The end of summer....

We decided to have a final mini vacation before the craziness of school etc begins... We headed to Niagara Falls and to the African Safari in Canada. Part of the Safari is just driving your car through the "jungle" to see the wild animals! The kids loved it because they could get out of their seats while we were driving. Addy was a little tense when Lincoln read the signs to her that said "dangerous animals please lock your doors and keep your window's up!" This is the kids in the back of the car looking out for the wild animals!These baboons were hilarious they got on peoples car and rode through the park!
Twice a day the elephants march through the streets to go for a swim- The kids loved seeing them hold onto each others tails and walk right by us!
This is Jack annoyed with the rocks in his crocs!!!
Niagara falls on the American side.....

Lincoln kept asking if he could swim in this water... He really is going to give me premature grey hair!!!! This is the view from our hotel room, the steam in the air is where the falls are... The kids loved standing in the windows looking out, I stayed away from that view!! We had a suite with a big jacuzzi tub in our room by this window.. they had several baths in that spot!
There was a petting zoo at the African Safari. We nicknamed Lincoln "the goat whisperer" because they all loved him! They especially liked chewing his shirt and his shoes!
Yes this is Matt, Lincoln and Jack riding an elephant!!! Addy was almost brave enough, she got all the way to the front of the line and then decided against it! You had to have an adult for each toddler so Spencer was stuck with Addy and I watching~ He did not seem to mind!
Feeding the camels.....

Distracted by a vampire named Edward!

This is what happens when a mother of four children decides to get caught up in a 700 page book (breaking dawn)!Addy got some little girl make up for her birthday, and while I was in haze pretending to be married to a vampire, they decided to test it out on each other! Addy with her wonderful purple and pink shimmery make up!!
This is Jack... I am still finding glitter stuck to his scalp!
Lincoln.... he wanted his washed off quickly before daddy got home from work!!!!
last but not least.... Spencer with his Rosy pink cheeks!!
I did finish the book, although I am still washing sparkles and glitter off of tables and the bath tub!!! It was worth it to be with Edward in my own little world for those couple of days~

Our little "Sybil" turns Five!

So I will never forget the day I was laying on the ultrasound table twenty weeks pregnant with Addy down on the floor going through my diaper bag as usual. Things were going along smoothly when the nurse says "oh there are two in there!" Well as you can guess we were more than shocked... Matt asked for a defibrillator and I just could not stop laughing! I remember looking down at Addy and thinking "oh you poor girl, surrounded by 3 brothers!" Now as time goes on I think oh you poor boys with this strong little girl for a sister!! We nicknamed her "Sybil" because of the many personalities she has. One second she is a beautiful princess all dressed up with heels and all, the next she is in the dirt with no shirt on collecting worms for her brothers. Her imagination is endless... Our pediatrician tells me over and over that one day I will be glad she has such a strong personality. I believe she will need it when all of her brothers are bigger and stronger than her!



These are some of the pictures of Addy over the years... She loves to change her outfits all day long. She is very creative with sweaters and heavy tights making an appearance no matter what the season. We love her beautiful personality and brace ourselves for each day with her!! I know she will always keep us on our toes! I can not believe she will be in kindergarten this year... I would like to keep her in the house forever! Happy birthday Addy Lou!!!

Highlights of vacation!

I have so many vacation pictures that I would love to put up on my blog, but I think it would take about 4 pages! So I have put some of the highlights of our cross country journey!! Since we have been home the twins ask if we are going on an airplane again every time they wake up! Wait until they realize their mother strongly dislikes flying and spends most of the flight in crash position... They think I am just leaning forward reading!!! This first picture is heading into legoland in California! The kids loved it... except when Spencer did not reach the height requirement to ride the horses! This is Spencer and Dempsey holding hands on the way up to the Hogle Zoo in Utah. They fought most of the time we were there so it was nice to see that they do really like each other!! I love that picture!
Lincoln at the fiesta days "fish rodeo"! I felt bad for the fish- Even worse that they made the car ride home with us... some even made it on the grill!
This is my NY husband who decided that he not only wants to own a scooter, but likes to swim in the reservoir and go through little acorn drive thru with no shirt on! He is officially from Utah!
The last day of our trip we spent at Los Hermano's celebrating Addy's birthday. It was nice to enjoy Mexican food one more time! I definitely got my fill of Cafe Rio and any other Mexican I could find! Now it is back to trying to make the pork salads here in Rochester! We had a great time with our family and miss them very much!!

Beach Bums....

We just finished our month of vacationing so I have a lot of pictures to catch up on! We started on the other side of the country in Oceanside California. We stayed with Rachel's family and enjoyed a couple of days at the beach! The kids had so much fun seeing their cousin's and enjoying the California weather! We could get used to that life!!! Rachel was a great host and kept us entertained and packed for every occasion! Grandpa and Spencer braving the waves
Looking for sea shells for Daddy!
Lincoln tried boogie boarding for the first time and nearly gave me a heart attack~ he has no fear! Our Italian surfer girl!
Addy and Josh had fun playing together... In their own little worlds!!!

Beating the heat.....

We had a really hot week, and the two sweaty toddlers needed some relief..........

I had to post this picture of our senior citizen dog who gets more inappropriate with age... His new thing is to go to the bathroom right next to anyone who is near him. Our yard is big enough that he could find a better place, but with age he has decided to let everyone know about his bodily functions!
The kids dumped water all over Louie so he could enjoy some relief too.. We are loving summer and cant wait to visit Rachel and her family in California, and then it is off to Utah for the month of July!!! It is nice to do our own thing and not have to worry so much about school buses and appointments!