Final summer events

The week before school began was the Rockingham County Fair as well as the close of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The only Olympic events I saw were at the hotel in Philadelphia, but I figured we should honor the athletes with a little Olympics of our own.

Future Olympic athletes perhaps?

Our only events were the three-legged race, a water balloon toss (what, you didn't know that was an official event?), and the long jump. The kids were mostly interested in the water balloons, but that's okay.

On the medals stand--everyone wins! Michael is doing his impersonation of swimmer Michael Phelps, preparing for his swimming race.


Later in the week, we went to the county fair. I think this is the fifth year we've gone--wow.

 Robbie wanted to go on the Ferris wheel, so I went with him. Pretty brave of both of us! I think next year we'll do more rides and other fun stuff.

 It's sad to say, but even though these pigs were very clean for their showing in the fair, they still stunk. Henry was very interested in all the animals and everything to see. Several of Michael's patients were showing animals at the fair--it's a neat accomplishment as they have to care for their animal over a period of months before they sell it after getting judged.

Michael was very excited to take these pictures on the monster trucks. I confess I don't understand the appeal, but the boys sure enjoyed it.

I took this picture on the way in.

It reminded me of this picture from 2013. Our kiddos are growing up.

Another visit to PA

A week before the temple trip, we drove up to East Berlin to visit Michael's grandparents there. They hadn't met Henry yet, and it was great catching up.

 Even though Grandpa can't see well, we were so glad that he and Grandma could meet Henry. Henry was happy to sit on his lap.

 Clara was so glad to see her second cousin, Brianna. We also had fun seeing Megan and Becky, Michael's cousins, as well.

 Chatting with Aunt Chris--she gave the kids a smorgasbord of snacks and then watched Odd Squad on PBS Kids, so they were as happy as clams. (Are clams happy? Where does that come from?)

 Hyrum was grateful to be able to see Grandma and Grandpa before he headed out west.

And Robbie on the way. Looks super uncomfortable, but somehow he made it work.

A visit to Philadelphia

We were super excited to hear the announcement of the Philadelphia temple a couple of years ago. Even though it's not our temple, we knew we would be able to take our kids to the open house. So we made our reservations for the temple, and figured we'd pack in some other fun things to do as well.

On the way up, we stopped at Fort McHenry, which is where Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to the "Star-Spangled Banner." The film we saw was very inspiring and brought tears to our eyes. Henry loved wandering around the visitor's center, and we heard more stories from a historian. It was crazy hot outside (100 or so) and Clara and Henry and I stayed in the visitor's center while Michael and Robbie went to the actual fort.

 Hanging out with Francis.

 This photo is evidence that not everything is what it appears to be. Clara initially refused to be in the picture and only came over under the consequence of having a privilege taken away. Anything for a family photo, right?

 Here Robbie is pretending to blow the cannon.

We drove on to our hotel in New Jersey (after paying $20+ in tolls!) and hurried on to Philadelphia for our reservation to go through. We started in the beautiful chapel across the street from the temple, and then walked across to enter. It was (sort of) funny--when we went to the Atlanta temple re-dedication several years ago with Clara, she had a tantrum over wearing the paper booties over her shoes and made a scene. This time, she handled it much better. Robbie, however, got quite upset this time--maybe it was the age!

 Fortunately, Henry didn't mind at all.

 The temple is just gorgeous--so much attention to details with period furniture, etc.

I love this picture!

After we left, I realized that even though it is a beautiful building, what makes the temple really unique and amazing is the incredible Spirit that you feel there. Because it hasn't been dedicated, it didn't have the same feeling that it will after it is dedicated. It is still lovely and peaceful, but I can't wait for my kids to enter a fully-operational temple when they do baptisms and receive their endowment. That is powerful.

After the temple, we drove downtown and met up with my old BYU friend and fellow Linguistics major, Kendra Wolgemuth Hernandez for some Philly cheesesteaks and ice cream at the Franklin Fountain.

It was great catching up, and my cheesesteak was so good!

The next morning, we drove back to Philly to visit the Franklin Institute.

 We met up with Ted Lansing and two of his kids, who were also there to see the temple, and we enjoyed checking out the amazing science museum.

 Clara is inside a "brain"--aaahhh! It was this cool net climbing system, supposed to be neurons in the brain.

On the way home, we stopped by Michael's dad's birthplace in Downingtown, and he really enjoyed Facetiming his dad so that Grandpa could see the old house. The owners even let him go inside.

It was a long and tiring trip, but we were glad that we made the choice to go. I love the temple and hope our kids will love it, too.

Summer water fun

Playing in the water sure makes the heat more bearable. Michael took the kids to the pool many times, but here's a smattering of some other fun water memories from the summer:

We went to Riven Rock Park with some friends from church one day. It was a lot of fun, and we grilled hot dogs over some charcoal afterwards.

 Hanging out by the side of the river. Henry enjoyed sucking on rocks--glad he didn't get sick!

 It was the day before Hyrum left, so that was great to hang out with him one more evening.

 I was super pleased that both Clara and Robbie enjoyed themselves so much, especially hanging out with other friends in the river as well. Definitely a tradition to enjoy each summer.

For a couple of years now, I have wanted to have a good slip n' slide at our house. The ones you buy from the store or online are lame and fall apart, and I found an idea online to make your own. We already had the huge tarp (!), and so adding a sprinkler and some dish soap were easy additions.

