The Grand Canyon of the East

Letchworth State Park

Letchworth is often referred to as the 'Grand Canyon' of the East.  Now, I have to say that although it is not the Grand Canyon, it has definitely become one of our favorite spots here in New York and we really enjoy visiting here.  This week-end there was a balloon festival going on.  We went on Saturday and waited for the big launch, but unfortunately that didn't come.  The winds were just too strong they said-which we thought was rather funny, because to the every-day, non-balloonist person, it seemed rather calm.  They did however, to appease the gathered crowd, inflate two balloons to let everyone see.  While these balloons were inflated and we were talking about  how it wasn't windy, a huge gust of wind came and knocked one of the balloons over on it's side....ooopps!  I guess they did know what they were talking about.  But we decided to go back the next night, mostly because of the pleadings of a 6 year old, but we were so glad we did.  There was no wind, it was a perfectly calm night, and the launchings took off without a problem.  It is amazing to see 25-30 hot air balloons being inflated feet from you and rising above you and over the green tree tops.  Not only did the kids love it, but we did as well.

This is one of the kid's favorite balloons, his name is "Norman"

I told the kids to go stand on the bridge, and they both went over and did this pose...

Our little J, just having a rest

This was a really neat sight, just tons of balloons at different stages of being inflated

I said, Smile, this is what J did..maybe that's what she thinks we all look like when we smile.

You can see the fire being put into the balloons, I thought this was really cool
This was a great trip, and highly recommend it to anyone living out here.  Not only are the balloons amazing, but it is one of the greenest and prettiest places I have seen.  The drive is just as amazing, and I am in awe each time we drive it.  There are green rolling farms hills, old barns and silos, tractors (we actually saw an old time farmer using 2 horses to pull his tractor), and just a great country feel.  It reminds me of the place my family would come and we would all go camping there and bbq.  

Here are a few facts about ballooning that we found out:It takes at least 3, but preferably 5 or 6 people to inflate a balloon, most hot air balloons hold about 77,000 cubic feet of air and are 70 feet high, If two balloons hit in the air it's not a problem as long as only the envelopes touch, Each balloon has a chase crew following it because it is very rare for a balloon to end up at it's starting point,  and finally my favorite, most balloonist carry champagne with them.  Ballooning became popular in France in the late 1700's and they would often land in fields.  Farmers hadn't ever seen balloons before and often attacked them with pitchforks.  To show that they meant no harm to the farmers, they would store a bottle of champagne in the basket and share it with the farmer to show they meant no harm.  And to this day, most balloonist carry on this tradition. 

Memorial Day

Last year we found out about a cemetery near us that puts flags on the Veteran's grave, so we went and Kellen really enjoyed it, so this year we went again.  I think it's such an important part of Memorial day to think about the soldiers who have served and are currently serving our country.  To remember those who have lost their lives protecting us and our freedoms.  While we were there today, we noticed a large grave in the ground.  I read it and saw that the solider had died on February 25, 2006, and then realized that he was only 22.  There were some people standing near the grave and the lady told us that he was their son and his name was Ben and that he had died fighting in Iraq.  They stood there for the entire time we were there.  I can't imagine how they felt.  I also can't thank them enough for their son.  At the cemetery they had a small ceremony there to honor the veterans.  As we drove away, they were sounding off a 21 gun salute and playing taps.  So on this Memorial Day, I want to thank those of you have served in the military.   Thank you for protecting me and also my children.  I hope that I can teach them to honor their country and to always remember those who have lost their lives in our service, those who have served our country and those who are currently serving.  May our Heavenly Father continue to watch over and protect them and their families.

Yeah! Family!

I can't believe C's whole family came to visit and this is one of the few pictures I got with everyone here!  (If only Rachel or Crescent had been there, I could make an entire album out of their week long trip!).  I guess I do need to remember that we were trying to entertain 2 kids under 2.

Little J with her cousin, she was so happy to see everyone!  It took her a little bit to warm up, but then she didn't want people to put her down, especially grandpa!
This is everyone at Kirtland listening to the Senior Couple, notice G, he was tired and had had enough..Little did we know, this was just a few minutes before he threw a tantrum that lasted nearly 25 minutes.  Oh, the wrath of a tired, bored, run-ragged 2 year old.  This was only to be followed by a 40 minute tantrum that J threw at the John Johnson Farm.  Who knew that 2 little kids could have so much pent-up hostility!  Having said that, we loved having everyone here!  It was so fun showing them around and just spending time with them.  There's nothing better than having family come into town.  We had such a great time and we saw some really beautiful places and we are really missing them!  Poor little J, as we dropped everyone off and drove away, she was sitting in her car seat crying and saying 'bampa, bampa"  I felt so bad for her  and it will be great to see them again!  Thanks for coming everyone...feel free to drop by anytime :)!!!!

