I wanna move to San Diego!

A few weekends ago I was able to take an all girls trip with my sister-in-laws for my Step sister Sissy's wedding.

When Corinne called to see if I'd be up for a weekend trip to San Diego sans Kids and Husband. I think I replied YES before she could even give me the details.

I wasn't sure how all us girls would pull it off, but I was going to make sure that it happened. Thanks to the generosity of my Dad and Corinne, the whole trip cost me, well basically nothing!

It was so fun to spend a few days with my SIL's. I haven't seen Sandy in almost three years now, since my brother is doing a residency in San Antonio and our vacation times never match. In fact, she has never met Owen. Guess that will have to wait another two years...

We got to go play at the beach a few times, I even tried to surf, (will have to perfect it another time I guess. I just keep thinking there are sharks under me I know it and then I freeze!)help with the wedding decorations and setup (what are sisters for?) we ate some fantastic Mexican food, (My fav was the shrimp and the mahi fish tacos.) We also visited Yogurt Land (I won't tell you how many times to be exact. But I would have gone a few more times if we could have squeezed it in!)

And best of all, I got to go see my Sissy get married in one of the most beautiful LDS temples I've ever seen. I felt like I was in a fairytale. She married a great guy.!(Jason. Welcome to the fam!)
The trip went way too quickly, but not quick enough at the airport on the return flight. My connection was in Atlanta and was originally i supposed to have a layover for 2.5 hours but that turned into more like 5.5 hours. This was when I was really happy my kids didn't come. (Not so for my friend who happened to be waiting for the same flight with her three kids, who were angels might I add!)

Well, here are some pictures from the trip.

All I can say is, "La Jolla" (pronounced in Jen lingo LA Halla.) I hope to see you again someday soon. You have it all! The nice beaches, great food, better frozen yogurt, and your temperatures never rise above uncomfortable or fall below the I'm too cold mark...Hmmm do they need anesthesiologist out there?

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Executed perfectly!

The other day, out of nowhere Liam say's "Knock. Knock." To which Nate and I reply, "who's there looking at each other wondering where he's come up with a knock knock joke.
Liam: "Ivan."
Us: "Ivan who?" Seriously perplexed now..
Liam: "I-van working on the railroad all the live long day..."
Us: Seriously laughing. "Where'd you here that joke?"
Liam: "Super Why."
Me: "See you can't say Super Why isn't educational!"
Nate: "That's amazing! He told an entire joke from start to finish and even got the punch line right."
Liam: "Knock. Knock."
Us: "Who's there?"
Liam: "Ivan."
Nate: "Liam it's not as funny to tell the same joke more than once..."

It looks like we've got ourselves another joke teller. His Papa Liddell will be so proud! Even if they are cheesy and lame like most my Dad's (Just kidding Dad. I love you!)

Gold mine!

Living in Hershey PA has it's perks and disadvantages.

Perks: I live super close to an amusement park.
Not a whole lot of traffic, unless there is a concert at Hershey park, then kiss your plans goodbye. You're going to be stuck behind a suburban full of 13 years old's on their way to the Jonas Brothers for a long time.
All the chocolate you could ever want...

Disadvantages: All that chocolate makes for weight gain.
Taxes, Taxes and more Taxes
Nate's long hours.
The whole tinted window law...

But recently I found a new Perk. Lake Tobias Wildlife park
We went there for a playgroup outing, and it was awesome! It was our own jungle safari in good ole PA. My kids were in heaven!



Basically this guy brought home some exotic pets and he just kept doing it, the neighbors would all want to come over and see what new animal he'd come home with, and so they decided to make it public and today they have all sorts of animals.

They have a petting zoo which was mainly goats, a camel, a dwarf pony, and some alpaca's. I had on a skirt, and the goats kept trying to eat my delicate trimming. Liam was terrified after he saw Owen who got a little too close for comfort get rammed to the floor. Owen wasn't phased and kept trying to poke it's eyes out.

Owen was so excited to see they had ducks. He LOVES ducks and Geese and quacks and honks anytime he sees them. I warned him (as best I could an 18 month old) that they bite. He was good for a bit, I turned around to get some more food for him and my friend starts laughing. She said he got snapped at and jumped about 10 feet. Actually I think it was a good lesson, I took him to the local zoo a few weeks later and there were some birds behind some glass and he didn't want to go near them, said ouch ouch. Until I pointed out they couldn't get to him.



We then took the safari tour. You can buy crackers (which is a must!) to feed the animals with. They come right up close to your open air bus. In fact, they even climb the steps to try and get a little closer.



All in all it was well worth the $12 it cost to take my little guys. I think this will be a new spot to take all those who come out to visit. Oh wait that means Dan and Marie.

Mt. Gretna

Every year the anesthesia department has a welcome picnic at this fun little lake. My kids love it more each time they go. It's so fun to meet all the new people, but to also get to swim, slide, and be in a somewhat "mountain" environment.
I couldn't find a picture without Liam smiling ear to ear. Owen's expressions were sometimes terror looking, but he couldn't get down fast enough to say "more more more..."


