A Colorful Day!

Today we got started a little late, but it was nice to take our time and relax!  Isn't that what summer vacation is all about!?  We decided to to jump in the mini-van and go to the Crayola Experience Museum in Easton, Pennsylvania.  It was a fun day.  The museum is full of hands on craft activities for the kids to do. We decorated turtles with melted crayons.  We saw how they made crayons and markers and even got to take home a freshly made red crayons andorange  markers.  We also got some model magic clay---one of Christopher's favorites.  The kids didn't use it at the museum, they decided to bring it home and create a larger project with additional clay they purchased at the gift shop.  One of the coolest exhibits, I thought, was the Doodle in the Dark.  It was pretty cool.  We were able to draw or write on their giant glow boards.  I'd LOVE to have one of those at home!  Shaun was checking out how they were made....I'd love one!  :)  It was a great day!  I've always wanted to check it out when we come to town each year, but we just never got around to it.  I'm glad we did this time, with Shaun.  Even Shaun, Memere, and I had fun!  :)


**Stay tuned for pictures--I will upload these when I get home! **

Newt.....Newt Gingrich?!?

Pepere hung around Hawley for an extra day!  It was nice to have him here an extra day.  The weather was a little damp, cool and windy.  WE decided to grab our coats and head out to Lacawac Sanctuary in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania.  We hiked the blue trail or the Lake Lacawac Trail around the sanctuary.  It was a nice walk in the white pines.  As we walked, we learned a lot about the trees and other plants and rock formations along the trail.  Luckily, we didn't see any bears!  Don't worry, we were prepared with our bear spray, but thankfully we didn't have to use it!  We did see a TON of Orange Spotted Newts.  The kids had fun counting them.  We counted 127 or so!  The kids loved to spot them and to pick them up too!  Even Anneli picked them up!  I was quite surprised to see her pick those creatures up.  I wasn't surprised to see Christopher picking them up since he is trying to get us to buy him a bearded dragon after vacation.  It was a nice walk and we even found a geocache!  Fun, fun, fun!

Whitewater Rafting on the Lehigh River

Today we went Whitewater Rafting on the Lehigh River.  Last year we went rafting on the Delaware River.  It was fun so we decided to do it again, but to step it up a notch or two.  It was class 1 & 2 rapids with a class 3 for a little challenge.  It was fun.  The kids did a great job helping to paddle the boat.  Even Anneli did a great job!  They certainly are growing up!

We left our condo and headed out to the Pocono Whitewater company.  We checked in, got our lunches, put life vests on, listened to the safety chat, and then boarded the bus to the river.  There were probably about 150 people on the adventure.  There were guides that helped guide us down the river.  We got on the boat at about 1:10pm and we didn't get back in the car until about 6:30pm.  It was fun, but it was a long, long day.

It was a beautiful day to be out on the water.  It was warm, but not terribly hot. It was perfect.  Unlike last year, we didn't get sunburned at all.  It was perfect weather for an afternoon of Whitewater Rafting!

Dumpster Diving!?!

Yes, that is a bear dumpster diving just feet away from us on our resort property!  Pepere spotted the bear after taking a walk--right by the dumpster--with the kids!  We thought he was joking, but then we saw it!  The bear was playing peek-a-boo with us and then he just climbed right into the dumpster to check out the trash.  He was a pretty good sized bear--maybe 300 pounds or so.  We have often been warned about bears here around the Lake, but we never saw one on the resort property.  Last year we saw a bear and two cubs crossing the road, but other than that we usually just see deer, tons and tons of deer.  It was pretty cool. 

**I will post additional photos when I get home.  The above photo is a cell phone picture of a photo on my camera!  I just couldn't wait to share it!!**

I guess Christopher & Anneli won't be putting the trash out this week!

Lake Wallenpaupack

We started off our morning by going to swimming lessons.  I figured we should go this morning, since we would be away on vacation next week.  The kids did a great job and were glad to be back in the pool again.  I love watching them swim!  They are doing a great job and look forward to working hard this summer.  They also are looking forward to watching the US Swim Trials next week and all the swimming events in the Olympics in August in London!!

The rest of the afternoon we ran errands and got our bags packed for our annual trip to Lake Wallenpaupack in Hawley, Pennsylvania.  The kids left with Memere & Pepere while I waited for Shaun to get home from work.  We then had dinner and drove to Hawley to catch up with them.  It is always nice to come to Hawley, where it's in the middle of nowhere, pretty laid back, and where things tend to stay the same.  We are looking forward to a nice relaxing trip....and the best part of our trip this year is that Shaun will be joining us for the whole week and not just for the weekend!  YIPPEE!!!  I wonder what super fun things we will do this year.....stay tuned!

Another School Year has Come and Gone....

It's hard to believe that another school year has come and gone! Christopher is now a Fifth Grader and Anneli is now a second grader.  Where does the time go!?! 

Christopher and Anneli both had a great year!  They both got an award today during the school awards ceremony for being the Most Consistent students in their classes!  Way to go Christopher & Anneli!!!!  We are so very proud of both of you!!  Keep up the great work! 

Christopher had fun reading, writing, learning about National Parks, and even doing MATH!  Thanks Ms. Zajaczkowski!!  Anneli had fun reading, writing, doing math, and singing in her class!  Thanks Mrs. Olson-Bartley! 

It was a great year, but we are ready for Summer Vacation!!!!  Woohoo!!!!