Ricketts Glen Summer Camping Trip

Yes, I am way behind in blogging. These picts are from July or August, not sure. But it was a super fun family getaway. The boys love everything about camping.

Washington D.C. Temple

This past weekend, we had a great family trip to Virginia and the Washington D.C. Temple. It was wonderful to be with members of our ward at the beautiful D.C. Temple and to have Tate and Beau experience the beauty and spirit of the Temple and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints visitor center. Thanks Wendy Parrish for the great family photos! We also visited our amazing friends Adam and Marie in VA! It is always the best to visit them and their cute kiddies Spencer, Emma and John.

Life Lately

Tropical Storm Lee filled up the kiddie pool. Fun for the boys!

I have not blogged in a long long time. There are many reasons – a busy summer, a lack of blogging (and computer time in general) motivation, etc. But I am resolved to catch up a bit because 1)the boys are growing and changing so much and I want to provide more updates for our family, 2) I believe our blog is a valuable record (with all the flooding/earthquake/hurricanes these days, photo albums and hard drives don’t seem so permanent).

Speaking of natural disasters. Almost every night I am dealing with one disaster or another in my dreams. House is flooding, must save kids. House is collapsing, must save kids, computer, clothes. One morning (5:30 AM) Darin said to me as he was leaving to work, “I love you” and I responded, “You’re not the one dealing with flooding all night.” I knew it was a strange thing to say but it made sense at that moment. Anyhow, watching Contagion in such a state is not a good idea. In the last three weeks our food storage has multiplied by leaps and bounds. Although, to be truthful, I believe this has far more to do with my new couponing obsession than anything. I can’t believe I have been so casual in the past about coupons. It’s a whole new world and it fantastic!

Turning 30 has been bizarre. Its almost like I am having out of body experiences, looking down watching myself say and do things I never would have thought were possible 6 months ago, such as: blogging about my love of coupons. But I just did it.

Tate's First Day of 4 Year Old Preschool

Hershey Floods

Here is a link to my iReport on the floods here in Hershey. Our family is doing fine. We have had no flooding and we are all safely at home. We feel very lucky. Many friends here have been affected. Please let me know if I can help anyone.

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-670689

Looking for Adventure

Wish I could have captured the shot right before this shot. Beau studied Tate's exact stance before striking the pose.

Looking all sorts of grown up.

Tate figured out the hose.... Beau's working on it

Play Time

Pirates!

Don't you wish this picture were in focus?

Night Time Routine

Uncle Drew!

Drew, Monique and fam came out to visit us in June! It was soooo much fun to have them here! Tate was sooooo excited to have Nick here in Hershey - he always wanted to sit by him, walk by him, and imitate everything he did. Andrea, Sophia, Olivia and Nick were all so nice to Tate and Beau - we only wish they could have stayed longer. Here are some pictures (I only snapped a few - whoops!)

Best Buddies!

Beau trying to copy Olivia's style

So Sci Fi

Darin and Linsy's 8th Wedding Anniversary - May 31, 2011

Once in a lifetime opportunity. I know, I know. That phrase is kind of a running joke in the Heiner family. My dad uses it to describe many-a-things, but usually a sheep hunt. "Criminy, he drew a once in a lifetime sheep tag."

But this is FOR REALS.

The Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled for liftoff on July 8 (this Friday people!) marking the final flight for NASA's shuttle program. After that, America will send astronauts to space only in Russian spacecraft.

The rollout of the Shuttle Atlantis to the Kennedy Space Center happened on May 31! (our anniversary.) We had the opportunity to be at the rollout and it was a life highlight!

Darin's bro Erik's wife Dawn's sis Laura works for NASA and scored tickets (after much office negotiation). Thank you Laura! And thank you Darin's bro Kevin for letting me go. The Jurgensmeier fam drew straws and Kevin gave me his spot so I could be with Darin on our anniversary. Kevin has always always been so thoughtful and considerate. And this was a big deal. So thank you Kevin!

Here we go.........

From the VAB to the Crawler.......

Pure 'Independence Day' 'Armegeddon' 'Men in Black' action.

Approaching the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB)

The crowds assemble.

Shuttle Atlantis emerges from the VAB.

Turn on the spotlight!

And the Toby Keith music over the loudspeakers.

Laura, Dawn, Erik, Dee, Cory, Linsy

Oh yeah!

The Crawler is functioning office space, equipped with bathrooms and all!

Brotherly Moment

Erik, Darin, Cory, Dee

Astronauts.

Taking this picture goes down as just another moment that I should be embarrassed about but I'm just not. So, yes - I am thirty. And yes - I spotted the astronauts striding quickly down a pathway away from me and I grabbed my camera, chased them down as fast as I could, stopped to take the picture while yelling out something like, "You guys are amazing. True heros! Good job, great job!" I didn't have time to think about it. I just yelled what was in my soul. But come on, in the era of lamo reality television stars, these guys really are cool.

The whole thing, so sci fi. So fantastic.

One happy girl.