This is the sight I saw Monday night driving back to Connecticut from Queens. What a reminder of the tragedy our country faced seven years ago. But also a reminder of what we have overcome since then. Living so close to NYC has opened my eyes to a whole new 9/11. Every single person, who lived here 7 years ago, I have come in contact with knew someone who died in the twin towers. People don't just talk about 9/11 on the actual date. People talk about 9/11 all of the time. Everyone has their own story of what happened that day.
I remember I was in 2nd period at NPHS. My photography teacher turned on the TV and there on the screen was breaking news that two planes had just crashed into the WTC towers. I remember going into 4th period where my Botany teacher had us watch the news coverage for the entire period. By then the third plane had crashed into the Pentagon. I remember when the news anchor came on and stated that they had just received word that a plane had gone down in PA, just outside of Pittsburgh. And I remember how I felt knowing that my dad had been on a plane to Pittsburgh that very same day. I remember the relief that took over when my mom told me that my dad was ok. I gained a better appreciation for my Dad that day; knowing how I would feel if I lost him. I remember the following days, weeks, months, and now years. I guess what I have taken away from 9/11 is a better appreciation for what I have. I also have such an appreciation for all of the people who risked their lives that day. The firefighters, the police men, the men and women in the towers who stopped to help someone else, the passengers and crew members on the airplanes, and the people in the Pentagon. These Heroes give me hope. They taught me selflessness. They taught me what Christ like love really is. I hope I can always remember the lessons I learned from that day.

BYU vs. Hanna

We attempted to watch the BYU vs. Washington football game tonight. I say attempted because hurricane Hanna had other ideas. We listened to half of the game online and then headed over to our friends house to watch the rest. (we have basic city cable....I know we are the only ones left in the world!) We watched the game until the 4th quarter when the torrential downpour and gusts of wind decided to block the signal. A fellow fan figured out that he had FSN on his optimum cable and so we headed over to his house to finish out the game. So thank you Hanna for making us miss a BYU touchdown and a BYU fumble. btw we won 28-27 boo ya.

End Of Summer

Today is September 1st and it is officially(in my book) the end of Summer. School starts tomorrow (for my sisters) and even though I am just returning to work after a long weekend, it still feels like I am starting something new. We have tried to take advantage of the last few days of warm weather.

Went to Island Beach in Greenwich. You had to take a ferry over to the island.

Matt on the ferry with his awesome hat!

Here is an Eagle at the Elmwood Zoo in Norristown, PA. He was taking a bath and watching the vultures steal his turkey legs.

Hailey and I at the prairie dog exhibit.

The three cats at my mom and dad's home. Gar, Jack, and Toby.

Hailey and I both got our hair cut.

I wanted something new and so I decided to chop it off! Thanks to my BFF Dana who cut it for me!

Went to the park and walked around.

Jenna and I at a Labor Day party.

Dad with his side dish of bruschetta which he assembled!!

And to end with some song lyrics..............
"The summers die one by one how soon they fly on and on."- Les Mis

That is exactly how I feel right now. But summer will be back in about 9 months. So bring on the Winter........but please let those 9 months fly like the wind!

And an FYI: We still don't know what is going on with Matt's job location. Hopefully we will know soon.

Yo, Ami!

Ami Rose, I can truly say that I love you more today than I did 3 years ago. We've had a wonderful and exciting three years and I can't wait for the road ahead of us. Happy anniversary Ami!

-matt

Three Years and Counting

Three years ago today was the best day of my life! Everything was perfect and I wish I could relive it over and over again. Have you guessed what day it was yet? (I tried to think of something clever to say here but I've got nothing!) Yes Matt and I were sealed in the Washington D.C. Temple! I can't believe it has been three years. I remember my first Sunday in the married ward when everyone was introducing themselves and saying how long they had been married. There I was, married 2 weeks and some girls were saying 6 months, 1 year, 2 years. I kept thinking dang that is a long time but really it's not, cause I'm there and past that. In May the nursing home I work at threw a party for a resident and his wife who had been married for 70 years!! Now that is a long time. Can't wait to celebrate our 70th! How about a trip down memory lane..............

Am I Obsessed With Disney?

Last Friday was my 24th birthday. I didn't really want to do anything. I am starting to become the kind of person who anticipates their birthday but doesn't really want to embrace it. I know I am really too young to do this but when you have 5 younger sisters who tell you that you are old, you begin to wonder. So I didn't tell anyone at work except for one nurse who got me a bamboo plant, very nice of her. I know when my boss finds out it was my b-day I will hear about it. So Matt threw a little get together with some friends Friday night. We had cake and ice cream and then went to see The Dark Knight, which was INTENSE. Saturday we went and saw The Lion King on Broadway. It was great. Matt also got me the Pixar/Disney ultimate movie pack. Love it!

Family Time

Every summer growing up my family would take a much needed vacation. I have made it a priority for Matt and I to do the same (granted we have been tagging along on my family's vacation each summer!) This year we headed out to Yellowstone for the Peterson family reunion. It was so good to see all of our family (minus Uncle Cameron's family, who lives in Hawaii). All 36 of us stayed in an ultra nice cabin in Island Park, ID. We went into Yellowstone for two days, rented a sea doo for lake day, saw a play called "Butch Cassidy and the Sunburnt Kid" at Mack's Inn. We soaked up the sun, watched a movie my uncle helped make and had an awesome game night where we played Bunko, don't worry no gambling went on! It was a lot of fun and truly was a much needed vacation. Yellowstone was gorgeous and we saw a lot of cool animals....no bears though.

Family getting ready for day 1 with our awesome matching shirts!

Matt had to have that hat....Old FaithfulI love Laurens hair!Giant Elk that almost destroyed Uncle Whit's car.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone