A witch and all her little monsters live here

When witches go riding
and black cats are seen
the moon laughs and whispers
'tis near Halloween

I feel like doing...

...NOTHING!  There are so many things I have to do as a wife, mother, and homemaker.  There are so many things I want to do as a wife, mother, artist, friend, dreamer.  But I am growing a person.  And even though I am so happy about that, I am extremely nauseous 24/7.  So I am actually doing the bare minimum to run our household, giving lots of hugs to my kiddos and honey, and that's about all.  I hope to get back to getting caught up with this blog soon, but it may take me 7 more months!

Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat

This is where I went to high school, the original Las Vegas High.  It is the oldest high school in the city with the first graduating class being from 1931.  I was in the class of 1993- the last of the legacy!  After we graduated a new high school was opened that took on the name of LVHS and all of its traditions while this school became Las Vegas Academy, a magnet school for International Studies and Performing/Visual Arts.   This weekend is our 20th reunion and I am so bummed that I can't be there!  Tonight they're going to the Homecoming Football Game at the new LVHS, then tomorrow they're touring the old LVHS and having a family picnic, then in the evening they're having a formal dinner & dance.  For all of my friends who are going, PLEASE take lots of pictures for me!!

 

I haven't changed much in 20 years, right?  Ha ha!  I loved high school!  I had wonderful friends, great teachers,...

...and lots of extracurriculars- Cheerleading, Spectrum, Dance Festival, Student Council, Honor Society.  We had good times.  In fact, watch THIS VIDEO by one of our famous alumni to get a taste of what I was doing back then!

 

I have to give a shout out to my handsome hubby too.  It's also his 20th anniversary of high school graduation, but we haven't heard of a reunion or anything.  It's too bad because one of his classmates is quite famous now.  Watch THIS VIDEO to see where Len went to school.

Six Years

Just wanted to mention that today is my 6th anniversary to blogging.  What?  How has the time gone so fast?  This is the first time I'm not doing a giveaway, sorry.  The morning sickness hit hard so I haven't felt like doing anything besides lay on the couch.  I did get some diclectin from the doctor yesterday, and I'm hoping that soon it will actually start working for me.  Anyway, if you read my blog I would love for you to leave me a comment.  Happy Wednesday!

Niagara Falls

We arrived in Niagara Falls at 1 o'clock in the morning.  We went up to our room and went straight to bed.   The next morning we marveled at our gorgeous view of the falls.  I didn't realize that Niagara Falls is actually made up of two waterfalls- the horseshoe falls are the Canadian falls and the other ones are the American falls.  Our room told us that enough water passes over the falls each minute to fill one MILLION bathtubs!!  Our room had a huge bathtub that all 5 of our kids fit into, so I would guess it would take at least 3 times the amount of a normal tub to fill, ha!

 

Unfortunately, Niagara Falls has become a huge tourist trap.  There are so many hotels, casinos, and attractions that it gives Las Vegas, Orlando, and New York City a run for their money.  We just wanted to see the falls, so that's what we did!  Here's another view of the Canadian falls from ground level.

Posing in front of the American falls before we got a little wet.

Grandma and Grandpa spoiled us and we decided to put their generosity to good use and ride the Maid of the Mist.  I couldn't believe that it's been around since 1846- it's possibly the oldest attraction I've patronized.

 

An up-close shot of the American falls. 

I couldn't get a very good close-up of the Canadian falls because there was just too much water!  Do you see how SOAKED Len and Hiram are?  We didn't just get a little wet, it was seriously like we just jumped in the shower with our clothes on!

Kaleb called us blueberries in our rain ponchos.

Yes, we were completely drenched, but it was definitely worth it!

Historic Kirtland

We drove all day and made it just in time for the last tour of the Kirtland Temple.  It's marvelous to be able to walk through this sacred place where much of the gospel was restored.  I believe this temple received heavenly visitors- Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias, and Elijah.  Our church no longer owns it, but it was nice to visit with the people of the Community of Christ faith.

