Water Safari 2010

We made the trip to Old Forge yesterday despite the forecast saying that there was an 85% chance of thunderstorms. We figured the weather men have been wrong most of the summer why not attempt it. We were so right and the day could not have been more perfect. It was breezy and partly sunny and most of all we all had the best time and the boys were amazing!

Seth and Jake have grown so much since last year and this was sadly the last time we will go to Water Safari together. We had a blast and made tons of memories. Next year Seth will be stuck with his little sister as his water slide partner. Ha ha!

History Lesson

After our bike ride on Friday we stopped and had a picnic on the battlefield. After we ate my mom took the kids for a little walk while I loaded the bikes back up (ouch). They met up with these soldiers who gave Seth a lesson on their muskets, clothing and shoes. He was utterly fascinated. They were so kind as to let us take some pictures with them too! Seth was in his glory.

We truly enjoy days like these, but they fly by all too quickly.

Another Blessing

We went down to the boat last night, grabbed a pizza from the shack and swam until dark. It was the most amazing evening with my family. We are blessed!

Taking Advantage

The anxiety is rolling in as the summer is coming to a close so we are trying to soak up as much of the sun and fun as possible. We loaded up the truck with the bikes and headed to Sackets today to ride around the lake and then back for a picnic on the battlefield. It was the perfect day and outing.

We even stopped to chat with come cows on the side of the road. Seriously, people probably think we are crazy! Oh well, we are living life to the fullest and don't care who makes fun! HA!

1st Boo Boo

Leah had her first blood gushing, tears streaming boo boo so I scooped her up, cleaned it and put on a band aid. She was hysterical because she wouldn't walk upright and kept pointing to it. This morning when I went to get her out of her bed she promptly handed me her band aid and pointed to her boo boo as if to say it's alright I don't need this anymore. Love it!

Molly's Visit

To add to the girl craziness my cousin Molly came home this week for a visit before she heads back to Boston College for her senior year and we went to see her at my Gram's last night. Of course Seth was in his glory and they played all night long. I really wish she lived closer she was the best helper ever!

We love you Molly! Good luck at school and Happy 21st Birthday in 2 wks!

Happiness IS...

New make-at-home fountain soda cups!

I love love love to get a fresh fountain Pepsi or Dr. Pepper, but have tried to cut back so this is the next best thing and it has made my entire week. Now, I can have my version of a fountain soda/iced tea any day any time!
Smiles and not whines!
Love the smiles...dislike the whines!
Independence
It is a very scary thing and with it we almost had various hospital visits for possible broken bones, but we are pushing through.

Hydrangeas

We put this plant in last summer and nothing happened, I actually thought with my anti-green thumb that I killed it, but to my surprise it was just feeling its way into the family and look what a beauty it has brought to our backyard.

Dressing BFFs alike.

This brought me the most joy and happiness ever today. Mind you two hours into our playdate Seth says to Kristen and I..."Hey, the girls have the same dresses on!"

It is the little things in my life that bring me the most happiness. Simplicity.

Harvest Time Approaching

Mom and Tom expanded their garden this year and must be feeding it some serious fertilizer because their tomatoes are the size of Leah's head! Crazy!

I get extremely excited when it is time to pick the veggies so I begged Seth to let me do it yesterday and here is what I got. It's the small pleasures in life that bring me joy! Now....on to more salsa!

Our Anniversary Evening

We normally go to Ryan's Lookout every year for our anniversary, but I thought I would surprise Ro this year and switch it up. Last summer Kristen and I took golf lessons for three months and this year Ro bought me golf clubs, but having two kids and trying to golf on a regular basis is no easy task so this was the first time that we were able to get out and golf together this year. We had so much fun and the weather cooperated for us thank goodness. I'm not going to lie, I did pretty bad, but I had fun and that is all that matters. Roland on the other hand golfed fantastic and was very helpful to me when I needed him.

After golf we headed to the newly reopened Coleman's and had a delicious dinner followed by camera shopping. I am a borderline camera-aholic so mine was getting slower and the quality worse and worse. We headed to Best Buy and bought a new camera and a device for Roland to safely talk on the phone while he drives to Utica and SYR multiple times a week now. The entire night was a complete success and we want to especially thank Mom and Tom for swimming with Seth and Leah, feeding Seth and Leah, feeding the ducks and tucking our kids safely into bed for us. We appreciate it!

Happy 8th Anniversary

I could go on forever about how we met, trips we have taken, adventures had, friends made and children created, but simply stated...I am the luckiest woman ever and I am grateful everyday that Roland and I found each other. We have been married for 8 years today and been together for 15 years and time is truly flying so we are enjoying each and every moment we have together and with our family! To many many more wonderful fun filled years. I can hardly wait to see what is ahead for us!

Waterproof Pics

I just got the pics from the waterproof camera and they turned out alright, but not great. I'm happy to have them since they captured moments inside the raft instead of just on the shorelines so now we have the best of both worlds for our memories.

I love rafting so much and you can definitely see it in my face!

It started to rain halfway through the trip, but we were wet already so we didn't mind.

A great day was had by all and we can't wait to make it a yearly tradition!

A Visit With the Aunties

Saturday morning we got up bright and early and were out of the house before 8am to travel to Rochester to visit Aunt Sheryl & Aunt Jessie and see where they live now. We decided to make a day of it and go to the Seneca Park Zoo since we had never been there before. The kids love animals so they were thrilled when we got there.

We caught the polar bears when they were swimming so that was really neat for us all to see.

After the zoo we headed back to Sheryl and Jess' place for some down time. The kids took naps and we all hung out and snacked. It just so happens that the Yankees vs. Red Sox game was on and we like to harass Jess because she is the lowly Red Sox fan in a family of Yankees fans. So she drank a red Hug and Seth drank a blue Hug in honor of the Yankees and it must have worked since they won last nights game!

After naps we took Bailey for a walk and the kids to a park to play and run a bit.

Seth took our dinner orders too!

Leah can totally go down the slide by herself, but we let the aunties take turns and go with her...they secretly loved it!

Then we grilled out and played.

A great weekend was had by all and we loved their new place. We plan to come back to visit in the fall. We have been promising Seth we would take him to the dinosaur museum so it is a good excuse for another weekend away with the aunties!