PreK Graduation

by Heather | 0 comments

Ben finished PreK! (A few months ago…I’m so behind). They had a cute little presentation in class with songs and a little reading from their teacher about what each of the kids said they wanted to be when they grew up. Ben said he “would like to be a daddy and a construction worker. After his mom gets him a glue gun, he wants to help build houses to live in when he is a dad”. Haha :) Ben was so excited to have us there and share the morning with us. My mom, Cassidy and Andy’s mom and dad were able to come too.

There was a picnic outside afterwards too.

Ben and his awesome teacher Mrs. Gallina.

Saying goodbye to some friends.

Life list

by Heather | 1 Comment

Do you have a bucket list? I have a bunch of things I’d like to experience at least once. I think some of these will naturally evolve as life does and some of these won’t ever happen, but some will. What’s on your list?

– Finish a quilt

– Can meat (pressure canner scares me)

– Get my pilot’s license

– Get my hunting license

– Visit Alaska

– Dog sled while in Alaska

– Work on a farm

– Become a falconer

– Live modestly, purge what we don’t use

– Visit Scotland

– Own a dog that Andy does hate, ha!

– Make cheese (bonus if I milked the cow or goat too)

– Visit the Smithsonian

– Celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary (I’d be 70!)

– Be debt free (including mortgage)

– Keep a sketch book, sketch

– Build a dream house on 10+ acres with woods and a creek

– Do an internship at someplace like Genesee Country Village

– See in 3D, do a magic eye

– Learn to play the violin or piano

– Get a stormtrooper costume and walk around town in it

– Be someone who gets monthly massages

– Teach my kids to read

– Scuba dive

– Work on a vintage letter press with metal type

– Learn more about coffee from growing, to roasting to making the perfect cup

Indian Lake Camping

by Heather | 1 Comment

Andy and I went island camping in the Adirondacks again this year. We arrived early Friday morning to hike Snowy Mountain. It.was.tough. We kind of knew what we were getting into, but it took us 3 hours to hike up and 2.5 hours to treacherously make it down.

Up, up and up!

Stopping for a little rest.

It was incredibly steep, but had beautiful views up top.

We could even see “our island.”

At the top of the mountain was an old fire tower you could climb for even higher views.

Andy pointing the hat cam out of the fire tower. He has some awesome videos I’ll have to share in another post.

Coming down was pretty tricky because of the high slope. Luckily the only damage done was to my shoes. Easily washed off in the creek.

Worth it, yes! Would we do it again, probably not :)

After surviving Snowy Mountain we headed down to the boat launch at Indian Lake.

Thankfully Andy had a little 2hp motor attached to the side of our canoe so we didn’t have to paddle all the way out to our island. The views on the way out were beautiful from down here as well!

Our island was beautiful and we were the only campsite on it!

Saturday morning I actually woke up to see sunrise, grab a few pics, then head back to bed. We were beat!

The rest of Saturday we hung out around our island, went swimming and fishing.

I caught this little guy and we were going to put him back but the hook was so stuck we couldn’t get it out without doing some damage. So we took him back and cooked him with our lunch, sorry little guy.

We actually ate really well! A friend teasingly asked if we’d have to forage for our food but Andy had all the yummy meals planned, I didn’t have to do a thing (except wash dishes after).

We did find some huckleberries (blueberries) on our island too and included them in our morning pancakes.

Andy assures me they’re not poisonous…lol, no we didn’t eat them ;-)

Andy with his water filter pump contraption.

A little friend on our island.

Sunday we paddled to the other end of the lake (about 45 minutes by canoe) to Baldface Mountain. It was neat that the only way you could get to the trail was by boat. This one wasn’t nearly as bad as the first one we’d climbed, but still pretty steep.

We found a geocache on the way up.

The view was great!

We even brought our little camp stove and boiled water for soup and had lunch up top. Andy knows I’m not terribly fond of ramen noodles so he stocked mine with extra veggies to make up for it, that’s love.

Monday we packed up camp and explored the lake a little bit before heading home to pick up the kids. Someday we’d like to bring them, but we’ll have to figure out logistics as our canoe was full with the cooler, tent, backpacks and other gear. Although it certainly was a nice, quiet, relaxing weekend. Until next year!

Cottage Life

by Heather | 0 comments

We visited my mom and Paul’s cottage this weekend! My grandparents were actually up from Florida for the week too and it was SO nice to visit with them. They met Cassidy and my brother’s daughter, Brielle, for the first time. We’d been together two years ago at my brother’s wedding and I was 7 months pregnant with Miss Cassidy then. Ben didn’t quite make the connection that they were MY grandma and grandpa, but we all had fun!

4 Generations: My grandpa, mom, brother and niece :)

Cassidy was NOT thrilled she had to share spotlight time with Brielle ;-)

Saturday weather was beautiful, 70s and sunny!

The kids played on the playground behind the cottage and enjoyed making some new friends.

The kids also got to meet my mom and Paul’s new rescue doggie, Jackson. He is such a sweetheart and was very good with the little ones the whole weekend.

The weather may have been nice, but the lake was still freezing! I think in the low 50s! That didn’t stop Andy from suiting up and heading out on his jetski. He bought it on craigslist a few months back and has pretty much gutted and rebuilt all the innards. I’m SO proud of him (and maybe slightly jealous of all the attention he gives her…) He even convinced Paul to head out on the lake too, even though everyone else on the cottage lane thought they were crazy. Ben went for a little ride too but said it was too cold and windy and asked to turn around. I’m proud of him for trying!

All the kiddos enjoyed snuggles with Nonna. My kids were exhausted from all the activity and slept really well for naps and night time (woo hoo!)

Saturday night, Paul’s brother Dan was at a neighboring cottage and popped over to visit and show us his drone. Andy wished he’d brought his, but there just wasn’t room as we’d taken my car. Andy said he didn’t have the guts to fly it over the water like Dan did anyway ;-)

Andy and Paul watching the sunset.

It was a gorgeous sunset that night. We don’t always get to see a spectacular one every time we’re there (in truth it’s usually just twice over the summer we visit) but there were lots of clouds to reflect light and lots of interesting colors and hues. I took so many pictures and it was so hard to pick my favorites.

Even Jackson was out on the deck enjoying the evening with us.

Sunday was a bit gloomy, grey and rainy so we stayed inside most of the day. The kids enjoyed lounging in their jammies and playing on the tablet together.

A cuter shot from Paul. This picture almost makes you think they get along ;-) They are pretty good buddies :)

We had such a nice time with you mom and Paul, thank you for having us! (I know, you’re saying “duh, of course!”)

I know it’s regular life for you, but cottage life is a special treat!

Water fun

by Heather | 0 comments

It’s been so nice this year to have the kids play outside and get the chance to do a little gardening and weeding. In previous years I’d have to sit in the little kiddie pool with them or hover right over them to make sure nobody wandered off. This year they’re actually playing together (mostly nicely) and really stay entertained in the backyard. The kiddie pool with slide and sprinkler are particular favorites.

Teddy Bear Parade & Picnic

by Heather | 0 comments

Back in April the PreK class held a parade with their stuffed animals. Each kid had to make a float for them and then got to show their projects off to family on parade day. Ben wanted to make a rocket with stars for Bear so we used tinfoil and a little red wagon. Bear also wore goggles because every rocketeer needs them! After the super cute parade we headed inside for a little picnic and some songs and stories. My mom and Andy’s parents were actually able to join us. It was such a nice morning and organized so well by the teachers!