The central preocupation of my life...

Summer Camping trip to Moon Lake

2011-08-18T17:17:00.000-07:00

On the way to "The top of the World" on the Bear Wallow Road. A 4WD road that takes you up to nearly 11,000 ft. It is slow going and quite bumpy for the family but they didn't complain too much.

Ashlee and Alexis sitting on the grass at "The top of the World".

Moon Lake is fed by snow melt and Yes, the water is cold.
On the trail to Brown Duck.

This horse really seemed to like Austin. I know that Austin really liked him!

Company Trip - Four Seasons, Punta Mita, Mexico

2010-10-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

We had our breakfast each morning in this open air restaurant at the resort. There are beautifuly crafted thached roofs on many of the buildings.

The rocks just off the beach are lit at night.

Sunset at the beach.

The Four Seasons Resort buildings in Punta Mita, Mexico are connected by lots of these pathways.

This is the building we stayed in.

The white sand beach at the resort. We did get to do some snorkeling but the ocean was a little rough which made it a little difficult for me any way. I did get to see an eel, sea snake and other colorful fish.

One of the restaurants at the resort. Located right on the beach. We had dinner here with Eric and Wendy Risch of Seattle. Good company!

The building we stayed at.

The view looking down on Punta Mita. I took a morning hike with a group of other tourists to the top of this hill.

A 400 year old fig tree at Punta Mita that I saw on the morning hike.

I wandered the beaches and got a few cool shots.

Part of Leesa's breakfast

The birds joined us each morning for breakfast.

The view over Utah on our flight home.

Fall/Late Summer Pics 2010

2010-10-28T21:19:00.001-07:00

Halloween

2009-11-15T09:02:00.001-08:00

I'll add more later.

Cancun - Company Trip

2009-11-15T08:27:00.000-08:00

This was my favorite part of the trip. A Sinote named "Rio Secreto". It was about a 1.5 hr. walk and swim thru this cave. Leesa told me that it was probably the coolest thing that she has ever done.

We swam thru this underground passage. It was the best part of the trip!

Looking out toward the entrance.

Cirrus clouds just before we descended into Cancun.

The beach looking East from our hotel; The Ritz-Carlton.

Just outside of our room was this hanging garden. The plants hang from the 8th and 9th floors down to the 4th floor.

This is the view from our balcony.

Me in the Ocean at our hotel. The color of the water and the sky was amazing!

Lifeguard shack.

Us at the "Rio Secreto" location where we were served lunch and then got a long van ride back to our hotel.

At the "Club Grill" at our hotel. There were 4 restaurants at the hotel. All 5 Star. The food was very good but honestly I think that the food at Carabbas is better.

Fall colors and cute kids

2009-09-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

Capturing a good smile with Austin is a little more challenging than with the girls who have gotten pretty good at posing for the camera.

The road to the Squaw Peak lookout and Rock Canyon Campground is one of the best places to see the fall colors. Check out my photo blog to see more pics.

Moon Lake Trip

2009-08-25T17:37:00.000-07:00

We finally made it to Moon this year. Almost didn't think that it was going to happen although we were only there for a few days. There weren't any cabins available so we stayed at the Rock Creek Bed and Breakfast.

Of course we had to stop by the Moon Lake Lodge to see the hummingbirds.

We spent time on the beach planing in the sand...

...and in the mud, throwing rocks in the water....

wading,

...and building islands.

This photo is of the night sky over Altamont, Bonetta and the surrounding small towns.

The Milky Way.

A beautiful spot on the road to Arta Lake.

This is about as good as it gets to getting Austin to hold still.

This is how we roll. Yes, the Girls did hang out the windows when we were off road.

Living Planet Aquarium

2009-08-02T07:06:00.000-07:00

Part two of the Staycation was a trip to the Living Planet Aquarium. There were some pretty cool things but as a whole I felt that the whole this was kind of "hokey". Good thing that it wasn't too expensive.

There is a display where you are allowed to touch the stingrays as well as some other small creatures like starfish and crabs.

Staycation

2009-07-31T20:31:00.001-07:00

Again work has kept us from going out of town on a vacation. So, as part of our "staycation" we went to the Hogle Zoo.

Our favorite part of the Zoo was the bird show. You can see more photos on my photography blog. http://utahstockphotography.blogspot.com/

Austin making a donation.

$5 in donations earn us the opportunity to take pictures with the Bald Eagle.

This is the new baby giraffe just over 24 hours old.

Lexi on the Carousel.

Father and Son Outing

2009-05-18T17:41:00.001-07:00

We joined our Ward at the Whiting Campground in Mapleton for the annual Fathers and Sons Campout. Austin and I only stayed until it was dark .

We spent all our time hiking around, taking pictures, playing with stick and rocks and looking for bugs. Good times!

Spring Break

2009-04-21T21:08:00.001-07:00

For the girls spring break we all went down to St. George on a business trip. The family stayed at the hotel while I did some work. Of course they all just had to go swimming even though it was overcast and windy.

The girls on the steps at the St. George temple. One of our stops while in town.

The girls on the temple grounds.

We also went out to Snow Canyon and Lexi couldn't resist a little climbing.

I think the girls really enjoyed one of the things that I love best. Exploring!

We explored the petrified sand dunes in Snow Canyon and the girls now want to explore the world!

Ashlee took just about as many pictures as I did.

A pic of some weirdos doing yoga or something.

Lexi usually stayed out in front.

