2000 Miles...part 2...Niagara Falls

Our trip to Niagara Falls started out with a great surprise - both of the kids slept almost the entire 3 1/2 hour trip!! Guess all the family fun wore them out!

When we got to the hotel Katey was treated to a great surprise:
For those of you who are unaware, 7:07 is Katey's favorite time of the day. She was excited to be staying in room #707!

After dropping stuff off at our room we headed straight for the main attraction. We walked along the Niagara River - it is so wide and very beautiful to watch.
Then it was on to take the ever-famous "Maid on the Mist" boat ride. That is quite an experience!! The boat really does take you to the bottom of the Falls and it is rather amazing how calm the water is at their base.
After grabbing some dinner we headed back to the Falls again to see them lit up at night and watch the fireworks. Several people had told us that we were in for a treat with the fireworks. They have obviously never seen a real fireworks display. We waited until 10PM for them to start and after about 2 minutes (maybe) they were done. Everyone kind of looked around with puzzled expressions, wondering if that was it. And, yes, it was. But, we enjoyed seeing the Falls lit up anyway! (No pictures of the water as my camera wouldn't focus right in the dark. I do, however, have many nice shots of the backs of folks heads with blurry lights in the distance)

The next morning we awoke to rain so we hung out in the hotel and rested before setting off for Canada. Niagara Falls is much more viewable and beautiful from the Canadian side!

Canadian Horseshoe Falls

American Falls and (the smaller one on the right side) the Bridal Veil Falls

The kids were ecstatic to get souvenirs on both the US side and in Canada. They choose timeless junk treasures: yo-yo's, snow globes, a calculator key-chain, a back scratcher, a pencil and a pack of cards. Seth spent the entire evening and following day walking and yo-yoing while looking at the Falls. (Note the yo-yo in his hand in the picture above) Katey spent much time reading all the signs we passed and learning lots of information.

This portion of our trip was short - around 24 hours before we headed on to Ohio - but packed with lots of fun and amazing sights! I am a little embarrassed to admit that my immediate reaction to seeing the Falls was, "Really, I thought it would be bigger!" Don't get me wrong, they are amazing and incredible and quite massive, but from pictures and hearing other folks talk about them I was sure they would be much more ginormous! Still, I am impressed and in awe of this astounding creation of God's hand and am thankful that these eyes (all 4 sets) got to witness it!

2000 Miles...part 1...Syracuse

We had the wonderful privilege of taking a (very) long car trip this summer to visit lots of family, see friends, and witness an amazing work of the hand of God. 2000+ miles later we are home and enjoying the memories of the past 2 weeks.

The trip started with an overnight in Maryland with Brandon, Annie and Nate. The next morning we all set out, caravan style, for Syracuse, NY!!

Aunt Melanie and Uncle Doug allowed 20 of us (plus 2 dogs!) to invade their house during 2 days and we were very thankful for their hospitality and (along with Aunt Martha and Mom Averill's) cooking! We were all gathered to celebrate Grandma TenEyck's 90th birthday!!

Mom, Martha and Melanie put together a wonderful party for Grandma and we enjoyed celebrating her together with family and friends. Here are a couple of shots from the day:

All the Grand and Great-Grandkids with Grandma at the party.

Mary TenEyck with her beautiful daughters!!

While hanging out with the Aunts, uncle and cousins we had much fun playing games, eating, and heading to a nearby (very clear!) lake. It was crazy-hot while we were there and we spent much time in the shaded back yard. Katey and Seth had great fun in the wooded ravine area behind the house.

Cousin Marcia, Christy and Katey trying to swing on the vines!

What a wonderful time it was, spending several days with Mike's extended family!! We hope to see them all again soon!

We were sad to say good-bye to everyone but excited as we headed out for our next destination - NIAGARA FALLS!!