Hump Day/ Bump Day

It's Sept 23rd today. One year ago today, Steve entered the MTC. So that makes it official. He has been out one year today.

Guess what else happened on this date? Pres Hinckley presented the Proclamation to the Family on Sept 23rd, 1995. The only reason I know this is b/c I went visiting teaching today and that was the subject....funny that I would VT on the exact 15th anniversary date of that proclamation....and that it was the VT lesson.

What is this list?

Can anyone figure out what this is a list of???

Jonathon, Drew, Brian, Court, Brett, Sean, Trevor, Grant, Robb, Peter, Matt, Reed (2 different ones), Brandon, Fred, Christian, Wayne, Dan, Zac, Steve, Tanner, Joe, Rob, Boyd, Skylar, Josh, Mike (from Carlsbad) and James.

Rank your Fav

Please rank your favorite Belgian candy and chocolate....so that next time I visit you I bring what you want! If you don't rank, you get the leftovers....so sad!

Love,

Mom

Agog

Glacier National Park. Please, please put it on your 'bucket list'. It's definitely a MUST see! As far as a Michelin star rating, it's a definite 4 star: Worth the Journey. Definitely a Destination. Not just a place to go if you are nearby, but actually make that your destination. And if you make it in the next year, then it's only about 4 more hours over to Spokane and you can see Seth/Heidi and Taft! A double whammy of a good deal.

However, even if it's not in your plans in the next year, you still must go see it as some point. I'm going back, that's for sure.

I took over 200 pictures. I'm only sharing 5. So now you HAVE to go!!!

NY NY

Ok, so I didn't have my new camera for the NY debut....but I still wanted to 'journal' about it. We arrived before Katelyn made her entrance, so we really did miss the best part. However, it was a grand week-end nonetheless. And the most appropriate week-end to blog about NY ...

We LOVE their apartment. Stunning view of the Hudson river. Makes the apartment seem double it's size. The kids have a huge room filled with their toys so I can see why they transitioned just fine. I was impressed that they were able to sell all their belongings except for the few things that fit perfectly into their apartment. Basically, I was impressed!

We had a ton of fun. We took the Stanton Island ferry. We walked the promenade next to the river....which goes for miles and miles. It's just a hop from their apartment besides. Parks galore. No working in the yard anymore for Jake, yet they have ample space to spread out and get their 'green' fix. It's marvelous.

Rach and Tommy were adjusted to their new mode of transportation. A deluxe, luxury stroller! I'm just wondering how you put 3 on there? Well, that comes later I guess when Katelyn gets bigger. Anyway, I did see Tommy looking a bit jealous at a car seat that was being put into a car. What was he thinking I wonder? (that thing looks awfully familiar!)

I loved the fruit trucks on the street corners. Fabulous fruit for great prices. I guess the groceries are expensive but hey, they deliver and put them on your kitchen table for an extra $5. Now that's sweet.

We did Priceline and got the Hilton just around the corner from them, and our room over-looked WTC. One afternoon we took Rach swimming and she loved it. They had a dry sauna as well, but Rach hated that!

We got to go to church with them. Loaded, and I mean loaded, with young families and young kids. They fit right in. On the bus there was 2 other families headed to church as well.

We went to Time Square at night. ALIVE. That's the best word to describe that place. I mean it was hopping. And showed no signs of ever slowing down. That was fun.

They also took us to Chelsea Market. Fun place with lots of shops and food shops and ice cream. It was charming.

We walked our socks off. But that's what city life is about.

Thanks Jake and Mel for a grand week-end!

Oh, and how does Rach like kindergarten????

Spokane Can

Spokane can entertain! Especially with Seth/Heidi/ and Taft as our hosts.
We ate dinner on the deck of the restaurant over-looking the falls. Taft really enjoyed his dinner ...obviously!

A huge Radio-flyer is in the park.

And ducks/water of course!

Seth and Heidi let us use their bedroom. They took the fold-out couch. Seth ended up on the floor and Heidi said she slept just fine having the whole bed to herself!

Two handsome men

Seth working the ICU unit ...we 'toured' the floor. He is/was responsible for the entire floor during the night!

Spokane has a lovely downtown area. The week-end we visited they had a 'Pig out in the Park' festival with tons of food booths and live music. Tom and I heard Rick Derranger...remember the song "Sloupy"? That's the guy.

Seth trying to explain that they forgot the ticket to the merry-go-round. Taft wasn't going for it.

Just out side of their apartment, and behind them is the parking garage to the hospital, and where Seth enters work. A literal minute walk to work! (I have no idea why the font went blue and decided to underline itself!)

A boy and his balloon

Taft had his first helium balloon. (right Heidi?) And I was trying the 'speed' setting on my camera. Oh my, I like it! And besides, a helium balloon is fun at any age!

The Head Butt

Pop and Taft were having a great time and I think Taft won.
(PS. It helps that Taft was on a sugar high having just downed Pop's doughnut!)