What a busy Weekend!

To say that I am tired is an understatement! I am EXHAUSTED. (ZzZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz) I can barley stay awake as I sit here! I know Mike is feeling the same way! Mike's brother and Family (Chris, Melissa, Dominic and Francesca) are home in Olean for a couple days before they leave to visit Aunt Melissa's family in Trafford, PA. We made the trip to Olean Saturday afternoon, to visit with them for a little while and attend the local parade & carnival. It was really fun actually. Growing up it the city we never had local little parades like that. The parader's (is that a word?) Threw candy to all the kids watching on the sides, so of course, our kids were chomping down! After the parade we walked down the local carnival and thanks to GG's friend Alberta, put all the kids (and some adults too!) on a few rides. Melissa and I of course had to share a fried dough, who goes to a carnival and passes that up?? I must be pretty boring since I did pass up the taffy however. If I would have bit into that thing, I for sure would have lost all of my teeth! So I was a good girl and said No. Colin is so funny about rides, He hates every bit of them, fusses, throws a fit, until they start to go, then he is all smiles! Well except for the pony ride, he wasn't quite fond of that one at all. Caden did SO amazing as well! It was so nice to see him interact with his cousins and enjoy spending time with them. In the past, he would be in one spot and they would be in another. While walking to the parade on Saturday night, Caden was in the middle of Dominic and Francesca and all of them were holding hands. It was too cute! Bummer I still don't have a camera since the boys lost my cable to charge it, so I'll have to steal some of Melissa's pictures once she posts them (thanks!) By the time all was said and done, we got back to GG's house around 9:15, threw the boys in the shower super fast, got on PJ's and hit the road by 9:35- how is that for quick work?! We got home exhausted just after 11 - and not into be bed until close to midnight. Unfortunately Courtney couldn't join us on Saturday, since it was her best friends birthday sleepover. Bummer.

Needless to say, we were woke bright early Sunday morning by Colin at about 6:25- His new internal alarm time apparently. Yuck. So we got up dressed ready and headed out the door by 9:00am to pick up Courtney from Alyssa's house and then make the drive out to Erie PA to meet the clan for lunch and then splash lagoon. (May I mention too that Colin was asleep by 9:10 hm... maybe if we slept later then 6am????) The GPS somehow directed us to a "phantom" Quiznos's sub place, so after much detouring and little bit of yelling at the GPS and some impatience, we ended up at Subway, which is just as good. After lunch to the water park we headed. We spent the rest of the day enjoying the hot tubs, taking turns on the water slides and playing who wants the catch the boys at the bottom of the kids water slides. :-) Caden was having an off day, he didnt' really enjoy the water slides at all and was even a little bit nervous when he went down the kiddie ones. I was really surprised. He mostly wanted to go in the lazy river or go in the big hot tub with us and swim on his own (it is only about 3.5 feet deep) Dominic joined us in the hot tub at one time and him and Caden held hands and walked the perimeter. Caden LOVED it! GG watched the boys for Mike and I so we could go down 2 water slides alone. It was the first time EVER since we've been together, dating, married etc, that we've been able to go down a water slide together. Imagine we've always had children in our relationship, so we never really had that time "before" kids. The cruise ship we're going on in October has water slides, so we'll have to be sure to take some advantage of the kids being home! I must add as well that 2 heavier people really do create some speed on those things! Holy cow were we every flying!

After Splash Lagoon, we all went to Friday's for dinner and enjoyed some family time. Well most of us did anyway. I spent alot of time out side pushing a miserable, over tired Colin in the stroller since that was the only thing that would calm him down. I am pretty sure his ears are still bothering him. he's been on his meds for a few days now, but with running around here and there, we did miss a couple doses. I am just hoping they will redo the surgery so we can get past this part! by the time we were done with dinner it was close to 7, and I didn't pack PJ's, but did have an extra set of clothes, so we wiped the boys down with wipes, changed and got settled and headed home. Colin was asleep before we were even on the entrance ramp and Caden was about 5 minutes behind him. Colin ended up staying asleep the entire ride, and woke up for a little while when we got home, but stayed in bed. I did notice most of the ride home too, that even though he was sleeping his was digging his ear alot. which tells me his is in a lot of pain still. Caden woke up before we got home, but was still too tired to do much, so he just laid awake in bed while Mike and I got ready for bed. THEN came the thunder! Awh. yuck. Caden was up. we finally got him settled again around 9:15. Mike and I grabbed some frozen lemon yogurt (YUM!!) and went in the garage to enjoy the thunder and lightning show. How awesome that was!

We really had a great weekend. the Distance between all of really sucks, but just makes the time we do get to spend together that much more enjoyable. One of these times, we need to get a sitter, and Mike and I, Chris and Melissa just go out as adults and enjoy the company. Since there has always been distance, that has never happened. I think it would be really enjoyable! Maybe next visit.

For now, I can't wait to get home and go to bed. Wait, what is bed? We have dinner, dishes, laundry, gymnastics, baths, house cleaning...... sleep will come, in 18 years!