This past week was an awesome trip for our family to Pittsburgh, PA with grandma and grandpa Schmiedecke. We combined our annual family reunion weekend with a sightseeing trip around Pennsylvania. We started out by staying at Uncle Bill's and Aunt Peggy's house Wednesday night, or should I say Thursday morning by the time we got in and off to bed. We spent Thursday afternoon at the Carnegie Children's Museum and Avery, Wade and Grandpa got to go on a real submarine docked outside in the river! The immediate family came over for dinner Thursday night and the kids made us go swimming after Uncle Vic urged them to jump in the pool in their clothes! It felt good though. It was so great to see the kids with their relatives, especially Ella whom no one has had a chance to meet until now.
Friday we headed to Cochranton to the cottage for set up day at the reunion. It starts with everyone's arrival and most pitch tents to camp out for the weekend. Since we were traveling with the kiddos we opted to go the hotel route about 15 miles from the cottage. It was a relaxing day and later that evening we watched a slide show of past and present times of the family that my dad put together. They do something every year and it's always good for a few tear jerkers and belly laughs! Saturday is the full day at the cottage. Some people just come to spend the day so it's lots of catching up with the extended family and close friends. The kids had a great time chasing the dogs, running around and playing baseball with poor Wade all day it seemed. They did take a break for a trip down the creek in the canoe and later that day I took Avery swimming. Once you got past the 2 feet of mud at the dock, it was actually quite pleasant. Someone even found an old steam iron complete with plug from the bottom of the river! You never know what you are going to find out there! Saturday evening we have a corn roast followed by a bonfire. We left earlier than usual, before the fun really starts, because the kids were more than ready for bed. Sleep was far and between, no schedules to speak of... we just managed the best we could. Ella napped for close to 3 hrs on a blanket in the grass at the cottage that day. Too bad mom and dad couldn't do the same. We were very thankful that the weekend was perfect weather, minus the humidity. Rain all around but not a drop at the cottage to spoil our family time!
Sunday is pack up day and after lunch, everyone goes their separate ways. We left for Conneaut Park which is an old amusement park on the lake that was a hang out when my parents and grandparents were younger. The kids really enjoyed kiddieland. Ella couldn't be held back from the carousel- they had a kiddie and a full size one. And they both got to take their 1st pony rides- Avery on Harley and Ella on Peaches. I was surprised at how much she enjoyed it. I had to lead the horse with one hand while they rode so it was fun for me too!
Monday we packed up and headed to the spillway to feed the massive amounts of fish but mother nature cut that event short. So we left and headed back to Pittsburgh for a stop at Uncle Billy's again and then off to the incline downtown before heading to our last hotel of the trip. The incline opened in 1877 and is still a mode of transportation for commuters, even though it is mainly a tourist attraction. The kids loved it and it really was an amazing piece of history to see. The week flew by unfortunately but at least we will get to see most everyone again in November at Stephanie's wedding.
Here's a few pics of our journey and more to come once grandpa and I have a chance to exchange photos.
Enjoy!!
Carnegie Children's Musem
Avery could have played here all day - the idea was to throw the ball into the fountain and watch it float up to the top
Finding a spot to eat dinner on our 1st evening at the cottage
Ella with her 2nd cousin, Lena and her friend from college, Maddie. Avery being shy in the background...
World's longest nap in the great outdoors
Grandma and Grandpa having fun
Wade trying to relax
It's canoe time!! Look at that smile!
Our 1st bonfire experience
This weekend we have been taking it easy, as best we can. Helping Stephanie with wedding plans and getting Ella's presents wrapped for her birthday celebration on Wednesday! The Big 2! Yesterday I got twin bedding for Ella's big girl bed and Wade set it up later that day. (Confession - I bought her bed before she was even born!!) We're going to slowly make the transition so for now we have the crib and the bed in her room. There's barely any room for anything else but it's only a matter of time before we start the middle of the night wake up calls from princess. Can't wait to start reading bedtime stories with her in it!!
Thank you Grandma Trish for the cute hat! She likes it, what do you think?
