And So It Goes...

So, I'm coming to terms with the fact that I'll never be caught up on the blog. Just like the rest of my life. I realized I still had pictures on my camera from the kids' and my fun week at my parents' home. It was mostly more of the same: Swimming, swinging, swimming, and swinging. But we did have a few noteworthy outings as well.

Including close encounters of the third kind. First it began with an odd stain on a pair of white capris. Every time I washed them the stain got darker and spread, leaving carbon copies all over them. Not so good for white pants. I treated them with all sorts of things, but it just kept getting worse. It really felt like I was dealing with some (very) foreign material. I didn't even remember getting the stain. Finally, I used barely diluted bleach and a toothbrush in a last ditch effort to save the pants from being totally taken over by the "stain". It worked. So, if you ever encounter hostile aliens, try bleach.

Our second encounter involved this stuff:

Kayli found this weird stuff in my parents' yard. She couldn't just look at it, she had to truly discover it by touching it. You can see where it's exposed from her touching it. It was very soft, kind of jelly-like. She actually barely touched it. It freaked me out, but it's been over a week and she hasn't shown any weird side effects. But I'm keeping the bleach handy, just in case.

I checked on it a few days later after a morning run and it was completely gone. Completely. Not a single trace. Doo doo doo doo (Twighlight Zone).

On to friendlier outings

When the sailing trip didn't work out, we decided to take the ferry instead. Not as exciting, but it still got us out on the water. And it was not as long, so much better for Bryce.

We decided to go blueberry picking one morning. Here the kids are following Grandma through the beautiful orchard.
This is how Bryce picked. Non stop.
The rest of us would have walked right passed this guy if Bryce hadn't noticed him. Actually, there were two. We warned the kids not to get too close, so Kayli kept "betecting" Bryce, by knocking him down repeatedly. Even though he was just standing there. Such a good big sister!

Tuesday was a sad sad day around here. My sweet and awesome friend Jamie moved far away with her three sweet and awesome boys. She joined the church shortly after we moved to Connecticut. I was assigned to Visit Teach her and her mom and the rest is history. She's been one of my best friends and I don't know what I'm going to do without her!

A small group of us got together the night before to say a sad "Good bye".
(Those are THE white capris, after I defeated the "stain".)She's tiny, in case you couldn't tell.

Jamie, best of luck to you! You will be so missed!

Might As Well...

I decided to go ahead and finish blogging our trip. So, next on the docket was Boston. We intended to do more, like help clean the Boston Temple and explore parts of Boston we haven't yet been to, but it didn't work out. We were taking it pretty easy every morning and Blake wanted me to try his gym out with him that week. So, by the time we left the house, there was only time for dinner, a quick stroll around Boston Commons, and then to Charles Playhouse.
We didn't even have time for the nice dinner we'd been planning. But, the walk around Boston Commons was nice. I was commenting to Blake that I liked Boston best of all the big tourist-type cities. I rambled on about how it just seems more quaint, cleaner, and classier. Right in the middle of this, we noticed a trio who had previously been playing an assortment of instruments (including the accordion) picking through the garbage and then--EATING IT! Yes, my friends, Boston is a classy place. I still really like it there though. And truthfully, I feel really bad for those kids. But that is nasty.
Anyway...

Anxiously awaiting the fun.

(Apparently, our camera lens had a nice smudge. It shows up more in some pictures than others. That's why our heads look funny here. Thank you, Kayli & Bryce.)

Neither of us really knew what to expect from the show, but we really enjoyed ourselves. I knew they were messy, but I didn't know they were so funny! It will be really fun to take the kids in a few years.

I wish I could blame the smudge for why I look funny here. I was kind of nervous to get close to him. And the "people" kept yelling at us to get off the stairs, so we were rushed.

Here's a close-up so you can see how crazy the stuff on their faces was.

The next day we headed back to NY so we could all go to the little celebration my parents' town puts on every summer. Kayli talked about it for months after we went last year. This year she had a lot of fun, but it didn't leave quite the same impression. They had dancing, music, food, and fireworks. The Bryce had fun playing on the toys at the playground while we waited for the fireworks. But Kayli and Blake danced. One of Kayli's tricky dance moves. The funniest was when everyone started doing the Macarena. She watched an older kid next to her so intently, trying really hard to learn it. So cute!

The fireworks were really fantastic. Except some annoyingly loud and unimpressive ones near the end. But the rest of it was one of the better fireworks shows I've ever seen. Bryce missed the fireworks on the 4th so he was especially impressed. He kept climbing off my lap to visit the family sitting in front of us. He had to make sure that they noticed what was going on. It was really funny to watch. So, I got two shows that night.