We actually had a big rainstorm come through during part of it. Liam thought it was cool to get to stand out in it.

Here are some clips of the boys coming down the slide.

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Just call me Jen the Protester!

Today me and some of my "Too Well Dressed, Angry Mob ladies," headed out to Lebanon to try and get into the town hall meeting with Senator Arlen Specter. To "Discuss" Obamacare. Well I didn't get as far as the back of the building next to the building it was being held in.

They held it in the tiniest auditorium they could find, and only allowed 250 ACORN, I mean people inside the doors. Once those people were let inside, they were then told that they weren't going to be able to actually ask a live question. Here is a video clip of one of the outraged protesters. Oh how I wish I could have witnessed it in person.

I agree that the health care system is messed up, but this is not the solution either. And really I worry that my husband after going to school for the last 12 years will never be able to pay back the debt we accrued, so if Obama wants to pay Doctors less, by all means do so, but you're going to have to help us pay off our debt while your at it.

Anyways, it was a fun morning full of mostly happy people who at one point were signing God Bless America at the tops of their lungs. It made me proud to have my freedom of speech.

I only got this one picture with my camera phone. And it's not one of me or my Posse. But I think one of our signs got some of the biggest smiles! It read: "Socialism + Health = Death (But with a pain pill.)






Although I didn't get into the meeting it was obviously heated. I do feel a little sorry for Sen Specter. I know that he is only doing his job, and that he is trying to see what the people want. It's more than some senators out there are doing. But I hope that he listens to the people, but like all things, that people act with dignity and respect. And may I remind you that it doesn't say RSVP on the statue of Liberty! (Thanks S)

Before I forget...

I know this is now over a month old, but this is the only thing close to a journal that I do, so I have to put this in here as well. We had a wonderful 4th of July. We spent the day in downtown Harrisburg listening to live music and eating an awesome Gyro. (NOT pronounced GEYE-Row)



Have you ever seen such a cute fire hydrant?


Ride em cowboy!
Our State Capitol. I have to say, I'm of fan of the green dome!

I don't know why but this picture made me laugh. Maybe this is in memorial of his Dad?




















We then spent the evening at the Bakers. There was good food, fun and even some fireworks. Owen spent most of the firework display time in the car (With the windows rolled down of course.) to watch them since he kept trying to touch the "OT's."









This was Liam's big sparkler debut. He thought it was fab!

We almost had Owen convinced his was hot too, but that lasted about five seconds.

























The boys thinking they could hold off the inevitable bed time...

We also had to say goodbye to our sweet neighbors who were moving on to bigger and better. They have been sorely missed, so please come back!




















Cutest kids ever! I miss our Ava and Yash and those beautiful brown bear eyes!!!



























One last trip to the ice cream shop before they left!

Liam Potter

Right before we left to Utah, I decided I was going to watch Harry Potter in anticipation of going to see the new one while we were there.
The kids were in bed, Nate was on call and really it was on in the background while I started packing and folding the mound of laundry that needed to be packed.
Suddenly I hear little footsteps. "Mom, whatcha watchin?"
Me: "A movie called Harry Potter. It's about wizards and witches and giants and goblins..."
Liam: "can I watch it with you. Please oh please oh please." (His stall tactic.)
Me: check the rating. PG. "OK, but if it gets too scary for you we will turn it off."
as I'm "flying through the house still packing, cleaning and folding, I come in to find him under the blanket and it's at the part where they are trying to get passed the 3 headed dog. I tell him, "I'll turn it off it you're scared."
Liam: "Oh I'm not scared, I'm just not watching this part. See it's all done."

Well now, I have an obsessed child. Everything is about Harry Potter. That is what he's being for Halloween, but I reminded him that he wanted to be Super Why to which I got the reply, "No, Mom Super Why is LAME. (Lame? He's using the word Lame now?) Owen can be Super Why."

I have to go online several times a day to show him the Harry Potter costumes and he asks us to draw lightning bolts on his forehead daily.

So don't be surprised the next time you see him if he's either carrying around a paper that I've drawn his costume on, or has a lightening bolt on his forehead, or is carrying a stick and says, abracadabra, disappear!

Going Green...I guess

So when I was driving Liam to the hospital last week, I was telling how fun it was going to be and that he was going to get to have a sleepover at the hospital with Dad to which he replies "OK Mom, but when we brush my teeth, I'm not going to use any water."
Me: "Why?"
Liam: "Because, that's being resourceful!"
Me: "Uh, where did you hear that word from?"
Liam: "Super Why"
Me: "well maybe we'll just use a little water. That's still being resourceful."

Vacation Bliss

Well Nate just had one of his three weeks of vacation for the year, and we spent part of it in Utah with Nate's family and the other part boating in Wyoming with my family. It was so fun, but WAY to short. Liam has packed a shoe box, a backpack, and found "things" that he has to take back to Nana or Papa's immediately.

