September through December 2008 2

For Thanksgiving week we had the opportunity (again thanks to Grammy and Papa Pyle!) to stay in a resort in Sedona, AZ. Everyone but Vernice (another of Tanya’s sisters--Nathan Matthew was born on Nov. 24. Yea!!) was able to make it, so we had quite a group running around. The children were again brave by swimming in the outdoor pool while it was raining. I guess I haven’t mentioned Dad’s courage in taking them swimming in all these adverse conditions. Mom is a wimp! We also went to Out of Africa, which is kind of like a zoo/safari adventure. It was pretty neat with a couple highlights being the Tiger Splash show and feeding the giraffe by hand. We had a nice hike (all 28 of us) to Bell Rock. It was so much fun to climb around on this neat formation! We then went to a park and shot rockets that Grammy and Papa brought. Boy was that a BLAST!

Wow Grammy & Papa! Do you claim all of those grandkids?

In front of a pointsetta tree at a neat
Christmas light show.

Feeding the giraffe from our safari bus.

A bunch of great hikers in front of Bell Rock.

3-2-1, Blast Off!

Bryce checking on his rocket with assistance from Uncle John.

Summer 2008 2

On July 4th we went to Grand Mesa to Land’s End to feed the chipmunks and ground squirrels. It is fun to have them come up and eat out of your hand. After that we went on a picnic and then to Delta for the fireworks. We are so thankful for this country we live in and the freedoms we enjoy!

Karina, does it tickle?

Mariah doesn't seem too sure about
that fat ground squirrel.
Cousins Elizabeth & Sabrina in the background.

In August we went back to Denver and had fun this time at the Butterfly Pavilion, and the children were all brave enough this time to hold Rosie their resident tarantula. We had many butterflies landing on us, so that was neat. We went to Elitch’s one day, and that is always a highlight. We decided to make a detour to Colorado Springs area to go to Cave of the Winds, and then we had a picnic in Garden of the Gods. We really enjoyed Cave of the Winds. Such impressive caverns!

Rebecca braved holding a giant cockroach. Way to go!

Karina, there's something on your head!

Bryce loved holding the butterflies!

Wow, Bridgette!!

Mariah said the star fish felt really neat!

Our buy little bees, including cousin Tate.

Inside Cave of the Winds.

January through May 2008 4

May 17-22 we went on a Utah trip. Tanya’s parents provided a place to stay in Snowbird at a resort through their resort package. Can you believe it snowed on us, and it wasn’t just a little bit of snow! The children had fun swimming in the outdoor pool (Thank goodness it was heated well!) even with the snow. We were able to see many good friends and family which was wonderful! While there we went to Thanksgiving Point where we saw the Botanic Gardens, The Farm, and a natural history museum. It was so much fun! The children all had the chance to ride a pony and milk a cow at The Farm. We also went to see the Church’s Conference Center and Temple Square in Salt Lake City. The children had never been there before, so it was neat for them to see where our prophet speaks and works from. They loved the Christus statue and seeing the temple. We arrived home just in time for the birth of Jessica on May 23. Congratulations Lisa (Tanya’s sister)!

At the beautiful Botanic Gardens!

At Temple Square in front of the Christus.
A couple of the children aren't thrilled about having their picture taken.

Playing in the water at Temple Square was one of the highlights
of the trip for Bridgette!

January through May 2008 3

February 8-22 we went on a trip to Denver to see our many dear friends there. We miss you all!! We were able to go to the zoo, the Museum of Nature and Science, and Ocean Journey. It is always wonderful to go back to visit.

At the Gold Exhibit in the Museum of Nature & Science

(Becca was at Tate's house.)

Becca bravely facing down a shark at Ocean Journey.

Bryce is a bit nervous about feeding this anxious sting ray.

April 25 we braved the cold and went to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison on the Crawford side with Grandad Schneider. The children had so much fun climbing the trees, finding pretty rocks, and they were very impressed with the canyon. It is really very impressive—as deep as the Grand Canyon, but not as wide.