Before the onslaught of school, dance, ice skating and now gymnastics (can thank the Olympics for that!), I figured it best to finish up with our summer vacation post, sans our trip to Saratoga Springs for the New York City Ballet that I will post next.
We left Dad behind to enjoy a few more days with his family in Ohio while Amelia and I headed North to NY where her cousin Livvy was anxiously awaiting her arrival.
My niece Kate and her family (husband Keith, almost 5 year old Livvy and just a year old Cole) were staying with my sister while their new house was being built. The plan was to stay with them as the house was scheduled to be completed by the time we arrived in NY. Unfortunately, builders have other plans and at this writing...they are still there. However inconvenient it is for them to live in the remodeled basement of her mother's house, it was wonderful for Amelia. It meant Livvy would be her constant play partner during our whole 2 week stay. It was great for me too ... catching up and spending quality time with my niece Kate and her one year old, King Cole.
I had promised a trip to Build-A-Bear as soon as we arrived.
We left Dad behind to enjoy a few more days with his family in Ohio while Amelia and I headed North to NY where her cousin Livvy was anxiously awaiting her arrival.
My niece Kate and her family (husband Keith, almost 5 year old Livvy and just a year old Cole) were staying with my sister while their new house was being built. The plan was to stay with them as the house was scheduled to be completed by the time we arrived in NY. Unfortunately, builders have other plans and at this writing...they are still there. However inconvenient it is for them to live in the remodeled basement of her mother's house, it was wonderful for Amelia. It meant Livvy would be her constant play partner during our whole 2 week stay. It was great for me too ... catching up and spending quality time with my niece Kate and her one year old, King Cole.
Yes, those are stitches near his eye. Did that one morning while we were there on the coffee table that was soon after, removed from the living room space.
They spent pretty much every waking hour together. Two opposites really (Livvy is not afraid of anything), but their interests are what pull them together. Hercules and Hazel got to share in the fun too.
I had promised a trip to Build-A-Bear as soon as we arrived.
Anchorage used to have a store, but it closed, so Amelia and I have been buying on line which isn't the same (you get to kiss the heart before it is sewn into your chosen stuffy).
After both picked a horse equipped with accessories including a scented pack that went in with the heart, we headed to the merry-go-round at DestiNY Mall.
Each day after was something new. They went to the zoo...
The beach was empty when we arrived and 2 lifeguards on duty...so each girl had their own lifeguard and Liz and I watching them...pretty much 0% chance of drowning.
Not sure why this park is not packed all the time. The only crowd I have witnessed is during the fireworks display each year. Other than that...it is pretty much our park. Many memories of Gillie Lake thru the years.
and of course...farm time...
and at dinner at Doug's Fish Fry (a must for me while in NY).
To top it off, we enjoyed celebrating Ciara's 4th birthday party with even MORE cousins. It was a cousin overload and nothing short of fantastic.
We did take a morning to visit my friend since Kindergarten, Evangelene, and her daughter, Helena. Her mom, Diane, came by too...what memories we have had. Amelia was mesmerized by her Fin Fun. So glad to finally catch up! Caught up with friend Lauren too and her 2 girls on the way up from Ohio and completely forgot to take any photos :(
Went to the movie "The Secret Life of Pets" with Aunt Donna at the Movie Tavern where lunch is served to you and the seats recline to laying on the couch mode. And it was girls day in Skaneateles, NY where we all went shopping and had dinner at our favorite...the Sherwood Inn. We also had a fantastic trip to Saratoga Springs, NY with my friend Chelsea...but a whole post is needed for that one :)
and headed on our 3 plane journey home for a giant airport hug with Dad.
Be it ever so humble...there is no place like home.
...had their nails done...
and had a grand time at Gillie Lake with Cousin/Aunt Liz.
Livvy and Amelia are a year and a half apart in age, yet second cousins. I had to keep thinking about who I was talking to when I referred to someone, as my sister is Grandma to Livvy and Aunt Bonnie to Amelia. It's what you get when you are the youngest of 6 kids and have your first child at 43 :)
The beach was empty when we arrived and 2 lifeguards on duty...so each girl had their own lifeguard and Liz and I watching them...pretty much 0% chance of drowning.
Not sure why this park is not packed all the time. The only crowd I have witnessed is during the fireworks display each year. Other than that...it is pretty much our park. Many memories of Gillie Lake thru the years.
Along with the playing, there was quiet time too..
where the Popsicle Flybuster Girls were in hot pursuit of smashing barn flies and chasing chickens and goats.
We had more cousin fun when my nephew's kids joined us. At the farm for an evening of play...
and at dinner at Doug's Fish Fry (a must for me while in NY).
To top it off, we enjoyed celebrating Ciara's 4th birthday party with even MORE cousins. It was a cousin overload and nothing short of fantastic.
We did take a morning to visit my friend since Kindergarten, Evangelene, and her daughter, Helena. Her mom, Diane, came by too...what memories we have had. Amelia was mesmerized by her Fin Fun. So glad to finally catch up! Caught up with friend Lauren too and her 2 girls on the way up from Ohio and completely forgot to take any photos :(
Went to the movie "The Secret Life of Pets" with Aunt Donna at the Movie Tavern where lunch is served to you and the seats recline to laying on the couch mode. And it was girls day in Skaneateles, NY where we all went shopping and had dinner at our favorite...the Sherwood Inn. We also had a fantastic trip to Saratoga Springs, NY with my friend Chelsea...but a whole post is needed for that one :)
With all the fun we had, we were missing Dad. It was time to head home. After a last night by the fire with green ghostbuster marshmallow s'mores...we got up early for our flight...
and headed on our 3 plane journey home for a giant airport hug with Dad.
Be it ever so humble...there is no place like home.
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