Brielle's Broken Arm

Brielle had an unfortunate event which resulted in breaking her arm.  Something about tripping over Ethan mid-air as she was jumping off the bunk bed.  I didn't witness it, but from what I understand, after she collided with Ethan, her elbow hit the frame of the bed on her way to the ground.

When we took her to the doctor, he talked to her and handled her arm.  She, being tough with a high pain tolerance, didn't flinch or yell out.  The doctor was expecting more evidence of pain, so didn't think it was broken.  He sent us for xrays, then called us the next day after the radiologist had confirmed the humerus was fractured.

Even though it was October, our weather has been hot.  So the doctor's advice to stay out of the swimming pool was not followed.  She did great adapting to the cast.  It was on her right (writing) hand, so she had to move her entire arm when doing her homework.

At the 2 week check up, she switched the pink cast for a glow-in-the-dark.  She said the hardest part of having a cast was trying to put on her socks.

 After 3 weeks, her bone had grown back and the cast is off.  She still has bruising and it's sore.  But she is excited to be cast-free again.

General Conference

I love General Conference.  So many good people giving amazing talks that we get to listen to over the weekend.  I also love the notes my kids take.  They make me smile every time.  Brielle did her best, trying to write with her broken arm, and then switched to making play doh sculptures of either the person talking, or what they were talking about.

Here are a just few:

Brielle

"Some people do not believe in the church.  They drink alcohol.  Heavenly Father and Jesus do not like it, but however we treat people kindly."

"Joseph Smith found the Bible.  One time E. Neil L. A. (Elder Neil L. Anderson) was on a airplane.  The captain said put the oxygen mask on and they did.  Then they dived in the water."

"The Lord sends people to places.  Some people are homeless.  we try to help them.  Homeless means they have no home.  We love those people."

"How are we different from people long ago?  So, we are different because we are not as poor.  People long ago are different because they were poor."

Ethan

"?? My mom is my mom.  My mom will help me find another mom. ???"

"Joseph went into a forest.  He prayed in the forest.  (I don't remember what the last line says)"

"Church, Temple, Scriptures.  Study the scriptures, ponder the scriptures.  You should everyday."

"Jesus said we should love everyone. God (?) love, love, love, love everyone."

The Temple grounds

Temple

We used conference cash again this time, --I let the kids choose.  They used the cash to 'buy' their lunch during the second sessions, and also at the 'conference store' for projects, books and toys. 

Cape Cod Days #9 & #10

Friday the 8th was our last full day.  It started early with James and Preston taking a walk on the beach while I went for a run.  (Preston was not sleeping well on vacation, so the mornings often started early, taking him out of the house so others could still sleep.)

We headed to Provincetown and all went out sailing on the Schooner Hindu.

we sailed out around the Long Point Lighthouse

and each of the kids had a chance to captain the ship

and use their muscles to help hoist the sails

It was a gorgeous day!

With it being my birthday, Margaret made me cheesecake to celebrate (she even traveled with the a springform pan in her suitcase, just to make sure I'd get my favorite dessert for my birthday!)

That night, James and I got to go on a date to try out the onion rings at Liam's.  (Thanks to Ian and Annie for the birthday treat.)

 while the kids went swimming at sunset.

Day #10

On the way to the airport we stopped by plymouth to view what's left of plymouth rock.

The Mayflower...at least the replica

And got our energy out before the long flight doing some geocaching at the park. 

We all survived a delayed flight, a long trip and made it home safely.

Cape Cod Day #8

Thursday we changed things up a bit and went exploring by land.

At the Sydenstricker glass factory we got to see the process of the pictures on the glass being made.  It was fascinating.

We then got to go see the Cape Cod Potato Chips being made (and try a sample, yum!)

And also got to see the process of creating ice-cream and Katie's Homemade Ice-cream shop.  Katie was such a good teacher and so fun to listen to explain how and why she did things, encouraging the kids to learn science, math etc.

We got a bucket of ice-cream to share, and it was good.

Just because, he's cute. :)

All the Great-Grandkids with Bob and Georgine.

Cape Cod Day #7

Wednesday we still went to the beach, but changed it up a bit by going to the Ocean side rather than the bay side.  The water was COLD.

We went to Coast Guard Beach, which you park, and then take a shuttle.

The team worked together to great a 'marble-run'.  A full trail of bumps and tunnels going down the the beach.  

Brielle said she felt famous, because everyone at the beach wanted to come over and watch. 

And then, some people braved the cold water for some boogie boarding.

All of the men lined up for a picture.  Hold it, hold it...

Yep, there is the wave.  :)

That night we got to celebrate Brad and Margaret's anniversary.

How fun, to have everyone together to celebrate.