For Labor Day weekend we took advantage of our new-found proximity to family and drove to Utah to spend time with everyone in Orem. We went boating on Saturday but left our phones in the car, so no pictures are available, sorry. We mostly rode the tube, but when the water calmed down in the evening Phil and I did go out and ski. It was nice to be back on the water again.
On Monday we went rappelling.
Here's Madeline on a 90 foot decent.
Aunt Jen and Jessica getting ready for a drop.
Here's Phil on his way down the cliff.
It seemed like a short weekend even though it was a long one, but we had a good time and soon were on our way back home. Fall is definitely arriving here. The weather has cooled and we've started getting some rain, something very strong rain. On Thursday we looked out our back window and say this double rainbow after a heavy downpour.
On Saturday the Caldwell Fine Arts Center hosted a 5k. Before the race, they had a 1/2 mile run for kids and families. The theme for the event was Beat Beethoven. The short race was called the Sonatina Scamper, and they played one of Beethoven's sonatinas while we ran. The objective was to finish the race before the sonatina ended, which we did. Joanne had volunteered to help with a blood drive so she had to leave, but I stayed and ran the 5k while the girls cheered me on. Beethoven's 5th Symphony (31 minutes long) played while we ran, and I was the third to the last runner to finish before it ended, completing the race in 29 minutes and 15 seconds. I think it was my Speedy Gonzales t-shirt that put me over the top.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
1 September 2013 - Caldwell
Joanne and I have never really had a nice master bedroom furniture set, so when we left Pennsylvania we decided we would get one. Here is Joanne's dresser.
The bed and nightstands.
We have two large bookcases on order but they haven't arrived yet. This week I started my new job and one of the things the college did was take all the new hires on a bus tour of Caldwell. Here is the old train station.
The tour ended at a beautiful Snake River valley winery just outside of town. I didn't sample the wine, but the views were fantastic.
The bed and nightstands.
We have two large bookcases on order but they haven't arrived yet. This week I started my new job and one of the things the college did was take all the new hires on a bus tour of Caldwell. Here is the old train station.
The tour ended at a beautiful Snake River valley winery just outside of town. I didn't sample the wine, but the views were fantastic.
25 August 2013 - Peaches and Unpacking
Our ward had an assignment to pick peaches at the church orchard, so the whole family went out to work the trees.
We worked for three hours but it didn't seem like we made much progress. We did get to take some home though, so the work paid off, and we'll go back soon to help finish the job.
The girls worked hard unpacking their boxes and setting up their rooms, often giggling or giving a gleeful shriek when they found something that they haven't seen since May.
I've been working on getting the yard in shape too, and Joanne helped by setting up our Joseph Smith and Roaming Gnome.
We worked for three hours but it didn't seem like we made much progress. We did get to take some home though, so the work paid off, and we'll go back soon to help finish the job.
The girls worked hard unpacking their boxes and setting up their rooms, often giggling or giving a gleeful shriek when they found something that they haven't seen since May.
I've been working on getting the yard in shape too, and Joanne helped by setting up our Joseph Smith and Roaming Gnome.
18 August 2013 - Arrival in Idaho
We set off from Williamsburg on Sunday after church, making it to Lexington, KY the first night. The second day we were in Kansas City, making good time until a car accident just in front of us brought the freeway to a stand-still. Two of the three vehicles involved caught fire and were soon engulfed in flames. Eventually the police turned us around and had us drive the wrong way to get off the freeway and away from the accident. Fortunately no one was killed in the accident. We ended up staying the night just north of Kansas City.
The following day we made it to Rawlins, WY, and from there we came straight to Caldwell, arrive just two hours before Madeline's school registration ended. We began unpacking boxes, and it was just so exciting that I forgot to take any pictures. On Friday, for a break, Eric (Joanne's cousin), took us up the canyon to a beach on the Payette River where we rode the current and played in the sand.
There is a train that rolls by every so often, and rafters and kayaks floated by regularly. When evening came we roasted hot dogs on the fire.
We are settling into the new house now, and working hard to make it our home.
