To Be A Pioneer

Right before our trip to Pittsburgh PA, Rosie, Coleman and I found out what it's like to be pioneers. We walked in the downtown Children's Parade celebrating the 24th of July. Do you want to know what it's like to be a pioneer? It's HOT! (Bud decided playing with the Ashby boys in the huge dirt pile at their house was as close enough to being a pioneer for him.)

I didn't bring a stroller for Coleman because the parade route was only half a mile, but by the time it was our turn (we were 50th out of 52 ), he was exhausted and too hot to walk. My arms were sure sore the next day! Jen F. came to watch us and she took all the pictures. Sara sewed the cute skirt and bonnet that I wore and Rosie made her bonnet at Achievement Days.

After the parade, we loved the carnival at the park. We bought snowcones right away to try and cool off, then ate lunch. By this time, most of the people were leaving and we didn't have to wait in long lines to go on the blow-up slides and mazes. The most fun event was making wooden toys at the Home Depot tent. Rosie made a helicopter and Coleman made a tool box. It turned out to be a very fun day!

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Meet The New Missionaries

Along with combining the Harrisburg Mission into the Pittsburgh Mission, two special missionaries have been added to the transfer board. They are Sister Rose and Elder Coleman. They join others in the special positions of assisting the President: Elder Bud, Sister Brookelyn, Elder Brady, Sister Macy and Sister Abby. Joining them in November will be Elder Will, Elder Max and Sister Claire. To be added at a yet-to-be determined date are Sister Katelyn, Sister Aly and Sister Maddy. It is rumored that Brother Bear might be coming, although that cannot be confirmed.

Here is a picture of Grampy and his assistants at the transfer board. It has grown in size since our last visit! This past week was the "transfer board week", and Grampy spent hours deciding where to sent the missionaries and with whom to pair them. He wants to do what is best for each individual missionary, to give him or her the very best experience possible. To keep Coleman's grabby little hands away from the board, the office in the Mission Home was kept locked, when not in use!

Here we are at Grammy's favorite place, Trax Farm. Coleman was confused because there were no horses, sheep, cows, pigs or rabbits; just fresh fruit and veggies! We ate yummy sandwiches from the deli and bought lots of great produce for the baptism. We also bought "critter food" to feed the chipmunks and birds in Grammy's yard. The kids love to spread the food all around the yard and then go back the next morning to find that it has all been eaten.

We loved our quiet evenings at home; watching sports and playing games. I have to mention that I did a lot of laundry while at the Mission Home. I started out the messiness of the Oettli family by spilling an entire coke in my lap at lunch on our first day. It was mess after mess after that. I sat in chocolate the next day and Rosie's jumpsuit was covered in chocolate. She got pen all over her white dress after her baptism (when the missionaries were signing her book). The yard was muddy from the rain and the kids' shoes were so muddy, every day. They also splattered mud up their backs from running, everyday. One morning, Rosie was so dirty she had to change clothes at 9:30 am. Then, Coleman and Rosie were covered in ice cream after the incline. It's a good thing I enjoy laundry, as does Grammy!

We had the best trip and love Grammy and Grampy so much!

Thank you both for taking such good care of us.

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A Drive Through Amish Country

On Saturday, after a very special baptism in the city, we drove through Amish country. It is so picturesque and beautiful. We took lots of pictures by a small waterfall in a river and shopped for souvenirs in the little shops. We also bought corn from an Amish family, and I took pictures of their carriage and house. It was a very interesting and fun day.

It was also a very long day, and someone (not to be named, but not who you would think) had a meltdown on the way home. We turned on the TV for the kids when we got home and let them veg-out for a while. Then, we put everyone to bed early that night!

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The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

I didn't even realize until lunchtime that today is the 24th of July; Pioneer Day! We celebrated Pittsburgh style with Chinese food at the Mission Office with the office couples, office Elders and the AP missionaries. We had to vacuum Grampy's office twice after Coleman and Rosie ate their lunches at his desk; there was ham fried rice everywhere! It was so fun to see the missionaries again, we met them all at Rosie's baptism.

