East Coast Trip Days 4, 5, and 6 – August 9, 10 and 11

Things seemed to slow down to a relaxing pace as the week progressed. Nonni, the kids and I spent some quality time doing some of our many loved activities while in New York. We rode bikes on the rail trail, painted more birdhouses to adorn Nonni’s trees, played outside in the sandbox, and even got to ride on the bikes that Nonni and Pop worked together on to get all fixed up for riding.

While Uncle Pat and Aunt Leigh were in town this week, we also kept in step with our nightly trips to Mickey’s Igloo (I did really well earlier in the week with my diet! But by the end of the week, I had obviously fallen off the wagon).

To my dismay, these slow, easy going days seemed to fly by as if it were no time at all…but we certainly had a great time!

Little Miss – she’s gonna be trouble some day.

Evan liked his new McQueen bike!

Emma pushing Alex on the bike.

Emma and Alex enjoying a ride in the little red wagon!

Evan being all crazy with his daddy!

Evan being silly trying on some glasses.

Emma wearing the same glasses as her brother.

Painting birdhouses on the porch for Nonni!

Evan showing his painting skills!

We had a great time Saturday night out to dinner at Ninety-Nine. The ENTIRE family of 17 was there! We had a great time! And we managed to get a shot of all of us! Thank you Jason and Angela for sticking around long enough to get the picture before running off for a night of guy fun!!!

East Coast Trip Day 3 – August 8

As Jim continues to work this week, the kids and I decided we needed to keep busy. We were very happy and very excited to visit with Aunt Steph on Wednesday!

In the morning, Nonni, Emma and I headed over to Michael’s Crafts to feed our scrapbooking appetite, while Evan hung out at Nana’s house. (He preferred to stay home and play with trains for some odd reason!). So we managed to get our fill of scrapbooking supplies just in time to get back home for Aunt Steph, and cousins Bella and Gabby to get to Aunt Gails for some fun swimming!!

Evan had a ball swimming. He got very daring and jumped in a few times! He was loving his swimmies that helped provide him with the security he needed to swim, without making him feel invincible. Emma was happy to hang out with Aunt Gail.

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Evan even showed off his ever increasing swimming skills!

After we went swimming, the younger girls (Emma and Gabriella) stayed home to nap, and Evan, Bella, Aunt Steph and I headed up to the Fun-E-Farm in the Mall for some more energy burning time!

Wednesday night, we had our family favorite Ravioli. Anyone who knows our family knows that ravioli are a long family tradition, and one that we always make time for when we come home!

 

East Coast Trip Day 2 – August 7

Tuesday was a much more relaxed and laid back day, which was perfectly fine with us after our long trip, and a very busy Monday! We stayed close to home on Tuesday, having dinner at home with Uncle Jay and Angela, followed by our favorite trip to Mickey’s Igloo!! We opted not to go bowling with Uncle Pat and Family in lieu of taking a walk again, along the rail trail.

Evan also had his first certifiable recycling trip to the Town of Hurley Dump! (I know, sounds exciting!) but to a 4 year old, seeing Pop at night and having him all to yourself is pretty special!

Other then that, just a laid back kind of day which is what we really needed. Here are some pictures from Tuesday’s ventures and games.

East Coast Trip Day 1 – August 6

Well we are here!!! ( incidentally we have been here for four days, but we have been so busy that this is the first I have been able to write!)

Day 1 of our vacation was jam packed with busy-ness from the minute we got up ( which despite the fact that we arrived after midnight, the kids were still up at 730!!)

First and foremost, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIM!!! Jim’s birthday was on Monday, and what a beautiful day it was!!

First thing in the morning, Emma, Nana, Mommy and I headed down to the Ulster County Fairgrounds to check out how Mommy fared with her submissions from this years competition. I didn’t think we were going to get there fast enough to satisfy moms anticipation!! We got there and headed over to the building, albeit slowly with a curious 2 year old and a determined 90 year old!

There were were, 4 generations of Pisano’s, there to celebrate together. What a beautiful moment to see the reaction on my mothers face to realize she had won! Not once, not twice, but FIVE times. Two first prize, two second and a third place ribbon. And as I stood there with my mom, my grandmother and my baby girl, the love that filled my heart, the pride that filled my being, and the tears that welled in my throat was truly a moment I will not forget anytime soon. I would drive through the night, with no sleep, to be there in that moment with them. Mommy, I am so very proud of you! Here’s a picture of my mom’s prized jellies and jams.

After returning from the Fairgrounds, Jim and I decided to take advantage of the day, and left on an all afternoon excursion to Lake Minnewaska, where I have not been for at least 10 years. I was happy to see it hadnt changed since I was there last :). Jim and I were excited to get out on our own, and see some of the beautiful mountains of Upstate New York, that I love so much. We decided to bike in instead of walk to test our endurance. I have to say, I was impressed by our agility! We rode about 8 miles start to finish, which doesnt sound like much, but if anyone is familiar with Minnewaska, you know how hilly the terrain is! It was an absolutely gorgeous and perfect day. I wish we could do that every weekend! Here are some of the shots from our trip:

More to come tomorrow about the rest of the trip!!!

