Buffalo, New York

Ryan and I were able to go to Buffalo last week. It was so pretty there and so much fun! We left on Wednesday and it is a really long day to fly out there. There are no direct flights.Here is a picture of a pretty tree on a residential road in Orchard Park, New York. I would love to live in Orchard Park. This trip was a work trip for Ryan and a vacation for me. On Thursday, Ryan was Art Directing a photo shoot and I was able to see the sights of East Aurora. It was very neat to walk the main street. I really loved the Roycroft Campus. It was a haven for the arts. They did pottery, leather work, and copper work. I really enjoyed walking through those great buildings. On Thursday night we went for a drive and went by the LDS Church in Orchard Park. There were a lot of cars in the parking lot so we stopped in and said hi to the locals. We asked if it was really as bad there in Buffalo in the winter as everyone says. They all said "No, We get snow but it isn't as bad as everyone says. However we are a hearty people and we can handle anything that comes our way." It was also just nice to be able to visit with other members of our church.I loved seeing all the squirrels everwhere. I thought they were so cute and seemed so much bigger than our squirrels in Utah. On Friday, Ryan and went to Niagra Falls. That place is so very neat and as usual pictures just do not do it justice. A picture of me to prove I was there.

A picture of Ryan. Yes, that is a grimace on his face. It was one of the few times I was able to get the camera away from him.

The American Falls

Looking down the American Falls.

It was just so amazing! We had a great time and even decided to count it as a belated 10 year anniversary trip. What else says Second Honeymoon like Buffalo and Niagra Falls. It was great to be able to miss the kids. I was also somewhat vindicated when both my mom and Ryan's mom said that Mac is at a really hard stage and he is exhibiting this hard stage very physically. They were both worn out and I got some sympathy. Win, Win. We would also like to thank our sponsors for the great trip. Moog Medical for paying for Ryan's trip and our livelyhood. Aspen Aire Home Care and Little Valley Lawn Care for watching our kids, Thanks Moms and Dads!

Love is in The Air

In our Ward/neighborhood we started a "Soup Kitchen" to help get us through the long cold winter. We just get together to have lunch (soup and pot luck salads and bread) and to let the kids play. As we were leaving a cute little girl that is nearly 4 yelled to Ben, "Wait I haven't given you a hug and a kiss yet!" Ben said "Oh." She said "Can I give you a hug and kiss?" Ben said "Sure." And he gently sets down the pot he was helping me carry and throws his arms wide open and he is smiling so cute. The little girl stepped in for a hug and they give each other a big bear hug and she kisses him on the cheek. It was very cute! Ben really is very sweet most of the time.

Life Lesson Learned the Hard Way

My dear, sweet daughter Anikka got herself into a bit of trouble the other day. Her friend suggested that they help themselves to some of their teacher's treats. Anikka said no, but her friend went in the classroom and took four Jolly Ranchers. She kept two and gave two to Anikka. According to Anikka she just couldn't resist and ate one. When the teacher found out about the missing treats and asked the class who took them, everyone in the class said they all said it wasn't them. So here comes the redeeming part of this story. Anikka started feelng really yucky inside. She then told her teacher what happened and returned the Jolly Rancher that she did not eat. So her teacher sent her to the principal's office where Anikka and the Assitant Principal discussed what happened and what the consequences should be. They decided that one detention will suffice. When she got home that day she was very upset and feeling very bad. We talked about what we needed to do and decided that she take her tooth fairy money that she had been saving and to make resititution by buying her teacher another package of Jolly Ranchers, and to write a note of apology. I also told that there was one more person she needed to repent to and she said that she already had. This was a very hard experience for Anikka and me but the silver lining is that she was able to feel bad and then to try to make right the wrong that she did. She also learned a lot and will never do anything like that ever again.

Funny Ben

The other morning Ben turned to me and said.

"I am a good boy, Mom."

I said "yes, Ben, you are"

He said "And you love me."

"Yes, Ben, I do." I said.

"Do you know how I know?" He asked.

"how?" I asked.

He said " you give me your 'I love you' smile."

I smiled at him.

He said "yep, that one."

It is times like these that just melt your heart and make up for a lot of the daily screaming and fighting that these kids do. It also makes it easier to forgive him for throwing his little brother to the wolves quite literally.

On Saturday morning Ben went outside and left the door open so naturally Mac goes out too. One minute later Ben comes running inside and slams the door shut with Mac still outside. He is yelling "Sophie is Coming" Sophie is a neighborhood dog that the boys are a little afraid of, she jumps on them and she is not a small dog. So Mac is outside screaming. I run to open the door and Mac is pinned against the door with a big dog licking his face. As soon as I picked him up he was totally fine and wanted to pet the dog. Later that afternoon I asked Mac to show Dad what the dog did and he stuck out his tounge, just like this. It is very cute.