Goodbyes are Hard

Goodbyes are hard! We knew Mama was going home eventually, but I never like to think about that part. (You wonder why we are always planning the next visit before this one even ends.)

On Mama's last day, Uncle Cory came to pick her up and spend the day with us. The girls spent time jumping all over him, checking out his new phone and taking lots of selfies with him.

We realized Mama had never been to the state museum and Cory always loves going, so we piled into the car and drove downtown for the afternoon. Even though, I've been to the museum a lot, it's always fun to share it with others and see it through the girls' eyes. Every year and with each new age, they have new discoveries and interests. This was Ella's first time since she was an infant, so it was all new to her. Abby only seemed to remember the Sesame Street exhibit and firetrucks from previous visits. This time, she was really interested in the longhouse and lifestyle of the Native Americans. You could see her soaking up the information like a sponge as we showed her the corn husk toys made by the Iroquois children.  

the 9-11 exhibit

It wouldn't be a trip to the museum without a carousel ride. Love these guys!

Oliver shared our feelings as we watched Mama and Cory drive away. He actually stood there for a solid hour. I'm pretty sure he was longing for Buffy and wondering when his long lost love would return.

There's just something about being with our "people" that always feels like home.  Let's not say "goodbye".  How about "until next time"? It's pretty much all my heart can handle! :)

NY love

I've said it once and I'll say it again. New York is beautifully breathtaking! I have lived here all of my life and I'm still captivated by my surroundings almost daily. Maybe it's the geography. Maybe it's the people. Maybe it's the combination of locations and people paired with all of the seasons and their uniqueness. Regardless, there are hidden gems in every corner of the state. We've lived in this area of New York for the last six years and this was my first time visiting this park. I'm so glad we took the morning together to explore a new place and enjoy this beautiful view.

Apple Picking 2014

Saturday was the perfect fall morning. We loaded up the little red wagon and headed to the orchard to pick our first batch of apples. The girls were ready to go. Abby wanted to direct the whole activity, while taking all necessary precautions to ensure no one got stung by bees. It might have happened back in 2012, but I guess there are just some things we don't forget. Ella was all about walking and picking apples all by herself. Both girls worked really hard to fill our bags (while eating lots of apple along the way).

My beautiful 4 year old

Boots on and ready to pick some apples.

"Mom! Stop taking pictures!!!"

I love my family.

Abby wanted to take a picture of them eating the apple! :)

Perfect timing! We got to go apple picking with my favorite fruit picker. My grandparents started taking my brother and I fruit picking when we were really young. It was always a big family event. We picked apples, peaches and cherries mostly. Remember last summer when we went cherry picking and I found my 80 year old grandmother up in a tree? She's always the first to fill up her bag and always gets the best fruit from the tree. It was a great morning together filled with sunshine, fall air and fresh fruit.

Our trip the the orchard wouldn't have been complete without a stop for fresh cider donuts. We had all worked up such an appetite that Mama treated us to lunch in the farm cafe.  I'm pretty sure I had the best roasted turkey, apple, cheddar sandwich (with cranberry mayo) that I've ever tasted. Lunch was so good, we had to take our donuts to go. But, not before a picture with the pumpkins. Fall is so fitting for a family that bleeds orange, isn't it? :)

Two Dogs, some Pom Poms, a Nagymama and lots of Hungarian Cookies

Nagymama was here for a visit last week. We LOVE having her here with us. The visit always seems to go by way too quickly, but is always full of the sweetest times.

typical day in our house..."Let me in Dad! I'm ready for work! Please Dad! Let me in!"

Buffy and Oliver finally meet

Oliver didn't seem to grasp the idea that Mama was Buffy's person. He takes ownership of every lap that hits that couch.

She's here!!

The girls made a big batch of Hungarian cookies with Mama.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ-PBgI_BnQ&list=UUE9rj8wUMKGKSsg2SQUzVMQ&index=5

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcIDiRwKgSw&index=6&list=UUE9rj8wUMKGKSsg2SQUzVMQ

A night out at the mall with Mama is always a fun adventure. We were having so much fun that I made her try on the silky animal print outfit on the clearance rack for a picture. We both laughed so hard in the middle of Macy's that I almost peed my pants.

Mama had a knitting session with Abby and passed on the only knitting skill I ever seemed to pick up as a child: pom pom making. Abby made one before losing interest. We decided I probably developed my love for pom poms around age 7, so it was probably too early for her to stay focused for that long. But, Abby loves her little pom-pom and is pretty proud of her creation. So proud in fact that she is sleeping with it as we speak.

an afternoon of coloring

snuggled in and watching the Croods with Mama...Buffy's not so sure about this. I'm pretty sure she wants her spot back.

Last weekend was our second annual neighborhood block party. Joe organized the party for the first time last year and the committee worked hard to pull it together this year again. It's such a nice time hanging out with friends from the neighborhood and meeting new neighbors!

Check out the colorful chalk art masterpiece all of the neighborhood kids contributed to on our driveway. I love it!

True story: Mama has more energy than me on any given day. It is a rare occasion for her to slow down long enough to take a nap in the afternoon. After a busy morning in our house, we were all ready for a good rest that afternoon. I love that the dogs followed suit and took their positions on either side of Mama.