july {condensed}

July was another traveling month for us.  After we returned from Arizona, I unpacked and did all the laundry, so that we could pack it all up again for a trip to New York and Ontario, Canada to visit my mom's side of the family.  We had a great time!  We flew into Buffalo, and drove over to Palmyra where we stayed for a few nights.  It was nice to see all the sights and the pageant again, and especially nice that Dave and the kids were able to experience it too.  We asked the kids to be reverent while we were in the sacred grove, and they did a great job.  They both said that they could feel the spirit while we were there.

Saw some church history sites

Grandin printing press

Standing on original Joseph Smith family farm, with the Palmyra temple in the background.

Saw some church history sites.  Naomi LOVED my cousin Derek.  Everyone else, too, but especially Derek.

Pageant getting set up.  It was wonderful, and the kids were amazed.

Funny group shot.

After Palmyra, we drove up to my Aunt Marsha’s house.  I wasn’t feeling too well on the drive, and hoped that it was only a cold.  Unfortunately, it was strep – again!  Luckily one of my uncles was able to call in a prescription for me to a Walgreens in New York.  Dad and Dave drove down to pick it up for me, which was very much appreciated.  Unfortunately, having strep meant that I missed almost everything about being up there.  I was able to sit out on the porch for a little bit while everyone swam, but didn’t do much else.  I am glad I wasn’t sick at a hotel, though.

They did lots of fun stuff without me.

Niagara Falls was our next stop.  We saw the Canadian side, rode the trolley on the American side, and rode the Maid of the Mist.  Riding the boat up to the falls was a blast!  There is so much water coming over; it is amazing.  I recently read a book that said that only 50% of the potential water actually goes over the falls – the rest is diverted for the hydroelectric plant there.  And, during the night only 25% is allowed to go over.  I can’t imagine what it would be like with twice as much water going over.

crossing the border

cousins

The next morning we woke up early to make it to the airport for our flight.  It was delayed because of mechanical issues.  Dave called to see about our connecting flight in Cincinnati, which was a good thing!  If we had taken the flight out of Buffalo, we would have been stuck in the Cincinnati airport over night – we wouldn’t have been able to make any flights to DFW because of the delay.  So, instead of sleeping in the airport we decided to stay in Buffalo, where we already had a hotel.  Mom and Dad weren’t able to fly out either, so we had another day to spend together before leaving for home.  It was a fun vacation!

That left only one week remaining in July, which I used to catch up with everything around here.  What fun summer vacations we had!

june {condensed}

At the beginning of the month,  I helped plan the first Primary activity our presidency had done.  I think it turned out well.  The kids had fun, and learned about the prophets as well.  We had four stations, where a prophet of the Book of Mormon came to talk with the kids.  We had Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty, Nephi building the boat, the brother of Jared and the smooth stones, and I was in charge of Samuel the Lamenite.  I had someone from the ward dress up, and come tell Samuel’s story.  The kids were so excited to get to meet him!  After he told us his story, I had shields that I’d made for them, which said, “When I obey the Lord, I will be protected”.  I gave them each a sheet of aluminum foil and a piece of paper.  On the paper they wrote down something that they needed protection from.  Then they wadded up the paper in the foil, which represented a rock.  They practiced being protected with their shields and rocks.  As you can probably imagine, they had a lot of fun throwing the “rocks” and deflecting them with their shields.

Father’s day started off well, but didn’t end so great.  I made Dave a nice breakfast, and the kids gave him some presents and picked some flowers for him.  I had a little sore throat, but I thought it would get better as the day progressed.  Unfortunately, it got worse!  By the time the third hour of church came around, I was completely miserable and nauseous too.  I got Dave and the kids, and we left early.  I spent the rest of the day in bed, and went to the doctor the next morning.  It usually takes me a while to decide I should go to the doctor, so the fact that I went straight away shows how sick I really was.  I was diagnosed with strep, and got some antibiotics.  Man, was I miserable!  Unfortunately, Dave’s birthday was that Wednesday and I wasn’t feeling well enough to do anything for him.  He worked extra hard and took really good care of me and the kids while I was sick.

I finished up my recovery on the road out to Arizona, for a family reunion on my dad's side.  I like road trips, and the kids seem to enjoy themselves as well.  It was so fun to be at the family reunion and see everyone again.  We spent a few days at my grandparent's house, then traveled up to Sedona.  It is so gorgeous up there.

We had a barbecue

Watched the sunset over the red rocks

We all rode a ski lift up a mountain.  Some of us, are a little tinsy bit nervous about heights.  It's definitely genetics for me, from my dad's side.  Kind of a crazy vacation for a family of people a bit anxious when near the edge of things.  There was also a hot air balloon ride as well.  I found out on this trip how nervous Dave gets.  I guess I hadn't realized that about him before.

Posing for pictures at the top

We made it!

We also got to spend a day at the Grand Canyon, which I had never been to  before.  

Cousins

A rainbow over the Grand Canyon!

We stayed for the sunset

Which was amazing

We spent the night at my aunt's house, and then it was time to head back home. Unfortunately, on our way home, Dave got strep AGAIN!  He had had it on our way out, and then got it again on our way back.  He went to an ear, nose, and throat doctor when we got home.  The doctor told him that he would have to have his tonsils out.  That got taken care of in August.  Kind of a crummy end to our vacation, but we had a great time seeing some beautiful places, and enjoying family.