July and August= travel

It does not appear that life will be slowing down any in the near future!  For my own memory I want to record all of our many travels the past couple months.  My last lengthy blog was 4th of July Weekend which was amazing!

The following weekend we went to the Cleveland Science Center with Grandma and Pops Bush.  We got to enjoy the Steamship William G. Mather as well as an Omnimax film Born to be Wild.  The website quotes:  "This film documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them—saving endangered species one life at a time."  It was really interesting and a great learning experience.  The kids enjoyed every part of the science center.

The following Saturday Pops celebrated his 60th Birthday with us, and 20 of his closest friends at Texas Roadhouse.
Sunday we had our annual Church picnic at the park.

Then Friday the 22 we celebrated our 11 year anniversary by driving 6+ hours into the forests of Pennsylvania where we stayed at Little Pine State Park.   Some of our friends from college go camping every year at a state park in the Ohio/West Virginia/Pennsylvania area.  In fact I think even New York too!  We try to go every other year or so.  The kids had a blast playing with rocks with their friends Baden and Corbin, we also enjoyed the lake, campfires, an outdoor church service, and of course, the fellowship of friends.  It was extremely hot that weekend and thankfully we'd taken a window air conditioner for our camping cottage!  I think everyone enjoyed the cool, at some point, and if not the cool air, the escape from hundreds of biting flies!!!  Some of the group went on a hike where they got close (too close in my opinion) to a baby black bear!  It was a beautiful state park, and we had a wonderful time.

We returned on Monday and Wednesday I packed up the kids early in the morning, along with beds, suitcases, toys, books, schoolwork, food, and bikes to head north to stay with my grandma.  My grandfather was away on a week-long bike ride, and my mom was away at the ODCS band camp.  We thought it would be nice to go see Grandma and stay with her for a night so she would not be completely alone.  She had other visitors as well during the week and though I'm sure she didn't like the idea of being taken care of, I know she enjoyed having company, and felt better not being alone every night for a full week.  Wednesday we drove up, had lunch, and then headed to my dad's to enjoy the beach (he lives on Lake Erie) while Grandma napped.  The kids had a blast and Esther showed NO fear of the water as she ran straight into it twice going under.  She came up sputtering and smiling in my arms both times.  While she thought it was fun, I did not!!  Grace also overcame her fears after the fun in the lake the weekend before in PA so the kids and Papa and Laurie had a blast.  While it was a short visit, we all managed to get very burned, and tired!  We headed back to Grandma's for dinner, and some bike riding in her large driveway and some exploring in the garden.  While we were there some farmers came to get their hay from the field behind the garage which was an unexpected highlight to the day.   A beautiful summer rain came just in time to get our beds made, and watch a Thomas movie before bed.  I enjoyed a quiet evening watching cooking shows with grandma and listening to the rain outside.  It took me back to my childhood when summers meant lots of time with Grandma, but lots of work to do too.  This time, we had nothing to do but enjoy each other's company.  Thursday we went out to lunch, went to a park, came home for naps, enjoyed dinner together and then I loaded the kids back up and we went home.

Troyer with generous hearts.  They found Gary and I pj's, toothbrushes for all of us, made us a snack, and gave us their bedroom, as well as a bed for Tyler,  and sleeping bag and blankets for Grace.   We had a wonderful time visiting with and fellow-shipping with them and it was a restful evening.  Early in the morning Gary drove his parents car to the van (we'd taken it down the road to a repair store and left it the evening before after the Bush's left with Josh and Lia- it's all very confusing) to get it looked at.  It was determined that the repair done Friday was not done 100% correctly and the loose axle nut caused all sorts of trouble!  The mechanic there tightened it so that it would be safe to drive, but we'd have to have the wheel bearing replaced (again) on Monday.   People make mistakes and it was not the end of the world.  The mechanic helped us for free, our friends let us stay for free so we did not have to get a hotel, and the new bearing was replaced on Monday for free.  We were just so thankful that God orchestrated all of it so that we were safe and taken care of and he provided greatly for us.  It was also an opportunity to show the kids how to have a right response in a very stressful situation.  We were all tired, and wanted to see family and disappointed.  We were worried, stressed and could have been angry- however we chose to see it as a series of blessings.  After the axle was tightened we drove both vehicles down to Salt Fork and enjoyed a wonderful day with family.  We ate breakfast at the lodge with the Bush's and Josh and Lia before they headed to a wedding.  Sad to not have gotten to spend time with them the night before, we still enjoyed catching up and just loving them.  Then we hung out at the hotel trying to rest!  We quickly realized we were fighting a losing battle so we headed to the party.

