VA Beach

We had so much fun on our recent trip to Virginia Beach, VA.  As you will see in the pictures, we took advantage of the beach for the short amount of time we were there.  We were the first ones out on the beach playing. 

Lils became very good at timing the wave just right, as it washed up on shore, by jumping over and splashing down in the water.  Keeks had a blast inching close to the departing wave as it swept out to sea and then turning and running all the while screaming as a new wave came crashing back to the beach.  Z slept the majority of the time in his car seat which allowed us time to bump the volleyball. 

We met a family just after breakfast the first day who hung out with us on the beach.  They had two boys who loved playing with our girls.  The kids even wrote notes to our girls saying how sad they were to see them go home.  On our way out the door, the little boy gave Keeks a football. 

Wish we could have stayed longer and look forward to going back someday!  Enjoy the pictures.

Our friends brought a kite

I stood close by so the kids didn't get too crazy

Timid at first

Wanting to be buried

New pair of sand shoes

 

View from the balcony

Water was freezing, she didn't care

How does that not hurt the knees?

Run away from the wave!

Ryan and his brother played with the girls

Anything I built, the girls smashed. I gave up quickly

On the way home

Kirtland Trip

We had an awesome time this last Saturday going up to Kirtland, OH.  We drove up with the kids and Keri, who was in town.  The drive up went quickly.  We stopped first at the John Johnson home.  There was only 1 other family ahead of us on tour with the Elder's wife.  It was very peaceful and the kids were quiet for the most part.  The Johnson family played an integral part to a young and growing church.  Here are some pictures of their home.

Kirtland.

Before and After

I was going to post these awhile ago, but have been very busy as of late.

After

Did You Know

Canonsburg, PA is the birthplace of this strapping lad.

Who is that you ask???  It's Bobby Vinton of course.  Who is that you still wonder??? Go ahead and google or youtube him, that is what I did after I saw the street named after him.

Ornithology

I am very intrigued with all the different birds I have seen in the last few days. I may even start carrying my binoculars when we go out for a walk.  Okay, that is going way to far, but I did tell Erin we need to get some bird seed for them. 

The view from our kitchen is perfect for bird watching.  All of the trees in the area are also perfect for watching the birds.  This morning we saw several Orioles fighting in the air.  Last week Lily spotted a woodpecker in our Birch tree pecking away.  And on our Sunday walk we saw Bluejays and Cardinals.  Very colorful birds out here.

Didn't Grandpa Graybill have a bird book he would sketch in??  For some reason I remember seeing that as a kid in his office.

Aguymond

Babies - Do they look alike??

Little Pup

Our Turkish neighbors!

Warming up here

It seems as though the cold and ice are a thing of the past.  We have enjoyed several days now of warming weather.  It is nice to see the lawn again and to have the drive way completely cleared of snow!  The girls played outside yesterday and stayed out for hours riding their bikes.  Where do they hide all that energy?  Whats nice is our deck which is very large and also having a big, flat driveway for them to play on.

Work has been very busy for me.  It is hard to keep up on all the assignments that I have been given.  Every time I feel like I am on top of my work, a new one is given.  It is nice to be busy though.  The latest assignment is to find a competitor of some very unique pipe in order to get it bid out and bought.

My original assignment of documenting the procedures and processes of Supply Chain is in full force.  We just had our 3rd and 4th class this week. It is a stressful few days of classes, but well worth the compliments after its done.  These classes/trainings are scheduled to go throughout the year, so I get to look forward to several days each month of the same stress. YAY!

The turkeys have been hanging out in our yard.  The kids tried to feed them bread yesterday, but it scared the birds and they took off flying.  Erin said they flew over the house again today.

GOBBLE GOBBLE

Baby is Home Now.

Thanks to Nana for coming out to visit and helping us get our house in order, watch the girls, and cook some yummy meals.  Grandma and Grandpa Webb will be here on Wednesday.  The girls are very excited for that.

We have forgotten what it is like to have a newborn in our home. Zealand was up the first part of the night crying. He finally settled in for the night around 2:30am.  That is when I went to bed.  Luckily, Lils and Kena slept in.

On the day of our checkout from the hospital, camera crews from the local news stations were in the hospital taking pictures of the babies all dressed up in Steeler gear for an article titled, "We indoctrinate 'em young."  At least we got a free terrible towel and Steelers beanie out of it.

Thanks for all your prayers.

Popcorn, pillow pets, and a movie.

Kena's pet named Oggie

Lils pet named Raffie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raffie, Oggie, Lils and Keeks watching Strawberry Shortcake

Did You Know?

In September 1837, Michael Peter Graybill sold his farm in Ohio and moved his family west to join with the saints in Far West, MO in order to help build the New Jerusalem.  Levi and Simeon were 21 and 23 years old respectively, while the youngest at the time was Sydney Ridgdon Graybill, age 17 months.  It was difficult enough for Erin and I to move our family out to Pittsburgh with the conveniences of transportation and movers. I can't imagine the difficulty and struggles they had in moving their belongings and family 700+ miles.

Once in MO, the Graybills suffered along with their neighbors.  They lost plows, wagons, horses, hogs, and even their crops to robbers/mobbers, Levi and Simeon were forced to find work to help provide for the family.  They took up work cutting railroad ties in Hannibal, MO.

Here is a list of Michael's "Charge for Damage against the state of Missouri":

*"Illenois adams county May 11th 1839 the following is my charge for Damage a gainst the State of missauri Viz in 1838 and 1839

-house taken sevnty five Dollars, $75.00
-one waggon and harness Sixty Dollars, 60.00
-five months time Lost my self and three boys three hundred and sixt Dolls, 360.00
-in Land fifty Dollars, 50.00
-vegitables five Dollars, 5.00
-hogs twenty Dollars, 20.00
-five hundred and seventy Doll. total sum, $570.00
Michael Graybill. [Sworn to before W. Oglesby, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 11 May 1839]."

* Individual Affidavits from the LDS Historical Department" from the book "Mormon Redress Petitions, Documents of the 1833-1838 Missouri Conflict", editor Clark V. Johnson, p. 220, Michael Graybill

FHE Bowling

We went bowling last night for FHE and got some video of the girls bowling.  It was a fun night for us to get out of the house.  The girls really enjoyed the first 7 frames and then fizzled out for the last three.

Did you know?

This is a section where I want to post interesting tidbits as I learn them.

John D Rockefeller was the first American billionaire.  If his total earnings were adjusted for inflation, he would be the richest person in American history.   Rockefeller always paid tithing on his income, he was a stout Baptist.  He was the father of modern day philanthropy giving hundreds of millions away for medical research, education, and science.  His business practices were often seen as cutthroat.  Rockefeller once controlled the Consolidation Coal Company (later named CONSOL Energy) where I work today.