July Journey - Part 3 - Extra Week in NY

Due to an issue with my car, we ended up spending an extra week in NY.  (I won't publicly embarrass any one but let the record show that it was not my fault!)  While it was annoying to wait a week for car repairs, the timing was great.  We didn't have any commitments during that time and I'm off of work for the summer.  So, we spent an extra week in NY hanging with my parents and brothers.  We kept ourselves pretty busy and got some visits in with family and old friends.

My rental car for the week.  It was pretty fun to drive this thing through the winding, hilly roads of Western NY.  Rob hated the car and announced it every time he had to wait for one of us to let him out.  (Apparently he's not a fan of child locks on back doors.)

Sara makes friends every where we go---including Little League games.  This little girl asked me why she talked funny.  I just told her she was still learning English.  Her response:  "I can still play with her, though.  Right?"  Yes, sweetheart.  You can!

She's a little bit vain.  This was a disastrous trip to Walmart.  Never take a brother obsessed with toys and a 4-year-old who hasn't seen most toys into Walmart without some sort of backup.  (My mom disappeared to attempt to get some actual shopping done.)  

We got to visit with my brother and his girls.  This is Sara's cousin.  They aren't really convinced that they like each other at this point in their lives.  They both LOVE to be in charge and that doesn't always work out very well.

They sure are cute, though!

Nana is getting buried but I'm pretty sure she's loving it.

Kinsley is more Sara's speed.  She's used to being told what to do.

Unfortunately, this was just before we were headed out to a church party.  Summer has worn her out.

Sara went on her first canoe ride at the church picnic.  I really did not want to swim in that pond but once she saw other kids in it, there was no way she wasn't going in.  As much as she thinks she doesn't need me in the water, she does.
On a side note, I love how welcoming my parents' church family has been to Sara (and my brothers).  It's pretty much the only church that we've been too that I haven't been totally stressed out about her behavior.  (She's not bad but I don't want her to be the kid people are talking about later.)  Apparently, I've told her to be quiet a few times in church because she shushed the greeter as soon as we walked into the sanctuary.  

My little girl is growing up!  She looks so mature in this picture.

On Monday, we went to Circle C Ranch to meet up with a friend who was dropping off her daughter.  I worked there for 4 summers in high school and college.  I have some amazing memories from that place as a camper and as staff.  It was fun to go see how little has changed in 20 years!!

Monday morning shoot out.  My sister and I were trying to figure out how many of these Wayne has been in and how many we've seen!

Sheriff Red.  (I thought he was old when I was a camper! That was more years ago than I want to admit.)  

The view on the drive home.  It doesn't get more beautiful than this and makes me wonder why I ever left.

My parents' house is grand central station with teenage boys, cats, construction workers, etc.  Sara managed to sleep in the middle of the living room floor for two hours!

Headed to my Aunt's house for lunch on Tuesday.  A girl has to be prepared with her life jacket just in case she gets the chance to go swimming!

My mom and my Aunt trying to figure out their iphones while we were at the playground.

Sara has no fear.  She was climbing stairs and ladders; going down huge slides.  She really wanted to slide down the firemen's pole but that's where I drew the line.  I'm glad she's brave but a little fear would be good!

 I stole this picture from my Dad.  They took her in the car wash---something I haven't done because she's afraid of falling water and loud noises.  They said she was fine but she told me a LONG story when she got home about it.

8 states; 3 weeks; thousands of miles and millions of memories.  It was so great to get to spend so much time with Sara and for her to spend so much time with her grandparents.  I've seen her grow leaps and bounds this summer.  School is all well and good but real-life experiences are just as important.

We have one more trip left and then it's back to "real life" for both of us.  I have no idea how we'll get used to going to bed on time and getting up to an alarm again but I guess we'll figure it out.  Summer can't last forever.