Rappelling near the falls

Carp discovered a while back that someone had bolted into a rock just above the falls up Battlecreek. He took the scouts rappelling a few weeks ago. They had a blast. Seth sure enjoyed himself. So when Carp asked if I wanted to go rappelling this weekend I was definitely game. I laced up my shoes, popped some water and my camera in a day pack and off we went.

Starting down. Carp estimates it's about 60ish feet down.

I was a little nervous because I had only gone climbing on indoor rock walls. However, once I got the harness on and started walking my way down I totally loved it! It helps that Carp knows what he is doing and I totally trust him to make sure I am safe when we do crazy stuff like this. Besides, the mist from climbing down near the falls helped me "keep my cool." I would have gone down more than twice but we had to get back because we had left Carson with all the other kids. Don't want to take advantage of his good nature if you know what I mean.

So, if you're in for some fun outdoor adventure, check it out - or better yet, give us a call and we can check it out with you!

Nathan came along for the hike but was to light to rappel down by himself. Carp tried to belay him down but he got to nervous. Maybe next time.

Happy 4th of July

It's about time I break the silence. I have decided to get reaquainted with my computer this week. I've missed updating a lot of fun stuff - of which I will get to, but I had to get the pictures of my favorite holiday out there! So, here we go!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!

Tammy made this beautifully decorated patriotic cake to share. YUMMY!

I woke up to a beautiful morning and a giddy feeling that I felt a party comin' on! I placed about 20 small flags around my yard among the flowers and shrubs. Then we put out old glory to sway in the breeze. I just love watching a flag dance outside my window! I was feelin' good! I love the 4th of July celebration!

We had a get together at our house for our Independence Day fun. At one point we had 35 people here. No small party!

Carp a grillin' away! We had a feast of foods to enjoy.

Shelby and Nathan














Lanette helped out with all the sparklers. I can't thank you enough Lanette. It helps to have extra hands. Oh yeah, we found all the "extra" sparklers from last year. They were on my dryer. Hey, the 24th is coming up! We can still use em'! I love this picture of Cameron. He is helping himself the the lemonade. Great!

Grandma and Grandpa Sampson

Conner is a good sport and never made a peep even with all the loud fireworks. I love this guy!

Katie, Mom and Kellie

Jenny and her family came to enjoy dessert and fireworks. The kids all lined up near the street awaiting the show to be put on by Carson, Spencer, Seth and occasionally, Nathan.

I'm not sure I completely trust a 15 year old with matches. Carson was a little to eager to be in charge of the fireworks this year. Testosterone.
Seth found a creative use for the pyrotechnic fun - though I am still trying to figure out what it is.

Ready, light, FIRE!

Gabby

We bought a couple containers of the light sticks for braclets and necklaces. We got a kick out of what they came up with. The one's up the nose startle me a bit.
Katie and David

Chet, Dad, Mom and Carp

I read an account once about Thomas Jefferson and his stuggle to pen the Declaration of Independence in the short amount of time he was given. It was a hot week with the weight of our future country on his shoulders. He was inspired throughout his writing. He knew this the whole while along - it didn't all come from him. When he presented his masterpiece to the review committee there was little they desired to change. It was a strong piece of literature such as Machiavelli could write. It was inspiration to rival Thomas Paine. AND it had a beauty only God could weave. Is it any wonder that I love it?!?!

Easter 2008

I have always enjoyed Easter. I love the fun traditions of decorating Easter eggs, hiding candy filled baskets and the Easter egg hunt.


The kids enjoyed finding there Easter goodies in the morning before heading off to church. Later Carson hid the Easter eggs for the kids to do an egg hunt.

We had my Grandma Robertson and Lanette over for dinner. Actually, Lanette ended up making dinner. I was sick with the stomach flu and she made the dinner I had planned out for our Easter feast. What a great friend. Easter is enjoyable and fun with friends and family around.

I am grateful that I am free to celebrate a holiday that remind me of what my Savior has done for me. As I have grown older I have gained a greater appreciation for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each opportunity I get to study his life and lessons for me I feel closer to him and understand his pupose in the "grand scheme" of life more fully.