He said that he wants to live in Utah, not Pennsylvania. I told him we were going to try and go back to Utah when it snowed, so this morning he ran to the window and asked energetically "did it snow? Can we go to Newtah now?" Not yet buddy.

Here are some pictures from the vacation.

There is nothing Owen like better than playing outside, except maybe playing outside naked and since Nana lets my boys do about anything that's what he did one day. However older brother wouldn't go without his rashguard on. They are so polar opposite!





Poor unsuspecting Owen had no idea that once he was close enough, brother was going to release the cold water. Or when he was pleasantly playing by himself get sprayed. I guess that's what big brothers are for, to TORMENT!





Who ME? No, I was just running from over there and Owen ran into the prinklers...




Almost to safety...



Save me Nana!


Liam has never cared if the water is cold, and he decided it was so funny to sit on the sprinkler.



Owen on the other hand likes the water to be warm, say like a bath or hot tub. Oh perfect!




We also got a surprise visit from Aunt Andi who also was in town for a day while we were there. She got pulled into a game of Blues Clues that Uncle Justin and Kristin had been playing with him, I'm sure that's exactly how she wanted to spend her time!




We had a great time with the Poulsons eating at Lonestar, Cafe Rio, Greek Souvlaki and many other favorites. We also got to see the new Harry Potter, thanks to Bompa not being a fan and offering to watch the boys.

Then it was off to the Lake...

Freemont Lake

We have found the Golden ticket of Lakes. It's this beautiful lake in Wyoming in the small city of Pinedale. So small they don't even have a McDonald's. (There is a subway in one of the gas stations, but that's the only chain or fast food they have up there.)

The lake is almost always glass since the water temperature is anywhere from 65-67 degrees (Nothing a dry suit can't handle!) so we are the only ski boat on the lake,(Oh and the guy who owns the purple ski nautique who sets up a buoy course. Thank you very much!) I believe, it's one of the cleanest lakes in the U.S. I don't have to spit out the water I inevitably swallow when I crash like I would at Utah lake. Since it is from a glacier run off it's crystal clear and is a sight to behold.

They have cabin like rooms right along the lake, a beach for the kids and a really expensive restaurant in the the lodge that has the best French onion soup. (Hold the onions)

My Dad bought a new boat, I think last year, and we went out in it one afternoon to Utah lake, but it was really choppy and I only got to wake surf, so I was so excited to be spending a few days only boating. That was until we were getting ready to launch the boat.

We had everything ready and were driving down the partially dirt road and hit a pot hole. I was relaxing on the bench seat and all of a sudden had the wakeboard slam into my face. I jumped up and realized my brand new sunglasses were broken in half, and my face was throbbing. My little brother asked if I was OK and when I pulled my hand away, I realized my vision was blurry due to the blood that was coming down my face. I said NO! And Rick tried to get Dad to stop but he couldn't hear us due to the loud diesel, so Rick jumps out of the boat to the street and runs up to the window of the truck. Dad stops and comes back to see "the Damage," He said it looked like I'd been shot in the face, but when we wiped away the blood, it was just four little puncture wounds from my glasses; which I think saved me from stitches!


This was the next day,













And these are day two or three, I had two black eyes, and people were giving Nate bad looks when we walked together. But that didn't stop me from enjoying my weekend of boating.




Other than that the rest of the week was near perfect, I was even able to utter the famous words from val, "It was the best water we've ever had..."

I haven't been on a ski in over five years due to being pregnant, C-sections, winter, bad weather/water and was really worried that the near 30 and out of shape me wasn't going to be able to get up, but it was just like riding a bike and I popped up on my first try and even got in a good cut or two. we also did a little wakeboarding,some wakesurfing,and even some sky skiing (pictures of that to come.)



Nate somehow improved his wakeboarding skills over the last five years (I'm going to look into whether or not he is really in residency or wakeboarding everyday on some lake in Hershey???) Unfortunately I only have the one picture of him since I took all the others with my Dads camera, but when I get them from him I will post his awesomeness!

The boys enjoyed making a hot tub with uncle Morgan at the beach, burying Liam in the sand until Owen was "helping" and threw it in his eyes, feeding the huge ground squirrels, "fishing", falling into the lake twice, and even a sleepover with Lexi.



















It was so much fun to spend time with my family and get to know my Nephew Graham a little better. He is such a good baby. Even though we had a little disagreement about some Guacamole, we became fast friends.
I got the boys matching Baja hoodies for the occasion and Grahmbos birthday since we'll not be there for it in September, and I wish that they made them for women too. I was jealous seeing them all nice and warm after skiing in the cold lake at night.


























But one of the highlights from the trip was watching my little brother be a dad and the difference between Moms and Dads. This is how Chris watched Graham while Mom was wakeboarding:




Totally safe right???

Thanks to all for the best week we've had in a long time! We miss Newtah like crazy, and I am reminded of that every five minutes.