Vacation

We've loved having Spencer home for the past 3 weeks! Today is his last day of summer break. It will be sad to have him start school again on Monday. We spent most of the time hanging out at home, but also hit the road and did a little traveling.

We went to Pittsburgh, PA and Parkersburg, WV with the Barnum's. Funny that Pittsburgh is so close to where I grew up, but I'd never been. I think our biggest motivator for going was IKEA, but we had fun doing some historical and kid friendly stuff too.

Getting ready to head up Mt. Washington on the Duquesne Incline. Stuff like this makes Spencer nervous- he's not a huge fan of heights, and the fact that the cable car and track were over 100 years old didn't help much.

Trying to not look down :)

This is the view of the city from the observation deck at the top of the hill. I guess I never realized Pittsburgh was pretty much surrounded by rivers, but I thought it was so beautiful. We really liked all of the cool bridges too.

We went to Bessemer Court at Station Square to see the fountain show. It was set to music (kind of like the Belagio show but on a much much smaller scale), and we had fun dancing around and singing along.

We like to take turns holding Sydney when there's an opportunity to dance- like somehow we look less stupid with her in our arms because we're really just trying to make her smile.

Oblivious to the grand finale. She just really loved that wrapper.

This is the one and only picture I took at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum. It was fun, but we were glad to only have to pay admission for one of us since Sydney didn't really care about any of it.

We went to Parkersburg for Spencer to do free dental work for the Mission of Mercy. Becky and I shopped, hung out at the hotel, and visited Wendy's family while our husbands had 12 hour days of dentistry. I didn't take any pictures while we were there, but to give you an idea of my first impression of West Virginia, I think I counted like 3 adult book stores off the freeway when we were only 12 miles into the state. Then our hotel was about 1/4 mile from a Show Bar. Classy.

On the way home, Spencer was so excited to tell me about all the extractions he got to do. I've never heard anyone talk about using muscle to yank out adult teeth with such enthusiasm. Looks like he picked the right field!

This week we took a little trip to Lakeview Cemetary to visit the memorial of President James Garfield. It was a really beautiful place, I'm glad we made time to check it out.

From the outside.

On the inside. The crypt was downstairs, and we got to go down and see his casket with the flag over it.

This was the view from the balcony. It was such a clear day, and it was so pretty to see downtown and Lake Erie.

We've enjoyed this break and look forward to going to Dallas later this week for Jon's wedding!

Fireside

Yesterday we went to another ward for a ward conference, and we were a little late and missed the announcements. During Sacrament meeting Sydney was getting kind of wiggly and cranky so I took her out to the foyer. I found Jeni out there with her grandson, and she asked me if we were going to the youth fireside that night. I didn't know anything about it, so when I asked when it was, etc. she said, "Did you hear who the guest is?" Nope. I didn't. But when I found out who it was, there was no question that we'd be going.

It was totally David Archuleta.

I guess it was kind of a last minute thing- he's on tour right now and had some time off to see the church sites. The new Mission President here is his old Stake President, and he asked David if he'd do a fireside for us. He sang I Am a Child of God, Be Still My Soul, and How Great Thou Art, which were all incredible. In between each song he answered questions written by our youth, and (not to be mean but) that part was kind of boring. He was the same kid we saw on American Idol: sweet, humble, down to earth, and totally talented.

We didn't stay after to shake his hand, but we got a good laugh out of the girls in our ward who did and were determined to "never wash my hand again." Gotta love teenagers :)

Rolling Ridge Ranch

Monday marked the first day of Spencer's 3 week break from school, so we made plans to start it off with some fun! We went to this Amish zoo about an hour and a half away where you can ride in a wagon and feed the wildlife. Justin and Stacey had gone over the 4th of July weekend and said it was awesome, so they were up for going again. This place did not disappoint! Hence the massive number of pictures and videos...

Gearing up for our ride.

Here we go!

Our first stop was right inside the gate, and tons of animals just came right over to our wagon. They certainly know the drill: wagon = food. Can you tell animals make me kind of nervous?

These mammoth donkeys were a cross between their giant plowing horses and a regular donkey.

After a few other stops of feeding deer and antelope, we got to see some gigantic elk. Most of the males were content to watch us from the water where they were keeping cool.

But a few did venture out to get some grub.

We had no idea their antlers have a really soft covering of fur over them.

The guide told us they lose their antlers every year, and this new set had been growing in since March. They were huge!

When we went up the next hill, there were tons of male deer sitting near some tree stumps in the grass. We started shaking our buckets of feed, and most of them came down to check us out.

This one must have been especially hungry. There were stairs on the back of the wagon, and he wasn't shy about walking up them to get to our food.

His antlers were so cool that even Sydney wanted to touch them.

It was crazy to be so close to these animals! I told our friends that it reminded me of Snow White when she gets lost in the forest and all of those deer and rabbits come out and befriend her.

Further up the hill we stopped to see some more deer and a few water buffalo. It made me laugh that all of a sudden Stacey turned around and there was a huge ostrich right behind her.

On the last stretch we got to see alpacas, llamas, and more antelope.

Spencer started feeding this llama when the wagon was stopped, and it kept walking and eating when we started driving away.

Sydney was clapping for the antelope- she always claps with her right hand normal and her left hand in a fist.

