Thursday, August 27, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Don't eat that!
No Chase that isn't a blueberry...
No he didn't actually eat it. Just close enough for a cute photo.
Some more pictures from our Apple Shed visit.
No he didn't actually eat it. Just close enough for a cute photo.Some more pictures from our Apple Shed visit.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
First Family Camping Trip
Ok, so I started this post two months ago but had to wait to get the pictures off my camera and when I finally did, I got sidetracked and busy. So I figured before our next big, family camping trip this week, I better write this memory down before it's forgotten and blurred. So easy to do I've found...
A few weekends ago, June 13 & 14 to be exact, we took our first family camping trip to Erie, PA. Erie Speedway was having racing three days in a row so we decided to make a family trip out of it. Instead of all three days, we just went Saturday and Sunday because I had to go the Gananda garage sales Saturday morning.
Saturday I woke up early and headed out garage saleing with Chase in tow. He actually fell asleep on the way so I scouted out the sales as I drove around. After a hurried 2.5 hours, we made it home to jump in the truck and head to Erie.
Once we got to the track, 3 hours later, I dropped Brad off at the track and then headed to our campground. Since we had the race trailer we couldn't tow a camper so we rented a rustic cabin, and when I say rustic, that might be an understatement. Well, it at least had a shower, if you call a drip a shower.
Chase and I made the bed and set up his pack and play. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, hang out at the cabin or go to the race. Well, I of course chose to go to the races. This would be Chase's first race so I wasn't sure how he was going to do. We stopped at McDonald's first to grab dinner and then headed to the track. When we arrived to the track we had awhile before daddy was to race so we watched the modifieds, vroom, vroom as Chase says. 
Instead of watching every class, we walked around and played. The track had this play area which included a big bouncy house and rock climbing. I dug out $1 worth of change so that we could play in the bouncy house. He had a blast, this is just one perk of being parents, we're allowed to "play" in the bouncy house and not get looked at like we're crazy.
After awhile it was finally daddy's turn. It was funny trying to point out daddy for Chase, he didn't quite get it. But he did enjoy watching the race for the most part. He was more interested in playing on the seats and eating his snacks. But he did watch them go round and round. After the race was over, we headed to the pits so say hi to daddy. As soon as Chase saw the race car he said "vroom, vroom" and wanted in. Brad was so proud. Chase stood in the seat, grabbed hold of the wheel and shook back and forth as he wiggled the wheel and screamed, "vroom, vroom". Too stinkin' cute.
We finally headed back to the cabin, way past Chase's bedtime. I laid him down in the pack and play for a goodnight's rest. Not. Chase was not having it, the pack and play, the unfamiliar place and did I mention the group of noisy people behind us having a campfire. I mean, that's fine and all, but they were laughing kind of loud and talking. So this of course distracted Chase and since this was our first rodeo, I didn't think to bring a fan or music for noise.
We brought him to bed with us, nope not happening. Long story short, it was a long. night. At around 4:30am, the people behind us were still up, as were we. I was so desperate for sleep that I called the two hotels down the road to see what it would be for just a few hours, $55 and $100, just to sleep in the room for 5 hours. Absolutely not. Finally, I don't remember how or when, but Chase fell asleep. And through all this we tried to keep him from crying, I mean it was late and it was a small campground. With the healthy lungs he has, I'm sure the entire campground would've been awake with us. So no crying it out.
Oh did I mention it was freezing. Even though it was the middle of June it was down in the 50's at night and I didn't bring sufficient blankets and the little space heater they provided did nothing. So that added to our misery and Chase's.
We had planned on visiting this little local church down the road but after that long night, we were a sight to behold and barley moving. Well, thankfully there's always morning and a new day. So we started the day off with breakfast outside, eggs and sausage. It was yummy and Chase enjoyed just roaming around our cabin.
The 2nd race wasn't until the afternoon so we headed out to Presque Isle State Park. What a huge and beautiful park. Unfortunately it was still cottonwood season, sniff, sniff, sneeze, and there was plenty of cottonwood, more like snowing in June. While we were driving we spotted a lighthouse, so of course we had to stop, photo opportunity. It was pretty cool, and someone actually lived in it. So neat.
After exploring a bit, we headed further onto the isle and ended up at a beach that I named the "kite" beach. Some kite enthusiasts had made it their home for the day and they had kites everywhere and even a dog to chase them. It was the neatest thing.
It was too chilly to get in the water but we let Chase put his feet in. He thought it was a little chilly too. It's funny to think that he wasn't walking on his own yet in all of these pictures.
