Camping in Kirtland

Or, camping NEAR Kirtland, at least. We decided to take advantage of Mike's 3 day weekend over Veteran's Day and drove the 4 1/2 hours to Kirtland. We found a great little campsite about 15 miles from Kirtland where we could set up our new tent (we have definitely outgrown out little tent) and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. We got there Friday evening and set up camp. We just relaxed that first night, setting up camp, cooking tin foil dinners, and roasting marshmallows.

Amy and Matthew loved the hammock!

Happy, Smiley Family!

Matthew keeping warm in our sleeping bags

Amy's new "house"

Whoever camped before us left a bunch of red and blue beads all over the ground. Amy LOVED them. From now on, whenever we go camping I'm going to take a bag of beads and dump them all over the campsite. She spent the whole weekend picking them up, dropping them, carrying them around, and picking them up again This is the tent set up in our house. We wanted to make sure we knew how to set it up before we went!

We didn't take an ax with us to chop wood, so Mike had to get creative.

Amy wants to be just like her daddy!

The next day we got up, had sausage gravy and biscuits, and headed towards Kirtland. There is SO much I could say about Kirtland! Luckily for me, I don't really have to. Mike is in the process of putting together all of the great info we learned and the interesting stories we heard, so when he's done I will post that file.

We were able to visit Historic Kirtland, which included the Newel K. Whitney store and home, as well as other historic homes and buildings.

This is the school of the prophets, one of the 4 places the Savior appeared in and around Kirtland

We were able to meet up with Elder and Sister Crosby from Mike's parent's home ward who are serving a mission there. Amy basically adopted them as her grandparents for the day. After spending most of the day at Historic Kirtland, including a nice picnic lunch and visiting with the Crosby's, we headed over to the Kirtland Temple. It was a magnificent building! What a special thing that was accomplished by those early saints!After another nice evening around the campfire, we went to church in Kirtland and then headed to the Morley and Johnson farms. We really loved learning about these great families, especially the Whitney's, and the sacrifices they made for the growth and development of the church. We enjoyed a great, relaxing day, complete with Amy's favorite: WATERMELON! On Monday, we headed out to Amish country. We didn't really find much to visit and enjoy, but we did pass a horse and carriage and see several Amish families, which was kind of cool. We headed up to the beach at Lake Erie after that. We wish we had gone there earlier! It was really great. Amy loved feeling the sand between her toes. Unfortunately, it started to POUR about a half hour after we got there, but it was fun while it lasted. Matthew loved the water too! He thought it was hilarious. He just kept giggling. Ultimately, it was a very enriching, fun trip. It is definitely a challenge to do with little kids who are restless and want to touch things, but it was fun to experience these things together as a family. If anyone is interested in going, we provide a great place to stay over on your way to Kirtland! Again, more details from Mike coming later.

Summer Fun!

I know... I know... another bunch of months have passed since I've updated. Prepare to be bombarded. I know I could just post the recent stuff and go back and play catch-up, but knowing me I'd never catch up. So here's the first of many posts.

We had a lot of fun this summer! One thing I realized is that there are times that I really do miss the HOT Arizona sun... like when I want to go swimming. It is definitely pleasant here, but I like to be really hot before I jump into a cold swimming pool. Amy sure didn't seem to mind though.

There's a splash area at the local outdoor mall (The Greene) just a mile from our house, so I went there several times with the kids, and a few times with Mike in the evenings to listen to the great live music they had. It usually took Amy some time to decide to get in (she liked to stick her hand in the water and splash a little, but didn't want to fully commit), but when she finally did she giggled and ran around and kept trying to give us freezing cold hugs. It was actually pretty cold the last time we went at the end of the summer, so I didn't bring her swim suit because I was sure she was not going to get in... WRONG! She had never gotten so soaked. What a crazy girl! Matthew loved to go too. He loves to go outside and stare up at the sky and look around at all the people. Amy is OBSESSED with animals! She can spot one across the park every time!

The other fun thing that Mike has really had fun doing this summer is Frisbee Golf (apparently called disc golf to those who really play!). He bought himself a set of frisbees (apparently there are different sizes and weights depending on if you're "putting" or "driving"). There are several courses right around our house and he's enjoyed going out Saturday mornings and playing. We've gone for FHE a couple times too.

I hope I win! I hope I win!

Gypsy By Provocraft

Funny Story

So a couple weeks ago we had some potatoes in our pantry that started to smell. I opened the pantry and Amy was sitting at the table when the odor came out. I don't know if she just forgot the word "stinky" or what, but she informed me, "Mom, there's a poopies in my nose!"

Cute Kiddos!

Right before we left Arizona, Chris Allen offered to take some pictures of the kids for me. Thanks so much Chris! Thanks to Mandi too becausw without the marshmallows we never would have gotten a good shot of Amy... after the third shot she announced "I'm done!" Here are my favorites:

(she's not really angry here - this is her "Mike face" that we have to do every time we get her pictures done!)