Son Dave and Jenn, who reside in Nebraska, invited us to watch their 4 kids (Hayden 9, Tanner 6, Maren 4, and Makenna 2) while they went on a 10 day cruise in the Caribbean. I was delighted that we were asked, and Von made arrangements for us to fly, rather than drive in the approaching winter climate.
In Salt Lake watching an emergency crew clean-up spilled fuel under our plane before departure!
On arrival in Nebraska! The only day it snowed.
Dave and Jenn in their kitchen. Excited to begin their vacation. Good looking kids!
4-year old Maren busy coloring. She loves to color and do writing activities. Notice my first try with her hair didn't do so well!
Maren's ballet class. Love her enthusiasm and smile. So fun to watch these babies go through their moves to such classy music.
The Jedi's at play out back, inspite of pretty cold weather!
Maren and friend, Jackson, before their swimming lesson at the YMCA. It was so warm and steamy in there, that it fogged up my camera! Maren was able to float 30 seconds, and swim with and without a floaty during the week I was there!
There is a little fishing lake near their home, and Von and I braved a walk in the cold while all the kids were in school, preschool, and playgroup! Our only escape while there!
A trip to the Pioneer Trails Visitor Center with the girls one morning. We had hoped to see friends of ours serving a mission there, John and Barbara Watson, but Barbara was sick. We took the little tour anyway. Maren dressed up, but Makenna declined.
Pushing the heavy handcart like the pioneers.
Posing in front of the Salt Lake Temple replica.
We learned that these oxen's names were Star and Bright. The actual owner came through a year or so ago and wanted to see them.
Play time. Just like the good ol' days at my house, 30 years ago! Hayden doing a cannon ball.
Tanner flying high.
Makenna fearless and giggling!
Super girl Maren!
Maren's favorite Match Game. We played it every day and night at Maren's insistence.
Watching a movie in the basement.
Makenna on the move. Two-years-olds don't sit and watch anything.
Video game wizzards, Tanner and Hayden. Probably one of their favorite things to do.
Dave and Jenn returned and we dined at Texas Roadhouse...a favorite and fun place to gather.
Makenna and Tanner. Can't get enough of these cute faces!
Jenn and Makenna. Inseparable after their return!
On our way to the airport, we stopped in at the Visitor Center again to meet Barbara at last.
My daughters and I cleaned her house in Sandy, UT for many years. She and husband are serving a two-year mission there, and loving it. They also serve in the temple there on site.
Tyler's rocket, Superman 10
His rocket had the best trial runs. Each rocket made two practice runs, then 4 scoring runs. The highest score won.
Camron 95
Kristin in a cute doo.
The rocketeers.
Rockets were attached to and propelled down one of 4 fishlines by a twisted rubberband attached to the propeller, run through the rocket, and held by a piece at the opposite end. A little graffite behind the propeller made for smooth action. The repairman in red-checkered shirt ran the operation, and headed up repairs between each run. Camron waiting for a little repair on his rocket. 
Camron came in third, after breaking a tie! The object was to wind the propeller enough to have it stop in the highest point range (250) in the middle of the track. If it stopped short, it would be wound a little more. If it went too far, then wound less. Tyler had the best practice runs, but didn't do as well in the counting runs. It was a really fun event to watch. I even took a turn winding a propeller (usually 150-160 revolutions)