Ready to hit the beach...sand + water + sun = fun.
A few weekends ago, June 13 & 14 to be exact, we took our first family camping trip to Erie, PA. Erie Speedway was having racing three days in a row so we decided to make a family trip out of it. Instead of all three days, we just went Saturday and Sunday because I had to go the Gananda garage sales Saturday morning.
Saturday I woke up early and headed out garage saleing with Chase in tow. He actually fell asleep on the way so I scouted out the sales as I drove around. After a hurried 2.5 hours, we made it home to jump in the truck and head to Erie.
Once we got to the track, 3 hours later, I dropped Brad off at the track and then headed to our campground. Since we had the race trailer we couldn't tow a camper so we rented a rustic cabin, and when I say rustic, that might be an understatement. Well, it at least had a shower, if you call a drip a shower.
Chase and I made the bed and set up his pack and play. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, hang out at the cabin or go to the race. Well, I of course chose to go to the races. This would be Chase's first race so I wasn't sure how he was going to do. We stopped at McDonald's first to grab dinner and then headed to the track. When we arrived to the track we had awhile before daddy was to race so we watched the modifieds, vroom, vroom as Chase says. Instead of watching every class, we walked around and played. The track had this play area which included a big bouncy house and rock climbing. I dug out $1 worth of change so that we could play in the bouncy house. He had a blast, this is just one perk of being parents, we're allowed to "play" in the bouncy house and not get looked at like we're crazy.
After awhile it was finally daddy's turn. It was funny trying to point out daddy for Chase, he didn't quite get it. But he did enjoy watching the race for the most part. He was more interested in playing on the seats and eating his snacks. But he did watch them go round and round. After the race was over, we headed to the pits so say hi to daddy. As soon as Chase saw the race car he said "vroom, vroom" and wanted in. Brad was so proud. Chase stood in the seat, grabbed hold of the wheel and shook back and forth as he wiggled the wheel and screamed, "vroom, vroom". Too stinkin' cute.
We finally headed back to the cabin, way past Chase's bedtime. I laid him down in the pack and play for a goodnight's rest. Not. Chase was not having it, the pack and play, the unfamiliar place and did I mention the group of noisy people behind us having a campfire. I mean, that's fine and all, but they were laughing kind of loud and talking. So this of course distracted Chase and since this was our first rodeo, I didn't think to bring a fan or music for noise.
We brought him to bed with us, nope not happening. Long story short, it was a long. night. At around 4:30am, the people behind us were still up, as were we. I was so desperate for sleep that I called the two hotels down the road to see what it would be for just a few hours, $55 and $100, just to sleep in the room for 5 hours. Absolutely not. Finally, I don't remember how or when, but Chase fell asleep. And through all this we tried to keep him from crying, I mean it was late and it was a small campground. With the healthy lungs he has, I'm sure the entire campground would've been awake with us. So no crying it out.
Oh did I mention it was freezing. Even though it was the middle of June it was down in the 50's at night and I didn't bring sufficient blankets and the little space heater they provided did nothing. So that added to our misery and Chase's.
We had planned on visiting this little local church down the road but after that long night, we were a sight to behold and barley moving. Well, thankfully there's always morning and a new day. So we started the day off with breakfast outside, eggs and sausage. It was yummy and Chase enjoyed just roaming around our cabin.
The 2nd race wasn't until the afternoon so we headed out to Presque Isle State Park. What a huge and beautiful park. Unfortunately it was still cottonwood season, sniff, sniff, sneeze, and there was plenty of cottonwood, more like snowing in June. While we were driving we spotted a lighthouse, so of course we had to stop, photo opportunity. It was pretty cool, and someone actually lived in it. So neat.
After exploring a bit, we headed further onto the isle and ended up at a beach that I named the "kite" beach. Some kite enthusiasts had made it their home for the day and they had kites everywhere and even a dog to chase them. It was the neatest thing.
It was too chilly to get in the water but we let Chase put his feet in. He thought it was a little chilly too. It's funny to think that he wasn't walking on his own yet in all of these pictures.
Ready to hit the beach...sand + water + sun = fun.
Well, a little too cold for the "water" part of beach fun. 
All dressed and ready for the beach but no swimming to be had so a family photo op will do.
It was time to head back for race #2. Even though the lake was too cold, it was certainly a warm day. Chase and I strolled around the pits and helped daddy get ready to race and watched the practices.
But after practice two, Chase was wore out and couldn't go on.
After a little nap, it was time to head home but lunch was a must before our long haul home. So we camped out at the track and pulled out our mini-grill and made lunch. While cooking our lunch, Chase played on the hill with his truck and my flip-flops. 