The 6 Kandray children did a wonderful job of contacting extended family and friends and I would guess there were over 70 people there celebrating Pap and his 85 years.  His cake had a John Deere tractor on it, and when one of the candles broke, we quickly fixed it with pap's favorite tool- duct tape.  If any cake could fit him better, I can't imagine it!  Seeing Pap enjoy his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends was something I'll never forget.  I hope to be half that loved if God blesses me with 85 years!  The kids enjoyed their cousins, the nature center, the lake, and the food!!  We went back to the hotel early in the evening so the kids could swim at the indoor pool and we could get out of the sun and heat.  Pops swam with them and at one point had all three- floats, inner tubes and all- hanging lovingly onto his neck!  I'm not so sure he enjoyed that particular moment, but he always chooses to see the blessing, and having three grand kids who love you to bits is certainly a blessing!  We then joined the cousins in the outdoor pool and then had to leave for home.  Our drive home was over an hour and we were very weary!  We stopped at Walmart (all three kids were sleeping so only Gary ran in) to get a bag of chips for the worship team planning meeting we had the next day after church. When we got home late that night and I was so thankful!  We were safe, we were together and God had once again showed His great love for us in countless blessings of friends, family and even strangers!

Sunday morning we got ourselves out the door, probably not in a very Christ-like manner, and made it to church.  For all the traveling we did in July we did manage to get to church 3 of the 5 Sundays which was very important to the kids and their summer program!  We enjoyed the planning meeting but it was very clear about a half hour before it ended, that there would be mandatory nap time at our house that afternoon no matter how late we got home!  That week the kids and I jumped back into our schoolwork and spent the day Tuesday at the dentist office.  I went first, followed by Grace and finally Tyler.  No cavities!!  I would make an appointment to have my wisdom tooth out the next week, and we'd hope that daddy would have no cavities either the next day at his appointment.  (He didn't!)  He purchased supplemental dental for only himself so the kids and I only go once a year and we hope to keep it that way for awhile, and avoid cavities.   Getting the bill made me grateful for our excellent insurance in other areas.  What we have to pay in dental, we more than make up in savings with our regular insurance... nobody likes to dive into the savings for a bill, but that's what it is there for and I"m thankful Gary sets aside money each moth so it's taken care of.

After a couple more days of unpacking, school, laundry, and re-packing we found ourselves up early Saturday morning getting ready to head with the Bush's for Presque Isle!!  We were running late, of course, so we didn't leave on time but the kids sure did enjoy the sugar (donuts) Grandma and Pops brought for breakfast!  I love that donuts are made with, filled with, coated with, and sprinkled with sugar.  Yum!  After not too many stops we made it to the beach and it was a beautiful day.  We had a picnic lunch and the the mermaids and merboy spent the rest of the afternoon in the water or in the sand happily swimming and splashing and, yes, hanging on to Pops' neck!  We faced west and waved towards where Papa was undoubtedly out on his own area of Lake Erie beach.  Gary's cousin Nate and his girlfriend Mallory came to join us.  Late in the afternoon we headed to our beautiful hotel (Thanks Bush's!) got changed and enjoyed a picnic of McDonalds, then we loaded up the cars and headed to Waldameer park.  The admission is free and you pay for an arm band to ride the rides unlimited, or buy individual tickets.  We didn't know what Esther would ride so we got her a couple tickets, and the older kids got bands.  They rode every ride they wanted to at least twice,  Tyler was great about staying with his sister when she wanted him to, and loved going on the bigger kid rides himself.  He rode a roller coaster and a boat that went in circles as well as back and forth!  Mommy got seasick just watching him on that one!  In a few years daddy will have his roller coaster buddy he's been patiently waiting his whole life for!  Nate and Mallory joined us here too and the kids loved having even MORE people to wave at!  It was cute to see young love enjoying the day but not having the responsibility of little ones.  Sometimes it seems like so long ago that Gary and I had that life, other times it feels like yesterday we were beginning to wonder if maybe God would allow us to be parents.  I'm so glad he did!   Gary took Grace and Tyler on the sky ride and the train, I took all three on the carosel, and we didn't leave until closing time at 10!!  They were SO well behaved waiting in lines and holding gates for other kids, riding together and not fighting.  It was a very fun evening.  Sunday we had no plans so we thought we might head to a museum and ship in Erie for a good learning experience, then head home.  We asked the Bush's to join us and though I know they wanted to go home and just nap, they came along.  The ship was out sailing the great lakes somewhere and since the museum was not yet open we went to the observation tower next door.  It was very downcast and windy but it was neat to see Presque Isle from there and Erie on the other side.  We went into the little store/concession stand to check it out and got an unexpected gift.  The first Sunday of the month is FREE to go to the top of the tower!  Yay!!  We could see so much more up there and with the weather being bad is was more fun for us adults than the kids, but it was a great learning experience and we enjoyed it very much!   We enjoyed a late lunch at a very good Mexican Restaurant Pops knew of from when he goes to Erie for work.  Then we finally headed home.