The following day we made it to Rawlins, WY, and from there we came straight to Caldwell, arrive just two hours before Madeline's school registration ended. We began unpacking boxes, and it was just so exciting that I forgot to take any pictures. On Friday, for a break, Eric (Joanne's cousin), took us up the canyon to a beach on the Payette River where we rode the current and played in the sand.
There is a train that rolls by every so often, and rafters and kayaks floated by regularly. When evening came we roasted hot dogs on the fire.
We are settling into the new house now, and working hard to make it our home.
11 August 2013 - Williamsburg
This week was the much-anticipated Fails Family Reunion in Williamsburg, VA. All five brothers and sisters plus Dianne and Phil came together for a week of fun together. Our first day in we went to Busch Gardens and by the end of the week, we'd gone three more times and ridden each of the five big coasters several times.
We had a lot of fun cracking a mysterious revolutionary code and learning about the founding history of our country.
Karl, Jennifer and Amy (+ some kids) touring the old courthouse.
The girls in front of the governor's palace.
Who doesn't like sitting on the fence?
While we were there Jessica had her 14th birthday. Joanne is always looking for craft ideas, and the recent return of Twinkies meant the possibility of minion treats.
In the end we made a couple dozen of these chocolate dipped marshmallow minions, and Jessica wore her shirt to match.
For her trouble, among other things, she got a minion Dave, who in turn got Aunt Jolene's sombrero from her birthday dinner earlier in the week.
We had a wonderful time with our family. In addition to Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg, we also went to a water park a couple of days and found time to fit in a round of golf. It was a great trip that went by way too fast. When it was over, it was time to head for Idaho and get ready for the coming school year.
We had a lot of fun cracking a mysterious revolutionary code and learning about the founding history of our country.
Karl, Jennifer and Amy (+ some kids) touring the old courthouse.
The girls in front of the governor's palace.
Who doesn't like sitting on the fence?
While we were there Jessica had her 14th birthday. Joanne is always looking for craft ideas, and the recent return of Twinkies meant the possibility of minion treats.
In the end we made a couple dozen of these chocolate dipped marshmallow minions, and Jessica wore her shirt to match.
For her trouble, among other things, she got a minion Dave, who in turn got Aunt Jolene's sombrero from her birthday dinner earlier in the week.
When I was 17 I traveled with a school group to Washington D.C. and Colonial Williamsburg. 23 years later, I was back on the campus of The College of William & Mary, this time with my family.
We had a wonderful time with our family. In addition to Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg, we also went to a water park a couple of days and found time to fit in a round of golf. It was a great trip that went by way too fast. When it was over, it was time to head for Idaho and get ready for the coming school year.
4 August 2013 - A Week in Delaware
We spent the whole week with Karl and Jolene's family. Despite what you see in this picture, the girls didn't actually go crazy or start growing facial hair.
We went to Valley Forge where we watched a movie, checked out the museum, and took an audio driving tour.
The kids liked exploring and climbing on the historical artifacts.
The National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge.
Jessica, Zachary and Uncle Karl on the path to George Washington's house.
We took a ferry to Fort Delaware to check out the old fort and civil war-era prison.
When you get to Fort Delaware Island, you ride a little tram from the dock to the old fort.
We got there in time to see the cannon firing demonstration.
On Thursday we drove into Philadelphia to see the sights. This is us with the Liberty Bell.
The girls in Independence Hall.
It was rainy, but we still managed to get a shot with Independence Hall in the background.
On Friday, Karl, Jolene, Joanne and I went to Washington D.C. to attend the temple.
That evening, Karl and I went back to Philadelphia to watch the Phillies game.
The kids had a blast all week just hanging out.
We went to Valley Forge where we watched a movie, checked out the museum, and took an audio driving tour.
The kids liked exploring and climbing on the historical artifacts.
The National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge.
Jessica, Zachary and Uncle Karl on the path to George Washington's house.
We took a ferry to Fort Delaware to check out the old fort and civil war-era prison.
When you get to Fort Delaware Island, you ride a little tram from the dock to the old fort.
We got there in time to see the cannon firing demonstration.
On Thursday we drove into Philadelphia to see the sights. This is us with the Liberty Bell.
