Niagara Falls

Beware, this is a VERY LONG post....mostly pics, though



Jerry and I went to Niagara Falls for a long weekend getaway last weekend. My parents kept the kids, and between Chuck E. Cheese, going to the pool twice, snow-cones, nature center, and the park--they were getting spoiled rotten!

Me with my back to the Horseshoe falls standing on the American side:




Here's Jerry at the top of the American falls:
View of the Horseshoe falls from our room:

view of the American falls from our room: (we were on the 41st floor):

A pic of our hotel (The Hilton at Niagara Falls) from the Skylon:

We went on maid of the mist (Jerry calls it Maid of the Drench). We're in a boat taking pics of the American falls here:

It would hurt really bad if you went over the American falls. Not much to cushion the blow....

Horseshoe falls....stunning

Jerry's smiling under that poncho!

As the boat ride was ending, and we were SOAKED!

We then we down to where the Niagara river turns into Category 6 rapids. It was explained to us that the extremely advanced kayakers will attempt category 3....so these were pretty rough waters.

Then we moved onto Journey behind the Falls, where you walk behind the Horseshoe falls. Again, AMAZING!

We rode up the hill in a gondola, and the view was amazing. I'm not sure if you can tell, but my shirt was SOAKED. To give you an idea of how much mist is in the air from all of the falls, the cars on the road in the picture below are having to use their windshield wipers....Crazy!

Another view of the American Falls from our hotel room:

The Skylon is on the left. We ate dinner there one night. It's around 700 feet up, and the restaurant rotates a full rotation every hour.

Another pic of the Horseshoe falls from our hotel room. Notice that Jerry got the rainbow in this picture.

There are around 45 wineries located just 30 minutes from Niagara Falls. We ventured out on Saturday afternoon to do some sampling and touring. This was the Pellar Estates. Absolutely beautiful, and absolutely yummy wine!

The bar inside where you got the free samples

A view from Niagara on the Lake (name of the city) across Lake Ontario and you can see Toronto in the distance.

Anniston tid-bits

Anniston has been saying some pretty interesting and funny things lately, and since this blog is supposed to be my version of a scrapbook, I better write these things or I'll forget them. (this pic is not photoshopped at all. i was playing around with the exposure on my camera, and was trying to make her eyes stand out....I think it worked, huh?!! That is really her natural eye color believe it or not!)

We always tease Anniston that we don't want her to grow up. She'll respond something like, "Well, I'm sorry Mommy but I have to grow up. But don't worry, Mommy, I'll always be your baby girl." (yeah, she knows how to wrap the string tighter!!) This morning, Anniston told me she was still tired on the way to school. So I told her to be sure and take her nap (she usually just "rests quietly" nowadays). I told her to sleep the entire 2 hours. And she asked if that was a long time. I told her that sleeping at night-time is a long time because it's 10-12 hours. Then I told her that we like for her to sleep that long so that she can grow up and be smart and healthy. Her response? "Mommy, don't tell Dadoo, because that will make him very sad. He doesn't want me to grow up."

We were driving home on a day that it had been raining. The sun was finally starting to shine. Anniston started saying in the sweetest little voice, "Look Mommy, God is making the sun shine so that the plants can grow. He just made that sun come right out of his hand." Then we drove past some cows, and she says, "Look Mommy, God is letting those cows eat all of their yummy grass." We drive a little further, and she says, "Mommy did you know that God always loves us?" I responded, "Yes, Anniston. God forgives us and loves us no matter what.". She then says, "Yes, Mommy, if I make naughty choices God won't be mad at me.....(then in a very stern and low voice) but Santa Clause, he will not be happy with me if I make naughty choices. Actually, Mommy he will put me on the naughty list."

We were at the lake on Memorial Day weekend. We had been in Florida the week before, and Anniston had perfected her cannon ball. She decided to do a cannon ball off of PaPa's boat. She swam over towards me afterwards, and then Michael (her cousin) decided he'd do a cannon ball too. He tucked his knees while he was on the boat, but then jumped in the water without tucking. It was a good start. But Anniston looked at me, rolled her eyes and said, "That was definitely not a cannon ball."