It was a long, sleepless weekend but so much fun. And the best way to break into our family trips. Racing has been part of our marriage from day one and involving Chase was so very important. Even though it was a long night, I wouldn't change a thing, that's just how our life goes and we make it through. I am just hoping the next camping trip will prove to include sleep.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Farkle Family Bonfire
Tonight we had a bonfire at my mom's to socialize with all the fam while my Aunt Bev is visiting from Florida, she leaves tomorrow to go back home. It was kind of a bittersweet evening.
It started with me biking to my mom's with Chase in tow in his bike trailer, 7 miles or so and 35 minutes later we arrived, 8:25 pm to be exact. 25 minutes past Chase's bedtime but he had a late evening nap so that he would stay up later. When we arrived everyone couldn't believe I biked over, but really it's not that far, we do 4.5 -5 miles just about every morning, what's two extra miles?
Well, while we were dousing ourselves in bug spray, we looked down the driveway and pulling in is my Uncle Allen in his mobilized chair. Yup, he too "drove" to mom's from his home about 3 miles away. It was the quite the scene, he's got his chair in full speed and my mom is following behind him in the car. It was a real Farkle moment as us Farkles would say, I pull up in my bike and my uncle pulls up in his mobilized chair. 315ers just don't do things like everybody else. Why would we? That takes all the fun out of life.
So all the Farkles are were there: Shawn, Tristan, Aubrey, Cara, Makayla, Caleb, Corey, Aunt Bev, mom, dad, me, Chase, Chrissy D (not technically Farkle but close enough), my Uncle Allen, cousin Brenda and her son Brian and later on my cousin Lindsay, her boyfriend and little boy Nolan. Oh and Brad came way later, he had work to do on the race car that needs to get done by Friday.
Here we all are, it's late and we're having a bonfire on a weekday, so naughty.
The evening started with three of grandkids playing in the pool while the other two, Chase and Caleb, looked on. Chase was more into the ducks and balls that were laying around. After we dried off the shivering children and put clothes back on, it was time for the bonfire.
It's about 9:00 and everyone is just chillin' while waiting for Cara and Chrissy to return with the pizza. The kids munched on some chips and cheese puffs, Chase was loving the cheese puffs. Being the freak about food mom that I am, I of course had to read the ingredients and sodium content. Cheese puffs are the worst. But these weren't half bad, white cheese and they're baked. So annoying sometimes, I know. I did offer him pizza but he just said "no."
Around 9:30 I noticed Chase walking around like a "drunken" baby I like to call it, and that's when I know it's bedtime. He was in good spirits but definitely tired. Off to bed we went. I washed all the bug spray off, well as much as I could, changed his diaper, put him in his jammies and off to bed he went. at my mom's. for the first time. Biting finger nails.
Yup, Chase is sleeping over at Nonnies. I went back and forth many times but it just made the most sense. Mom is watching him tomorrow and I have a dentist appointment at 8:00am which means I would have to leave an hour earlier than normal. So why would I wake him at 10:30 just to put him in the truck, drive home, put him in his crib, get up, get him ready and take him right back over. This is his FIRST time ever sleeping away from us. This is history. But he is used to sleeping there for his naps, I am just praying he'll be ok for the entire night. Mom knows my number.
After Chase was down, I went back out to the party and dad brought out a surprise for everyone, SPARKLERS! Yeah! We all got one or two and some of them were real BIG. It was so funny seeing everyone, old and young alike, playing with sparklers. It brought back memories of when we were kids. It was funny seeing my sister playing with them and then her kids playing with them too. And then my sister yelling at them to watch out, don't get so close to Uncle Shawn, watch out for Caleb. I'm surprised we didn't have any incidents, usually we have one or two. And even with the HUGE bonfire we had.
Well, the bittersweet to the whole evening is that this will probably be the last time my Aunt visits us here in NY. Her health isn't the best and it's hard for her to get around. It's been a long time since all of us were together, parents, aunts, cousins and grandkids. It was a wonderful evening. And the novice photographer that I am, I forgot my camera. I was too concerned about if Chase was staying or not. But I did get some on my mom's little point-and-shoot. I will have to get them to put up later.
It started with me biking to my mom's with Chase in tow in his bike trailer, 7 miles or so and 35 minutes later we arrived, 8:25 pm to be exact. 25 minutes past Chase's bedtime but he had a late evening nap so that he would stay up later. When we arrived everyone couldn't believe I biked over, but really it's not that far, we do 4.5 -5 miles just about every morning, what's two extra miles?
