Photo update:

A couple things...

First off:

We watched a movie a week or so ago that we want to recommend to anyone looking for something interesting. Perhaps you've already seen it! We were looking for some books at our teeny tiny library branch here in North East when I glanced at a display of movies and the picture on the cover of this movie caught my attention. It was made for TV I believe. Great story, and now Randy is looking to read her autobiography with me. We'll have to finish one of the others we're in the middle of first.

The other thing I thought I'd share was this article:

http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/01/15/feminist_obsessed_with_mormon_blogs

Enjoy.

Children's Museum

For the money that mom & dad Griffiths sent for Christmas we decided to become a member of the Dayton Society of Natural History in Dayton Ohio. Why Ohio you might be asking? Because with a $100 membership you get reciprocal benefits to children's museums, zoos, aquariums, and natural history museums across the nation. And in particular, several children's museums close to us in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and DC.

I had never before heard of (much less been to) a children's museum. For those of you out there like me, they are less like museums and more like glorified children's play places. The few that we have visited are in warehouses and they are full of climbing and building things. We remembered our camera when we went to the museum in Baltimore and Lancaster, PA, but we have forgotten our camera both times that we visited our favorite one in Wilmington, DE.

I tried (but failed) to get a good picture of the 3 story urban treehouse in Baltimore. Ruby was too young to trust in this and the older kids and noise scared Anne, so they didn't get into this as much as I had hoped. Here is a picture that captured part of it... (that's Ruby in the pink and Megan is holding Anne next to her)

There was a room full of drums with plastic hollow tubes. You can't imagine the decibel level, but of course the girls loved it.

We we drove the hour to Lancaster, during which we saw several horses and buggies of the Amish, but we were pretty disappointed to see that the building was very small. But it was packed full of fun things to do and we had a ball for a few hours. Megan enjoyed the face painting area. The paints were water colors. Brilliant!

After Megan painted this bad boy on me I got some amazing expressions from others in the museum.

My favorite part was the snow area. They had snowballs made from wool that were perfect for throwing (and being hit).

Lucy just loves the backpack carrier.

They had a room full of dress-ups, big styrofoam props, and a small stage.

Ruby found a wolf, but lost interest before Anne found a red hood :(

This is Megan's favorite picture. Who wouldn't love this girl (guy)?

Thanks Jen for the blanket!

Merry Christmas!!

and Happy New Year!

Our Nativity was awesome this year.

Can you just feel the excitement?

(just kidding. bad timing on the picture.)

Christmas eve jammies.

Things we've been doing:

Hiking!

rest stop...with snacks!

to the tallest waterfall in the state :)

Hanging out!

A sleepover with Kate!

The girls love her so much. Jane's kids were so good to them. A & R had so much fun following them all around. And we had some super Thanksgiving food! Yum!

First solids.

picture curtesy of Anne

First toes.

I love it when they find these.

First teeth!

I meant to post these a long time ago...

sorry about the commentary. embarrassing .

Halloween

We had a great time at the ward's turnk-or-treat and Anne and Ruby both came home with a bucket full of candy! They were in heaven. We all had a great time. I especially loved the 20 minute hay ride under the stars, with my two big girls snuggled up next to me.

We recycled some costumes this year, but Lucy's is new. She is our sweet cuddly bear.

Don't you just want to squeeze her?

Stuff you've been waiting to see

--although you probably didn't know it.

We survived the week Randy was in Texas, and even had a few smiles. Now I know I can handle it--but only if I have to.

And here's the new van! I finally remembered to get a picture. We don't know how we used to do without it.

These next 3 pics are of our hike to Turkey Point Lighthouse. Not great pictures or anything, but still kinda fun to see the landscape around here. We are having fun exploring new places.

P.S. The fall leaves have been spectacular! Wish I had some pictures to do it justice.