Camping at Gifford Pinchot State Park

Well, from my previous post, it was our anniversary on Friday. That morning Jon had to take his test for his Medicine rotation, and then had to do a presentation. But when he got home we celebrated our anniversary by going camping...with the kids. And it just wouldn't be camping "Bassett" style unless there was some rain. It hasn't rained for months out here, and so of course since we were going camping..., it rained ALL day Friday. For dinner though, instead of trying to get a fire going, and keep it going, we just opted to go out to eat. We found this little family restaurant, Ruppert's Family Restaurant. It wasn't amazing food, but it wasn't bad either. It was pretty good. It was a fun little atmosphere though. A small town feel, which both Jon and I like. It did stop raining by about 9 or 10 at night. And then it didn't rain at all Saturday. So we went exploring. Our camping site was right next to the lake and so Jaedon and Livy kept walking over to the dock. We went exploring on some trails that they had as well. It reminded me a little bit of the Sacred Grove, it was very pretty. The best part though, and this may seem weird, but we saw a real live walking stick. It was on the side of our car when we woke up Saturday. It really does look just like a stick, and it seemed like it had these pincher things on his tail end, but I think they were just for show. We stayed until after lunch. We roasted hot dogs, and s'mores, and then called it a trip.

5 YEARS... all ready

5 years ago, I entered the Logan Temple to marry, and be sealed to the love of my life through out the eternities. I love this man with all my heart, and know he feels the same in return. He is my best friend, a counselor, a strength, an example, a teacher, and an amazing father. He's there to walk beside me, carry me when I am too weak, lift me up when I have fallen.

I love you Sweets, and am so appreciative and grateful that the Lord lead us to one another.

a little help...from the eyebrows

Livy is quite the character at times. She does this head nod. She will usually do it bright and early when she wakes up and I am changing her diaper. And then the other time when she usually does it is when we are eating. The greatest part about this head nod though is that she raises her eyebrows at the same time, like it helps her with the motion or something. I do have to explain why she looks the way she does though. First her hair: it was in a different 'do', but after she woke up from her nap, I think she was pulling on it, and so it was everywhere! So I just pulled it up in a little pony, and it created the wonderful 'fountain' look. She is naked, well, she does have a diaper on of course, but we went swimming and were going to take a bath right after dinner, and what not, so we just left her in her diaper. Personally I think it makes for a cuter picture though. :D

a day of firsts and exhaustion

Today I ran my very first 5K. After the race, if asked if I would do it again..., probably not! But in all honesty I would do it again. I am convinced that my body is NOT built for long distance running. I am a sprinter! But I did have a pretty good "kick" at the end, which makes me think that I should have started my kick a little sooner, or gave a little more during the race. But this makes me really scared for the triathlon in October. But I think I did considerably well. I ran it in 27:25. The guy that came in first ran it in 14 minutes!! I am not sure what the first girl was though, but I think she was pretty close behind, because she was dressed in one of those Olympic 2 piece things, that looks like you are wearing a swimming suit. The worst part of the race though was probably when I only had less than a mile to go and this lady passed me. She was probably late 30's, but she was pushing a stroller. Not that big of a deal. A couple of guys had passed me around the same time a little earlier and they were pushing strollers, BUT, (yes there is a but). She wasn't pushing ANY stroller, it was a TRIPLE DECKER stroller!!! That was quite the slap in the face. But I have the most wonderful supporter. No not my sports bra... My husband! He always reminds me that most of these people have trained for years and much, much longer than my little short couple of months training. This race though has opened my eyes and made me realize that I need to step up my work-outs BIG time!! I need to also eat a lot better too. But I think after this triathlon, I will probably just stick with 5K's.

