Rest of NY Trip

So, maybe some people are wondering, why does Jen have to try and update the last four months? Well, it's partly because I took a million pictures that I feel I should do something with. I'm not really sure about other reasons other than it seemed like a good idea at the time. I'm getting kind of bored with the immediate past - I may run out of steam soon. It's like the time I decided that I was going to get a head start on writing my memoirs during the summer of 2005. It seemed like a good idea. I have a head crowded full of memories starting from about the age or two or three. Why not jot some down on paper and maybe create some more room in my brain to memorize more Top 40 songs? Anyway, I was maybe a little too detailed at first. I filled at least 10 pages in a notebook and only got to age four. I got a little discouraged and gave up the attempt, although one day I'll get back to it. I'd like to note that the discouragement may be partially due to the mocking tone that my roommate Lis employed whenever she would tell people what I was doing.

So, to finish with the NY trip, I wanted to include some shots from one of my very favorite places - the church sites in upstate NY. Do you know how beautiful upstate NY is in the summer? Some of you do, but for those of you who don't, I will simply say that there is a reason that Rochesterians brave those bone-chilling winters and continue to live there. Adam and I went to the Hill Cumorah and the Sacred Grove. It was a perfect summer day and surprisingly not too hot. We had a nice, peaceful stroll through the grove. This was my second time going there with Adam. I took him there right before we got engaged and so it was fun to recall that time as we walked around. Next we drove over to the hill. As we were walking around the monument at the top of the hill, we saw this black and white cat just lounging in the shade, looking like it owned the place. It soon got up and started following us around - maybe the cat is employed for security?

After we finished visiting the site and headed home, the heavens opened up and it rained the rest of the day. We stopped at Wegmans for lunch and soon after headed over to my sisters ho

use for some Pontillo's pizza. If we had been able to stop for some ice cream at LuGia's, then this may have been the most perfect day possible. I have to include the two pics - I overlooked them in my last post and they're my favorite. Can you see why I'm such a proud aunt?

This is Aiden's smile every time you take his picture.

I had my finger on the flash when I took this of Owen, but look at those brown eyes!

They're lots of fun. Here are my shots of the grove and the hill. Visit if you can!

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Should there be an apostrophe in the title of this post? Lisa? I think you're my Shakespeare expert so if you still check this blog, I'm counting on you. So, yeah, I made it to my June update and it's only August! Woot! Tia Juana, you may just be able to read about July in September - no promises though. I'm all about the shout outs tonight. How about this one: Hey Wende, just because you're with child and you have three little boys to chase around, doesn't mean you can just neglect your blog. What? Like you're busy? I mean, I thought I was bad. Who wants to hit me yet? No one? I could go all night. August is my birthday month and that means that I get to be a diva. Hey Jess and Rachel, what is this come-to-Utah-and-don't-call-Jen-or-Lis-while you're-here-business? You can blame family obligations all you want, but the next time around, I expect to hear from you. Do NOT mess with me. I am almost 31 (does snap in z formation in the air). No one gets to mention that last fact but me.

This blog post should really be titled, "A Lack of Focus." To the task at hand: June. I know that I was alive in June and that I did more than just go and visit my family back east, but I am seriously drawing a blank. At work, my job revolves around a series of three approving committees that meet every single week. That means that I have three weekly deadlines that I am constantly having to meet. The one thing that keeps me from going crazy is the fact that the committees break from mid-June until August and then for most of the month of December. This makes mid-June feel like salvation and July feel like happiness. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I probably spent most of June reveling in my lack of things to do. I took long lunches, I left early, Adam and I sometimes slept in and got there a little late. One day, encouraged by Tianna, Adam and I bought a slip and slide. It turns out that those things aren't really as fun when you're an adult; however, they can be refreshing if you just use them as a place to sun bathe.

Then along came June 16th. Adam and I were discussing when we should go to see my parents and sister. We were thinking July, but then Adam told me that he couldn't leave until after the 20th, which is right when I start to get busy again, preparing for July. What a quandary! Then, Adam said, "what about next week?" Huh. What about next week? To make a longer story shorter, we bought tickets that next day and were on our way by Saturday. I am not usually that spontaneous - ask anyone. We had a great time! I love visiting my parents. They are seriously the best hosts. They go out of their way to make people feel comfortable and welcome, and they have more food than anyone I know. Plus, I am addicted to my nephews. Adam and I slept in, watched movies, went on multiple ice cream runs, visited the church sites in Palmyra and played with the kiddies to our hearts content. I went on my second zoo trip this year. Who knew?

These pics do not show up as well in this format. Let's try these:

Out of time! I'm sorry I only take pictures of my nephews. Next post will contain non-nephew photos.