Our family in front of the its big green doors.

After the tour we visited some more important places in history.  The kids were ready to go to the school!

In front of the Newel K. Whitney store where the revelation on the Word of Wisdom was received.

I love seeing all of their merchandise inside!

The Whitney's lovely home...

...and flower garden.

The town hotel.

The darling sister missionaries that were our tour guides- in front of the potash factory.

I love the old tin lanterns!

Sweet Home Indiana

After I was born, I left the hospital and arrived at this sweet little home sweet home on 5 acres of land.  I lived there until I was about a year and a half old.  We left Indiana and I've only been back one other time in my life (Christmas 1984).

For this trip we stayed with Clint and Lacey's lovely family.  However, we were on the go all day!  Our first stop was to the park for a barbeque.

Clint, Lacey with Chloe, and Conner.

Wyatt with Kolton, Karlee, and Keegan.

Grandpa and Grandma with baby Levi were visiting from Idaho.

Our little fam was so excited we got to see more of our extended family!

After lunch we cooled off at Cataract Lake.

Teague didn't last for long in the water, but the rest of us found it quite refreshing!

Baby Kolton is just 3 weeks younger than baby Levi.

Grandpa and Grandma love their babies!

Hiram was asleep before we even left the parking lot.

I loved driving through the corn fields, but I also have to admit in some places I felt a little claustrophobic when that was all that we could see.

  

We had to see some of Cataract's old famous sites, like the General Store.  There was also an old barn and a one room school house that is being renovated to become a museum.  The school house also had the girls latrine still standing.  It had 2 "toilets" in the tiny space that faced each other.  I think that would be just a teensy bit awkward, ha!

We also walked through the beautiful covered bridge...

...and peeked at Cataract Falls.

I would love to live in Clint and Lacey's home.  They have this gorgeous HUGE tree (with a swing) in their front yard...

 

...hayfields and hay bales for the kids to climb on in the backyard...

...and cornfields in the side yard.  Conner thinks it's a swell place to live too!

And Keegan loves to visit often!

The kids went across the street to visit Clint's grandpa's donkeys.  Noé was so excited to go back to school and tell her class she hand fed donkeys during her summer vacation.  She must have a little bit of country in her heart like her momma!

Lacey's beautiful tiger lilies.

Uncle Keith and Aunt Gloria joined us for dinner.

Grandpa and Grandma with 10 of their 12 grandkids.  We sure missed you Tyler and Jacob!  And Lana, Adam, and LaChele!

Before we left we had to visit the bell graveyard.  I swung a bell, made a wish, and hoped we'd be with all of our extended families again soon!

Pittl Reunion

It had been 17 years since the last time I visited Dayton and was so excited to hear of a reunion this summer!  Uncle Bill and Aunt Carrie were the wonderful hosts.  My grandma had 11 children and my grandpa had a few more on the side.  We have had reunions in the past with around 300 people in attendance.  This was a smaller affair but still sweet!

Uncle Bill & Aunt Carrie's fam.

My cousin Billy and his boys.

My family representing for my dad.

Uncle John's family.

Aunt Barbara's fam.

The siblings and their spouses that were able to attend-

Uncle Bill, Aunt Barb, Mr. Overs, Aunt Karla (this was my first time meeting her as she is my grandpa's daughter- I feel bad I didn't learn her husband's first name), Aunt Mary, Aunt Carolyn (who celebrated her 75th birthday this day), and Aunt Carrie.

Some of my dad's cousins on the Fink side.

Some more of his cousins on the Pittl side.

Cousin Nancy and her grandkids.  Noé and Patricia hit it off well and they didn't even know they are 3rd cousins.

I have about 45 cousins on the Pittl side, but these were my only girl cousins at the reunion.  I was so happy to see them!

I hope we can have another reunion soon!