be 4 feet. They are cement walls. Most pools are steel framed but this one is cement. I went to 6 pools he had put in over the last 10 years. They were very nice.
I tool this photo to show you the walls will be about 1.5 feet above the basketball court. That will be what I was hoping for. After the walls are poured and sit then they come and dig out the deep end. I'll get photos.
If all goes as "Paul the Pool guy" has said it should be 2-3 weeks once they get moving. They are on hold right now because the skimmers arrived and one was broke. He said he could have went to Salt Lake and bought some there but he thinks the skimmers he orders and gets from Tennesse are better.

Here is our mode of transportation on all long drives. Your dad is loving his car. He keeps track of every time he gets gas, how many miles he's driven and therefore the miles per gallon. He certainly has bragging rights. He gets 37-39 mpg. That's pretty nice. The fun story of this past weekend was watching it turn over on 10,000 miles. We watched like kids. He commented, "I've seen plenty of cars turn over 100,000 miles but never one turn over 10,000." Now he has.

If you've checked out Sarah's blog then you will see similar photos. We had a great time in Vegas. What an adorable family. Thanks for treating us so special. We loved being there. I couldn't believe it...it was 96 degrees on Saturday. WOW! That's crazy. Lexi loved wearing my old hat. I found one just right for her later that day and she had it on when we went to the park. It's perfect for you Lexi.

Almost the same photo. I liked this one showing the flag. This wall is original from the "Old Mormon Fort."

Check out the "blinged blog." Thanks to Sarah I now have adorable blog. She was trying to get me even more "blinged" but I'm pretty happy with what's going on. Actually it was pretty easy. I just sat in a chair near Sarah and she clicked away. I answered questions; yes, no, sure I like that. It was very easy on my part. These are pictures from the front yard. I was thinking of you Adam when I took these photos. In the back ground you can see white fuzzy seagulls. Rex was turning up the ground and the birds where chirping and flying all over as I was mowing the lawn. I tried to focus in on the birds and fuzzy up the flowers but I couldn't make it happen.

Seth Graduating

Here are some photos we have all been waiting for. Congratulations Seth. He is officially a Weber State Graduate, which makes his father so proud. (Weber State, Weber State, GREAT, GREAT, GREAT) The cord around his neck is for Honor graduates. Way to go SETH!