Labor Day Weekend: Lakes and Families and Fairs, oh my!!!

Well, we just got home from Cleveland a few hours ago and I think I can safely say all the kiddos are asleep for now :).  What a fun, fun weekend we had!  Good grief!    We had a great visit with Brian’s dad at the fair (see further down the post) and we got to spend a lot of good times with his mom and step-dad, brother and sister, Meg… made me miss Alli, but Cameron is better because she’s there.  We went down to Rocky River park and there is a little beach there where we played for a bit yesterday and today…

 

this is what happens when Dad turns his head for a second… at least they are happy…

 

Lots of firsts happened this weekend…

1.  ABIGAIL is walking !!!  She started on Friday and is so fun to watch.  She is very proud of this new accomplishment and proceeds to clap after every walking excursion.  Adorable.  I’m trying to get it on film, but she’s still a bit touchy with it so.. watch for it!

2.  I went to my first county fair.  All I can say is wow.  Here’s what I can tell you I learned from my first county fair…

a) I used to think that I’d enjoy living in the country- yeah, not so much… wishful thinking- think Green Acres… disaster.

b) Apparently a vegetable still counts as a vegetable even if you deep fry it… seriously?!

c) People watching is taken to a whole new level at a county fair.  The best part was the Amish group of teens who were there and watching them try their hardest to fit in.  The best part of the day was when we were leaving and we passed the area where the Amish park their buggies and there was a group of like 10 boys hanging out with like 3-4 girls (TROUBLE) and one of the boys must have been a part of a new reality show called “PIMP MY BUGGY” because the thing was literally shaking from the rap that was BOOMING out of the stereo system inside of it.  I almost wet myself.  Seriously.. so not expecting that.

 

d) Gabora is alive… I’ve just got nothing else to say about this.

 

e) Apparently, men come up with better ways of showing off than in the city.. who really thinks sitting on a seat that is on a piece of 2x4 behind a running a pooping horse is a good idea?  All the while racing with your feet up in those little stirrups- well, I guess it’s good for the men to empathize with the women folk for a spell…

 

f) one word- Buffo.

 

g) not for a million dollars could I do this…

h) my kids are pretty cute…

 

One of the best things about this trip was that it forced me to just stop and rest.  Between Whiz Kids (which I’ll write about tomorrow) and all that the kids have going on, I get so caught up in getting everyone from here to there, that I forget to just stop and enjoy the trip.  I definitely enjoyed this trip. 

August 2009

Well, August has come and gone and we’ve been pretty busy here in the Kershner household, but then again, what else would one expect?!!! 

The first big celebration in August was Abigail’s FIRST BIRTHDAY!! Can you believe she’s ONE already?  We had a fun little party for Abigail where my friend, Angie, made what I think are some of the BEST cupcakes and cookies that I’ve ever had. 

It is hard to believe that just a year ago, we brought Ab home and that she became so much a part of our family that things would be so different without her around.  We love our Abigail!

Abigail had a wonderful day and thanks to all of you who came and helped the day to be so special for all of us.  It definitely has been an eventful year with her and we truly are richly blessed…

 

Soo… after celebrating Ms. Abigail Renee, we did all sorts of things to get ready to start back to school… I took the kids to COSI with a family of Zach’s friend Curtis, and just realized that I didn’t even get a photo with the 2 of them- BAD MOM!!! On the other hand, there are some more of my kiddos.  They had a blast. 

One of the funny things that we discovered while we were there is this whole water area where kids can play in various water activities.. It’s set up like a lost cave of Posiden or something.  We’ve been to COSI like a half dozen times and this was our FIRST time even knowing this part of COSI even existed! 

Cosi has a static show that they do and thy have the kids line up and show how kids conduct electricity.  There Zach is getting the ‘shock’…

Abigail is a Kershner!  She LOVES the water table and was quite content to just sit there for 30 minutes and play…

 

 

No- Zach is not in Egypt, but a mummy from Egypt was at COSI and this is part of the exhibit where you were allowed to take photos.  I learned the hard way from the not very nice security man that there are other parts you are NOT allowed to take pictures in.. oh well- there is probably some horrid curse that is going to come upon me from the mummy…. ha!

Hannah insisting on riding Sidesaddle like a proper young lady… no idea where she learned that- wasn’t me.

 

 

 

So, COSI, as usual was fun and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there.  Drive back, ehh.  Little long, but all in all we survived!

So, this leads up to the annual Kings Island trip right before school.  Abigail got pretty sick, so I joined up with the kiddos after 6 (and by the way on weeknights after 6- there is hardly anyone there- I got my $25 bucks worth!)… and had a wonderful time with my family.  Just sad Brian and Ab couldn’t make it :(…

The Wild Thornberry’s Log Flume- at 9:15 at night- not so much fun, especially after being told repeatedly that I wouldn’t get wet.  Does it not look like I got a bit wet to anyone else?!!!

 

All this leading up to the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!! Yay!!!

 

Kings Island 2009

For the past few summers, my mom and dad have graciously taken our kiddos to Kings Island each summer. This year was Elizabeth’s first year going. She had a GREAT time. Here are a few pictures that my mom took. While E had a great first trip, Hannah’s debut on the Beastie was a hit as was Zach’s on the Vortex.

Finally, here is a video of E on her first rollar coaster.

Summer 2009

 

Well, as school approaches rapidly for us (one week from Tuesday, I decided to post some of our fun summer!)  It seems that time is going by quicker and quicker and I don’t want to miss any opportunity to love my kids into good relationships with one another, with those around them and with God.    This year I have come to appreciate my family, my children and my role as mom more than I’ve known was possible.  I am truly one blessed woman who is so amazed by the love God has shown to me through the BOUNTIFUL blessings, it’s overwhelming to me most of the time.

 

ANYWAY,  here are some of the pics… enjoy!  I’ll post more this week.

Hilton Head Island 2009:

Palmetto Dunes

 

 

 

Zach sang “Hello Mudda, hello Fadda “ at the Shannon Tanner concert… oh my.

 

 

Pirate Putt Putt 2009

 

 

We had to play ‘Beauty Salon’ with Hannah because the pool was turning her hair green.  We read that if you mix baking soda with conditioner, it will help neutralize the chemicals and will help hair not look so green- what do you know, IT WORKED!!!!!  Baking powder is amazing stuff.  If I was stranded, I’d want it.

 

Hannah’s FIRST ballet recital…