PA Vaca - Day 3

This day was spent showing the kids around some of the places were we spent time as kids and where we use to go on dates.  It was a blast showing them our favorite places and new things.  We started off by heading down to the Pinnacle.  One of my all time favorite places to go to think, take in God's beautiful creation, etc.  The kids thought it was pretty awesome too.  We hiked down to the bottom where the old Conrail (now NS) line runs.  We skipped rocks into the Sus Q river.  Andy showed them signals and switches and explained how they worked.  Then we hiked back up to the top.

Where I use to love to come to hang out and think...Even use to come here for Senior Bag Day in HS where we'd suntan, listen to the radio, etc.

 Checking out the tracks

 Wishing I had my kayak to paddle around the Sus Q River!

Fun throwing rocks into the river.  They could have done this for hours!

I love butterflies and found this swallowtail at the Pinnacle.

After we left the Pinnacle, we drove by MMS (Marticville Middle School) so I could show them where I spent 2 yrs and way too many hours on a bus getting to and from there.  The kids also got to see a covered bridge for the first time.  They had only seen pictures, never driven over one or seen it up close.  They were pretty impressed by it.

We also stopped at Chickies Rock.  This was one of our favorite date spots.  We'd hike back to the overlook to watch fireworks in York County on the 4th every year and frequently visited there just to take in a sunset.

The view from Chickies is beautiful but much different than from the Pinnacle.  Chickies is between Columbia and  Marietta and you can see the Rt 30 and Rt 462 bridges as well as TMI.  I prefer the view from the Pinnacle as well as the hiking at Kelly's Run and Tucquan Glen.

After we finished with our southern/western Lancaster County tour, we headed back to get cleaned up and meet with Andy's family for dinner and drinks.  We got to see Nancy, Tom, Dottie, Aunt Shirley, Jere, Colin, and Katrina's family.  It was so nice to be able to sit, relax, have a drink, break bread while catching up with each other.  We stayed there for a few hours enjoying everyone's company.

Kendall thought Colin was hilarious.  Colin dared her to walk around with the leftovers on her head.  She gladly obliged!

Once we got back to the hotel, the kids begged to get on the treadmills at the gym.  We agreed for a short period of time - they are still too small to use them properly, but it was funny to watch regardless.  The hotel also had bikes and basketballs, etc. so we went outside and let them burn off their excess everyday.

Day 3 was a very full day!

PA vaca - Day 2

The whole reason we planned our trip when we did was so we could take the kids to their first National MX race.  They were at mx at Rocky Mt. Raceway in Utah, but this was the real deal, with their favorite racers.  Ra was stoked to see Dungey in action again.  Sis was bummed that Bam Bam was out with an ankle injury.

We had to get up early to make the 3 hr. drive to Budds Creek, but it was totally worth it!  We all had a blast.  It was hot and humid sitting there watching the race, but we had fun none the less.  Lots of action happening all over the track.  It's harder to keep up on the leaders because you can't see the entire track from one spot like you can at a SX race, but the inclines and jumps were awesome to see in person.  You can't mimic that in a stadium.

This track was awesome!

Ra's favorite rider - #5 Ryan Dungey

Ra is happy that dad bought him a Coke!

 Dungey getting some air

Ken Roczen who also rides for KTM did really well - Ra has him in his bedroom too.

#5 was able to pull off an overall win at Budds Creek which meant Ra was happy on the trip home!

Better watch out Dungey, here comes Trey Canard...

Love how close you can get to the action at a MX race.  Dirt flies all over you!

#41 Trey Canard - a family favorite and not just because he rides Red.  He's an incredible role model for young riders.  I call him the Tim Tebow of SX/MX.  He openly & often shares his faith and helps to point others to Jesus.  He came back to SX after a shoulder injury and has done rather well battling back up to the top.  

Too much excitement for Sis.  She crashed about 10 minutes after we got loaded up and headed out.  

We had a fantastic time and so glad we were able to take the kids to see a National MX.  Andy and I haven't been to a National since we lived in upstate NY and went to Broome-Tioga and saw Jeremy McGrath and Jeff Emig battle it out!  