This shot was taken from the doorstep of an old abandoned home on the road to Baker, Nevada. This was a long but very cool drive thru Wah Whoo valley and the Experimental Test range. Absolutely beautiful desert terrain!

This is the gas station in Baker, Nevada. Needless to say it is a very small town. At this point you are about 83 miles from any other services.

On our way home we went out to Baker, Nevada to the Great Basin National Park, the home of Lehman Caves. There are over 40 caves in the area, only 9 of which are open to the public, 8 of which you have to be experienced cavers and obtain permits. Lehman Cave is the most ornate.

This room is called the "Gothic Palace". I have never been in such an ornate room! Amazing!

Cave Bacon

The Queen's Bathtub

This is the exit tunnel that was blasted thru the mountain to allow access out the other end of the cave.

The drive home was beautiful!

Easter Sunday

2009-04-21T21:02:00.001-07:00

Easter Day not only brings Easter eggs and Easter candy but also Easter outfits. This is about as still as we could get Austin to be as he prepares to throw a rock.

Our beautiful girls!

Brisco's Last Day

2009-03-25T17:07:00.000-07:00

Our oldest family member and best friend died February 23rd at 4:30AM. I was with him when he took his last breath. He was with us since he was a puppy and he spent 14 great years with us! He is sorely missed by all of us! We think of him every day!

His last day we all stayed home and stayed by him as we knew it would not be long.

We burried Brisco County Coles in our backyard where we can visit him every day.

White Christmas!

2008-12-24T10:51:00.001-08:00

This is almost getting to be too much white with more expected on Christmas Day!

Too Smart!

2008-12-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

While we were at Ashlee's Christmas concert Austin attempted to open some of the lockers in the hallway. He was turing the knobs and lifting the handles as if he knew what he was doing without any coaching from me.

2008-12-12T23:31:00.000-08:00

I know we haven't been keeping up on this blog. I'm going to try my hand at it since Shane doesn't have the time... we'll see how well that goes. I'll try to post some more stuff soon and I need to add links to some more peoples blogs as well... :)

Our weeds are growing like kids!

2008-10-01T11:37:00.001-07:00

We went for a Sunday drive up South Fork canyon. Austin loves to be outside!

The boy also loves water!

We moved into our new house and there are two trees perfect for the hammock. The girls spend plenty of time in it.

More Portraits

2008-01-08T21:24:00.000-08:00

I love this pic!

New Portraits

2007-12-23T20:38:00.000-08:00

Austin is now just over 4 months old. He has been sleeping all night but he is still a lightweight at about 12 and 1/2 lbs.

New Outfit

2007-11-25T13:51:00.000-08:00

Isn't he getting big? Here he is 3 months old in a new outfit. Leesa and the girls take literally dozens of photos of him every day in each new outfit. I think that blue is his color!

Late Night Happenings

2007-11-10T22:10:00.000-08:00

The day has finally come! Has anyone ever doubted that they would see this someday? Fortunately Judd was not alone in this experience. Eric, Judds passenger, later expressed his first thoughts saying "Words can not express how frickin' cool that was!". We pulled the rig back onto it's wheels, changed a flat tire with the assistance of some nearby campers, and he drove it home. Toyota! What a feeling!

Los Cabos - Baja California Sur

2007-10-26T17:14:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a Company trip to Los Cabos, Mexico. We stayed at the Marquis Los Cabos hotel. This is the lobby. It's a beautiful place, both the hotel and the views.

The Tuaileva family (Leesa's immediate family).

2007-10-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

Three new Tuaileva babies born this year! Austin, Cy and Andelyn.

Our little man

2007-10-16T08:10:00.000-07:00

Ashlee loves taking pictures of Austin with her new PINK digital camera that she got for her 12th Birthday! She happened to catch Austin "flexing" his muscles! He's so strong, he's our little muscle man!

Ain't he cute!

2007-10-14T13:22:00.000-07:00

Austin is now 8 weeks old! He has started talking to us and smiling a lot more! He is soooo cute! He is also a little ticklish. The professional pictures are from Kiddie Kandids taken when he was about 4 weeks old.

Here's hoping!

2007-10-11T21:21:00.001-07:00

Zimmie and Spee on "The Scenic Loop" in Red Baron Cave.

Starting this next Wednesday we will begin shooting our demo for our treasure hunting show with Kaleidoscope Pictures. In addition to Kaleidoscope we have two very talented cameramen and film makers Steve Olpin and Tim Irwin who have signed on. Needless to say Spencer, Judd and I are very excited yet nervous to be in front of the camera. It you don't try you'll never succeed. Wish us luck!

Shane ascending while Zimmie is standing by at Pink Lime.

Bird in the House

2007-10-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

September 26th, 2007

This is not the first time that a bird has entered our home. Personally I welcome them and would like them to visit more often. If you know me you know that I love birds! What a beautiful bird this was! It was stuck in the garage and flew into the house while Leesa was watching me try to help him escape.

Me and my (our) boy!

2007-10-11T16:50:00.000-07:00

Since our new addition to the family (Austin Shane Coles) was not in the Moon Lake Portrait (at least not that you can see) I must show him off too! Isn't he handsome!

Under Construction

2007-10-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

I thought it was about time to showcase my (our) family! They deserve it! And DANG they're cute! Since I am the one that will be posting the majority of the time if I refer to this as "My" blog by accident I appologize in advance. Of course the first photo that I posted is at Moon Lake. Where else?! Also, I felt it appropriate to use quotes from one of my favorite movies of all time. Joe!