Seneca Lake

Last fall, we spent the weekend at Seneca Lake with friends and had a blast.... well the tradition continues! Senecca Lake is one of the Finger Lakes about 2 hours from Buffalo and the church owns property, including cabins, camping areas and a house, right on the edge of the lake. Well why would we camp when we can rent the ginormous house for a great rate?! The guys didn't have clinic on Friday, so we drove up in the morning and got there right as the kids needed to go down for a nap. Us girls started visiting and the boys started scavenging..... coming up with ..... bows and arrows! We may have stayed in the kitchen talking, if a certain husband hadn't casually mentioned (or hinted obviously) that they would like their women to come admire their skills. They probably regretted that, because after one round of shooting, us girls wanted a turn!

I don't think any of us hit the target, but those lucky guys who did were excited for their {rewards}!

Once the kiddos woke up, we drove about another hour to a place called Treheman Falls. As we entered the State Park, we noticed several signs welcoming us, then posting that the water temp. was 60 degrees. NOT WELCOMING! It was a really cool, little place with a diving board and swimming area, backdropped by a gorgeous waterfall.

We let the kids try it out and they seemed unphased by the bitterly freezing water. I walked in to my shins and they promptly went numb. It's not a cold that you get used to... your skin just goes into shock.

But it was just too cool to not take advantage of the diving board. Trav went off too many times to count. I think he was missing his old diving days. Of course the sign said you couldn't do any flips, inwards, or otherwise {cool} dives. Trav still begged the lifeguard.. who refused him. So then he asked, "Well, what if I just did it and then you yelled at me?" The lifeguard just shrugged his shoulders and said "meh", like.. whatever. So he did. And when he came up for air, we saw the kid lifeguard put his megaphone to his mouth and say "no flips" so soft, no one else could even hear.

Well I couldn't refuse a once-in-a-life time opportunity either... only I just did it once. Trav took video, but it is WAY too embarrassing to post. I am a wimp.

These guys are crazier than I thought. They CHOSE to stay in longer than necessary and all get up on a ledge by the waterfall. It was pretty humorous to watch as they slipped and slided all over the place.

We are just grateful we got out of there without Creed getting hypothermia. His whole body was shaking and convulsing as he unsuccessfully tried to cover himself with his daughter's towel.

Back at the house ( I want to say cabin... but it's not true) we met up with Ryan and Rachel and Lawrence and Andrea, who came up later than us. We ate yummy Wegman's pizza, 9 layer bean dip, veggies, and homemade-from-the-garden salsa (using 6 different peppers :)

I love the green in this picture. Singing songs and hanging out on the back porch.

Of course, a little Kan Jam.

We spent some time around the fire pit, roasting mallows, but I didn't get any good pictures. My favorite is that Camille is avidly texting while everyone else is visiting :)

Back inside, we played mafia and the sign game before the boys finally ditched us for some {manly} competition. Us ladies played a very polite game of Last Word ( i.e. "Oh, good one! .... Ya, I think you won that point, not me.") And then we {talked} and talked, and talked. Until...... 4am. After midnight, I noticed my body starting involuntarily twitching. But I just couldn't leave the party to sleep. After Monopoly, the boys went into the front room (void of any breakables) and played "hackey-sack" with a soccer ball for hours. When they were done, they looked like wet, little puppy dogs, drenched in sweat, but glowing from their score of {73}. 

The morning dawned bright and early for those with 3 hours sleep. But we feasted on waffles, eggs, and fruit for breakfast, trying to look lively.

After packing and cleaning up, the Shaws had to leave, but the rest of us headed to the dock for some fun. Here are the Cardons out on the canoe, Andy and Camille with the catch of the day, and Ryan and Rachel kayaking.

When it was our turn in the canoe, Collin started whimpering and I turned around and saw these chipmunk cheeks.

He was not so sure about our latest endeavor. Neither was his momma. I was sure I was going to flip us.

On our way home we stopped at the Peter Whimer farm. I was so excited! This place is supposed to be a part of all the Palmyra sites, but it's always too far away to get it in, in one day. So this was our first time. This is the visitors center. It was massive. And a ward actually meets here. The tour guide told us that the ward covers 350 square miles. Yikes!

This sculpture is called "The Moment After" representing when the priesthood was conferred on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry. And it rests on a time capsule that was put here in 1980. In 2030 it will be opened, commemorating 200 years since the church was organized.

This log house is a replica of the Whitmer home, but it sits on the actual foundation stone. This is where the church was organized on April 6, 1830.

I can't even describe how much fun we had this weekend!  And a great way to {send off} the Reheisses.Thanks, friends, for coming and making it a blast! I am still recovering from lack of sleep, but it was worth it.

Camille's Bebe Shower!

Last Monday we had a little baby shower for Camille at my house. She is due about a month before I am, but we had to have an early shower because we just found out they are moving! *tear* Her husband is wanting to go to chiropractic school and they realized if they moved to St. Louis, they would be able to finish up about 2 years earlier than if they stayed here. So in about 2 weeks time, we found out they were moving and had to say goodbye. (They are actually heading out tomorrow)

Some of the guests....

Why do we always have pictures of the food? I don't know how I'm not 200 lbs with all the goodies we are constantly eating. I just went grocery shopping tonight and a good portion of my cart was dedicated just to candy, soda, and sugar related items (granted, I am hosting book club in a couple days) But there is always something!