On Sunday, Blake headed down to New Jersey for work training while the kids and I stayed at my parents'. Blake had as enjoyable a time as possible, I think. They had really good food. And he had a good roommate. They played racquetball a couple nights and this roommate never urinated on him. So, all things considered, it may have been his best training experience thus far.

The kids and I had a wonderful time playing and hanging out with my mom & dad. We swam, ate outside on the deck every night, tried to go sailing with my dad one night, and just had way too much fun. Our last morning there was definitely the best for Kayli. Bryce and I unfortunately, slept through it. Kayli and Grandpa enjoyed nice big bowls of Fruit Loops on the deck. Then Grandpa went back in and came out with a bowl of ice cream. I should be upset, but it meant so much to Kayli. Thanks for being such a fun grandpa, Dad. Surprisingly, Kayli did NOT want to go home when Blake came to pick us up that night.

And lastly, I just want to give a shout out to my amazing in-laws. They just finished participating in RAGBRAI. That's Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. I can't imagine biking that far! They said that one day they did 80 miles. And that's just one day of it. Amazing. I'm so grateful that both my parents and Blake's are awesome examples for my kids of staying in shape. Thanks!

Looks Like It'll Be Long After All

First of all, thank you so much for your sweet comments. That wasn't my intention in making my confession, but it was a very appreciated result. And it's nice to know I'm not alone. But I have been doing much better at just being happy for you for all the things you have that I don't.
Anyway, I never did get around to posting again last week (obviously), so it's a marathon post again. I've been working on this one since Sunday and I still have a ton more to post that didn't even make it here. We need to stop doing things...
So, to catch up:
In the days just before we left on our trip we had a lot of fun playing, of course.

Kayli wears her "tutu" all the time and loves to dance and twirl around in it. So, Bryce was so excited to sneak into it one day. He actually had the black wig from below for a while but, of course, took it off just before I shot this picture.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the expression on her face here!

One day we met some friends at a mini carnival held at our favorite park.

Here is Bryce playing on the play scape while we waited for our friends. Kayli and Joe (a little boy that she absolutely adores) couldn't wait to go down this slide. Until they got to the top, that is. Fortunately, Joe's mom was up there with them to "put the slow brake on" for them both so they were brave enough to go down. Although, when zoomed in, you can see the frightened look on both little faces. Kayli said it was fun when she got down to the bottom and that's all that really matters. We did another ride and the bouncy castle and called it a day. It was a VERY small carnival.

The next day we went to a little kiddie pool because Kayli had been begging to swim. Totally thrilled to be there.
Bryce kept trying to squat down to splash and ended up face planting in the water a few times before he got the hang of it. But he was brave and kept on trying.

Then we headed to NY and began our adventure!
The Liberty Bell was one of my favorite exhibits. And the only picture taken by a stranger (so we could be in it together) that actually turned out.

This was our very knowledgeable tour guide. He even told us how they came up with the "Bar Exam", but it's too long to be retold here. This is the room where the Constitution was revised and signed.
Blake in front of Independence Hall. It seems like that tower part plays a role in National Treasure, but we couldn't remember what for. You know, the real historical event that took place there.
When Blake ate a cheese steak his belly didn't ache. (Mine did, but it doesn't rhyme).
This is on the edge of the Historical Park. You can see the Visitor's Center and Independence Hall behind me. Next to me is the First Amendment.
As we were walking down to the art museum, we passed this random area full of giant game pieces. I am more than a little disappointed that these dominoes (donimoes, as Kayli says it) were set up incorrectly. They should be falling the opposite direction to work the way dominoes really do. But we thought it would be fun to make it look like Blake was knocking it down anyway.

Blake actually climbed on top of one of these "Sorry" pieces. But I didn't get a very good picture... (Sorry, hon!) That's a Chess Knight in front of me and behind me are a blue Bingo piece and way in the background, the wheelbarrow from Monopoly. So random, and yet so fun.
This pretty fountain was FULL of people swimming in it when we walked past it on our way home. I like it better like this.

And here is the reason we walked 4+ miles to see the Philadelphia Museum of Art even though it was closed:

The Rocky Statue!
Well, I have been working out
Looks just like Sly, doesn't he?
This fun guy was hanging around outside a Rodin Museum.

Stay tuned...

