Last of the National Guard

 Joel in the drivers seat of a big truck.

 Anna's turn - she wasn't quite as thrilled as Joel was!

 Grandpa asked a lot of questions and got the answers!

 Inside the ambulance - they can transport 6 but have it set up for 4 now.

 At the back of the ambulance.

 This is the thing Anna was most anxious to explore - she'll be a doctor someday, maybe!

 Outside the fence - we learned a lot and had a great time...like I said - the free pizza and drink wasn't bad either.

As we left the National Guard Open house we heard on the radio it was the Spring Football Game for ISU.  We drove over there and it was free to watch - so we did!  We saw about 20 minutes of the end of the scrimmage.  The building right above Anna's head is the Speech Building that Kate has an office in and most of her classes.  She was actually at the library while we were at the game.  After the game we went to a movie at the $2.00 theater - Paddington Bear - really cute movie.  All in all a very fun day for all.

More National Guard

 This is the huge Paladin - Uncle Chris Kroeber worked with this in some of his training - Grandpa said.

 Too big a machine to get it all in a picture!

 Joel and Anna inside the Paladin.

 Inside the training trailer - simulating battle events - Joel was the driver, Anna the controller and Grandpa the gunner.

 Soldier showing us how everything worked.

Pretty serious business - I was the unofficial photographer!  We did okay - Joel only drove off the road a couple of times, ran into a building, etc.  Grandpa took out a couple of insurgents!  The four teenage boys in front of us at the same controls had a blast!  They knew better how to manage the controls and they were laughing and shouting!

This is the trailer that all the gear was in...four battle stations - nice to see some of the video game practice kids are getting is put to good use!

Idaho National Guard Openhouse

 Saturday, April 25th, Kate and Ben both had to work so we had fun adventures with Joel and Anna.  The Idaho National Guard had an open house and we had a blast there - the free pizza and Gatorade might have had something to do with that!  A nice woman solider offered to take our picture.

 Joel looking in a 'heat seeking' telescope thing - Grandpa in the background looking at a big gun.

 Joel and Anna in the Hummvee - notice the gps thing at the left of Joel's head - whole maps!  They had the radio connected with the ambulance across the room - Anna used it - like a phone.

 Joel and Grandpa getting ready for the Zombie Shoot - air guns.  They weighed 16 pounds and the soldier in charge asked one of his buddies if they could get the air pistols, that these were too heavy for some kids.

 I feel protected!!  Look out Zombies!! Grandpa used his glasses for eye protection, Joel looks cool!

 Zombie targets - getting pretty shot up!

Joel and Grandpa on the course...they had a good time.  Funny thing - see the back fence?  One of our neighbors is an assistant editor of the local newspaper and he came to take pictures and report on the event...except he parked right at the end of the range.  The soldier in charge ran down and asked him to move his car - for his cars sake!

Park and Home

We went to the BYU Creamery after the Bean Museum - what else would you do?  Then on the way home we stopped at a park - Georgia had fallen asleep but Olivia and Sadie liked the swings.

 Nice day to play outside!

 Olivia does really well with her beginning sewing - it makes me happy to pass on hand skills.

The dollar store had these cute watering cans - nice to have Grandma around!

Bean Museum Visit

It was fun to take grandchildren to the Bean Museum - it has changed since we took kids there.  

 Georgia was content to have Grandpa push her in the stroller for about 10 minutes!  This exhibit of Elder Packer's was really neat.

 There is a fun corner with forest pictures and this great slide!  Girls had a wonderful time.

 The exhibits have changed so much - but we recognized the African animals from long ago.

Cute girls!  We left after two bus loads of school kids come in!

Friday with the Fairbanks Girls

 On Thursday, April 9th we drove to Provo - arriving after the girls were in bed.  Next morning Lindsey had meetings in Salt Lake and we got to tend the wonderful granddaughters! Here they are waving goodbye to Mom.

 Pretty easy to baby sit when the 18th month old knows how to use the electronics!

 Same with the older girls - we did this for just a short time.

Sadie has always loved holding Georgia - Georgia is just about too big - - but a new baby is coming!

Flowers in the Snow!

 April weather - didn't freeze them - thankfully!

 Mini daffodils - likr Granny used to have in her garden.

 The whole flower bed - at least the snow didn't stick on the roads!

 Lilacs by the church - they still smelled pretty under their blanket of white.

 Our cherry tree/bush.

Flower bed minus snow!

Adaption Day at the Animal Shelter

 Bannock County Animal Shelter - something about kids and a dog!

 Joel really wants a dog right now, knows he can't have one.  It was a very nice dog.

 Briella and three puppies - two of them got adopted while we were there!

 All the cousins and the cat lady!

 Petting "Harry" - yes - Anna wanted to take him home - adding to the three cats and four kittens she already has at her house!

 Keenyn wanted to pet this pretty cat through the cage.

Fun poster - reminded us of Maverick chasing and barking at squirrels!

Gem, Rock and Mineral Show

 This was a fun thing to do - plus educational!  Lots of rocks to learn about!

 Grandpa enjoyed it - and it was neat to have a table that the kids could pick up and really see the rocks.

Fun family time - I told Eli he needs a perm in his hair!