You know you're a redneck when...

Get your motor runnin'

Get out on the driveway...

Born to be wild.

Charlie has a new love in his life, his super turbo tonka bike. Pretty much every day, Charlie is hopping on and hittin' the road. We took our first family bike ride the other day with Charlie riding solo rather than bickering with sis in the trailer. Amelia, in typical "I too" fashion, insisted on also wearing a helmet. I guess we should have one for her anyway in the trailer...but haven't gotten one yet. Luckily, Charlie's orange hard hat did the trick. You can just see it in this last photo;)

Little Wood Nymph

Happy Birthday Ry Ry!

We love you so much!

Your smile, non-stop explorin' (and even your signature shrieks) make the world lots more fun...

...and thanks for providing a good show with the cake;)

Seabreeze 2009

Movie star Moo cheesing it up on the way into Seabreeze theme park. This park is the perfect size for the little ones--not too big of a crowd, but some cute kiddie rides and a nice water park too. We played hooky from church and spent the day a few Sundays ago.

We got lucky and had a "balmy" day compared to what we'd been getting in Rochester's crazy cool July. OK, barely warm enough for the kids to go in the water, but seemed balmy compared to the low temps I'd been grumbling about! I thought Charlie might brave the toddler water slide this year, but for some reason, he still couldn't take the plunge. Funny he survived the log ride ... well, barely.

Favorite for the second year in a row: Bear Trax. Charlie couldn't get enough of this coaster. I went on with him and he instructed me proper protocol on the hill, "you have to put up your hands and say Whee, Mom."

Charlie's first carny game. Awesome-- we went home with another stuffed animal that Charlie will inevitably insist on sleeping with. Arghh.

This horse seems like the stuff of childhood nightmares!

The whole fam in a teacup. But right after this photo was taken, Amelia started screaming and pretty quickly the operator decided the halt the whirling before something disastrous happened. Amelia really can scream, not sure where she picked that up, but it's impressive (unless your at church or in the library).

This ride freaked Charlie out too, not sure why. He was in line with Amelia and then dashed out at the last minute shaking his head that, no, he wasn't going on that one. These two girls in the pic offered to let Amelia ride with them and she blithely hopped in!

Love the way Moo is chillin out in this pic and caught a big smile on Char too!


The log ride...I don't think Bob was completely up front with Charlie about this one. You know, the 50 foot drop and all... The kid was all smiles until the hill. Coming off the ride, he was in a daze for a while and then gravely stated that he gave the log ride a "thumbs-down"


Pruny and tired at the end of a happy family day!

Summer at last!

discovering a lady bug

These two are certainly happy that the real summer, not that rainy record-low temperature summer impostor, has finally arrived. Strangely, there isn't much these kids like better than rambling around our small backyard in very little clothing and with a bit of water involved. For the most part, they enjoy playing together. But, there are exceptions of course. Amelia's new thing is that--whenever she gets hurt, whether Charlie did it or not, she'll say sobbing, "Mommmmmyyyyy, Char Char bonk Mia." At first, I fell for this one thinking that Charlie was taking a shot at her when I wasn't looking. And yes, sometimes this is accurate. But, then the other day I was watching them from the kitchen window. They were in the sandbox. Charlie was digging peacably, making a road out of some old bricks when Amelia (apparently without cause) began hitting him repeatedly on the head with a big yellow shovel. As you might expect, Charlie tolerated a couple strikes, but then turned around and gave her a push. Amelia then turned toward the house and started yowling. I came out and the report: "Mommy, Char Char bonk Miaaaaaa."

Patch Adams

Pickin' and snackin'....Charlie, "Look Mom (holding up a handful of white berries), I picked all these baby strawberries for you!"

Nine quarts of juicy goodness.


Minus 1 quart for shortcake...


My mashers.




Mmm, Mom gets to enjoy a beer while jam simmers and Dad and the kids are mesmerized by Fox and the Hound.

A little watery which I think is a result of boiling such a big batch? But, oh so good!

Allegany Part 2 - "Soggy"

On Saturday morning, we awoke to a "whoosh"--not a pitter patter, a downright downpour! Here is where our campfire used to be, insert river.

Of course, we made the best of it --chatting and, of course, eating ourselves silly.

Amelia and the birthday Papa.

I usually try to avoid posting those "naked photos" but, let's face it, our readership is small and I just love the curls on the top of Moo's head. Plus, I want to be sure to document the "bucket baths" that have somehow become a quintessential part of all family camping trips! It's so Laura Ingalls-esque, I love it!

Allegany cabins have received an upgrade for those of you who haven't been there lately. Cabins now have electricity and central heating! [Can you call it 'central heating' when there's only one room?] Yeah, it takes a way a bit from the roughin' it feel and the wood stove was cozy but, it is nice not to have to rig up lanterns when your getting ready for bed and ..and to not have to get up in the night to stoke the fire in those colder months.

I don't really remember the context of this one, looks like folks were getting a little hard up for entertainment...at Charlie's expense!

Gathered on the porch (for most of the day)

The skies cleared late in the afternoon and we headed out for a hike.

Mia the Spelunker

Did I mention it was dark and gloomy?

Aunt Kat came late since she was taking her Physical Therapy board exam on Friday. Early Saturday morning she found out that she passed, jumped up to tell everyone and promptly fell down the porch steps into the mud. It was pretty funny and (since there were only minor injuries) gave us a good laugh!

Seriously, it's still raining Mom?

Bob and Jon took the well-slickered boys out into the downpour to run around and enjoy the puddles.

I guess this technically belongs in the "Shiny" category since it occured on day 1 -- certainly no blue sky on Saturday! It's such a cute Uncle shot!

Here are a couple more from Friday. Amelia insisted on helping Papa make the fire. He gave her a small chunk of wood to take from the trunk to the campfire spot and thought that would be it. But, no, she returned for five more trips. I'd say she earned her Junior Woodsy badge.

"Papa's got me bustin' my hump" (movie quote for you Lora and T)