Summer Vacation, Part 5 - Waldameer Park

We all went to Waldameer Park and had a great time.


Gram, Aunt Jean was there and the boys loved hangin' with her.


The roller coaster was a big hit...


and the boys had a blast riding in the first car.


I even got to ride a few rides with my boys.


The Frog Hopper remains Luke's favorite ride.


Thanks to Gram & Gramps for inviting us to their work's picnic, which was being held in a pavilion at the park. The grub was great!

Next stop, Jeffersonville, NY...

Summer Vacation, Part 4 - Boys' 5th Birthday @ the Racetrack

After lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings, the boys went down to the racetrack to celebrate their birthday. Here they are hanging with their cousins Hunter, Keagan and Kylie


Amy and Rory were also on hand to join in the festivities.


Aunt Susie gave the boys some money and they placed their first bet in the 8th Race, a 70-1 long shot.


Low and behold the boys won! Well, actually their horse came in 3rd, but luckily I placed their bet to show (come in 3rd).


The boys celebrated their winning ticket with Aunt Susie.


Afterward, we went to gram & gramp's to eat more birthday cake.

Summer Vacation, Part 3 - Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp

My boys and I paid a visit to St. Vincent's College in Latrobe, PA to partake in all the festivities at the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp.


Coach Mike Tomlin was busy walking the field and checking to see that no one was loafing.


Here's Ben Roethlisberger (#7) lining up to take the snap.


Here's Big Ben again, this time from the shotgun, right before he threw an interception. :(


Willie Parker spent most of his time playing catch in the end zone.


Jeff Reed was a blur, while kicking 50+ yard bombs.


There was plenty for the boys to do as well. They never pass up an opportunity to jump around.


Here's Luke working on his place kicking.


Owen loved kicking the football off the tee.


While we did not get to meet any of the Steelers, the boys did run into Steely McBeam, the Steelers mascot. O.K., I will admit the mascot is a little lame, but the boys enjoyed meeting him!


The boys and I had a fantastic time at Chuck Noll Field, and we look forward to maybe going again next year!

Summer Vacation, Part 2 - Waterford, PA

Grandma took the boys out back to pick berries.


While Rory could not quite pick the berries, she sure did eat her fair share.


Luke, Owen and Rory all celebrated their birthday at the cottage. Here the boys are making their wishes and getting reading to blow out their candles.


A West family tradition - Rory got to put her hand in the cake...


and then she ate it.


They all got lots of gifts. Luke was psyched to don his new firefighter rain coat.


Owen just loved his new Penn State sweatshirt.


Rory also bleeds blue and white. We are...

Summer Vacation 2009, Part 1 - Columbus, Ohio

We recently returned from our summer vacation and it was quite a trip! Our next several posts will highlight some of the fun we had. First stop, to visit cousin Tommy and Cari in Columbus, OH.


Our kids love hanging with their cousin Tommy and his wife Cari. They have a trampoline in their huge yard and they all put it to good use.


They boys really tired Tommy out.


Rory had a good time discovering the many different rooms in Tommy & Cari's house. She also really loves the pink, musical horse they gave her for her birthday. While she doesn't ride it much just yet, she does love to push it around the house.

The Kids First Concert

We recently took the gang to their first live concert and they had a blast. The boys were really excited to see Darius Rucker.


Here's a pic that Luke took of us, sitting back and enjoying the tunes.


The concert was at a winery in Kentucky and the scenery was quite beautiful. This was our first country music concert and we all had a good time. The little white blurb is Darius Rucker.

Chillin' @ the Beach

Here the boys are taking a break from swimming in the lake.


The boys soaking up the sun.


Amy & Rory played in the sand.


Rory had the best time in the water. She is our little beach bunny.