Slow and Simple

Well I know everyone wants a new post or a picture or something else to look at when they check out our blog but there just isn't anything going on here. But just for the sake of something to read: We went down to the temple on Friday and today I got set apart as the Girl's Camp Director for our ward, which I am very excited about. There are only 12 girls from our ward going, which is a lot smaller than it usually is. But I do better in small groups and can't wait to get to know the girls. And not to mention how much I like camping! And a whole week without having to wash dishes, do laundry,teach piano, and change diapers!

We can't wait for Dad and Mom to come in a few weeks, and then to meet Marcella a few weeks after that!

Kik-Step Stool

I know all viewers of this blog are ready for something new, but it was a slow, non-eventful week. Not a bad week. Sometimes non-eventful weeks are my favorite. I did a lot of little things that needed to be done. But since that's never interesting to anyone else I decided to devote this blog to Kik-Step Stools. Owen loves these things. Whenever we go to the library he has to be pushing, carrying, or standing on one of these things. It's actually really nice because I'll be looking for a book and he'll collect all the stools he can see. He'll push the squeaky things over to where I am and louldly announce their color. "Look Mom, A WHITE ONE!!!" I think people sometimes get annoyed that he rearranges them but I love it when I feel confident enough to stick with the actions of my child. He's not bothering anyone, having the time of his life, and hey their name states they're for kicking around anyway. Plus I remember LOVING these things when I was a kid too. Anyone else the same way? I think it's funny they're only found at libraries. Even the Medical School Library is loaded with them. Well if anyone wants to buy one for me (and Owen), just click on the link. I'll take red please.

Kik-Step Stool
On Ebay

SNOW

Ready to go play!
Jeff started pulling Owen in the sled...something Owen's been talking about for about 6 weeks...and after about 20 feet Jeff started to run and dumped Owen in the snow. Wish I would have caught a shot, but I was busy drying his tears. But here they are after about 15 minutes of convincing Owen to get back in the sled.
Covered in snow!
Owen didn't like snow in his face, but he sure liked to put it in ours! Jeff was so fun to play along.
Right after a face plant. Wish we were in New York City, they got 27 inches of snow!

Cousins come to visit

We had a really fun visit from my cousin, Tara, and my cousin once removed, Matthew.
Of coarse Matthew is Owen's second cousin. I always have to look this up, but maybe someday I'll get it.

Matthew is this amazing eater, eating mostly vegetables. He ate stir fry with tofu. I've never even eaten that! We had a lot of fun talking and laughing at our boys. Owen asked where Tara and Matthew were for about two days after they left.

Quick Trip to Philadelphia

We went to Phili this weekend to see some friends. It was a quick trip but a lot of fun. It was rainy so we didn't take very many pictures. The pictures we did get aren't the best, but they'll have to do. We left Friday night so we could do some shopping at King of Prussia. Laurissa and Brad will remember our excersion there. It has a HUGE mall. I just wanted to go to some stores that they don't have around here. But we didn't stay long. On Saturday we woke up early so we could go to breakfast at the Reading Terminal Market. It is like an open air market, only it isn't. We had some delicious pancakes, french toast, and homefries (hashbrowns ). We hurried so that we could make the once a day tour of the Graff house. The house where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence. We got to the visitors center desk at 10:00 exactly but they said the tour already

left so we walked down and took pictures by the house anyway. We then went to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. That was interesting. We got to go upstairs in Liberty Hall, something they only offer during the less crowded winter months. After seeing a few more buildings we decided to check out the Academy of Natural Sciences. It is the oldest museum in the United States. It was fun, but we were all a little tired. Here is a picture of Owen petting the turtle at the animal exhibit and looking at a snake. He got the chills when we showed him the snake. Also a picture of him on a bronze turtle that he gave a hug and kiss too before we left. After the museum we went to an awesome Phily Cheesestake place. It was very authentic and hard to find, we couldn't have done it without our awesome friends.

Winter Fields

So here are some shots of the fields. I'm not positive the it's winter wheat, but it sure is green and beautiful, and not growing there by accident. This is the first year I've noticed it. Guess I'll have to find a farmer and ask him what it is.

Camera Shy? I don't think so!

