This weekend we decided to pack the family car and head off on another one of our wild adventures. It was the ward camp out, and we were really excited to brave the outdoors. The place we camped was about an hour away, and surrounded in beautiful trees and fields. We arrived at around 5 pm and quickly got our tent set up and helped my friend Shaohe set up his. Shaohe is from China and has not yet camped in the US. Dinner was wonderful. We had hotdogs, chips, potato salad, and veggies. After it got dark everyone gathered around the camp fire and we sang some songs. This was probably Ellie's favorite part. She loves singing, and this was no exception.
Then the hard part came...trying to put her to bed. We had a portable crib but she did not want to go to bed. Eventually, Mark ended up sleeping in the tent while she slowly fell asleep. The next day we ate a wonderful breakfast, and set off to visit the observatory and go on a hike. The observatory was pretty awesome. We got to go and see the actual inside of the observatory, and were amazed at how much machinery was required for such a small telescope. The hike was beautiful, but took longer than expected. All the kids were beat and so most were carried the entire hour of hiking.
When the hike was over everyone was beat and ready to go home. But not just quite yet. We stopped at an avocado stand. They were selling 15 avocados for $2. Needless to say we left with 105, some for friends, and 45 were for us. Lastly we stopped at the nearby mission. Apparently it was started in the 1800's and was the only mission that still operated for the American Indians.
All in all we loved the adventure, and the only real setback was that Mark got poision oak...again. But he will heal, no worries.
Now enjoy the pictures compliments of Shaohe. Just go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/snownontrace .
JEM
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Baby, I'm Back!!!
Well as many of you have noticed the blog hasn't been touched in forever. The reason is I haven't been in class. Now class is in full swing and I will be updating this more often. So much has happened it is impossible to start from way back when. So suffice it to say we have been on a wonderful tropical vacation, bought a new car, and been amazed at Ellie’s growth and change. Any other questions please refer to our editor in chief Jenn.
Now enough with the past and on to the present.! The past few weeks we have been getting ready for Halloween with our even trying. For some reason our house and surrounding area is being invaded by spiders. About two weeks ago we found a black widow spider living next to the downstairs neighbors. That was disposed of quickly. Then the next Sunday we went to church and came home to an orb spider with its web right next to our door. Sadly, this was also disposed of because we thought it my have been a brown recluse, but probably not. Later in the week I walked out the door to go to school and did a move from the movie Matrix. There was an orb spider right in front of our door. I did a slow motion limbo move to avoid making contact, and then continued onto school. Again, later I was looking in our bathroom mirror and a miniature spider floated right in front of my face. He’s gone now. Now things have calmed down, we just have a giant orb spider up at the top of our building.
Throughout this Ellie has become good friend with the spiders. She runs to the door sometimes to see our giant orb spider. She will say good-bye to the orb spider when we leave our house, and even blow a kiss. We love it.
Well, we hope you all enjoy the upcoming holiday season. Fall seems to be a time to slow down, review your life and just be glad for all we have. I hope you take the time to just be happy.
Gratefully,
JEM
P.S. Don't miss the awesome movie at the bottom of the post.
Now enough with the past and on to the present.! The past few weeks we have been getting ready for Halloween with our even trying. For some reason our house and surrounding area is being invaded by spiders. About two weeks ago we found a black widow spider living next to the downstairs neighbors. That was disposed of quickly. Then the next Sunday we went to church and came home to an orb spider with its web right next to our door. Sadly, this was also disposed of because we thought it my have been a brown recluse, but probably not. Later in the week I walked out the door to go to school and did a move from the movie Matrix. There was an orb spider right in front of our door. I did a slow motion limbo move to avoid making contact, and then continued onto school. Again, later I was looking in our bathroom mirror and a miniature spider floated right in front of my face. He’s gone now. Now things have calmed down, we just have a giant orb spider up at the top of our building.
Throughout this Ellie has become good friend with the spiders. She runs to the door sometimes to see our giant orb spider. She will say good-bye to the orb spider when we leave our house, and even blow a kiss. We love it.
Well, we hope you all enjoy the upcoming holiday season. Fall seems to be a time to slow down, review your life and just be glad for all we have. I hope you take the time to just be happy.
Gratefully,
JEM
P.S. Don't miss the awesome movie at the bottom of the post.
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