Saddlebrook Fun Fest-October 30, 2010

With school starting there hasn't been much "extras" going on, other than our usual gymnastics and riding lessons. However, on October 30th was Saddlebrooks' Fun Fest. The students who take lessons there exhibited their skills for family & friends (no ribbons this time). There was also hayrides, pony rides and games. Here are Alyssa & Jasmine getting ready for the hayride.

One of the games was to try to win a goldfish...all 3 girls got goldfish! So now Uncle Phil's tank has 3 new guests. Oh, and this is Jasmine's crazy face!

Here is Jasmine on one of Joceline's favorites, Gypsie.

Then it was Alyssa's turn to ride Gypsie.
Here are the 3 girls, just as the hayride is getting under way.

Visit with Scott's Family

While on vacation in Virginia, we met up with Scott & Naomi. It was so great to see them again, and the kids had a blast at the Harrisonburg Children's Museum. Part of the museum is a stage with costumes (and makeup if you chose) to put on your own plays. Here is part of "Big Blue Riding Hood" (Joceline was the director...it was hysterical!). That is my nephew Grant as the lion-headed wolf, and my niece Autumn is Big Blue Riding Hood.

Here is Scott speaking into one end of a tube, and Autumn listening.

Scott and his youngest (for now), Maggie.

And here are all the kids together at dinner. From left to right there's Maggie, Joceline, Emma, Autumn, Grace, Alyssa & Grant.

And here are some of Scott's kids scaling the rock wall.

Another "fun" thing, racing around VA on stationary bikes. Here is Scott trying to beat Joceline.

My handsome nephew, Grant, and his lovely (and pregnant) mother, Naomi.

And here is Grace during the play...a dancing construction/firewoman (also a princess I think!).

Battle of the old dudes! Who will give out first???

Battle of the 8 year olds! Alyssa & Emma.

Massanutten Resort, VA

This year we took a vacation to Massanutten Resort, in Harrisonburg, VA. It was a gorgeous resort with lots to do. The girls favorite thing was the waterpark.

Here are my 3 favorite people~

We also swam in one of the outdoor pools. Both girls loved the diving board! Here is Joceline diving.

Almost every day we saw deer, up close and personal. Here are a pair of fawns...the mother was also nearby.

Here is Joceline getting dumped on while on the "Lazy River", which was more like the Rapid River...there was nothing lazy about it!

Alyssa practiced her front flips off the diving board, as well as split jumps.

Hershey Park

On Thursday August 26th we went to Hershey Park with one of the managers from Restaurant Depot and his 3 kids. We all had a great time!

Here is John dancing with Mr. Reece's Peanut Butter Cup!

The kids were hiding behind trees!

Here are Nick & Tommy, Billy's 2 boys...they were a lot of fun!

And this is Maegan with Alyssa...they were best friends the whole day!


And here are the kids doing bumper cars. Alyssa is all the way to the left (alone), Joceline is with Maegan right in the middle, and Tommy & Nick are on the right (blue shirt).

I took this while the girls were in this huge play area at Hershey. It wasn't overly hot, but that didn't stop them from doing every water ride there!

Camping with Gran 2010

Every year the girls & I go camping with my mom, Gran, at least once. Even though she lives in Cincinnati now that didn't stop us from meeting half way in New Stanton, PA for a few days of camping. One of the girls favorite things to do with Gran is go fishing. Here is Joceline waiting to get a nibble. She managed to catch 2 fish this weekend. Alyssa was not so lucky, so she decided she didn't care for fishing that much after all.

We spent some time in the game room as well. Here are Gran & Joceline in an intense game of foosball. I believe Joceline won this round.

And here is Gran NOT acting her age!

Alyssa...as usual she was ready to strike a pose!

And here's Alyssa mid-slide!

Joceline's Trip

As you all know, Joceline had the privilege of traveling to England & France this summer with People to People Student Ambassadors. While she missed us like crazy (and us her), she did manage to have a GREAT TIME! She also took some awesome pictures. Because of how blogger uploads pictures, they are not in order, but I tried.

This was inside the Louvre...Joceline thinks this is supposed to be one of the Greek gods.

Inside the museum at Normandy. Per Unlce Phil this particular plane was what kept the Britains from being defeated by Hitler.

The Louvre.


Beautiful statue inside the Louvre.

Notre Dame Cathedral.

View of the Palace of Versailles.

Another view of the Palace of Versailles and the beautiful gardens.

Joceline thought this door in Frace was really cool! That's the door knob right in the middle at the bottom.

On the very last day they went to Disneyland Paris.

This is a close up of some of the detail at Notre Dame.

This is in England, in Stratford Upon Avon, where William Shakespeare was born.

These actors, whom Joceline called The Pinnochio's, were at Warwick Castle in England.

They went punting on the Thames River.

This is the National Gallery in London.

Looking up at the London Eye.

They visited Stonehenge...Joceline is squishing it!!

Here is Joceline in one of the capsules while on the London Eye.

This is another one of the actors at Warwick Castle.

Joceline loved these particular buildings.

And here is Warwick Castle.