Visit to Upstate New York

(LONG post..)

I got to go visit friends in New York (Rochester area) last week, which was a much needed vacation! A little break from the kids helped me appreciate them more, enjoy them more, and relax. I wasn't worried about them at all since Jesse's mom watched them during the day and nights (Jesse helped out before and after work) - I was more worried Parker would be ultra-needy and drive Mimi & Papa crazy! I am VERY grateful for their help! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Thank you Jesse for letting me go!

Emily and I decided we would surprise-visit our friend, Susan, who lives in New York. We worked it out with her hubby, Andrew, so she knew to expect someone (she thought it was his old mission companion & family). The 3 of us have been friends since way back in elementary school! She was definitely surprised and we had a wonderful time. Thank you for setting up the surprise, Andrew, and thank you both for being wonderful hosts!
We got there in the evening, so the next day we did a little sight-seeing. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a lot of history near Rochester (mostly Palmyra) so it was fun to get to see some of the sites. First, we visited the Hill Cumorah.

Christus in the Hill Cumorah Monument visitor's center

(one of the only ones without stars/planets as the background - instead it is the Sacred Grove)

We climbed the Hill right at sunset

It's a lot bigger hill than I had imagined!

Poor Emily... carrying a 2-month old (cute little Jackson!).

Susan with her 2-year-old, Grayer 

(whenever I missed my boys, Grayer would give me a hug - thanks bud!)

 Here's one of me... can't figure out how to make it turn the right way, sorry.

 

 At the top by the monument. Lots of ladybugs up there...

The Palmyra Temple was really close so we stopped for a few pictures. 

What a beautiful time to visit New York! 

I miss all the fall colors living in St. George... not many trees in the desert, you know.

The next day, we drove a little ways to see Niagara Falls. It was FREEZing there so we didn't stay long. Oh ya.. since we were so close to Canada, and I had my passport... I ditched the other 2 at a gas station so I could run across the border and snag myself some ketchup chips (potato chips with a ketchup flavor - they may sound weird, but they are GOOD), Caramilk (like Caramello... only better and not as messy), Crispy Crunch (similar to a Butterfinger), burnt almond bar (dark chocolate bar with broken almonds - simple but delicious if you like dark), and gummy peaches. Most Canadians think their candy is superior, and I disagree (example - their "version" of M&M's.. gross). These are some of the exceptions.

We only viewed the falls from the American side.

American Falls

Horseshoe Falls and view of Canada

That night, we took Susan, Andrew, & Grayer to the Cheesecake Factory in Rochester. 

YUM.

Friday, we visited Joseph Smith's home and the Sacred Grove. This place was so peaceful, I loved it.

Where Joseph Smith lived when he was 14 years old. (Original foundation, but the building is a replica of what homes looked like then.)

Upstairs where Joseph Smith probably slept and where the Angel Moroni visited him during the night.

 Left: Sacred Grove

Middle (white building): Visitor's Center

Right (brown building): same home as above

View of the Palmyra Temple from the Sacred Grove. This is the only temple with clear windows, so you are able to look out of the Temple into the Sacred Grove.

View is from the Sacred Grove looking out toward Joseph Smith's 2nd home. 

You can kind of see it through the trees (middle-right).

In the Sacred Grove. Seriously SO peaceful.

In high school (9th-12th grades), we sang as a trio. We had one of the Sister Missionaries record us singing in the Sacred Grove. (Keep in mind we didn't practice much..)

"The Olive Tree"

I had SUCH a good time, girls! We will definitely have to keep this a tradition. Where to next...? How about some place warmer... :)

Trick - or - Treat

After 6-7 houses.. Lincoln was done. Can you tell?

Setting up for the Halloween Party

Audrey and I decided to throw a Halloween Party for the ladies that come to play group every week.  We also invited family and a few others... Here are a few pictures from the set up.