Strep, Smelt and The Silo

We have been stricken, and unfortunately not with anything good!  We have been overcome with Strep this past week.  I got it first, then K and now C is feeling the beginning symptoms; chills, fever, sore throat, so we'll see what will happen.

This week has been a bit slow, but on Friday I was watching the 6 am news and heard about something called a Smelt festival.  I thought to myself, 'how could anyone pass up something called a smelt festival?'  Now you may be asking yourself what's a smelt?  The new title of Dr. Suess' book?  Nope.  The next replacement for the oompa-loompa's?  uh-uh.  A smelt is a small, gray/black fish that when caught has a 'distinctive cucumber fragrance'.  It is one of the only fish that fishermen are allowed 'to net'.

If you look closely you can see the little black fish in the water, that's the smelt.  When we arrived, we thought we would see fishermen pulling them out of the water, but I guess the 'netting' had already taken place and alas, they were being battered up and being prepared to be....deep fried.

K and G trying to see how close they could get to see the smelt

 (G, we were worried would get a little too close).  While at the smelt festival, our friend had told us about a very cool restaurant called 'The Silo' and the smelt festival and The Silo shared the same place, so we ate at this place behind us.  It was SO fun!  All outdoor eating, and overlooking the Niagara river, not too expensive either, it was very cool and the kids had so much fun! (C had fun too, I just caught him off guard with the picture). They too were serving smelt, and had my stomach not been a little 

un-easy to begin with, I may have ventured out and attempted to eat one of the little smelts....maybe next year!

Afterward, we walked out on the dock, it was one of the prettiest places I have been for a LONG time. 

                   The Coast Guard

K couldn't have been more excited to see the coast guard pull up.  He has been learning about them in school and has been telling me about them for the past couple of weeks.  While we were eating, they docked their boat right below us and then we saw them walking up.  K was dying to get his picture with them. They were nice enough to accommodate us, but seemed a little taken back by my request... the things you do for your kids.  K was in heaven!

                                                Million dollar smile!

Maybe one day K will be one of the people on this boat, but in all actuality, G would actually be the who would work for the Coast guard, but only if he was the one sliding down the rope to rescue someone while 15 foot waves crashed all around him, K would be the one who was telling about it the next morning on talk radio-being the host of course.  We love our kids!  It was a great week-end.

Bike Trails

I have to apologize in advance, no pictures-sorry.  I noticed I hadn't posted anything for a while and decided to put something on.  One of our FAVORITE things to do since we moved here is to take our bikes on the bike trail! We are so LUCKY and have a trail less than 5 minutes away. We are quite a sight and I'll be sure to take a picture the next time we head out.  G rides happily on the back of my bike in a little seat, donning a great fire striped blue bike helmet.  C pulls J and K in the bike trailer-that's about 60 pounds, glad it's not me!  We get some great looks as we go on our merry way!  Maybe it's because G is thrashing from side to side on the back of my bike (causing us to wildly shake) and singing as we go along, or maybe because K is sticking his hands out of the side of the trailer waving frantically to everyone who passes or maybe it's because they can't BELIEVE that we have 3 kids (I would guess this), but whatever it is we sure enjoy ourselves!  The weather has just recently been nice enough to actually go on our favorite trail, so we pulled our bikes out and have been heading off, but I have to admit, it was less than TOTALLY fun!  The first couple of times on the trail, we would ride 8 miles, which we were doing last year and I had a great time.  This winter I have been exercising quite routinely and was excited to see how I'd 'improved' on the trail this year..... I couldn't have been more wrong.  The first time we headed out, C left me in the dust.  Mile 5, I was tired, mile 6-I was panting, sweating and barely even able to peddle, mile 7-I was cursing at C in my head as I was watching him leisurely riding without hands and peddling with one foot (really!), mile 8 was a blur and as I got off my bike my legs were Jell-O and had to run to sit in the car before I fell over.  C then replied, 'we should get you some slicks'- I guess that's biker talk for road tires (I had mountain bike tires).  I said I was fine, but after the next time on the bike trail and a repeat of what happened, he ordered them.  The next time we went, it was a whole different story.  I was right behind C the whole time, no panting, no sweating, no thinking mean things in my head!  It was amazing, we actually rode 10 miles, took the kids to the park, it was great, I felt like I could have gone 10 more miles (maybe not really, but I felt like it)!  I had no idea that road tires would make such a difference, so I guess the moral of this story is..... if you want a boost of self esteem, let your husband order you 'slicks'- you'll be a new person!