I was so excited about getting back to Chautuaqua Lake this summer! It wouldn't be summer without a visit there. My Aunt Kathy is gracious to welcome us back to her home each year. The same one that my grandparents shared with us growing up every summer. It was so fun seeing how much fun the kids had this year. I literally didn't hear any whining all week! Amazing! : ) So nice to not step foot in a car the entire week. Relaxing, peaceful, and the kids have so much freedom to run and play!
We spent lots of time on the porch. The kids loved harassing Cinders and Cami their dog and cat.
Painting rocks with Grandma Susan one afternoon.
We went out on my Aunts boat a couple times. The lake was so crisp and refreshing!
The great landmark Chautuaqua Bell Tower. :) It even played Rocky Top while we were at the beach one morning?! This is New York people! What are the odds? :)
We loved jumping in the middle of the lake!
They jumped off the side of the boat over and over.
Love this excited little boy!
And this sweet face picking flowers!
We had lots of walks with Cami to pick flowers!
It wouldn't be Chautauqua without Ice Cream! Geez, almost every night!
Bestor Plaza is just around the corner from our house, which is like the 'town center' of Chautauqua. We were there every day--morning and night! Tons of kids running and playing. The kids loved playing in the fountains and shooting off their new 'rocket balloons'.
Langley had a BLAST at children's school this year! It is a camp in the morning. They do all kinds of fun things. This year the theme of the week was Pigs! They did a lot of fun crafts, played in the mud, and had a 'PigLympics'! Langley brought home her gold medal. They visited the ballerina studio and the clay pottery making studio. Had a visit from a real firetruck and got hosed down. So much fun! She also met a friend named Audrey and Sarah. She loved riding a real school bus everyday! This is the ideal school bus...they sing songs the whole way. :) Her favorite song at Chautuaqua is..."i got that children's school enthusiasm down in my heart". They are still singing it after all these years!
Waiting for the bus another day.
So our days are busy at Chautuqua! As if going to camp everyday isn't exciting enough?! Every night there are performances in the Ampitheater, and Langley always wanted to go! She would say she needed to put on her fancy dress. LOL--chautuqua is not a fancy dress place! :) Since the shows don't start until 8:15, Mason wasn't always up for being out that late! But we strolled him in his PJs a few times. Langley loved going to the symphony orchestra. They had the ballet one night. Bluegrass band another which was perfect for this Tennessee girl. And there was a fun night of the Temptations and Tops...yes they are still around! :) Love that they get exposed to so much Arts at Chautauqua. I hope the excitement for this doesn't end as she gets older, but we will see! ;) These pics are from the Air Band which is a show the Boys and Girls Club puts on every year. The kids loved watching the older kids perform and dance on stage. Maybe they will be up there one year!
Peace and Quiet...
Mason and I walked down to the beach one morning while Langley was at camp.
These little fingers and toes are growing way too fast!!
I had to get a picture of Langley in her bed! Well, this is actually Todd's bed...the one he slept in year after year at Chautuaqua. So Langley loves that she has taken it over. :) And she considers sleeping on a closed in porch..."sleeping under the stars". Was so excited about her bed all week long.
Eating our annual 'million dollar pancakes'. Look them up. Yummy pancakes with Cottage Cheese. :)
On the front step. Our classic yearly kid photo spot at Chautuaqua.
We have been very lucky to visit with my Great Aunt Mary the past few years at Chautauqua. She is 90 years old and doing very well! Her daughter Annie brings her to see us. My Great Uncle Cabby and his daughter Beth were always at Chautuaqua every year growing up. So it was good to see them again this year too! These are my Grandpa's brother and sister.
Aunt Mary loves to see the kids!
Old First Night is the week at Chautauqua to celebrate Chautauqua's birthday. They have a 5K as a fundraiser. We seem to have caught this the past couple years. I ran this year---note the red tomatoe face! :) It was unusually hot that morning and the florida heat has put a damper in my running lately!
We got to see my Second Cousin Ellen and her daughter Lucy(my moms cousin) while visiting.
Love seeing little Langley cheering me on with her flowers! :) She tells me she found them on the ground...and didn't pick them off the tree.
We had a GREAT time!
These were my eager airport travelers! They did awesome on the plane!
OK, so vacations and visitors can really make for long blog posts! :) And i didn't even have my moms pictures. Good thing! :)