Being two means being defiant. About six months ago Owen realized he doesn't have to do what I ask. And he loves trying to drive me crazy by not doing what I suggest. I'll ask him "Do you want to go outside?" "No Outside!" He'll respond. But when I walk away and he realizes he really does want to go outside he says, "I wanna outside!"

So our latest struggle is taking pictures. One of two things happens. He either turns around, like in the picture above, or like in the picture below, he puts his hands over his eyes. And of course we really positivly reinforce this by saying, "Owen turn around. Come on turn around so we can take a picture!" or "Owen move your hands. Right now move your hands!" The whole time he's loving the fact that we can't make him turn around or move his hands.



But he has to turn around sometime! And then I shoot like crazy!

We had a fun walk the other day. It was sunny and only a little cold. It actually looks really beautiful here. There are no leaves on the trees, but everything else is green. All the lawns are green and the farmer's fields are filled with this beautiful winter wheat. I'll post a picture of it another day!

Tagged

This is a big step for me posting a tag. I really only like to post pictures of family and events, I don't actually like to put anything about myself on here!

4 Jobs You Have Had in Your Life:
First real job- Royal Jade Chinese Restaurant as Hostess. (I had lots of important jobs like going next store to get the cooks their cappuccinos.)
Have to put the Joseph Smith Building (Banquet Server) because that's where I met Jeff. Western Garden Center-I thought it would be the job of my dreams and I pretty much hated it. Current-George T. Harrell Library and Piano Teacher. http://www.hmc.psu.edu/library/
Two of my cute students

4 Movies You Could Watch Over and Over:
This really stereotypes me, but Little Women, BBC's Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, The Sound of Music, and Fiddler on the Roof.

4 Places You Have Lived:
Kaysville, Utah
Rexburg, Idaho
Salt Lake City, Utah
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey!


4 TV Shows You Love to Watch:
I watch T.V. rarely but did get stuck on Jeopardy last year with Ken Jennings.

4 Places You Have Been on Vacation:
My favorites would have to be: New Jersey Shore, New York City, Italy trip, Niagara Falls, and Washington D.C..


4 web sites you visit daily:
gmail, google news, bank, weather bug.

4 of your favorite foods:
Soup, bread, quesadillas, home canned peaches.

4 places you would rather be right now:
Sunday night at the Wallin home, Arkady Cabin in Island Park, Jackson Hole, or watching a Broadway musical.

4 National or State Parks You’d Rather not Live Without:
Yellowstone- love it!
Glacier.
Capitol Reef- so many good memories.
Any other I haven't been to yet.

4 Books You’ve Read in the Past Year (or two):
1776, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, The Good Earth, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

4 Things You Like to Create:
Quilts, Order, Laughter, Music (not composing, but playing, or at least trying). My favorite thing in our home.

People I'm tagging. Mom and Dad Greg

Nature's Trick

It's the middle of January here in Hershey, but it sure feels like something else. This past week it's been so warm and sunny and should stay like this for a few more days. Owen has loved being able to go outside more. Here he is playing behind our place. We've also played at the park and gone on a few walks. I'm sure this is just a little trick nature is playing on us, so we won't put our coats away yet. 

75 cents

This bike cost me $.75 at a garage sale. It's a total junker, but Owen loves it.

The Norfolk and Western 475

Last week we went down to Lancaster County to ride on the oldest continuous running steam locomotive. We all loved it, especially the kids.
Here is some of the beautiful scenery we enjoyed.

We stood here to take some pictures and watch it take off again. Right as it left it blew soot all over us. We had black spots all over our faces and clothes!
The whole gang!

Washington DC

This is a picture of us in front of the nations capitol building. We had a great time in DC. It was less crowded outside than in the museums, so we spent most of our time enjoying ourselves outside around the mall.

Christmas

Chocolate World and Zoo America

We had a fun outing the other day. Owen took this picture! He's getting better. He loves taking pictures and it's funny to see all the parents give us worried looks when we hand him the camera. So far no mishaps! 

Our favorite Chocolate World display

 

Zoo America

Let's Go!

Zoo America

It was a nice cold zoo experience.
Owen's Favorite Animal this time: The turtles.
Quote: "The turtles are slow, hu?"

Dancing King

Here is Owen dancing with my old cabbage patch doll. He's got some moves!