Fishing

Another favorite activity in NY was to go fishing after dinner.  The kids had those plastic princess and Scooby Doo poles which did not deter the fish!  They caught a ton of fish!  The even sat on the end of the dock one evening in the pouring rain for 45 minutes catching fish!

 Lilly catches a rock bass

 Brave girl actually enjoyed holding them by the lip and releasing them back to the water

Davis catches a sunfish

Ropes Course

The big mall, Destiny, in Syracuse is a little bit like Disney World with TONS of activities from bumper cars, to laser tag, to ropes course, and more!  We chose to do the ropes course, which was three levels high and overlooked the atrium of the mall.  Needless to say, I was scared silly and the kids just took off!

 Davis steps across the ropes

 Davis finishes up the rope crossing

 Davis on a stepping stone path

 Jeff crosses a rope ladder

 The boys pause for a picture

 Lilly crosses a sidewalk

A shadow of Lilly that outlines all of the layers and levels of ropes courses

Horseback Riding

Another favorite NY activity is to ride Aunt Kimmy's horses.  The kids rode Luther at the barn and then rode Belle while Katelyn was showing at the NY State Fairgrounds.  Katelyn rocked her flat classes and took home a few ribbons!  Yah Katelyn!

 Lilly riding Luther

 Davis on Luther

 Katelyn leads Lilly around on Belle

Davis on Belle

Water Skiing

We tried to water ski every day that the weather would allow.  Lilly picked it up again, no problem.  She enjoyed cutting across the wake and getting air!  It almost looked like she was carving powder turns in Vail!  Davis also gave skiing a try.  He got up his first try and made it as far as the raft.  The next time he tried, he made it about to the middle of the lake.  The next day that he tried, he made it all the way to the dam!  He started off scared of the whole process, to picking the roughest day to make it to the dam!  Pretty neat.  

Lilly carving right,

 carving on the left, 

and now back to the right.

She even has time to wave to the camera and anyone else we would pass.

 Day 1: Getting the skis on and practicing on the dock.

Day 2: He made it for a quite awhile!

 Day 3: He is totally up and holding his own.

He was so happy that he grinned from ear to ear the whole way to the dam:)

 Mommy even got in a few turns on the ski

Pretty day on the lake

Stand Up Paddleboard

Grandma rented us a standup paddle board for a few days while we were there.  The kids got a few calm days when they could take it for a spin, but really mommy was the one who enjoyed it the most.  I would take it down to the dam and back each day for a fun, new workout.

 Davis paddling around the shallow area

 Jeff gives it a shot too

 Lilly paddling around on a rough day, catching some waves

Kelly and Davis catching some waves on a bumpy day

Slackline

One of our adventures included the purchase of a slack line.  The kids watched some of it at the Go Pro Games in Vail and enjoyed the tricks, so we got one in NY.  It is like a tightrope that bounces, and ours included a top rope to hang onto for balance.  It soon became a popular attraction with all of the kids on the lane.

 Davis performing one of his 'tricks'

Walking across the slack line 

Even Grandma tried out the slack line one night!

Uncle David gave it a try too!

New York

We recently returned home from our annual trip to DeRuyter Lake, NY.  The weather was good, the kids enjoyed many adventures, and we all came home relaxed!  Thanks mom and dad for having us there for almost three weeks!  

 Jeff enjoying some down time.

 Davis on a hike at Highland Forest

 Lilly and Mommy during intermission of a Mary Poppins play.  

The kids strolling though the paths at the Manlius Duck Ponds.