Summertime...

Summertime and it's awesome. I'm really enjoying every minute of this summer with my children. Maybe because this is a our last summer before everyone is off to school and then eventually I'll be off working some where... who knows, but it's great. We haven't really done anything more than go for walks, play in the rain (which we get daily for three or four weeks now, probably longer), go to the lake and hang out. It's wonderful. We stay up late, and sleep in, it's vacation, every day, all day! :)

I was going to try to start with the firs day of Summer vacation, which would have been Trevor's last day of school, or the day after, but I don't really feel like it... I have a million and six things to do in the house and make dinner and all that... so I just thought that if I started with today then that would be a good place to start and I would continue on from here...

This morning we all ate some breakfast, hung out and then headed to Wally World for some pictures... got there picked our pics, and waited our hour... then we waited another hour... then finally we realized that our pictures just weren't going to come. We had some conversations with people... some were very friendly and helpful, others not so much... but in the end it all worked out bc Venus from Wal-Mart Photo called and my pictures are ready and... are you ready... they are FREE!! 215 photos FREE!! woo hoo!! Maybe because I was totally cool with Venus, and didn't jump on her about all this... after all there was no reason to be nasty with her... it wasn't her fault at all... it was FUJI... although I am very happy with my prints prior to this... today sucked. We waisted like 3 hrs in Wally World! ugh. BUT the day does have more of a happy ending than that... we rushed home, grabbed some waters, cheese sticks and some crackers, threw our suits on and grabbed some towels and headed to the lake... it was raining some, but nothing that was going to keep us home... not after being in Wally World for 3 hours!!
The kids played and I tried to clean up the beach some for Bryan, and then weeded the flower beds for him... while we were there something caught my eye... it was three houses down... a big pine tree... and in the big pine tree were TWO Bald Eagles! They were amazing! They were HUGE!!! They were close enough to see, but too far for great pics. UGH! but we saw them. And I did try to take some pics... so that is good. We also got to see them fly out over the lake... they are so beautiful and majestic. It was so amazing. The kids got a kick out of it too. They were really good for me in Wal-Mart today so I'm glad they got to do something fun and relaxing and see something awesome! :)

Well we are home now, the girls are in the bath... not enough water today I guess, and T-bone is riding his new bike... we got him a new one on Saturday when we went to make a HUGE payment on our CRUISE!! it's getting closer!! :)

I'm working on dinner and really tired. But if I don't get up now, two things will happen, one, dinner will burn, two we'll all be hungry! lol

ttfn

What are you???

I was over at Jenn's blog yesterday (My Kids Are My World) and found this really cute survey! :)

I'm glad I'm Christmas, becasuse after all that is my most favorite holiday! :) I've always loved Christmas and been so excited about it coming. Every year I think I just get mor and more excited. It is hard for me to fall asleep on Christmas Eve, and once I do fall asleep I'm awake a bunch of times checking the time. And in the morning I have to find all my strength to keep myself from getting up and waking the kids up. It's hard for me to just lay there waiting for them to get up and come get us. :)

This is great you should try it out too! :)

You Are Christmas

More than most people, you are able to find magic in life's small moments. Traditions mean a lot to you, and you tend to be quite nostalgic. You are a giving, kind person who really understands the true meaning of holidays. You inspire others to be as altruistic and caring as you are. What makes you celebrate: Tradition and a generous spirit At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The storyteller. You like to recount memories with everyone. On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Give a gift to everyone you know

What Holiday Are You?

Weekend In Pictures...

The first few pictures are from yesterday afternoon at the races. The first race of the season. They just finished the track the other day... and although there was another race going on at another track about an hour away they had a pretty good turn out. :)

Bryan and Trevor went off in the morning to watch Kevin (Bryan's brother) and Chris (good friend) and Jerry (another good friend) race. The girls and I stayed home b/c it was raining some and we weren't down w/ getting all wet and MUDDY! :) Okay... well maybe the girls were, but I wasn't and I really didn't want wet, muddy kids.

By the time Bryan and Trevor got to the track the rain stopped and it all worked out great. They stayed there until about a quarter to one, then came home and we all went to a park near our house for a family BBQ and to celebrate Bryan's aunt and uncles wedding anniversary and his aunts birthday. :) It was nice for everyone to get together. We don't usually see that side of Bryan's family too often. It was fun. :)

Then after the BBQ we went back to the races to see how everyone made out. When we got there Chris was just lining up to get to the gate next. So we got to watch his last moto. Kevin broke something on his 4-wheeler, so he didn't race after that and Jerry decided not to do his last moto either. This is Jerry's first year racing a bike... he used to race quads. But it was a nice time.

Then we went to grab a bite to eat, we decided to just have Burger King (Trevor's pick) since it was quicker than Pizza Hut or something b/c we were all tired and the kids had little to no naps.

