Cedar Point trip with Youth to Youth 2009

Arbor Hills Junior High Youth to Youth Cedar Point Trip
June 11th, 2009

First ride the two boys rode was the Power Tower.
Kyle liked the ride...Dylan wasn't so fond of it.

Kyle really liked the rides that would spin you, but he didn't like the roller coasters.

Riding the Matterhorn

Once again, Dylan was asked to take a picture with young girls because of his likeness to Nick Jonas :D

Dylan's first roller coaster of the day...the Corkscrew.
The Corkscrew was a favorite from years past...that is of course, until he tried some of the others.

The Corkscrew

One of the few roller coasters I enjoy is The Iron Dragon.
I had started seeing spots, took my meds, and hoped it would pass while waiting in line.
By the time we got to the platform...I was feeling worse.
We decided it would be more prudent for me not to ride the coaster.
Dylan liked the view from the Iron Dragon.

Dylan spent a good portion of his spending money on this Ape Challenge.
The Challenge? Climb up the ladder and hit the buzzer without falling off.
Sounds easy enough.

He tried again...

And again...but was never able to win the giant stuffed ape.

Rainy, gloomy days = frizzy curly hair

There were crane flies everywhere.
They don't bite, but they get everywhere.
As Dylan went to take this picture, one flew in my mouth.
Yech!

One of the few times of the day that I wasn't in my hoodie.
It was mainly cool and damp for the most part of the day.

Kyle and Dylan waiting in line to ride the Monster

This was a favorite ride...so they went on it again...

The Monster was definitely Kyle's favorite ride.

Dylan liked it too!

I bet Kyle rode this ride at least 10 times.

Dylan and Kyle on the train.
If you ever want to know how good your kids really are...go to Cedar Point.
I couldn't believe some of the offensive things I heard kids saying or doing.
I'll take my boys any day :D

Dylan and Kyle on the bumper cars.

All in all it was a GREAT day! I enjoyed the quality time I was able to have with Dylan and Kyle. Dylan and I were able to have quite a few meaningful conversations. We all had loads of fun together.
Kyle only had one meltdown...and he came out of it pretty quickly.
We walked and walked and walked!
My feet were killing me by the end of the day.
Dylan end up becoming a roller coaster enthusiast!
His favorite ride was The Millenium Force!
I loved seeing his excitement when he got off of that ride.
I ended up losing Kyle at the end of the day...not thrilling me by any stretch of the imagination. He knew to go to one of the staff and they took him to "Lost Persons."
So, we had to do even more walking...but it was worth it :D

Toledo II Memorial Day Picnic

It is an annual tradition for our ward to have a Memorial Day Activity. I worked the night before, making this task a little more challenging...since I was in charge. My "little elves" came to the rescue and even got me a few hours of sleep :D The weather was awesome, the food yummy, and the company was even better.

Youth Temple Trip

The youth of our ward went to the Columbus Temple today.
Since it is Memorial Day Weekend, many of them could be doing many other things.
But they went.
They served.
And they had a great time doing it.
I'm proud of them.
Back row: Juston James, Steven Klepacz, Jacob Lauder, John Regan, Zachary Kasch, Kyle Simons, Dylan Simons, and Sean Tribbet
Front row: Amanda Kasch, Jessica Eck, Kaylyn Johnston and Laura Klepacz

Silly is still what they do best :D

SYSA Soccer Season

We had our youngest three in Soccer this Spring. Between practices and games, it made for a very busy several weeks.

Nicholas' SYSA Soccer Picture

Luke's SYSA Soccer Picture

Kyle's SYSA Soccer Picture

The kids played many different positions. This is Nicholas playing Goalie.

Kyle's favorite position is Goalie

Nicholas likes Defender

Luke kicking the ball in to the goal

Nicholas kicks the ball

Kyle ready

Luke's best as Defender

Nicholas steals the ball away

Whenever Kyle runs to kick the ball...he holds his arms out like this...it looks like he is flying :D

Luke in the action

There were many days where the weather was brisk, and we froze while we watched...but we were faithful fans until the end.

Even Mar tried to make as many games as her schedule would allow.

Second graders go to The Toledo Zoo

Mrs. McKown's 2nd grade class at Maplewood Elementary

African Safari

Giraffes and Kudus

Checking out the Bald Eagles

Looking at the wolves

I helped chaperone during this field trip...these were our kids

The kids were so excited because this duck laid her egg right in front of us.

Watching the duck pond

Nicholas' imitation of a bat

Chimpanzee eating fruit

Everyone loves Baby Louie

Baby Orangutang swinging

Nicholas tries on butterfly wings

Hunter, Ashlee, Madison, Olivia and Nicholas

Tiger stalking

Nicholas checking out what it's like to be in an egg

Nicholas hatching

Back to the 80's Choir Concert

Kyle's Spring Choir Concert
Back to the 80's
at Southview High School at 7 pm

The boys singing "Addicted to Love"

7th grade choir

Kyle looking cool :D

Mar is very supportive of the boys and their activities. She even sacrifices eating ice cream when she knows it will give her a migraine.
Our after concert tradition? Ice cream at Handel's Ice Cream. Yum!

Angels in Comfortable Shoes

As we were leaving the Celebration of Life Luncheon for Uncle Bill, Jeff took a moment to let me know how grateful he is for the "beacon" I am in our family. He commended my willingness to sacrifice time, energy, and even sanity to insure that our family on all sides is united. I help create traditions and provided opportunities for our family to not only have quality time together, but quantity time as well. I was grateful for his acknowledgment of the efforts I make to instill the importance of "family" in those I care for.

As we drove home, I felt blessed to have been able to be the "angel" to others over the past couple of weeks. When I was younger, and the concept of spiritual gifts or talents came up...I often times struggled to come up with any real gifts or talents I have. I'm not artistic, musical, a great speaker, etc... What do I really offer the world? For years, I have searched for that very answer.

It became apparent to me today as I thought of the many lives I am able to touch and assist not only within my own family, but in the lives of former patients...that I have a valuable contribution that I do make. When others are lost, afraid, sick, or need support, I am there. If I can't help in their healing, I can at least be a companion to help them through this difficult time. Sometimes, my contribution is seemingly small...but I am beginning to realize how long lasting and meaningful that contribution can be. I don't really feel like I did much for Bill, Julie, and their family this week...but the impact that was made in their lives was huge (according to them). I am grateful for my knowledge and ability to be there when I am needed most. My favorite nursing quote is "Nurses are Angels in Comfortable Shoes"...I truly felt the significance of that phrase this week. I knew I was an instrument in the Lord's hands, and I was honored to do it.