And I know you all have been waiting for this. Canned peaches!! It went all right but I think I am done canning for the season now. We ended up making 36 bottles, with a huge bowl left over. (I all ready had made one emergency trip to the store to get another thing of bottles, and wasn't about to go again.) Amazingly everyone of them sealed! I ended up getting a water bath as an early birthday present, and I will say that I wish I would have gotten a steamer now. The water bath takes a long time. We haven't tried them yet either, so who knows if it was THAT successful of a first time for canning peaches. Regardless, they look pretty..., I guess.

an instant friendship

I am not sure if people are just really nice, or it is some common bond that "runners" or "bikers" have. But while running or biking, I have noticed that pretty much everyone will say 'hi', or 'good morning', or give a little wave, or even a little head nod. And it doesn't matter what time it is. For instance, this morning at 5:30 there were 2 runners that I haven't seen before, but we passed each other twice, and both times there was a nod and a wave. On a side note, for Family Home Evening we went and picked peaches at a fun little orchard. I didn't bring my camera and SO wished that I would of, because to my surprise, Jaedon LOVED picking the peaches! Some of them were a little green still, but that is okay. And Livy just sat by the basket and would empty all the peaches out as we put them in. She even took a little bite out of one of them too.

latest obsession

I used to hate canning growing up. My mom did quite a bit of it, and it seemed at times, if you could grow it, she would can it. All us kids would try and be "doing something else", so we wouldn't have to help. I did really like doing the apricots though, and making nectar, because the grinder, when the skins would come out, (this may be inappropriate), but it would look like poop! So then us kids would try and see who could get the longest one! :) ahhhh...the memories. Anyways, now that I am "old"er, there is some kind of weird satisfaction in doing it. In July I did some apricot jam, which turned out fabulous, and on Monday I did some salsa. I must add these were all Relief Society Enrichment activities. But then yesterday I decided to do another batch of salsa all by myself. My next thing to can is peaches. That is probably my favorite thing to eat that is canned. But now I am trying to find all the supplies to can, which will probably be a birthday or Christmas present. And I am not sure if I should get a steamer or a water bath.

preschool, walking, and baseball

Jaedon started preschool this week on Thursday. I wasn't able to get a picture before we left to preschool, so here he is, showing his little book that he made and colored.

He is licking his fingers to turn the page.

And Miss Livy is a "walker" now!! She has been doing it now for a couple of weeks, but lately has been becoming quite the pro at it.

Last night we went to City Island and saw a Harrisburg Senators baseball game. Jaedon was SO excited to go and kept asking ALL day if we could go yet.

We got a little treat at the game...a huge otter pop!!

They had one of those bouncy things again, but luckily this time there was no "fits" thrown and he came out all on his own.

the many faces of Jaedon and Livy

I...

I am: watching Mary Poppins with my little buddy I know: that med school will come to an end one day I want: a million dollars I have: the best family in the whole world I wish: I was 2 sizes smaller I hate: my belly bulge I miss: my husband I fear: losing a child while they're still young I hear: "just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down..." I smell: chocolate (one of the bonuses of livin' in Hershey) I crave: nothing right now...surprisingly I search: triathlon workouts and help/pointers I regret: nothing...things that happen and choices that we make, make us who we are...I think I love: my LIFE! I care: for my family I always: have to check my email and blogs multiple times a day I am not: perfect I sing: when nothing else is occupying my funny little brain I fight: with myself I write: to get things out I lose: when I don't try I win: when I put my mind to it and do the best that I can I never: have broken a bone in my body I listen: to the cute chitter-chatter and little giggles that come from my little ones mouths I am scared: of snakes I need: a nap I am happy about: my husband and what a wonderful man he truly is I tag: whoever feels like doing it, or maybe needs/wants something to blog about! ;)

Who needs Hershey Park...

when you have a wagon and a hill? This is Jaedon's favorite lately. Everyday, without fail, he will ask to go "up and down". I love it that he will even put his hands up. He doesn't do this on "real" rides. But as you can see, he absolutely loves it!!

And this has been one of Livy's favorite lately. Opening up the drawer under the crib and crawling in it and then throwing everything out of it. She also has loved climbing up on Jaedon's bed. But I am not quite sure how she gets down, because I haven't actually seen her get down, but I don't hear any big loud bumps and cries, so I guess she manages.