Chattanooga...Here We Come!

Very, very last minute...Todd was called away to Chattanooga, TN for work for two long weeks.  Luckily, he has such a loving and thoughtful wife that endured the STRESS and MORE STRESS of bringing his three favorite people to spend some time with him there.  It also helped that we haven't been there as a family yet, so it was the perfect opportunity to take an impromptu family vacation this summer. 

We survived the flight, just barely...after the entire airport was shut down at our layover.  Grrr!  Ayden refused to nap and just cried for about 15 minutes on the plane as we sat on the runway waiting to take off along with the rest of the airport after the shutdown.  Sorry, plane full of people.  Allie stayed busy with her iPad and even shared with Ayden some.  They both ate WAY too much candy and Ayden put stickers on EVERYTHING.

But, we made it!  I made it!  I survived my first flight solo with two kids, a stroller, and luggage.  It probably won't be the last I travel outnumbered. I for sure have a few more gray hairs now...but I'm so proud of myself.

Ayden is 22 Months

Ayden is having the best summer.  He started attending gymnastics class and loves to climb, hang and swing on the rings, and jump on the trampoline.  He likes to visit the library and attend story time.  Ayden went up north for Independence Day.  He had a great time with his buddy, Carson, playing, swimming and roasting marshmallows.  He slept right through all of the noisy fireworks.  Ayden also traveled to Pennsylvania to visit family.  He did wonderfully for the car ride there and back.  Ayden learned how to say his name this month and is talking a ton.  He repeats everything everyone says and is starting to say more phrases.  Ayden enjoys playing with the vacuum an climbing up the cabinets to turn the water on to play in.  His new nickname is Spiderman.  Ayden had a bad fall this month when he tried to ride his Wheely-Bug down the garage stairs.  He was pretty bruised and scraped up on his face, but fortunately didn't need stitches.

Lake Pymatuning

The Hammerick's couldn't let a summer go by without visiting our very favorite Auntie Ellen and Uncle Joe at Lake Pymatuning in PA.  There's not a whole lot to do there...but Allie and Ayden seem to make everything fun.

We've been to the deer park in Pymatuning for the past couple years...however, this was Ayden't first trip.  He was a little apprehensive feeding the animals at first...but warmed up rather quickly.  Todd and I enjoyed seeing him get so excited over all the animals.

We were thrilled to hear Uncle Joe got a boat recently...and we were even more thrilled to spend a day out on the lake  Allie and Ayden BOTH sailed us around while us adults sat back and enjoyed the sun and view.

There are a lot of Amish families and towns nearby.  We did some shopping, tested out a buggy or two, and had some Amish lunch.  The fry pies and doughnuts were to DIE FOR!!!  We MUST go back there next year.  Thanks, Auntie Ellen and Nana for spoiling my children rotten.  They absolutely loved all their new treasures.

The four of us headed to Lake Conneaut Park for some amusement rides.  This park is over 100 years old and somewhat small...but it in perfect for these two.  Todd and I were unsure if Ayden would be able to ride anything...but, I just told him he had to stay sitting...and he did!  He liked the rides overall...most of them.  Except that one he cried on. 

There was a rainy day...but we decided to head to the movie.  Allie picked up these 3D glasses and decided she loved them.  She insisted on wearing them...her glasses to see with.  We indulged in some of the yummiest ice cream ever.

We headed to the lake to feed the ducks and fish...a favorite thing to do for many visitors.  Ayden even got into it!  He was chucking that bread and giggling every time those ducks gobbled it up.

The best part of our evenings was the campfire...roasting s'mores!  The kiddos liked jumping on the giant trampoline in the backyard too.  Allie just loves Uncle Joe's grand-niece, Jenna, who stays in the cottage behind Auntie Ellen's.  Thanks, Jenna for playing with Allie again.  She always has the best time with you.

We are so blessed to have family (Patches, you too) willing and take care of (and put up with) our littles.  Todd and I were able to have a date night at the local winery...it was just perfect!  We will be sure to visit there again next summer.

 

Thanks, Nana and Papa for coming with us, feeding us, and helping with the kids.  Thank you Auntie Ellen and Uncle Joe for welcoming ALL of us wild and crazies into your home.  Thanks Patches for letting my kiddos pet you over and over again...and sorry we didn't drop as much food as you would have liked.  Thank you Jenna for playing with Allie...she loves you! 

New View

Today's a big day!  Ayden turned his car seat around for a whole new ride...and view!  He's a happy guy in the car now.  And it's so much easier to pass back his snacks!

Up North on the Fourth

We are so blessed to be invited to our friend's cottage up north on Houghton Lake for the 4th of July...after all...we had NO plans this year. 

 

We usually go to the parade and collect candy (big highlight of the day)...so I had a little surprise already prepared for my firecrackers before I knew we were going to be out of town.  A new candy collection bag personalized with their names on it to take to all their future parades.  They were of course fill up with lots of red, white and blue goodies and treats.

 



The parade is going to have to wait until next year...because we were up north on the fourth!  Uncle Mark and Aunt Kat...we just LOVE your cottage and always have the best time...as long as everyone cooperates at bedtime.  These kiddos had a ball together.  How cute are these patriots?!?

Our fourth was filled with jet skis, swimming, boating, the kids workshop at Home Depot, a craft show where everyone come home with a new bow and arrow set, campfires, fire works, and s'mores.

Home Depot race crew...everyone's a winner

Boating on the lake

Fire Master, Austin making sure the campfire is just right for s'more roasting



Aliie, Austin, and Sophia watching the fireworks

Allie got to stay up later than she ever has to watch the fireworks for the very first time on the fourth...the big kids were in awww as they watched them from the boat. 

Thanks again Uncle Mark and Aunt Kat for having us up.  We had a great time!!!

Safety Town

Allie spent this week learning how to be a SAFE kiddo...at Safety Town.  Mr. Tommy help Allie learn how to STOP, DROP, and ROLL, call 911, and how to cross the street properly to name a few.  Allie is official a Safety Town  graduate!  Now it time to put those safety techniques into action!

A Split Second

I was forewarned by all my friends with boys...there would come the day we made our first trip to the emergency room.  Boys are wired differently than girls. They climb, they're rough, they move NON-STOP!  They also try to ride their Wheely-Bug down the wooden garage stairs. 

Ayden did just that. It was a split second of my life I will always remember. I walked into the garage to put something in the recycle bin (step, step, step down the stairs). I reached into the bin...then I hear "THUMP, THUMP, THUMP followed by the worst scream I've ever heard from my baby boy. I happen to see him fall from the last step and watched as his head hit the bumper of the car (better than the cement floor, I guess). 

I scooped him up and grabbed the ice pack. At that point I didn't even know what I was going to put it on. That is when I noticed the BLUE indentation and cut on his forehead, along with blood on his nose and mouth.  All those conversations I've had with mom's of boys came flooding into my head...I for sure thought we were heading to the ER for Ayden's first set of stitches or a missing tooth. 

Ayden calmed down. The cut closed with the ice pack. I called the doctor because I was on the fence about where to take him...doctor's office or ER? Based on my answers to their set of questions, his injuries weren't severe enough for the ER just yet.  So, we headed to the doctors for a quick evaluation....and by the grace of God, my baby boy is FINE.  He's completely fine...besides the fact that it looks like he smashed his face on some wooden stairs.  

 

 

 

The ER did not have the pleasure of hosting us today.  Scary mommy moment that I'm hoping to never experience again.