"Bottle chugging" contest. Denyse was the chuggin' winner!

We are sad we won't be around when her sweet little boy is born, but it certainly won't be the last she sees of us! St. Louis isn't THAT far away!

It's PIG Roastin' Time!

Meet dear Wilbur..... our dinner last Saturday night.

(Not the most lively fellow)

His grave began in a pit....

that steamed him up good.

Looking at this makes me throw up in my mouth a little.

But, boy, these guys were proud.

It took days of prep and hard labor.

And they feasted on their spoils...

even sharing their 70 lb. hog with the rest of us.

The Cardons hosted a fantastic luau.

Really, they outdid themselves.

And I may have not seen my husband for the whole day, but it all paid off in berry punch, coconut rolls, and chop suey. 

(However, the little piggie that didn't make it home, wasn't really my favorite. Shocker, I know) 

Doug, Wayne, and I got called up as the finalists for "best dressed".

We were supposed to have a dance- off to win.

Doug started his Samoan chanting, clapping, hollering...... (He served his mission there).... game over. He was pretty amazing.

I sure wish I had won that coconut bra, but it went to the better man :)

Luckily, our little guy, knew nothing of the massacre that took place that day.

But he sure rocked a lei.

May Wilbur rest in peace.

Back to the Buff

Like I had said before... my heart was aching quite a bit after leaving family and friends and coming back to our big, empty house. My only consolation was our Buff friends. What would I do without them? In all honesty, I would have been fairly depressed.

While we were on our vacation, I saw this picture that I had taken the night before we left.... playing Quelf with the Cardons and Doug. And I got all nostalgic for Buffalo! That was a good sign. We are blessed living across the country from our families, with {away-from-family- families}.

The Carters invited us over for dinner, Sunday night. I was as much grateful for the Buffalo wings (we would have been eating a bowl of cereal otherwise) as I was for the company! It was good to see Collin having fun again with some friends.

Monday night we invited the Shaheens and Shaws over for dinner so we could then share our baby news with them. Collin performed his {tricks} seamlessly. He pointed to my stomach, right on cue. I think we should take the show on Broadway. It was so fun to catch them by surprise and finally have them know!

Tuesday night we went to Chuckie Cheese with the Cardons, Porters, and Dobbins. I don't know why we paid for tokens, because Collin was ecstatic to just run around and sit in toys, without any motion. Afterward, Tiffany treated us to homemade Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate. It was fancy. And I ate the whole. thing. I'm pretty sure it was as big as my head.

On Friday we went to Crystal Beach with the Marchants, Shaheens, Shaws, and Cardons. I'm not a fan of crossing the border, but it actually wasn't too bad. We brought back minimal sand to our house and I'll agree to go again once, next summer. I think that's my quota :)

Collin... getting reaquainted with his friend, Gavin. They like to jump.

On Sunday, our good friend, Steve stopped in. He was driving a friend's car across the country, so he had time to come see our house, stay for dinner, and stay the night. He's a character... can you tell? :)

Aug. 16, was the official first day of school (the week before was all orientation stuff). Of course, I forgot to take a picture!!! I was devastated that night when I realized my error. I am really slipping up these days. So, here is the SECOND day back to school. Not as cool, I'm sorry.

My handsome 3rd year dental student!  

Continuing with fun, Buff events....

Our last night of Bunco for the year.... shed a tear. Not to worry, we'll be starting it up again!

Chanda and Kristie are battling out a tie. Chanda won! Check out those guns though... I will not messing these girls :)

Here's the whole original group.... minus Camille and Briste. It's been a great year, girls!

My camera was on self timer and I yelled out "silly faces"! I was mucho impressed that everyone complied. I think this picture adequately illustrates what Bunco night is all about! By far, my favorite face is Denyse! Bahaha.... I seriously cannot look at her and not die laughing. Bravo. 

After most people left, leg wrestling got brought up. Some people had never heard of it and needed some lessons. Denyse said she'd be mad at me if I posted this video (she didn't see it, just knew I took one), but I really don't think its embarrassing.. just funny.... but if you don't agree Denyse- tell me and I'll take it off :)

 

Another Young Women's picture! Camille (far left) is moving this week and we (especially ME!) are devastated. Don't be deceived by the girls' sullen faces... they are awesome... not sure why they are giving the camera crusty looks.... probably because they are tired of all the many pictures we take of them.

I was feeling quite burned out from my calling, but my first lesson back snapped me right back into gear. It was awesome. There is nothing better than a lesson that hits home and gets the girls talking and motivated. It's like adrenaline in my blood.

For mutual, we did a pioneer night. They were THRILLED to wear the bonnets. And again, with the leg wrestling...

Tiffany invited us to the zoo, last Friday. It was fun, but exhausting. This kid loves to run away, way too much. And I don't love running after him. The highlight, was definitely his orange snowcone. He snarfed that thing down. Maddie even had to come get a bite... I think she was wondering what was so good about HIS cone that he couldn't stop slurping it down.

Trav threw out his shoulder somehow, and asked me to come walk on his back to try and help it. It didn't. But after I got off, Collin was ready to hop on and try out the new game. Not bad balance.

Ok, so it usually bugs me when people go on and on about their adorable kids..... but these are climbing the charts as my favorite pics ever. YUM! I want to eat him up! He is sporting a jersey that he got from his Uncle Trevor (who served in Mexico) and it is smashing. Yup, this kid is all mine!