After the baby shower I returned home and finished packing the car with all the stuff we didn't bring on the bikes. We needed more stuff because we were bring Saige and Maya Rae for an overnight stay. We spent some time packing more bedding, food, clothes and bikes. Loaded up and away we went. I have to say at that point after all that biking and NO sleep and then a dash back for the baby shower....I was fried.
When we got back to camp there was all the exploring for the girls to do. They tore around on their bikes for a while. Jody and I fought with the fire in preparation for dinner. Finally, we got the fire to actually burn. Saige and Maya husked corn and wrapped it in foil. We put that on the fire. We fried up some NOT-dogs and had some mac salad too. We had had lots of whining, complaining and tears from Saige but after we got her all fed she was fine. Maya was ready to move in the moment she arrived :)
After dinner we scrubbed up and went into town to the cutest little "movie house". We watched A night in the museum (or something like that). It was a hit.
Back to camp for marshmallows and finally off to bed. Jody and I had added to our bedding and slept much better.
On Monday we woke up and the girls were in a much better head space. All spunk and smiles. We had to tare down camp by 11am. After we packed up we rolled down the hill to the Gorge main parking. We spent the rest of the day hiking up Watkins Glen Gorge. That took the afternoon but was really fun! My camera died after the above shot but we had a great time :)
At 10 am Ben drove to the camp site and collected me. I had to get home and get the girls so we could go to our cousin, Jenna's, baby shower at noon.
We had a really nice time. We all agreed that this was a great shower. There were a few games like baby bingo that the girls got into. The cake was adorable. Food was great. Company was lovely. 
Jenna looked fabulous!
The shower took place at Seneca Lake park in a shelter by the water park. It was a beautiful day for it too. 
Jenna received 
This is me sleeping in our camping chairs. If it 
This is us 6 miles up the road. I chilled in the shade while Jody made a few adjustments to the trailer arm. There was about 100 lbs of stuff to drag.
This aint a pretty picture :( This is me looking like hell after climbing some seemingly endless hills. I was on the edge of tears and felt just how I looked. 10 miles in.
I informed the girls that they could did into their picnic lunch when they got to the bridge. This kept them motivated for a while.
Bench break.....Ahhhhh.
The night before Saige slept over and this is the little art project that the girlies got into. :)
After an hour of uphill we made it to the bridge. We had never gone this way before so we were so surprised and excited to see another waterfall tucked back there.
Back down the other side was easier though we started to get into the "I stubbed this and I broke that" grumbles of little girls who had a fun night of sleep over parties but very little sleep.
This led to daddy having a heavier load to carry.
Look at these crazy strong people just taring the forest up!
Dorky pic.
The bus parked along 52nd street- ish. We biked along the water till we got to the George Washington Bridge and the "Little Red Light House".
Jody saw this light house when he was in nursery school and has spoken of it often over the years. Its not all that little but in comparison to the bridge its itty bitty.
Heres the history of the light house. I think if you click on the image you should be able to 
On our way down the river I saw this fruit stand. When we were ready or lunch we came back here. It didnt look like much from the outside but when we chained out bikes and stepped inside it was a huge store tucked under a bridge. It was cool. That was one thing that I noticed about the city...how every little noock and cranny was used for something or another.
We got our wraps, fruit and chips and sat the waters edge. 
As we munched, we watched every vehicle imaginable pass by us. Planes, ships, boats, cars, trucks, trains, motorcycles, bikes, scooters, skates, strollers, ETC ETC ETC!
Potty stop. The play grounds were full of children and the restrooms were from the 40s I think. I could see why people would love it in the city (though its not my thang). You can see the generations of tradition in every structure.
In all we biked 13 miles.
Now this is the way to travel!!!
As he drove us around, Mike gave us a tour. "This is this- that is that" etc. It was cool. I had no idea how little I knew about this park. Honestly I didnt understand what the big ol deal was with Central Park. "So big deal its a bunch of grass in the middle of a city"..... OOOHHHHH- NOOOOWWW I get it!!!! Its freakin amazing. Really beautiful! So much to see. So much going on. LOVELY!!!