Anniston got onto MaMa at the Razorback baseball game on Sunday night because MaMa was yelling "drop it, drop it" when we hit a fly ball. Anniston looked at her and said, "MaMa, why do you want him to drop it? That's not very nice."

At school they are talking about nutrition and what is and isn't healthy. Anniston now criticizes every thing that I'm putting on her plate. Mommy, is that healthy or not? She even told her Nanny that she couldn't eat sugar donuts (the powdered kind) at her house because it wasn't healthy. Nanny was speechless because that's all she ever buys for the kids to eat for breakfast....well, that and cheese balls dipped in French onion dips (yeah, only at Nanny's! haha)

As I mentioned before, we went to Florida the second week in May. A week later, Anniston asked me if we could go back to Florida this summer. I told her that maybe we could talk Dadoo into taking us next summer. She again said she wanted to go this summer. I told her, "Anniston we've already been this summer silly." Her response? "No Mommy, actually we went this spring. It's not summer yet. I want to go back when it's summer time." ....yeah, my 3 year old called me out on that one! haha

Anniston you are such a sweet and loving little girl. you amaze us with how smart you are, and you are constantly wanting to know and learn more. We are so proud of the sweet, well mannered child you are, and cannot wait for you to grow up and amaze us even more! Love, Mommy and Dadoo

Playdate with Nila

We had Nila over Friday morning for a playdate. The girls and Treyson had such a great time. They played dolls, dress-up, played in the ball pit, and had a dance party. So much fun!

Here are the two girls!They all played dress-up and claimed they were playing "Fancy Nancy". They danced to the "Toddler Tunes" channel in the background.

Treyson was nominated to play the role of baby....he pulls it off pretty well, huh?

Nila was singing as Anniston and Treyson were dancing

I figured putting in a picture with him holding a football would help him with this "complex" Jerry keeps claiming he'll have by always getting dressed up as a princess when he plays with Anniston
Anniston mid-twirl:

Nila is so precious

I think Nila may be a lounge singer on the side when she grows up....she was very entertaining! ha

Nila, we're so glad you came over to play with us. We will have to do this again!

Love, Anniston and Treyson!!

Memorial Weekend at Lake Ouachita

We spent Memorial Weekend at Lake Ouachita at MaMa and PaPa's lake house. We had such a great time, and it was just the perfect lake weekend. The water temperature ranged from 84-86 degrees surface temp (depending on the cove we were in). Anniston and her cousin Michael played so well together, and Treyson was such a good boy (minus the one incident of getting into the dog food/water--oops!). He even went without a nap on Sunday. We thought this would make him crabby.....opposite effect with this boy--HYPER!!! He was in the best mood but super-duper crazy! At least we know what to expect if he misses a nap for some reason again! ha

Anniston and Michael were pushing their play animals on the swingset:

Uncle Todd and Dadoo twisting the kids up and letting them spin. The kids thought this was HILARIOUS!

Pure happiness!

Anniston came in from the lake Sunday and watched Bernstein bears as part of her "rest" time in the afternoon. Treyson cuddled up next to her and watched as well. Dadoo and Anniston being silly Anniston air-bound:

Treyson hanging out in the boat: We love riding in PaPa's boat! Happy camper! What a difference a year makes! (Treyson was still 10 months old at this time last year, couldn't sit up on his own with a lifejacket, which equaled NOT HAPPY TIMES IN A LIFEJACKET!) Love this pic!

Sweet face

Treyson was caught entertaining Connor in his room. I think Melissa was trying to get Connor to sleep--OOPS! MaMa and PaPa,

Thank you for a fabulous weekend at your lake house. We had a wonderful and relaxing time as always. The food was fantastic. We look forward to many more weekends with you this summer!

Memorial Day

On Monday, we took the kids to the National Cemetary in Fort Smith. We talked with Anniston about the meaning of Memorial Day, and talked to her about her PePaPa, who served in WWII in the Navy. The cemetary was absolutely stunning.

I am so proud of my Grandpa for his service in the Navy. Going to visit the cemetary was so emotional for me because it floods my heart with so many wonderful memories of such a kind, loving, and funny man he was.

We miss you PePaPa. We love you.