We were fortunate enough to have two summer vacations this year.  We spent a week in New York with the Solotes clan. It was so much fun taking up every inch of George & Yvette's home just to sleep! Cole calls them Big Papa and Grandma. As we were driving to their home from the airport, Cole got very quiet. I wasn't sure if he was falling asleep or what.  Then all of the sudden he burst out "Grandma has a birdie clock!"  And then proceeded to tell other things in their home.  He was sitting there trying to recall memories of the year prior I guess and succeeded!  So, of course, all he and Lyla wanted to do when we got there was watch the birdie come out of the cuckoo clock.  They were kind enough to track such a clock down for Lyla and Cole and sent it our way. They are still elated every hour the bird announces the time and are sad if they realize we just missed him.

Cole and Lyla had awesome airbeds on the floor besides Grandma and Papa Solotes.  They had never slept in the same room since the year prior, much less right beside each other so I was unsure how this was going to turn out. Well, it went beautifully, and they wanted to sleep together even after we returned home.  So we moved their beds in the same room and it has eased bedtime routines and they both sleep better. Guess they were lonely in their own rooms!

We went to New York primarily because two of Rick's closest friends growing up were getting married a week apart from each other.  So we dropped the kids off with grandparents and headed to Canandaigua/Rochester area to attend Aaron Ronk's wedding.  We stayed two nights in the Brookwood Inn, where Rick was first introduced to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Some girls shared with him a copy of the Book of Mormon, explained they were visiting historical sights of the church there and encouraged him to read the book and see the sights himself.  So he did! And the rest is history...anyway, it was so fun to be there with him for a couple of days.  He looked dashing in his tux and we really had a fun time chatting with his high school comrades.

The first night is when Rick was finally able to get some New York pizza.  This started his week long pizza extravaganza.  He literally had pizza everyday, sometimes twice!  He was obsessed!  But still, it was so adorable to see how happy a simple NY pizza can make him.

Cole was ultra excited to get back on Big Papa's tractor and dig up some real dirt. I think Papa brought in some dirt or already dug some up just for that purpose.  Again, thanks for making our little man's wishes come true!

Lyla watched Cole and Big Papa and cheered them on.

We tried to take the kids to do something fun every day.  Although we probably didn't need to because they were happy just to play hide and seek in the big yard with big trees and bushes, cars and garages to hide around.  Cole also dreamed up a tree house.  Big Papa drew up some plans and then Cole imagined it being built in the tree in front of the house.  There is a round driveway around the tree so Aunt Natalie helped him draw a picture of it on the driveway. Cole went and "watered" his tree house and helped build it every day.  He still talks about the tree house and completely expects it to really be there the next visit. Better get on that one!  (Sidenote: As I am writing this we are planning a move to Charlotte, North Caroline.  Cole isn't always excited about change so I try to think of some fun things about NC to get him excited. I told him there are LOTS of trees there and maybe we could buy a house with a lot of trees in the backyard.  He instantly asked if we could put a latter on one and a tree house. :-)

We went to the Buffalo Zoo. They hadn't ever been to any zoo so I think they were especially amazed by seeing the animals so close.

The gorillas just laying around

Lyla really thought the Polar Bears were awesome.

Her looking back to tell me the real bears were sleeping.  

(Oh yea, love all those bows?  That was Lyla's request.)

Cole running across the bridge in the rain forest exhibit.  I think this was his favorite part. 

We drove out to the Eerie County fair and arrived about 11am only to find it didn't open until 1pm.  OOPS! So we drove another hour or so to Niagara Falls and went to the fair another day.  It was kind of a bummer not to be able to go to the Canadian side (need passports now or a special license).  The view from that side is amazing, but you get the splash on the American side of course.

(Oh wow! A picture of me!  A rare find.)

We stopped to get some balloons made. Cole chose a green hat.  Our boy loves green!

Lyla had to have a PURPLE flower...of course!

There is the cutest little shopping and park area in Olcott, NY right off Lake Ontario.  They have kiddie amusement park rides for only 25 cents!  We should have come earlier in the day rather than late afternoon because they would have stayed much longer. Cole played a game to win a magnifying glass and a mini camera.  They have since broken but he randomly asks where they are "Because I need them to find things!!!"  Cole showed he is growing up by riding all the rides without fear, just pure adrenaline and joy.

But we did make it to the Eerie County Fair and WOW what a fair!  It was huge!  Of course, we had some bumps in the road getting there. (Like somehow we left the house without Cole's shoes!)  We were worried about being rained out but it turned out to be a beautiful day.  I really enjoyed being with the kids and family there. I guess I had never been to a county fair that I can remember. I know I never saw such huge cattle in my life!!  I would have felt my life was in jeopardy had it not been a cow.  Towered above me. Probably the size of a small elephant!  Anyway, the kids loved seeing all the animals and Cole had to ride as many rides as possible. Lyla is still small and more timid when it comes to rides but there were some she wanted to do.  The kids also talk about the butterfly conservatory as well, which they enjoyed for quite some time with their Aunts.

