To Niagara Or Bust!!

I have always wanted to get to Niagra Falls, NY. I remember watching a documentary about the men that went over the falls when I was a child (in a history class in 5th grade). I always wanted to see the falls up close and feel the spray from the mist. Well, I can now check that off of my list of things I would love to see in my life. Rick came home one day, a few weeks ago and said that he needed a break. He wanted to go away for a weekend and see something new. We thought about it for weeks and mulled over going to see D.C.. Philadelphia, Virginia, but when he suggested Niagara Falls & upstate New York, I was sold!

We left on a Friday after Jacob got out of School and drove the full 5 hours. We loved the beautiful drive! The fall colors are in full force so we got shots of bright yellows, oranges, browns, greens, oh, it was beautiful! Every turn was a new scene and after we got out of Pittsburgh it was farms and woods as far as we could see. I really do love PA for that!

We showed up in Niagara at about 4:30 pm and checked into the hotel. We realized the last trip out on the Maid of the Mist (the boat that takes you up to the falls) was in 20 minutes so we loaded up immediately and headed over. Unfortunately we got there too late to do the boat ride, but the views were amazing. I don't mind not getting soaked though. The views of the falls from the observation areas were really good, so I don't think we missed too much. I could not take my camera on it if we had either, so 15$pp made it less attractive anyway.

The walk up to the falls was beautiful. they have a park that has bences and tree lined paths that butt right up agains the water. It was super intimidating to get up close to the rails because you really feel like you are one good sprinkling short of a flood! The overlook area at the edge of the falls (level with the water) was breath taking! The sheet power of the falls was unbelievable

I shot the falls from every angle possible and I think I got a few good shots considering I was shooting directly into the sun and serious wind force.

**If you have never been to Niagara, the falls are split between the US and Canada. From the US side your views are only really of the falls on the right. The Canadian side gets the view of both sides of the falls, but we did not have a passport with us to get over. See, the one in the picture below is Niagara Falls, NY. If you cross the bridge we are on and go 1/2 mile over you are in Ontario, Canada and you can see the second falls over on the far right (by the second set of mists). I like the ones we could see on the NY side though. It was plenty of beauty for me!

Saying goodbye to Old Blue!

We are "RAV"-ing Excited around here! We just traded in our mini-van for a beautiful Silver Toyota Rav-4! YAY! I have been ready to make the switch for a while and when it all finally worked out, we jumped at the chance. We were able to lower our payment (monthly), get a better financing rate and upped our mpg by about 8 per gallon! We are excited. It only had 11,000 miles on it (07) and had every feature we wanted. It even still had that new car smell. I am so glad that we made the move when we did because we were worried about repairs that could be coming and maintenance on the van when we knew we wanted to sell it.

Anyway, I guess we are now a Toyota family member. "I LOVE WHAT YOU DO FOR ME TOYOTA! " Anyone remember that jingle? Cheesy I know, but I love it so much I really would do a "Toyota jump." Anyone remember that commercial?

Anyway, here she is:

She drives even better than she looks!!

Sunday As A Day To Rest?

Not for us! After a long day at church (3 hours +meetings) today I sat on the way home thinking about how a Sunday should be. As a kid I could not go out to play and hated that I was supposed to relax, spend time time with the family and stay indoors. As a teen I refused to do it and rebelled by riding bikes, playing sports, etc. Now as an adult that holds a deadning calling, has 2 kids and runs a home, I just want to relax, spend time with family and stay indoors on the one day for rest!

No such luck though. Sundays are off with a bang, often with meetings, kids to shower, breakfast to make (okay Rick does that, but I hear him as I am waking up). I do have to shower, do my hair, eat breakfast, do my make up and get my day together though. Then when we get to church it all starts rolling from there. Sacrament is non stop! We have Ricky all over us, Jake to keep in his darn seat and if I am honnest; there is often a lesson being prepared (by us both) as we try to listen to the talks.

Then we pick up even more steam as I head to Primary where I am everything from the meeting leader to the fill in teacher. Sometimes I am in the seats right with the kids, sometimes I am making copies, sometimes I am preparing a lesson on the fly, always I am keepings quiet, and always I am doing everything I can to make the day a success. I check in on classes in progress, check in on Nursery to make sure teachers are there, kids are safe, etc. There never really seems to be a time that I am not doing something!

