Back-up to the Back-up Vacation

Our vacation plans didn't pan out this past summer as we had hoped due to Scott's promotion. Notice the word "plans". Yes, not one, but two plans changed. (And really, three, but since the third one wasn't going to take place until the last week in September, I guess it doesn't really count.) Thus, no beach trip with dear friends who moved away. No NY trip to spend a week with family and visit the county fair. Well, no NY trip as a family.

Since last week was a long week at work for Scott, and we hadn't had a vacation, the kids and I made the trip up to NY. After all, we did it May, so I knew we could do it again. Our visit was short, but so fulfilling and worthwhile; the pictures tell the story.

After visiting at Great Grandma Teddy's for a bit Tuesday morning, she joined us and Grandma Mel for lunch followed by some time at the park. Endwell, NY, is known for its carousels, a fact the kids took great pleasure in. They rode it three or four times (and would have stayed on longer had we let them!).

Bubble kids! Enjoying the playground and the fresh outdoor air.

"Mommy, take my picture on the rock chair," she tells me. So why won't she actually LOOK at the camera?

When we added Hunter to the mix, I still didn't have much luck getting a good photo of both of them. At least it's a cute one of Leah!

Hunter and cuz Cam enjoying some homemade naan.

Hunter was eager to go for a ride in some of Papa's equipment, so Papa took him out in the skid steer Wednesday afternoon.

A newt! Considering Hunter's fascination with newts (or at least pretending to hear them, see them, or hide from them), seeing them at the cousins' house was a pleasant surprise.

Those poor animals. Hopefully they weren't faint of heart.

Hmmm, he looks a little too happy watching his newt fall.

Leah and Kate wrangling newts. It's hard to tell, but there were close to 20 newts in the water table. Cousin Mila (not pictured) was off scouting the edge of the woods for even more!

The trip was brief, but restful (well, for me; the kids both got up about 7 am the entire time we were there, which was early for them). Grandma Teddy, Grandma Mel, Papa, Dib (my sis-in-law) and the cousins lavished us with hugs and good conversation, making our departure on Thursday bittersweet, but sustaining us until we get to see them again.