Sleepovers

Still playing catch up before the end of the year. We had some sleep overs this year. We got to have Sammy stay with us for a week while his mom and dad went to Alaska. We introduced him to some fun peterson favorites like slurpees. It was fun and tiring at the same time. Reminded us how much work little ones are.

He loved the being outside on swing, sitting the four wheeler, and playing in the rocks.

Jake had a great time showing him all about golf. Once he sat behind the wheel he didn't leave. We got him to say yeehaw. It was awsome.

Tommy loves to read the kids book at bedtime.

Thanksgiving

I'm a little behind! Devo's highlight for the Thanksgiving holiday was pheasant hunting. Paul took he and Troy to his gun club and Devo is hooked. So hooked he went to Cabellas the same day and bought a shotgun. He can't wait to go shoot something again.

Even the kids were in on the action listening to all the stories. A little after Thanksgiving Jake told Devo " We're going to South America on our next vacation to shoot some Gahrials."(alligators that live there) He talks about it everyday actually. Emily and I are not invited.
Paul made up a Bolderdash game with Thanksgiving facts and gave us all team names. The Fashion Feathers were by far the most fun and creative. ( Go Lauren)

We bought my mom a puppy(which she picked out with out knowing it) We gave it to her for Thanksgiving while everyone was together. We are potty training it and hopefully it will be ready for mom to take home after Christmas. Since Dad's gone we hope Casper will keep her company during the lonely evening and nights.

Jill made us all aprons (I think as a hint to get in the kitchen and help). It was a fun day but we sure did miss Pops.

zoo babies

We went to the Hogle Zoo for fall break in Oct. They had a lot of babies. Which the kids loved.

Emily and Mom loved the baby the baby elephant the best.

Baby giraffe, They also had baby tigers, and snow leopard but they were hiding behind their mothers and couldn't get good pictures

Jake loves the crocodiles. We even saw a baby one which totally made Jake's day.

This huge rattlesnake kept standing up following the kids. It was pretty cool, glad it was behind class!

We decided to ride the carasol instead of the train this year. If you look closely you will notice Emily's new look. She has lost her two front teeth and It still takes some getting use to. She looks so different to me.

Jake loved it too! The snake house is always his favorite place to go and the stinkiest. It has the crocodiles in it too.

Pumpkin patch

It has become a tradition to visit the Red Barn's pumpkin patch. Mom thinks they have the best donuts, the kids love the ice cream, and Dad loves the carmel apples. We find ourselves stopping for treats quite often these days.

The kids love the hay ride and think that we should invite Grandma Due and Aunt Jill and Uncle Paul next year Because Sammy and Tommy would love it. Emily was concerned though that it might be a little bumpy for grandma.

Here's Jakes sexy pose

Emily went for the biggest pumpkin this year.

Happy Halloween

Emily loved carving pumpkins. She had no fear of the sticky icky goo. She wanted to do all of it by herself.

She was actually pretty good at carving she did the body and the tail by herself.

Black cat Girls rule!

Jake and dad did a great spider for spider man

Devon's always talking about how when they were kids they used to make donuts every Halloween. So we decided to give it a try. Here's Devon talking to his mom checking up on our progress. I think we did okay for or first try but realized it sure is a lot of work.

Jake loved eating them!

Emily was a big help with the glaze.

Once we were dressed and ready to hit the streets Devo got called to work. So the kids were stuck with mom and Devo didn't get to sport his Batman costume.

The kids liked handing out the candy more than the actual trick or treating.

When Devo got home the kids made him put on his costume so we could snap a picture. Too bad the kids were already done with theirs.

GOOOOOOOAL!

Jake's 1st year at soccer is going quite well and he is loving it.

Jake scores his first goal.

Here he is celebrating, running to tell us and give high fives. Devo missed it by 5 minutes. He was called into work right before the game.

Jake in one of his break aways.

He loves to run fast. You can tell when he is funning as fast as he can because he looks at his shoes and loses sight of the ball.

He loves to play goalie too. He's pretty good, once he realized he could pick it up with his hands.

First grader

My little Emily the first grader. She's growing up so fast and becoming so independent. Mom's trying to let her be a little more independent but it is hard. Emily loves first grade. She especially likes to eat school lunch and recess. Jake sure misses his sister. He wants someone to play with him all day. It has been fun having some one on one time with him and we are learning that he is quite funny and very talkative.

Camping

We went camping to 6 Mile Lake in Mayfield, Utah. Our goal was to catch some fish since last year we didn't catch a bite. Boy did we catch some fish!!! Next year we need to bring along some friends to share in the fun.

Once Emily decided to try the pink marshmallows (power bait) we were catching them so fast dad couldn't get them off the hook fast enough.

So happy to have caught his first fish! "Come here little fishy"

Anatomy 101 Dad's showing Jake the heart, that was still beating. So Cool!

The first day Jake caught 4 fish and Emily caught 4 too! "When do we get to eat them?"

Jake liked being up close and personal with the fish.

"Fishing is soooo awesome!" Thanks Dad

Hiking around the lake.

We love to play games!

Jake figured out how to cast by himself. You just don't want to be any where near him while he does it. He's a big kid now.

Jake's first fish that he caught all by himself!

Emily finally caught a fish on day 2. They didn't like the pink marshmallows any more so catching fish required some patience and finding the right bait.

Emily wins the prize for the biggest fish but dad dropped it in the water and it got away. We caught 9 fish the second day. Jake caught 5 and Emily caught 4.

California Trip

The kids and I went to California the end of July to take the kids to the beach and to visit my sister. We had a great time! Thanks Aunt Terri!

Our daily bike rides/jog around the duck pond. It was really really hot even at 7am. Emily wanted to go forever but Jake got tired and thirsty quite quickly. We usually made it around once.
We went to the beach the first day. Uncle Toe tried to teach Jake to bogey board but mom was a half a step too slow and he slid off before I could catch him. He does not like salt water in his mouth!!! He was done after one attempt. At the end of the day he was getting brave with the waves and one caught him off guard and he did several sideways somersaults in the sand and he was done for the rest of the trip. He never wanted to go back!

Emily loved making sand castles. So creative with the feathers.

After 3 years of swim lessons I finally got my moneys worth. The kids both overcame their fear of not being able to touch and started putting those swim skills to use.( Maybe it was the magical goggles.) They have even jumped off the diving board with out a life jacket and swim to the side. Jake stays under the water a little too long for mom's comfort but Emily floats quite well.

We spent many hours with the kids jumping off the side and swimming out to me and then swimming back to the wall. They were in heaven and were ready for bed every night.

On one very hot day we went to a miniature golf /fun park. Emily is quite good and Jake would get tired and just pick up his ball and put it in the hole and was ready to move on to the next hole. I think they were more excited about all the other fun stuff to do.

Jake wanted to be just like dad. He had a great time, with mom's help, going through the Hawaii course going through waterfalls and lava(volcanoes).

Jakes favorite ride the train.

Emily's favorite ride The kangaroo drop.

Emily and Jake loved driving the mini Go Karts. Jake struggled at first running into things but he quickly figured it out after a couple times around.

Girls day out. Emily and Mom went to get manicures and pedicures Emily was in heaven and thought it was awesome.

She just loved the flowers.