Mixed Nuts: Pennsylvania Vacation

Quotes

"There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark." - Helen Keller
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck
You may never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.- Unknown
Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow' ~Helen Keller
Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."- Dr. Seuss
"Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it."
"God doesn't give children with disabilities to strong people: He gives them to ordinary, everyday people, then He helps the parents to grow stronger through the journey. Raising a child with special needs doesn't TAKE a special family, it MAKES a special family."Author Unknown
I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go – Abraham Lincoln
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~ Benjamin Franklin
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is a miracle - Albert Einstein
The journey of a 1000 miles starts with a single step
Sometimes in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives you a fairy tale
Where there is great love, there are always miracles - Willa Cather
The Difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a little longer
Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness
There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings.
Be the change you want to see in the world
Don't tell God how big the storm is, tell the storm how big Your God is..........
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it
Fall down seven times - get up eight - unknown
Despite our differences, we sink or swim together
Life may not be the party we expected, but while we are here, we might as well dance
"The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." -Confucius

Monday, August 24, 2015

Pennsylvania Vacation

August is always a busy month for us. For the last 5 years, the end of August has not meant school, it has meant Finley's annual fundraiser in Connellsville. We spend a large portion of the month preparing for that event and on the phone with my parents who actually RUN the event.

The kids and I left for Pennsylvania on the 14th and headed for Mat's parents house. They have recently moved into a new home (which is beautiful) and we were excited to see it. They now live about 1 1/2 hours from Connellsville, so we spent the first half of our vacation with them.

We had a lovely time at their house. I love my in-laws like my own parents, and we always have a good time together. They have a beautiful pool - which the kids loved. We had a chance to visit with Mat's sisters Jess and Teen and their families - who live very close to my in-laws. It was a really nice weekend.

Monday - before we headed to my parent's house - we went to the Pittsburgh Zoo. It was a million degrees, but we had a great time.

Enjoy the pictures from that part of our trip:

The beautiful pool

It was my brother-in-law, Frank's birthday that weekend, so we were able to celebrate with him:

My niece and nephews drawing with Cainan

A little fun before bed

We had brunch on Sunday morning and Aunt Betty joined us:

This is what happens when you refuse to take an afternoon nap:

Painting after dinner:

Monday at the zoo - it was so hot the elephants jumped in and were cooling off.

gorilla taking a nap

The zoo crew:

My niece cuddling a souvenier:

This polar bear was hilarious. He saw the girls pink tigers and came down to check them out several times. He even banged his head into the glass to try and get at them: