I love to hear Oscar laugh. It is contagious.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Niagara Falls
One of the many highlights of our trip to Buffalo was visiting Niagara Falls. It was pretty amazing, and I am glad that I can say that I have been there.
Horseshoe Falls
Looking down the river.
Oscar
I think Henry was enjoying himself! Love that smile.
The man responsible for this crew.
We got to bring Uli with us. He is always a joy to have around.
Love those rain suits
Trying to get Whitley's poncho on. She wasn't too fond of the whole thing.
How lucky Rachel is to have Mom and Dad all to herself.
Cute picture of Mom. They stayed near the back so they wouldn't get as much of the mist. Most of the rest of us were in front.
Oooh, la la. Nice poncho huh?
Ilene with the Canadian side behind her. We didn't have passports, so we stayed on the American side.
I enjoyed all of the mist, and thought is was refreshing, and so beautiful.
We hiked up close to one of the falls and snapped a picture with Taylor and Krista.
It is not like our family to do something like the Maid of the Mist Tour. But I am so glad that we did. We all had a great time, and can check it off of our to do lists.
It is not like our family to do something like the Maid of the Mist Tour. But I am so glad that we did. We all had a great time, and can check it off of our to do lists.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Neglected
Blogging isn't the only thing that has been neglected around here lately. Nice pile of dirt, huh? Just keeping it real! :)
The kids went back to school Monday, and I can't believe how much easier it is to have 3 kids at home and not 6. The school kids are so easy, but their schedules are not! Today was the first real day that we have gone out this week- we went to play group at a park and had fun. I have just been enjoying staying home. Ahh, the simple pleasures! I couldn't do it forever, but for now, I am LOVING IT.
DC Day #1
We spent the first night at Lindsay and James' home. The next morning we got up and Lindsay took us to the Metro. We rode to downtown DC and met Gina there. I have to say that it was different than I had pictured it. I had heard of "the mall" but had no idea of what to expect. It was huge! I was also surprised that the grass all along the mall was dead. They had had a heat wave the week before, so the grass was dry and yellow. I realized, it is like the ranch. The grass is as green as there is rain. They don't water it back there.
The first on only thing that was on the agenda for DC, was going to the Smithsonian, and finding the engine that my Great Grandfather Murray invented. I had seen pictures many times, but I wanted to see it for myself. I have to say that it wasn't the most exciting exhibit in the museum, but I am glad that we saw it. It made me think about my Great Grandpa, and the many different and varied things that he did in his life. Inventor, actor, and more.
The first on only thing that was on the agenda for DC, was going to the Smithsonian, and finding the engine that my Great Grandfather Murray invented. I had seen pictures many times, but I wanted to see it for myself. I have to say that it wasn't the most exciting exhibit in the museum, but I am glad that we saw it. It made me think about my Great Grandpa, and the many different and varied things that he did in his life. Inventor, actor, and more.
Kent could have stayed in this museum for hours. He has always liked these old fighter planes, and used to build models of them when he was younger. It was fun to see how interested he was in the airplanes. It was a lot more fun than going to the zoo with him......
The Wright Brothers Airplane
We are not your typical tourists. With the limited schedule that we had, we didn't really care to go in and explore the buildings. We just wanted to see them for ourselves (sometimes at a distance), take a picture, and that was good.
The Washington monument was neat- and so tall. It would have been fun to go up to the top, but the tickets were gone long before we thought to try and get any. And we didn't want to stand in line and try and get some.
Did we look like tourists, or what. When we rode Metro in to go stay with Gina and Brent, we just took everything in our backpacks.
This was a motorcade that passed by while we were standing there. It was interesting to think who might be in those cars. We'll never know. Gina said it was a small motorcade comparatively.
That night Gina and Brent took us to a Spanish restaurant that was neat. It was Tapas style. We ordered a bunch of different things, and were able to try a bunch of different Spanish foods. It was really good, and an experience, which was exactly what we wanted to have. What a fun night visiting with Gina, Brent, and Christian.
Washington DC Temple
We had such a treat this summer. On our way to Carter and Jen's wedding in Buffalo NY, we were able to go and see Lindsay and James, and Kent's sister Gina and her husband Brent in the DC area. Lindsay and James live in Rockville Maryland, and Gina and Brent live in Arlington Virginia.
Lindsay, James and their kids picked us up from the Baltimore airport. On the way home, we were driving on a beltway. All of the sudden after we turned a corner, there was the beautiful Washington DC Temple. It was so amazing! They were so nice to us, and let us stop and walk around the temple grounds. I am so glad that we did.
Kent really enjoyed the architecture. He thought it was so interesting and beautiful.
We don't look so tall standing next to a huge building like this!
One thing that we saw as we drove up to the temple, was fireflies, or lightning bugs. I had never seen them before, and didn't know what they were. I love going to different places, and seeing things that I have never seen before.
Lindsay, James and their kids picked us up from the Baltimore airport. On the way home, we were driving on a beltway. All of the sudden after we turned a corner, there was the beautiful Washington DC Temple. It was so amazing! They were so nice to us, and let us stop and walk around the temple grounds. I am so glad that we did.
Kent really enjoyed the architecture. He thought it was so interesting and beautiful.
We don't look so tall standing next to a huge building like this!
