Life With Our Little Ladies: Fall Getaway 2011

Last weekend, we traveled west to the annual Upstate NY Fall Getaway on Seneca Lake. Each year, we gather students on college campuses from Buffalo to Albany to worship God, grow in their relationship with Him and have fun together!

This year, a record number of students came and heard from the Lord while getting some much needed rest and connection time with others (both on their campuses and from across the state). It was a great weekend!

Not only did I get to spend some time with students, but I loved being able to connect with some of my "mom" friends who are on staff . We look forward to this weekend every year. Last year, our kiddos were so much smaller. This year, they were running around playing together.

Our car rides (long and short) consist of LOTS of singing and dancing all the time. What can I say? Abby has us as parents. The other day Abby heard this song on the radio and in an attempt to occupy her, I made up some dance moves for her. This is only a small part of it. But, make sure you notice Abby very clearly showing you where you "should have put a ring on it".

On the way to FG this year, we stopped in Syracuse to visit our good friends Rob and Kelly who just had their baby. We loved God's timing on this one. It was such a special moment for us to have the chance to go to the hospital and meet little Asher when he was just a couple days old. Abby was excited to meet Asher too, until Mommy was holding him. She wasn't too sure about that one. When we put him on the bed to admire all of his cuteness in full, Abby noticed right away and started climbing up too. When we let her up, I thought she would go right for Asher, but instead she laid down right next to him and sprawled herself out, so everyone could admire her too! Oh my sweet little show stealer.

Asher is such a precious baby! Congratulations R+K! We love you and can't wait to snuggle your little guy again soon!

Another special perk was getting to visit with our dear friend Julie! Our trip to Syracuse was so quick, but I was so excited for any chance to visit with Julie on M-street for a bit. Our visits are always too short and too far between, but the fact that we got any time was super special.

Can we do it again very soon? For more hours...maybe eating Pitas and walking around campus reminiscing and talking about life. Don't worry. You can run into Hinds Hall if you need to. I'll wait for you. Just like I did the day we REALLY became friends!

Of course, Abby loves Julie (and Julie's smart phone). I love it! Abby saw Crouse on the top of the hill and kept calling it a castle. Perfect photo op!

Abby & Julie

I probably wouldn't have believed you six years ago if you would have told me we would be standing here together on campus taking a picture with my daughter...:) I love God's plans!

It rained the entire weekend, but the rain couldn't stop what God wanted to do.

meeting.

Abby is a great sleeper at home, but doesn't usually sleep very well the first night of any trip. So, though she's never actually slept in our bed at home, I'm pretty sure she loved taking up 3/4 of my little bed the first night.

I love her!

Abby loved the entertainment that was meal time. There were tons of students to play with. While we were in line waiting to get food one night, Abby reached for the Syracuse student behind us to give her a hug and then kept the hug chain going. I guess she didn't want to leave anyone out. She was ten people back giving hugs before she turned and looked for me. Hilarious!

Then, she spent some time bonding with our UA student Keyana. Keyana was teaching Abby how she isn't allowed to be a Syracuse fan if she's a UA fan. But, we teach Abby that she can like Great Danes and still bleed Orange!

Go Danes!

Since it was raining non stop Saturday and almost everyone was crammed inside during free time, we got creative with ways to occupy our toddler. We couldn't walk to get snacks, so we drove. And since we literally drove two buildings down (because of the rain), Abby got to sit on Daddy's lap and drive her first car (at 5 mph)!