Mini Vacation

For the long holiday weekend, we took a family mini-vacation to stay with some friends in New Hampshire. Daddy worked part of the day on Thursday, and we got on our way about 3:00. It was kind of slow getting started between bathroom breaks and dinner breaks and stretch breaks, but then we went from the PA/NY line all the way to Nashua without stopping. Gavin fell asleep in the car about 10, and at 11:30 when we arrived, we thought he'd go right back to sleep. WRONG! At 1:20, I put him in the car and took him for an hour and a half drive. He finally gave in at ten till 3. Daddy had been up for 23 hours by that point which included a 450 mile drive. Of course, as soon as the sun hit Gavin Friday morning, he was awake. Despite being exhausted, Daddy got up and got around and then went in to Boston with his friend Matt to pick up a passport (He had to make an emergency trip overseas for work). They stopped at Daddy's old work for about an hour and visited with some friends he wouldn't have seen otherwise. By the time they got back, it was time for dinner. After ordering Pizza, Daddy and Matt went to Sam's club to get supplies for the next day's picnic. When they got home, Mommy and Jen went shopping while the guys got the kids to bed. Daddy took Gavin out to lay down at about 7:15. He was asleep by 10:30... Saturday we all helped get ready for the party. We got new sand in the sandbox and dug some horseshoe pits in the back yard. People were a little later than expected getting to the party, but it was still a good time and we got lots of visiting in. The kids played very nicely all day. After another quick shopping trip by Mommy and Jen on Sunday morning, we packed up and said goodbye, and headed to another friends' place in Salem, MA. We had another good visit, and Mike took us to the Salem Willows for dinner, some snacks, and some rides. By the time we got back on the road headed for home it was nearly 6:30. That made for a very long night of driving, but we made it back home by 2:30. Everyone slept in on Monday and we all took naps. It was a very busy weekend, but very fun. Here are some pictures from our trip:
Katelyn and Kelsey had a little trampoline on their porch. But they didn't get as much hang time as Gavin!
	Malin, Gavin, Katelyn and Kelsey all had fun playing Hullaballoo.
Malin and Katie curled up watching a movie together.
	The kids with Mikey P. and Brenda in Salem.

Making Something for Mom

 

We had a nice surprise on Wednesday when we saw the Juniata Sentinel...Gavin, Malin, and Doyle were on the front page! Last Thursday evening we went to the library for story hour. There is always a craft after the story. I thought that we could take Gavin, so we all went...but, Doyle was late for work that morning (as usual), so he was late getting home. So, the first the kids saw him was at the library that evening. Of course, they wanted him to help with the craft...and since it was "for Mom"...I let them have all the fun! Brian and Carol Smith were there with their daughter and snapped the photo without anyone even knowing! So...it was really a surprise! Gavin loves it and so does Malin!

Speaking of Mother's Day...Happy Mother's Day! I was served breakfast in bed. And, Doyle cooked burgers and hot dogs on the grill for the Leister gang after Church. In the evening we gathered here again, with the Aughey's, too, for Subway and desserts!
In honor of Mother's Day, last Friday I got my first pedicure of the season...Puerto Vallarta Violeta in case you wanted to know!

This week has been busy. Lots of "stuff" going on. Meeting, getting ready for the Relay for Life Spaghetti dinner, shopping. Despite the rain, Malin's class took a field trip to Lake Tobias on Monday. She had a super time and kept saying "Gavin should see this." She loved feeding the goats and seeing all the animals. She would have stayed all day! She would like to go this summer and take her Daddy and Gavin. Today we finally got to mow...our yard was the only one on our road that had not been mowed the other day when the rain stopped!

Malin has been getting ready for her plays at school...she will be mother bear.

 

In Bloom!

The flowers around the house have been beautiful the past week or so with all the rain and sun. I couldn't resist a few pictures!

Kids being kids

With all the rain on Thursday, a little puddle formed in our yard. I think it's the sump-pump, but I'm not entirely sure. Anyway, Gavin found it, and stomped in it. Eeeew!






Malin making herself a PB&J for lunch. She said, "Usually I'm not so good at spreading the peanut butter, but today I did a good job." Bon Appetit, Malin!

 

Cuties

Malin's school is winding down, they are practicing plays for the last day of school. Malin will be Mama Bear in Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Also on the ticket are The Three Little Pigs, and The Little Red Hen.

Today, she made this little planter for Mothers' Day. She was so proud of it -- and so excited to give to to Mommy that she hid it behind her back when she came out from school. Of course, Gavin had to get in on the picture action!
 

Slackers!

Gosh, two weeks and no updates! I guess we'd better get our act together.

I guess with the longer evenings, we've just been spending more time outside and less time in front of the computer. I can't think of anything terribly exciting going on. Malin is finishing up her school year, Gavin is slowly getting potty trained. Mommy had her big scrapbook party last Saturday. Daddy has been home a half hour or more later getting home in the evenings because of all the road construction.

Here are a few pictures of us from the past few weeks:

This morning we used the last of the Lucky Charms. Gavin put the box on his head and wore it that way for all of breakfast.
	I think this was yesterday morning. We did have the tower built even taller than Daddy, but it didn't last while Daddy got the camera. This picture was just after Gavin knocked most of it over.
Malin has really been painting on her easel lately. This was last weekend -- Friday, I think -- with a few of her creations hanging to dry on the window behind her.
	Yesterday we went to Tammy Pines' wedding. The kids had a blast dancing at the reception. Of course there were no adults dancing! This was us at the reception.