A Day in the Life

A Photoblog by Joel

Tire Swing

September 12, 2024

The Best Big Brother

August 23, 2024

Emmett is such an amazing kid. He’s so kind and nice to everyone, and he’s an amazing older brother.

First Day of School 2024

August 15, 2024

Last year I had 2 kids in school, this year I have 4! They grow up too fast.

Japan Pop-up Newsletter

July 22, 2024

At the end of August I’m taking my new bride Jamie and heading across the Pacific back to Japan. This will be my 4th visit to the Land of the Rising Sun. My previous adventures there were 1998-2000 as a missionary, and then a visit in 2007, and 2017.

I’ll be there for a week and will spend my time between Tokyo, Kyoto, and a day-stop in Nagoya to visit a ward I was a missionary in 24 years before. I’m so excited! Joining me will be Jamie, and good friend Jethro.

Each night before going to bed I’m going to send out a simple newsletter of what we did with some (hopefully) fun stories and (hopefully) lovely photos. If you’d like to be a part of it, fill out the form below and I’ll add you to the list!

This will run from ~August 26th to ~September 4th.

Japan Pop Up Newsletter
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Camping with the New Family

June 16, 2024

When you decide to marry someone, you also decide to marry in to their family. Which I love! In-laws are great. Jamie’s family is from Logan and they have some fantastic land up a canyon up there that they love to camp on. This weekend we spent a few nights up there with everyone having a fantastic time! I love camping, and I really enjoyed getting to know everyone a lot better. I’m excited to have this become something we do regularly.

There’s plenty of space to play all kinds of games. From Tug of Rope to Ghost in the Graveyard, there was always something going on.
Odin is such a good baby, he just chills in his bouncer all day. As long as he’s included with everyone sitting down he’s happy as can be!
Well hello there, beautiful.
Emmett would talk trucks and trailers with Grandpa all day long!
This was a fun game called… Ninja Destruction. Never heard of it but Elle and Emily really had a blast with it. Thanks Uncle Justin for teaching us!
Always fun playing with cousins!
Hyrum, where Jamie grew up. I grew up in Alpine which was once a lot smaller than it is now. Hyrum feels like Alpine used to. I love it.

Story Time Family Time

June 12, 2024

Joel + Jamie

May 3, 2024

Meet Jamie

April 17, 2024

Remember how I went to Logan a little bit ago and was visiting someone I was quite fond of? Well, meet Jamie – the somebody I am quite fond of – quite a lot indeed!

I haven’t been very open about my divorce on here, but it happened. I’ve been divorced officially since October 2023, but separated since August 2021. Most of that time was spent working and being with the kids, making a new life together from the fracture. Buying the camper, going on vacations, making routines, growing up too fast, and trying to make the best life we could together. And it was going fantastic!

And then I met Jamie, and the fantastic just multiplied into something even bigger. The future is great, this is going to be a big year of changes and joy. Jamie brings along 2 more kid additions making us a soon-to-be family of 7! Yes, that’s right, soon-to-be! Emmett, Elle, and Emily all adore her.

We met on the internet because that’s just how you do things nowadays. We had a few fantastically fun dates together and then brought the kids in on it and it’s just been getting better and better every week ever since. We compliment each other wonderfully and quite enjoy each others company. I’m so excited to build something together with her and share the adventures on here for all my tens of readers!

Five.

March 28, 2024

Emily, today you are 5! I can’t believe it. It feels just like yesterday you woke up a day after turning 4 and asked me if you were still 4. This morning you asked me if you were already 5. I love how excited you are to grow up – and yet I don’t love that you are growing up! You’re such an adorable addition to the family.

We had your birthday on Saturday and it was a big hit! Your cousin Sicily came over to do Princess hair, Jamie did Facepainting, Alicia made the cake and then I set up a little photoshoot and everyone got to model for the camera. It was a blast. You are loved by so many!

Some of my absolute favorite things about you is how happy you always get when you see anything cute, how much fun you have playing with your friends, I love listening to you play and use your imagination – you’re so good at make believe! I love that you still wear dresses almost every day, I love how fancy you talk sometime (Daddy what time will my guests arrive for my birthday?). I love all your little squeaks and squeals you make when you’re happy and excited.

Happy Birthday Emily. You are so very loved!

Hot New Album Coming Soon

March 12, 2024
No, we did not record an album, but if we did this would be the album cover.