Two Years Later

Kyle last saw his youngest brother two years ago when we were married in our Church's Los Angeles Temple. The younger brother recently finished a two-year Church missionary service assignment and came to visit us. He and Kyle took a trip together to our Church's D.C. Temple and Visitors' Center.

Invading Jellies & Jumping Dolphins

We recently spent a day at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. While we were waiting for our entry time, we had lunch beside the inner harbor and read children's books at Barnes & Noble where Brooklyn saw a live person cleaning a fish display. Once inside the aquarium, we enjoyed a vast display of aquatic life and other animals. At the stroller-check station they lend out backpack carriers at no charge. Brooklyn loved the view from the carrier and not having to chase her around the crowds made life easy for us too. The jellyfish exhibit, 4D show, and dolphin show were the best parts. Check out this video we took:

Fun . . . But Finally Over

Brooklyn enjoyed her last two swim classes so much that we thought she would like more time in the pool this summer before Kyle returns to work. The open swim times at public schools were too late at night and membership to local pools were too expensive so we enrolled her in a two-week class which met four days each week. She loved the water and reached her arms forward and kicked her feet quite well. But by the eighth day, this one-year old and her parents were ready for a swim break!

Four-Mile Family Hike

On Saturday we took advantage of Kirsten's day off work and cool weather and hiked four miles in scenic Kelly's Run Nature Preserve in Lancaster County. At one point in the trail there is a steep climb to a grand vista overlooking the Susquehanna River. Just as impressive as the forest was the fact that Brooklyn stayed in the hiking carrier the entire time -- even during our snack break. (Notice the photo of her with a mouth full of grapes). She was a happy and cooperative hiker, but she didn't quite make it to the end. We'll have to return in the Fall to see the colors.

After, we made an unplanned stop at a country diner with its own great view. There we learned that Brooklyn could drink out of a straw and that she thinks she's ready for horse-riding lessons.

Taking Cousins to Hershey, Gettysburg and ...

Of her 20 cousins, Brooklyn got to meet the remaining three of them this week. (She's now seen all 17 on her dad's side in the last three months). In addition to Hershey and Gettysburg, the children enjoyed the live reptile exhibit at the local nature center. They also played at two parks, toured a chocolate factory, and had ice cream made at a local dairy farm.

Independence Day

We celebrated Independence Day attending a patriotic church breakfast, cooling off at a state park lake, and watching fireworks set to live symphony music in rural Lancaster County.

Married Two Years

It's hard to believe we've only been married two years considering all the places we've been and things we've done. We had a simple and quiet anniversary. Kirsten was sick so we stayed local. A church friend watched Brooklyn for a few hours each of two days and we celebrated by getting caught up. Kirsten worked on patients' medical charts and Kyle finished building Brooklyn's play table and organized our files. Chinese takeout, a short family hike, a delicious fresh raspberry sundae, and watching "Mr. Mom" (Kyle's Father's Day present) were a few of the highlights.