First Family Vacation

It happened! Granted, only for a longer weekend. But we did it.

Our very first family vacation by ourselves - just the four of us.

Rob enouraged us to get away for the weekend (and take a couple days off) so we pursured it, and thanks to Henry and Heather lending us their camper, we decided to go to the Finger Lakes area in New York State. We've haven't been to that area since our honeymoon - not that we went to the exact place, but instead , to the Fillmore Glen Sate Park we went.

Friday night, after packing up, we went first to see Baby Hudson - coming out of the hospital - and then to St. Catharines to drop Hannah off at the family's rental place, and then on to our booked hotel in Niagara Falls. Sounds perfect. :) Except for the teeny tiny issue of me getting sick - the sickest I've been in a couple years. A nice fever. So not fun. James did so well, looking after the kids needs, while I just flopped on the bed, and Erik cried....and cried....and cried....second tooth had to make his appearance on the vacation. So James walked with Erik outside for 45 min. while Katy and I (who also had some sickness) wiped out on the beds. In the end, I didn't sleep much that night - but that's okay. :)

We made our way to Lewiston, picked up the camper at the warehouse, and made our way....all the way to Rochester, NY. We did some shopping - well James did - I walked slowly along. And eventually parked the camper at Walmart - got groceries, and had a nice relaxing night on the parking lot.

Sunset after a heavy rain that night.

(photo taken by James as I lay ailing :) )

The next morning, we started our slow journey to the campsite, and got all set up.

One of the first things we did though, was to color. :)

The rest of the day was just relaxing, getting set up in the trailer, had some food, tried going to a Sunday night service, but there wasn't any going on in the small town we were close too... Katelyn had some playground time, and then bath time for the two of them in the cute little tub in the trailer.

"Cheese"

Waiting for mom to get her out of the tub.

James making the camper tidy for me.

Kids watching a little movie while James slept in the next morning.

Cereal time. And then since Monday was our big "vacation" day, we headed out as quickly as possible, to avoid the upcoming rain, and started the Fillmore Glen hike.

Katelyn showing off her silly face. I know - terribly sweet and attractive, but kinda hilarious.

Erik and mommy. This little guy defies the "baby" rule, that says, "do not have your young child facing outward in the baby carrier. All children should be facing toward you until 1 year" or something like that. He cries, unless he's facing this way. So, baby rule maker, go get your own baby please. :)

It was beautiful there - terribly nice. And I loved this bridge. Most of the stonework along this 5 mile hike was done by the CCC workers in the 30's.

The natural stream-fed swimming pool, we had a quick dip in later on that day. It was cold, but so refreshing.

At one of the waterfalls.

James ended up holding both of them for most of the trip. Erik fell asleep in his arms, and Katy on his back. So he got his workout for the day.

Katy putting on her hat.

Walking along the stream.

Spaghetti lunch. I tried so hard to get a family picture of us at the table, but not having a tripod, and no where else to set up the camera, and my lens is to close up for this kinda thing.

After nap time and a movie, (and while it poured outside) we thought we'd try to get in a nice bike ride before more rain hit. (and we had a coupon for an ice-cream shop in town) So off we went...and it was a bit further than we thought. But we got there, got our coffee ice-cream, cookie dough ice-cream, and a kids spike - blue ice-cream with candy inside - and enjoyed it under a little canopy, while it started to pour once again.

Isn't Erik just the cutest thing - Mr. Round face.

We were running out of clothes that were dry by now - thus Katy borrowing my sweater.

The little ice-cream shop- Dee Dee's... :) An interesting spot for sure. All decked out with Pirates and nautical stuff..

Then it cleared out a little, before the real storm came through - so we hustled back as fast as we could - trying to out-ride the storm - with little success.... we got drenched. But it was fun. A blast actually. The kids were fine in the bike trailer, so that was good. Supper was had, and kids went to bed. And we had some Andy Griffeth time.

Erik going to sleep.

The next morning we packed up, and got ready to go home. We stopped at an outlet store on the way for a couple hours, which was nice. Then to Lewiston, where our van battery died - so we didn't leave the warehouse til 9:30, (so thankful that Henry and the kids were there!)

 and then homeward bound. Tired and glad to be home.

But more memories were made, and I'm looking forward to another family vacation time,

when it will be us four again.