More than anything, I am grateful I actually care to get to know him. I have a desire to have a relationship with him. I am often reminded that this is not how everyone feels. Whether in a movie I watch, something I read or even in my interaction with people I come in contact with, I see how often his mission and purpose are downplayed, disregarded as something of the past or dismissed completely. But I know without a doubt there is a reason to his sacrifice and that his resurrection was part of the plan. All good in this world come from him. He is my Savior and I love him.

A new hairdo

Sammy's hair has been bugging me. I mentioned to Tammy how I felt bad for her because she had to tilt her head back to look out beneath her bangs to watch a movie. By the time I left Tammy's house, she had a new hairdo. AND I LOVE IT!!!!

I just don't understand why she wouldn't let me get a good picture of it. Granted, she is two. That fact alone covers a multitude of situations of frustration with her. Alas, she is a cutie and that makes it easy to move on. Just out of curiosity, would anyone like to take a stab at what exactly it is she is wearing?

Also, my friend Lanette decided to buy some fun games for the kids for Christmas. Instead of presenting them all at once, she is bringing them over every so often to perk up their interest in something new. I have to say, it was a clever plan. The kids a really enjoyed all the fun stuff she has brought - me too!

This past weekend she brought over this marble maze. It's loads of fun for all the kids. I didn't get a picture of the maze Carson put together that was almost as tall as the ceiling, but this one is pretty good too! Kudos to Lanette for thoughtful gifts.

Sam

Thank Heaven for Little Girls

When I found out I was pregnant with Samantha I just laughed. Not because I thought it was funny, but because I didn't see it coming. She is our little caboose at 4 1/2 years younger than Gabby. At first I my thoughts were as follows:

I can't believe I got pregnant AGAIN! I was done!

I hate being pregnant!

I have to replace all the baby stuff I gave away!

I hate being pregnant!

Crap! Diapers!

I REALLY hate being pregnant!

After I entered the acceptance phase of my pregnancy, I calmed down quite a bit. I felt the reassurance that this was my last one. I just knew it. I will be forever grateful that I was given such a strong feeling about being done. I just knew that baby would make our family complete.

Of course I survived the pregnancy. I look back now and realize if I could have appreciated the fact that I could have children so easily and that the whole process is a miracle, I would have enjoyed being pregnant more. I will always regret my general bad attitude about pregnancy. It really is a wonderful thing.

Sammy came and was an absolute delight to have. A little one softens Daddy's heart. A little one brings out a sweet side of teenagers that makes me smile when I see it. Our little Sammy is Gabbys best playmate. Sammy is my buddy during the day when all the kids are at school. We love her!

I can't imagine our family without Sammy. I absolutely feel she was meant to be part of our family. I totally give credit to Father in Heaven for knowing what I need in my life even when I don't think I need it. As with all my children, she is a blessing from above.

I love to watch my kids sleep. They look like angels!

Why I like the Boy Scouts of America Program

I am not a scouter. There are many of you out there that are. I count my blessings there are adults willing to participate in scouting. I am grateful for those who have a desire to work with the youth of today. With that said, I have no aspiration whatsoever to earn a bead, a patch or any type of recognition ever in the BSA. But I like and support the scouting program and here is why.

1. BSA teaches my boys to make goals. Sure we talk about goals in our home. Sometimes we set them together as a family. What I like about the BSA is the structure it gives to boys to work on goals that have the steps already outlines for them. Rank Advancement and Merit Badges have cut and dry requirements for the boys to meet in order to earn a badge. This shows our guys how important it is to break down a goal into sub goals so the realization is doable.

2. Along with the goal-setting attribute, BSA progressively hands the goal making and goal planning process over to the boy. By the time a teenage boy starts to plan out his Eagle Project, he has had lots of practice reaching milestones. At this point in his scouting career, he is asked to set his own goals according to his own aspirations. As shocked as I was, I have seen it work. Scouting has helped my sons do things I didn't think they could do on their own.