 Parker (turtle without his hood on) & Mimi

 Lola - garden gnome (bounce house in the background)

 Lincoln - gnome

 Jesse as Mr. Potato Head (can you guess what I was?)

As soon as I get pictures from the actual party I will post more!

Carving Pumpkins

We had a little pumpkin carving party at our house last Thursday. We had pumpkin chocolate chip cookies to go along with it. I have always liked to carve pumpkins. I'm still convincing Jesse it is a good idea. :) Lincoln was interested for a little bit, but he kept picking up the knives/carving tools to help... which I thought was a bad idea. So... he and the other kids decided to empty all the drawers in his room instead. In a few years, maybe, right?

Nate, Lola, Audrey, Cody, Lincoln, Jesse, & Jon

Parker, Jon & Eli in the back

Jen (Jon & Eli on the left)

Eli

Haunted House, Elmo, Ghoul flying in the sky, Spider

Lincoln with the "pun-kins"

These are the 2 Jesse & I did (when I say both of us, I mean Jesse helped a little bit)

Conference Music

(October 1, 2011)

Lincoln loves church. He especially likes the music. Even more, he likes playing cars in nursery. So, during Sacrament Meeting, Lincoln usually blurts out "Cars!" or "Go nursery!" Jesse or I usually say, "After the speakers, then the music, then the prayer." Then Lincoln blurts out "MUSIC!" since he wants the meeting to end. He usually repeats it a few times..

While watching General Conference, Lincoln starts paying attention when the choir sings. He's very interested in the conductor waving his baton. He got a butter knife and started waving it around. It was pretty cute, so I took a picture and then got him something else to wave around.

Play Colors

(September 22, 2011)

Once Lincoln was better at not wondering into the street, we started going outside to "play colors" - or draw with sidewalk chalk. He insists on me drawing a shark, a baby shark, a big shark, a blue shark, a pink shark, a purple shark... you get the picture. We are 1/2 through our 2nd box of 20.

Lincoln & Parker

Smilin' Parker Man

He likes to raise up both arms when he's happy

Lincoln & Parker

Parker likes to crawl/scoot over as fast as possible to try to get the chalk.. to put in his mouth! He sure acts like he is posing when I take his picture most of the time.

It's hard to get a picture of Lincoln without him talking... this one is close!

Parker [Scooting and] Sitting Up

(Pictures from September 6, 2011)

Parker started scooting around about 5 to 5 1/2 months old, and then began sitting up right around 6 months. He's definitely different than Lincoln was!! He recently (in the last couple weeks or so - at 7 months) began true crawling, but he's been mobile for a loooong time now. Lincoln didn't crawl till he was more than 10 months! He has 2 teeth (since about 5 1/2 months).

Cheesy smile

Cute little Parker

He loves the fridge (when it's open), the pantry, the baby gate (which prevents the kids from coming in our bathroom), banging toys, making noise with anything, rattles, the curtains and windows by the balcony, putting random little things in his mouth (fuzz, rocks, leaves, paper - things I didn't have to worry about with Lincoln), peek-a-boo, and BEING HELD. The last on the list is most important to him. In fact, he's complaining right now (wimpering/buzzing lips/whining) since I'm not holding him right this second. It has progressed to crying now. SO.... better leave it at that!

Playing at the Park with Dad

(September 8, 2011)

Parker LOVES the swing. I guess he spent the first 2 months of his life there (since he wouldn't sleep anywhere else).

Dad pushing a little too hard... (Lincoln's face is pretty funny..)

"Cheese!"

Here you can see Parker enjoying the swing, and Lincoln showing off.

Bathtime with the Cousins

(August 29, 2011)

Lincoln
Amelia & Flora May

Lincoln loves to dump out anything and everything... so bathtime is usually shortened since a lot of water ends up on the floor...

Garden Helper

(August 6, 2011)

Lincoln wanted to help Ashley in her garden a couple months ago. He helped her pick the grape tomatoes. He picked some green, some red, and was upset when it was time to go home!

