The Hill Cumorah Pageant

The Hill Cumorah Pageant is really quite a show. The set is pretty impressive also. A cast of over 700 men, women and children (the youngest cast member was just four months old, and he just so happened to be from our ward) take off two weeks from their busy schedules to rehearse and put on the show for thousands of visitors each night.

The cast freely mingles with the spectators at the Pageant. One of King Noah's guards was good enough to pose in a picture with us. He invited us to go spend some time with him and his boss while they engaged in some "riotous living", but we politely declined.

Eli started practicing his missionary approach with some of the cast members, but "Eli-glish" is only spoken, and understood, by the small person wearing the green t-shirt.

"Guys, did you know that Hannah Montana is a Mormon!" Ok, ok, Kjersti never said that, but we had plenty of time to discuss all kinds of faith promoting rumors since we arrived 4 1/2 hours before the show started.

We enjoyed a beautiful summer evening at the Pageant. It's been one of the many highlights of the summer of 2008!

An Interview with Princess Daisy

Dad: So how did you become Princess Daisy? Princess Daisy: First you have to be a Princess and Dad, I hate to break it to ya, but you are not a Princess.

Dad: How about if I just wore a crown of daisies? Princess Daisy: When Dad's wear a crown of daisies they look really silly.

Dad: How about if I just borrow the daisies you're holding? Princess Daisy: Mmm, I think I'm just going to just hold on to these, thanks.

Dad: Did you know there is a big spider crawling up your leg? Princess Daisy: -no response-


Dad: I'm just kidding. Princess Daisy: Daaaaad, don't be a goofball.



Dad: Ok, I'm sorry. How about we go for ice cream? Princess Daisy: I'm pleased to see you've come to your senses.

Slip Sliding Away!

An $8 investment paid off big on the 4th of July. Who knew so much fun could be had with a Slip and Slide? Eli decided that for him, the fun was in running on the slip and slide through the water. This resulted in a great deal of inadvertent slipping, sliding and minor "owies".
Eli took his cues from Kjersti who found that the water was just too cold to slip and slide in. I will admit that the water did feel as though it was tapped from a local glacier. I guess in the "North Country" they call that "refreshing".

If you look closely you will see that Eli managed to pick up a few grass clippings from his exploits. A small price to be paid for this excitement, however, one must take certain precautions. In the background, Cody stood a vigilant watch to ensure that once the kids decided to come back into the house, it was sans grass clippings.

The World Through Kjersti's Eyes

We recently got a new camera so we've let Kjersti use our old one. Here she took what appears to be a great cover for an album by Eli, Heidi and Heidi's Mom, Elaine. I'm sure it would really rock!

Of course with Kjersti behind the camera, we got to see all kinds of different things.

Here is one of many pictures out of the car.

Driving sure can get boring sometimes. When you've got a camera, at least you can capture those moments forever.

She's good at getting pictures of the things that matter. Cinderella on the computer screen.

The butterfly on her t-shirt.

The ring on her finger. All of the important things.

Visiting Vermont

Every kid dreams of getting a "Vermonster" from the Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory in Waterbury, Vermont. This was the day Kjersti's dream came true. What is a "Vermonster" you might ask? It is a bucket-o-goodness that includes 20 of your favorite scoops of Ben & Jerry's ice cream along with a broad assortment of other delightful toppings. Soooooooooooo tasty. This was one of the highlights of our recent trip to Smugglers Notch, VT.

With a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye, Kjersti milked Eli for all he was worth at the Cabot Cheese Annex. I don't think Eli ever did figure out what was going on under that stool.

After pushing the stroller mile after mile along the Stowe, VT bike path, Cody figured he would let gravity take a turn. As it turns out the kids preferred gravity. Check out the video!

Here we are ascending Mount Mansfield. At 4,393 ft, it is Vermont's highest peak. Thanks in large part to a road that goes nearly to the top, the summit is accessable even to a group of "extreme" hikers like us. One extreme hiker attempted hiking with his eyes closed. That hiker can be seen here in Cody's arms moments before attempting his wild stunt.

We all got to enjoy our trip, especially Kjersti, with Elaine, Heidi's mother. In Sharon, VT, we visited the site of the Prophet Joseph Smith's birthplace. It was a wonderful tribute to the first Prophet of our dispensation!

We really enjoyed the week we spent in Vermont. It was a great experience!

A Night at the Drive Inn

The Black Water Drive Inn is about a three minute drive away from our home. Last night, they were showing Kung Fu Panda and Indiana Jones so we decided to go. We figured there would be a lot of interest in this double feature so we decided to go early. We got a great spot, but had to spend the better part of two and a half hours keeping the kids entertained.


7:18 pm: Shortly after arriving and getting our stuff set up, we enjoyed a nice picnic.

7:36 pm: Bordem sets in and Chubs attempts to climb to the top of Kjersti. Despite several attempts, he never manged to get above her armpits.

7:51 pm: Kjersti tries the sleeper hold on Chubs.

8:03 pm: Chubs is notified that in appx. 90 minutes, Kung Fu Panda will begin.

8:18 pm: Kjersti and Chubs return triumphantly after having clogged the toilet in the Men's bathroom (Ok, not really, but what else could cause two kids to have such beaming smiles on their faces?).

8:36 pm: Dad decides to play Drill Instructor and makes each child do 30 push-ups. After two or three, both ask to be released from Drive Inn Boot Camp.

8:45 pm: Chubs puts the sleeper hold on Kjersti.

9:12 pm: We break out the popcorn and assume our movie time positions. Finally, 23 minutes later, the show begins. Cody couldn't stay awake through Kung Fu Panda, so we left right after it ended. We'll try Indiana Jones another day.

This Biker Girl Rocks!

It is official, Kjersti can now ride her bike all by herself! She took out a few trees, bushes and plants that were located on the perimeter of our driveway and even did the splits at one point as she was thrown from her bike. But, all in all, she is none the worse for wear after an intense bike instruction session. She is even learning how to dodge Eli as he comes after her with the three-wheeler and a maniacal sounding, "Ha, ha, ha!"