Last Vacation Post

I think the next long vacation, I'll post DURING the vacation in real time :)

I believe I have mentioned that Amelia and I love Gillie Lake.  If I lived there, we would be there pretty much everyday.  And that is pretty much what we did during our 3 weeks at the Wierbinski's.  Lots of memories at that park with my nieces and nephews too.

As we romped around something white caught my eye.  Upon closer look ... they were gigantic mushrooms, the size of which I have only seen here in Alaska.

We caught up with my brother and his kids, along with Aunt Donna at the MOST museum.  I have posted on our many visits prior.  Of course the first stop were the dinosaurs which scared her ... again and took her awhile to recover.

My sister, Amelia and I caught the last game of Aaron's high school football career.  I apparently am bad luck as they lost, but got to see him play one more time!  

Aaron reminds me much of Rob.  Very stoic (that apparently is confused with quiet as that was what his peers voted him for in his yearbook).  You feel very assured around Aaron as you know when he says something, he has thought about it.  Like Rob, I am guessing he won't make many mistakes in life and say little that he wishes he didn't.  And like Rob ... the complete opposite of me :)

Amelia took pics as well and called Uncle Don to see where he was sitting.  Oh boy...no real cell phone for this kid til she 20.

Along with Chelsea, I met up with a couple of students and parents from my dance studio owner days (ah the joy of Facebook).

Enjoyed a wonderful breakfast (at the old stomping grounds Friendly's) with the Weiss' (Valerie and Bob) sans their daughter Anna, who was a student of mine for 8 years or so.  

And the Whyland Family, sans Nicole.  Got to see Emily though who reminds me MUCH of Amelia and Shelly who taught music for me back in the day.  

Good times ... good times.  Think it's time for an EDPAC reunion...oh maybe at Gillie Lake for a picnic this coming summer!

One of Amelia's favorite things to do...walk Hercules and Hazel in the yard.  

A final playdate with Miss Livvy.

and it was time to say goodbye.

Will be back next Summer for Aaron's Graduation!  YEAH all the kids will be there in one spot!  Bonfires and Monopoly with the Wierbs. Cannot wait to see Livvy's new little brother or sister!  And planning a trip to see my friend Janelleeee with her new little girl!  It will be epic.

Next:  We have been busy in real time too.  Will post on all since my last real time post of Halloween!  

Let's Go Do Stuff!

As much as I love reliving my month long vacation, I have Christmas things to post...so I better start posting each day to finish this vacation up...or at least every other :)  Let's get cracking.

My sisters and I were heading to the Lafayette Apple Festival.  Believe it or not...I had never been.  HOWEVER, when we approached Lafayette, traffic was horrendous and an ambulance was heading out...not a good sign. We opted to go a short distance back to Beak and Skiff, where I had gone earlier in the vacation and had planned to go back at some point.   Today was the day, but as far as crowds were concerned, Beak and Skiff was not much better.  We managed to pick apples and ...

  

Rode the ponies again.

The next few days Amelia and I headed out for our own little adventures.  

First...Heids.

Where we ate a proper CONEY!  Yeah!

Then to Rochester to visit the Lego store...and amazingly enough ride the carousel.  Then we headed back to Syracuse where we met my friend Chelsea at Destiny Mall...where...there...was...a...carousel.  Thanks Chels!  The following day we headed back to the mall in our newly purchased pegasus sweater and rode the carousel for free as it was their anniversary.  Imagine. 

Time for a snack...off to Harrison Bakery.

best...cakes...ever.

  

Need some Terrells to go with. :)  This was not a healthy trip.

Next day...Burnet Park Zoo with Livvy.

Most of the pictures looked like this:

I did manage a few good ones especially when they found a vending machine more interesting than the animals.

Time to get our nails done ... lets pick up Andrea!

And...the Wierbinski Family was coming over!  Yeah for all things cousin!

It was official...we both were exhausted.

And it was still not over....

#74

Since we drove with Uncle Don and not Aunt Bonnie to Albany, we arrived early and got to see the marching band.

This was the only football related shirt we had.

We rectified it quickly with pom poms, a new U of A sweatshirt (that she changes into later after displaying her roots sweatshirt first) and Damien the Great Dane mascot plush that we properly name Rosie.

  Now we wait for #74.

Don't let him fool you, that mean face is nothing to be scared of...unless you are on the opposing team I guess.

A bit about Adam ... 

He is a leader...2 time captain of his high school team, where I hear, from inside sources, he is still revered.

He is respectful.  Adults (and I am sure refs too) admire this and his politeness and curtesy.

 

And despite his huge appearance and all of this on the field...

 

kids LOVE him.  Amelia included.

We cheered.

We ate.

And sipped on a latte.   It was cocoa.

And when things were at a lull, we played with Liz, who also attends Albany as a graduate student AND who would be our host that evening as we were staying the night at her new apartment!

Oh and got our hair done. 

But despite the excitement and fun we were having, by the looks of Adam and his family watching...things weren't going in the Dane's favor.

They lost.  I wish it were a win, but I GOT TO SEE ADAM PLAY A FOOTBALL GAME!!! Woo hoo!  FINALLY!

Time to find Adam and offer encouraging words...except while waiting...

Damien the mascot came thru first.  Scaring the bageebees out of Amelia.

Unfortunately, I missed a pic of Adam coming out...and all I got was this picture walking to Liz' apartment with dinner in our hands.    

We didn't spend as much time as I would have liked with him during our visit...like a game of pictionary time ...or monopoly time...he knows what I mean. :)

Summer 2015 is all I have to say. 

We did love our stay with Liz and Ryan ... a game of memory that kept Amelia up WAYYY late and she would have kept going if it not for Liz tuckering out :)  

We headed back to Syracuse the next morning... actually to Canastota where Aunt Donna was waiting for us to go to the Apple Fest!  Wow it just doesn't stop...