Camping with the Family

Angelina came to town August 16. The next day we went on a ward campout with the church. I honestly don't remember the last time I camped. Carolyn was thrilled with the tent. She even slept quite well for being outside of a crib. I think that was the first time for that. Jeremy couldn't make it because he was out of town for work, but, luckily, the Wildes went. We pitched our tent right next to theirs and used Gordon for all the manly tasks we had: pitching the tent, taking down the tent, etc.

Slipping and Sliding!

At church I have a new assignment helping with activities for the 8-9 year old girls in the ward. I went to my first activity yesterday where they had all sorts of fun water games. I didn't get my camera out until the very end, but I still got some fun shots.
Carolyn spent the whole time eating watermelon. I had bought some for the girls, but Carolyn desperately wanted some. I ended up cutting a personal-sized melon for the younger kids to share. Carolyn ended up eating half of it. She had seeds down her suit and in her diaper.

Chandler didn't actually ride a bike, but he was getting ready to in case he was allowed!



After the activity we tried to get Carolyn to do her first on-her-belly slip and slide. She couldn't quite figure out what I was trying to do to her. We did manage to get her down once or twice and she giggled the whole way!

Eating with a Spoon!

My daughter, who eats just about everything, started refusing such basic foods like oatmeal and yogurt. There usually involved lots of yelling when I would try to feed her these typical meals. Finally, she reached for the spoon herself and has been happily eating ever since. It is so darn messy, but she is just so proud of herself every time she gets food in her mouth.

Family Resemblance?

It's been brought to my attention that Carolyn's bedhead is just a tamer version of her aunt's. Can you see a family resemblance?

No longer a baby

Carolyn started walking about a week ago. She's had it in her for awhile, but she had no desire to walk without holding Mom's hand. She can be a stinker. One day she got the hang of it and never looked back. She was even walking around in her sleep sack today! (Don't let the milk cup fool you. It's a great day if she drinks a total of 6 ounces.)

Peaches

20o pounds of peaches. 60 quart jars. 8 children. 4 adults. Fresh peaches all year long.

I did it!

I started a sewing project and even finished it. This is actually my first quilt ever. I made it for a good friend. Carolyn tried it out to make sure it was snuggle friendly.

Morning Beauty

Carolyn has been waking up with quite the hairdo lately. Nothing will tame this except a bath. But it's fun to think she is becoming a toddler, messy hair and all now.

East Goshen Park

Some fun activities at a park in West Chester, Pennsylvania...

Baby Turns One!

We threw a small birthday party for Carolyn last month when she turned one. We invited over some friends for cake and ice cream. I made my first fancy cake ever. I think it turned out great. It looks like Carolyn's absolute favorite doll. She didn't seem to enjoy eating her cake, but she did knead it into tiny pieces, which made it easy for her cousin Chandler to share off her tray. Overall, I think she really enjoyed her party--this child loves to be the center of attention.

Happy Fourth of July!!

Independence Day

This is my first 4th of July in Philadelphia. It's a fitting place to spend the Fourth with all of the historical sites close by. Yesterday we went to Valley Forge, the place the Continental Army camped the first winter of the Revolutionary War.

Happy Belated Birthday, Jeremy!

On Sunday, Carolyn and Harry had a birthday dinner for Jeremy. I think it's been six years or so since Jeremy had a birthday with his family. Anyway, his sister, Melissa, and her husband, Ian, came over to join in the festivities. And what better way to celebrate a birthday than to give CA some presents?

Get Ready for a History Lesson...

Harry and Carolyn took Jeremy, Carolyn Ann (CA), and me to upstate New York. We went to visit the historical sites for our church in Palmyra and Fayette. I have never been to any of these sites being a West Coast girl myself. It was so fun to see this other side of New York. We didn't see any of the hustle and bustle of the city, just beautiful farm country. It's easy to forget there's more to New York State than Manhattan.

When we arrived in Palmyra, we first went to Hill Cumorah (the place Joseph Smith found the gold plates that would become the Book of Mormon).

After spending some time on the hill, we went down to the old Smith property where Joseph Smith grew up. We took a tour of the printing press where they printed the first edition of the Book of Mormon. Dude, after learning about the process required for each book, I can't believe people had books to read back in those days.

This is how CA felt after we dragged her around to all the sites.

Long Time, No Blog

Well, it's been almost a month since I've been able to sit at a computer and blog. We have moved into our new house, but still don't have internet. I hate Verizon. Anyway, a lot of things have happened since my blog hiatus: Carolyn's birthday, our 5-year wedding anniversary, Jeremy's birthday, and we are now in Pennsylvania visiting the Horners. This is the first that Jeremy's siblings have been able to meet Carolyn Ann, and the first time his parents have seen her since her baby blessing. I'll be putting up some pictures from our trip, but her birthday photos won't be up until after we get home. Anyway, hope you enjoy the new stuff.