hiking and water fun

Corbetts Glen, a hidden jewel in Rochester for a hike.
Where there are tepees the size a boy could only dream about . . .

trails that veer off and must be navigated carefully
(thanks for the help big brother) . . .

The boys were on the lookout for . . . snakes, birds and chipmunks
(at least that is what we saw).

Beautiful railroad bridge and waterfall.

In the same day we went back to Sodus Point to see more cousins.

Ambrose paddled the orange kayak by himself across the bay and back!  Blaise holding a paddle for the first time by himself, preferred to stand and paddle against Aunt Sarah (I'm not sure that was appreciated). 

weekend fun

Saturday we spent a day at a friends' cottage on Canandaigua Lake.
We took in breathtaking vistas, gaped and dream t of owning some enormous houses.
Enjoyed boat rides, tubing and water skiing.
And best of all, we were wined and dined!

Blaise, Ambrose and Sophia

We hiked Grimes Glen.

climbed waterfalls

 
rode waterfalls

jumped on tubes

On Sunday we met up with cousins in Sodus Point.
We went fishing and frog catching at Maxwell Creek.

Blaise preparing to fish.

Ambrose caught a frog.

Caitlin (holding the youngest Harper), Morgan, Hudson, Elijah,
Ambrose, Tobias, Henry, Blaise, Max and Margaret Rose

time at the cottage

9 days
time with family
time with nature
time disconnected from technology
ahhhh, what could be sweeter?

Blaise running to Ambrose at sunset

 
 Sodus Point Lighthouse

peek at the moon, it's almost 4th of July

group of Amish teenagers strolling to the lighthouse

 

scooter time
a friend we found

 

fort building and deconstructing at the cottage

Daddy ran a 5K

Ambrose, Morgan, Hudson, Blaise and Caitlin

storm is coming

tubing fun

 

sandcastles with Toby

dinner time - Aunt Cathy, Uncle Greg, Damian, Caitlin, Blaise (or at least his arm), Morgan, Ambrose, Aunt Sarah/Margaret Rose, Uncle Ed, Elijah, Tobias and Hudson

cousins walking back from getting ice cream

our bartender for the evening, Blaise
oldest to youngest
tallest to shortest
Caitlin, Morgan, Hudson, Elijah, Ambrose, Tobias, Blaise and Margaret Rose

bowling

We beat the heat and went bowling.
Blaise loved using the ramp and feeling in control.

Ambrose did a great job holding his ball and CRASHing it down.
Don't worry the floors are still intact.  He even bowled one spare!

Blaise, Victoria Hardie, Olivia Rodemerk, Katie Hardie, Paddie and Ambrose

 

strawberry picking with grandma

Cool day with the sun out.
Near the end of the season.
Strawberries a plenty to our surprise.

Little hands picking . . .

little hands eating.

8 quarts of strawberries picked with grandma in 20 minutes!

Are you sure we can't sneak a few more?
No, let's save them for the jam.
Wait, grandma has a treat . . .fresh jam on bread.  YUM!

 

a step into africa

This photo was captured at the zoo today; as if straight out of a documentary.  We observed lions, goats, baboons and elephants, dug for fossils, 'rode' in the double-Decker Safari Bus and learned about the fascinating Maasai culture.

Although the double Decker bus and the new exhibit was a huge hit somehow the fact that rhino poop can be as tall as 3 feet seemed to 'overpower' all other facts (thanks to the folks that put that fact on a sign).  Thankfully my four and six year old are not narrating this documentary!