Taughannock Falls

Our last stop for the day was Taughannock Falls, usually dry the last few times we have been there, but this time there was quite a show. The kids wanted to walk all the way down, but that will have to happen another visit.

Lunchtime!

After playing and running around, the kids sat down for some good old picnic grub. We had watermelon, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, juice boxes, (beer for adults), and then the standby of S'MORES!!! That was the right thing to do at the end of the meal!! Caleb looked like he had rolled around with his for a while!

Picnicking at Taughannock Park

We arrived at Taughannock and the kids immediately were drawn to the rocks and the lake. This park is on Cayuga Lake, which is so beautiful. You can see parts of Cayuga Lake from Cornell's campus and on a clear day, it is really a sight. The rocks on the shore of the lake reminded the kids of Maine (and all the rock climbing there) so they were quite at home! It is such a huge park, there is a playground to rival the size of any other playground, a beach, a small marina, and then just huge expanses of green space with picnic tables, grills, and pavilions. I see us going up there many times in the future!! We had forgotten how nice Ithaca is and all there is to do. Next on our list is to hit some hiking trails or hike in some of the gorges. As they say, 'Ithaca is gorge-ous'.

Fall creek

We went over to a bridge that spans Fall Creek to see some neat, well, falls!! It is truly a long way down to the bottom and given that the water isn't that deep, you'd land on tons of rock that don't give that much!! Lastly, Molly spotted a building on campus that I had to take a picture of for her - it looks just like a princess castle!!

Around Cornell campus

We left White Hall and walked all over campus. It was a beautiful day out, not too many people, just a couple of incoming freshman tours going on (made me think of Mollyariotti). We headed just around the quad where Dave's building is located. Cornell's entire campus is so huge, it would take an entire day to walk the whole thing. They must have a lot of skinny people there, given that and the fact that Ithaca is so hilly. Would hate to drive on the icy roads in winter up there. Took a patina laden picture of the statue of Ezra Cornell, then headed over to what is known as the Slope. My first thought was how fun that would be to sled down in winter, until Dave pointed out the unfortunate sign that school officials have posted. There is an enormous bell tower (with a webcam) and lots of pretty garden areas on Ho Plaza, which is also home to one of the libraries, a cafe, and a bookstore, which sadly was not open. The kids found a fountain that was not hooked up. What, do they wait until winter to get the water flowing????

Trip to Cornell - White Hall and campus

Saturday, we all went up to Ithaca and drove around the campus of Cornell. Dave is taking his sabbatical this coming year up there and has an office and some privileges of the elite!!! The kids enjoyed seeing where Dave has been going, since all they really know is that Daddy is going to Cornell, but don't really know what it means. Some pictures of the kids outside White Hall, where Political Science is housed. All the buildings on campus are these beautiful old stone places, and White Hall has recently been refurbished on the inside; it is so far away from the looks of PolySci at BU, it isn't even funny!! Proof that Dave has an office on campus, and a picture looking down the hallway. I love the curves of the entryways. Dave forgot his office keys, so we didn't get to see inside. He'll have to take some pictures with the iPhone and then I'll post them later.

Dinner out at the Kilmer

Dave's dad treated us to dinner out at a very nice place in Binghamton, the Kilmer Steakhouse and Brassiere. It was quite the experience, one the the few places in our area that have really quality items on the menu. The restaurant is in an old building, the Kilmer, that has been refurbished and has maintained its original integrity. Beautiful!! We could not resist taking a picture of what his Dad ordered, the Kilmer 'stacked'. Layers of steak, red onion, and tomato slices served over a bed of lettuce and crumbled blue cheese. The steak knife is used to hold the entire contraption together - an original, delicious, yet simple idea. He pronounced it quite yummy and edible!!!!!

Potter finishes BU Bearcat camp

Potter finished camp on Friday afternoon with the Olympics in the Events Center at BU. Dave went to catch some of the action and apparently, Baxter led the conga line!! What fun, he truly loves going to this camp!!

Potter is the blur in front of the boy with the green shirt and black shorts

A very sad day

On Thursday July 16th, we had an abrupt end to an 8 year long friendship with Dave's truck (a.k.a. The Green Monster). As Dave drove down the Parkway taking Potter to camp, the engine quit working, and we later found out that the engine threw a rod, and that as you may or may not know, is the end of any car. It was a dismal 36 hours until we, extremely luckily, found a replacement. At the current moment, we do not yet have the 'new' car, but you'll get photos and text when the big day occurs!!!

Granddad arrives for a visit

Dave's dad arrived in Endicott on Wednesday for a mid-summer visit. The kids were so happy to see him pull up in front of the house, they all went screaming outside which led to Mac (the dog) getting ramped up and running wildly out in the front lawn. After the hellos and hugs, we went inside, where Caleb attached himself to Granddad's side and was content there for the longest time. Happyily, Granddad had stopped in Cuba and brought us five (5) different kinds of cheeses. Yay - happy days are here!!! We are so well stocked up on cheese, we all will need cholesterol checks next week for sure.

Potter, master photographer

Potter set up his camera to take this fabulous shot of our family at Oak Island. I think that it is priceless!!!

Kids make the beach at home

The kids created a beach in Molly and Caleb's room. First they made the 'water' out of paper and they added some plastic fish, starfish, shells, etc.....near the water. Then they decided to have their beach blankets out as well as their shades. They really, really miss Oak Island!!! Jesscherry, as you can see, decided to get some 'sun' at the beach.

Jess at the beach

Getting a few rays, she forgot the sunscreen
Molly looking so cool at the beach with her sunglasses
Potter has some sand and caught a crab. See it???
Getting into the beach mood
Trying to crash against the waves
Lots of fun in the water
Caleb decides to take dog dog to the water
He is so cool!!!