Thursday was for PLAYing

We woke up Thursday morning at 10am.  The entire family, in one hotel room, slept until 10am!  We must have been tired.  When we finally rolled out of our beds, we settled on powdered sugar donuts and hot chocolate made using the hotel room coffee maker!  Did you know you could do that?  We didn't either.  Once everyone was full, we let the kids go for one last swim, and I did my second of two vacation, hotel-treadmill-runs.  That was the goal, and it was accomplished.  We let Darin stay back in the room and figure out what the plan for Thursday should be.

When we got back, he had everything packed up so we checked-out.  We vaguely thought we were going to head north already towards Niagara Falls, since that was the last place on our vacation to-do list.  But when we unexpectedly decided to drive around the block of our downtown Rochester, NY hotel (so we could say we "saw" Rochester), we happened upon the National Museum of Play.  Darin and I looked at each other, did a quick google search to see what it was all about, and when we saw that it was featuring an exhibit called "The history of video games", we were sure that the NMoP would have something for everyone.  And just like that, our plan for the day changed.  Oh how I love vacation!

In beautiful Downtown Rochester, NY 

The kids were thrilled with our last minute change of plans.

The highlight ended up being this wacky room that is designed on a tilt, and has so many patterns on the walls and the floors that instantly your equilibrium is out-of-whack, and you go crashing into the walls.  The kids couldn't get enough of it.

Sometimes playing is super serious business.  See below. 

Do you recognize where Ruby is standing?

She's on Sesame Street!

And we all got a kick out of sitting in front of the green screen and making it appear as if we were sitting and talking to muppets.  

And a huge part of our time was spent in the best mini-grocery store we have ever seen.  This one was seriously at the top of it's class.  Complete with the final receipt printing out and everything.  The girls were in heaven.

It's was a charming and relaxing day.  We shut the museum down.  When it closed, we left.  We were just a couple hours away from Niagara Falls, so we started driving north so that we could wake up Friday morning at The Falls.

Come back for Friday's update when I finally get to take my family to Niagara Falls.  Something I've been dreaming of, ever since I had a family ;)

Wednesday was awesome.

Late on Monday, I got an email from best friend Kim Newton saying that their family had just landed in Buffalo, NY, and that it seemed like somehow we could meet up somewhere along the way.  We zeroed in on Wednesday as the ideal day for both of our families to be in Palmyra.

What a treat!  We've spent a portion of our summer vacations with the Newtons for past three years in a row.  It only seemed right that we'd find a way to insect this summer too.  We met up at the Hill Cumorah visitor center.  After watching a movie inside, we all walked up to the top of the super steep hill.

Then back down to stake out the perfect seats to watch the pageant, later that night.  

There was lots of walking and talking...

Followed by lunch at "Brad and Dad's".  Followed by the tour of the printing house, where the first 5000 copies of the Book of Mormon were published.  Somehow we didn't end up with a single picture there?!

And finally we walked into the Sacred Grove.  

After a full day together, we had to send the Newtons off.  They were on their way to their grandma's 60th birthday celebration.  

After our good-bye, and "see you next summer", we went and checked into a hotel in Rochester.  We let the kids swim and relax a bit.  Then we drove back to Palmyra to watch the long anticipated Palmyra Pageant!

We were not disappointed.  That is a great show!

The pageant ended around 10:45pm.  Another hour to get out of the parking lot and back to the hotel, I'm pretty sure it was Wednesday night when George announced to the family, as we all laid down to try to fall asleep, "Hey look everyone, the clock says 12:34am!  Get it, 1-2-3-4!"

It was maybe the longest day of our vacation, but it was also one of the greatest!  So many fun things all piled into one epic day, as George would say.

Baseball Hall of Fame Tuesday.

We helped make one of Darin's dreams come true today.  I'm not sure having his whole family with him as he toured the BBHoF was part of his dream, but he was a good sport about it.  No doubt he should be writing this update, but he's snoring in the hotel bed right now.

