That hiking thing....

 We have been off to a slow start this hiking challenge.  Our last winter challenge was slow due to Dylan's hockey.  Every weekend was filled with games or practice.

We do not have that excuse this spring/summer.  The kids are losing interest.  I LOVE hiking.  I thought if I got/forced them into it, it would be much needed family time, they would develop an appreciation of nature and get some exercise at the same time.  Not so much.

I made some beautiful collages that now hang in our back hallway, celebrating all the hiking we have done the past three years.

After all these years, I pride myself on making sure Dyleva follows through with commitments, but not putting on pressure or forcing them to participate in activities they do not enjoy.

Hence, the end of hiking as a family.

Here are the hikes we have done before my epiphany: 

Reinstein, May 1

                                                           Griffiths Sculpture Park, May 8

Royalton Ravine, May 28

June 19, Bond Lake

Knox Farm, June 28

Wilson Tuscarora, July 6

Buckhorn, July 12

Genesee County, July 25

An afternoon with Titi

 Summer is busy!  Titi has always wanted us to come visit her site on Lake Ontario.  Today was our day!

We stopped briefly to do a hike that was along the way at Wilson Tuscarora Park.  

Dyleva whined a bit.  It was buggy.  But it was quick and we didn't get lost, so, Yay for us!!!

As we pulled up, Logan and Titi was waiting for us in a golf cart.

They showed us their place.  Uncle Eric was ready with the grill.  We explored a bit.  Titi took us down to the lake and showed us around the site.  

It was great to see my nephews!  All the cousins are getting so old!  We enjoyed our time.  Thanks Titi!

Logan is hiding.

The four-day Fourth of July Celebration

 Four long days!

When our Indy cousins come to town, it is usually a party.  This time, it was a four-day party!

Relatively speaking, this year it was low-key.  Normally their visits are filled with bicycle drinking tours, escape rooms, or wine tasting.  

This year, there were just house parties.  But fun house parties!

Here are some highlights!

Dylanisms

"Now how am I going to go pee without my big toe?"  Dylan remarked, staring at his injured foot.  He scraped many layers of skin getting it caught in a scooter.

                                        {  .....   }

"When I woke up, our house smelled like fresh air.  Cause all the windows are open."

                                       &&&&

We were all picking up Eva from a friend's birthday party.  We were waiting in the parking lot in Jeff's truck.  She comes out, and Dylan says, "You let her go to the party in that skirt?"

                                   ((((((((((((

Dylan and Eva were studying.  Dyl looks up, and asks, " What is WW eleven?"

I DISLIKE Darien Lake.

 Eva's birthday celebration turned out ok.

But just barely.

It was a risk to be so unstructured (for me), but sigh, it ended up okay.  She enjoyed herself and her friends' company.

However, part of the problem was that I went through her friends, not the parents, for notification of the party.

Well.  I wasn't about to make the same mistake with Dylan's party.

Eva designed super cute roller coaster invitations.  I mailed them to the friends' houses.

When we tried to "book" a pavillion at Darien, we couldn't.  Jeff suggested just getting a campsite.  So we did.

Two friends have already RSVPed.  Its happening!  Dylan is sooo excited.

And then tonight.  I was paging through my emails with a drink in my hand, deleting garbage and spam, when I came across this:

Dylan's party was on July 19th.

I hate Darien Lake.

Watkins Glen

 Of all the hiking we have done, I have to say that the Watkins Glen gorge is my favorite. 

It is just so beautiful; I love the natural waterfalls.  I love the rocks!

So when Jeff suggested we camp Watkins as our intro to summer, I couldn't have been happier!

  Our campsite was perfect (under the shade of many trees), we had the gorge behind us, and beautiful weather.  We were at site 182 in Onondaga Village.

Admittedly, I was a bit under the weather.  I was a bit burned out from the year.  Earlier that day, was my last day of work.  Whoosh.

We had an enjoyable time.  I was the weakest link; but everyone else was fantastic.  This was a successful camping trip!

13.

Well we knew it was coming. 

The sarcasm and cynicism arrived many months prior. 

 It is official. 

 Eva is a teenager. 

This year she opted for a small friend gathering that will occur in about 3 weeks time. On her birthday night, she was visited by many friends of the family to celebrate the big moment.

Eva turning 13!!!

It was a simple evening; we had fancy cupcakes.  Eva swam and played with her cousins in the pool.  

 

We are preparing for birthday celebration: Part 2 in the upcoming weeks!