As I run around, Rick is at that same time handling Ricky, teaching lessons, filling in for our piano needs in Primary or in Priesthood, teaching a class and recently teaching Elders Quarum. By the end of the day we are exhausted! I want to head home and EAT SOMETHING but often have a meeting to attend, have Rick to wait for in his meeting, or just something that needs to be done.

Why am I saying all of this? Not to complain...more as a reflection.

Rick and I were talking about our callings and we both agreed that this ward has been one of our favorite places that we have held callings. Now, given my last few paragraphs of work we do I am sure that you are wondering why?! Well, I guess we came to the conclusion that we love it because we are making a difference. We are needed and we are able to help. It is such a great feeling to know that what we do (especially when it is taxing ) is for the benefit of others and that they apreciate it. It makes me grateful for a church that uses my tallents, my weaknesses, and everything else in between.

Happy Birthday Rick! The Big 30...

Happy Birthday Rick! Yep, he is now the big 30! Finally!!! He will hate this picture but I love it. He is always so fun!

I turned 30 almost 2 years ago and I have been looking forward to us being in our 30's together. It is a regular old Friday with work, school, housework, kids..etc but wee plan to celebrate this evening with a night out with the kids. Rick is really hard to buy for since when I ask he never tells me he wants anything. I have to keep a list going all year long with things he mentions here and there so that I always know he wanted what I get him. This year his present is definitely a gift he will enjoy.

This will be a quite, family style little party but we seem to love that best. I like looking over at Rick smile as he gets his birthday desert and think that he is totally happy with our 2 kids and crazy wife. I love just being together as our celebration. One day I will switch it up and throw a huge bash, but tonight....Golden Corral (Ricks request,...ugh!) and presents.

I guess this is where I gush about Rick huh. I always list all of the things I love about Rick every Birthday, and I still feel exactly the same about him this year as I did last year. He is still loving, kind, funny, strong, interesting, smart, successful, handsome, nutty, a great father, a great husband, a great example, a great person, etc.. Still the same, always just a little better at them each year. This year is no exception. I have seen him just try harder, work longer at things and accomplish more. I love to see him do it too. I truly feel like his successes (Which are many) are mine too. If I had to pick just one thing this year I would say the thing I love about Rick the most (or that stand out to me most this year) is his willingness to make it work. It does not matter what the issue is (family, marriage, kids,work, callings) he makes it work. He realizes what must be done to make things work and he adapts himself to the situation. It may take a bit of stubborn time for him to do it, but I can always count on compromise, compassion, love and concern in the end. He has really come into his own on this over this year with a little prodding from his wife (of course).

Happy Birthday Rick! I hope your 30th is the best and that this year is as great as 30 was for me. We love you.

Jacob's First Day At School!

There were so many sad tears shed as we let our baby walk away into that big building called school without us to watch over him. We talked about it for weeks, dreaded it for months, and just as we expected it was a rough day for both Rick and I.

We decided to get his things all ready the night before and take Jacob to a special first day breakfast. Rick pushed back his meetings, got the kids ready and we headed out to Denny's for a grand slam. We ate and went over the rules with Jakie one more time.... "Raise your hands, don't hit, spit, poke, push, talk back, say yes Mam, be nice to everyone, don't pick your nose, ask for help with your belt if you go to the bathroom, don't go with any strangers, well be here to pick you up so don't ride the bus!" Most of it I am sure he would never do, but who knows right? After we were sure his belly was full, his excitement level was up and his brain was full of manners that would wow his teacher, we set off for school.

We parked, got out and walked him up to the front door where we were told we could not go any further. There was a police officer there the first day helping get kid in, the principal was out greeting the buses and teachers were everywhere so I should not have been nervous when they said he was to go to the gym to meet his teacher and hear an assembly for the first day, but I was. I watched him walk in so excited, so ready to be a big boy and both Rick and I started to tear up. I have a hard time believing I am old enough to have 2 kids, never mind that I have a 5 & 1/2 year old. It really was sad. Rick was worse off than me though. It has been weeks of tearing up for him just thinking about Jakie heading off to Kindergarten. Ha, we are probably big losers, but we just love having him home, love having him be a little red head baby and now he is a big read headed boy. We walked back to the van, loaded up Ricky in his seat and headed off to get Rick to work without Jake.

