Alyssa!

A Camping Trip

(not actually from camping, but kind of outdoorsie...from the "hike" that was really a trail in the middle of major highways and train tracks...oh, they're eating grass)

We went camping! We have said over and over that we want to go camping, so we finally did it! We went the Friday after I had my appendix out! We went to Lums Pond. It's a nice, kind of infested, beautiful pond. We went with a few different friends from the area and had a good ol' time!

We had s'mores, and that is all I really cared about. Unfortunately Alyssa not a pro-sleeper when it comes to being away from home. I think I fell asleep before her...sometime after midnight and then we all got up bright and early the next morning! Luckily and blessedly she took a four-hour-nap the next day! :) Happy Mama!

rock throwing

ker-plunk!

Alyssa found pine cones and her friends found sticks and rocks and all sorts of fun, dirty things! We threw rocks into the pond and went on a mini hike observing frogs, toads, really long earth worms, and all sorts of other nature-y type things.

so happy together!

Here's the thing with hiking around Lum's pond. The scenery never really changes. When you hike a mountain you go through so many different elevation phase changes. But around a flat pond, everything is pretty much the same as it was before. That's the bummer about no mountains. But don't worry, the mountains are just around the corner! [My coping method for no mountains.] I just can't ever seem to get around the corner to see them.

Demolition Derby!

I really like the idea of fairs. In Delaware, fairs happen in the middle of the summer, not in September like in Utah. So we went to Cecil County Fair...in Maryland. Delaware and Maryland. They're practically the same in these parts. We got to ride a tractor trailer from the parking lot to the entrance and then we walked around and saw all sorts of animals and chainsaw carving demonstrations! It increased our desire to be hobbist farmers. Ya know, all of that good stuff.

But the "best part" or at least the most novel part was the demolition derby! They just put a bunch of cars in a ring and they are allowed only to back up towards each other! We only stayed for one round. That is about all the excitement we could handle.

We also spent some time with tractors. They are so big! Alyssa is a pro-tractor driver. She moves her hands and wiggles her hips, just the thing a great tractor driver should do!

Daily Occurrences for Memory's Sake

These are some things that happen around here...

We flood the garden. I mean water the garden.

 We wear headbands as necklaces.

We try to hike at least once a week in some kind of forested area...while wearing our headband necklaces.

We look awesome. Check out those curls!

And we sing songs like this one the way to church:

(Courtesy of Alyssa)

 "Mary had a little man, little man, little man."

I hope her lamb doesn't feel bad!

The Dance, The Hole, and The Breakfast

 Some things we did in June-ish and July.

We went to a dance at the church! A young woman organized it for a personal progress project. Erik and I had a blast! Check out the great prom-like pic! :)

When I make dough for bread, Alyssa likes some pieces of it. Usually she just eats it, but this day she rolled it out on her pan! And then ate it...

I must now tell you about the hole. We went to the beach with Taylor and Krystalee. Erik wanted to dig a hole to sea level. Taylor said it was impossible, or something like that. So Erik started on his own.

Alyssa watched and helped and sat in the sand and enjoyed herself in general.

The hole got bigger.

And bigger...and Taylor started helping. A challenge he could not resist, to be sure!

And bigger-er-er.

Until sea level was reached! Ta-da! This picture really doesn't do it justice!

Pretty soon the other kids on the beach were jumping in and they also started digging their own holes! Wow! What trend setters!

A little lovin' in the hole.

And some more family together time in the hole.

Even Krystalee and baby boy got in on the action!

We also participated in the tri-ward pancake breakfast. I wish we were just innocent bystanders, but we indeed purchased all the food and directed the pancake-making-berry-cutting fiesta! It was a lot of work, but definitely fun! And of course we incorporated red, white and blue into the pancakes! Sprinkles is a great way to do it + the strawberries and blueberries!

Alyssa and her friend Bentley were in a little parade. Bentley loves to have his picture taken. He demands it when he sees the camera, actually.

And some of my amigos, M and A. I think they are pretty awesome. And now they are my visiting teachers-together! What are the chances?!

And finally, Alyssa is awesome. Basically that is the message of all of my pictures and posts. She has awesome hair, awesome style, and awesome loveliness.

Thank Goodness for Blogs

I wonder if when scrapbooking started they ever knew how many pictures people would take? I don't know. But I know that I am just fine with my digital scrapbook. It served it's purpose today when Alyssa and I sat on the couch and flipped through pictures of "baby wyssa". So now I think I'll give you a picture upload overload. These are pictures from pageant that include all the family time we had in Palmyra! It was wonderful to be with the Archibalds and the Nelsens!

Alyssa at the Palmyra Temple

Alyssa doing whatever...but check out those shoes! Two sizes too big and she never tripped!

What we all wish we could do during church!

Watching the Restoration Movie at the Hill Cumorah Visitor's Center with Maria!

Waterproof Cameras are great for Niagara Falls...or Erik's water bottle. 

Thanks Claire!

Skipping rocks in the little pond at the little waterfalls with Porter and Erik.

Alyssa and Grandma! 

Hugs!!!

The stage + Nephi's ship = memorable times!

Phew. Now we can move on from pageant pictures!

A concert in the park

Tonight we are at a concert in Battery Park @ Delaware City. Alyssa is already fascinated by the trombone, which resembles a trumpet.