Suffice it to say, I have a bit more insight into why he was voting for the names "Henry" and "George" all those many years ago...

The internet is going way too slow for me to want to upload anymore photos.  But so far, Cooperstown wins the prize for being the most charming New England town we've seen on this trip.  It's to die for!  I have more pictures.  Hopefully I'll add them...I wish I were snoring in the hotel bed right now too.

The trip begins.

Monday morning we woke up at our cousins house in VA.  We wanted to start from a more northern position for our grand trek northward, so we drove to their house Sunday evening.  Waking up with cousins is always a good time:

By lunchtime we were in Gettysburg, PA.  This trip to Gettysburg felt so different to me.  I know I went several times as a kid, and I studied it for a year in 8th grade.  But I'm not sure I really felt much about it until this trip.  We might need to frame the Gettysburg address...

I am quite certain this trip to Gettysburg didn't have the same affect on my children.  But I will not give up on them.  Besides, I can hardly blame them, they knew that Gettysburg was the stop right before Hershey!

Where Henry and George got selected to be official kid taste testers...

And we all went on the "create your own candy bar" tour.  

Umm...it was all very delicious.

  

The day ended at a Cracker Barrel outside of Scranton, PA.  Which set us up nicely to be at the Baseball Hall of Fame first thing Tuesday morning.

It was the 4th of July!

Which the kids claimed was the funnest one yet!  I guess they don't remember ever doing sparklers or the driveway variety of fireworks before?!  But they will remember it after this year!

Also, the Fitzgeralds came which made it extra fun.  I only wish I had photographed them more often.  Every time they walked out of their room, they were dressed in patriotic colors.  Such color coordinated packing is nothing to take lightly! I love a sister who loves the festivities of holidays so much, and reminds all around her to enjoy them too.  

The sister update is at Ana's this week.  You won't want to miss it.  Sarah had to utilize walkie talkies over the weekend in an official capacity.  Christine is safely back in America, and Zack might have multiple California based job offers!  Hurry, click!

But we are all still waiting for the grand opening of the "Brother's Update".  Hey look guys, I have the first perfect picture to get your updates started.  It would be hilarious.  It really would be.  Can you even imagine what things would make their "this week" and "next week" lists?  I'm so genuinely curious I wonder what I can do to help them get it up and running?!

Finally, while Darin ushers some 40 youth to and from some white water rafting high adventure tomorrow, I will be busy at home making a new mini quilt wall hanging, doing 15 loads of laundry and packing.  I wonder exactly what time Darin will be back home?  I want to make sure I'm done sewing  we're all packed before he gets home (wink!).

Long Live Summer!

Sister Update

Ie Li

Last week:

• We became a pull-up free household.  It's so nice to only have to buy one size and variety of diaper.
• Celebrated Mi Na's birthday with a balloon, flowers, bunting, swimming, cupcakes, and a present
• Finalized Mei Li's party plans.  It's going to be fun and simple.  Mei Li has already approved all the plans.
• Hung two things on the wall in our living room.
• We had dessert with Rachel and Ken on Saturday, and then they watched our kids so we could go to the adult session of stake conference.  Thank you so much, Rachel.
• Took care of my garden.
• Played with my little ones at the pool and at home.
• Summer school with Mei
  
• Cleaned the church together and attended a baptism.

Next week:

• Pool
• Play games
• Garden
• Summer school
• Service
• Exercise
• B-day party
• Just relax and enjoy everything