By far, their favorite ride is the big, HUGE, slide.  They rode it three times I believe and wanted to go again and again and again.  Alas, it is also a very expensive ride. :-(

Lyla is always very attached to Daddy on vacations and in new places and the fair was no exception.  But that's okay, because Daddy loves it, right?

They rode the firetrucks together and although Lyla doesn't look very happy in the picture, the video shows she got pretty into the drive, even teasing her brother.

The last time we tried to take the kids to a petting zoo they were terrified and screamed to leave, so I wasn't even going to attempt to take them to this one, but Cole said he wanted to see the animals so we gave it a go. (Maybe the zoo warmed him up?) I am so glad we did because they both loved having the goats eat out of their hands and didn't seem very afraid (A little bit is good though, after all, they do still have tiny hands - CHOMP!)

Cole also wanted to ride the ponies!  I kept thinking, "Who is this brave boy and where did my shy, timid Cole go?"  No more!  Seriously, he is really branching out to do new adventurous things and very outgoing socially now too.  All because of a couple vacations this summer, maybe?

We ended our trip back at the cows and pigs that were awaiting their shows or judgings, I don't know what they are called at the fair. It was hard to tear Lyla away.

I mean, look at these EYES - entranced.

They were definitely tuckered out by the days events and so were we!  But on to more fun things...Rick and I had another wedding to attend, that of Tony Roman.  Natalie and Joe watched the kids for us. Cole and Lyla were so excited to spend the evening with their aunt, watch movies and play with their robot and dog.  Natalie made them hot dogs and they ate M&Ms so my kids were in heaven.  So nice to have babysitters who actually do love your kids. Thank you!  It was nice to get all dressed up again and have a quiet evening with Rick too.

And last, but not least, we had the family graduation party for Kaitlyn at Dan and Denise's home. Yay!  Moving on to college.  It is always fun to be with family and this evening did not fail. The food and company was excellent.

Princess Kaitlyn

Daddy and kiddies eating hamburgers 

The fun and adorable Aunt Margaret (who makes a killer salad and scrumptious cauliflower)!  Rick and his parents treated her to an evening at the casinos during the week as well. She loves her slot machines! 

Cole and Lyla definitely wore out Aunt Natalie.  I think they tagged her as their permanent game of chase partner.  

Here are some other fun pictures the aunts took during the trip too.

Lyla trying to put her face into the Cars Sign.  Thought she was such a big girl since she could pull herself up. 

The really HUGE slide!

Aunt Natalie entertaining the kids on the drive back home from the fair.

Niagara!

Super Model Aunt Kaitlyn, Aunt Natalie and Aunt Jillian

Aunt Jillian is so great about remembering to take pictures!  Thank you Jillian for all the great photos!  The kids love their aunts.  

Lyla started playing with her dolls and interacting more like their mommy this summer.  It was so fun to watch.  She really loves to watch older girls play with her dolls and pretend that she is still a baby.  I don't have any pictures of video of that but I did get a lot of one day in which she never seemed to stop caring for them.  Soooo cute.  She doesn't really like me to photo/video her.  I think she gets embarrassed. But sometimes she will give me a big cheese or play it up.  I love those times!

Just some fun and precious moments from this summer...

Blowing colored bubbles...a new favorite activity (once they learned NOT to suck up the straw).

Painting at the Brazos Children's Museum

And building houses there too (just like his Papas Solotes)

Playing in the water fountains at Lowes

A Santa beard...thanks to his primary teacher, Sister Newton (who is a creative genius with children).

Making what Cole calls "water-sink" and what mom calls a disastrous monstrosity, but is requested nearly daily by the children.

Playing with Pipe Cleaners.  Lyla was more into this than Cole.

Searching the driving range for golf balls and running and running and running on the softest grass found in Texas.

And of course, visiting the park and filling up trucks with "treasure".

And of course, Blue Bell factory. See Aunt Ky's post for more fabulous pics of this weekend with her.

Now why don't I have any pictures of us at the pool when we were there every single week?  It's a mystery.

And Lyla gave up naps for the most part this summer.  It all started with "crazy naps" dreamed up by big brother where they basically played together without fighting.  The crazy naps started out about an hour long. They have shortened significantly since.  The above video and below are of their excitement after the very first "crazy nap" - realizing they could have SO MUCH FUN together without mommy around. :-)

Lake Michigan 2012

The Poling family and cousins go to Michigan every summer around the fourth of July and spend some time around Lake Hamlin and Lake Michigan.  This year was just as great as always.  It was hotter this year which made for some uncomfortable sleeping in the evenings but overall it was great.  I wish I had recorded it before now so I could recall some of the funny things the kids did rather than just the general activities.  Lesson learned.