Another week of- you guessed it-  unpacking, school, laundry and repacking! The curve ball was having my wisdom tooth removed Tuesday afternoon which left me feeling a bit groggy the rest of the day.  And then the kids got sick Wednesday!  Friday found us traveling an hour south for a speech evaluation for Esther early in the morning and then home to load up and two hours north-west back to Lake Erie- this time at Papa Tim's house!  We had wanted to get up there since the beginning of summer, but as you have read (if you are miraculously still reading) we were a little busy this summer!  The kid and I had been for a couple hours when we were up to see Grandma Cline, but this time we came as a family and to stay a night.  The kids decided on Wednesday night to get fevers, stop eating, and sleep/lay around so by the time we got to my dad's house Friday afternoon, they were still not feeling well.  We enjoyed our time at the lake, at the beach, eating together and hanging out. Even with the fevers and being "cold" in spite of 90 degree temperatures, the kids had a wonderful time.   Grace didn't do much in the water but Esther loved it again, we made sand castles, and Tyler acted as though he was born with fins.   We traveled Saturday to my moms for a brief 30 minute visit, and then to the Glynn home to meet baby Addison!!  Gary and I had seen her earlier in July, but the kids had not, and it was an open house to see the home they purchased right  after her birth!  It was VERY nice!  Finally we headed home to Tylenol and bed!!  Sunday I had to be in nursery so I took Esther and left Gary with the sick ones.  I feared if they really had something hanging on, it could be contagious and by this time they were sick and crabby and tired.  Their wonderful summer program teacher did not need to crabbies with fevers.  I found out when I got home that the kids had made cards for our friend Connie's birthday party and gotten to watch the service live online!  I had no idea they did that!  Made me wish I could have stayed home too since I went but didn't get to hear the service!  :)  Gary said the kids had rested and seemed healthy enough for us to travel an hour south to Connie's birthday party.  Of course they were fine until we actually got there, then the fevers returned, and the coughing started.  I"m pretty sure Tyler is allergic to cats.  We had a great time fellowshipping with Connie's friends and family and celebrating her.  The kids played well and Grace especially bonded with Connie's niece Alyssa- the girls are the same age.  After fellowship, food, pie, a pinata, and some fun with the Wii, we had to head home again.   Now it was time to commit to spending a couple days HOME to catch up on sleep, and yes, tackle some more laundry!

Box Day

 Today was a big day at our house. Tyler's new 1st grade curriculum arrived.  Grace also got to open her new her preschool curriculum.  This day is officially called 'Box Day' as each child of school age gets to open their new Box of Books.  The children were very excited to say the least.  I think Mommy may have been equally excited with all the new books. This is kind of like our first day of school as the kids get to see what they will be learning over the next year.  Home schooling is definately a family event as Esther and Daddy helped open the boxes and get the books out as we read the title of each one.  Tyler did a good job reading the titles for most of the books this year.  Another sign he is growing up!  Enjoy the pictures below.

Connie's Birthday

We had a great time at Connie Troyer's birthday party this past Sunday.  Here is a link to a couple quick youtube videos.