Pittsburgh!

We spent a couple of days in Pittsburgh. Thanks to a conference I attended, we got to stay @ the Sheraton in Station Square for 2 nights and scored an awesome view of the river. In addition to the conference, we got to see some of the sights of Station Square and went out to Robinson Towne Center. Most of the family was under the weather, but somehow, Pittsburgh made everyone feel a tad better!

The VIEW from our room -

we kept the curtains open all night because we enjoyed this view so much!

Too cute not to post! Sleepy boys.

Jackson's photo of the Gateway Clipper - again from our hotel room - awesome!

About the only cool thing left to do in Station Square mall is ride the train

- that's cool enough for us!

It's Fall

I know photos haven't been coming very often, so here are a few of the boys doing fallish things!

My vampire and bat

Fun in the leaves - the boys love piling them up and jumping in them (especially from the swing).

Annual Trip to the Apple Cider Festival

This is one of our favorite days of the year - the Apple Cider Festival @ Prince Gallitzin State Park. Although it was a little breezy, we had a great time and the highlight (as always) was the hayride. We went early and it was packed; Ga-Ga came with us (no Pop, he's traveling). And yes, they actually do make apple cider at the festival - see photo below.

Yay! A family photo - we were on the hay ride for this one.

I can just imagine what was going through Jude's mind, "I want this one and this one and this one and this one and........."

Making apple cider the old fashioned way

The boys touch a white rat snake (eww yuck)

I Love the 80s!

We went to an 80s party last night. I'm not sure if we had more fun at the party or planning our outfits. Even the kids were decked out in "breakin" and "Pac Man" shirts courtesy of Jeremy (yes - those are his originals). I, on the other hand, had to make a stop at the local Goodwill to complete my outfit.

Nice painter's cap and breakin shirt

Pac Man rocks

Who's that hot couple? Check us out from head to toe. Orange chucks - check; pegged pants - check; lots o hair spray and blue eye shadow - check; jean jacket - check. ALL SET TO GO.

Jackson Turned 7

Jackson turned 7 on September 7th! Can't believe it. The 7th was Labor Day, so we got to celebrate his special day with him @ home! His party was on the 12th - pirate theme this year!

The gang sings HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Grammy Linda's cakes always impress!

Since Jackson is so blessed with good wishes and gifts all year long, we asked his party guests to bring books to his party to be donated. He donated close to 40 books to the Saint Michael School Library! I really think that he was proud to carry all those books into his school for everyone to enjoy!

Weekend!

I PROMISE to get something new up here this weekend - PROMISE!

Weekend Getaway

We just got back from Deep Creek Lake, MD this afternoon. We got there Friday evening and spent the weekend with the Golden's. It was so beautiful there - the weather was perfect too. Friday we ate pizza and just let the kiddos run around the house. Saturday I made breakfast for everyone, then we drove over to the State Park lake and Discovery center. Next we went back to our house, changed into swim gear, grabbed lunch and headed back to the State Park beach for the afternoon. After that, while Jude was napping (I stayed back with him), the gang went to Funland (kinda like Chuck E Cheese's). Saturday evening we ordered take out and ate in :) Then the kids got their bathing suits on and all climbed into the bathtub (the kind that is big with jets) and got a "bath". Today, Kerri and I got up and went for a big walk, came back and made breakfast, cleaned up and got ready to leave. We went to the top of Wisp Mountain and watched people white water raft through this awesome man-made course - it was so amazing. Anyway, enjoy some photos!

Me with the best person in the whole world!

We're peeking through a rock.

All 5 kids @ the Discovery Center

2 super cuties sittin' on the dock, feedin' the ducks!

The kiddos @ the State Park beach (before they donned swim gear)