3. BSA helps teenage boys feel like they belong to something important. Belonging to a program or a purpose gives focus to an individual and a feeling of worth. Scouting starts early in our house with Tiger Cubs. The boys move from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts effortlessly. The desire to participate seems to be in their blood - their father's side, no doubt. I owe a debt of gratitude for leaders that have followed through with their commitments to the scouting program and to my sons. A good scout leader is indispensable for a good experience in scouting. Thank you to all those whom have helped my boys and are still working with them.

4. An active Boy Scout is busy. The movie "Follow Me Boys" is the best example of why young men need to be busy. A boy who is active is less likely to participate in boy-related bloopers. Being involved in scouting does not make them immune to the affects of teenage stupidity. However, a good scout leader can redirect the wilds and silliness of teenagers by keeping a young mans hands busy. Busy hands are happy hands.

5. A Boy Scout is asked to stretch himself beyond his comfort zone. There are lots of activities the kids do that they enjoy. Occasionally there are some that they don't like or maybe they are a bit skeptical about. I have seen the kids push themselves to do things or try something new because other scouts were excited to do it. Boys Scouts give our young men experience in life.

These and many other things about scouting help me to appreciate this great program. I hope others will reap benefits from it also.

Seth is currently working on the Climbing Merit Badge.

Seth Climbing.

Carp and Carson went along to help out. Here is a picture of Carson belaying.

In Memory of Carson Amos Mellott Sr.

Have you ever heard the name of a family member or friend that you haven't seen for a while and thought, "I've got to give them a call and see how they are doing," or "I should take the time to stop by and see so and so."

Sometimes it is hard to know what is most important to spend our time on. I think everyone agrees that spending time with our family should be the top priority. Kids and husband - those alone take up a lot of my time and without regret. What time I have left I divvy out between extended family, working at the schools, church responsibilities, friends, hobbies and so forth. We are all busy with whatever it is that we chose to spend our time on.

Carp's grandfather recently passed away. We were able to visit with him during the 4th of July holiday. Carp and I had last seen him at J.J.'s funeral in 2004. The kids had not seen him for even longer than that. With the distance between us Carp often picked up the phone to call Pappy Mellott and others in his family. He has always been good about trying to keep in touch with those he cares about.

When we received a call from Carp's mom to let us know that Pappy had passed away, my first thought was of Iris, his wife. My next thought was how grateful I was that our family had the blessing of seeing him one more time before he was gone.

I'm not really much of a goal maker. However, I have one that I really am going to try and improve in my life. I want to make sure my crazy, wonderful life doesn't drown out that prompting to visit and call those I care about. It's easy to lose sight of important things like that when I am sooooooo very busy. I just don't want to regret not following through on a thought only to find out the opportunity is gone.

Carp was able to attend the funeral and visit with siblings and cousins. We will miss you Pappy.

Wayne Jr., Judy, Geneen, Colleen, Carp with Troy in Front.

(Back) Heather, Troy, Wayne Jr., Judy, Geneen, and Colleen.

(Front) Angela, Jeff, Kathy, and Carp.

Obituary:
Carson A. Mellott, Sr. died January 16, 2008 at Spring Creek Nursing Home, Harrisburg. Born April 1, 1919 in Lancaster, he was the oldest son of Amos and Silvia Mellott. He was a long-time employee and retiree of RCA, working in the Lancaster and Moscow, PA plants. Carson was one of the founding partners of Mellott Brothers Trailer Sales of Willow Street, along with his brothers, Glenn and Larry. He was a charter member of the Lone Pine Hunting Camp in Potter County and a long-time member of the United Church of Christ in Willow Street. He was also a member of the Elks club of Florida and the VFW in Millersville. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Violet (Dolly) Mellott; brother Larry; son Carson II; and daughter Joyce. He is survived by his wife, Iris Mellott, in Harrisburg; his son, Rodney, in Florida; stepchildren, Patricia and Zach in PA and Paul in North Carolina; 16 grandchildren; and 30 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 26, at 1 PM at the Willow Street United Church of Christ, 2723 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carson's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Assn., 3544 N. Progress Ave., Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9638.