We Went Swummin'

A couple of weeks ago, we went to the beach.  There is a great one only about 30 minutes away.  We made a game plan to go to the library to return some books, hit up Chez Walton for a snack or two, and be on our merry way before the rush.

However, being the only people left in the Western Hemisphere without a Netflix account, we were sucked into the library for awhile.  They have movies . . . for free!  More than that, they have old seasons of Family Ties on DVD!  And Dr. Quinn!  I don't know if I have mentioned this before, but I enjoy Dr. Quinn.  However, I enjoy the seasons most BEFORE Dr. Mike and Sully get married.  Because, after that, it's just gross.  Their wedding episode is SO gross and left me traumatized as a child.  Does anyone know the episode I am talking about?  I was going to post it here, but I just watched the clip and it's too gross.  (Search "It's Getting Darker Dr. Quinn".  And btw, Dr. Mike, the 1997 Prom called me and wants its updo back.)

Anyway, so after Daniel and I searched the library up and down for new movies and books, read magazines we usually only get to catch up on at the doctor's office, and commiserated with each other on missing the summer reading program, we finally made it out the door and off to Walmart for just one quick item--treats.

Once we got to Walmart, we somehow picked up beach chairs, a beach umbrella, new sunglasses, and yes, some treats (although it wouldn't be the first time I have entered Walmart with a specific task at hand and have left with everything in the store except said needed item.).  My friends, I have Walmart-itis and Target-itis.  Why can I not just leave those stores with the items on my list?  At least this time, the items were things related to going to the beach.  Sometimes I enter Target needing a birthday card and eyeshadow, and I leave with a new desk organizer.  Pathetic.

Then, we finally made it to the beach.  It was so beautiful and so fun.  It was definitely different going with a baby and trying to keep her constantly shaded.  And, we were next to a group of teenagers that make you worry about the future of our nation.  (Luckily, I also know a ton of teens who make me feel really confident about the future of our nation.)   But besides these challenges, we had a great time and finally got a little sun.

Going to the beach (which is basically the closest I get to being in nature) always makes me ponder the deep mysteries in life.  Like, how in the world is everyone so tan and we are so not?  Or how did that woman in the yellow bikini get her legs to have so much definition?  She must not be following my strict diet of carbs and sugar.  Interesting. 

On the Junefront, our girl is rolling over--from front to back and back to front.  We just never get to see it happen.  We know it does happen, but she must be in stealth mode because she never lets us get much of a glimpse.  It's always the second I turn away from her that she manages to do it.  I spent the good part of an afternoon trying to catch her in the action and to get a video.  My afternoon went like this:

1.  Get out my camera.  June is in starting position:

Looking so chill, right?  Look at that arm position.  She is just chillaxin' and not planning on making a move anytime soon.  So, I go to get something I need in the kitchen (in the form of a cookie), come back, and:

Blast.  And that's seriously how it went the rest of the day. 

This:

Then:

Sigh....

You get the idea.  But Heather, you may ask.  Why didn't you just stay put?  Eventually you would have watched her do it.  One simple answer.  Those cookies were really good.

And . . . I had a video but cannot figure out how to post it.  I know, I know, the 1997 Prom called back and wants its limited knowledge on technology back.  If anyone can help me, please send an email.

The Best Attraction in Orlando

A week ago, we headed up to Orlando to go to the temple.

June was less than thrilled to be in a car seat for a large part of the day.  I told her, "June we will be in the car for a few hours on Saturday."

And then she said, "Say what?"



And then I told her we were going to Orlando.  She naturally assumed we were going to Disney World.

Then I explained that we were not going to Disney World.

She didn't take that news so well either.

We planned to leave the house at 5:45 a.m., so naturally we were on the road at 7:30.  The road up to Orlando proved to be every child's dream come true.  We passed by exits for Dinosaur World, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios, including this little-known new park, and of course, Disney World.  Did we mention that we would love to have you come visit?  We are pretty boring, but it seems that this area offers a little something to do.  Just a thought.

After all of the exits leading to the various Disney World parks, we found the exit to the temple.

And it was the best attraction of all.

While Daniel was in the temple, June and I did some exploring.  The area was beautiful.

This lake was right behind the temple.  People may complain about the humidity in Florida, but I say it is worth it.  I have never lived in such a beautiful place!


There were some fancy neighborhoods nearby, so we took a gander.

I drove through some really great neighborhoods.  Many of the residents were staring at me like my 2001 front bumper-less Honda didn't belong there.  The icing on the cake was when I couldn't figure out how to get out of one of the beautiful neighborhoods.  There must have been a big party going on because there were cars lined up and down the streets, and I couldn't turn around anywhere.  I finally attempted completing a 384237 point turn and accidentally farmed some person's beautiful lawn.  Take that, One Percent-ers!  (By the way, I wouldn't mind being you one day.)

When Daniel was done, I went to the temple.  It was exactly what I needed.  I left there feeling better than ever about our decision to move to Florida.  Daniel felt the exact same way.  I think it really rejuvenated us, and we are excited to go back.  What a huge blessing temples are.

After we both finished, we went to eat at a Chinese restaurant. 

The son of the owners really took a liking to June.  He sat next to her and watched her our entire meal.  He saw that she had no shoes on, so he took his off too.  When we were leaving, he leaned his head over inside her car seat to give her a kiss, and he knocked his noggin against the car seat handle, causing quite the goose egg on his head.  Love hurts, buddy.

It was a great day.