riv time

Have I ever told you how adorable my nephew is?!  Yeah...roll your eyes...I know you want to...because you've heard me say it quite often!  ;)
He came over a few days ago for some gramma time and got some aunty time as well before I headed off to work!! As usual, the camera was at my hip waiting to catch Riv being Riv!  Here are the results.

First thing he did when we got outside was chase the dogs around with his bat.

After I yelled at Riv to stop hitting them and be nice, he put the bat away and apologized to the dogs! ;)

I was sitting on the slab and Riv thought it was halarious to try and hit me with the basketball. Ouch!

Then he discovered the steering wheel from the toy minivan comes out so he started chasing the dogs with it again!  Boys!

I taught him how to gas up the van.

Pop Ice!!!

Adorable!!

I love you Riv!

Vacation part 2

After the weekend with our cousins, we drove into New York to Lake George for a few days.

Touring the town at Lake George.  We ate at Unos for supper.

Visiting Fort Ticonderoga.

The Fort from above.

After visiting the fort, we went ziplining.  It was an experience!
A lot different than the last time I went ziplining. 
And my 50 year old parents did it too!!

  On Wednesday, we headed to Canada to Niagra Falls. 

First thing we did when we entered our room - walked straight to the window to check out the gorgeous view!

Our view of the falls from our window!

Eating at an expensive Italian restaraunt...pretty sure we woulda walked out if we'da saw the menus first...but it was kinda too late after we say down.  So we just shared 2 dishes instead!

Pretty sure I could do more than a few blog posts with all of our pictures of the falls.
 It. Was. Beautiful!

Falls at night.

Falls view from the American side...hard to get a full view.

Jesse insisted on eating here...we had to do some research to find the nearest one to please him. :)

Maid of the Mist - a boat ride right up to the falls

Fireworks over the falls on the 4th.  Somewhat of a dissapointment but it was still neat to be there.

Beautiful award-winning flowers outside of Vinny's Restaruant.

Lights that shine on the falls at night

Friday we left the falls and stayed in Buffalo for the night before flying out the next morning.  All in all it was a nice trip and I am excited to mark 'visiting Niagra Falls' off of my bucketlist!

 Sorry for the disorderly picts...I'm having quite the time making them go where I want them.  Stupid computers.  Wish it could read my mind.

Family blessings

There's something about family that is just hard to explain.  The inward bond of love that cannot be written in words.  The precious memories created that only those involved will ever understand.  The blessing given to us by our loving heavenly Father that cannot be replaced. And while this is very true for my immediate family, it goes beyond them. My extended family.  My church family.  My family of friends.  The opportunities available to spend time with my families are bittersweet.  The days and weeks before, are spent in anticipaiton of being together.  The time together is spent making memories, cherishing moments, and creating lasting ties.  But when the time comes to part, it's hard to let go.  The only thing that allows the goodbyes to be bearable, is the hope that we have to see eachother again.  If not in this world, then in the world to come. 

While this may sound sappy, it's true.  I love my families.  And I'm so thankful to my God who has given me these awesome blessings in my life to cherish. 

As you probably have guessed, I had a reason to write this post, and yes, it involves family!  This past weekend, Mom, Dad, Jesse, and I spent our first part of our vacation out East with my relatives from Rockville.  It was a blessing.  Many of them I haven't really spent much time with for at least 5 years, and let me tell you that 5 years changes ALOT!  At least for me at my age.  There's something about being 14 and being 19 when it comes to spending time with extended family.  I think I enjoyed it a whole lot better at 19 and I saw the blessing in it. 

So here's a snipet of our time together!

Our home by the ocean for 2 nights

Volleyball games

walks...I took pictures...

eating out at a seafood restaruant.

I felt brave and tried lobster...it was...interesting!

Saturday morning we all got up before 5 to go deep sea fishing.

It was an experience but I had fun!  We were all a little sore the next few days.
I know...that sounds wimpy, but those fish were HUGE! (well depends whose reading this...!)

Jesse, his fish, and the 1st mate...

Joanna and I after the advetenture...we both caught 5 each!

Eating the fish that we caught that day.  It was delicious!

Sunday night we were invited to the lake with several other families.

Some went skiing, others pontooned around the lake taking in the sights.

chillin' w/ my cuz's

Me, Josie, Joanna, and Taylor.
3 wonderful ladies and friends.

 So many memories.  Soo much hospitality and love was shown to us.  We are soo blessed.  Looking forward to my next trip out east!! Anyone's welcome!

More vacation posts to come...