PenNsyLvAniA!

I was able to fly out to Pennsylvania to visit Jaron and Heather and the kids over the Easter Break.  What fun it was to see the kids again, I have missed them!  I was able to do some fun things, got to see where Heather is attending school, where Ashton and Lilly go to preschool everyday, where Jaron works now at Panera Bread (yummy food, by the way...) and where Emmy and Carter go to school.  It was fun to walk around Catawissa and enjoy the beautiful spring weather and warm sunshine and finally see where this little Simonson family lives!  I brought some little Easter dresses for the girls...they looked so cute in them.  Lilly has grown into a little girl since I saw her last, and Emmy is such a lovey young lady...

On the Saturday before Easter, the Easter Bunny brought the kids some wonderful surprises!

Emmaline  

  

Carter

Ashton

and Lilly

Gramma Kristi got them all new PJ's for Easter, since Ashton had gone to bed in tears the night before because "he didn't have any jamas!" to put on to come downstairs and cuddle with Grandma. 

Then I was able to go out with Jaron and Carter golfing.  The weather was awesome, so nice and warm and GREEN!  It was fun to ride in the cart and watch them golf.  (I sooooo wish I could golf!!)

After that, it was time for a good old fashioned Easter Egg Hunt!  The American Legion had hardboiled and colored a gazillion eggs, and had scattered them all over the lawns for the kids to pick up.  We didn't really understand that they had numbers on them, in which they would turn in for prizes at the end...that would have been a good thing to know...but the kids had fun anyway, and still ended up with a few prizes!

After a nice couple of days of watching Conference and visiting, which also included a trip to Rita's for some outstanding Italian Ice and Frozen Custard, a "High School Musical" marathon, and some delicious egg salad sandwiches...it was time for a little trip down to Lancaster Co. to visit Amish-land!

On the way to take Grandma to the airport...we decided to visit Intercourse, PA and go to some quaint Amish shops and villages and eat some good Amish food...we had planned to visit Hershey also, but the time got away from us on a fun buggy ride around the countryside...so I guess that will have to wait for another visit!  It was a lot of fun, and great to see the kids!  Thanks, Jaron and Heather for the FUN time!

Oh, That I were Amish...

I think the world became fully aware of the Amish Community of Lancaster Co. PA, when the shootings in a small Amish school took place a while back.  I was priveledged to visit this beautiful countryside...and experience the peaceful, quiet ways that these people live each and every day.  Oh....the Amish Way!!

We visited a little place called Intercourse, PA...and took a little horse and buggy ride through the homes and farms of these quiet, humble people.  I felt very awed by the beauty...very calmed by the peacefulness...very inspired by the simplicity of their lives...and very blessed to have visited for a day!

We asked our buggy driver so many questions about the Amish.  He was not Amish himself, but his father had been Amish, and he had Amish relatives...his Grandma, cousins, Aunts and Uncles.  His name was Kaleb, and some of the things we learned were...

1. You cannot join the Amish faith...they don't convert anyone, you have to be born Amish to ever BE Amish (sad for me...I was really thinking about becoming the first Mormon-Amish!)

While our horses were trotting down the street, another buggy came cruising around us like a flash!  Our driver said that sometimes they purchase old race horses to pull their carriages around, and they can go pretty fast!

2.  Different orders have different rules or variance of use of things such as electricity and such...Some have a few electric outlets in their homes...but don't use things such as TV or radios.  Some use no buttons or snaps on their clothes, while others do.  Most have ovens and washers (electric), but use generators, solar panels, windmills, and such to power them.  Almost every house you can see clothes waving in the breeze to dry.  They are usually very high, on a pulley system.

While we were there, it was the Monday after Easter, when they take time off from their labors and spend the Easter weekend with their families...eating a big feast together on Sunday, and then relaxing and playing with their families on Monday.  We saw a few out fishing together on a pond, some youth out rollerblading down the roads...and yes, the plows sitting vacant in the fields...

3.  When the Amish are around age 16...they go out into the real world to experience the lives of ordinary people...called rumspringa...or "running around", and they can then choose to be baptized into the church between age 18 and 22, or they can choose to leave.  During rumspringa, they sometimes get a car...smoke, drink...experience all the rebellious things teenagers do sometimes. 

We saw these three young ladies going down the road on their scooters and rollerblades!

4.  When they are courting...they drive a "courting wagon" that is open, like the one in the last picture.  This ensures that everyone can see what's going on!  Amish only marry once they are baptized into the church and only to other members, if they want to marry outside the church, they must leave the faith and choose not to be baptized.

It was very beautiful and a fun day!  As you can see...I couldn't keep from snapping the photos!

Happy Birthday, Jacob!

Today is my youngest son, Jacob Von's, Birthday!  He is 21!  What can I say?  My baby boy is all grown up...Jake has always been a joy to me.  He was my buddy when he was just a little boy and all the other kids were in school.  When the older kids started getting married and such...Jake would play and hang out with the new family members, always enjoying life and inventing new games.  When everyone was married or on missions, and Jacob was left here all alone with Brent and I...that was when I really enjoyed having him here.  I remember many nights when he would pop some popcorn and say, "Mom, come watch this show with me!"  And we would sit on the couch together and watch and talk...he has a great sense of humor, he is kind hearted, a hard worker, devoted friend, very loving, randomly funny, and a true joy in our lives!  Even though he's far away right now...I hope he has a wonderful day..."Jake, I love you!"

