On Monday we took advantage of the holiday and decided to head up to the Falls. We decided to leave and time it so that we would get up there to picnic for lunch. So after eating our yummy lunch of sandwiches and chips, we packed up the leftovers and un-needed items in the car and headed off to explore and meet up with Poppa Mike,
Uncle Eric, and Aunt Cagney.
We finally all got connected and headed over to trek down to the South Falls. The kids were really excited about seeing "The Waterfall." We got to the top and looked at the waterfall from a couple different locations.
Then it was time to trek down. We headed on down and made it down to behind the falls at a leisurely pace.
The kids were pretty excited about it, and we got a couple pictures of them, one with Poppa
and another with Daddy and Uncle Eric.
After hanging for a brief few moments we continued on our trek down to the bottom. After arriving at the bottom we stopped on the bridge to check out the falls from yet another angle
and to decide if we wanted to try and trek down to one more waterfall. After asking a very helpful couple to check their map we decided to go onto the next falls then turn around and come back. So we took our time and explored little paths off to the side of the main path, stopping to have a snack at one point
and watch the crazy Uncle Eric climb across the stream
and up on logs and all over the place,
this was very entertaining to Dylan especially when I called Uncle Eric a monkey!
So after a couple more brief treks down side paths we make it to the Lower South Falls.
So you can see the Lower South Falls from the top
but then you can also trek down a bunch of stairs and walk behind this one as well. So we made our way down,
Poppa and Uncle waited for us up top
and Aunt Cagney made it halfway down with us before heading back up. Ally was starting to get a little worn out but still wanted to go see the waterfall. Daddy and Dylan went ahead of us, Dylan was a little trailblazer had seemingly endless energy! Ally and I finally made it down to behind the falls and I was able to get this cool picture of Daddy and Dylan through the waterfall.
Also a couple other pictures of the falls from interesting angles. It came time for us to make our way back up the stairs and back down the path to get to the top of the BIG HILL. So we made our way up the stairs, Ally made it about two thirds of the way up then she needed me to carry her up the rest of the way piggyback. WOW....how exhausting.....34 pounds of little girl can give you a workout and a half! After making it back up puffing and panting, I guzzled some water and we made our way back down towards the BIG GIANT HILL. So we took our time on the way back, stopping a few times to let the kids rest. Ally had it pretty dang easy most of the way back she got a shoulder ride from Daddy....ahh to be 2 and small enough for that again!
Finally we get back to where we have to climb up the HUGE GIANT HILL and Daddy flies up stopping only once with Ally on his shoulders. Followed by Dylan and I, we stopped two times and the second time we were sitting there and Dylan reaches over and lays his hand on my knee and tells me, "You let me know when you are ready." So sincere and honest it just cracked me up! What a sweet soul. So we got up to the top and had a little snack and drink
and looked at the waterfall a little more. We made our way back over towards the car where there was a little playground and let the kids play for awhile.
So after playing for a bit more, we decided to start on our way back to town
and onto dinner for Poppa Mike's birthday! So we get into town and head over to where Poppa told us the restaurant is.....only to find that it IS NOT THERE! So after scrambling for a bit, Darrin discovers that it has moved down about a block and a half. Crisis averted. So we all get there and enjoy a very delicious meal. Dylan even tried something new! He had some of my Fettuccine Alfredo, and he loved it! So we get all of our leftovers packed up and head on over to Poppa Mike and Grandma Jo's place for some cake and ice cream! We sang to Poppa, he blew out his candle
and then ate his very yummy cake! After a bit he opened his presents
and then we hung out for a bit relaxing, letting the kids play around. It was a day filled with fun, happiness, family, good food, and lots of family love!
Wednesday was Dylan's first day back to school. He was guardedly optimistic about going back yet had a large degree of excitement as well. Here are some pictures from the first day back. I am sure we will have some more stories as the year goes on, until then.....
On Monday we took advantage of the holiday and decided to head up to the Falls. We decided to leave and time it so that we would get up there to picnic for lunch. So after eating our yummy lunch of sandwiches and chips, we packed up the leftovers and un-needed items in the car and headed off to explore and meet up with Poppa Mike,
Dylan wasted no time and within 5 minutes had pretty much abandoned the paper and started painting himself. He started putting paint on his belly
so I told him he should try to put it from his belly onto the paper...
he thought that was funny but he tried it anyways. They had forks
and straws, some sponges, and one paintbrush. 
They had so much fun. He was blue from the waist down, 
plus his belly and a little on the back. Ally kept her painting to her ankle then decided to spread it up her whole leg eventually.
It was fun and a great success, I think I can do this more the mess really wasn't so bad!
We went outside today to enjoy some of the warm weather and let the kids ride their bikes. While sitting and watching the kids I noticed my Cat Mint bush COVERED in these little butterflies. There were at any given time more than 20 or so. I pointed them out to the kids and they were as fascinated as I was. We sat and watched them for awhile, then I tried to catch some pictures of them. Here are some of the better ones. Enjoy!
Tonight we went to the Art and Air Festival in Albany, at Timber Linn Park. We got there and went to the kids area first. They kids got to play with bubbles for awhile and then Ally decided she wanted to work on a fish windsock.
They would do a countdown from 5 and Ally when everyone else got to 2 she would yell blast off! It was adorable! She was positively glowing the whole night! The laser light show was cool, but it was getting late and the kids were sleepy so we decided it was time to head home. Holy traffic trying to get out of there! But we survived and got the kids home and in bed and they were both asleep within 5 minutes.....like I said it was late! Here is the link to the festival....if you want more info!