 It was awesome!

Some neighbor kids came over, too, and we all had a great time. Sadly, the tarp totally killed the grass underneath after the day of being out in the sun. Fortunately it grew back, and I definitely learned my lesson for next year.

 We got a lot of rain this summer, and Robbie and Clara enjoyed playing out in a rainstorm one day (Henry was napping for most of that time). We had planned on going to the pool (hence Clara's bathing suit), but the rain was a fun change of pace.

 After raining for about half an hour, it cleared up and the sun came out. Then the kids enjoyed walking up the ditch as the rain water still poured through. It was so fun watching them playing together and having a blast.

Missing Hyrum

Last week, Hyrum left for Utah State University Eastern, a junior college in Price, Utah where he received a full-ride scholarship to play basketball. We are super happy for him, but we are already missing him. He has spent the last seven months here, staying with his close friends, the Hinkles, during the week, and spending the weekend with our family and attending church, etc. His babysitting and general quiet acts of service have been frequent, and we have loved having him just be around to hang out and talk. It has been a wonderful close to the chapter with him when he lived with us in high school for two years and now getting to enjoy him post-mission as well.


Here we are his first summer with us in 2011.

 Look at him as a senior in high school with Robbie. Awww!!

The big high school graduate, 2013.

 Robbie adores his uncle and asked me today, "When is Hyrum coming home?" I was sad to tell him that he wouldn't be here again for a really long time.

 On one occasion he revealed his true identity to us. We weren't surprised.

 Hanging out with two of his biggest fans. Hyrum also always took time to play the "at your service" game with Clara where they pass notes underneath her door, each one writing a question or an answer. They did this when he was in high school, too. Not sure where Clara got the idea, but Hyrum was so sweet to play it with her.

 Henry loved Hyrum and was so excited to see him whenever he was home.

 Henry also loved his tricks.

Good thing Hyrum has good coordination.

We took Hyrum out to Outback before he left. Michael is listening for the heartbeat in Hyrum's rare, bloody steak. Hyrum thought it was great.

 We saw the newest Star Trek movie--I enjoyed it, but the company was the best part.

I miss seeing his cup by the toaster, hearing the hymns on his phone as he walked around the house on Sundays, having him sit with our family during church, chatting with him in the kitchen as we prepared food or cleaned up, hearing his testimony and perspective and his passion about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and hearing him come in the door for a weekday workout in the basement. (Sounds like a eulogy--I know he's not dead; guess I'm just a little sentimental.)

We have been so blessed by the privilege of having Hyrum be a part of our lives--I know many others in the Valley feel the same way!--and look forward to seeing the great things in his future. Good thing families are forever.

Superbabe weekend 2016

Last weekend, Henry had an follow-up eye appointment in Charlottesville. Everything is looking good with his eyes, and he is tolerating the glasses well.

 We visited a splash pad after his appointment, which was really fun for the kids on a super hot day.
Then we traveled on to Richmond to see friends, Joy and Ted Lansing and the other Superbabes and Supermen for our annual get-together.

We arrived first and Joy and I had a great time catching up while the boys took the kids sans babies to the pool. On Saturday, we went to the Lewis Gintner Botanical Gardens.

 Joy and Ted are awesome, as was Amelia, our photographer. Robbie and Theo are pretty similar, and Amelia and Clara played well together. It was fun seeing them play together.

There were some really neat Lego creations on display throughout the gardens. Wow!

The gardens have a fun little splash pad that was very refreshing for the kids. Two splash pads in one weekend!

Henry wanted to participate but hovered on the periphery for a while before venturing in. I love that he can walk now.

Around lunchtime, Chelsey and her family and Karisa and her family arrived. It was great being all together and just chatting and hanging out. The kids played, watched a movie, etc., and the adults talked and passed around the babies.

 Trying to get a pic of all the kids was pretty laughable.

At least the adults know how to sit still. I feel blessed to be friends with these wonderful people.

Robbie's fourth birthday

The day that my parents left to return to Georgia, Robbie turned four years old. He was very excited to have his birthday, but still was impatient to grow more. "I want to turn five!" he lamented in anguish to us that day.

It's hard to believe, but Robbie had his fourth birthday on July 11th. Nana and Bapa were still in town that morning, so he opened his present from them--a set of envelopes, tape, markers, crayons, and stickers (his dream as I kept taking my envelopes and tape from him) before they left. Grandma and Grandpa gave him a terrific bag to hold Legos on trips and in the car. It currently holds his "Plus Plus," which is his gift from us from Sweden.

 We made him a batman cake, per his request. He helped me make it, and Daddy did the awesome chocolate bat.

Getting a bike was the highlight. Suh-weet!

 Batman riding his Rocket bike in style.

We sure love you, buddy! We love your energetic, enthusiastic, strong-willed, creative, funny personality. Your hugs are the best and reading and snuggling with you are a highlight of my day. I especially enjoy your prayers, thanking Heavenly Father for the "wonderful day and the beautiful day, too." Happy, happy birthday!

A funny-ism from Robbie from the other day: We were playing hangman for FHE activity, and Michael told Robbie to not tell anyone what the word was. Robbie said, almost to himself. "It's top secret. Not bottom secret, top secret." An important distinction.