Our Last Minute Weekend at the Lake

Last Wednesday I was surprised and delighted to hear from an old friend.  Dorothy was the very first pediatric nurse I met at Geisinger.  Throughout my years as a staff nurse she served as a teacher and trusted friend and mentor. When she left nursing education in 2006 I was hired into her position.   It was a big pair of shoes to fill but she had prepared me so well.   Dorothy continued to serve as a resource for me and was always there when I needed to vent.  She also has always been a source of advice and support as I became engaged, married and had each of my children.  She's been around for job changes and life changes.  I will always remember the card tucked under my office door on my last day in education.   She knew me well enough to know that the day was going to be an emotional one for me and she showed up with sweet words of encouragement.

Soooo, when she invited us to come visit at her lake house AND we had the weekend free, I knew we had to go.

We packed up Saturday morning and drove the quick 59 miles to the lake.

In no time at all we were out on the boat - kids up front, guys navigating and Dorothy and I set up in the back where we could catch up. 

We toured around the lake catching sight of the heron, lots of ducks, fish and birds.  But it was getting hot fast so the "kids" promptly entered the water.

Because Dorothy and Jerry are completely awesome they let the kids each take a turn driving the boat.

The only boat I was driving was the padde boat.

All of the kids enjoyed their first time in kayaks.  

We stayed the night at the cabin just over the mountain from the lake.  It was a cute little place complete with everything we could ever need - including freshly made blueberry muffins for breakfast.

As you can imagine a day of boating and swimming, followed by a campfire and s'mores made for some very tired campers!   

Take Me Out To the Ball Game -

We have been promising Cooper a trip to see the Williamsport Crosscutters Minor League Baseball  team this summer.   It's kind of sad that we have not taken more advantage of the close proximity of the team in past summers.

Monday evening's forcast was finally one that did not include a chance of a thunderstorm so we packed up and headed to the ball field.

We had great seats, safely behind the net so as not to catch any foul balls in the face.   McKenna was not necessarily excited to attend a baseball game but ended up admitting that it might have been a little fun.

Cooper was quite into the game while Kinley was more into getting in and out of her seat and the food.  Of course.

Cooper has announced his intent to play kid pitch baseball this spring so I tend to think this is just the beginning of our baseball experience.

Summer Promises

I made a promise to myself early this spring.  I promised myself that I was going to fully enjoy this summer.  I was going to unplug, be present and have a blast.  From where I sit here on the deck today, kids laughing in the bounce house and enjoying crafts together, I think that I have succeeded in keeping my promise.

A sad by-product of such a promise is a lack of many things including clean laundry, a tidy house, an abundance of pictures and a hint of my sanity.   However, I feel like it's been a small price to pay for a summer like no other.   Finally having the ability and freedom to pick up and go whenever and wherever we want has been awesome.  Putting down the camera and being right in the thick of things has been wonderful for me and the kids too.  We might not have a lot of blog material to show for it but we have made a ton of memories.   Here are some highlights:

We made a quick trip out to Grammy Musials the end of June.  We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Combine Brothers where the rolls are as big as Kinley's head and I think the pasta bowls sufficient to swim in.   We went back to her house where we introduced her quickly to FIFA Women's Soccer and watched as the USA defeated Germany.

The kids spent some time with their cousins and Cooper had his first guitar lesson with Jason.  All in all, a great trip.

We have spent a ton of time at Mimi and Pappy's pool this summer.  Just the other day Earl said he thinks it's the most use we have gotten at the pool and I fully agree.  We are certainly blessed to have the "Winfield Country Club" nearby.   The pool boy keeps everything so nice for us!

Speaking of the pool boy, here he is at the "Richard Picnic" my parents hosted a couple of weeks ago.

We all really enjoyed spending the afternoon swimming and visiting with our Lewistown family.

Every summer I have great intentions of teaching the kids things.   We always have workbooks to help us keep up with reading and math in hopes of avoiding the "summer slide".   I regret to say that this year we the workbooks have scarcely been touched.   We have worked on some important life skills including but not limited to: swimming,  vacuuming,  laundry (washing/drying AND folding); cooking (grilled cheese, rice, lemon bars, toast with peanutbutter) and maybe most noteable...Kinley has learned to ride a big kid scooter.

This poor guy has been a trooper, working lots of hours when I'm not dragging him to the next event or or outing.   He's a good sport and a great dad and I'm a lucky girl to be able to stay home with the kids.

 

So, if you catch us taking a quick snooze here and there, well, we probably need it.  And if you haven't caught up with us yet, (as in we haven't hung out this summer) you should call us because we are pretty fun!

Happy Belated Birthday Post

Dear Cooper,

Tomorrow is exactly one month since you turned eight years old and sadly I have yet to even mention your big day on the blog.   That's not to say that your eighth birthday was not a momentous occasion or suggestive of me trying to deny the fact that you are another year older.   The fact is that your birthday celebrations were many this time around - exactly how it should be, I suppose.

A few months prior to your birthday you wished to go to Legoland and stay at the new hotel and so that began the birthday celebration.   We had a wonderful time there enjoying you and all Lego had to offer but felt like you should definitely have a little celebration with your friends.

