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4th Grade

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All 3 came home happy!!

I got to take Audrey to school for the 1st day...

but she was very happy to get on the bus herself the 2nd day.

This was a tough one to take- can't believe our youngest is in school everyday!!

End of Summer Fun

Summer just keeps going by faster each year.  I didn't have anything planned for the last 2 weeks of vacation, but we kept plenty busy!

We borrowed this cool telescope from the library to look at the super moon and saw Saturn's rings.

Celebrating 15 years today!

The girls had fun decorating our sand castle cake!

The family gave me a perfect 40th birthday celebration day with a  biking trip, ice cream cones and Rachel's pretzels.  I am one blessed wife/mom!!

We didn't make it to the ocean beach this year, but everyone had a great day at Keystone State Park swimming in the lake and building sand structures with Grammy, Grandpa, Kris, Jenny, Molly and Norah!

Falcon Camp

Owen had a day at the National Aviary last week where he got to learn about and interact with the falcons and birds of prey.  He has been fascinated with and has learned so much about these amazing creatures on his own for a few years now, so I had no doubt that he would LOVE this day!  I think the expression on his face shows exactly how he felt...

His highlights:  holding a falcon and dissecting and owl pellet.  Eww...

His peregrine falcon costume from his 2nd grade superhero unit

After last week he says he wants to become a "Master Falconer"  so he can have his own bird.

We Love NY!!

Our family had a wonderful visit with the Hubbard and Carlin clans last week.  All 17 of us enjoyed some great time together and it was fun to watch the 9 cousins play and enjoy each other so much.

Boat riding fun on Cayuga Lake

They all love to drive the boat too!

Now that's a fire!  It was great for S'mores once it settled down a bit too!

Taughannock Falls State Park

The kids had so much fun wading through the water to get to the falls!

Paddle boats were a little more their speed while the others went tubing.

1st time ever tubing!

1st time ever tubing too!!

Headed back to the house!

Elaina loves to go jet skiing with Aunt Shawna!

I love this picture!

Backyard swing set fun!

They had fun designing their own t-shirts.

Trip to the zoo for the younger ones- the older 3 wanted to stay home and play board games.  Really?!

Biker gang

Biker girl

Back at the zoo

Papa seems to always have a little one on his shoulders!

Blueberry pickin'

22 pints of blueberries didn't take long to pick with this crew!

Seabreeze!!

Kiva Blocks

Owen got these blocks for Christmas 2 years ago and has used them almost non-stop building castles,  dragon lairs, cities, mines, marble runs, towers, pyramids and his latest... a bi-plane.  He wanted to share the pictures especially with his grandfathers, so here are some that he took himself:

Oglebay

Our family enjoyed a super getaway to a surprisingly nearby, beautiful and relaxing place last weekend with some extended family.  We all stayed together in one big cabin and enjoyed all kinds of outdoor and indoor time together.  Owen liked it so much that he said on the way home, "I think I like Oglebay even better than our trip to Disney because it was more in nature and much less crowded."  I have to agree- it was so nice to all be together and it was really fun too!

This is one of my favorite things to do with Owen in the summer.

They have a great nature center there with programs and activities for all ages.  This snake program was a highlight for sure!

Cousins!!!

The zoo is small, but very unique and interactive.  The girls loved playing vet!!

It was no surprise that Audrey chose the cheetah for a check-up!

Here is our bird boy... he loved getting up close to this red-tailed hawk.

Dinosaurs have invaded- Audrey kept asking, "they're not real, right?"  

Our little paleontologists...

Feeding the lorikeets

This one didn't move or make noise, so she wasn't as shy to go right up to it!

Up close with the spectacled bear.

The paddle boats in the "lake" were a favorite too!

Sparklers and s'mores on our last night

Hiking buddies!

Still loves elephants!!!