I think I am slightly addicted to going to upstate New York for the Thanksgiving long weekend. We all love the children's museum, we all love the Egan family, and we all love TURKEY!! (Okay, the little girls not so much, but they just don't get it yet, the turkey that is!) We had such a great weekend. It was awesome. It was also General Conference weekend, I didn't see as much of it as I would have liked to, but I did enjoy the parts I saw and I am determined to watch the rest... SOON!
We left Friday after work and drove to Rochester. The roads were great, the border was great, the girls were great - YAY!
Saturday morning we got up, had the complimentary breakfast in the hotel, went swimming and then went to the Museum of PLAY!!! And we played, hard!
We started at the carousel of course.
Said hello to the friends at Sesame Street.
Did some grocery shopping.
AND THEN!!!! DORA! When we got the circular in the mail from the museum that said Dora was coming, Kate was so excited. The special exhibit was fun. Kate just ran from one spot to the next. She just didn't stop moving. She loved it. Alice enjoyed it too, but Kate was in Dora heaven.
After saying goodbye to Dora and Diego we went back into the first main area. Kate played on the stage, and had a tea party, while Alice laid down in the pebbles and did some arts and crafts with Dad.
Then it was off to storybook land. Kate loved wearing the Cinderella dress and sitting in the pumpkin carriage.
She also played damsel in distress. A cute little prince came to her aid and helped her down the beanstalk. (Even though she had done it all by herself moments before?!)
Alice played in the plastic sand for ages.
Next we made a short trip to Berenstain Bear land.
On our way back we stopped for the must have pose on the steps of Sesame Street and this cute little boy joined the girls for the only photo that I got of the two of them... oh well.
We stopped off at the diner (inside the museum) for a late lunch - the kids meals come with oreo cookies and I couldn't resist talking a picture of Kate's oreo cookie smile!
Our last stop was a walk around the pretty garden.
Successful museum trip over, we made our way to Seneca Falls to see the EGANS!! Saturday afternoon was filled with visiting, conference watching and playing. It's fun visiting friends with older children because then Kate and Alice are doted upon, and there's the added bonus of asking for a hand with the girls here and there. Sunday morning there was a flurry of activity preparing for Thanksgiving. It is very true that many hands make light work. All the kids (the Egan kids that is) had jobs. After the meal was on its way we all went for a walk before Conference. It was a little chilly, but beautiful.
After the walk we watched Conference and after that we enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner. I love turkey. That night before bed I asked Kate what she was thankful for and the first thing she said to me was you. I love my crazy girls so much. I am so thankful for my family.
The next morning we got up and got ready to go. This is when I decided that I must document, document, document, hence all the pictures!
Here we are, Heidi and Wendy, Chip and Dale, friends since we were three. I love my Hedi-did.
This is Sam and Maggie. (I can't believe Sam will be 16 in February... crazy!) Maggie is going to be 14 in November. I think she's just a little excited to be old enough to go to dances!
Here are Maggie and Lily. Lily is such a laid back young lady. She's going to be 12 in December.
Next is Josie. Josie is a cutie. We had the privilege of attending her baptism in April.
Last is Ruthie. Ruthie and Kate had fun playing together, for the most part. Ruthie was caught between being the big kid to Kate, but still wanting to be the baby. They had a minor pillow war on Sunday afternoon (not to be confused with a pillow fight), but were playing together again before we left on Monday. I love that Ruthie never wore socks! (Or shoes!)
Heidi having Alice time.
The Egan residence. I made sure I took a proper picture of their house this time. It's really an amazing house - there is so much room.
You can sort of get a sense of how long it is here.
I had to get a picture of Maggie's socks.
Cutie Ruthie.
After leaving the Egans we made a quick trip to the outlets to pick up some winter coats for the girls - which they will grow into sometime this winter. Then it was on to Palmyra. I wanted to go to the grove (more info on that
here) and get pictures of Alice as a little girl in this special place. Kate was about the same age when we brought her here for the first time. We had a nice time walking through the trees.
I am thankful for my family, for my sweet friends. I am thankful for the fun weekend we had. I am thankful for my Savior, for His gospel, for the peace and clarity it brings to my life. I am thankful for so many things.
