Pennsylvania Trip

Well, I was functioning under the mistaken conclusion that I had already posted these photos. I downloaded them the other day and I guess I thought I journaled and posted them. Imagine my surprise when I went to do another post and realized that these were still not on the blog. We returned from our trip to Pennsylvania over a week ago now, so these are a bit old, but we had so much fun that I just have to write about it! We try to make it up to Pennsylvania at least once a year to see my grandparents. They're in their late eighties, so travel isn't as easy for them as it used to be. I feel a real urgency to spend time with them, because I know that our time together is limited. Just tonight, I was going through old photos and ran across pictures of Maura with my Pappap Carnes, who died two years ago. I want my kids to remember their great grandparents as much as possible and to have great memories of time spent in Pennsylvania, where I was born. My grandparents haven't seen the kids for over a year, and as you can imagine, the kids have changed quite a bit in that period of time. Pappap and Grandma were loving their great grandkid time.

As you can see, situational awareness is not a strong point for either of these two. Pappap is ready to rock and Tristan is ready to be squished! The kid's favorite activity at their great grandparents house? Pushing rocks through the hole in the table.

Tristan took the opportunity of our trip to show off a lot. He was the center of attention and he relished it! Goofy boy! He looks like he's carrying a purse!

Great Grandma and Maura. Maura likes visiting Pennsylvania. I never have to convince her that she'll have a great time. Great Grandma always has sweets waiting for her! Great Grandma and Tristan. She couldn't get enough of this delicious little man.

We spent one day of our trip at Idlewild Park, an amusement park not far from my grandparent's house. I have such great memories of going there as a child. I think Maura loves it as much as I always have. We visited Storybook Forest first, where they bring all the nursery rhymes to life. Maura loved Miss Muffet.

She posed as a train conductor. And we had breakfast with the three bears!

Imagine our surprise when Brent WAS able to pull the sword slightly out of the stone! Does anyone else think that this little piggy looks really creepy with big man hands?

Maura got to make a wish at the wishing well. I posed by Old King Cole for a very specific reason. Last year in June, we visited Idlewild, just a few weeks after I delivered Tristan. When I looked at those photos, especially the one taken in front of Old King Cole, I realized just how heavy I looked. I think I was in a little bit of denial before that time, but there was NO denying that I looked FAT in those photos. It spurred me on to get back to Weight Watchers, and I'm now over 45 pound lighter. Needless to say, I'm much happier with the photos this year.

This was Tristan's second favorite attraction of the day. It was a pipe that blew air and you could balance a ball on the air. He loved putting the ball up and then batting it away again. And here is Tristan's FAVORITE attraction of the day. He though he was in ball heaven! Both kids loved the ball pit.

You weren't supposed to throw balls, but Maura and I couldn't resist having a little mini ball fight. One happy girl! She asks almost every day if we can go back to the place with the balls.

My little man had never seen so many balls in his whole life. We couldn't wipe that huge grin from his face! We headed over to kiddie land, where a young child was allowed to ride with a "responsible older child." We debated whether Maura could truly be considered a responsible older child and decided that as long as they had seat belts in the ride, Tristan would probably be OK. It turned out that all the rides had seat belts and MOST had steering wheels, which kept him very busy. I loved watching my kids go "whizzing" by in this old car.

They LOVED their car ride. Daddy and Tristan taking it easy while Maura rides a ride we deemed too dangerous for Tristan.

Enjoying a magic dragon ride. Our kids were the only ones of this car ride. Can you see the excitement on Maura's face?

I remember riding the boats when I was a kid. My little boy was wearing out by this point. I thought he was going to fall asleep in the boat! We gathered just enough energy to head over to Old Idlewild for a few last rides and games. I love the carousel at Idlewild. It's over a hundred years old.

I enjoyed one last ride with my baby boy before he wore out completely. He never did nap that day, but he was one tired cookie!

Tristan enjoyed some Great Grandpap cuddles when we got home. He loved Great Grandpap and routinely went to him and asked to be picked up. All too soon it was time to go.

Before we left, though, Maura asked me to put her up in the tree that I climbed as a child. I used to spend hours reading up in this tree. Just hangin' out.

Brent proved his mad skilz as a tree climber for us. He about gave me a heart attack as he climbed to the uppermost branches. I can't believe that my mom ever let us climb that high--what was she thinking???? We said goodbye to Pennsylvania and my grandparents waved us out of the driveway. Every time I leave lately, I wonder if it might be the last time I see them, so I hope we were able to make the most of every moment with them on this Pennsylvania visit.

Spontaneity

I like to be spontaneous. In my pre-kid days, I loved to plan things last minute and head off on an outing at a moment's notice. Things are necessarily complicated these days. The preparation that goes into leaving the house with two kids and all their stuff tends to keep us from making any last minute plans. The other day I broke that trend. My friend Angie called to see if I wanted to ride up to IKEA with her to return a bookshelf. Keep in mind that IKEA is an hour and a half away, and I had visited just two days previously on the way back from the airshow! For some reason, I said "Sure!" and we all piled in the car for the trip up to Ohio. I'm so glad we went because we had a great time!

The girls had more fun at IKEA steering their cart around with their feet! It was hilarious for Angie and I, but probably annoying for the other customers. I didn't care much, though--they were OUT of the bookshelf that we came to exchange. UGG! Sarah taking her cart ride.

Maura got herself so worked up that she could hardly stop giggling. We headed over to Totter Otterville, a play place at a toy store in Covington. The kids loved it! Maura especially loved the ballet studio and she and Sarah were so cute mimicking the ballerinas.

My girl sure can rock a tutu! She begged me to put one on Tristan, and he got into the spirit too, asking to wear a tutu like his sister.

He looked like a sumo wrestler in that tutu. I almost died laughing at him! Pretty soon, the novelty wore off and he was ready for that tutu to go!

Maura and Sarah moving the bricks in the play factory. Enjoying some very wet water table play.

The kids loved the water table...ESPECIALLY Tristan. He caused a little water table tsunami and the other kids weren't exactly anxious to play around him. I had to look around and verify that they had a drain because I think he emptied half the contents of the table!

Grocery shopping. And, I'll tell you, three's a crowd, especially when they all want to push the cart! Tristan made me a yummy tart and my day was complete!

Last Wednesday, Lorie and Micah dedicated Alexandra to the Lord. I was so glad to be able to make it to such an important occasion. Alex looked like a little baby doll in the christening gown Grammy made for her.


Grammy and Pappap are so proud of ALL their sweet grandbabies!