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!

A muddy day with the Griffitts

Taft, Zea, Emma & Abby (Griffitts) found a mud puddle that was created from their day in the sprinklers & really enjoyed themselves. I was pretty funny & I had fun hosing them down. They were pretty excited for their "slow melting" popsicles (that's right mom's, look in the freezers in your stores, it says "slow melting" and they really are; not sure how it works and not sure I want to but it does; I am now okay with giving them popsicles even when they are not in swimsuits). :0)

Girls Camp

I went to girls camp this year for the second half on the week. It was so much fun & I really loved getting to know our girls more. They are so great, especially, considering how hard the areas are where they live. I feel blessed to have been able to be there for some pretty spiritual and special moments with them. I was exhausted when I got home but had a great time. Yeah, Logan ward girls...I love you!
This is Quany, Mimi, Kira, me and Vernisha (who I was introduced to as "Winky").






This is Megan Long, she is in another ward in the stake. We were counslors together over the second years (with 2 other ladies). We hit it off right away; she is so great! Don't worry we were eating a chocolate cake!

One of our girls, Vanessa, braided my hair the day we were leaving. I just wanted it out of my face but she went way beyond the call of duty and gave me cornrows. Taft thought it was pretty funny when he saw me. I wish I had a picture of what it looked like when I took it out...now that was funny...it was all over the place!

Our 5th anniversary

For our 5th anniversary Brett took us to Hersey Park (a water & amusement park). I was in charge of finding babysitting for the day (thank you again Dobson's and Barnhust's) so we were able to spend the day alone and go on any & all the rides we wanted to. Brett debated between the romantic vs. fun anniversary and decided that we need to have some serious fun together more than the other and he was right (as usual) :0).

We had so much fun and were completely whipped out afterward. We have always loved roller coaster rides but I was surprised how weak my stomach has become since I have been pregnant (No, I am not expecting, I just mean since I have had children my stomach has not been the same). Not to worry though, a little food and the time in line and I was good to go again. ;0)

I also turned 30, 6 days before, but we didn't do a whole lot (by my choice) so we don't have any pictures but it was a very nice and relaxing birthday. I was excited to be 30 until my knee and hamstring started to have problems and was taking forever to heal but I am fine with it now. I think it helps to be married to a younger and such a handsome man! ;0)
I mean just look at him...how can you be old next to someone so great! And let's be honest here, he is the more mature and grounded one on the family. :0) It has been a wonderful 5 years and I am excited for the innumerable ones to come.

Another family trip

So, our family went on a vacation to see the Hill Cumorah pagent in PALMYRA, NY (which was pretty cool, actually; especially because they only have one week to work with all of the actors). I have always wanted to see NIAGRA FALLS, also, and it was only another 2 hours past Palmyra, so, we decided to go there also. We had so much fun and it is truly a beautiful place to be (the Canadian side is much prettier but if you never went there the American side would still be quite breath-taking). I think I got a little excited with our pictures on our boat tour because I think the water that got on our camera fried out memory drive so we no longer have any pictures of the pagent or of Niagra Falls :0( so, sad! We did, however, get a couple of pictures of HARMONY, PA.(I believe it is now called Oakland) on our way home (where Joseph Smith lived when he and Oliver Cowdry were baptized and recieved the Priesthood. This is a picture of the water edge behind where his house once stood (no one knows exactly where he was baptized but there is a little area where the water pools that looked like the place I would choose so that is what I took the picture of.
This is a picture of me and the boys standing on the base of the orginal foundation (or what is left of it) of the house that Emma and Joseph lived in at the time. There really is such an amazing spirit to walk at the same places that the early saints walked and stand near place where such amazing miracles occured. We really have been blessed to see so much since we have lived here in Philly.
Below is a picture of the original tombstone that was laid for the baby that Joseph and Emma lost when they lived here. Both of Emma's parents were barried there also. The church has taken the originals and placed them on the back of new tombstone that are nicer (easier to see and read).
The originals for the Emma's parent (the Hale's) look very similar to this one.