Tea at Casa Blanca

July 27,2012 ~ On Friday afternoon, Mom and I were given tickets (thank you Judy!) to attend the Victorian Tea at Casa Blanca on Cherry Island.

For 4 years I have looked from my backyard to the old grand homes on Cherry Island - today I got to go to the island and tour one of the houses.

We rode over on one of the Uncle Sam Tour Boats

We were treated to desserts and finger foods on the veranda

Inside Casa Blanca.... Almost all
the furnishings are original to the home
which was built in the 1890's

Our Host and Owner of Casa Blanca - Mrs Amsterdam.

My Mom and I.
I am glad I was able to share this lovely afternoon with my mom :)

They have a beautiful view of Boldt castle from their veranda

And the view of our house from the island (the small white blur in the background!)



New York City

I love New York City!

Scott and I - Times Square

We decided to take the kids to New York City one last time before moving to Michigan. We could only get away for one night, so we left really early Friday morning and drove right into Manhattan. The other times we have gone we have stayed in New Jersey and taken the bus to Time Square. I was a little nervous about doing this, but Scott is a great driver and he had no problems getting us to our hotel.  Our hotel was about 3 blocks away from Time Square so we were right in the heart of everything. I love the energy of the city, and I think I could just sit on a bench all day and watch people go by.

The only disappointing part of our short get away was that it rained Friday.  It hasn't rained for over a month, and the one day we are on vacation, it rains! But, we still made the best of it and had lots of fun.  A sea of  black umbrellas filled the sidewalks of NYC - then there was ours... a huge green and yellow John Deere golfing umbrella. I definitely had no fears of losing the kids - we stood out in the crowd!
We did a lot of shopping on the Friday afternoon - Carter was thrilled to find the NBA store (as was his dad)! I don't think he has taken off his new Chicago Bulls hat yet!

A break in the rain - my hands are finally free to snap some
pictures.

This was the highlight of the trip for the boys

On Saturday, we woke to beautiful sunshine. We headed over to Central Park where we spent the morning wandering around and taking in the beauty of everything. Much to the kids (and Scott's) displeasure, I kept taking pictures and making them pose for me.

Carter with his new Chicago Bulls hat. I think he has had enough
pictures taken, don't you? :)



Scott and Zach



The bridge in Central Park. I am thinking future painting :)

I am so glad we took the time from packing and all the craziness that goes along with moving, and we were able to have fun with the boys and make a few more memories of our life here in New York State.

Fourth of July

What better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than with some old friends! Tracy and I first met at Ontario Bible College 20 years ago.  After we graduated from college we lived together in Toronto until we both married our husbands. I love that the friendships we made all those years ago at Bible College have stood the test of time. We have not seen each other for four years... but yet, its like no time has passed at all.

Tracy spent most of her childhood growing up in Florida...then moved to Ontario as a teenager. She couldn't remember the last time she had been in the USA for the Fourth of July.

Tracey married Kevin Brandon and they have 3 sons - Andrew, and twins Ethan and Ben.

We went over to Ledges Resort to watch the fireworks over Boldt Castle.



Tracy and Tanya





Tracy and either  Ben or Ethan (I couldn't tell them apart!)




Waiting patiently for the fireworks to begin!



As always, it was a beautiful fireworks display!

Packing

For the last several days I have been spending most of my free time packing. Scott and I have decided that the boys and I will move to Wayland, Michigan the week of August 4th. Unfortunately, Scott will only be able to spend the week with us getting us settled, then he will have to return to Alexandria Bay and wait for our government paperwork. As excited as I am to move into our new home, it saddens me to have to do it without my husband (and makes me a little nervous too)

So, our home in Alexandria Bay is slowly being packed up. Boxes are beginning to pile up in the dining room, and I have begun to dream as to where I will place our furniture in our new home. I have been sorting, organizing and making lots of trips to the Thrift store leaving behind donations. I have been potting pieces of favorite perennials for my future flower gardens, while future paint colors swirl around in my head.