The kids just love it there. They have the freedom to run around outside, play and explore.  After every trip we see such growth and maturity in the children that it makes the whole experience that much more memorable.  A favorite of the kids is the park by Lake Michigan.  It really is a great design and is huge so they have a fun time there.  The favorite is the "bumpy slide" (rolling tubes filled with beads to make noise).  

Cole loved these little circles - he pretended he was Buzz Lightyear on the beginning of Toy Story 2

The park has beautiful statues all over.  Cole decided to join one of exhibits.

So then Lyla had to do it too, of course.  (Our little model.Oh, yes, and Lyla has a definite favorite color - PURPLE. So you will be seeing a lot of it from here until she desides otherwise.)

Grandma helped Cole recognize some letters in the signs.  He enjoyed showing off his skills and making Grandma and Papa proud.

And little Lyla had to try her hand at it too.

Upon arrival, the first thing the kids did was dig into all the sand around the cabins and got very, VERY dirty.  But boy was it fun!  This was a daily ritual of course.  

We would swim and dig in the sand right outside the cabins on the shore of Lake Hamlin.  Papa would drive his boat really close and make waves for the kids.

Cole was second captain on the boat of course.  He LOVED to drive the boat and was very safe too. He wouldn't go on the boat without a vest and got upset when Lyla wouldn't put hers on.  He is my safety scout.  It is one way to get him in his car seat at home too, threaten to leave without him strapped in and he gets very upset and rushes to his seat. :-)  Wonder how long that will last?

It's tradition to drive down the lake to where the large sand dunes are to swim and enjoy all the beautiful sand.  Cole loves the water, but he ADORES the sand.  He practically swims in it.

Sand castles were a favorite for Lyla.  And she loves sunglasses - almost as much as she loves goggles.

Seriously, these sand dunes are so beautiful.  HARD to climb up but so pretty.  I can't believe Cole did it over and over and OVER again.  He was definitely tired after all that climbing (and rolling down too of course)!

There was even a mini-sand dune right down from the cabins Cole discovered.

Lake Michigan is usually very cool but that cool water felt SO NICE in the 95+ degree temperatures!  The kids normally hate going in cold water but they didn't even seem bothered by it at all. It is so nice to relax on a clean beach with nearly nothing in the sand and crystal clear water. The kids would cover up dad with the sand and then wait for him to "wake up" and throw the wet sand back on them.

It was nice as parents to have so much family around to entertain the kids as well and have time to relax. Rick was able to run every day and I actually was able to water ski quite successfully!  Uncle Russ has the footage to prove it.  As soon as I get it I'll post some highlights. Lyla was very disturbed by my wanting to ski and would yell at me to get off the boat and that I would fall and not to ski.  It was touching to see her so worried about her mommy.

I mostly enjoyed seeing the kids explore the great outdoors and socialize with adults. Cole couldn't wait to wake up in the morning and run across to papa's cabin. When we first arrived a cabin was occupied by a family we did not know, so Cole determined to go over there and introduce himself...and that is exactly what he did!  Rick and I were shocked.  Our shy and timid Cole?  Where was this coming from?  Well, I have since learned that Cole loves to make and meet new friends as long as it is in a setting in which he feels secure and this was one of them. Some of the others are church and Chick-fil-a.  

After Michigan we headed to Ohio.  We actually flew into Ohio and drove to Michigan. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the kids did.  We had the trip broken up into only a couple hours driving at a time so that helped too.

So after the cabins we stayed with Papa Poling for a few days. It was so nice to see more family and have the kids spend time at his house.  Since we had a couple of days, Rick and I took a drive just 40 minutes away to Kirtland. Rick had not seen any of the sights and was unprepared for all the things he would want to see.  So we rushed through Whitney store and the temple.  We would love to go back soon.  

 

While we were in Kirtland, Papa took Cole to the Police Station to show off the cars and his work.   

We also spent some time with the Solotes side of the family.  (I didn't get a group picture of everyone. I hope Rick did...if so I'll post one as soon as I upload his pictures to my computer.)We hadn't been able to see them since our wedding really.  The kids LOVED the horses and all the land to play and run around in.  Cole and Lyla love to be outside but really want the freedom to go anywhere.  Hence they prefer to play in the front yard rather than a fenced in backyard.  AND the cooler temperatures helped tremendously.

(P.S. Lyla is a shoe thief.  She takes anyone's shoes and HAS to try them on and well, RUN!)

Overall, it was a fabulous vacation and one the kids talk about again and again.