Ithaca IS Gorges

I can now say that the saying on the t-shirts is totally correct it is completely gorgeous and we had the best time walking along it. Here are some pics from our day in Ithaca and a play by play of the day itself...

We went down a TON of stairs and going back up was a chore for me since I am out of shape right now, but it felt wonderful to be outside in the fresh air.

Looking over the suspension bridge was very interesting. I don't think Ro could have done it, since he is very afraid of heights.

This is how far down the water is from the bridge.The Suspension Bridge

So our day consisted of eating at my favorite pizza place (buffalo chicken pizza), shopping, walking walking walking, shopping some more, walking more, shopping more and eating dinner to wrap up the day. It was GREAT!

Thanks Justin for a WONDERFUL Day!

In the spirit of not stressing, Roland decided to get a head start on the contractors this weekend by reconfiguring our decks floor plan himself. Half of our orginal deck will now hold the new family room, but the remainder will still hold the grill and deck toys so he needed to change where the steps were. Roland LOVES projects so he was right on top of it this weekend. Here are some pics of his progress so far. The steps he made are temporary until the addition is done and we know exactly how wide we are able to make them. It was so sad for us both to take the deck apart though, it was the first investment we made in the house when we bought it 6 years ago! Now we are on to bigger and better things! Stay tuned...

Excitement Turns to Stress

I told myself that I wasn't going to get stressed during this renovation process, BUT I am the type of person who sets dates and follows through with what I set. Contractors are not the same breed and it drives me mad! Our contractor called this week and said he was going to start on Tuesday or Wednesday. We were thrilled and made sure everything was ready. Well, it is Thursday night and two phone calls later they will now be starting sometime next week. AHHH! I think I am more frustrated because I want this whole process done before Thanksgiving week because we are the hosts and I want the house to be in ship shape. I guess I just have to come to the conclusion that there is nothing I can do, my hands are tied and I have to wait it out. Well, easier said then done, but I will try my hardest. So there is my rant for the evening I am feeling a little better getting it off my chest. For now...

Stay tuned!

PS- If anyone is looking for a queen mattress, boxspring and bed set we have one for sale. It was sold but the people just backed out. Another set back that added to my stress today!

Big Changes on the Horizon

Not only our family, BUT our house is in for some major upgrades and changes in the next month and we are extremely excited and anxious! We have decided to take the plunge, stay in our house, add on a family room off the back of the house and have the house sided! Oh, then a few months later we thought we would have a baby!

AHHH, are we crazy? No this is just our normal way of life. I think we thrive on the busyness and the chaos from time to time. Anyhow, in preparation for the addition, we sadly have to lose half of our deck in the process so Roland took the railings off and this is what it looks like currently.

The contractors are supposed to start this week, but we have had SO MUCH rain that it has delayed them in pouring the concrete for the footers. I am very hopeful that they start today. Once they get started, the footers have the set for one to two weeks and then they will come back and get right to work on our addition and siding. That is when the real excitement begins and I will be sure to take tons of pics to update you all!

In other news, the rain has put such a damper on any plans that we had for this week. So it has been pretty routine. We went to swim class, (it is not pretty trying to squeeze into my suit anymore!) and tonight we are headed to Pierrepont Manor to get Seth's pics taken. It has been two years since we last did it, so he is due and we can't wait to see the outcome.

I am also headed to Ithaca with my mom on Saturday to spend the day with my brother. Seth and Roland are going to stay home and have a guys day!

That's about it for now...

Smiles from Ear to Ear

Seth took his very first go cart ride on Sunday night at Parker's birthday party and he was in seventh heaven. I have never seen a larger smile on his face!
Right after this was taken we told him it was time to go home. I should have taken a picture of his face at this point, it wasn't so priceless. He had so much fun, he DID NOT want to leave!

Cook it Up

On Saturday night Roland and I and 8 of our closest friends made the hour long trip to SYR for some delicious Japanese food. We try and go to Ichiban's at least 2 to 3 times a year and we are never disappointed. This night was no exception. The food was amazing and the company was even better. There were friends among us that had never been to a hibachi restaurant and it was so fun to watch their faces. We all left stuffed, but with to-go containers for lunch on Sunday! We even managed to talk the guys into letting us stop at Christmas Tree Shops on the way home!

The 2 pregnant ladies sat together!

Girl PowerOur chef was really fun and had a great personality!

Annual Cider Mill Visit

Sunday was the perfect cool fall day so we headed to the cider mill to take in all that fall has to offer.

While we were there we tasted...

Apples,

Cider

and warm cider donuts!

We spent over an hour watching them make cider, checking out the waterfall, eating apples and donuts and looking at beagle puppies. It was a GREAT fall day!

Cream Cheese MADNESS!

We went to the Cream Cheese Festival for the second year in a row this past Saturday and I learned one important lesson...In the case of large crowds, bring Roland with me to keep me sane and to keep me from getting stroller rage. Really, it was a lot of fun and Seth was excellently behaved. I was super proud of his behavior. The weather was perfect and there was so much good food. I had a shish kabob and a super stuffed baked potato. The baked potato gave me the best idea for my next dinner party. I'm stealing the idea because it was utterly delicious and super fun to eat!
Beyond the food we ate, we saw some people doing the grossest thing you could imagine. They were having a cheesecake eating contest, but with tubs of that filling. One person would feed the goop to the other and see who could eat the most. It seriously turned my stomach to watch. YUCK!

