The Poconos

We went to the Poconos on vacation with Patrick's family for a week in July.  We had fun together, despite the face that the accommodations were, uh, less than ideal. =)  We called it camping, but it wasn't really ... except for camp fires in the evening, and s'mores!   The campground where we stayed had a pool and water slides that the kids just LOVED - they would have happily spent all day everyday in the water.  There was also mini golf and a lake for fishing.  Papa, Danny and Patrick got to play (real) golf one day, and the big girls went shopping at the outlets.  We also spent one day hiking at Bushkill Falls - it was beautiful and so nice to be out hiking.  It rained for the last part of the hike, but we still had a great time.

Finn went swimming in a real pool for the first time

Uh, Mom ... I'm not sure this is a good idea.

The little slide - fun for groups

campfire

Getting ready to hike

Off we go!

Patrick carried Finn the whole way - wow, it's a good thing he's strong.

Bushkill Falls

Happy little hiker

Tea with the girls

Molly and I spent a fun Saturday with Bobbi, Aunt Diane, Aunt Lorrie and all the girl cousins at a cute little tea room.  We had a real British tea (the little girls had lemonade to drink) and a great time being together! 

Do you think she was excited?

A real china tea cup - she felt like such a big girl, and she did great!

The little girls in their matching dresses from Bobbi

Adventure Aquarium

We met Aunt Diane and the girls at Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ yesterday.  It was such a fun day!  My animal-loving kids, especially ocean-loving Elijah, were thrilled to see (and touch!) all the creatures.  It was beautiful, and we loved spending the day with Diane and Rylee and Brynn. 

we got to watch while they fed the hippos

Elijah at the huge shark tank - a happy boy

so cool

trying to touch a ray

happy baby at lunch time

all 5 cousins ("Look Ma, I'm a big kid, too!")

touching sea stars

Playing in the fountain was such a fun way to end the day!

Daddy's been travelling

Patrick was away for a conference in Phoenix for a week. He travels for work periodically, but most of the trips are short ones.  He is only gone this long once or twice a year.  This time, we tried to plan ahead some ways to make things easier.

Molly got to go have a sleepover/girls' weekend with Rylee and Brynn at Aunt Diane and Uncle Bill's house.  While she was gone, Elijah and Finn and I had a Mama and the boys weekend.  I think both Elijah and Molly had lots of fun!

Molly's girls' weekend started with a trip to the nail salon for a mani/pedi - she picked out a bright orange color and got little flowers on a couple of toes.  Wow - what a treat!  She had a great time doing lots of "girly" things with her cousins, and playing together, especially with their bitty babies.  On Saturday, they went to Build-a-Bear so that Molly and Brynn could make a friend.  (Rylee, Elijah and Evan made theirs last year.)  Molly just LOVES her new bear, Kate.

Of course, Kate is very pink and frilly. =)

love.

 Elijah got to have a play date with Evan, and we got to stay for a fun dinner.  Elijah and I also went to Target to exchange a Lego set that he received two of - and he picked out this new fire truck/rescue set.  On Saturday, Elijah built his new Legos and we played a couple of games of Sorry! during Finn's nap.  Elijah loves to play games, and Sorry! is one of several that he can play, but is too old for Molly.  It was fun to get to do those "big kid" things for a day! 

He's getting so grown up - his favorite Transformers t-shirt, Legos, and Sorry!

We also went to the park and the library, and went on a special lunch date.  After dinner, we made ice cream sundaes and watched Cars 2, again.  Does life get any better than that?

On Sunday, we went to Bobbi & Papa's house to meet Aunt Diane and get Molly.  We stayed for naps and then went out to the Olive Garden for dinner.  Wow, what a fun treat!  We were all glad to see Bobbi, who just got home from a long trip to Florida.

On Monday, Elijah had a day off of school, and Bobbi and Papa came and spent the afternoon and evening with us.  I got to go out for a little while by myself during nap time, and had lots of help with all the bedtime chaos.  Plus, we just had a lot of fun!

Jumping, and talking to Papa

Building car towers with Papa

 

So much fun!

We are so glad to have Daddy home again, and I am so thankful for the extra help to get through this week, and even make some special memories!

More Christmas celebration

During the week following Christmas, we got to spend more time celebrating with Patrick's family.  We missed getting together with Papa's family while we were away for my Grandma's funeral, so they all came to our house one day.  We had a fun time, and I think they all enjoyed getting to meet Finn.

We also got to have our Christmas celebration at Bobbi & Papa's house on Friday.  It was crazy and fun, as usual!  Finn was awake for the gifts this time, and enjoyed getting to open his own.

First Chrstmas present

mmmm, blocks.  yummy.

Baby's First Christmas

One of Molly's special requests this year - a pink "hoop-a-loop"

So excited!!

Elijah admiring the giant pile o' presents

Evan was excited about his gift from Elijah - Cars 2 movie!

The big girls are always so good with Finn!

Two crazy boys in their new shirts - This is what great looks like!

Bobbi knit all the kids a stocking with their name on it - Finn got his this year!

Yay stockings!

Finn in his santa outfit

Merry Christmas!