Up & Down

Jonas played with his friend, Barrick, on Friday while Devin and I went out. Barrick has stairs at his house just like we do, but he knows how to go up and down them. Jonas learned really quick how to go up and down in just one night. It's a relief that he can do it-and a bit scary too!! He will disappear and when we find him...he's usually waiting to go up the stairs. Let the games begin!! Thanks for teaching him Barrick-it's a good thing you're so brave..Jonas needs to learn bravery!!

Sorry about the animation in my voice. I was a little nervous and excited!

Jonas' First Animal Sound

So it's not perfect yet-but he's getting it. What's funny is a few days ago when we would ask him what the cow said, and follow up with Moo...he would cry. I kept thinking of all that my Dad was going to have to say about Jonas being a city boy. I have been working really hard to get "the Moo" sound to not bring tears!

Jonas Busts a Move!!!

This is pretty cute. I know it's not much but he just started it today. We, of course, were highly entertained!

{Kirtland-and More}

We had a fun filled Labor Day weekend in Ohio with Nate, Tiff, Olivia, and Sophie (AKA Olibo and Sosie). Eating at Tiff's is like a Gourmet Restaurant and the Accommodations are better than the Marriott. I will definitely be staying at Hotel Tranchell again. Plus I hear they offer manicures now. :) What a SUPER time! Sorry we got you all sick...

We went to Kirtland (2 times) and enjoyed our visit there! The first time we went through the temple which is owned by the Reorganized Church or the Community of Christ. The tour was $2 and even though it was a Sunday, we went. It was neat to see the temple and although I knew that the saints received revelation to build it, it felt like an empty building to me. It was beautiful in its own way, but the spirit wasn't overwhelming. I enjoyed the tour, but looked forward to Tuesday when we did the Visitor's Center!

Here we are! The N.K. Whitney store in the original store! Obviously it has been restored, but it was so much fun!

Sadly we missed the wildflowers at their best, but they were still really pretty.

This is the room at the Saw mill (which is a replica) where all the woodwork was done. The Saints also met here each day to pray before beginning work on the temple. There were no deaths at the temple while it was being built.

The Saw Mill-and it actually works too.

Another shot of the N.K. Whitney Store.

This was the Whitney's home. They were quite wealthy and had a very nice home.

Inside the N.K. Store. Brother Whitney remodeled the store to accommodate Joseph and Emma. In this room the revelation for D & C 89 was received.

Same room.

I thought this was cool. The checkers markers are slices of a corn cob!

The N.K. Whitney store was also the post office. Brother Whitney was the Postmaster and in those days you had to pay to receive mail.

Some of the items for sale at the store.

This is one of the front doors of the temple. They are really tall and I really liked the green.

This is the Ash Mill. The Saints didn't have the money to build the temple so Brother Whitney developed a way to take Ash from the fireplace and make it into Lye which was later sold. This was how they paid for the temple.

This was a room upstairs in the N.K. Whitney store. Brother and Sister Whitney allowed Joseph and Emma to sleep here until their home was built. In this room, Emma gave birth to her first living biological son, Joseph.

These are the front doors at the N.K. Whitney store. They are original. Can you imagine all the people who have touched, walked though, looked out, cleaned...etc...these doors? Amazing.

The front of the Kirtland Temple.

Walking from the Community of Christ Visitors Center to the Temple Tour.

Family Photo (love Sophie in the background!!)

Aunt Tiffy and Jonas playing at the Park near the Quarry where they got the materials to build the temple.

...and then...

Ladies and Gentlemen

THIS is Lebron James' gate.

This is the Gate Keeper's house. and I'm not kidding. His house is huge-and you can't see much of it. It's pretty much surrounded by trees. The thing that's really funny? Its in a quiet little neighborhood. There are a lot of homes around it. None of them are AS big, but still.

And finally.

Introducing Dr. Nathan Tranchell.

Playing Guitar Hero.

Showing off the Pelvic Thrust.

Awesome.

...On the Road Again...

Jonas climbing up the slide..

This could have been a tender moment. Tiff nicely took several pictures. Devin and I took turns closing our eyes and Jonas was NOT in the mood for a picture. He just wanted to play in the water.

Me and Liv with funny faces at the Zoo. She's really good at the funny face thing dontcha think?

Soph, Liv, and Nate watching the Air Show in Cleveland.

Swirly Gig.

Cute Jonas. Nuff Said.

I posted this for my Dad. Jonas LOVED all the girl toys. He really liked the train set though-no need to panic, Grandpa!

Jonas loved the flower gardens at the Zoo. He touched everything and especially loved the water fountains!

Jonas at the Akron Zoo. He went CRAZY at the fountains. Such a boy.

This is Sophie and this is pretty much what you see of her all the time. She is ALWAYS on the go!! I learned that she can say four words REALLY well. Treat, Ice Cream, Out and Color. We love you Sophie!