The final stop was near the Texas longhorns. Looks like those horns are contagious... you touch one, and grow a pair of your own! Ha ha.

Our guide had warned us to hold on to our buckets tightly because some of the animals are really good at stealing them. I had a good grip when I was feeding this longhorn, but then it turned its head and I was pretty sure its horn was going to crush my arm against the side of the wagon. I dropped my bucket when I hurried to get my hand out of the way. Luckily there wasn't much food left in it.

This camel walked with us to the gate at the end of the tour.

Seriously, we had so much fun! The whole wagon ride took about an hour, and there was also a free petting zoo with some baby cows, goats, and sheep. We also got to see some cool birds, monkeys, and alligators, plus a few turkeys and peacocks that were walking around freely. Spencer even got to hold a baby chick.

If you're interested in going, their website is http://www.visitrollingridge.com and there's a printable coupon for a wagon ride.

Still Deciding

So... I painted my dining room blue (with my landlord's permission, of course).

I was so excited to get rid of the red walls and ugly stenciled leaved that I had it primed and painted in less than 24 hours.

Sometimes I like it, and then other times I walk in and think I should paint it again with a more neutral color. Then I remember how long it took to tape, prime, and paint, not to mention the $25 it would cost to get more paint, and I re-convince myself that it actually looks cute.

Before:

After:

The pillows will be recovered, and I'm working on more decor for the walls. But color-wise, have I made a huge mistake? Be honest.

A few other recent purchases that I don't regret in any way:

Sled- $3.
Cozy coupe (with cracked wheel and missing gas tank cover)- $2.

Can't feel bad about that! I love garage sales. Happy Birthday Sydney :)

Crawling and Making Silly Sounds

Sydney was making this funny noise with her lips when she was playing around this afternoon, so I grabbed the camera to record it so I could show Spencer when he got home. We were cracking up when we watched it together.

Happy 4th of July!

We had such an awesome holiday weekend. Spencer didn't have school on Friday, so we went down to Columbus a day early and went to the temple. It was the first time we'd been back since Sydney was born, and it was a much needed visit! I'm so grateful we were able to go, and it was so nice to be able to leave Sydney in good hands- she got to bond with her Aunt Shauna.

On Saturday morning we went to Upper Arlington's 4th of July parade. The streets were packed! It was fun to dress Sydney up in the little shirt and bow I made for her, while I was content to look like I just woke up (read: glasses, ponytail, very little makeup).

A local grocer sponsored a hot dog stand across the street from where we watched the parade. Nothin' like eating free hot dogs at 9am (sick); still, Shauna and I were the only ones to opt out. Spencer claimed it was "the best hot dog I've ever eaten." They also passed out free firework popsicles, which I was happy to take advantage of.

Uncle Sam riding his sweet bike.

Spencer making Sydney laugh.

Our sweet girl.

That afternoon my Mom and Dad came over and we got Shauna's house ready for their annual party.

Sydney hanging out with Grandpa.

Shauna and I made lots of these cute pom-poms and hung them inside...

and out.

We ate so much at the party that night that I felt like I was going to explode. It was all delicious! The climax of the celebration was fireworks in the park. We had seen downtown's Red, White, and Boom fireworks from the freeway the night before, and it was so nice (for Sydney's sake) to get the view without the sound. I was much more concerned for the park fireworks since they were being set off literally right in front of us. She fell asleep in her stroller on our walk over there, and I couldn't believe she stayed asleep for a majority of the show! When she did wake up, I held her and plugged her ears, and she went right back to sleep.

Relaxing while we waited for the fireworks to start.

Just had to post this picture to capture Spencer's face. Classic.

Sydney at 8 months

Sydney's eighth month has been a really fun one. She's eating a lot, playing a lot, and just being her happy self. I'm glad to have such a content little girl to experiment with, as I often wonder what the heck I "should be" doing. How did mom's of old ever get by without a plethora of books to consult about every little concern that comes up?

It took a while for her to get the stability to sit up for longer periods of time, but now she's a pro at it.

We went to the local kiddie pool a few times last month, and it surprisingly went over really well. The bottom of the pool was textured, and she was almost more interested in feeling that then she was in playing with her toys.

Spencer got to come with us once; it's really just an excuse for us to try to get tan (which, as you can see, we both really need!).

The last week of month eight was a big one. On June 26th, her bottom left incisor cut through, and the right one followed on July 2nd. She didn't even really seem to be cranky for the whole experience either, she just wanted to chew on everything (which is really nothing new).

On June 30th, my cousin Heather came over with her little boy Alex for a play date. As they were getting ready to go, Heather got a little pink Johnson & Johnson lotion out of her diaper bag, and Sydney crawled forward to get it. She's been up on all fours and pushing herself backwards for several weeks, so it's fun to see her figure out the forward direction.

I bought her first sippy cups a few weeks ago, but I think it will take a while for her to get it. For now she pretty much just likes to gnaw on the spout, and I'll sometimes take out the valve and help her get a drink so she can see it's more than just a toy.

Her stinky diapers are easier to clean up, but must be immediately banished to the garage so they don't stink up her room.

Bedtime is usually around 8:30pm, and she'll usually sleep until about 8:30am, waking up once to eat.

Our little Sydney is growing up! Here's to a happy 9th month!