Friday something very rare happened. The clinic was closed so Brad had no patients and I didn't have to work! We took advantage of this much needed family time and headed to Gettysburg for a day trip. The Kane's let us borrow their audio tour CD and we used that to go through the park. We stopped a lot to explore and let the girls run around. The big highlights for Kenna was the rocks and Devils Den (she immediately wanted to climb them) and the cometary because that is where Abraham Lincoln spoke. Bryn was just happy to be there and thought the cannons were neat. Every time she saw one she would say look at that one momma! The funny part was they all looked the same. We also went to the hall of Presidents were they had some wax statues of all 44 Presidents. We wore everyone out and then headed home.

We had a great 4th. We went to the local parade here in our Borough so it was small and only lasted 45 min. It is perfect for little kids. Another plus is it is only 2 blocks from our house so we could walk there and back. The girls thought it was fabulous. Kenna who just enjoys life period got excited about everything from the firetrucks to the banjos in the string bands. It didn't take Bryn long to realize that this was a candy getting opportunity and we had to grab her a few times as she kept running into the street for the candy. The picture to the left is right before we left for the parade so they are nice and clean. Although I put sunscreen on her poor Bryn was still burnt by the time we got home. The rest of the day involved just being home. The girls played outback with dad in the pool took a nice nap. We ended the evening with a BBQ at our friends house everyone brought fireworks and we did our own little display for the kids. It was so nice and relaxing and the kids really enjoyed having a family day. When I asked what Kenna's favorite part of the day was she said "Dad didn't have to go see patients today."

I personally like the photo of the girls and dad waiting for the parade to start. The baby in the stroller has been taken everywhere lately by Bryn. If we think we are going to get out of the house without it we will soon be sorry. She will even remind us at times to "not forget the baby". Dad spraying them with the hose may have cost about $10 in water but the squeals of delight from it made it well worth the money.

Because we are rarely all together we had to get a photo. Bryn found the park so much fun with dad. Brad would bounce the bridge and she would giggle and giggle and then ask him to do it again. What would the 4th be without sparklers and local ER's being filled with burns caused by them. My dad may remember in the early 80's my Grama Norby purchasing some sparklers for us grand kids. I am sure with that purchase she had visions of all the kids having a great time with them. I do believe all 10 of us got burnt and a lot of crying took place. When I purchased these sparklers I was sure that in the past 30 years great improvements would have been made in their engineering. Alas this was not so, short stick and spouting fire, fun but carries some risk. Luckily no one was hurt. And the kids all enjoyed them.

The kids all cheering for the finale and the finale.

Rock climbing like Uncle Tom

While at the Family Fun Center Kenna begged and begged and finally won a chance to go up the rock wall. Since last summer all she talks about wanting to do is to go climb a rock and slide down with Uncle Tom again. Now may I add here that while buying the $4 ticket I was sure this was going to be a waste of money. No way I thought is she going to be able to do this. Her rock climbing had only been done up to this point strapped to Uncle Toms back as neither Brad nor I are confident in our skills to strap her to us. We were absolute surprised when off she went up this wall. She made it quit a ways up and impressed us. She got a little over half way up and the only reason she stopped at that point was because the notches were now to far apart and her arms just a hair short. She wanted me to put these pictures on so Uncle Tom could see. So Uncle Tom here is Kenna going up the wall.

Bryn's Turns 2!

It is crazy for me to have her be two! Sometimes I look at her and think you are still a baby! She has been so fun and her personality is wonderful to have around, she likes to tease, bug her sister, and if she does something that needs an apology she won't say sorry unless she is, try as we may so if you every get an "I'm sorry" from her know it is sincere. She is a little chatter box and has plenty to say about everything. We love her perception on things for example Brad doesn't mow the lawn he vacuums the lawn. She loves to give hugs and kisses and we all love getting them from her. Here are some of the pics from her day. Unfortunately the majority of it was spent at Kenna's dance rehearsal but she really had no idea of the concept of "birthday" until we took the cake out after dinner.

This is the girls leaving the rehearsal. Bryn is wearing her birthday outfit bought for her by Ms. Kelly from work.

Brad didn't want to have little spit droppings on his slice of cake (nor did the rest of us for that matter) so he did a few practice runs with Bryn on how to blow out a candle.

Here she is blowing them out. She was completely please with the results and asked to do it again.

We took them after dinner to the Oasis Family Fun Center. They have mini golf, arcade games, and the reason we went a large indoor play yard. They girls had a blast and wore themselves out entirely. Bryn ran and ran from slide to slide laughing the whole time it was well worth it, even Brad and I had fun with them.

The ball area is called Ballocity. Everything is done with soft balls and air. It was a ton of fun, this really brought out the little boy in Brad. Bryn and Kenna both fell asleep on the way home so we opened presents for Bryn on Sunday. She got some puzzles, My first doll house, and a Dressy Daisy Doll.

Dance 2009

Kenna did dance again this year and absolutely loved it once again. It has been over for a week and she is already wanting to know when it is time again. We take her to Cathie Collins School of Dance and they are wonderful. Ms. Cathie has been doing this for 25 years and the teachers are all phenominal. Infact Brad was shocked durinrg the teacher performance that a woman who was in her 40's and had survived cancer 2 times could still dance like that. The dress rehearsal was on a Saturday and this is when they allow parents to record and take pictures. The School is huge and has 4 performances Sunday matinee and then night, Monday night, and Tuesday night each 3 hours long to accommodate all the girls(and preschoolers only perform in one). Even with the school that large they know all girls, their families and siblings by first names. Kenna was in the Sunday matinee performance and did a great job. They were in the opening number entitled Under the Sea. After her performance she sat by us and watched the rest of the program on the edge of her seat wide eyed. We recorded it bu not on the right camera to post so her are a few pictures of her.

Kenna and Kelsie from her class.

Getting ready to start.

The Dance:

Grandma Murray

Grandma Murray was able to come out to visit us for the past week. The girls had a lot of fun. They played their hearts out as well as enjoyed some fun outings to Lancaster and also to Longwood Gardens (which I have been dying to take her to since I first went a few years ago.) We are excited for her to come back soon.

Here are the girls at Longwood in front of their favorite bush!! Honeysuckle! (Sunnyhuckle as Bryn calls it)

Kenna really wanted to have a picture with just her dad in front of this waterfall.

A big old tree

Kenna listening to the bee's make honey in this beehive.

At the indoor children's garden.

We went to an Amish farm and house. It was very interesting and the girls had a ton of fun walking around the farm. Omar took us on a buggy ride and let Kenna sit by him and "help" drive the team. By help I mean he let her hold one of the reins.

Bryn was fine in the buggy it wasn't until the end of the ride and we put her up front with Kenna that she was freaked out. I guess that was too close to the horses for her liking.

The Pennsylvania Railroad museum was Bryn's favorite. She was so excited to see a CHOO CHOO! She kept saying it over and over again, "Mom a choo choo see!"

Watching the train get ready to go was the highlight of Bryn's Lancaster trip.

This was Kenna's.