Dave's Birthday!

Dave was at Squadron Officer School in Alabama during his birthday, so we had a party the weekend after he returned.  Emmett created a three-dimensional paper airplane for Daddy.

Vera Gail had a special gift for Daddy too!

Gareth's festive artwork!

Halloween Costumes!

This years Halloween photos didn't turn out splendidly, which is too bad, because my mom sewed the kids' costumes for them and they are super awesome, but here are the pictures anyway.

The boys are both ever more enthusiastic "Star Wars" fans, and Gareth chose to dress up as Anakin Skywalker.

Emmett as Luke Skywalker!

No, not Princess Leia - Vera Gail is Rapunzel!

'Anakin' ready to go trick-or-treating.

'Luke' wielding his light saber!

'Rapunzel' in her special pink cloak.

And a fuzzy picture of the whole crew!

Emmett's Birthday!

Emmett turned 10 this summer!!  "Double digits", as he proudly proclaimed (though we did point out that that would be his state for the rest of his life, haha). 

Emmett with his tank-themed cake on the back patio (under the new shade structure!)

He just loooved that awesome tank!

The boys having a 'guy moment' - that's Emmett's good friend Mason from a few houses down.

The kids and a few neighbor friends

Blowing out candles!

We had gift time later with just the family

Emmett showing off the Lego set he requested from Mom and Dad.

Everyone digging in!

Vera Gail with her treasured Merida doll.

Emmett with his disc ammo!!

Disc gun for Gareth too! (A late birthday gift from Emmett, Vera Gail and Mom and Dad)

Bessy was deeply interested in the proceedings... ;-)

Ah, the beloved mini-cartons of fishies...

Orange is one of his favorite colors - could you guess??  And an orange race car is hot property with Gareth!

Angry Bird Space band-aids - though Emmett aptly commented that it's Gareth who needs the band-aids, lol.

The super huge coveted disc gun from Grandma and Grandpa!

Grandpa & Grandma's Visit to Utah

Dave's parents came out from Pennsylvania and stayed with us for a week in early August.  The kids had a great time hanging out and playing games with Grandma and Grandpa, and we did several little excursions to show them a bit of Utah.

The boys trying out their lasso skills at Gar Ranch on Antelope Island.

Emmett ready to rope!

The lasso was a bit more than Vera Gail could handle, but the water pump was right up her alley!

Dave and the boys getting in touch with their cowboy side.

Still trying to catch that wooden steer!

Gareth having a go at it.

Vera Gail and Grandpa.

Vera Gail, Emmett, Grandpa and Grandma in the shade by the spring.

We hiked up to Buffalo Point after the ranch visit.

Gareth in his natural element - climbing rocks!

And Vera Gail as well!

Gareth and Grandma taking in the view.

Gareth on a high perch

Emmett doing a cannonball off the high dive at the Aquatic Center.

Gareth jumping in too!

The boys in line for another leap off the diving board.

Daddy and Vera Gail going down the water slide.

The kiddos and Grandma enjoying an ice cream in Park City.

The crew on a locomotive at the Odgen Union Station.

Birthday party time!

Birthday booty!!

Vera Gail with her books from Grandma and Grandpa

The boys with their cool Star Wars figures.

Vera Gail oohing and aahing over her princess clothes!

Cake - with enough candles for everyone!

Grandma and Grandpa and the kids.

Fun in the mud at Causey Reservoir - the reservoirs are sadly low this summer.

Emmett and Grandma ready to canoe.

And they're off!

The kids splashing around in the water after canoeing for a while.

Gareth having a blast!

Emmett and Vera Gail wading around.

Vera Gail staying cool.

The water level is usually nearly to those shrubs in the background...it's prettier when there isn't so much mud!

Emmett in the water

Dave cooling his feet.

Gareth grin!

Vera Gail proudly 'swimming' around

The kids at the Fort Douglas museum.

Another museum shot. (Haha, bad pun...)

Gareth and Vera Gail and Grandma catching some shade.

Emmett working on his Tarzan skills

Grandma and Vera Gail at the bowling alley.

Gareth and Grandpa chilling between bowls.

It's a fuzzy photo, but you can tell he's having a good time. ;-)

Vera Gail making good use of the pink dragon!