Jack's Dream for our Country

Today we had parent teacher conferences and I felt this writing from my son was so profound especially given our current government situation. My son who is 7-years-old and in second grade wrote this.

"I have a dream that we didn't have to pay taxes and if democrats were republicans, so we wouldn't be paying higher taxes, so my dad would get the money that he earns so we can buy things. I wish there were more Republicans in the Government too.

I would really like it if killing and kidnapping really did not exist.

I wish our country had peace and other countries without fighting for it. I hope when people have surgery doctors would be much gentler and hurting would stop. I wish kids got what they want and grown ups got what they want.

I don't dream about me, I want life to be good for me and others (even the people I don't know)"

It just goes to show you that children understand what is going on in our country too!

Blueberry Picking, Jack on The News

Every year around August it is tradition to go Blueberry picking at one of the many farms around Buffalo, the blueberries are delicious, especially when we pick them ourselves. We went with the residents wives group on this particular trip and here are some of the pictures from that day, I especially love this one with the frog, it’s there look closely.

Back in July the Channel 7 news was at the Mall while we were there for a playgroup. They were compairing the law makers in Albany to children and Jack was interviewed amongst some other children. If you look closely you can see Lydia playing there with some other girls. Here he is in his small moment of fame.

Beach Party on Lake Ontario and Pearce visit July 2009

I am sorry that it has taken me so long to get my blog updated. So, I have a lot to post. We will start in the summer. In July of 2009 when me and the kids went to a beach party in Ontario hosted by one of the chief residents. John was unable to attend because he was on-call at Erie County Medical Center. We had a lot of fun and it is fun to have beaches so close by… here are some shots from that.

Here we are standing on the shore of lake Ontario with the city of Buffalo behind us.

Emily loved caring this soccer ball around.Then we had John’s sister Anna, her family and his niece Mary and her boyfriend (whom she will be marrying in just a few short weeks!) come visit us. We all had so much fun with them, visiting Olcott Beach, NY on Lake Ontario where they have a vintage amusement park where all of the rides are truly still 25 cents! We also visited the Niagara Falls, the sacred grove and of course the Hill Cumorah Pageant!This is a picture of Niagara Falls taken from the bridge connecting the USA and Canada. The American side of Niagara Falls lets you enjoy more of the beauty of nature surrounding the falls. The Canadian side reminds me of Las Vegas, NV.
Here Jack, John, and Elsa sit on the International Borderline!
All the kids together.
Here are some pictures of the vintage amusement park from the 1940's, it features a 1928 style Hershell-Spillman two row carousel. Five vintage kiddie rides, and a wonderful 1931 Wurlitzer band organ. All of the rides are truly still 25 cents. These boats are amazing they are made of Genuine Mahogany.
It was a rainy day, lucky the girls had their umbrella!


The Famous Olcott, NY lighthouse
This is a replica of the 1873 Lighthouse that now stands in Olcott, NY near the park

The kids standing on the American side of Lake Ontario, Lydia loves to pose!

The kids playing/looking for grasshoppers in the field in front of Joseph Smith's home near the sacred grove.Lydia and Elsa holding hands in the Sacred Grove.

The kids getting ready to watch the Hill Cumorah Pageant, our kids look forward to it every year! It looks like Lydia is already asleep but she isn't :) Or maybe she's praying?

This is a picture of the pageant during one of the battle scenes from our seats.