Our First Time @ The Land

Before we had kids, going to The Land on Labor Day was an annual event. For those of you who don't know, Norm (a.k.a. Papa) has a cabin near Wellsville that offers peace and quiet that helps rejuvenate you. I remember so many weekends where we'd go down there, play games, watch movies, eat, ride ATV's, play poker and darts and just have a good time. Every Labor Dad we'd go down there to stain the cabin and then have some fun. However, like any parent knows, once you have kids your time is monopolized and you pick and choose what you can do. It didn't help we moved to Portland either. Since we are only a few hours away now, we decided to escape for the weekend with the Harvey's, while Ryan went to a bachelor party.

Since it was Connor's first time there, we went down a little early to acclimate him to the new environment. Once we got there, Papa took us for a ride on the gator so we could gather all of the tree cameras. We set up our room, ate and then went to the hill to see if we could look for some deer before it got too dark. Unfortunately, we didn't see any deer, but he really enjoyed the ride over there : )

The remaining two days were spent having fun with the cousins. We usually don't travel from the cabin too much since there's not too much to do. If you ever visit Wellsville, there is a Tops, a Kmart and that's pretty much it. We decided to try and hit up a parade the next morning, but as we drove by we realized only a handful of people were there, so we kept driving. So, we made an entire morning out of shopping at Kmart. The boys cleaned up though. They each got a toy and a pretzel and were so tired from choosing their toy, they took a nap on the way back.

Unfortunately, our trip got cut short due to Connor and I not feeling well. I ended up with Strep, and Connor had an upper respiratory infection, so we ended up coming back a day early. We all had fun though, and can't wait to visit again! Enjoy the pics!

He has an obsession with helmets!

 He knew what to do when he saw this...

Getting ready to go

Exploring the new ride!

I think he wants one : )

Watching Papa

Riding in the Gator

Following Papa's lead

Looking for tree cameras

Found one!

On his way back to the Gator

Little sleepyhead :o)

Waiting his turn

Thomas is ready!

Joe's ready!

Vroom, Vroom

Connor's ready!

Connor & Thomas waiting to go

Our first ATV ride!

Connor's street sign!

Taking a break

Papa & his boys!

Uncle Andy, Connor, Aunt Dawn, Joseph & Thomas

Big Truck Day II

When we moved to Portland we discovered they had a great Parks & Rec Department. They always had free things going on and a lot of what we did we found through them. Never in a million years did I think we'd find somewhere as family friendly as there, that is until we moved to Michigan.

We went to something similar when Connor was about 1.5 and he thoroughly enjoyed looking at all of the big trucks and their lights and sounds. It's a free event where businesses and the city services get together and allow the kids to explore the vehicles up close and personal. We found one here about 25 minutes from Detroit, and Connor had just as much fun this time as he did last time. This one had a bouncy house and a few more vehicles, and we even ran into some new friends, Tiffany, Marc & Colin. The boys had a ton of fun, despite how loud it was there! Not to pat myself on the back, or gloat or anything. But. I am the Best. Mom. Ever!

On our way!

Being an ATF Agent

On the bus. Connor's ecstatic and Ryan's stoned haha!

Scoping out our other options

It was a little heavy : )

We love our mailmen & mailwomen 

Another glimpse inside of the mail truck

Checking out the horn!

Seatbelts, so we can be safe!

A riding lawnmower

Every kid needs to drive an ice cream truck!

New driver!

His future?

A digger

Daddy showing him the ropes

Too cute : )

The helicopter

Grandpa would be proud. A garbage truck!

Checking out the view

Life is good : )

We found Colin!

The Dads helping out so the Moms can take pictures lol

Connor the builder

Colin & Dad

Just like Papa's!

Wordless Wednesday

All World Gym

I remember when Connor first started walking in Portland. I hurried to the computer and did all kinds of research on things we could do since he was mobile. It was like experiencing a whole new world! We had so much fun exploring the different things the city had to offer, I fell in love with it there. I had such mixed emotions when I found out we were moving again. Sure it would be fun exploring a new city, but the anxiety of meeting new people and finding new things to do was overwhelming.

With hindsight being 20/20, I really shouldn't have worried about it as much as I did. I've met wonderful people here who will be my lifelong friends, and tons of new things to do. One of our favorite things to do is go to All World Gym, where you can flip, jump, swing and be a kid. Connor and I love to jump on the trampolines, and it's a place where you can really let your hair down and have fun. I think the proof is in the pictures. Thanks Tiffany for introducing us to this place!