I worried about him having fun, learning and listening, but before I knew it I was headed to pick him up. He came out so excited and true to form, he had a wonderful time and did great. His teacher was a young, sweet lady named Mrs. Fazikez and she loved Jake. He raised his hand (yes!), called her mam (yes!) and listened (as much as can be expected by a little busy read head). All in all, I was happy to know he did not cry, he did not feel scared and he did not wish he was somewhere else. He was just happy to see other kids, learn something and be out for a bit. A treat from McDonald's and some kisses ended our first day (afternoon) at school and I have to say it went well.

Funny Story: Jacob said that there was a little boy named Mitchell in his class that got lots of checks next to his name for not listening, talking during the lessons, hitting, & I cant remember what else. Jake said he got in trouble all day and that at the end of the day the little boy missed out on his play time at recess. Anyway, I was on the phone with Rick telling him about Ricks day after I picked him up. As I told Rick about Mitchell he laughed and Jake said he was glad that he was not being naughty because Mitchell was going to get a call from the teacher. Rick asked him how Jacobs day was and Jakie said " I was a good boy, I don't know about Mitchell, but I sure had a good day". Silly boy. I love to hear his little thoughts come out just as he is thinking them!

Whats Up With Us?

Oh my goodness!! I cannot believe it the end of summer! I cannot believe I have not blogged in so long. I have so many things to catch up on and have put everything off for so long that I just dreaded catching up. So.. Here is the low down on the best of the best things missed!

July was hot, muggy and yucky. We had a thunderstorm almost every day and I was uninspired for photos so I mostly have pics of the kids in the house relaxing.

We did manage to get out to see the Buttler County Fair this year. Hot is hot, but the weather was so hot we all ended up with head aches and headed home a little earlier than we thought we would. Jake loved it and I am willing to bet that the sheep that goosed me (yep, goosed me) was Jakies favorite part.

Here he is, that little gooser: I felt like I was back in Italy!

Rick graduated from his Fellowship program in July (first part) and was honored at a great luncheon with the other fellows of past, present & future. Rick is still the Administrator of GI at Presbyterian & Shadyside Hospitals, and has taken on Pulmonary Services as well (as an interim administrator.) He is busy, busy, busy and we are so proud of him!

(Left to Right: Physicians Services Fellows Franchesca, Laura & Gillian & Cho-coo at far right end. Administrative Fellows: Mark & Rick are next to each other)

August came in with the same furious storms and the month passed so quickly. Our time this summer was spent getting over the surgery, cleaning out the house, hitting the pool, getting Jake ready for School at a reading camp he participated in for 2 weeks in July, lounging indoors much of the time due to the previously mentioned horrible weather, etc.

The best thing to happen all summer was when Kate and Mom Shumway visited in August. They stayed from the 15-22nd and we loved it!! It was so great for the kids to see family and although we missed Cam a ton, we had fun.

We went up to Grove City for a little shopping at the Outlet mall and then up to Lake Erie to see the shore front. IT was amazing to see how large the lake is and how much it looked like an ocean! If it had a larger wave break, I would have thought it was!

We had so much fun, but it was HOT! The drive up and back were worth it though! Such fun!.

Some of our other favorite times were when we all got to go to Kirtland, OH and did our favorite church history tours at the John Johnson Farm, The Kirtland Temple, Historic Kirtland, and then a few miles out to Marie Yoders Restaurant ( An Amish favorite of ours).

There were endless activities during Mom & Katie's whole trip including Chuck-e-cheese, shopping around town, restaurants galore and just lots of talk time. We miss them tremendously now that they have headed home.

Summer may be ending, but have so many more things to do like school starting soon, leaves changing, weather getting crisp, etc. and I feel a little more inspired to get out there and capturing it all for memories. Watch for our adventures as we go!