The Kindness of Strangers...

I am SO grateful to Amy, patient girls,
and all the strangers who helped us today.

Story:

My friend Amy and I thought it would be fun to take our kids to East Aurora for the afternoon.
"Fishy" cheesy Jane
We first went to the Explore and More Children's museum which was really cute and tons of fun.
Bruce LOVED the area where he got to build.
It was a perfect size place to play and explore and the kids stayed busy the whole time we were there.Cute girls in the barn

Then we went and ate a yummy lunch- really not quite Mexican, but good.

Next we were off to a great 5 cent/10cent store which was kind of a combination of the Smithfield Implement/Candy counter/Roberts craft store.
After that we got in the car and it wouldn't start! So Amy pulled up beside me, we found a nice man (just in town from Florida visiting his parents- yea, we had a while to talk.) He helped us learn how jumper cables work and tried to charge the car with my little cables- no luck. So Amy went and bought bigger ones and it started up!!

Kate really liked playing with the rice

We went to the Fisher Price outlet store after that and found some great deals and then back to the car again, and again it wouldn't start.
By now Amy and I are pros at jumping cars (not really) so we ask another kind man to help us. It starts- whew! So we decide to drive back home and as I'm driving (totally the wrong way too) it dies again and I can't go. So I pull over in front of a random home and I went to ask if I could borrow a phone to call B (who needs a cell phone right?)
The family was SOOO nice and they let us use their phone, bathroom, gave the kids drinks, and let us stay for the 1/2 hour while we waited for B. So sweet. B shows up, we jump the car and I tell him I think the battery is dead.
The car starts and we drive straight to NAPA to have them check the battery- yep it was dead. SO... $72.00 later we have a battery, we're on the road, and all is well again.
I'm glad we're going to the temple tomorrow because I have lots of blessings to count and lots of people to "pay it forward" to.

More Summer Fun Outside

We really LOVE the sunshine!

The kids all build a little "tree house" on the playground yesterday and had lots of fun in it.
They furnished it with pillows, blankets, and fruit for a snack.

(Bruce's feet are in the background)

This is how they all came down.

This is how excited Kate gets when she sees a bird or squirrel.

Jane said, "Mom, we're all three standing against this wall- take a picture."
So I did.

Jane had her last swim lesson of the season today
- here are 2 of her beautiful swimming friends.

Bug Club and Jane's Stories

Do you want to join our bug club?

Thanks to Aunt Jill for the bug package we now have more things to help us catch and pin bugs.

(Thanks also for the clothes.)

Jane has also been learning how to spell new words like CRAZY!
She is really ready and excited for Kindergarten.

Here is her latest story about Rip Tides.

Here is a sign on her door
(No boys allowed No boy dogs allowed only robot dogs)
Not all the words are spelled correctly, but she knows what she's writing and can read it back.
SO SMART!

Do YOU want to pick me UP?

* * * A HUGE CONGRATS TO FRIENDS ALEXIS AND GANTRIE FOR THEIR 5K in Alpine! Keep on Runnin' * * *

Games

We really like to play games with each other, family, and friends.

While our friends were in town this last week they brought lots of games with them and we played them all:
*Carcassonne
* Zooloretto
*Palabra
* Through the Desert
*Ticket to Ride (Europe)
* Bohnanza
* Puerto Rico
* Shoot the Moon
* Ruckus
* Bang
They were also SOOO NICE and gave us the game Carcassone which we played while watching the opening Olympic ceremony last night.

Thanks again!

Niagara!

On Tuesday we went to Niagara Falls with some friends.

American Falls

Horseshoe Falls

Silly us

We walked to Canada and saw the falls from that side, then walked back to the US and rode the "Maid of the Mist" boat that got really close to the falls and we got a little wet.
It was amazing to see/feel all that water coming down.

Jane on the boat

Walking up closer to the falls

Wet Bruce- so happy!

That evening we took them out for a real "Buffalo Wing Experience" at the Anchor Bar.
We are having so much fun!

Fun with Friends!

WE LOVE THESE FRIENDS!This weekend/week we've been having a great time with our favorite friends from Kentucky. We've been playing LOTS of dress-ups & games.

Yesterday we went to Palmyra and that was really fun to see all the church sites there.
(I think this picture is so cute of Kate, even though she isn't so smiley)

Today we're off to Canada and Niagara Falls!

Happy Birthday Jeffy!

Happy Brother to my "little" brother Jeff!
We made you cupcakes!

*We're also sooo excited for Brent, Katie & kids to come see us tonight!