Cute Olivia at the Zoo. She is in Kindergarten and gets to ride the bus. She has grown up so much! She is a great big sister and is SOOO smart. We love you Liv!!

Sophie likes Devin a lot and since she is pretty tiny, Devin loved to haul her around. Seriously after carrying Jonas, she is a feather!

Nate had to work on Monday night, so he was giving the girls hugs and kisses goodbye.

Jonas got really brave and learned to climb up this slide a little bit. He wouldn't have anything to do with going down it though. He also liked to play peek-a-boo in the holes.

Here's the little cutie watching a little Handy Manny one morning. He had a cold when we left and was a little grumpy the first few days. Needless to say now the rest of us have his cold :(

This was his favorite thing at the mall. Crawling through the beehive. He must have done it 1,000 times!

Jonas at the air show. Notice the dirty shirt. This is the 2nd white polo I have bought for him this summer. Lesson Learned. No white for boys!

{Spark E Boy}

My Dad's horse is running at Los Alamitos (in California) tonight. It's a pretty big deal (horse racing) in our family. I have a lot of memories of watching horse races either on TV or live. There were plenty of Sundays that I went to the races. (It had a little to do with missing church once in a while-I'll admit.) Dad didn't get into his own horses and racing until I was older. Still, I love it. My Dad always says there is something in the atmosphere. I agree-although, sorry Dad, but the Disneyland atmosphere is fun too :) Dad gets really nervous before the race. I think its nerves mixed with excitement. I always feel the same way-especially if we know a horse in the race (or know the owner rather).

So GOOD LUCK tonight Dad, Grandpa, and Spark E!!!

Spark E winning a race in Jerome

I stole this picture from my Aunt Kari's blog. Good thing she had a picture or two to steal! Thanks Kari :)

{Checkin' In}

We've been busy....doing nothing. It's great...most of the time. This week for enrichment we talked about digital journaling (i.e. blogging and family newsletters). I'm pretty good at keeping my blog up. It's never anything important, but we really aren't that exciting. Nevertheless, I like looking at friends' and family's blogs just to see what boring things they have been up to too. Jonas is walking like a crazy man now. It's the best. I love chasing him around. It gives me something to do during my boring days. He recently found a love for chocolate cookies.

Have you ever seen a cuter messy face? Me neither :)

This is how I see him coming most of the time..."Full Speed Ahead"

We have midget light switches (they are really low) and he reach, reach, reaches on his tip-toes to try and turn this one. He hasn't got it yet, but it won't be long. He does the same with the door handles-that I am not looking forward to!

Another chocolate cookie face. I guess Dad gave him one before dinner and Mom gave him one after. oops..

He sleeps like this about 90% of the time. I love it. My dad sleeps like this too sometimes. I guess Jonas got more than Grandpa's blue eyes.

{Bliss}

Over the weekend I flew to Chicago to see my Best Friend (since forever) get married. It was crazy fun! I was really only in Chicago less than 24 hours, but enjoyed my time. Especially seeing SuzAnn again. We haven't seen each other in at least 5 years. That's a lot for us considering we had every class together in Elementary School (except 3rd grade..which we were FURIOUS about), and we both grew up in the same town and went to the same ward. We have a lot of fun (and embarrassing) moments from our childhood :) She looked beautiful and Will was rather dashing as well. It was great to be a part of the weekend. I'm so glad I went. Oh and Devin and Jonas stayed home and partied it up as bachelors. Jonas didn't even know I was gone-he is after all, his dad's #1 Fan :)

...The Happy Couple on the Boat ride following the ceremony...

...Reading the Vows...

I love you Suz and I am so happy for you! I miss you already!

{Good Times}

Our Best Friends from AZ/UT -Nate and Tiffany and their SUPER cute girls-came for a quick visit this weekend. It was great timing, and a great time was had by all. We always have way too much fun when we are together. There were a lot of laughs, a few cries (mostly from the kiddies), and plenty of good treats. Perfect.

We went downtown on Saturday and did the Monument thing. It was fun as always, and bit warm :) we all got a little more tan.

Uncle Nate is great at making things fun-slides out of statues for example.

All three cuties in a stroller. Jonas and Livy are Ok with it, but Sophie...she's not so sure.

Tiff and Sophie on the Metro. Sophie really wanted to run around on the train. She didn't even care that she went flying (her parents always caught her) each time the train stopped.

Funny Sophie and Silly Olivia at the Temple.

The whole family. (They are super cute...man we've missed them!!)

We got totally awesome shirts in DC. Sophie's had dogs on it and we were trying to get her to show us when she spotted a real dog walking by. It was all over then.

Ms. Sophie took a little snooze.

Cute girls with the White House behind them

The Tranchells in front of Honest Abe. {It was a long day for the littles.}

Thanks for coming guys! It was beyond great to see you. Thanks for the laughs, and the yummiest crepes E-V-E-R!!! *See you "Single Ladies" soon-and you'd better have your Holy Cross shirt on :0)