mueller park canyon

So, I'm sitting here getting all the pictures ready for this blog while Jake and his friend, Adam, are starting to play the Indiana Jones game on our Playstation 3. Adam really wants to be Indy, and asks if I can help him. I played with it for a minute and couldn't figure it out, so I handed it to Jake and said, "Here Jake. Can you help Adam be Indy?" And just like that in less than 4 seconds Jake did it, handed it to Adam, and they continued on in their playing. What the...?? I can't figure out those controllers, and frankly, I don't really want to because I don't want to get sucked into playing it all the time, but seriously, my four-year-old can figure it out? Is that scary or what?! I guess that's what we're in for from now on--our kids figuring out all this electronic stuff before us. What do you do?!!

Saturday after Ben's lacrosse game we went to Mueller Park Canyon with most of the Cox family for our annual brunch there. We usually go on General Conference weekend, but this year we had to switch it around because some family members are going to be out of town then. (There weren't as many colorful leaves this time because we were early) Barry and Susan always do the main part of the meal, which is always so good, and this year was no exception: pancakes, french toast, cheese blintzes, bacon, sausage, eggs, Aunt Patty's cinnamon rolls, fruit, etc. We look forward to this every year!

This isn't the best picture of the food because it's all covered up--trust me, it was good!

The whole fam-damily!

Lots of cousins everywhere! Terry Rasch, who is married to Daren's cousin, Mardi, made it to the picnic for a few minutes while he was on "official business" from Dugway, the military base. He spent some time in Iraq a couple years ago, and are glad he made it back safely because there are many who don't. Here he is with his cute son, Nate. Once again the yellow dump trucks surfaced, and once again we forgot ours!!

Sydney and Payge hanging out, blowing bubbles...some of the only girls in a family somewhat dominated by the boys!!

The boys, on the other hand, spent plenty of time hanging out and chatting. Will loves to try to "scare" Daren; Daren and his bros.

We celebrated two birthdays: Jack, who just turned 9, and Ike, who is going to be 2 next week. It's never too early to start Ike on a bike, because Jack (his brother) was riding a bike like a mad-man when he was 3-1/2 years old! The present to get the most attention was the safari truck, and because the boys came into some good fortune that day, with some late b-day money, we stopped at Target to get each of them a safari vehicle.

Will kind of stole Sommer's piece of cake and put as many pieces of the happy birthday candles as he could on it. Jake was filthy by the end of the day there!! As you can see, his shiner is quickly fading, whew!

This is Grandma Cox, mother to Susan, Patty, and Janyce; grandmother of 10; great-grandmother of 17 (I think). She is so sweet, and one thing I have grown to love about her over the years is that no matter what kind of gathering we are having, she always brings decorated towels to pass out to everyone (this time it was Halloween and Thanksgiving towels). Or lace. We all have quite the collections going on after so many years.

It was a fun day, as usual when this family is together!!