Tate earns his yellow belt....

Warning.... this is going to be a karate photo overload post.  I just loved the photos that we were able to capture of this boy at his yellow belt testing. Tate LOVES karate. It is great for him because it holds him accountable for his actions and he is not eligible for a belt change if he has not been obedient in the class, at school, and at home. We love his Hanshi and Tate has been working so hard to earn his yellow belt. It has taken him a year and he is so proud of the fact that he has earned it. Karate does teach the reward of hard work. He is so serious in Karate.

 Time to break some boards. He loves this.....

 He has a big smile...He finally earned his yellow belt. Karate teaches patience as well

 Getting dressed in the yellow belt....

 One proud moment.....

 Now he can smile as he shows us his Karate moves

Palisades and camping....

We had a family reunion at the Palisades in July and I failed to blog about it. It was the best! We camped out and then played in the water all day. If you have never been to the Palisades you are missing out. The boys love camping and especially with family. We had a blast playing in the water, in the sand, paddle boating, and laying in the sun. Then at night we all hung out and played some more. We also had ATV's and we went golfing. We scheduled to do it again next summer and we can't wait. We weren't the best at capturing photos since we were off playing and having fun. Thanks Chase and Keisha for introducing the family to the Palisades. Another fun tradition started.

Off-Track Fun......

 The boys kept busy while they were off-track. I would get home from work and off we went. They also were invited with friends to go many places and had some fun days with Grandpa and Grandma Green.

 We went to the Herriman pool a few times and also celebrated Jaxon's birthday there.

 Mike and I took the boys to the Clark Planetarium and they did not want to leave. They enjoy the Planetarium and they study the engineering of the marble drop every time we are there. Dylan told us he thinks he has the design all figured out now and would like to build it one day. Mike tells them all about the moon and space adventures that are highlighted. It makes for a full day when we go to the Planetarium.

 We also went to the Nephi Demolition Derby. We met Chase, Keisha, and Ryker there and had a great time. Our boys just love their cousin, Ryker.

 Here are the trucks before the demolition attack....

Here are the trucks after the attack and I am having a heart attack. I have a hard time sitting in the stands as a medical professional when the vehicles roll over. I panic just a bit until I can see the driver walk away without injury. Luckily, no one was injured at this demolition derby.

A sweet family photo that Keisha snapped.

 We also went to Airborne a few times. The boys dig this place.

 At Airborne with our close friends.

 Owen also had his birthday and we went to his bowling party at Fat Cats.

 Ericka wanted a picture with Dylan. Love this sweet girl and her attire. She has such a crush on Dylan and Dylan gets a little embarrassed. Mike told Dylan to be respectful and treat her kindly. He has taken this to heart and is really tender with her. She asked me if she could marry Dylan and I told her that she could when she is 25 years old. She told her mom that she will be able to marry him when she is 25 and her dreams will come true. So confession 101....we laugh at them behind their backs.

Dylan's Birthday..............

 On August 20th we celebrated Dylan's actual birthday. He chose over-easy eggs with toast for his birthday breakfast and then Salmon and rice for dinner. This guy loves fish and eggs and can eat a ton of food!  He ate 3 eggs and 2 slices of toast with jam for breakfast. He told us he is hoping to go to Japan on his mission so he can eat all the fish and rice he wants to. We need to introduce him to sushi soon.

 We had a family birthday party with the Green family that night. Grandpa and Grandma Green gave him a scooter that he has been wanting. Love his smile here.

 Mike and I played the greatest trick on him. He had asked for an I-Pod and we told him there was no way he was going to get that. We haven't wanted him to have full internet access at his age. We did some research and found out that we can limit his internet access with the I-Pod and so we gave him one. Now we just have to limit his time or he would be on it all the time. We tricked him and gave him some underwear at the party and then we brought out another gift and surprised him the an I-Pod. He was very surprised! He had a wonderful 10th birthday and we want to thank all of our family for making him feel so special. He was spoiled with many gifts and lots of love.

Family Birthday Fun.......

 Grandpa and Grandma Rowley came and stayed with us for the weekend to celebrate Dylan's birthday. We loved having them here and had such a great weekend. We went to dinner at Dylan and Nick's favorite restaurant, Red Iguana. It was Uncle Nick's birthday in August as well. They both were serenaded to and then they were served Tr es Leches  for dessert.

 We went to the Church History Museum and were amazed at all the history of the Church artifacts that are stored in the building. We could have stayed much longer then we did and we all want to go back. The boys were intrigued with all the artifacts and the tributes to each Prophet. They have such interactive booths for the kids and the best part was that we found some of our own family history items there.
                                                
Dylan standing behind the replica of the podium at the General Conference Center. Dylan loved Gordon B. Hinckley and this podium was made from a walnut tree from his home. Dylan has always liked this story.                                        

   

 Tate asked us to take a picture of him with Joseph Smith's revolver.

 Tate going fishing.....

 Here is some family History. I am regretting that I did not take my nice camera for this. It is the note from the debt that was paid off when my great-great-great grandmother came across with the Willey Handcart Company. Her name is Ann Rowley Frith. She arrived in Salt Lake City with a large debt and nothing to survive with. Her story has always been a solemn testament to me of the values of  faith, courage, and hard work. She has been known as the women who was able to feed her children with a loaf of bread made from very little flour and water. I love learning of her and my strong ancestry. I have been blessed by amazing for bearers.  Her debt was paid off by her husband, Andrew Bastor, whom she met after immigrating to Utah. He donated "one yolk of cattle"  which was worth $80.00.  We were shocked to find the note here.

 Here is the information on the debt that was paid off.

 This was another wonderful surprise. This is a blessing dress which we believe is a relatives blessing dress. I fell in love with this. Isn't it beautiful!

Information on the blessing dress.

                                       
Mike snapped this photo of the girls. It is a treasure as well.

A day at Snowbird....

 For Dylan's Birthday we headed to Snowbird. This year it was a family birthday, but he really wanted his friend Thomas to go with us. It was such a fun and memorable day. Oktoberfest was in full swing and the weather was perfect.

 Waiting in line for the Alpine Slide......

                                       
He loved it!

              

 Enjoying a waffle on a stick with nutella and a great friend....Life is splendid!

 Dylan has always loved being in nature and friends........

 Some other blonde hair, blue eyed boy, was in Heaven with a nutella waffle stick.

Time to update the blog again. I really do enjoy keeping a blog, I just get behind.  So rewind to Dylan's Birthday....Here goes:)
We love this boy so much! Mike and I always say we did not do anything great to be blessed with such a strong, loving, thoughtful, intelligent, and gentle son. He brings such a strong spirit of peace and joy into our home. I was asked by a neighbor what we have done to have such a great kid. My response was, "We were just lucky to have him come into our home. We have done nothing spectacular as parents, God sent him that way." So here are the many faces of our Dylan at age 10.....and growing up quickly, slow down Bubba.

 The natural smile face...

 The excited expression...

 The shy and "another photo mom," face....
                                           
                                         
and the natural smile of joy face.....

And here is the traditional birthday interview answers:
What is your favorite subject in school: "Math."

What do you want to do when you grow up: "I really want to go on a Mission."

What is your very favorite thing to do: "Read and play with friends. I like school too."

What is your favorite sport: "Soccer"

Who is your best friend: "Thomas and Tate."

What is your favorite food: "Ice cream and Salmon."

What is your favorite vacation spot: "Camping."

What chore do you hate the most: "Taking out the garbage."