Well, while we were dousing ourselves in bug spray, we looked down the driveway and pulling in is my Uncle Allen in his mobilized chair. Yup, he too "drove" to mom's from his home about 3 miles away. It was the quite the scene, he's got his chair in full speed and my mom is following behind him in the car. It was a real Farkle moment as us Farkles would say, I pull up in my bike and my uncle pulls up in his mobilized chair. 315ers just don't do things like everybody else. Why would we? That takes all the fun out of life.
So all the Farkles are were there: Shawn, Tristan, Aubrey, Cara, Makayla, Caleb, Corey, Aunt Bev, mom, dad, me, Chase, Chrissy D (not technically Farkle but close enough), my Uncle Allen, cousin Brenda and her son Brian and later on my cousin Lindsay, her boyfriend and little boy Nolan. Oh and Brad came way later, he had work to do on the race car that needs to get done by Friday.
Here we all are, it's late and we're having a bonfire on a weekday, so naughty.
The evening started with three of grandkids playing in the pool while the other two, Chase and Caleb, looked on. Chase was more into the ducks and balls that were laying around. After we dried off the shivering children and put clothes back on, it was time for the bonfire.
It's about 9:00 and everyone is just chillin' while waiting for Cara and Chrissy to return with the pizza. The kids munched on some chips and cheese puffs, Chase was loving the cheese puffs. Being the freak about food mom that I am, I of course had to read the ingredients and sodium content. Cheese puffs are the worst. But these weren't half bad, white cheese and they're baked. So annoying sometimes, I know. I did offer him pizza but he just said "no."
Around 9:30 I noticed Chase walking around like a "drunken" baby I like to call it, and that's when I know it's bedtime. He was in good spirits but definitely tired. Off to bed we went. I washed all the bug spray off, well as much as I could, changed his diaper, put him in his jammies and off to bed he went. at my mom's. for the first time. Biting finger nails.
Yup, Chase is sleeping over at Nonnies. I went back and forth many times but it just made the most sense. Mom is watching him tomorrow and I have a dentist appointment at 8:00am which means I would have to leave an hour earlier than normal. So why would I wake him at 10:30 just to put him in the truck, drive home, put him in his crib, get up, get him ready and take him right back over. This is his FIRST time ever sleeping away from us. This is history. But he is used to sleeping there for his naps, I am just praying he'll be ok for the entire night. Mom knows my number.
After Chase was down, I went back out to the party and dad brought out a surprise for everyone, SPARKLERS! Yeah! We all got one or two and some of them were real BIG. It was so funny seeing everyone, old and young alike, playing with sparklers. It brought back memories of when we were kids. It was funny seeing my sister playing with them and then her kids playing with them too. And then my sister yelling at them to watch out, don't get so close to Uncle Shawn, watch out for Caleb. I'm surprised we didn't have any incidents, usually we have one or two. And even with the HUGE bonfire we had.
Well, the bittersweet to the whole evening is that this will probably be the last time my Aunt visits us here in NY. Her health isn't the best and it's hard for her to get around. It's been a long time since all of us were together, parents, aunts, cousins and grandkids. It was a wonderful evening. And the novice photographer that I am, I forgot my camera. I was too concerned about if Chase was staying or not. But I did get some on my mom's little point-and-shoot. I will have to get them to put up later.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Picking blackberries
I love July because that means BLACKBERRIES. I just love blackberries and so does Chase. We've been out many times picking and eating them. Sometimes they make it into the bowl but mainly into Chase's mouth, as soon as he sees me pick one he wants it. It's too bad that the mosquitos are so bad, picking blackberries hasn't been as enjoyable but still fun nonetheless.
Each year I plan on making jam but seem to eat them or forget. This year I finally bought some pectin but then when reading the recipe and saw it called for 7 CUPS of sugar, I just couldn't do it. The jelly I give Chase for his PB&J doesn't have any sugar, but All Natural made with fruit juices. So making it with 7 cups of sugar wasn't happening. I thought about making it with less but the recipe strictly said "Do not cut back on sugar." So having never made jam before I thought it best not to compromise the recipe. Maybe next year....
Each year I plan on making jam but seem to eat them or forget. This year I finally bought some pectin but then when reading the recipe and saw it called for 7 CUPS of sugar, I just couldn't do it. The jelly I give Chase for his PB&J doesn't have any sugar, but All Natural made with fruit juices. So making it with 7 cups of sugar wasn't happening. I thought about making it with less but the recipe strictly said "Do not cut back on sugar." So having never made jam before I thought it best not to compromise the recipe. Maybe next year....