Cross Country Triathalon Continues…

Day Three began with a lot of anticipation and anxiety (on my part) as we started out on the longest leg, but thankfully last, leg of our trip.

Last night we arrived in Cincinnati with plenty of time to visit with Aunt Heidi, Uncle Bruce and Shane (Chelsea was working – we cant wait to see you next week!!). Evan and Emma played baseball with Shane, while Heidi and I stayed in the air conditioning. After a yummy dinner, we all took a nice walk to stretch our legs our. Ohio nights are humid and warm – oddly enough, that is how Minneapolis has been as well, so it was kind of like being at home :). After our walk, we got the kids ready for bed. But not before Emma managed to do a faceplant in the kitchen, giving herself a bloody lip :(. And Evan managed to put his head right into a glass candle, shattering it. Somehow we managed to avoid the emergency room though :).

Back home in Minneapolis, Clare is taking VERY good care of our furry kids..She indicates that they miss us. But I think they secretly love having Clare there! Clare has taken Kody on some much needed ventures in our absence. He has found a new love for swimming in a pool (to date, we have only put him under the sprinkler).

 

Clare was gracious enough to bring him to her house to play in her back yard with her dog and he had a great time! He had his first encounter with Clare’s Cat (his first encounter with a cat at all) and was very curious to see this new furry friend. So in true Kody fashion, he casually walked on over and tried introducing himself, but the cat didnt take very kindly to the large bohemoth who had invaded her house. She hissed at him, and it sent Kody running, literally with his tail between his legs. Which goes to show what I have always said is true – if Kody encountered a burgler, he would be more likely to lick him to death then attack him. Either way as long as he keeps us safe ! Here’s a pic from yesterday that Clare shared with me. Thank you again Clare!!! IT makes the trip so much easier knowing that things at home are in good, no GREAT hands.
Today’s trip is going MUCH better then yesterday. The kids got a good night’s sleep last night, and are pretty excited to get to Nonni and Pop’s house :). Emma has been coloring quite a bit, and Evan playing on his little handheld game.

But by the time we got to the halfway point for the day, the kids needed a break. We got out at a McDonalds (again – I am SO hitting the running hard tomorrow!!!) The trip itself got long too – after getting back into the car (we had just crossed into PA) it seemed as if every 5 miles, there was a lane closure, which caused much of the traffic to merge to 1 lane. I think we may have added an hour onto our trip just waiting to get through the traffic.! Mr. GPS Currently tells us we will be landing at 1140 PM, and we havent made our last stop yet. So Nonni, its gonna be closer to about Midnight is my guess. At this point, not too big a deal, – 11 or 12, its still past MY Bedtime!!

Here’s some shots from our trip so far today…

Yummy Ice Cream!!

 

 

 

 

 

Notice Who Is Sleeping….

Cross Country Triathalon 2012

Well, we’re at it again! Our Cross Country Triathalon has begun! As day two of our three day driving trip began, I sat in the car, bored (as usual) as the kids enjoy their videos and Jim listens to AM Radio on his drive, I decided I would start up a blog again. I spend so much time on the computer in one way or another, why dont I share more of our doings with our friends and family?

Day 1 of our Triathalon began in a whirlwind of activity. After a week of Emma being sick, preparations during the week took a dive on the priority list. While juggling sick babies, work, and other normal week activities, I found that it was suddenly friday with no prior recognition of the days that preceded it. Thank GOD to Clare for all the help she provided to us this week. She has been a wonderful addition to our family!

So Friday, it was a juggling day of work prep, laundry, and packing (with a little me time out to lunch with two of my besties Jess and Larae!) After packing the car up expedisiously, we managed to leave even later then normal! How, I dont know. But off we went at 7:45, on what has become our yearly family expedition.

We stopped for the night in Maidson, Wisconson to allow us a 4 hour head start on Saturday. The only unfortunate part of that plan, is by the time we arrived, the kids were over tired, and very hyper (sorry to the couple in Room # 505!)

Day 2 of our Triathalon started pretty uneventfully. We got up and while the kids had some fun time in the bath, I got creative to come up with some toys to play with in the bath. We got off moderatly early, around 930, and are now en route to Aunt Heidi’s and Uncle Bruce’s in Cincinnati. We’re excited to get there early enough to visit instead of just sleeping! We figured that we had hit the “need to stretch our legs” time when Emma started blowing bubbles in her milk….

Our midway stop was at a mall in Middleton Indiana. We ran around for a while, and then headed out again. I thought Emma’s eyes were going to pop out of her head when she saw all of the “pinsess” stuff at the Disney store! But we still managed to get out of the mall without purchasing anything! After a quick pit stop, and a lunch run to McDonalds (I despise that place!) we are underway again. Evan isnt all that happy about it :).

I think daddy is borderline ready to lose his marbles…Either that or he’s bipolar and seems to miss the fact that he’s a 30 something father of two driving a family car 🙂

Well, as my battery is about to konk out, i’ll save for now…Aunt Heidi, we need to get a cheater so I can charge my computer in the car!!!