I did notice that just in a year from the last time we came to this festival, how much my little boy has grown. Last year I needed to go on the jumpies with him and help him up the steps. This year he is all independent and doesn't need mommies help anymore. Sad, but amazing to watch!
So Brave

Our little boy is growing up WAY TOO FAST!

Did you catch me getting hit in the face at the end of the video? Jacob got me good!

Videos from Family Fun Night

We are taking a weekly break from Kidnastics, but once a month we are still going to go to Family Fun Night so that Seth can enjoy his friends and run around like a wild man. This past Friday he had a blast and we got to check out the brand new location for Kidnastics. It is bigger and better!

Parachute fun

Seth loves Kidnastics and I love watching him learn and grow from week to week. It is amazing!

Hooray for the Weekend

This weekend we are looking forward to...

family time
kidnastics
cleaning out the garage and getting it ready for the cooler months
jumping in bouncy houses
checking out fresh baked goodies and veggies at a farmer's market
viewing the worlds largest cheesecake
spending time with friends and catching up
getting out the fall decorations and jazzing up the house
getting in a round of belated birthday golf
making a full meal for a new mama friend and her family
catching up on rest and enjoying what the fall has to offer

What are you up to this weekend?

4 Weeks

The suspense will be over in 4 weeks, that is when my ultra sound is and we are super excited about it! I pray that they get a good view on that day and can be certain of the sex, but if not we will just have to wait.

Other than that I went to the docs yesterday, I'm 15 weeks and the babies heartbeat is strong! I'm still feeling a bit nauseous from time to time during the day, but nothing unbearable and I'm going to bed early. I told Ro was going upstairs at 8:30pm last night and he looked at me like I was crazy, but I was dead asleep by 9pm. I'm stock piling it while I can!

This weekend we are headed to the Cream Cheese Festival. It was so much fun last year, we can't wait to go back. Plus, we get to stop in and visit Gram and Gramp for a little bit and check in on them. Pics to come...

Status Report

WE HAVE POWER!

Picture this... Seth and I jumping around and dancing like fools when the power came back on. It was glorious!

Trauma

My biggest pet peeve in life is the loss of electricity and my worst fear has come to life over the past 2 days. We lost power at our house early Monday morning around 1am and we still don't have it back yet. It is driving me totally crazy and to top it off, I missed my favorite night of tv. I know, my priorities suck, but all the same I want it back and I want life to get back to normal. Please National Grid, turn the power back on!

Flippin' Hot

On Sunday you would have thought that we had taken a step back into July it was SOOOOO hot and humid that you could wring out your clothes from the sweat. I had the brilliant (not so much) idea to walk over to the Big M to get a loaf of italian bread to go with dinner. Big mistake! Anyhow, on the way home we stopped at Mom and Tom's for a quick visit. It was the perfect opportunity to have Seth pick the rest of the tomatoes and cukes from the garden and then on the way home this was the vision we saw...

He ate a whole cuke from Mom and Tom's to our house, which is only 3 blocks! He was in seventh heaven. I have to say and extra special THANK YOU to Mom and Tom in regards to their garden. Seth and I had so much fun planting, checking and picking from it. It is a memory that will last a lifetime and we can't wait for next years crop. We loved it!

Bring on the Redneck Fun

On Saturday we packed up the Jeep and headed to Lowville to visit my Gramp. He is doing much much better and he looks worlds better so it was such a relief to go and visit. We spent a couple of hours with them and then headed up to...

Yes, we took Seth to Mud Fest and it was a total redneck paradise, but oh so interesting! Stuck in the mud, of course!

Had to pull out the BIG tractor to get all three out!

I Love You Daddy!

It turned out to be such a beautiful afternoon and we all had a lot of fun trying something new!

Birthday Fever

Last week Roland celebrated his 33rd birthday and our friends daughter celebrated her 5th birthday all in the same week. Friday night we were invited to our friends Rod and Jen's house for a celebratory belated dinner. We ate our hearts out as we always do when we are together and then sang our hearts out for our birthday loved ones!

Happy Belated Birthday's Sophia and Ro!

Feel Good...

Do you ever have one of those days where you did something that made you feel good about yourself?


Seven years ago I was in my second year of teaching, I was still very new to it all and I was very young in most areas of my life. When 9/11 hit I thought it was horrible and tragic, but I really didn't understand it all as I have to come today.

It felt absolutely wonderful to walk in memory of 9/11 last night in The Freedom Walk. It felt good to be part of something with other people and to remember those who lost their lives on that horrible day. It was one of those feel good moments in life!

I feel honored to have been a part of it!

In Rememberance

Today we remember all of those lost on 9/11/01 and we think of their families! Seth and I are going to walk with some friends tonight in what is called The Freedom Walk in Sackets Harbor. We will be pulling out the red, white and blue, the flag shirts and our flags as we walk on this special day.

