Reno, zoo, & family photos

We spent last weekend in Reno, for new cousin Rebekah's baby blessing. Since we didn't make it down to Reno in August this year like we usually do, it was nice to spend a few days there with family. The weather was gorgeous so we were able to make our traditional trip to Virginia Lake to feed the ducks & geese and let the kids play at the park. Pete's brother Russ, his wife Leta Kaye, and their kids Mitch & Verity (and baby Rebekah) joined us and the kids all had a great time. Grandpa Walt came too and helped keep an eye on all the kids and push a swing or two.

On Wednesday (Veteran's Day), since the boys didn't have school, I took the day off work and took Logan & Kylie to the zoo (Trevor went paint-balling for a friend's birthday party). We were joined by my sister-in-law Darci, her boys Jace & Cael, my nephews Brighton & Bode, and my youngest brother, Bryce. Again the weather was gorgeous - the "warm before the storm." The kids had a great time, and we all enjoyed seeing all the animals. Especially all the babies. Hogle Zoo had a banner year with a bunch of new arrivals - giraffe, 3 tigers, snow leopard, siamese crocodile, colobus monkey, howler monkey, twin golden lion tamarins, black-footed cat, 6 meerkats, 3 prairie dogs, and the most anticipated arrival - a baby elephant (my personal favorite).

On Thursday, my good friend took our family photos. We were worried about the weather, but it turned out ok, and we only needed about 15 minutes to get some decent shots (if only I could get my kids to not have a forced cheesy grin on their faces). Big thanks to Emily, I owe you!

Halloween 2009

I feel like we spent a week celebrating Halloween. We had a Halloween carnival and trunk or treat at the church as well as Trick or Treat Street at the school on Wednesday. Kylie wore her costume for about 15 minutes and then promptly removed it (it does get a little warm indoors).
Logan enjoyed the carnival games and winning prizes, and Trevor enjoyed hanging out with his friends.


On Friday we had a family party with cousins and 2nd cousins. Again, I could only keep Kylie in her costume for a short time. We had pizza and played some games, handed out candy, and lined the kids up for the obligatory pictures. It is quite a site with about 10 or so adults with cameras and video cameras trying to get all the kids to hold still, look at the cameras, smile, etc. One of these times I need to turn around and take a picture of that! I consider it a success if I have 1 shot with everyone at least somewhat looking in the direction of the camera, anything more than that is a bonus.


On Saturday, Kylie, Logan and 2 of my nieces helped my Mom carve her jack-o-lanterns. Kylie wasn't so sure about the gooey guts, and even Logan seemed reluctant to reach in. That evening my Mom and I took my 3 kids and 3 of my nephews trick-or-treating while my brothers and sister-in-law were at the Utah game (my other sister-in-law and her oldest boy were home sick, poor things). It was the first time in many years my Mom has been out trick-or-treating, she was a great sport and even dressed up too. I was the party-pooper and didn't dress up (unless you consider dressing as a Ute fan a costume). The kids did surprisingly very well. I pushed Kylie in a stroller after she hurt her foot right before we went out and refused to put her shoes on, but she forgot all about her pain when it came time to walk up to the doors to get candy (in her socks). Logan and Trevor and my 5 year old nephew kept running ahead. My Mom had her hands full with my two 2-1/2 year old nephews, but they were troopers and walked the entire time. It wasn't too cold and after an hour or so we were all ready to call it a night and went back to my parent's house to watch the Utah game.

Trevor as a ghoulish grim reaper.

Logan as Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars.

Kylie as a very cute Blue from "Blues Clues".

The kids ended up with way too much candy after all these festivities, I doubt they'll ever eat it all (I just hope that I don't). We hope everyone had a fun Halloween too!