PA Vaca - Day 1

After spending a few days in Pa this past fall, the kids requested a vacation to Lancaster this summer. We were more than happy to oblige.  We spent 10 days back in the commonwealth and had a great time.  We visited a lot of our favorite places, showed the kids how we use to spend our summers, showed them where we use to live, where family lived, visited family, visited friends, tasted and smelled all of our favorite foods and had a fantastic time.

I found this on Facebook the other day and thought how appropriate it was to our trip home.  We didn't eat Gobs, but mom's homemade whoopee pies.  We also drank TH ice tea, birch beer or meadow tea instead of Kool Aid.  Mom always asked me to red up my room and I loved playing in the crick by my Pappy's cabin.

This video called Pennsylvania Guys by Sloppy Seconds is a great description of life growing up in PA.  Some things need to be experienced to be appreciated.  Click on the title to link to youtube to see the parody video.  This one is called Pennsylvania Style.  Both videos show pieces of the place Andy and I were born and raised.  We were the first of our families to move away from home.  There are times we miss it and other times we're glad we've experienced all we have in the many places we've lived. 

We started our trip on a Friday flying out of Jax into Harrisburg.  It costs a little more to do that, but we've decided it's totally worth it instead of driving 1 1/2 hrs. up from BWI.

Ready to head out on our adventure

Would you see this anywhere other than at a gate in Atlanta headed to Harrisburg?

After we got into town, we headed straight to Isaacs to grab some lunch.  Andy and I use to go there all the time for lunch - I use to go with friends from work, etc.  It's one of my favorite sandwich places in Lancaster.  The kids have eaten there before on one of our other trips and always love it.  After lunch, Andy wanted to let them taste a REAL Reese's Pieces sundae from Friendly's.  Friendly's was always a family favorite for dinner and ice cream - back before they changed it at least.  We use to love the one on Columbia Ave.  Andy always makes homemade Reese's sundaes, but he wanted them to have the real deal.

My absolute FAVORITE sandwich - Finch on a pretzel roll.  I use to call for takeout and pick it up on my way home from work.  Especially when I was coaching at Township and didn't feel like making dinner.

Reese's Pieces Happy Ending Sundae!

Our boy refused to conform and ordered a chocolate brownie, hot fudge, delicious mess

We stopped by Giant to grab a few things including Hershey Park tickets and the kids were totally confused when I said I was going to get a "Giant" card (savings card).  They thought I meant a "GIANT" sized card!  

We stopped by the Millersville Boro Park - brought back memories for me & Andy playing there as kids.  Ra had his 4th birthday party there and thankfully he remembered it!

The view looking east from the park - I always loved how Millersville is surrounded by corn fields and farms

The view of Eshleman Elementary from the park - Andy and I both went to school here.  I went K-6, but Andy was only there for a few years

Our favorite grocery store of our childhood.  It's not nearly as nice as it was when Mr. Herr owned it. It was like family then, maybe because Nanny Hershock was such good friends with the Herrs.

We also gave the kids a tour of our childhood homes.  The top one is in Quaker Hills where I lived through 7th grade.  The bottom is the home I lived in till I got married.  The bottom one is only a few blocks from Andy's mom's house.  

 The was the first house we bought.  We were house hunting before we were married and came across this cute ranch in Wilshire Hills.  We bought it and started to fix it up - even had my WCU graduation party here, but sadly, we never got to live in it.  Andy got transferred to upstate NY before we got married and Conrail helped us sell it.

This is still my favorite house.  This is the first one we ever built but the 3rd we owned and the 4th address in the first 7 years we were married.  I loved this house.  We could have stayed there forever.  This home was completely custom and we chose every detail of it.  We couldn't afford as much back then, but for what money we had, I was pleased with our outcome.  I really wish the new owners would trim back my holly bushes though!

After a few other errands, we checked into our hotel, freshened up and headed out to Andy's dad & girlfriend's house for dinner.  We had a fantastic time with Tom and Dottie.  They are so sweet and Riley could have spent and entire day with them talking trains, cars, history, politics.  It was great to see him connecting with both of them so well.  He's always had a special connection to Tom because of their love of trains - similar to what Andy and Tom shared when Andy was a kid.  It's special to watch.