After an hour long ride we were done. That was great time. You could come to NYC and spend an entire day just exploring Central Park. Who knew !?!
After our ride we went to look for an Indian restaurant. Before we found one we came across this Cuban place. Good enough. Nice little place. We ate like pigs. We were sooooo hungry! Good stuff. Then we jumped back on the bus and 6 hrs later we were in Ithaca, then home.
This is our proof that we went. Elanee is holding the camera. It took several tries to get all our fat heads in the shot. :)
But- guess what I found out? That crap is FUN!!!! LOL.
We got way into it. As a matter of fact...after several songs we ran upstairs and changed into more appropriate clothing...for pop stars of course. So- yes- I am saying we played dress up....lol. 
After only a short time I could see he was on his way with shading and blending. I CANNOT wait to see what he does with this new medium. You can see Harrys are on his blog at 
Vayda & her nephew, Javari.
Practicing rasberries :)
Not much gets cuter than that face.
Javari really wanted Vaydas lunch.
John (daddy) & Javari.
Elanee and J man.
Again this time it was SO wonderful seeing Angelica and Javari and John too. We are all wishing we could be closer so we could see each other much more often.
On Sat April 25 I went to a meeting in Ithaca about "exploring directions for the arts in downtown Ithaca". I went because I have been interested in getting some of my work involved in 'gallery night'. I called for info about this and was invited to the meeting.
At this meeting I was asked to man the booth at the Farmers market the following day. So- I did and I brought Vayda too. We talked to tons of people, learned about a charter school for Vayda and an Eco Village for mommy.
I joined this and signed up for that and and we ate rockin Cambodian food. It was a great day. I am SOOOO glad I said 'Yes'.
This is the watercolor I did for the event.
Grams had worked her tail off clearing numerous trails up and down...
and over to the pond.
We had a great time
and lots of visiting in. We talked long about the possibility of moving to VA but after Jody and I discussed it further we came to the conclusion that though its sooooo nice there and we'd love to be closer to that side of the family, he doesn't want to have to switch jobs. So- NY we'll stay I guess. Maybe we are destined to suffer a million winters. 
Anyway- we have a GREAT visit!!! Lots of fun. We left at about 9pm and were home and on the couch by 8 am the next morning :) GREAT STUFF!!!!!
The park was soooooo pretty.
We did finally get parked and we walked to the zoo. Then we walked around the zoo. We made sure to see all of our favorites and of course the stars of the show there...the Pandas.
We spent several hours and had a great time. We all enjoyed the zoo. It seemed they really made an effort to make their animals happy with roomy housing. We were very happy and impressed with the elephant habitat they were building.
After we left the zoo we walked downtown and visited a little Indian shop Vayda had spotted while we were turned around. She bought a skirt and a CD. Elanee found a ring for herself. 
Often times Vayda goes in with her to use the computer and suck up some YouTube time.
Maya and Saige tore outa there! Jody and I hardly saw them for an hour. We got lots of walk and talk time in.
These pics are off Vayda as she shadows Heather boss at the graphic design company she
And- she looks so mature working in an office like this. :)
Heather and her daughter Madison posing for a quick pic.
After we dropped the girls at the prom, Heather and I went out to dinner in Canandaigua.
Pretty girls.
MySpace face girls....yikes!
Mollie and her mom, Bobbie.
Elanee and I.
Elanee and her make up artist.
After much fuss and getting the girls and all their many layers of fluff through the sprinkles we (my friend Heather and I) stuffed them in the car and got them to the Bellhurst Castle for the big event.
Vayda had an India party this year. She turned 15! Can you believe that?!?!
Vayda was proud of her "ugly cake". It had candy bars on top and was really good!!! MMMM
Saige's B-day was the day before Vayda's so we honored Saige with her own candles on the cake and a round of "Happy Birthday to you". Everyone had a great time :)
