Wednesday, 08 July 2009

• New York

  So after leaving Niagara, we headed over to New York.  My sister (Debbie) has a place in the Finger Lakes region that we call 'the cottage'.  It is actually on a bay off of Lake Ontario.  I completely love it up there! 

  Jim and I got to the cottage just before lunch time.  The drive from Niagara was less than 3 hours and we drove through some beatiful country.  (Most people think of NYC when they think of NY.  Let me assure you, the rest of the state is way better.)  My sister Jenn and family and arrived earlier in the morning.  Chad (her husband) and Buddy (the almost 4 year old) were outside when we arrived.  We unloaded a few things from the car.  Jim walked with Chad and Buddy to get worms.  Buddy was so excited about everything - fishing, boating, the rocky beach! 

  We all sat around for a bit and then made lunch.  I promised Buddy I would take him to the rocky beach after lunch.  (The rocky beach is the point where the bay and the lak meet.  They dredge the inlet so that boats can get through. We play on the edge of the lake there because it isnt huge rocks like most of the other places.)  Jenn joined us as well.  As soon as we got to the beach, we knew we wouldnt be staying long.  The lake was pretty rough.  That meant that we wouldnt be finding any beach glass because we wouldnt have a chance to look with the waves breaking.  (What we call beach glass is just small pieces of glass that has smoothed edges from the water.) 

  Buddy and I had worn our bathing suits, because I knew he would want to spend time in the water.  He only throws the rocks for so long before he wants to jump in the water too.  We made him hold my hand so that he didnt get swept away.  It was a good thing.  There was one wave that went completely over him.  When we got out of the water, I saw he had seaweed all over his head.  Jenn wiped his face and he immediately wanted to go back into the water! 

  I had finally gotten smart and worn flip flops that could get wet.  The rocks really start to hurt your feet after a while, especially when running back and forth from the waves!  One of the waves came in and Buddy turned and went back towards the shore, pulling me with him.  So when I turned, the wave caught one of my flip flops and pulled it off my foot.  I couldnt let go of Buddy on the shore fast enough.  The flip flop had bobbed up once and then was completely gone.  Lake Ontario owes me a flip flop!    Thankfully, they were old ones that I didnt really care about.

  The rest of the day was a picnic.  Some of my brother-in-law's family came over.  A few of their friends were there.  Everyone wa really waiting for the fireworks. 

  Each year, on the 3rd of July, there is what they call the 'Ring of Fire'.  Everyone on the bay lights road flares along their part of the bay.  So there is a ring of red lights around it.  I would love to see what it looks like from above!  There is also a ton of fireworks.  There is a professional display which is fantastic.  But many of the people around the bay also set off fireworks.  So there is at least a good 2 hours of fireworks.  (I love that they do it on the 3rd.  It means when the 4th is in the middle of the week, you dont have to worry about staying up late on the 4th and then going to work on the 5th!)

  On the 4th, we spent some more time just relaxing.  It was more or less a picnic again with the same people - we had tons of leftover food to eat!  Jim and I did go out on the kayak because it wasnt as overcast as the day before.  My upper body strength sucks!  I really should work on that. 

  A few picture highlights:

  
  Buddy was 'fishing' off the dock.  He actually helped sometimes.  But mostly Chad did all of the work and Buddy held up the fish for pictures!

  
  This one is Jordan.  She was so very happy in that saucer thing.  So many things to chew on!

  
  This one is baby James.  (He is 1 week younger than Jordan.)  I love his crooked little smile.  He is perhaps the most content baby I have ever met.  I was holding him while he slept for a bit because my sister had to take care of something else.  When he woke up, he just stayed cuddled into my shoulder for a bit.  He is a cuddler - and I love it!

  
  They look so tiny on Jim's lap.  I just love the picture. 

  Overall, it was a great weekend.  The kids are all tons of fun.  I love all of the giggles from the 2 babies.  I dont think that will ever get old.  Although, I am definitely not ready for a grumpy, tired toddler! 

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