Pick 'em..

..and put 'em in the bowl

Eye Color

(August 3, 2011)

I learned in 10th grade biology that if both parents have blue eyes, the children will also have blue eyes. I have light bluish-green eyes, and Jesse has light greenish-blue. So I thought all of our kids would have some hue close to blue or green.

They both have dark eyes.

Parker - dark blue

Lincoln - brown

I'm pretty sure blue + green doesn't = brown... but maybe they were simplifying genes in 10th grade biology...

Critters

(August 2, 2011)

So... living in a new place means new animals in and around the house. I'm (sort of) used to the cockroaches (still HATE them, though), crickets, and a few spiders. Also, big toads and praying mantises (did you know they fly?) in the back yard.

The other day there was a small LIZARD in the house. Lizard?!? Is there some giant crack letting this animal in or did it sneak in while the door was open?

Lincoln's first "pet"

One early morning before a bike ride, I got my bike clothes on and my socks on and went into the garage to unhitch the bike trailer. As I was walking toward my bike I noticed a slight "crunch" and didn't put all my weight down on my foot. I thought it was a goldfish cracker or something, but when I looked to see what I stepped on.. it was a scorpion! WHAT? I was only wearing a sock! I started panicking and ran back inside and woke Jesse up. "How do I know if I've been stung by a scorpion?!"... to which he replied... "It would hurt really bad." So, I wasn't stung but it sure scared me! I also called pest control later in the day. At least it was only in the garage...

Playin' at the Park

(July 6, 2011)

Even when it's stinkin' hot outside in July, we still manage to get out and go to the park. It may be like 8 or 9 in the morning, but that's better than staying in all day.

I took Flora May along with me this time when I went to the park (Lola was napping).

Lincoln, Parker, & Flora May all in swings

(July 8, 2011)

Have I mentioned how NICE it is to have a park within walking distance?? It is pretty awesome. There is usually water all over the sidewalks, so I have Lincoln wear his flip-flops or other shoes I don't care about getting wet.

Flora May diggin' in the dirt & Lincoln splashing in the water

Splashing in a bigger puddle

4th of July

(July 4, 2011)

We went to see Tuacahn's "Little Mermaid" with McKay & his date. It was a good show and we had a good time (and break from the kids). They did a special firework show at the end (since it's an outdoor amphitheater) and that was a treat. Earlier in the day, we went swimming.

Lincoln with Jesse

Lincoln has his 2 boats

Random Cute Pictures

(June 23, 2011)
Parker playin'

(July 1, 2011)
Lincoln with his arm around Parker
- Brothers -

Visit to Idaho

(August 19, 2011)

Since we hadn't been to Idaho for a really long time, we decided to make a quick trip there in August. We went to the splash pad (in Rexburg... where they have summer for 2 months of the year...), Tautphaus Park Funland, shooting (Jesse & Tom), and visiting with family. It was fun and SUCH a nice break from the heat here in St. George!

Jesse and Lincoln at the splash pad

Angela, Rose, Parker, Logan, & Rachel

Jesse & Lincoln

Matthew, Hailey, & Hannah

Lincoln & Matthew

Lincoln (who was pretty nervous) on the carousel

Grandpa with Parker

I forgot my camera to Funland, but we had Jesse's phone. So the pictures are just so-so...

The train ride
Lincoln in back, Hannah, Hailey, Matthew in front

They also rode the airplanes, the carousel, and the ferris wheel. Lincoln had a pretty good time. Thanks, Mom, for watching Rose & Parker!

Boats

(June 14, 2011)

Paddle boards, actually. You are supposed to stand on them surf-style and paddle. It's actually pretty fun (and a good workout!). Mimi & Papa got a couple and we've gone out a couple times. When Lincoln comes, we sit down. He's pretty nervous the whole time. He calls them "boats."

Mimi & Lincoln

Ivins Reservoir (very small lake close to where Mimi & Papa live)