Great Lakes Science Center

Back at the beginning of June we decided to take a trip up to the Great Lakes Science Center on the banks of Lake Erie. I was so excited to take the kids there, our kids LOVE museums and especially science ones. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I hoped it would not disappoint, and it certainly didn't! We spent 3 hours there and still didn't get to see all of the museum! The kids were sad we had to go, but it was closing and dinner time. We will definitely have to go back! The first part we went to was the NASA exhibit. I think Nate was having just as much fun, if not more, with all the simulations they had that you could do! He spent about 25 minutes sitting here trying to perfect the space shuttle landing! (He would have stayed longer but the kids were ready to move on.)

They had so many hands on things to do, I stopped taking pictures half way through because I got into it too!

Then outside they had this huge freighting ship that is no longer in use. They turned it into a museum and added it to the science center. The kids LOVED it. We got to tour almost the whole thing. I have to admit I was getting nervous as we climbed higher and the kids were trying to look over the edge, especially when Nate picked them up to look over!

I was really glad we were able to go and we will most definitely be going back!

Oh Lily

Kids say the best things. So that I don't forget some of my favorites, here is the conversation I had with Lily yesterday.

Lily: "It's ok if I eat when I don't pray first because I'm not baptized, right mom?"

me: "Um... No, you still need to pray before you eat every time. You have to practice so you can be ready to get baptized."

Lily: "humpf"..."Well, I AM trying!!!"

Birthday Boy!

Today is Nate's birthday. I want to make it a special day for him, a day that he feels our love for him and how much we appreciate him. I want to bake him his favorite cake, take him out to celebrate and just give him a great day in general. Unfortunately he has to work, which for him is not a sad thing. He LOVES what he does, he loves learning and helping people, he loves being a doctor. It makes me happy to see him enjoying what he does so much. He gets home at various times everyday, so there is a possibility that we could still celebrate and make his day great, at least we could if I felt better. Why is that you ask? Well I guess now is as good a time as any to put it out there, we are expecting another baby in our family. :) We found out a few weeks after we moved here and couldn't be more excited! The only thing is I have been more sick then I ever have been before with this one. Of course that is a good sign they say, unfortunately that means that I am pretty useless to everyone here. My pour sweet husband has been amazing! Not only is he in the thick of learning the ropes at his new job, but he has to come home to a sick wife who can barely do more then make it to the bathroom to vomit. So on this his birthday I just want to say how very grateful I am for this amazing man! I really don't know what I would do without him!

He's a great dad, a great husband, and my best friend. He makes me smile everyday, plays with his kids every moment he can spare, and always makes sure he is taking care of his duties whether they be at home, at work or at church. He is the love of my life and I am so thankful he was born on this day 32 years ago!! Happy Birthday Nate!

The 4th of July

The fourth has long been one of my favorite holidays. I can remember when we lived in Massachusetts the day was always full of fun followed by firework in a huge field with hundreds of other people. I remember the smell, the lightning bugs and most of all mom's jean quilt and all of us piled on waiting to watch the show. Then there has been the reunions with my dad's side of the family at the cabin every year since we had moved back to the west. I LOVE getting to see all my cousins and aunts and uncles, etc. We may not always get to talk to everyone, there are a lot of us, but is nice just to see and be near them. We we lucky enough to get to join in that last year when we were in Utah for the summer. This year I was a little worried. We've only been in Cleveland for a month and we really haven't had many opportunities to make friends. Luckily the ward had a breakfast and bike parade. Then I found out about a bbq later in the day. It seemed we wouldn't have to spend it alone after all! The kids were so excited! The breakfast was delicious and there were so many people there. We had a nice time visiting and getting to know people a little more. (Everyone but Lily that is. She is like her Pa and HATED the big crowd. She just wanted to hide from everyone the whole time.) Next was the bike parade. All the kids lined up ready to ride around the parking lot. Lily didn't want to join, but didn't want to be left out so eventually Nate just walked around with her, but she stayed off the the side and wouldn't talk to anyone :).

Luke got to be a part of the color guard and helped put the flag up and take it down, hence the boy scout shirt.

After the event was over we went home, made stuff for the bbq dinner later and just relaxed at home. The picnic was a lot of fun, although I didn't take any pictures there. While we were there someone told us about a great place to watch the fireworks. It was a private golf course near their house that they said no one ever went to, and you could see the show perfectly from it. We all headed over and it was totally open. We all set up our blankets, got settled, and the sprinklers turned on.