My son, Elder Simonson....serving in the Belgium Brussels/Netherlands Mission

and the France Paris Mission.

Jake....the early years...and the "hair" years!

A Tribute to my Dad...

For My Dad... John Ray Hamblin...

This week, on March 9th, my dad turns 80 years old!!  I could tell you of all of his accomplishments...the list would take up the entire page... including Missions, service in the Church, Civic responsibilities, Teaching, Ranching, etc. etc...but I choose to tell you of what I have witnessed as his daughter, of his character...

When my children were small, and budgets were tight, we would plan to go visit Grandpa for his Birthday, in Utah and spend the weekend with him to try and make it special for him...but the kind of person that he is, would hear of our coming and proceed to buy the entire family tickets to "Disney on Ice" as part of his Birthday Celebration.  Not to be content with enough sharing...he would see to it that every one of my kids got a souvenir  and a treat at the show...and also take us all out to dinner after it was over!  His joy was full when he was doing for others. He would say, "It's MY Birthday, and this is how I want to celebrate!" You'll never know how much this meant to me and how special it was to each of my children.  They looked forward to his birthday every year!
        

 When I was growing up, my Dad very seldom got angry, but he had a look of disappointment that would cut to the core when you did something naughty or dumb in wisdom!  He was angry when you disobeyed, when you showed disrespect, when you broke commandments or laws, and never waivered in his own beliefs.  He always taught and lived the way he would have you live.  He showed by example how to love others and treat everyone.  One day I was at my parents home when he came home with a bunch of old used clothes in a big garbage bag.  He said that he had needed some new things to spice up his wardrobe and had bought them from a certain man.  They were just ratty, old, worn out stuff, a few grundgy ties, shirts...stuff like that...my Mom couldn't believe that he had BOUGHT them from someone, until she heard who it was...and then we both knew that he hadn't bought them because he needed them, or because they were nice...he bought them to help out a soul that was down on his luck and needed the assistance.  He could have just given him the money, but he bought the clothes in order for the man to feel good about himself, to hold his head high...to save face and not be embarrassed. This is the kind of man my Dad is.

My Dad is kind to everyone, he will talk to anyone, will listen to everyone, and will share a funny joke with a stranger in Walmart!  In my opinion, my Dad sees good in all people...he truly believes that each person is a Child of God, and he treats everyone as such.  

My Dad loves my mother, and has proven that to each of us with every ounce of fiber in his being!  No matter what her request, no matter what she needs...my dad will always answer, "Yes, Dear!" and go on his way to please and help her in any way.  They have been sweethearts for many years, and I know that he loves and cares for her and appreciates all that she does for him.

I love that my Dad has a sense of humor and has passed that on to me...I think that is important in life to enjoy each day and find humor along the way.  He can think of, and tell you, a funny story about every incident that takes place.  He has witnessed so much in his observance of life, and has brought those funny happenings along with him for the journey.  It makes me smile that he can crack himself up with his own jokes!!

My dad is the most loving, caring, sweet, humble, funny, knowledgable, even tempered, hard working, and spiritual individual I know.  He has a strong testimony that he has shared with us, his family, with his neighbors and friends, and with the rest of the world through his faithful missionary service.  He honors his priesthood and is the best example to my husband and sons and grandsons.  He speaks the truth.  He has great integrity.   He respects women.  He loves little children.  He loves God.  I want my father to know how very much he means to me...how very much I love him...how blessed I am to have such a great dad, and how privledged I am to have been his daughter!

Sweetheart Retreat - Valentine's Day!

 On Feb. 12th we were able to go to Island Park with our friends for an awesome couple's Sweetheart Retreat!  The Leslie's and the Dye's have become our "cabin buddies" and we look forward every year to hanging out at the cabins, whether it be ours, or Leslie's...we are so glad that they still include us and invite us to spend time with them and their families.  

(A little side note I would like to add here...a little shout out to Derek and Holli, and Troy and Jennifer...they have been our friends for a long time.  We lived in 6th Ward together in Chubbuck and Derek and Troy have been our son's Young Men Leaders, Troy was our Bishop, and we also spent an amazing, but wicked, Pioneer Trek together with their families also.  And even though we have moved away, and most of the rest have forgotten about us...they have not.  They are so much fun to be around, but most of all, they are such good examples to us, such great, honest, ambitious, and just down to earth....REAL people, who love to have fun and laugh a lot, and we love them!)

The snow was great!

Derek, Holli, Jennifer, Candice and Bart Kunz, Kristi & Brent

Holli is a GREAT cook, and there's always something yummy cooking in the kitchen!

Brent would never forgive me if I didn't post his 'cool' snomachine pictures!!

I especially like this one...where he's stuck!! haha

My husband!!

   This is his favorite picture...if any of you would like to copy it and frame it...you have his permission!!

Thank you, Holli and Derek for inviting us!  You are so generous with your cabin and hospitality and we had a great time...as always!!  See ya next year!