Rob took a vacation day to go to the shore and have a beach & boardwalk day. The weather was iffy so we opted for a last minute change of plans. Nik Wallenda (having recently walked a tight rope across Niagara Falls) is in a show at the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City. We were able to get back stage passes & front row seats. It was really exciting to meet Nik and then get to see the show with such an up close view. It's amazing what people are capable of doing! There were magicians, a juggler who could juggle 5 soccer balls (with the use of his head) and even juggled 3 ping pong balls with his mouth while he juggled 3 soccer balls! There was an acrobat who hung by ribbons from the ceiling and did her routine high above the stage and another who was able to contort in ways I couldn't have even imagined! Oh and then there was Nik Wallenda who did an act with is wife on the sway poles that looked like they touched the theater ceiling and then a high wire act with his wife, mother & cousin. The kids were all smiles and we all really enjoyed the show. We topped off the day with dinner at PF Changs on the way home. So much better than a wet day at the beach!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
More grown up bathroom...bye, bye froggies!
Time to let yet another thing go... Kelsey decided the youthful frogs were too youthful in the kids' bathroom (and I'd have to agree but I was still sad to see the frogs go). She got Nick to agree to a zebra theme so we were busy giving the bathroom an update. It was nice to have help! Kelsey helped me strip the wall paper trim & repaint. Nick helped Rob remove the mirror & install the new light. Truly a family project. Everyone is happy with the way it turned out. We are just waiting for the arrival of the zebra poster and then once it's hung, the bathroom will be finished! Check out the before and after.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Big Time Rush Concert
Last night we went to the Big Time Rush concert with friends. The kids all had a blast. We had lawn seats but were able to get a spot right up at the rail and the view was better than some of the seats! The weather was supposed to be stormy but thankfully the storms came early and not a drop of rain fell during the concert. And the picture of Koda in the car? He ran out of the house as we were leaving and really thought we'd take him with if he jumped into the car. He wouldn't get out!!
Monday, July 2, 2012
We are really enjoying the relaxed pace of summer vacation!
Today after we cleaned the hamster cage I decided to see how well the four of them could pose for a few group pictures. I think we got some great ones. The only one I photo shopped was the closeup of just Furball and Koda. Kelsey was holding Furball and her arm was visible. A little bit of tweaking and it turned out pretty cute! Koda was on his best behavior, even with a hamster on his head!
Today after we cleaned the hamster cage I decided to see how well the four of them could pose for a few group pictures. I think we got some great ones. The only one I photo shopped was the closeup of just Furball and Koda. Kelsey was holding Furball and her arm was visible. A little bit of tweaking and it turned out pretty cute! Koda was on his best behavior, even with a hamster on his head!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Last Day of School
We made it!!! Let the summer begin! Here are a few new photos of the kids. I can't believe we have two in Middle School!!! We are so proud of Kelsey & Nick for all of their hard work this year. Excellent report cards came home again.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Niagara Falls
I am so far behind in posting. The spring has managed to get away from me and now it is only a few short weeks until Summer vacation begins. Maybe I'll get caught up soon.
We just returned from a 5 day trip to Niagara Falls over Memorial Day Weekend. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable trip. All four of us needed it! I am going to post a slide show with details of our trip for each day. It seems like we saw so many things it is the best way to keep it organized. Niagara Falls is an absolutely breath taking sight.
We arrived in Niagara Falls on Saturday afternoon. The weather reports were saying there was a good chance of rain for the entire time we were in town. We decided to do the surprise first thing so we didn't lose the opportunity. Rob & I took the kids on our first helicopter ride (ok, it wasn't Rob's first time since he had done it in the Army). Kelsey & Nick were so excited. Kelsey even got to sit up front with the pilot. It was an incredible way to start the week. And, it never really rained so we could have done it at any time during the trip! After the helicopter ride we also took a ride on the Spanish Aero Car over the whirlpool waters north of the falls. Then it was on to checking into the hotel. Since Rob travels so much we were upgraded to a suite overlooking the falls with a balcony. The kids were in heaven! Then it was off to dinner at Kelsey's Bar & Grill (how cool to find a restaurant in your name) where we had yummy pretzel garlic bread and Kelsey even took home some souvenirs with her name on them! Rob also got some of his favorite beer, Rickart's. We wandered the tourist area called Clifton Hill then it was back to the hotel to see the falls all lit up. What a fabulous first day!
Day 2 began with a stroll through Queen Victoria Park and on to the Skylon Tower for brunch. The food was good and the view was spectacular. After breakfast we were able to go out on the observation deck and take a peak from high up. Next it was on to the Maid of the Mist boat ride to the falls. We had over prepared for the wetness and came away feeling a little disappointed we didn't even really need our ponchos. It was incredible to be able to get that close to the falls. It was such an awesome perspective after seeing it from the helicopter the day before. Next up the White Water Walk. We took an elevator down near the river and out to the walk along the Class 6 Rapids. Really cool to see the water that rough. Then came a long bus ride past the Butterfly Conservatory, Power Plant & Floral Clock (there was not enough time in the day to see everything). Since dinner was so yummy the night before and we had more coupons we returned to Kelsey's for dinner. This time they were out of pretzel garlic bread but dinner was still good and we got a few more Kelsey's bar glasses. Now we have a set of four. Nick & Rob went Dino mini golfing and Kelsey & I went shopping! Then back to the hotel to watch the fireworks from our private balcony! The second day was great too!