I Have a Confession to Make

When I read other blogs, I often feel jealous of all the things other people have that I don't. These range from personal qualities to household items to relationships. Last week's vacation kind of changed my perspective. Even though I've had time while here at my parents' house the last couple days, I've found myself a little hesitant to rejoin the blogging world. Our little vacation helped re-open my eyes to all the millions of things that I do have. Quality things that make all of that other stuff seem relatively unimportant. I'm not saying that I no longer wish I had a house to decorate and put nice things in, or an operating dryer (ours has been broken for a few weeks and we keep forgetting to get the part to fix it when the store is open), but my life is overflowing with blessings to keep me happy and way beyond satisfied. Don't worry, this is still serving the purpose of a family journal, so I will be posting regularly, but I hope I can maintain my perspective and quit the comparisons.My computer is having issues connecting to the wireless here and I'm too lazy to hook up my USB to transfer photos, so you'll get the photos of all the fun the kids enjoyed at Grandma and Grandpa's in Blake and my absence.
But I'm going to go ahead an post a little bit about our trip so we don't wind up with another novel-length post when I finally get home.
We started out in Philadelphia. We were going to spend the night but couldn't find enough to do to make it worth it so made it just a day trip. The highlight was probably getting gas for $3.91 in New Jersey on our way down. Well, maybe not the highlight, but exciting nevertheless. We were able to see the Liberty Bell. That was really neat. I had no idea how significant it was throughout U.S. history. Next we saw Independence Hall (formerly Philadelphia State House). Again, very amazing and inspiring. Lots of interesting little facts about Ben Franklin throughout the day. The City of Brotherly Love has a whole lot of love for that man. He's all over the place there. I'd really like to meet him. He sounds very interesting.
Next to Independence Hall was another building that I can't remember the name of right now. But it's where Congress and the Senate initially sat in session while they were still building Washington, D.C. The tour guide there was VERY passionate about the significance of this building. Seriously. He was so serious about it, I had a really hard time not laughing. But good for him.
Next we headed out for lunch and of course ordered a couple Philly Cheese steaks. Yuck. Actually, it tasted okay even though I'm not real big on meat. But about halfway through I just started to feel unwell and had to give the rest of mine over to Blake. So, that will probably be my last PCS.

Apparently, they love this game where Bryce pushes Kayli down the slide.

After lunch we toured around the historic park a little more. We saw the remains of Ben Franklin's home. A museum dedicated to him. It included a glass armonica. That's an instrument he invented that was based off of the sound a crystal glass makes when you rub a wet finger over the rim. Fascinating. I'll have to look through the pictures to remember where else we visited there.

Has anyone been teaching her about the Poconos? Because apparently she built this hill, stuck these sticks in, and told my mom that they were the Poconos and that 'Pocono' means mountain. I had no idea that this mountain range existed, so I know she didn't learn it from me.

After touring all the historical sites we decided to make the trek across town to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We think it was about a 2-mile walk each way. We considered getting a cab, but enjoyed walking and exploring the city so much that we never got around to it. We figured the museum would be closed by the time we got there, so why did we go? You'll have to wait for the photos to find out!

My dad hangs a couple regular swings and this baby swing out back every summer and the kids love them! Thanks, Dad!

We drove all the way home that night and got in pretty late. But couldn't complain since it had been a very fun and enjoyable day. This is still feeling like a long post, so I'll pause here and tell more later. We're here at my parents' home while Blake attends training in New Jersey this week. It's always fun here and we manage to stay pretty busy. So, maybe I'll get around to uploading those pictures while I'm here or I'm going to have a ton of catch up to do by the time we get home on Friday.

Lastly, I just want to say "Good Luck!" to my cousin Jennifer. She's like a sister to me and is having some serious surgery today. So, I just want you to know you're in my thoughts and my prayers, Jennifer. I hope it goes super smoothly and that you're feeling fantastic in no time. Just remember, you can always come visit me if you need a little extra help recovering. Remember how comfy our guest bed is?

Memory

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Since this is our family blog, feel free to leave a memory about any of the four of us.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. :)

Hurray for Sprinkler Parks!

We mixed up the routine a bit last week. We still went to the gym, but we also enjoyed two sprinkler parks and a spontaneous trip with some friends (including Kayli's current crush Joe) to the Dinosaur State Park.

The first sprinkler park was in Bristol, near a friend that we don't get to see very often.

The kids absolutely loved it. Especially this part where the water didn't come out very hard or fast. They thought it made a great drinking fountain. I really hope it was clean water. No one's been sick yet, so we should be okay.
Avery was not a huge fan of the water, but doesn't she look so adorable in her bathing suit?
Kayli has always been our little fish. She had so much fun playing in all the fountains of every shape and size.
Bryce playing with his new friend Justin.
Bryce and Avery were just thrilled to share this swing together.

Like I said, the trip to the Dinosaur State Park was unexpected so I didn't have my camera with me. Or lunch, but my kind friend generously shared with us. The museum was a lot of fun. It's built over real dinosaur tracks in the earth. They have some informational exhibits that my kids got A LOT out of. Well, not really. But they thought all the dinosaurs were really cool. Especially, when the lights dimmed and the dinos started roaring. Very exciting.