We got home the kids played outside some then they all came in and got showered up and ready for bed... Brooke & Lauren were in bed by 8:20 PM or so and Trevor wasn't too far behind. :)

~I guess I should have put this first... but since the pictures are backwards anyway... it doesn't much matter... after the picture of Zoe (the dog) are pictures from Saturday when the kids and I and Heather went to my friend Kathy & Louie's sons' (triplets) graduation from pre-k. It was a very nice ceremony and then afterwards we all went back to their house and hung out... the kids played then we ate then they played more then we went home. It was a great day. It was nice that Heather was able to go with me, I could not have done it without her help. Bryan was on call and decided to go into work for some over time and to get some things done at work that just never seem to get caught up on... so if she didn't go it with me I might not have gone at all.

Then later Saturday night Heather, Chris & Nick came over to hang out... Trevor was happy to get to play with Nick and we were happy to visit with Heather and Chris... it seems like FOREVER since we got to see them. :) Heather and I took the kids for ice cream... it was fun, although they were all being silly and wild and it ended in Lauren falling off the picnic table and bumping her little noggin two times, but thankfully she was okay... OH and Nick got hit in the head two times with the truck door... both times were by accident... and thankfully he was okay too. When we came home, we put the girls to bed, and the boys were playing nicely... and Heather and I settled down to watch Fool's Gold and eat some chicken nuggets and fries that we got... we both dozed off before the movie was over... and then they all went home. But it was a great visit. :)

So that was our weekend... long but really good and full of fun!! :)

Fun Family Outings!!

The sky is blue and the sun is shining here!! :) Yay!! Sure it is cold and windy out but that is okay from inside my little bubble aka my house, things look great in the outside world. :)

Well yesterday, Monday, the skies were blue and the sun shone brightly! Today it is crummy out... dark, over cast and YUCKY! No sign of the sun, it is cold again and windy and we are supposed to get some snow, ice or rain! Poo Poo!!!

So since today seems like a bright cherry day and I really want it to be Spring already with warm sunny days, flowers and trees blooming and nice green grass... I have been thinking of all the places I would like to go this Spring/Summer and take the kids. :)

Family Outings of 2008!

The Statue of Liberty We aren't too far from NYC so this is definitely a doable trip. I think they will be amazed at how big the statue actually is, at least Trevor will be, the girls may not understand so much. They will all love the boat/ferry ride over to the Statue of Liberty and I think it would just be a fun day and a great experience. :) We could also drive 1/2 way and then take the train down as another experience to have with them. Although Trevor has been on the subway before. :) Brooke and Lauren have not... well not yet.

Next on our list...

The Bronx Zoo! I would love to take the kids here, I thought about going last year, but with the wedding and then everything that followed, birthdays, another wedding, and everything else it was hard to work it out to actually get there!! This year I really want to do this. I love zoo's and I know that all three of the kids would LOVE this!! Believe it or not, I have lived in NY all my life and have never been to the Bronx Zoo. Most of the schools do field trips there, but not mine. Oh well this will be my chance to see it and even better show it to my children. :)

after this we'll make our way to...

Hayden Planetarium I cannot wait to go here!! I love LOVE love things like this... I know call me a DORK. Okay... did you really have to?? I know I may be by myself when I say that I really enjoy things like this... but I do. I love learning new things, and I also really love the smell of these kinds of buildings and museums. I know I'm strange, I can't help this, you know!! ;)

and then I would like to go to....

National Baseball Hall of Fame this is something that I would like to see and I think Bryan would enjoy as well, but I know my father would LOVE this place!!! I'm not sure the kids would get much out of it, but I know Trevor likes baseball so maybe he would find it a little bit interesting.

something the for the kids that they would LOVE...

The Toy Town Museum, this sounds great. Sounds like the adults could look back to their childhood through with different toys they see and the kids would have a blast looking at millions of interesting and cool toys all day!! Seems like everyone wins with this stop on our list.

in a New York minute... only it would take longer!! :)

Astroland Amusement Park & Wonder Wheel aka Cony Island. I have never been here, but think it would be really cool to go. I also heard something the other day about it possibly closing... I think it would be cool to take the kids this year if it will be closed next year... I mean this is Cony Island it is sort of like a museum in itself. :)

Our next stop will be...

The Maritime Aquarium! This is in Connecticut and I would really love to go here!! As much as I like going to the zoo, the aquarium is even more amazing and awesome!! This will be so fun to take them too!! I know they will be amazed and wowed with every turn we take and every new thing they see and discover. :) We took Trevor to an aquarium in SC when we were in Myrtle Beach and he loved it. He was one year younger than the girls will be this year so I know they will all really enjoy it. :) (the aquarium we took Trevor too was the Ripely's Aquarium)

while in Connecticut camping on the Long Island Sound, which we do every year since I was about 9 years old, I would like to go to...