Your request was a simple backyard wiffle ball party with the neighborhood gang.  The ball games have been occurring with regularity this summer and for your special day Daddy even painted lines on the yard and cut the grass into a diamond.

 We had a little water balloon fight and some cupcakes.

 Kinley was thrilled to be included and even picked for a team.

You were especially happy that Cale and Cody could come down and spend the day with us also.  The three of you have become fast friends over the past few years and enjoy being together so much.

What seems to be lacking as I go through the pictures are photos of  McKenna and Daddy but I promise they were there for your party.

I was there, too, behind the camera and behind the scenes but here is a quick picture we snapped on your actual birthday.   Even eight years later I can close my eyes and remember the moment late that June evening that they placed you into my arms.  You surprised us a couple of weeks early and you continue to keep us on our toes.   Your energy is limitless.   Your willingness to try new things endless and your heart for others is huge.   Your relationship with your sisters continues to keep me in awe.   You and McKenna seems to have a mutual respect for one another that I can scarcely comprehand.  While you and Kinley spend equal amounts of time antagonizing one another and playing together nicely.   In the end you're her biggest fan and fierce protector.

You continue to love all things sports related but have a slight obsession with LeBron James.  I will often find you watching LeBron documentaries on youtube or reading basketball books.   You declined an offer to play club soccer this year for a chance to try baseball but above all, your first love is basketball.  

You're growing physically at an alarming rate and soon may pass McKenna in the height department.  That means it also won't be long before you pass me too!

Cooper, we all love you so very much.   I am proud to be your momma.    Happy 8th birthday, buddy.

Love, Mom

VBS 2015

God provides, comforts, heals, protects and loves us forever.   We spent five nights at VBS learning and affirming these important points.

The kids all absolutely LOVE bible school.   So much so that McKenna chose to stay down with the elementary group one last year before moving to the youth group.  I can't help but be a little sad that her time in VBS has come to an end.   It's something that she has enjoyed immensely over the years and I will miss her being a part of the activities with us.   I know that she will grow and have a wonderful time in the youth VBS, "but it's just not the same", as she puts it.

One thing that makes VBS extra special is sharing it with friends.  What could be better than sharing your love of God with some of your besties?

Speaking of special people....we were blessed to have Andrea and Emily come speak about Honduran Soles this year.  They delivered a wonderful message to the kids and helped us to get them excited about our mission project.   More on that later.

Miss Sandy with "her girls".   Tab and I often ask who has been blessed more -  the girls or Miss Sandy.   I don't know if it really needs sorting out.   It's obvious that all have benefited from this relationship.

Cooper added a little excitement to the last night of VBS when he enlisted Ms. Sarah's help in pulling his tooth.   I'm always so thankful for all of her many talents!

Speaking of thankful,  I'm beyond thankful for this girl.   As our Children's Ministry Director she puts her heart and soul into VBS.   Here she is still smiling after a very long two weeks of decorating, coordinating, trouble shooting etc.  Beyond all of that she has become a trusted friend who challenges me to step out in my faith, encourages me all along the way and inspires me to do the same for others.

Harry Potter Crash Course at Universal Studios

A few months ago I stumbled upon some relatively cheap flights to Florida that I felt like I couldn't pass up.   We had just been to Disney in November so I had no plans to return six short months later.  However, that is just what ended up happening.   McKenna is a HUGE Harry Potter fan and has dreamed up visiting Universal Studios to get as close as possible to experiencing all things Harry Potter.  I figured if you've read the thousands of pages of the story more than one time you should definitely get to experience it!   And so, this is the story of my crash course in all things Harry Potter and our adventures at Universal Studios.

People who don't know about wizardry or Harry Potter are called "Muggles" in the books.  I was definitely a Muggle heading into this trip.  I have never read HP or watched all of the movies.  I know about some of the characters but sadly had to consult our babysitter when secretly ordering the HP shirts for this trip.  

 One thing I DID know about was the train and the wands.  Both were high on the must do list as soon as we got to the park.

 The buildings and rides were really quite impressive.   The building behind McKenna contains the most "thrilling" ride I've ever been on.   Let's just say that by the end I had broken out in a cold sweat and was quite ready to have my feet back on the ground.  McKenna did not ride that one,  but Cooper did twice.  He and I agreed that she would have lost her noodle and possibly all of her breakfast if she tried it.

The kids have always wanted HP wands and so visiting Olivander's Wand Shop was a huge deal.   The park makes it really fun by only allowing a certain number of patrons in the shop at one time.   Before you are allowed to select your wand you get to meet Olivander, too!   I can honestly say that I can't remember a recent time when McKenna was more excited.   She radiated pure joy almost the entire day.

 Kinley picked a wand too and soon we were all on our way.  The kids had each chosen a wand that allowed them to do "magic" throughout the park.   It was really quite fun.

We spent the majority of our first day visiting special HP spots.   The weather was beautiful and the kids had a blast as they spotted different significant places and people from the books.    But by the end of day one we were tired out Muggles ready for the pool and our beds.