Letchworth Memorial Day Weekend

Our Memorial Day weekend wouldn't be complete without a trip to Letchworth state park to view the spectacular hot air balloons.

No, that not a messy face on J, she fell off a swing, bit her lip and was left with a few battle wounds... when she saw this picture, she said, ooohh, me owie and then started to fake whine.

Fire, I feel bad for the guy holding open the balloon, those things put off a lot of heat

She was not loving the sound

Flowers for me

It was fantastic weather, great company, and such a fun night. 

I love the summers here in New York.

sew busy

One of the great things about having C's parents come is that Sherry is so talented.

While they were here she made some custom scrub hats (you know- the hats doc's wear in surgery). C now has an assortment; camo, peppers, harleys, geckos and a tribute to john deere-all made to fit.

The other fabulous thing she/we made was this cutest apron.

She brought the pattern and fabric and made it in no time.

I LOVE IT. 

 It could even double as a shirt if I ever wanted to..

Those things hanging down are the big ties, which tie in the back.

She also brought my mother's day present which was a sewing machine.

It's an old singer, restored, in GREAT condition and it's perfect. 

It doesn't have bells and whistles, but it has the basics and that's what I wanted.  

It will last FOREVER! 

I am so excited!

I can't wait to see what comes out of it.

DC

(A BIG THANKS to my in-laws who watched the kids and made the following happen..)

To avoid doing a marathon post, I am going to try to sum up what we saw in one word..

Wright Brother's Plane

Inventive

The US Mint

1 Million in tens

Show me the money!!!

Library of Congress

Beautiful

Raising of the Flag at Iwo-Jima

Grateful

The White House

uh......a little bitter I didn't see Barack out walking their dog

Albert Einstein

Chillin'

Korean War Monument

Appreciative

Lincoln Memorial

Amazing!

Washington Monument

Huge

National Gallery of Art

Calming

Arlington National Cemetary 

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Indebted

Reverence

Holocaust Museum

Haunting

Remember

Vietnam War Memorial

Admiration

Patriotism

Also, at the Vietnam Wall, there was a guy there who has researched some of the people who gave their lives.  He handed out paper and would stop and talk and tell you about specific people who died in defense of our country.  He told us about a 14 year old who died after being there less than a month.  He altered the dates on his papers, he was the youngest person to die.  He also told us about a nurse who was trying to help orphans and their plane crashed.  She was killed, along with many of the children.  It was so interesting to hear the stories of the lives of these people.  I didn't know anyone who died in the Vietnam war, and seeing the monument was amazing.  But after speaking with the man who knew so much about these individuals, it brought the inscribed names to life for me and I left with a greater sense of gratitude for what they did for us and what they gave up.

Baseball boy

K is doing Baseball.  It's his first year.

He is so apprehensive about trying new things, a trait he unfortunately inherited from me,

 he was not excited about playing.

We decided to sign him anyway, hoping it would help with self-esteem and build confidence.

HE LOVES IT!

This is his first game.  He had such a great time.

Some interesting things about baseball that we learned. 

 They play 4 innings.  

ALL of the kids get to bat each time around.  

They don't keep score.

It's very lax.

Kids are walking off the field to go to the bathroom (sometimes in the bushes).

Some are dashing off the field for a handful of popcorn (that was K).

They get kinda rowdy in the dug out.

It takes just over 2 hours for 7 year olds to play 4 innings.

It's great to see him having fun.

Letchworth

C's parents just came into town for a visit.

We headed to Washington DC (pics to come) 

and they watched the kids for us - we are SO grateful.

We did make it to Letchworth, I love it there.

The whole fam

Posing kids

An unlikely visitor

We were eating dinner the other night and we had a little visitor. It looks like a dove, but bigger.

J kept trying to catch it.

It was very cool.

K kept asking why we were lucky to see it.

I kept explaining because it's uncommon.

I don't think he got it.

If a black cat crossing your path is bad luck, what do you think a white bird is... good luck?

water balloons

We have been having some great weather lately.  

I pulled out some water balloons and let the kiddos go crazy.

I filled about 50, my fingers will never be the same.

They went through them in about 2 minutes.

They had a blast.

I love summer time!

helmet head

We got J a new helmet for her bike.

I think she likes it.

Happy mothers day

One of my favorite songs is from the Broadway play Wicked.  It's called For Good.

Lately I've been reflecting on my life and all of the great women I have been able to come in contact with and what a force for good they have been on me.  

My own mom is an example of a righteous woman.  She tries to serve where needed and lives the gospel and loves her savior. 

 My nana is an example of unwavering faith and courage.  She joined the church, lived the gospel alone while waiting years before her spouse joined.  Then as a couple, they left their comfortable home in England and moved to Utah with 5 young children and barely $600.  

They wanted to be where the gospel of Jesus Christ was.  

My grandma faced challenges and always made the best of things.  

My mother in law is an example of service.  She gives selflessly to those around her.

All of my girlfriends, while I was growing up and on into High school, were great examples of righteousness.  

Everywhere we have lived, I have been blessed with great friends.  My friends in Eagle Mountain gave me hope and strength when I had to bear trials that I couldn't bear alone.  I found my strength through them  and our savior.  

My friends in Highland and Alpine brought happiness and peace into my life. 

 And all of the wonderful women I have met here have touched me in so many ways.   You have each touched my life for good.

 

 I am a better person for coming into your path.

 

You have been examples of happiness, love, helpfulness, selflessness , generosity, honesty, kindness, giving, faithfulness, spiritual, service oriented, righteousness, virtuousness and compassionate women. 

I have been blessed to have great women in my life who inspire me.  

 I want to thank each of you for the example you are to me and what I have learned from you, your examples and your friendship.

Some of the words from Wicked

I've heard it said 

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow 

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend:
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you:
Because I knew you:
I have been changed for good

Thanks for being the women and mothers you are!