Ana

 Last 2 weeks:
-Took the family vacation we have been talking about since our first weekend in Boston to Palmyra and Niagara Falls.  We visited the Smith Family Farm, the Whitmer Farm, the  Hill Cumorah and the Sacred Grove.  It was a perfect trip, except for getting yelled at by the Canadian Border Inspector.  Man, you miss one tiny stop sign and Canada never forgets...
-Found out that our packers and movers were coming 5 days earlier then we had expected because we had booked them so late.  They came and packed us up Friday and moved our stuff out Saturday.  We fly out tomorrow afternoon and thanks to generous friends and neighbors have had blow up mattresses, sheets, towels, blankets and lamps. 
-Because the wii, tv and most other electronic devices were shipped to CA, a deck of cards has been our only source of amusement.  We have taught Jack how to play war (which he LOVES), solitare, slap jack, and GOLF.  Its been good to have so much down time as a family. 
-Went out to our most decadent meal in Boston thanks to Michael Christensen.  It lasted almost 3 hours and contained 7 courses.  Everything we tasted was delicious and the view on the patio during dinner was amazing.
-Yesterday was a perfect day in Boston.  Deep Blue skys, green as far as we could see, a cool breeze on a warm day.  It was the kind of day that if only Boston had more of would have tempted me into staying here and making it home long term.  Darn those ridiculously freezing winters that last through April.
-I turned 31.  Somehow that seems a lot older then 30 felt.  Maybe its because I am huge and tired all the time. 
-Zack now has three promising jobs on the horizon.  One start up, one innovations job at Disney, and one software company in San Diego.  Stay tuned to see what happens...
-Canoed one last time on the Charles River. This time we made it up past our house which was fun to see from the river.  Someone asked what I will miss about Boston. Top on my list is the river.  I have loved looking out at it every day.  (even the days that I yelled at it for being still covered with snow).  I will also miss how green everything is.  Our apartment feels like a tree house during the summer months, a little safe haven from the world.

This week:
-Pack up our bags and get on a plane tomorrow to San Diego.  I can't see past that right now.  Maybe next week I will have a better idea of what life will be like.

Rachel

For some reason I can hardly remember a thing!

Last Week:

• I never made it to Costco for the sheets.  Blast.  I could have but on my free night I actually totally forgot.  Oh well, I must not want them so badly.
• Played with Mei Li and Stephen on Saturday night.  They are so cute.
• Met up with the Earnests on Sunday in Richmond.  Aside from some inexplicable traffic in both directions, it was a quick and easy trip.  Next time we might try taking Route 1 to see if it's faster.
• Taught 6/7 y.o. in primary again.  They are intense but nice.  I feel bad that I'm kinda glad I don't have to go back next week because Ken does have to go back...
• Finished the yarn wreath.  Post with a photo coming soon.
• Visited the Vienna Farmers market and proceeded to have an extraordinarily productive Saturday which made me so happy.
  

This Week:

• Dentist appointments for me and Ken.  I can't remember the last time I went, but I had zero cavities or issues at all.  I am glad the Z's have good teeth genes.  I should wear my retainer though.
• Play with Haley on Monday.  (Since Monday has now passed...) We went to Lucketts, visited Mom's Apple Pie Bakery and a scrapbook store (supplies for Ken's bday this weekend).  It was awesome.
• No work on Friday, woo!!  I'll spend the day baking, wrapping and finalizing preparations.  So excited.
• Plan my next sewing project...
• Head down to NC on Saturday afternoon for 4th of July!!  Pool time!!
• Ok there's not a lot of major goals on here, but I can't think of anything!  Maybe it's because I don't have my planner in front of me.  Guess it'll just be a low key week!  

Sarah

Last week:

• helped Scott weed out his closet and drawers - took 4 giant lawn bags of clothes and shoes to DI - did that much volume actually fit in there before?
• experimented with curling my hair - first time i've tried since i cut it short. i think i like it. need to figure out a better technique that doesn't result in as many burned fingers.
• hiked the Y at 6:30am on friday with a friend - very winded. hopefully we can make it a regular friday excursion.
• baked cookies and delivered them to Brenden at camp via the supplies truck that drove up daily. Unfortunately I missed the part about putting treats in a metal container and by the time he got back to his tent a squirrel had eaten through the plastic bag and eaten all the cookies.
• huck went to nursery by himself for the 2nd week in a row! can we call this a successful transition? can't say the same for june, though.
• planted tomatoes, basil, cucumber, zucchini, cantaloupe, and green beans in our garden
  

This week:

