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Carter Moment

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Carter recently in Reykjavik, Iceland

Carter Moment :
Thursday June 30, 2011

The moment had started with Ammon saying, “There’s a gorilla
up there in the tree!” . She was pointing up into our largest Black Walnut
Tree. As you all may know the Black Walnut tree has awesome shade in the
summer, and we had been playing outside in the bright sunshine. I have been
trying very hard to calm these silly, scary moments (the gorilla…which they are
afraid of) with a soft voice and explanations.

Shady Black Walnut Trees

 

I said, “You two. There is no gorilla up in this tree. It
only has birds, squirrels, and right now some June bugs.” We got closer to the trunk
of the tree, and I pointed up. “See nothing but beautiful, green leaves. It’s a
good tree.” Ammon came closer and started patting the tree with her hand.
Carter came closer as well, and they both acted like they wanted to hug the
tree, so I continued with, “Let’s all hug it, and thank you, God, for such a
wonderful tree!” Ammon gave it a hug, and so did Carter; however, while
hugging, Carter placed his cheek up against the trunk and scratched himself.
Carter drew back, wiped his cheek, and said, to the tree, “Hey, don’t you do
that!” I immediately turned the other way, laughed then looked back at Carter.
I then stated in a fatherly tone, “I think the tree is telling you, ‘Carter be
careful with me’.” Carter looked at me with a puzzled look. “Okay!”, I
interjected, “ let’s go in for some nice, cold apple juice!” Ammon and I
started back toward the house, and as I looked back I could see Carter pointing
his finger up to the tree and heard him saying one more time, “Tree, don’t you
do that!” What a boy!

 

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Reykjavik, Iceland

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Carter, Haven, & Ammon: Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland is a unique island especially in the geological
realm of plate tectonics. Iceland is where the North American Plate and the
Eurasian Plate meet. This is one of the places on earth where the plates are
separating.  Not too far from Reykjavik,there is a plain at the meeting of the plates. This plain has sunk 200 feet in 10,000 years, and the Eurasian Plate rises above the North American Plate some10 feet or so. It’s so impressive to see those two continents separated by just a few feet.

The geothermal activity under Iceland helps the country be non-dependant on foreign oil. Our tour guide was proud to say that they are totally “debt-free to the Arabs”. Part of the activity is seen Iceland’s hot springs and geysers. They are awesome! We spent about a half hour at the Strokkur Geyser, and we go some great pictures: it was hard to pull Carter away. Strokkur Geyser near Reykjavik

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Akureyri (that’s right, that’s what it says…LOL), Iceland

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Akureyri, Iceland

Like Vanessa Williams once sang in the “ Save the Best for
Last”, “sometimes the snow comes down in June.” Well, it did in Akureyri,
Iceland on Thursday June 9, 2011 ;o)

We got to see waterfalls, mud fields (I stayed with Carter
and Ammon while they slept on the bus), and lots more. Our guide was Helga Rose
(cool name, huh?). She introduced us to some folktales I want to buy for this
coming Christmas. It’s about the 13 Christmas trolls that usher in Christmas.
If a child is good, they bring toys or candy, but if a child is bad they might
leave potatoes in their shoes! Helga Rose also sang for us in the Icelandic
language.

Ammon & Haven: Godafoss Falls

My favorite place that day was Godafoss Falls. It was cold and
windy so windy that when the wind hit Carter’s face, he was ready to go back to
the bus! I walked from the falls to the souvenir shop. It was chilly but what a
view!

Godafoss Falls