Happy 33rd Birthday to Our One and Only!

Presents...Cake...
Nude Family Photos...

What more could you ask for in a birthday?

Happy Birthday Ro, We Love You Tons!

Father & Son Bonding

Sunday after we did our normal routine, Roland was feeling the itch to build something so he and Seth built me a planter out of some scrap wood leftover from the new front porch. It was so funny to watch them working together.

Hummmm what do we do next?

All work and no play isn't too fun Daddy!

The final product turned out beautiful, but of course I forgot to take a picture of it, but I will! It was a perfect morning for a project and the boys took advantage of the opportunity. I many more projects together!

Diary of a Pregnant Woman

Dear Diary,

It has been a long long time since I've written, but there has not been a lack of things to write about, but summer and warm weather took over computer time. I'm feeling much much better than I did in July, but by the end of the day I am out like a light. My biggest complaint right now is that I am back to work and totally missing my nap time in the afternoon. I look at the clock around 1:30-2pm and wish so badly that I could be laying on my couch watching Y&R and snoozing. That's life though! I have gotten much rounder and I have very few normal clothes that fight properly so I'm getting very creative in my clothing choices for now until the full on maternity clothes are needed. Seth loves to put his ear on my belly and listen for the baby. I always ask him what the baby says to him and his reply is always the same, "The baby says he/she loves me!" That is utterly priceless and melts my heart. So for right now not too much has changed and I'm feeling much better. In one more month we can find out if we are shopping for a girl or reusing our boy clothes! YIPPEE!! Until then...

That's a Wrap

I'm trying to keep my spirits high and my thoughts positive so I thought I'd share some pics from our last big night of the summer this past Sunday. We took my parents and Seth to the bay for some good food and good music. Check it out!

Seth absolutely loves guitars right now and he has always loved dancing so he was in seventh heaven.

Such a great smiler. I hope this continues forever!

Update on Gramp: Today my Gramp will be transferred to Utica where the procedure he needs will be done tomorrow. If all goes well, it is hoped that he will be transferred back to Lowville at some point over the weekend. Please continue to keep him in your prayers!

Say a Little Prayer

My family needs some big time bloggie prayers today and in the upcoming days. My grandfather has been battling a heart condition for the past year and in the recent week it has taken a turn for the worse and he has been hospitalized. Right now we are anxiously awaiting word to have him transported to Utica for a lifesaving procedure. Everyone is on edge and waiting for that word. So in the meantime, please say a few prayers that this happens and that the procedure is successful.

We love you Gramp!

All Good Things Must Come to An End

If you read my blog or have read it in the past you know that by this time in the summer I am usually more then ready to get back to work. I have always said that I am not a housewife and that I need to get out of the house and work. WELL, not this year. I have had the most amazing summer with my little guy at home that I truly do not want to go back to work. I am dreading it! Here is a little glimpse into what our summer was full of...

* story time at the library

* kidnastics

* trips to the beach

* multiple parades

* multiple fairs

* zoos

* trips to old mcdonald has a farm (as Seth calls it)

* playdates with Jacob, MJ, Morgin, Lucy, Sophia, Maya, Parker & Brendan

* parties

* trips to various playgrounds

* cookouts

* Thursday nights with Grandma & Poppy

* letterboxing

* boat tours on the St. Lawrence River

Basically, you name it, we have done it and had a blast in the process. I am truly sad to have it all end and now I'll have to miss the day to day moments in Seth's life. BUT, I plan to enjoy the moments that I do have and cherish each and every weekend. To a very fun fall!

Toby Keith the 3rd Time Around

Last night I went to see Toby Keith for the third time and I have to tell you I'd see him again in a heartbeat. He puts on the BEST concert and even though you have heard his songs over and over, they keep getting better and you still want to keep singing as loud as you can! For his encore he played his two songs that are dedicated to the American soldiers and I have never been so moved in all my life. My friend Kristen's husband is over in Iraq for his 3rd tour so these songs meant the world to her, of course she started crying so I started crying, which got me to really think about the words and about her husband and what all of the soldiers are sacrificing. It was very emotional.

To back track a bit, before all of the concert festivities we got their early to walk around a bit, people watch and eat some good old fair food. That is exactly what we did and I have some interesting pics to prove it!
Deep fried snickers bar, sooooooo yummy!Scary little man trying to get us to go in the haunted house! Seriously you can eat just about anything at the fair!!!

Kristen: Beer 1 of 5, poor girl had to go to the

concert with 2 pregnant friends, but she made the most of it!

We all had a great time and we've created memories to last a lifetime. I guess it was the last hoorah for the summer, the rain has come in today so we will have to find some fallish activities to do!

Big Boy Changes

We have finally taken the plunge and Seth is now in his very own big boy bed. I was nervous as I am for every life changing event, but Roland and I have been pleasantly surprised. He is still doing a bit of adjusting and his sleep patterns have changed a bit/not for the better, but he stays in his bed and that is what we were most worried about. Seth was also very excited to give his crib to the baby and now it is waiting in the spare bedroom for March to come.