• The Abbey Road Show at The Rooftop Concert Series is on Friday - still need to laminate the access credentials, set up for the merch sales, pick up CB radios for the security guys to use, organize babysitters for the day, and hopefully arrange everything well enough so I can sit down and enjoy the show myself too
• catch up on work - I haven't put in a solid day since we've been home from our trip. my manager's on vacation and it's too easy to just lay low. need to make some visible progress on my project.
• catch up on household finances. figure out how to pay for our unexpected tax bill we just received (bye bye new car money)
• i've really got to start eating better and exercising again. i feel like garbage.
• try to remember to get someone to take a better picture of me at some point during the week so i'm not scrambling on the last day and resorting to taking it myself.

Christine

Let me be completely honest here, I have lost my little sister.  I have no idea if she was last in Jerusalem, or Egypt, in a tunnel or some random Middle Eastern desert.  Rachel says she's coming back to DC soon.  I'll believe it when I see it.  Christine, are you out there?!

Annee

I know, my picture is more than a week old.  It is the hardest part of the Sister Update for me.  I never seem to want to pose for that awkward photo of myself.  Do you suppose the more picture you take of yourself, the less awkward it gets?


Last Week: 

• Got totally obsessed with the cutest Library skirt that I found on a blog.  I forthwith had to make one.  It took a few days.  It was intense.  I love it just as intensely.  Check it out on MOM.  
• Got equally obsessed with Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey this week.  I shifted many of my runs to the treadmill just so that I could watch just-one-more-episode.  Have you watched it yet?  if you haven't, you are so lucky!  The next season won't start until the fall.  I feel a distinct void in my life right now.  
• Listened to the abridge version of "The Constant Princess" by Philippa Gregory, and finished listening to "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" by Helen Simonson.  This means two things;  I have been doing a whole lot of sewing, and or sitting by the pool.  Neither are terrible options, but maybe my life should have more meaning?  I recommend both books thoroughly.  I would have enjoyed the unabridged version of "The Constant Princess" more than the abridged, but I didn't even realize it was abridged until it was almost over!  
• I feel a little bit like I'm stuck in a period drama with all the entertainment I've been taking in lately.  When Darin and I both surrendered to our bed this afternoon around 4pm, exhausted by the summer heat, and the languid pace of life, I thought to myself, "Well this is very British of us.  What else did they do in the olden days between lunch and dinner but read, and rest up for the big effort of dinner".  And that is just what we did.  Don't judge.  
• Best item of all was Sunday Dinner with the Fitzgeralds at a random Mimi's Cafe in a random VA town in between us.  I felt a compelling need to get my dresser out of the back of Rachel's car so that I could begin working on it.  I'm glad we had an excuse to meet up for Sunday dinner.  It was fun to realize that though it's kind of a lot of driving, it's not totally out of the question to meet up halfway.  It was fun.  

This Week:

• Work on refinishing my dresser.  So far this has involved a lot of staring at my dresser, being intimidated by my dresser, reading a million different blogs about painting furniture, and culminated in a trip to the local hardware store where I visited with a super old guy who taught me all he knew about painting furniture.  A good start?  I can do this, right?!
• Darin will leave us tomorrow for Scout camp.  It mostly makes me laugh that he's going.  Did you know he never went as a young man?  I hope he has fun! 
• Clean the house.  Things have gotten a bit lazy around here with the onset of summer vacation.  This house used to be super clean.  I used to have tons of hours in my day to thoroughly clean each level, and it would stay that way for many hours until the kids came home.  It's okay that it's kind of messy now.  That's life, but it's a lot harder to reclaim it from this position!  Also, my kids need to have some jobs, for that reason alone I will make it a top priority this week.  Clean the house!
• We are down to just 7 more days of swim team!!  We can do it!!  It has been so good for all of us to have such a healthy reason to get out of bed in the morning.  
• The Fitzgeralds are coming for the long weekend.  I think we're waiting to see Cars 2 until they get here.  The kids can barely wait.