Firestation

Here's a little catch-up blogging. It's been about 3 weeks ago that our ward playgroup gathered at the firestation for a little tour. We live right across the street from a firestation and so we hear the sirens loud and clear...day and night....rain or shine...in sickness or in health (ha ha - can you tell that it's not my favorite thing about our apartment). Because of this....Lizzy and Andrew have both become pretty interested in firetrucks and have asked several times when we can go see them.

This rescue squad was so nice and really even seemed to enjoy giving the tour. We saw the training rooms, kitchen, sleeping quarters and the POLE. The pole was the best since they got one of the firemen to slide down it and impress all the kids with this man who appeared out of the ceiling. The most exciting part however was, of course, the fire trucks. These pictures aren't the best, but with 15 or so kids...what'd you expect??

Andrew trying out the seats inside the truck.

Peering out the back of the ambulance.

Lizzy got brave enough to give the fireman a hug.

I love this cute picture of Pavlina. She's really lovin' it.

When You're the Best of Friends

I just couldn't resist putting up some of these adorable pictures that Kaelene took of our kids together.

I Don't Mean to Brag...But...

The Harrison kids spent this weekend at our house. On Friday....I got all 4 kids to take a nap at the SAME time!! I know. I am amazing.

Thank you Jackie!!!

Our friend Jackie gave us a fun paint by number Easter kit. Lizzy was so excited and I am so happy to see her having a long enough attention span to finish this that I had to post it. It is fun to see her taking more pride and enjoyment in working hard at something and doing a good job. She actually did every space in the (sort of) right color...even some that required mixing two colors. After she was done, she told me that her arms were getting so tired, but she just kept going. Way to go Lizzy.

Thanks Jackie and thanks for watching Lizzy for me in the morning. You are, as always, a wonderful example to everyone who knows you. As Michelle said about you just yesterday...."She is going straight to heaven."

I Am A Child of God

Kaelene and I have been doing a little at-home preschool a few times a week. It's been a lot of fun. Kate has also joined us a few times. This particular day we were learning about the letter "F' and I was giving them goldfish when they answered questions correctly. They wanted those goldfish so badly that they were eager to do whatever I asked. I had to take advantage of it and so at the end I told them that if they all stood up and sang "I Am a Child of God" together that they could have the rest of them. Really I was just being a little silly...but they jumped right up and did it with such gusto that it was so beautiful. What sweet kids.

In honor of Veterans Day

We have had a lot of remarkable experiences while here in Maryland. Aaron and I agreed, however, that the most memorable one has been our trip to Gettysburg. We went with our own personal tour guide, Chris Brewer, who is a member of our ward and lives in our building.

He is a historian who specializes in American history. He gives a lot of speeches, writes books, he has helped make several films (including the movie "Gettysburg") and he gives this tour to a lot of famous people. (Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon and many more). His fees are $1500 a day, plus $50 a person. We, however had this remarkable experience free of charge. (He is extremely generous in his service to others. I also have to say that for the past 16 years, he has had a special calling of being "Santa" at the temple in Washington DC. I will probably have to write some more about him later because he is probably the most amazing person I have ever met) He is an incredible story teller and at each stop we learned amazing and moving stories from this great battle.

This (on the left) is the field where Picketts Charge happened. In less than an hour, nearly 6,000 men died on this field. More than 50,000 men died in 3 days of battle.

Today we honor and remember all of those who

have sacrificed all for our great country.