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Fun-Filled Friday
I took some time off last week and a few days this coming week, much needed time-off. Since we didn't have our normal week-off middle of winter vacation, we didn't take anytime off. It is a must though, as I found out, it's easy to get burned out. So my first day off wasn't a full day off but actually half day starting at noon at a friend's house to help her make 260 wedding favors, yes you heard correctly. They consisted of melted chocolate, oreos, clear boxes and bows. Very cute. It was quite warm that day and in the house. Thankfully Joy had many helpers, we kind of worked in shifts, and completed all 260+ with a "joy"ful spirit and fun fellowship. But I am very sad that I forgot my camera, there were many opportunities for some "sweet" memories. But no use crying over spilled-milk. We had a great time though.
So onto the fun-filled Friday. It started with a morning bike-ride to Katie and Gracie's house to pick them up to ride on up to a little fruit stand to buy Chase some "booberries", as Chase calls them. After our ride, we visited with Gracie and Katie and then my mom and Aunt Bev, who is visiting from Florida, stopped over to visit. After a little visit and separating the kids now and again, they fight like siblings sometimes, I left and biked home, well detoured to a garage sale first, picking up some fun toys for Chase. Then on home we went to visit some more with my auntie and mom while Chase napped.
After visiting I did some lia sophia paperwork and cleaned, of course. Chase finally woke up and we called Katie and Gracie again and met at The Apple Shed. We saw the animals, played in the corn pool and went down the slide. They both had so much fun. Chase loooved the animals as did Gracie. But as I was playing photographer, Gracie was watching the "crazy" chicken and PECK, the stupid thing pecked her finger. Ok so she was a little close but not unsafely close, just observing them. She didn't know what to do, she whimpered a little, but handled it quite well. Dumb chicken, we eat chickens like you for dinner.
These are happy photos. 
Gracie grabbing Chase, Chase pushing Gracie, Katie stopping Gracie. 
C'mon Chase we have animals to see....
Chase stood like this for a good 5 minutes just staring at the ducks and goats.
The crazy chicken.
So after an hour fun-filled visit to The Apple Shed we headed home. Chase, daddy & I had a parade to get to. Grandpa S. faithfully every year sets up station along the parade route, with a grill on the top of his truck and has a grillin'-parade party. We were there until about 8:15 and decided to leave even though the parade wasn't over, but Chase was done. He was soooo tired.
It was such a fun day, days like these are why I can't wait to go part-time. They will only be this age once and I will never-ever get it back. I am so thankful God had it in his plan for Katie and I to have kids so close in age. It may be a surprise to some but it was not planned but always wanted, but thankfully God had it in His plan so that we can share these special moments.
So onto the fun-filled Friday. It started with a morning bike-ride to Katie and Gracie's house to pick them up to ride on up to a little fruit stand to buy Chase some "booberries", as Chase calls them. After our ride, we visited with Gracie and Katie and then my mom and Aunt Bev, who is visiting from Florida, stopped over to visit. After a little visit and separating the kids now and again, they fight like siblings sometimes, I left and biked home, well detoured to a garage sale first, picking up some fun toys for Chase. Then on home we went to visit some more with my auntie and mom while Chase napped.
After visiting I did some lia sophia paperwork and cleaned, of course. Chase finally woke up and we called Katie and Gracie again and met at The Apple Shed. We saw the animals, played in the corn pool and went down the slide. They both had so much fun. Chase loooved the animals as did Gracie. But as I was playing photographer, Gracie was watching the "crazy" chicken and PECK, the stupid thing pecked her finger. Ok so she was a little close but not unsafely close, just observing them. She didn't know what to do, she whimpered a little, but handled it quite well. Dumb chicken, we eat chickens like you for dinner.
These are happy photos. Gracie grabbing Chase, Chase pushing Gracie, Katie stopping Gracie. C'mon Chase we have animals to see.... Chase stood like this for a good 5 minutes just staring at the ducks and goats.The crazy chicken.So after an hour fun-filled visit to The Apple Shed we headed home. Chase, daddy & I had a parade to get to. Grandpa S. faithfully every year sets up station along the parade route, with a grill on the top of his truck and has a grillin'-parade party. We were there until about 8:15 and decided to leave even though the parade wasn't over, but Chase was done. He was soooo tired.
It was such a fun day, days like these are why I can't wait to go part-time. They will only be this age once and I will never-ever get it back. I am so thankful God had it in his plan for Katie and I to have kids so close in age. It may be a surprise to some but it was not planned but always wanted, but thankfully God had it in His plan so that we can share these special moments.
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