Glorious Gettysburg

It was quite impossible to catch the beauty and magnitude of Gettysburg on film. There are numerous battlefields, monuments, & landmarks. You truly have to just go there to take it all in. We didn't expect it to be as big as it was and didn't give ourselves enough time (it is, at least, and ALL day event) so, a lot of our pictures were too dark anyhow. This picture at least helps to see one field and its beautiful colors and mass.

We took the audio/CD tour in our car. It was very well done. They boys ended up being the car, practially, all day but did GREAT! They really are little troopers; I was proud of them. Although it did help that Grandma was in the car with them. They just love her!

Our family picture was taken on "Little Round Top". I wish so badly that I could have a picture of how absolutely beautiful this stop was. And then to think of the determination, faith, and courage that took place at the spot on that day just magnifies its glory. What an amazing experience to be there. I thank God for the men who fought that day & everyday for our freedom and the life we now enjoy in this GREAT country! These are the experiences I will miss when we leave in August but always be grateful for. What a blessing it has been to live here for a while. Glad we still have 9 more months!!

Grandma Claudia came to town!!

The same night I got home from New York my mom flew in to visit. They boys were so excited (as was I) to have her here. The loved coming down each morning and finding her there. She stayed for a week and we went to Gettysburg & New York (just mom & I went there). Those are in future blogs.

Mary Poppins New York Trip

Originally, a group of girls were going to go to the Rachel Ray show on Nov. 7th. A small group bought tickets to also go see a broadway show. The Rachel Ray show got changed to the 14th but those of us with broadway tickets still had to go on the 7th, so, we made a day of it. It was Tamar, Alyssa, Robyn and I that went for the full day (thanks again for driving, Tamar). Our first stop was for me, a "white castle" cheeseburger in Staten Island. Apparently, White Castle is an east coast thing, really cheap & tiny cheeseburger that have been around for a while and open all time. I first heard of them when I was a teenager and listened to Beastie Boys. Kim this was for you! After making our way to New York with a few subway detours (we got confused in direction) we ate lunch in Greenwich Village at John's pizza. It was really good and I was able to make one of my favorite stops across the street at this wonderful italian bakery, Roccos, as well.

After a day of walking, subway rides, and eating (we also had dinner at a cart on broadway that sold very good gyros) we made it to Mary Poppins. Teri joined us there. It was very well done and we all had a great time. It was quite a bit different from the movie but I liked the changes. It made the morals of the story much more clear and meaningful. I am so glad that I was able to finally see a broadway play and spend a girls day away with some wonderful friends. We didn't get home until 2:30am and took a couple of days to recoup but it was well worth it. Thanks again for the great day ladies!!!

Kite flying in Valley Forge

We went kite flying at Valley Forge for a family outing. It was the perfect day and a great excuse to use our awesome kites again. We have a dragon and an airplane we got last spring from Costco; one of our best purchases! We really love the fall (especially out here with all of the colors in the trees) and really wanted to get out to see Valley Forge before the leaves fall. It was truly beautiful and we had a great time together. Taft did really well flying the kite all by himself and was pretty excited. Zea needed some assistance but still felt pretty special. They are such great boys, we have truly been blessed!

Halloween

This was Halloween night. Taft had already dressed up three times (preschool, ward halloween party, & a playgroup party at a friends house) but we had yet to get Zea to wear his whole costume until this night. He freaked out everytime; he hates having thick clothings on (anything restricting). He had a fit when we first put it on (thus the crying in our family picture) but once he realized that he was going to get candy out of it and all he had to do was go to a door and ask he was in & had a great time. Taft really wanted to be "Super why" from the new cartoon "Super Readers" but I just didn't have the time to make it so I talked him into being the night the will fight the dragon (his brother). It was a fun night and we have yet to eat all of the candy. I couldn't believe how much candy they got just in our complex. Of course, the suckers where the first things they went for.

First day of preschool

Okay, so before the pumpkin patch was Taft's first day of preschool. He started in september and (in spite of what he looks like in the picture) he was really excited. A friend of mine, Jamie Bohn, in our ward was a kindergarten teacher and now teaches preschool in her basement. She does a great job and Taft really loves it. I just wish I could get more out of hime when he gets home but I guess that is going to be my life with boys...little details. I will keep trying.

A Day at the Pumpkin patch

Taft's preschool class went to the pumpkin patch for a field trip. Hosea and I got to go with them. It was a lot of fun and we had a good time inspite of the rain. In fact, it was pouring so hard at one point that they had to close the corn maze and slide and we all went into the store/ice cream shop. Just walking through the parking lot we got so drenched that we were soaked through our sweatshirts and jeans. Tamar and I had to strip the kids down to diapers/underwear and cover them in a blanket for the ride home. What a blast!