October 2013 update

There was a thought bubble here that read, "Look what I created, it's soooo beautiful," but someone popped it.

Some neighbor friends of ours moved away and left their trampoline with us. Needless to say, it has gotten much use and has been a favorite activity for our family.

Sara made some UFO and alien cakes for Evie's birthday.

Emmy's music group had a little performance at Vala's Pumpkin Patch again this year. We stayed for a little while after the performance and had fun jumping on the air domes and playing in the corn box.

Sara and I have some Halloween costumes that we fall back on when we can't think of anything creative.

September 2013 update

On labor day we went to the Nebraska State Fair. I had volunteered to help at the animal birthing pavilion. We didn't bring much cash, so we weren't really planning to go on any rides, but a nice family randomly chose us to share their surplus ride tickets as they were leaving the fair.

On a pleasant Sunday afternoon, we took a pleasant drive and found a pleasant little swing set. It was all so very pleasant.

And Eleanor started walking.

August 2013 update

We started Aug. 2013 with a trip to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.

Elise gave Eleanor her first piano lesson.

And Eleanor turned 1 year old. She enjoyed all of her presents, but especially the slide that Sara got for her and a motorized cat that Nana found for her.

July 2013 update

July 2013 was spent largely on the road. We arranged a substitute for our paper route, and spent three weeks traveling from one Western state to another, visiting family and friends.

The first stop was in Longmont, Colorado. We love playing with our friends, the Stewarts.

We then headed to southwest Colorado for the King Family Reunion near the Circle K Ranch. So many fun activities: playing in the creek, singing songs, doing crafts, hiking in the mountains, riding ponies, eating yummy food, and just visiting with cousins. This is probably our favorite place to go camping.

After Colorado we drove to Nevada. Even the long car rides between the different stops on the epoch road trip were usually filled with good times.

In Las Vegas we visited Zeller cousins. What fun there is to be had in Vegas, without having to even set foot inside one casino!

The next stop was Hollister, CA. We love spending time with Ron & Roxanne. We rode horses, watched movies, and went to Balboa Park in San Jose.

The trip from California to Utah was an interesting and exciting one. We stopped at some points of historical significance to our family: the Oakland Temple (where Sara and I were married), Fremont CA (where I was born), and Fairfield, CA (where I grew up).

At about 10pm, just before we reached Wendover and crossed over into Utah, we hit a wheel that was lying in the middle of the freeway. Fortunately I was able to maintain control of the vehicle after both of the tires on the left side of our van were blown. It took a little while for the tow truck to rescue us. We spent the next day in Wendover while the van got fixed.

When we reached Utah, we spent some time with Nana Zeller and with Ewing cousins. We went to a spray park and played games and watched movies.

We also joined in a Jackson Family Reunion at Park City, UT. We went boating, had a family olympics, played games, and just had fun! We also made a visit to my Great Grandpa Wagstaff's dairy farm in Kamas, UT.