Cabin camping in New York

Last weekend we headed out for a cabin camping trip to Allegany State Park in New York!

Picked up the boys from school and off we went! Yes, we all still fit in Jack's pick up truck. =)

Our cabin for the weekend! (As of October 22, 2014, Justin has yet to wear jeans this season. He absolutely insists on wearing shorts.)

 On our way to our first hiking spot, Jack's truck decided to stop working. We are so very thankful for skilled mechanics - who work on Saturdays and are willing to travel to you! The boys and I started carving pumpkins while Jack waited for the mechanic. Long story short - all worked out and we had our truck back!

 Once the truck was fixed, we headed out to a couple viewing spots! Our first stop was to Stone Tower. If I had a better camera, you'd be wow'ed by the fall colors in the background.

 Justin, tell us how you really feel....

Colin loves origami and brought a huge supply when he found out it was a no-electronics weekend. haha. Between wrestling with with each other, family games and origami, the boys had no trouble filling the time. It was a bit rainy and wet, so we didn't do as much hiking as we expected.

Oh hey, I was on this trip too!

Love this kid...

 One of our favorite parts of the weekend was our visit to Thunder Rocks! Huge, climbable rocks! Colin absolutely loved climbing them and Justin and I loved jumping on the little ones!!

 Pumpkin-carving time!

 It was a perfect weekend getaway.

• Justin's version: When I picked up Justin from school on Monday, his teacher said to me, "Justin told me all about your weekend. And how you didn't get the cabin with electricity. He said he had fun, but he was excited to come home to play dragon city."
• Colin's report: "Thunder rocks were the best!"
• Jamie's thoughts: Thank you to Jack who planned the entire trip! From the food to the kids' clothes, he did it all. I was only responsible for packing my own bag. How many mothers can actually say that?!
• Jack's thoughts: Thank goodness we didn't have to tow the truck back to Cleveland.

Yes, we're fully enjoying Fall! 

Falling into Fall

We're already into October!

Facts:

1. My new job has been quite the adjustment for all of us. And I can confidently say that we have not found our groove yet.
2. Colin is doing well in 1st grade. Making friends, getting into sports, enjoying math and loving his 1st grade teacher!
3. Justin is loving his pre-kindergarten class. He's a quick study and is loving the new focus of writing and reading in this school. He's making new friends, but still misses his old ones.
4. Jack has been our rock (as usual). He is the greatest ever.

Kids are definitely in the sports phase. Football, basketball, soccer...

Boys got buzz cuts at some point in September. The glider thing slipped and Jack had to go much shorter on Justin just to even things out. Justin was a good sport about it all!

To kickoff October, Lori came in for a week! Happy Birthday Lori!!!!

We got her a Hawaii card so she could have the beach AND us on her birthday. hahahaha.

Random: Colin (and his school friends) are all into Pokemon now. When Auntie Lin came to visit, Colin was THRILLED to teach and play pokemon with her!!!

Justin comments on my clothes regularly. And it's common for him to want to take pictures of me. It's hilarious!

Lori arrived!

(Holy smokes, he still fits into a laundry basket!)

Justin went to a birthday party at Chuck-e-Cheese and he was so proud of his ticket string that was taller than him!

Quality father-son time.

Colin, super proud of his lego movie theater!

Auntie Lori goofy-ness. =)

Family plank contest. haha. Colin won. Seriously. Colin always wins - he's a plank master.

Lori did a ton of yoga... and she and Justin mastered a couple yoga moves together!

Then Colin and I tried our version of yoga. haha!

Lori bundled up and we went to an apple farm Fall Funfest! It's so funny to see a Hawaiian try to enjoy Fall weather in Ohio. hahahahah.

This is what Jack calls a "Jamie joke." And I was just so happy to have Lori around to take pictures with me. We all know Jack would die before taking this picture with me. =)

We love fall fest activities and kettle corn. =)

Yes, Justin is in shorts.

For one night, Lori and Lin-Shao's trips overlapped - so we made shabu-shabu to celebrate!

We're still having our weekly dinners with Leela... and did you know that you can make Halloween gingerbread houses now?! haha. Any excuse to play with candy.

Colin wanted to get into tennis... and we all followed.

So much more happened in the last month.... and I realized that I took pictures of none of it. You'll have to just trust me....we're all healthy, happy and loving life. Life is busy and hectic, but each and every day, we find ways to slow down and enjoy.