The girls in Independence Hall.
It was rainy, but we still managed to get a shot with Independence Hall in the background.
On Friday, Karl, Jolene, Joanne and I went to Washington D.C. to attend the temple.
That evening, Karl and I went back to Philadelphia to watch the Phillies game.
The kids had a blast all week just hanging out.
28 July 2013 - Joanne's birthday/Trip to Canada
After we flew back to Pittsburgh from the funeral, Joanne and Jessica picked us up and we drove to Palmyra to begin our planned vacation. Our first stop was the Palmyra Temple.
The Smith family log home.
Together in the Sacred Grove.
At the top of the Hill Cumorah.
After our time in Palmyra, we drove northwest, crossing into Canada at Niagara Falls.
Here are the girls with American Falls in the background.
We took the "Behind the Falls" tour, where you can walk through tunnels dug behind the horseshoe and look out through observation windows.
We also took a ride on The Maid of the Mist, getting fairly well soaked in the process.
Fortunately it was a warm day and we were able to dry off quickly.
We also rode the Whirlpool Cable Car, which is about four miles downstream from the falls.
I took this panoramic view of the falls from atop the Skylon Tower, where we had dinner for Joanne's birthday.
This of the view of the falls we had from our hotel window. It was actually better than the photo does justice.
We were in Niagara falls for two day, then headed around Lake Ontario to Toronto. We decided we wanted to go out to Toronto Island, so we hopped a ferry. The girls' hair is flying because the breeze was quite brisk.
We got a family photo of us obeying the sign.
We rented bikes and spent most of the day riding all over the island. This was an awesome activity, but if you ever decide to do it, remember to bring Canadian cash with you -- finding it on the island was a pain.
We rode to this lighthouse, which like all good lighthouses, is haunted. Fortunately, we visited during the day.
The girls with the city of Toronto in the background.
That night we attended a Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre. Once the sun went down it got really cold, but we lasted until the 8th inning before we decided to leave.
The next day we drove to Montreal where we stayed in the Old Town. Here are the girls on the monument plaza.
The family in front of the cathedral.
The flower gardens throughout the Old Town area were beautiful for the summer.
After a week on the road with lots of miles in the car, we spent one long day driving from Montreal to Karl and Jolene's house in Delaware. It was an excellent trip, lots of fun, and ending it by getting back together with family was the perfect conclusion.
The Smith family log home.
Together in the Sacred Grove.
At the top of the Hill Cumorah.
After our time in Palmyra, we drove northwest, crossing into Canada at Niagara Falls.
Here are the girls with American Falls in the background.
We took the "Behind the Falls" tour, where you can walk through tunnels dug behind the horseshoe and look out through observation windows.
We also took a ride on The Maid of the Mist, getting fairly well soaked in the process.
Fortunately it was a warm day and we were able to dry off quickly.
We also rode the Whirlpool Cable Car, which is about four miles downstream from the falls.
I took this panoramic view of the falls from atop the Skylon Tower, where we had dinner for Joanne's birthday.
This of the view of the falls we had from our hotel window. It was actually better than the photo does justice.
We were in Niagara falls for two day, then headed around Lake Ontario to Toronto. We decided we wanted to go out to Toronto Island, so we hopped a ferry. The girls' hair is flying because the breeze was quite brisk.
We got a family photo of us obeying the sign.
We rented bikes and spent most of the day riding all over the island. This was an awesome activity, but if you ever decide to do it, remember to bring Canadian cash with you -- finding it on the island was a pain.
We rode to this lighthouse, which like all good lighthouses, is haunted. Fortunately, we visited during the day.
The girls with the city of Toronto in the background.
That night we attended a Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre. Once the sun went down it got really cold, but we lasted until the 8th inning before we decided to leave.
The next day we drove to Montreal where we stayed in the Old Town. Here are the girls on the monument plaza.
The family in front of the cathedral.
The flower gardens throughout the Old Town area were beautiful for the summer.
After a week on the road with lots of miles in the car, we spent one long day driving from Montreal to Karl and Jolene's house in Delaware. It was an excellent trip, lots of fun, and ending it by getting back together with family was the perfect conclusion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)