Later in the afternoon, we went to the Children's Museum. It is such a fun place to be and we all had a great time. We started off building cars. I thought the cars would come in a kit and the workers would help the kids put them to together, but no! It was a do-it-yourself project starting from blocks of wood. Grampy had to cut out each car with a hand saw and we had to drill our own holes for the wheels. We all wore safety glasses because WCF taught us, "Be Careful Out There!"

We then spent time in the new exhibit of Bob the Builder. Bud was just as excited as Coleman, they both enjoy Bob and all his tractors. We had a great time in all the other rooms in the museum, and by this time, most people had gone home. This is the best children's museum we have ever been to!

As we were exiting the building at closing time, Coleman snuck back into the maze for one last adventure. I tried to get him out, but he ignored me. He scurried out as fast as could, however, when a museum worker who wanted to go home told him to "get out!"

On the way home we stopped at a Mexican restaurant for dinner. Then, Grampy and I went to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. (I had already seen it once, but was excited to go again with my dad) Grampy loved it, he said it was the fastest two and a half hours of his mission. He turned his phone back on after the movie to listen to many missionary messages!

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Quack, Quack, Quack

On Thursday, we went into the city to Station Square. It is the old train station and in a quaint, historic part of town. Within 5 minutes of arriving, Rosie was sopping wet and cold on this gray, overcast day. She was running through the fountain when the water erupted full force! Grammy took her into Hard Rock Cafe and to buy her a new t-shirt.

Coleman and I were walking around the square when we heard lots of loud, loud quacking. We were getting ready to take a Ducky Tour and many young passengers were blowing duck quackers. My first thought was, How fun!, and I was about to buy them for the kids. But, my second thought was, Grampy will throw those quackers right in the river, and so I refrained. Minutes later, Grammy and Rosie appeared with a new, hot pink t-shirt and 3 quackers. Grampy just smiled and shook his head.

The Ducky Tour is an hour ride around Pittsburgh on land and water in these unique vehicles built during World War 2. We drove through downtown Pittsburgh and learned about the history of the city. We loved the architecture and interesting sites. Then, the truck drove right into the river and became a boat that navigates through the river. It was amazing!

The best part about being on the river is that the children on board take turns driving. Bud was first and he did a great job, of course. Then, it was Rosie's turn and she was so exited. When Coleman took the wheel, I thought for sure the Captain would help him. He didn't and Coleman had us weaving all around the Ohio River! The passengers were laughing and holding on to the sides. Occasionally, the Captain would grab the wheel to straighten us out, but otherwise it was Coleman on his own.

After our river adventure, we drove back on dry land and finished riding around the city. It was a very fun Ducky Tour! Coleman has loved all the different experiences on the Pittsburgh roads. We have been on countless bridges, driven through many long tunnels, rode on a boat, seen lots of trains, and went up and down a mountain on an incline.

View of the city and river

Getting ready to ride on the Ducky Tour

Quack, quack, quack!

This is a statue of Honus Wagner outside PNC Park,

where the Pittsburgh Pirates play. Honus Wagner's baseball card

is the most valuable in history.

This is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.

We're on the river and Bud's driving!

This is the USS Requin Submarine

Now, it's Rosie's turn to steer the boat

Another Ducky Tour vehicle in front of Heinz Stadium,

home of the Steelers football team

Coleman has us sideways in the water!

PNC Park from the river

This is a view of the three sister bridges.

They represent the three rivers;

the Allegheny and the Monongahela flow into the Ohio river.

After the Ducky Tour, we walked to the bottom of Mt. Washington to ride the Monongahela Incline. It was built in 1870 and is the oldest and steepest incline in the US. It was built as transportation for the residents of Mt. Washington to get to downtown Pittsburgh.

At the top of Mt. Washington is an awesome view of the city. We walked a block and had ice cream cones. Even though the day was overcast, it was still very humid and the ice cream melted quickly. In seconds, Rosie and Coleman were gooey, sticky messes!

The incline ride down was very steep! The ride is only about three minutes long, and is still used by the locals as an easy and quick way to downtown. Back at the Mission Home, we ate pizza and salad for dinner and then put on a movie, played rummicube and Grampy and Bud watched sports. Another great day.

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