Summer Traditions

The summer seems to be flying by so quickly that we need to get all of our summer traditions in before it is back to school time. We completed one on Friday and I have to say that it was our best trip to Old McDonald's Farm ever! Leah is at the age where she is like a sponge and is amazed by just about everything. Last year she slept through most of our day at the farm, but this year she was in rare form. Seth loves all of the animals and always has a blast. We like to take Grandma and Poppy along too because they love to spend time with the kids and I think Poppy might even take more pictures than I do. ha ha!

Seth has absolutely no fear of feeding the goats anymore. I remember back to the first time we took him, he was like a deer in the headlights. Hysterical!
This sums up Leah's reaction to the entire outing. She points, runs and yells with excitement!

Another year older for us all!

I swear that the cows head was larger than Leah's whole body!

I think Seth was ready for the pony to kick it up a notch!

We eve got up close and personal with the herd of goats.

I was shocked at how brave Leah was too!

There were many baby animals to see on this trip too which was fun for the kids and for us too!

Leah's first time in the bouncy house and of course she loved it.

Thank you to Grandma and Poppy for going with us again this summer. We loved it and we love going with you two. To many more trips in the future!

QT with Linds

On Friday morning we got to spend some quality time with Lindsey and we loved every minute of it. My kids were so well behaved and didn't fight at all, it was scary!I can't believe that she is two months shy of 1 year old and that I have been able to see every step of her growth since the moment she was born. Love you Linds!

You will be walking in no time!

Wine Day

We had our yearly mother/daughter bring a friend wine day this week and it was so much fun. We went to Coyote Moon, The TI Winery and then Bella's for lunch. I tried some new wines and bought a few bottles too!

I'm lucky to have such great ladies in my life!

Buddies

Many times when I am getting ready, making beds or folding laundry you will find these two just like this on Seth's bottom bunk. I love it!

Another little teaser...one we loved, but didn't pick!

Fresh Salsa

It may not be a big deal to some of you, but I made my first batch of homemade salsa yesterday from all fresh ingredients and some of the tomatoes in our first garden. It turned out super yummy and I can't wait to make more and freeze it for the winter.

Belated Rafting Pics

We made our yearly trip on the Black River last Wednesday and we even tried a new rafting company this year. Jen got us all a fantastic deal with BOB and it was a wonderful day. The Voss', Buckley's, a random couple, Ro and I enjoyed some rapids and float time in the river.

Our guide asked if I wanted to go to the front during a set of rapids and I ran right up there. I have no fear and love every minute of it. You can't see them because they are submerged, but Rod and Tim are also in the front with me. ha!

Notice Roland's arm in the back leaning over to grab me? Yep, I was almost a goner!

I am also waiting for more pics to come in from a water proof camera we had, these are from the rafting company itself. Stay tuned!

The Ice Cream Thief

Roland was in a golf tournament at Turning Stone yesterday so I asked my grandparents to come down for dinner and then we took the kids to the playground and for some ice cream. We now call Leah the "ice cream thief" because she likes to eat/share with everyone who will oblige.

Seth may not always share his toys, but he will share his ice cream with his little sister.

When it was clear that Seth was just about done with his, Leah was on to the next victim. She ate almost all of my Gram's as well as mine.

Good Peeps!

I have known Jen (McCauley) Knapp since junior high school. We both played soccer and she went to IHC briefly. We have always been friendly and chatty when we see each other and about a month ago our boys were at a birthday party together so we got to chatting and we swore that we would get together this summer. I'm not sure where July went, but I vowed to get a hold of her and we finally coordinated schedules and got the kids together to play yesterday. They are a wonderful family and we plan to get together with them more often.

Leah was loving little Alexandra!

Reasons I Love Our Boat

I love our boat for many reasons, but this past Saturday night after some time away from Roland and Leah and many hours in the truck travelling home I looked around and thought to myself how truly lucky I am so I took some pics of my favorite aspects of our boat and my family!

Roland has learned a lot about boating this season and is still a work in progress. Saturday night was the first night all season thus far where the four of us went out and there was absolutely no stress or bickering. It was fantastic. To many more wonderful boat trips as a family.

The lake was finally like glass and our ride was fantastic and peaceful.
Snacks will make any four year old happy on what they think is a boring ride while waiting patiently to catch minnows.

Snacks also keep a toddler busy because she has a short shelf life on the boat.

Bare boat feet are the BEST!

Stubby little toes make me smile!

Girly Smiles!

Don't forget lake nudity!

Skinny dipping too!

Last, but not least, the few moments where a mom can sit on the back of the boat and take it all in, flip flop sun tan feet and all!

Growing so Fast!

Can you believe how much Seth has grown in just one year?

Same park, same cupcake and a much bigger boy!

Love you Seth!

Mother/Son Vacation

Since this is the last year that Kristen and Jacob will be here we decided to take the boys on an adventure with just the mommies. Seth and I drove to Kristen's parents house in West Pittston, PA on Thursday afternoon and then we drove to Sesame Place on Friday morning and spent some quality time with just our sons. We had a BLAST! First let me tell you what an awesome traveler Seth is and that I would take him anywhere. (Leah is not such a good car rider at this point.) The park was super crowded and the lines were long at times and I was so proud of Seth. He was such a trooper and had such a good time.

Getting ready to board the truck and head off to Sesame.
We met up with one of Kristen's sister's, Donna and her son Sam. The three boys got along really well.

Ready to take the plunge into The Count's Castle.

Last year Seth was too little for this water slide so this year he couldn't wait to go all by himself.

Mommy's favorite...the Elmo cupcake. We bought two and Seth ended up being too full from lunch so I gladly ate a second cupcake. They are fantastic!

Dancing during the parade.

Slapping the characters hands!

Ernie's Water Works

The ropes course.

In Kristen's defense she was helping her nephew when she fell. ha ha!

It was a little hard for us adults to get through the tunnels.

One tired boy on the way back to Kristen's parents house!

A giant thank you goes out to Kristen for letting us stay at her parents house, for driving and for getting us free tickets for the park. We had a fantastic time and you are great friends that feel like family!