Knoebel's May 2008

On Memorial Day, my brother Adam, sister-in-law Amber, nephew Breckin, Bryce, and I traveled to Knoebel's for a fun filled day in BEAUTIFUL weather. We had a great time. Breckin enjoyed his first amusement park trip, first train ride, and first carousel ride. Bryce had a fabulous time as well. He rode the cranky cars at least 10 times and his new favorite ride is the giant slide--he only rode it 3 times.
Bryce is totally in love with Breckin. Bryce keeps telling me that Breckin is his brother and not his cousin. I said it was OK to call him his brother. SO, Bryce and "his brother" had fun together too at Knoebel's. Actually, Bryce played this ping pong ball game and he won himself and Breckin medium and large sized prizes. I have to laugh only because the adults all tried the same game, spent twice as much money, and Adam only won Breckin a small prize. Bryce actually closed his eyes each time he threw the winning balls==beginners luck!

Our first ride of the day, and Breckin's first ever train ride

Bryce and Breckin--2 peas in a pod

Bryce on his favorite cranky car ride

Bryce coming off of the GIANT slide

Dorwart family picture--they had that hand carved plaque made while they waited. It is really pretty.

Butterflies

For Bryce's birthday he wanted the "grow your own butterflies" that you see advertised on TV--bugville butterflies. I paid extra money and got him 10 caterpillars instead of the usual 5 that come with the kit. The instructions say that they guarantee at least 3 of the 5 will turn into painted lady butterflies. Bryce had all 10 of his caterpillars turn into butterflies. Bryce loves to hold his butterflies and "pet them". Here are a few pics of him with his butterflies.







This is Bryce's favorite picture of him with his butterflies. He loved that it stayed on his nose.

A boy and his boots

Bryce loves this old pair of rain boots that my Mom has at her house. He wears them to go outside whenever he doesn't want to put on his own shoes while he is there. It was pouring rain today, so it was the perfect opportunity to put on THE BOOTS. My brother coerced him into putting them on---my brother thinks Bryce in his boots is the funniest thing ever. I saw for myself last week how he looks in the boots and I must admit, it was the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. When he walks in them, it looks like he is walking on stilts. He jumped in a puddle last week and tottered back and forth like a seesaw. Thankfully, he kept his balance and didn't fall in the huge puddle!

Bryce's Professional Pictures

For Bryce's 5th birthday, we had professional pictures of him taken. There is a photographer in the area who took the pictures. She came right to our house and just took pics of Bryce while he played and showed off for her. They all turned out fabulous. Below are a few of my favorites.






If you want to see the rest, you can go to www.earlyyearsphotography.com Click on either link, then choose the option about online proofing/see photos Click on Bryce and you will be able to view all 37 pictures.

A man and his gnome

There is a running joke within my family about gnomes. My brother just "loves" (sarcasm there) the little darlings and my Mom is always telling him that she will get him one. Well, last Monday on my birthday, she gifted him with his first ever gnome. He loved it--see picture below. I am sure this will incite some mad gnome gift giving for a while. I can just picture birthdays and Christmases to come full of little gnomes!!

Pool time

We opened our pool this past Sunday--it will be the only Sunday I have off until the end of the month. I wanted it open before Memorial Day so that we could swim that weekend, so we decided to open it now. I was anticipating dirty water and a lot of work---this is our first time opening a pool. SURPRISINGLY, the water was clear with just a few leaves in there. I made a bigger mess with the granular shock and trying to get it into the pool.
With that being said, Jason and Bryce baptised the pool tonight for the 2008 swimming season. Jason jumped right on into the 68 degree water and Bryce went fully clothed into his raft and was floating around. They both say they are getting in again tomorrow---I will be sure to get pictures that time. Looks like we are going to get our use out of the pool this year!!!!

Great Wolf Lodge

We went to Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos this past weekend for one night. We all had a GREAT time and will definitely be going back. Before we went, I thought it was too expensive for an indoor water park, but after going, it is definitely worth the money. They have the indoor water park, spa, kids spa, arcade, 2 restaurants and a snack bar, bar, and gift shop all within the resort itself. It is HUGE---it looks like it belongs at Walt Disney World when you drive up to it. Our room was gorgeous and very, very spacious! It had 2 queen sized beds + a pull out sofa (we didn't even use it) and a large sitting area + bathroom. Here are a few pics of the trip.

Bryce actually sitting still for a minute so I could take this photo. Life jackets are complimentary--cool benefit!

Bryce running away from Jason to get to another slide.

Bryce coming off of the orange slide---he only braved it after Jason bribed him with $5.00
Bryce in front of the large fireplace in the lobby.

Jason and Bryce posing for the camera. In the background you can see the kiddie slides--from left to right it is orange, blue, green, and then yellow. Bryce braved all 4 by the end of our trip

Saturday April 26th--Scott and Nicki's Wedding

This past Saturday, we went to my cousin and his now wife's wedding. It was a beautiful day and the ceremony was just as pretty. I got a few pictures, but I spent more time dancing and goofing around than taking actual pictures. I worked the night before, so I was going on 3.5 hours of sleep and my allergies were awful. Thankfully none of the pictures of me were close-up so you can't see my bloodshot, puffy eyes!


I really like this photo because of the bubbles. That is my cousin Scott, Nicki, and Brady.

A really good picture of me and Bryce together.

Bryce showing off his dancing skills at the reception

Dad, Bryce, and Breckin---they look like they are checking each other out!