Addison's 2nd Birthday

Ok, did she know it was her birthday yesterday and thought she could do whatever she wanted! She was so bossy! We went and picked out a few presents. And she kept singing happy birthday to herself. She wanted presents right away. She loves to help me make cookies and things because she gets to lick the bowl. So when I told her we were making her birthday cake. She was right at the counter waiting. Later after dinner we had cake and she played with her purse and makeup the rest of the night. She carries her purse now where ever she goes. With her 10 different lip glosses and put one on right after the other. She is 2 and you can tell! Happy Birthday Addie!

Salem Day's Fireworks

I'm a little late on posting this one. Since it was almost a week ago. But I have no pics. I couldn't find my camera. Dang It. Well, It was't to exciting anyways. We went to see the FAMOUS fireworks. Again they have some of the best ones in the state of Utah. We waited around till dark. We watched a pageant and laughed and watched as Addie danced to the music and would get mad if Lilly (her cousin) wouldn't dance with her. But it was getting really late. Which I know that it would to be able to see the fireworks. But Addie was the problem. She was so tired and cried and wouldn't stay still. Then in the distance was a bunch of lightening and rain. So, turning to Cory I said we better leave. The last thing I wanted to do was be stuck in the pouring rain with the baby running with blankets to the car. So, we packed up and left. Cory wasn't to happy. We had waited all that time and didn't even stay to see them. But, we got home put Addie in bed. And it began to rain. Not bad and only for about 5 min. But Almost right after the rain. They started the fireworks. You could see then from out house. No, it wasn't like being right there and watching them reflect off the lake. But it was nice and peaceful. We still had a great time!

Salem Day's Carnival and Tunes in Park

Last night we had the tunes in the park. I don't have any pictures of the boys because they literally take off and you don't see them the rest of the night.
Tunes in the Park is so much fun and relaxing. You bring your blankets and chairs and hang out. We brought fried chicken and drinks and picnicked there stayed to listen to the music and then left about 9:30. It was so fun!

Carnival: Today is the carnival and craft booths and games. They started with the FREE breakfast. Pancakes,ham and eggs. YUM YUM. Then the parade. Which we have see a million of so we went home to take care of some things. Then they throw about 1,000 ping pong balls out of a helicopter and they have different prizes. Then comes the games and carnival. The kids had so much fun. Addie had one thing on her mind from the moment she saw them. The "NAH's"
She loved it! Well, we are off to the dinner and fireworks tonight. They say that Salem has the best fireworks in the state. And we can attest that they really are some good ones!

This was the fun event last night. The gravity gran prix. You make these cars and race them down a hill. Lots of fun and very creative. This one car after he passes the finish line pushes a button for a parachute to come out. So funny. One of the cars did flip. But the boy had a helmet and was fine. This was way fun. Then later that night it was free drinks and popcorn and we sat out at the park and watched "Surf's Up". The best part about all this is its all FREE! Cory ought to love that!

Duct Tape Boat Race

This whole week our fun little town is celebrating it's birthday. They call it Salem Days. We have such fun events and more than half of them are free. I will have to do an update daily on this stuff because it is so fun and there is so much to do and going on. Last night was our famous Duct Tape and Cardboard boat race around Salem Pond. Very simple. The rules are you have 3 pieces of cardboard, 3 rolls of duct tape, and 1 stick. And then you go at your hearts desire. Whatever shape decorations and so on is up to you. We decided to do this as a family. Of course Cory did most of it. bringing along his leveler. The people in our ward all thought that was really funny. If I can figure out video I will put it on here. But Keller raced and when he got pushed off he started to tip and got water in the boat which then made it start to sink. But he did not give up. He climber right back on and tried as hard as he could to row. Finally we told him just to come back. They had to use 2 jet skis to try to get the boat in. This was their first experience with Salem Days and they loved it! They have been out of town every year since we have lived here. But it was so much fun to go and see and have them be a part of. Next on our list is the baby contest for Addison, the Gravity Grand Prix, and the Movie in the ball field tonight. Updates will be tomorrow!

Update on the Parents

** Ok.. is this really a mission or what!

Hi everyone, We finally had time to stop and e-mail to let you know we're doing well. We're in Athens, Greece waiting for tomorrow's flight to Romania. Our visit with the missionaries in Egypt and Jordan was supportive to them and educational for us. So many times Joe and I looked at each other and said, "Are we really sitting in the living room of an Egyptian or Jordanian family drinking cinnamon tea?" We visiting the leprosaurim in Egypt, took a wheelchair to a crippled Muslim woman (I'll never forget her beautiful, excited eyes), checked on a clean-water project in Jordan, a school for Street Children in Cairo and sat in the Minister of Health's office in a city in Jordan to receive approval for a container delivery. We've made memories we hope to never forget. We found the people wonderfully friendly--wanting to help in every way they could. The Jordanians are especially kind and good people. Both countries are extremely poor--especially Egypt. It would break your heart to see the children gather filthy water from the river or the Nile to drink--where animals gather and garbage and sewage is dumped. What you see on TV is a fact. We didn't need to go searching for it.

We took a few hours every couple of days to visit historical sites. Our favorite was having dinner (with the Mayor of 5 villages) overlooking the Sea of Galilee. We sat on the balcony of a Resturant at an ancient Roman ruins near the corner of the Golan Heights, Syria, and Jordan, and watched the sun set over the Sea of Galilee while watching the evening lights of Israel begin to glow. In the midst of one of the most tense spots on earth we found the greatest peace. We waded in the Dead Sea, and sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives," on the grounds where Jesus walked and in the language He spoke. No question, we have been blessed to be a part of His great work in the lands that He loved so much.

We leave tomorrow for Romania. We'll be there for a few days before heading back to the office in Frankfurt and back to paperwork.

Half Blood Prince

Ok, now not only am I on a high because the last of my favorite books is coming out tonight at 12:01. But,... I just discovered that they released the trailer for the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and the release date is Nov. 21. I hope I won't be in the hospital having this baby by then. Maybe she will already have come. Yeah! I'm so excited! It actually looks kinda freaky. Here's the link for anyone wanting to watch the trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLl6PGoxyfo