I love my Daddy!

Zoar Valley

` One of the most beautiful places is right in my Grandma A's backyard.

Here is our hiking day in Zoar Valley.

Buttermilk Falls

If you could see our faces we are screaming. This was a spring draining down the cliff. It was freezing cold water.

New York Trip- Forth of July

Every few years my family makes a trip to upstate New York to visit the rest of our family. This year was a special year to go for several reasons. First, Benjamin's Great- Grandparents had only seen pictures of him up until this point. Second, my brother Danny and awesome sister-in-law Amanda were coming with their three children, Hunter (8), Anita(7), and Tanner(1 1/2). Also, we going over the 4th of July so we could go to the annual Burdick-Church family (My Dad's side) in Pennsylvania. However, there was one downside to the trip. A major downside. We left Jonathan behind.

Nine days without your family can be long. I tried to make something fun for Jonathan by having a new gift to open each day we were gone. I even left a few gifts that were clearly picked out by Benjamin.

Here we are all excited and still excited about driving 18 to get there and another 18 hours back. Benjamin was still in his PJ's - what a sweetheart!

We stoped at my Great Uncle Jim's in Kentucky. He drove the kids around in the golf cart and then we all went fishing. Bejamin had a major meltdown about this time. He did great all day in the car so I didn't even mind.
For several hours Uncle Jim sat in this chair telling us stories about the my Great-Great-Grandparents. He aslo had my Great- Grandma's diary. We spent a lot of time looking through it. It was facinating to see all her thoughts as she recorded major events that happened in the lives of her nine kids.

We found the clipping of my Grandpa and Grandma's wedding.

There were details in the diary about family members that were in war. Her birth stories 8 or 9 which happend at home. (I am glad for hospitals and Epidurals)

Benjamin really enjoyed this day. New fun people, lots of room to run on the farm, and water. What more could he ask for?
We had 75 plus people at the reunion. Every 4th after we eat they call a meeting. At this time they record all events of the year, deaths, marriages, and births. They also take roll and record who was the youngest and oldest present. This year Benjamin was the youngest. What history to look through these old books and see forty years of reunion records and heritage.

I missed uploading the picture of my Grandma and Grandpa Hall meeting Benjamin for the 1st time. Silly blogger and having to think your post in reverse messes me up sometimes. I will do a post just about meeting the 3 Great-Grandparents later! It was all so sweet!

Benjamin playing in the creek with all the cousins and 2nd cousins. I spent hours of my life catching crawdads in this "crick." When we were kids Danny and I would swim in the creek with the other 15-20 cousins all at the reunion. It was really fun to watch our kids out there enjoying the fun.

New York Trip- Niagra Falls

Our New York trip was full of fun.

Here are some pictures from our Niagra Falls day.

There was a little spot about 100 meters from the falls on the American side where the Niagra river had rapids and then a little pool of calm water. Here is Benjamin cooling off in the Niagra river! It was REALLY REALLY hot. The theme of the day was to find water. We loved to be under the mist of the falls, pour water on each other, and dip our feet in the cool water.

Every time I go to the falls I am amazed at the beauty of this place.

What an awesome, creative God we serve!

One of the views from the Canadian side looking toward USA.

Maid of the Mist boat is taking a crew near the falls.

Grandpa and Benjamin - what a pair!

Benjamin wanted nothing to do with taking a picture all day.

All he wanted to do was get to the water.

Canada has beautiful parks along the falls.

Benjamin and Tanner loved the large parks to run around.

Amanda and I all ready to ride the Maid of the Mist.

Anita and I were buddies today! I just love my neice!

We are on the maid of the mist taking one last picture before we get so close to the falls the cameras get too wet. It was so wonderful to get drenched. It felt great! Benjamin was really hot and tired by this point. He made it the whole day without a nap! He crashed when we got back to the car and did not wake up until 12 hours later.
There are seagulls flying all around the falls. One of them did some business in the sky and it landed on Hunter. It was the perfect way to end the day. We all laughed so hard.

Near the end of the day these really large rainbows were everywhere.

It was so beautiful!

Cousin Pictures

Every 6 months we take the 3 cousins to get their pictures taken. Well, what started as a fun projects about a year ago has turned into a major event. It is a REALLY big deal to get 3 very active toddler boys to pose. Amanda and I were excited to get all boys even in the same frame. We had to forget about smiling or even all facing the camera. I am pretty sure our photographer never wanted to see our group again. At the end of this 2 hour event I came home and took a nap and thanked God repeatedly that I did not have triplet boys. Below are a few uncropped pictures. These were the best ones...haha. When they get a little more coperative we will probably up our quality of photographer we book.

Ethan - 25 mos, Tanner - 20 mos, Benjamin - 13 mos