June 2026

Here are all our photos from June, and some things we've been up to in June below.

Camping with Alex

Rob: Growing up for me, ward campouts were a really memorable tradition. We don't have that tradition in our current ward though. So when the Bishop asked me if maybe the Elders Quorum would like to team up with the youth to plan a campout, I was all for it. He reserved a campsite at Lake Frederick, which is a nice military property near West Point used for camps, and really ideal for the occasion. Becky was content to stay home and actually get some sleep, but I eventually decided to bring Alex and see how he does. He's never been camping before, but I figured in the worst case scenario, we could always drive home if he didn't want to stay the night. I dug out my camping gear from storage that I haven't used in 10 years, and we went down there on a Friday after work. We had a small turnout as expected, but there were enough people and they seemed to have a good time as we made burgers, cobbler, and smores by the campfire. Not all stayed the night. Alex enjoyed running around in all the open space and sitting by the fire. He was fine with sleeping in a tent and slept much better than I did, and even slept in longer than everyone else. We stuck around for a bit after others left in the morning and did the paddle boat on the lake. So it was a success I think, both for the ward and for Alex, and maybe we can make it a ward tradition. Maybe I can take Alex camping again sometime.

Work

Rob: So far things are going well with my new position at Penn State, and this summer will continue to be a process of moving our research projects over from Baylor College of Medicine, which involves a lot of paperwork. I'm seeing ways that I'll be able to expand my role and use some of my experience there in ways that I couldn't at Baylor College of Medicine, so I feel less like I'm stuck at a dead end now. And I did end up getting a salary increase to go with additional responsibilities, so I'm optimistic that this is a good change. At the end of June, I took another trip down there to have the IT guy wipe my work computer and set it up properly for Penn State so I can use their software, and while I was there I had some nice visits with some people that I'll be interacting with.

Places Visited

Rob: With hotter weather outside, we've been taking Alex to more indoor play places this month. There is this new play cafe that opened, where parents can get a coffee or snack or whatever while their kids play, which is a really good business idea. I took Alex to check it out, and he enjoyed it although it is probably intended more for toddlers. This month we also went to a couple indoor places with lots of trampolines, ball pits, foam block pits, slides, and padded places to climb up into; Becky went with him to one of these places called Bounce, and I took him to another called Fun Max Adventure Park, both are in the Wappinger Falls / Poughkeepsie Area. Alex is a bit more reserved and cautious so he doesn't do the big slides, but he still has a lot of fun and gets pushed out of his comfort zone a bit. I've also done some hiking with Alex this month  at three different state parks. At Minnewaksa State Park, Alex hiked all the way to Patterson's Pellet with me, which is about 3 miles with some incline, and probably the longest hike I've taken him on. He's a good little hiking buddy when it's not too hot outside. Earlier in June, I joined a biologist and photographer on a hike to some ice caves for a story I was writing for a local magazine about the ice caves and the work this biologist is doing there (you can read it here). The biologist was a great guide, since he knows the caves well, he took me with him into some deeper parts where people don't usually go.

Injuries and Illness

Rob: Becky's back went out earlier this month, it was really painful and she had to rest it for a while. And I managed to crack a rib while exploring the ice cave I mentioned above -- I literally heard it snap as I was awkwardly trying to shimmy over a rock on my belly, and its slowly healing I hope. I picked up some kind of respiratory illness somewhere, probably at the kids cafe place mentioned above, which gave me a terrible sore throat that has still not entirely gone away. Unfortunately, I passed it on to Becky and she ended up with a terrible cough that put her down for a while and she's still trying to recover from. Whatever this bug is, it doesn't go away easily. Fortunately Alex didn't get it. Hoping July will be healthier.

Becky:  Rob mentioned my ailments.  Not the most fun month for me, but doing better now.  I try really hard to keep from developing a cough because for me, coughs are severe and last for a few or more months.  Even when I'm passed the worst, I literally have to suck on cough drops (usually the super gross medicated kind) 24-7 for months and take as many breaks from talking as possible (definitely can't sing).  The first week of a cough for me, consists of continuous coughing , which only gets worse if I lay down.  It keeps me from sleeping.  I'm usually awake and sitting up coughing for 24 plus hours before eventually passing out for an hour or so and then going another day or so sitting up coughing and not sleeping.  I have to try to calm it down before it wears down my rib muscles and the continuous coughing becomes painful.  If it gets to that point, I'm usually ready to throw in the towel.  This kind of cough started up in my 30's and comes around about every 2 years give or take. 

So far my pulmonologist hasn't solved the case (doesn't seem that invested), but I'll try a new person this week.  In the meantime, since I'm past the worst,  I'm just going to resume work and work/play with Alex until All Points sets up a single case agreement with our health insurance and he starts a formal ABA program again.  Enrolling with All Points has been an extremely long and patience-testing process.  Hoping it will be worth it.  I still enjoy teaching primary and will be subbing for the music person a bit during the summer.  Primary music leader is something I've always wanted to try so I'm glad for the chance.  And I'm going to get back on the horse so to speak, with exercising.  I was doing well til' the old back went out and I got sick, but I'm determined to get going again.