Vacationing in our hometown

Each year we have to be creative when planning our vacations.  Vacations tend to be a last minute thing in this household.  It's not something I plan and save for six months ahead of the time.  When summer rolls around I see what extra money I have and plan according.  So most of the time that means a cheap family vacation.  I am not complaining though.  We tend to spend our extra money on other things.  Like within this last year or so we all got new bikes except Margot.  And if you know Brent, he won't buy us cheap bikes at Target or Walmart either.  

So anyhow, this year we took a vacation at our hometown.  We stayed at my little sister's house this time and we had a lovely time.  Laura and Jimmie and family were wonderful hosts.   Here's a bit of a summary of what we did. 

We went to see the Altoona Curve, the local baseball team.  We had a lot of fun.  It's such a small, cute ball park great for families with little kids.

That night it was chilly.  In less than a week, the weather would swing the other way to the 90's!

We enjoyed some ballpark snacks like cotton candy.

The Pirate Parrot came as a guest mascot and he visited with us.  He sat on Grace's lap, he "picked" my nose and wiped it on Dad.  He patted Margot on the head and gave her a high five.  Then he stole a handful of popcorn from a neighbor and "ate"it and coughed it all over us.  It was a fun time.

Margot loved "Al-Tuna" mascot the best.  The Mascots and games and entertainment between the innings made it a lot of fun for kids.  We made it to the 7th inning.  The other great thing is that it was really cheap.  We were in the 2nd row of seats behind one of the bases and each ticket was less than $10!

Margot in a classic middy blouse getting ready for a day on the boat with Auntie Laura and family.  (patterns by Oliver + S of course)

Riding the jet ski

Daddy and his girls on the jet ski.  They loved it and kept wanting to get back on!

Just relaxing on the boat.  It's beautiful at Lake Raystown.  Being in Pittsburgh, I miss being surrounded by mountains. 

Ming Ming came along and spent some time in the life vest. 

One of the cliffs people jump off from. I did not let Brent jump but Jimmie and Jane did.  

My amazing sister in law, Jane, swimming from the boat to the cliffs to jump.  This was a no big deal swim for her as she swims about 2 miles a day!

Heading home

We had some pizza before getting in the car for the 45 minutes drive back to my sister's house.

Ming Ming had some pizza too!

Laura lives in downtown Hollidaysburg which is an adorable little town with a cute main street with all the things you could want on a main street like coffee, pizza, ice cream and even my Aunt's candy shop.  The only thing missing is a knitting shop.  Then it would really be perfect. 

Anyhow, one morning we got coffee and took Grant along with us.  The coffee shop is called Black Dog coffee (or something like that) and they leave water and dog biscuits out for the dogs passing by.  Ming Ming helped herself to some (in the picture above this one). 

Another night after dinner we walked down to this lovely little cafe that sells crepes, local ice cream and coffee.  That night we had ice cream.  But the night we went to the baseball game we got an early dinner there and all had crepes.  They were so good!

Silly kids with Grandma!

Me and Grace

Grant trying to get every last drop of chocolate ice cream.

Grant and Poppa

Ming Ming on the walk home.  

Margot sure loves Ming Ming.  

On Friday, the hottest day of the week, we went to a small local amusement park.  It has a new name now but growing up it was always called Blands Park so that's what I still call it.  This was Naomi's first time riding rides.  She did great!

Unfortunately later on in the day, she fell over and chipped her tooth when the young ride attendant didn't realize she was disabled and pulled out Naomi's friend Max first from the car.  Max had been propping Naomi up and when he was removed from the car, Naomi fell over, hit her face and chipped her tooth.  

Naomi cried but recovered and rode the train with everyone and later the Merry Go Round.  

There were some big kid rides there too and Grace rode with Daddy or Uncle Rob.  They are so much fun.  I rode one ride, the Dizzy Dragons- the kid version of the Tilt a Whirl and got very sick.  

This is Auntie Laura and Daddy and the kids riding this little roller coaster.  Such fun!

Not pictured but equally fun was, swimming in Grandma and Poppa's pool, fires at Auntie Laura's house, going to the new Disney movie, Brave, and playing on Naomi's new swing set.  

Other highlights:  Daddy also attempted and finally succeeded in riding Loch Mountain, a category 2 mountain.  He finally made it on the 3rd try!  The MS Ride is only a few weeks away.  

Auntie Laura went running with me one morning and on another day I went to Pilates with her.  That was hard but lots of fun.  

I went on lots of walks around Hollidaysburg and dreamed of moving back home.