Big Summer Trip

We just returned from our big trip back East - what a great time! It was a trip filled with family and friends, lots of great food, new experiences, and lots and lots of fun! I will try to recap through the following pictures.

We left our house at 4am on July 15 and got into Deposit, NY at 10pm after two plane rides and a 3 hour car trip. The kids did great on all parts of this day. Needless to say, though, we were all very happy to pull into Grandma and Grandpa Briggs house that night.

Our three day stay in Deposit was the same time as the annual homecoming for the town. The little town (actually it is called a village) goes all out for this Lumberjack Festival. There is a carnival, parade, fireworks, and even a 5-K race. There are also a lot of Lumberjack events and contests, but we didn't take part or watch any of those. Maybe next time.

We did go down to the carnival though which is where these pics come from. This was an army vehicle that the kids got to sit in.

Saraya's first roller coaster.
Saturday morning Isaac and I did our first 5K together. It was a 10am start time and probably high 80s by the time the run started. It was hot and humid! Isaac did great and we both had a lot of fun. He especially liked running past his dad and hearing him cheer for him.
Here we are gearing up for the parade. We enjoyed seeing many tractors and fire trucks. A little light on bands which are my favorite part.
Also on Saturday Grandma and Grandpa Briggs hosted a party for the whole family and it was a lot of fun seeing everyone.

Here are Olivia and Vincent.
Aunt Nancy.
Cousin Caden and Isaac cooling off in the pool.

On Sunday we went to a party at Great Grandma and Grandpa Briggs house. We were celebrating Great Grandpa's 87th b-day. It was another great afternoon.

What fun the property was for the kids. There is a creek to wade in.

And a pond to swim in. The kids were in heaven!!

A perfect 10 from the rope swing.
The paddle boat was a hit.
Happy Birthday Grandpa - so glad we were able to be there.
Grandpa D and Saraya.

The second leg of our trip was in NY City. Scott and I snuck away for a night to celebrate our 10th anniversary. It was so much fun. We enjoyed walking around and taking it all in. We walked the entire distance and back of Central Park - we figure we did 10 miles. It was amazing - so many different features which make you forget you are in the biggest city. The next day we met up with Grandma Maria and Grandpa D to get the kids back and we spent another day in the city with them. It was fun watching them take in all the action and sights. The next few pics are out of order.

We took the kids to Top of the Rock (Rockefeller building). So much fun being on the top of world.

Behind us is Central Park.

Empire State Building,.

We found a water park in Central park which was a perfect place to cool off. Who needs swim suits?

Here are some pics from the park - not what you think of when you think NYC.

This area is called the Ravine.

This is a castle that you could go up and overlook the park.
At the top.
The fountain that is in a lot of movies - and was also in the Friends' opening.
Here we are on our night of freedom. We found a great place to hang out.
Times Square - so fun. Just amazing to see all the different people and hear all the different languages.
We begged the officers not to take the kids to jail.

In the Toys R Us in Times Square - there is a Ferris Wheel in the store!!!
From NYC we headed to New Jersey to stay with Uncle Darren, Aunt Lori and Cousin Caden for a couple days. We also saw Grammy Karen there too. It was another fun few days filled with lots of humidity, heat and sun. We spent much time in the backyard pools trying to stay cool. We also hit the beach for a day - the kids first adventure in the Atlantic Ocean. Isaac was pretty much a master of the boogie board by the end of the day.

Where is Isaac?


Most of our time was spent at the house just enjoying the company of family we don't see often enough. It was a very relaxing time.

Grammy and the boys.
The two curliest-haired kids. So cute.

Here we are staying cool in one of the pools. Uncle Darren brainwashed Isaac to call him Genius for all the great ideas he came up with during our stay. I have to admit the kiddie pools did hit the spot for staying cool.
With a water slide.
Here is the big pool - Isaac loved this one. Big enough to jump in and make big splashes.

Grammy and the kids.
Cousins - it was fun to see them all together. They had a great time.

Last night we got back to our home at 1am. We had an exciting flight home over several thunder storms which included us seeing lightening outside the widows. I didn't love that experience, but at least the kids slept for most of the 6 hour flight home. We are glad to be home and enjoying the beautiful Northwest weather - low 80s with no humidity. It was a fun trip!