Tom's outdoor train layout.  Both of my boys thought this was pretty cool.  Tom has put a lot of work into it and it shows.

Andy and his dad (AKA Pappy Chooch)

While we were there, the sun started to set and the lightening bugs came out.  Kendall thought catching them was so much fun.  She giggled when they'd land on her hand.  We had to restrain ourselves from telling them that if you smash them and rub them on your shirt or skin, they'd still glow...Dottie got them glass jars to catch them in so they could see them glowing just like I use to do as a kid.

Our first day was packed with activity and we were off to a great start!

A New Kendallism

The kids were bickering in the pool the other day so I made them each swim 10 laps in hopes of tiring them out enough to knock it off.  It was much easier for Ra than it was for Sis because he's bigger.  When she finally finished her 10th lap, she was a bit winded and said to Ra, "I think I need lip-to-lip!"  Ra quickly corrected her by saying, "I think you mean mouth-to-mouth."

She cracks me up!

Summertime Means Popsicles

I am known for making different type of popsicle concoctions for my kids every summer.  This one is a Chunko favorite.  We mixed up some root beer float pops out of vanilla coconut ice cream and draft root beer.  My kids go nutz for them!

Are They Open?

Yes!  Angies is "Um, Open!"  If you've never been to Angies Subs, ignore this post, but if you have, this sign makes complete sense!  Love Angies - their food, their sweet tea and their decor!  Hands down our family's favorite place to meet for lunch!

It's Gonna Be Alright

As moms we often worry if we are doing our best to raise our children right. Are they in the best school?  Are they surrounded by kids who are good influences?  Are they eating too much "junk?"  Are they getting too much screen time?  

Well, today I had a reminder that I'm on the right track. In the car we were talking about Ra's friend's dad who is finding out tomorrow if the months of chemo he has suffered through has worked to kill the cancer in his body. I suggested to the kids that they pray for the entire family. As soon as I finished telling them, Kendall says "Mom, I'm gonna pray right now." I looked back in my rear view mirror to find her hands folded and head bowed. 

It was all I could do to hold back my tears. She has such a sweet, loving heart when it comes to others.  If nothing else, I've done one thing right.  My kids know that when times are tough, we should get on our knees and talk to Jesus.

Summertime Relaxing

I mixed some Turkey Hill ice tea and lemonade together with some Skinny Girl vodka for a relaxing summer drink while the kids swam today.  I swam with them for a while, but then wanted to get out to relax.  

Life is good...and yes, that is the kids' Snow Tube they are playing on in the pool.  Who knew it was just for sledding?  ;)

Are There Mountains in Florida?

Nope, but there are mt. biking trails!  Sadly our highest points are the bridges across the St. John's River!

Now that Ra and I have some extra time on Tues/Thurs mornings when Sis is at gymnastics practice, we are trying to spend some QT together.  On Tuesday we went to Barnes & Noble for him to spend a birthday gift card.  He was so excited to get new books - how can you deny a kid a chance for new books?  He's such a great reader.

Today we decided to go mt. biking at Hanna Park.  Hanna Park is where Ra got baptized at the beach last June - it's here in Atlantic Beach, but next to Mayport Naval Station.  They have the beach, mt. biking and hiking trails, a lake to fish/canoe, a splash pad and a campground.  It's a treasure that I'm glad we live close enough to use frequently.  Ra and Andy have ridden the trails with Ra's friend "Cra Cra" and his dad.  This was my first time riding the trails.  

I let Ra lead the entire time and he loved it.  You can tell he has dirt bike experience by watching him pick his line over tree roots, etc.  He did really well on the "More Difficult" trails.  We rode the South Loop (marked in red on the map) which was 4.5 miles roundtrip.  There aren't hills like when we rode in Corner Canyon in Utah, but there were some up and down sections where you could pick up a little speed.  

We were both tired afterwards.  It was a great work out and a wonderful way for us to spend some time with just Ra.  We have to check the tides, but we might break out our kayaks and go out on the intercoastal (aka the Ditch) to paddle around.  I'm excited to see what else we plan to do during our special time together each week.