We all made a mad dash to pick up our things, everyone but some crazy kids who decided to run through them. (yes that is my child trying to step ON the sprinkler...) We found someone who worked there who informed us that this year they were actually shooting the fireworks off FROM that golf course, so they had to wet the grass a little for fire safety. We just had to move over a little and we were fine. Turns out we moved to a much better spot for viewing. While we waited for the main even we passed the time with sparklers, what kids doesn't LOVE sparklers?!

It was an amazing show and all the kids did really well. No melt downs, no fussing, nothing. Just happy enjoyment of the day. It was wonderful. It almost made up for the fact that we had no family to share it with.

Happy 4th of July, so thankful for those who sacrificed so much and continue to sacrifice so that I can enjoy all that I do enjoy!

Great Lake or Ocean?

Moving to Cleveland had a lot of perks for us, the Rasmussens were one of them!! Every time we get together with these guys it's like we just hung out the week before! You know how sometimes when you get together with old friends there is that awkward re-getting to know you phase and the kids all act shy and take a while to re-acquaint themselves with each other? Well that NEVER happens when we see the Rasmussens, we just pick right back up. It is so nice! We love these guys are were sooo thankful that they were able to make the trip up here to see us!
Kirsten is one of those girls that everyone instantly loves the minute they meet her! I am so lucky to have such wonderful, talented, amazing friends!

After a relaxing morning (a.k.a the boys were playing wii while we women got everything ready for the lake...), we headed to Lake Erie. I had never been before and was surprised at how much it looked like an ocean. The kids kept thinking it was the ocean, we had to explain that it was just a really big lake that you couldn't see the other side of. I don't think they really believed us.

Nate and Ammon decided to race out to the buoy and then back to the beach and whoever kissed their wife first won. I think they just wanted an excuse to get us wet!

Notice all the shells on the beach, it was crazy how many there were just in a thin line along the beach.

The kids built some "hot tubs" so they could get warm. (It wasn't the warmest day, but it was still fun)

Ammon and Nate buried all the girl, they were so cute!

Then they decided we needed to bury them.

Kirsten was nice enough to take a family photo for us. I loves these kids!!! (And Nate too :)!)

It was a wonderful weekend and we can't wait to do it again!!

(Again, if anyone decides to come visit us we will take you here too if you want. There is SO much more here than in WV. Really, please come!)

Kirtland, Ohio

We have been in Ohio for about three and a half weeks now. It goes without saying that it is very different from West Virginia, but I think we are adjusting rather well. The kids have made friends, we have met and like the neighbors, and we are almost %100 unpacked! Of course there are a few random boxes that are left, but for the most part we are settled. In the midst of all the unpacking we wanted to do some things as a family before Nate started residency. Teaching seminary last year, we studied D&C and Church history, I fell in LOVE with Church History. Any one who knows me will now this is COMPLETELY out of character for me! I usually HATE history and church history use to make me so depressed that I just tuned it out whenever anyone talked about it. I am please to say I have mended my ways!! I really grew to love it and to have an actual desire to learn more! (I know it sounds crazy, but it's true.) So naturally when I found out that we were IN the Kirtland, Ohio Stake, I had to make Kirtland our first official family trip here in Ohio!

It was a little complicated explaining to the kids why we could go inside THIS temple, but none of the others and why it was different. It was also a little confusing to them to listen to some of the things on the tour given by the guides of the Community of Christ church, but I was able to explain things after we left a little better.

We tried to take a picture of us in front of the temple, but it was on a timer on the park bench and I was being attacked by a spider, so this was the best we got.

After the temple we went over to the LDS Historical Kirtland part of the city, where the Newel K. Whitney store, the mill and some other buildings were located.

We had a lot of fun, although I think Lily was a little bored ;). After we finished in Kirtland we went and got delicious ice cream at this shop near our house. Little did we know it's somewhat of a local legend here. And it did NOT disappoint! If anyone cares to visit us (hint, hint) we will take you there!! :) All in all it was a great day and I was so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn so much more about this area before visiting.

Coonskin Park II

One of our favorite places to go in WV was Coonskin Park. There were so many aspects to it that we loved and we always had a fabulous time! Even though they have playgrounds, a pool, paddle boats and other fun things, our kids favorite part was the stream and trail that lead to the big river. We have walked that path several times and then made it to the beach area by the river. THIS time was different. This time there had been SO MUCH rain that there was NO BEACH!! The water was all the way up to the tunnel!! (In the picture below you can see a tree in the background. That tree is usually way back on the beach.) Nate and Stan decided they needed to jump in just to see how far down it went. They are such boys! (There was a huge drop off at the end of the tunnel.) Chisa, me, Tia and DeNae. This was our last outing before graduation and our move.

The whole group. We had taken several pictures already and I think some people we sick of pictures!! ;)