The next sprinkler park was a bit closer to home and was with the regular play group. I think it was the best turnout we've ever had. Possibly because it's been so hot and humid lately. Again, it was great times for everyone. Especially me. This park was obviously designed by a wise mother because both the spray pad and the play scape were fenced in, separately. So, we moms could actually visit together instead of constantly checking to make sure the kiddos haven't run off. It was so nice! Why aren't there more parks like this?

Bryce is obsessed with stairs lately. He thinks he's such a big boy. No major falls yet, but he's daring really worries me!
Kayli got to hang out with an old friend and they were inseparable.

Thank you all for your concern. I left the Blue Man tickets on top of the entertainment center until Blake got home that night and he filed them safely away. Now we just have to remember to take them with us when we go. We take the kids to my parents' on Wednesday and I'm really looking forward to some "just us" time with my sweetie!

I Do, Cherish You

Today marks our 5th Anniversary.

I spent a sad amount of time yesterday and today putting together a LONG slide show of our short years together, but it's frozen or something. So, this will have to do. I still can't believe it's been 5 years. When we first got married I thought we'd feel like an old married couple by the time we hit 5 years. But it still feels like we've only just begun. And when you think about it in terms of "forever", then I guess that's true. But we have grown a lot and had a lot of wonderful times over the last 5 years and I'm so excited for what the next 5 years will bring. And the next 100, or so.

We'll celebrating next week on a little trip while my parents watch the kids. We're going to see Blue Man Group one night. The tickets just arrived in the mail today. I'm scared to touch them for fear of what might happen. Keep your fingers crossed that I don't throw them away, recycle them, or shred them--at least not all the way through.

Blake, my love, I love you. I really really do.

It's Official

I'm late again! Happy (Late) Birthday to my beautiful sister-in-law, Mel. She is one of the most amazing and courageous women I know. She truly feels just like a real sister to me. I love talking to her and hanging out with her and I really really miss her. And I really need more pictures of her. I love you Mel!

In Keeping With Tradition

So, I failed to mention my favorite older sister's birthday. When will I ever be on top of things? Oh, probably never. But I did call her twice that day. Once to leave a lovely singing message as a family that quickly ended when Kayli began saying that she thought Aunt Amy was old and old and old and old. She's not, by the way. She's just totally awesome. This a photo of us when we went to see "Wicked" at the Gershwin Theatre. We didn't know we weren't supposed to take pictures, so we got busted shortly after. Happy Belated Birthday, Amykins!
And my favorite little sister tagged me last week. Thanks, Meggie Pooh.

3 Joys:

• Chocolate
• My babies' chubbiness, particularly the thighs
• Running

3 Fears

• Static shock when exiting a car
• Stepping in some one's nasty, melted gum that they couldn't muster the energy to put in a trash receptacle
• People who say that my children are so cute "they could just eat them right up." That's weird and disturbing. Especially the lady who proceeded to tell me that her husband would get mad at her for making her baby cry when she bit his toes. ?!?! We got out of there as quickly as possible.

3 Goals

• Learn how to make a balloon poodle
• Do a kajillion more triathlons
• Make tortellini from scratch

3 Obsessions

• Food (I recognize that I need air & water more than I need food, but food is more fun)
• Air
• Water

3 Random Surprising Facts

• I haven't washed my hair since Saturday
• I HATE those word verification thingies that so many of you require in order to leave a comment. I can't tell you how many comments I have written only to be denied b/c I am apparently challenged in the word verification area. And then I just give up. Nothing personal. I don't even keep track of who has it and who doesn't (like I could remember that), I just cringe and grit my teeth every time I go to post a comment and I see one of those funky-looking, nonsensical, wavy words. Ugh.
• My landlord brought me a letter yesterday informing me that rent was going up by 6%. That means that we will now be paying a rent bill that is $1 over a normal number. As in $101, only somewhat higher. Weird.

5 People I Tag

• Not really in a tagging mood. Tag yourself, if you feel like it.

Seriously? That Much Fun Again?

And we had another thrilling Fourth of July Celebration!

Just kidding. This was actually taken Saturday morning. Poor Bryce was so sleepy from staying up late the night before he fell asleep on our way home from the gym.

Our little barbecue was a lot of fun! Bryce devoured several pieces of watermelon. His whole tummy was soaked with the juice. And the picnic bench. And the ground...
My neighbor's little brothers were in town and all the kids had a ton of fun with all things involving wheels and/or balls.
Kayli and the girls perched on the truck for a view of the fireworks.
The park nearby us does a fireworks show every year. We've never been in town for it (remember, last year it was rained out and we were gone for the rain date). We actually couldn't see them from our house as well as we thought we'd be able too. I never considered that there was a front side and a back side to fireworks. But having the majority of the finale blocked by smoke brought that to my attention. It was still a fun show. And a great evening.

This is how Bryce has been folding his arms at prayer time for a while now. I just thought I'd share the cuteness with all of you!