Family Vacation 2011

This year's vacation was quite an event. Cousin Val got hitched on Saturday the 9th and Stacey's family was back in Warren for the 4th, so we decided to make a week of it.

Destination 1: Niagara Falls

We started our trip the Saturday before Independence Day with a visit to the Buffalo Zoo. It's not the biggest zoo around, but they have a great variety of animals, a fairly open layout and a bunch of kid-friendly fun.

Jefferson loved the waterfall in the rainforest exhibit. We told him we were seeing a big waterfall that day... not that one.


After checking in to our hotel and dropping off our bags, we crossed the border into Canada. We had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe, then walked down the hill to see Niagara Falls... and a ton of other tourists. Americans and Canadians were a slim minority.

Again, Jefferson enjoyed looking at the waterfall - the right one this time - and Hannah and Ben enjoyed their first international experience. Our decision to cross via the Peace Bridge turned out to be a fantastic one. The Rainbow Bridge was suffering hour long delays.


Destination 2: Warren

The next day we headed down to Warren to see Stacey's extended family. We went to a beach on the Kinzua Dam Reservoir and on the way Jefferson pointed out a few more waterfalls. We tried to coordinate with everyone else, but apparently Verizon hasn't sent the "can you hear me now" guy out there yet.

After a quick bite of pizza, Julie stayed with Jefferson and prepared some food for the next day's picnic; Stacey and I took Ben and Great Grandpa to see Cars 2; and Grandma H took Hannah miniature golfing with Aunt Dottie, Uncle Kevin and the boys. We all met for ice cream afterwards (which Grandma got for free after a hole-in-one on number 18. Hannah and Ben got to stay up late to see the fireworks, too.


Independence Day is a big day in Warren - it's parade day. People set out chairs days in advance to stake out the best spots along the parade route. Grandma H put ours out on Friday... for a Monday parade... and she wasn't the first one to do it.

Anyway, we had a great spot other than the view of the leather-skinned-smoking-drinking-bikini-and-short-shorts-wearing-middle-aged-lady across the street. Other than that, all the usual parade participants were there: color guards, veterans, marching bands, bagpipe bands, boyscout troops, girlscout troops, and best of all, Shriners with Zem Zem cars.

After the parade, Uncle Brian hosted the barbecue and lead us on a hike through the woods.


Destination 3: Erie

We pass by Splash Lagoon every time we visit Pittsburgh, so we decided to stay in Erie this time and check it out. It was great! There was a fun area for Jefferson to play, lots of great tube and body slides, tons of water shooting and dumping gadgets and best of all - no need for sunscreen.

That night, Grandma H watched a movie with the kids so Stacey and I could meet Rob and Elizabeth for a night on the town including a nice dinner, mini golf and ice cream.


The next morning, we headed out to Presque Isle and rented a Surrey Quadracycle. Despite only having 1 gear ratio and 3 people peddling, we made it all the way to the Perry Monument and back within our 1-hour rental period.


After lunch we said good bye and thank-you to Grandma H and took a walk on the beach before heading south.

Destination 4: Pittsburgh

We finally had a few days to relax. Granted, we went to playgrounds and the game preserve, Stacey and I had a night out alone to celebrate our 7th anniversary and Uncle Tim continued his birthday extravaganza; but it was much more laid back then the first half of our vacation.


Then, the big day arrived. Ben served as the ring bearer for Val and Greg's wedding.


Vows were exchanged, pictures were taken, cookies were eaten, legs were shaken and there was much rejoicing. If that wasn't enough, the next day, gifts were unwrapped and more cookies were eaten.


Finally, what would a vacation be without an amusement park. And what better park to go to in Pittsburgh but Kennywood. All three kids bumped up a height restriction group, although Jefferson opted not to take advantage of this and skipped the Jackrabbit. Ben rode the Racer for the first time, Hannah rode the Phantom's Revenge for the first time and Stacey and I rode the Sky Rocket for the first time.

Satisfied with our new experiences, we finished the day with an old tradition - Kennywood fudge!


It was a long and eventful vacation, and the best part was getting to spend time with our friends and family.

Vacation may be over, but summer is just peaking. More fun to come!