Day 3 began with a long walk across the Rainbow Bridge back to the U.S. First stop, the aquarium to see feeding time for the penguins. Then a trolley ride to the Maid of the Mist (American departure). Rob wanted to see it again. This time the boat captain decided to park the boat in the mist and boy did we get wet! It made up for the dryness we maintained the day before. Rob & Nick were completely drenched! Then a walk along the American Falls for more wetness (if that was even possible)! Next stop an up close look at the bridal veil falls and then it was off to Cave of the Winds. Here we got ponchos and water sandals. We got a little wet and then went up to the Hurricane Deck (tons of water and wind) and got another soaking. The American side tour ended with a closeup look at the Horseshoe Falls and then a trolley ride around the park. A long walk back to Canada and then it was off to the souvenir store, beer store and soda store. We moved from the Crowne Plaza to the Marriott at the other end of the strip to get a different perspective of the falls. At first I was disappointed because we had booked a falls view suite and it appeared we got two rooms with a view of the Niagara River but the rooms did have an adjoining doorway and the view from the kids room was like a postcard of the falls. Definitely a great way to enjoy room service (the kids first time ordering room service) and watching the fireworks!
Our last full day in Canada was spent at a little more relaxing pace. We traveled down the Incline Railway right outside out hotel down to experience Journey Behind the Falls ( a close up look at the Horseshoe Falls from tunnels in the rock) where we got wet again! Then a viewing of the 4D movie Niagara's Fury and then a late lunch and back to the hotel for a dip in the pool. More room service for dinner since no one had any energy left to go out. Then it was an early night so we could head back home the next day.
Whew what a fun trip! Hope you enjoyed the pictures!
We just returned from a 5 day trip to Niagara Falls over Memorial Day Weekend. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable trip. All four of us needed it! I am going to post a slide show with details of our trip for each day. It seems like we saw so many things it is the best way to keep it organized. Niagara Falls is an absolutely breath taking sight.
We arrived in Niagara Falls on Saturday afternoon. The weather reports were saying there was a good chance of rain for the entire time we were in town. We decided to do the surprise first thing so we didn't lose the opportunity. Rob & I took the kids on our first helicopter ride (ok, it wasn't Rob's first time since he had done it in the Army). Kelsey & Nick were so excited. Kelsey even got to sit up front with the pilot. It was an incredible way to start the week. And, it never really rained so we could have done it at any time during the trip! After the helicopter ride we also took a ride on the Spanish Aero Car over the whirlpool waters north of the falls. Then it was on to checking into the hotel. Since Rob travels so much we were upgraded to a suite overlooking the falls with a balcony. The kids were in heaven! Then it was off to dinner at Kelsey's Bar & Grill (how cool to find a restaurant in your name) where we had yummy pretzel garlic bread and Kelsey even took home some souvenirs with her name on them! Rob also got some of his favorite beer, Rickart's. We wandered the tourist area called Clifton Hill then it was back to the hotel to see the falls all lit up. What a fabulous first day!
Day 2 began with a stroll through Queen Victoria Park and on to the Skylon Tower for brunch. The food was good and the view was spectacular. After breakfast we were able to go out on the observation deck and take a peak from high up. Next it was on to the Maid of the Mist boat ride to the falls. We had over prepared for the wetness and came away feeling a little disappointed we didn't even really need our ponchos. It was incredible to be able to get that close to the falls. It was such an awesome perspective after seeing it from the helicopter the day before. Next up the White Water Walk. We took an elevator down near the river and out to the walk along the Class 6 Rapids. Really cool to see the water that rough. Then came a long bus ride past the Butterfly Conservatory, Power Plant & Floral Clock (there was not enough time in the day to see everything). Since dinner was so yummy the night before and we had more coupons we returned to Kelsey's for dinner. This time they were out of pretzel garlic bread but dinner was still good and we got a few more Kelsey's bar glasses. Now we have a set of four. Nick & Rob went Dino mini golfing and Kelsey & I went shopping! Then back to the hotel to watch the fireworks from our private balcony! The second day was great too!
Day 3 began with a long walk across the Rainbow Bridge back to the U.S. First stop, the aquarium to see feeding time for the penguins. Then a trolley ride to the Maid of the Mist (American departure). Rob wanted to see it again. This time the boat captain decided to park the boat in the mist and boy did we get wet! It made up for the dryness we maintained the day before. Rob & Nick were completely drenched! Then a walk along the American Falls for more wetness (if that was even possible)! Next stop an up close look at the bridal veil falls and then it was off to Cave of the Winds. Here we got ponchos and water sandals. We got a little wet and then went up to the Hurricane Deck (tons of water and wind) and got another soaking. The American side tour ended with a closeup look at the Horseshoe Falls and then a trolley ride around the park. A long walk back to Canada and then it was off to the souvenir store, beer store and soda store. We moved from the Crowne Plaza to the Marriott at the other end of the strip to get a different perspective of the falls. At first I was disappointed because we had booked a falls view suite and it appeared we got two rooms with a view of the Niagara River but the rooms did have an adjoining doorway and the view from the kids room was like a postcard of the falls. Definitely a great way to enjoy room service (the kids first time ordering room service) and watching the fireworks!
Our last full day in Canada was spent at a little more relaxing pace. We traveled down the Incline Railway right outside out hotel down to experience Journey Behind the Falls ( a close up look at the Horseshoe Falls from tunnels in the rock) where we got wet again! Then a viewing of the 4D movie Niagara's Fury and then a late lunch and back to the hotel for a dip in the pool. More room service for dinner since no one had any energy left to go out. Then it was an early night so we could head back home the next day.
Whew what a fun trip! Hope you enjoyed the pictures!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Payton and Uncle Rob
Payton loves Uncle Rob. Here's a little clip of Payton and Uncle Rob from yesterday. Payton puts and end to their exchange when she changes her focus to Riley.
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