The Mystic Seaport Aquarium! This isn't as impressive, I don't think as the Maritime Aquarium in Connecticut, but we will sure enjoy it and it is close to where we camp. ;) I think that the kids will enjoy every trip we take this year. They are all going to be some where they haven't been before and will see new things and even learn something at the same time. :) Just thinking about all this is making me want to pack some things and charge up the camera battery and hit the road. ;) But there are still a lot more places I want to take the kids...

keep on traveling with me as we go to....

Santa's Workshop This is in North Pole, NY. My parents took us here when we were little and we loved it. I also remember seeing dolphins here, which didn't happen, but I'm still pretty sure this was an amazing trip for us!! I think this will would be great to do this summer, they are all a good age, but I also think we have a few more summers to go that would work for this trip. :)

and another place up north of us...

White Face Mountain This is in upstate NY as well and this was some where we went when were did our Santa's Workshop trip... it was pretty cool to drive up the mountain and then once on top, or close to the top you can go into the mountain and take a tour to the very top! I think there was also a restaurant up there too. :) There isn't much there to see but it was still fun and something different we did and something I think my kids would also enjoy and look back at with fond memories.

up North even more...

Niagara Falls in NY and then go over to Canada while we are up that far. I think this would be amazing. I would love to go on a boat to see the falls, but not sure if the kids could or would do this. :) I'll have to check into this trip a little more. I have never seen Niagara Falls. We did go to Canada when I was younger and we did see Eisenhower Locks too, which I enjoyed, I thought it was really cool how the lock system works, but I'm not sure my kids would find enjoyment in that at this age. The falls they would think are amazing!! I know I would too!

while in Northern NY...

Great Escape ~ Six Flags & Splash Water Kingdom This is in Lake George, which I want to go to just to take the kids to Lake George, NY also. :) I think I will add this to my list as well, even though we will be in Lake George to go to Great Escape! I have never been to Lk George or Great Escape, but I'm sure this would be a great trip. I have heard a lot of wonderful things about both, the area and the park and what perfect family vacation spot this is!!

near Great Escape is...

Water Slide World if Trevor was/is tall enough to do the slides at this park it would be totally awesome!! Brooke & Lauren aren't tall enough, old enough or interested in water slides just yet, so this wouldn't be too much of a thrill for them, but when they are a little bit older they would love it like Trevor will this summer!! :)

obviously next will be...

Lake George, NY I'm not going to type much here b/c I pretty much summed this one up with the Great Escape trip above. :)

this sounds like fun...

Midway Park this seems like it would have something for everyone!! :) Family friendly park with rides and kiddie rides too! Just what we are looking for!! I will have to see if there is a campground near by that we could stay at. :) fun fun!!

speaking of family friendly parks this one I hold near and dear to my heart. my parents have taken us here many many times, and I still really love the place...

Knoebels Amusement Resort this place is awesome. They have everything, it is very family friendly and almost a home town fair feeling. The people are great the food is Yummy! The prices are reasonable and the entire vacation will be wonderful!! There is a campground right next door to the park so we could camp there and it would make life so easy. No loading the kids up in the car to go to the park for the day, I can take the girls back for naps while Trevor and Bryan explore the park some more. We could eat some of our meals at the camper to save some money! :) You have to check this place out it is stinkin' AWESOME!!!!

for a day trip...

Wild West City in NJ This place is very cool!! Especially for little boys!! My parents took, me, Trevor and my nephew Matthew here a few summers ago, Trevor was pretty little so he didn't get much out of it... but Matthew sure did enjoy it!! It was great. My parents took us here when we were little too, and we loved it!! This is something I really want to do with Trevor. I know he is at the PERFECT age to really LOVE it!! :)

for the girls and I think Trevor would still love it too!!

Sesame Place in PA I have looked at this before to take Trevor before we had the girls, but thought that he was maybe a little bit too young. Now I think they would all really LOVE it. This is more than a day trip... it is a pretty big place. Not Disney big, but big enough for three little kiddies, they would go crazy for all the Sesame Street characters!! :) This is one that is near the top of my list of things to do this summer!

while in PA...

The Crayola Factory we took my nephew here when he was about Trevor's age, and he thought it was fun. It isn't anything more than day trip, and not even a full day at that, but if we are near there already camping, then it is definitely something very cute and fun to do with the kids. :) It is pretty impressive to see how they make crayons and makers and a few other things as well. :)

I also want to take the kids to a bunch other things here are some more of my ideas:

• local fairs, we LOVE them!!
• Monster Truck show, at least take Trevor
• Stock Car races in Middletown, Trevor would like to see this and we could all go as a family something different to do
• a BIG Circus, there is one in Madison Square Garden soon, but I don't think we are going to be making it to that one
• into NYC for the day, just to spend the day, and go to the park, walk around go to FAO Schwartz and things like that.

And there are a million other things on my list... I have to work on it some more, but didn't want to keep this as a draft any longer so I will just post again some of my other ideas!!! :) I hope you are all having a good Tuesday!!! Toodles!