All Aboard

My first official trip with the "seniors" from Heritage was to the Gettysburg Railroad. The train goes backward up to Biglersville, then comes back forward to Gettysburg. The ride was a total of an hour and a half and there were 21 of us having lunch in the dining car. It was a fun outing. I found it very cozy.We had a very knowledgeable and friendly guide who shared many details and interesting stories about the area.

I had a great time, although I did get motion sick on the bus over and coming "back" to Gettysburg because I was in the backward side of the seat. All in all it was nice though. My next outing that I go on is to Willow Valley for lunch followed by American Music Theatre in Lancaster for the Christmas 2007 Show. I can't wait for that one. It should be a really nice trip. More details to follow.

Everyone Loves A Parade

Last Sunday was the Manchester Halloween Parade. Today was the York Halloween Parade. Last week the temps were in the low 80's. Today the temps were in the low 60's with gusty winds. Last week's parade lasted an hour and a half, give or take. Today's was still going strong when Brie and I left(after an hour and a half) because we were cold. When we drove past the fairgrounds (parade staging area) there were still at least 35 entries waiting. It's a HUGE parade here in York.

Of course for us the reason for going is to see the marching bands... and West York in particular. They look so sharp. Today Cindy, Anya and Morgan joined us. It was fun having them too.It's always an honor to see the Color Guard go by. It reminds me of how thankful I am to live in the United States.
And then there's the clowns. They're a parade favorite!There's the old cars....And the fire trucks.

Of course you'll have "floats."

Some "odds" and "ends" must be included as well.

Raab Farm Outing

Last Saturday Brie and Crystal got together with a group of people from Big Brothers/Big Sisters for a trip to Raab Farm in Dallastown. There was a hay ride, apple picking, pumpkin picking (and gourds too). Brie had a delightful day!! Here are some highlights....What's a hayride without the tractor and its driver?? Do you think she picked enough apples for me to bake a pie? See the spooky ghosts flying around? Who's hanging in the tree? Could it be Emile? Nah, just kidding! So there you have it... Brie's day out at Raab Farm.

What Happened To My Baby??

Well it's official. Emile is now 14. Her birthday was October 18th so she's been 14 for a week now. I'm certain she's more "into" this than I am. Here are some recent highlights in her life.

To begin, two weeks ago was Homecoming. West York played York Catholic... we won by a score of 42/10. GO BULLDOGS!!! Following the game WGAL 8 was televising their Friday Night Football show from the school. That meant that even though the game was over by 9:30, the team, cheerleaders, band, etc. had to stay until after the show, which didn't even begin until 11:30. By the time all was said and done, it was well after midnight before everyone was packing up and heading home. Oh to be young again. I was tired just thinking about it.

The next evening was the Homecoming Dance. Emile was so excited that I was letting her go. She was going with a group of friends (escorted throughtout the evening by several parents) so I felt very comfortable with allowing her to go. There were the typical "preparations," such as hair, nails and getting dressed. Here we have an example of BEFORE.... S-C-A-R-Y!! Now it's the hair getting curled... Next Mom applies make-up... And Emile applies shoes... Before long... badda bing, badda boom... Here she is...

I couldn't believe how beautiful she was. Nor could I believe how much of a woman she had become. When did she grow out of diapers?? Wasn't that just yesterday?

Next step was to pick up her friend, Zach. He's on the football team, and they really are just friends (and right now I'm not even sure if they're even friends at all). Who knows with teens? Emile wanted Aunt Cindy to see how she looked so we headed there for pictures. Don't they look sooooooooo cute?
Following a brief visit with Cindy we headed for Cheeseburger In Paradise where the group was meeting for dinner. There were 6 girls and 2 guys. Can you say OUTNUMBERED! Those poor guys. The girls went on and on about make-up, nail, the whole getting ready thing. Yada yada yada.
The dance was pretty lame according to the kids. They did dance but said the music was bad. Oh well, it is what it is. I might mention they also said they'd do it again next year. Here's Carley, Emile and Sarah (l to r). And here's Emile and Kayla.

So, I survived Em's first Homecoming. Thank goodness she can't go to the Prom until she's a Junior. I'm not certain how I'd handle that one. I'm truly beginning to understand what my mom meant when she said time was flying by. Seems like every time I blink the girls are more grown up and ready to "leave the nest" a little sooner than perhaps I want... or am ready for. Again, what happened to my baby... the one I rocked in the middle of the night so long ago? It's bittersweet.

A New Day

Today was the first day of the 177th Semiannual Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was sure to be an eventful session due to the recent death of President Faust. As members of the church we were awaiting news on who would replace him as Second Counselor in the First Presidency. We got our answer today.Elder Henry B. Eyring (pictured on the right) is now the new Second Counselor. When his name was read in for a sustaining vote, I had a chill run through my body and tears welled up in my eyes. How wonderful it is that we can receive our own personal revelation as to the truthfulness of the gospel and the leaders therein. I knew without a doubt that President Eyring is truly called of God to this position. Replacing Elder Eyring in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is Elder Quentin L. Cook (pictured on the left).

I am so thankful for the knowledge I have of the gospel and its truthfulness. I'm grateful for the "house of order" which exists. I know we are led by a living prophet and this is truly Jesus Christ's church; that he leads and directs his church through his appointed leaders. Yes it's a new day, however, the basic functions of the church have not been interrupted or put into a state of disarray during this time of change. All is as it should be.