One thing that we saw as we drove up to the temple, was fireflies, or lightning bugs. I had never seen them before, and didn't know what they were. I love going to different places, and seeing things that I have never seen before.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Reeds 7th Birthday Party
I lost my mind this year and decided that I would let each of the kids have a birthday party. Our kids need friends, and I decided that this would be a good way to have kids over, as well as meet their parents. Although Reed didn't have too many kids who were able to come, they all had a good time, and Reed felt special having his own special party.
I did a Lego theme for the party, which was fun preparing for. There are SO many ideas out there that would be a blast- I had to weed it down.
I had a little Lego kit for each child to build and take home.
Here are the kids with their airplanes.
This is Reed and his friend Uijin. He came from South Korea. We had been praying for a friend for Reed, and he was just what Reed needed. He didn't speak any English, and Reed was assigned to help him, and be his friend. Reed is a boy who needs a job or a mission. He needs to be needed, and he is such a hard worker when he is given a task. Uijin came in January, and by the end of the year, he spoke good English. I met his Mom and she was so appreciative of Reed and how he helped Uijin so much. I told her that Reed was blessed as well to have a friend, that he needed so badly. It was a win win. Unfortunately he moved not long after Reeds party. His Dad went down to Provo to go to school. Maybe Uijin and Reed just needed each other for a short time, to get over a rough time.
Opening Presents.
It was so fun that Uli was there for the party too!
We had pizza and drink too. I made Lego pizza, but it is hard to see. I used mini pepperonis which made them look like the dots on the Lego blocks.
Reeds cake.
I had great ideas about making a Lego cake. Carter and Erin helped me with a reality check, and picked up a Costco cake for the party. They were so smart. As much as I want to do all of these great things, the reality is, that most things just don't happen.
Blowing Out The Candles.
I think that Reed had a great time.
I did a Lego theme for the party, which was fun preparing for. There are SO many ideas out there that would be a blast- I had to weed it down.
I had a little Lego kit for each child to build and take home.
Here are the kids with their airplanes.
This is Reed and his friend Uijin. He came from South Korea. We had been praying for a friend for Reed, and he was just what Reed needed. He didn't speak any English, and Reed was assigned to help him, and be his friend. Reed is a boy who needs a job or a mission. He needs to be needed, and he is such a hard worker when he is given a task. Uijin came in January, and by the end of the year, he spoke good English. I met his Mom and she was so appreciative of Reed and how he helped Uijin so much. I told her that Reed was blessed as well to have a friend, that he needed so badly. It was a win win. Unfortunately he moved not long after Reeds party. His Dad went down to Provo to go to school. Maybe Uijin and Reed just needed each other for a short time, to get over a rough time.
Opening Presents.
It was so fun that Uli was there for the party too!
We had pizza and drink too. I made Lego pizza, but it is hard to see. I used mini pepperonis which made them look like the dots on the Lego blocks.
Reeds cake.
I had great ideas about making a Lego cake. Carter and Erin helped me with a reality check, and picked up a Costco cake for the party. They were so smart. As much as I want to do all of these great things, the reality is, that most things just don't happen.
Blowing Out The Candles.
I think that Reed had a great time.
McCrays Birthday Party
Round 2 of the birthday parties. Reeds was one Saturday, and McCray's was the next. I tried to find new games and activities, and we had a great time. It is funny, when you throw a party, you realize the things that turn out really fun, and also that were flops. We had both.
This was pretty fun- we played a game where we secretly gave the boys something they were supposed to build, and then dumped the bucket of Lego's out, and let them go for it. They were so creative, and it was quiet. After they were done, the others guessed what they had build. This was a fun game!
I made a Lego block cake for McCray, and it worked...mostly. The frosting was having a hard time staying on the cake, but everyone at least knew what it was,
and ate it, so I guess it was ok.
Presents.
I had the boys build a Lego 4x4 and they loved doing that. They got to take it home, so they thought that was fun.
This was pretty fun- we played a game where we secretly gave the boys something they were supposed to build, and then dumped the bucket of Lego's out, and let them go for it. They were so creative, and it was quiet. After they were done, the others guessed what they had build. This was a fun game!
I made a Lego block cake for McCray, and it worked...mostly. The frosting was having a hard time staying on the cake, but everyone at least knew what it was,
and ate it, so I guess it was ok.
Presents.
I had the boys build a Lego 4x4 and they loved doing that. They got to take it home, so they thought that was fun.
We did McCray's party in June, instead of August when his real birthday is so that he could invited his friends at school. We aren't sure where they all live. So he got to celebrate his birthday 2 times. Lucky guy! He deserves it- he is a great kid!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Reeds Birthday
We celebrated Reed's 7th birthday with presents, after his baseball game one night.
Reed LOVES Legos and so he was excited to get some more to play with. He also wanted an analog watch so that he could practice telling time. He is getting to be such a big kid, and I sure love him!
Kent's 40th Birthday Party
Kent had a big milestone birthday this year. He turned the big 4-0 on May 29th. It is hard to believe that we are getting that old. I guess "we" aren't. Kent is. :)
We had a little dinner and birthday party for him, and had a great time. His cousin Debbi was amazing, and made this cake for him. She asked if she could make a cake, and I thought, well, sure. Well, she went all out and made such a nice cake. Way nicer that I would have made.
We had a great night, and it was fun to celebrate Kent. I am so blessed to have him in my life. He is so kind and patient with me. Thanks for all that you do for me and our family. I love you !
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