NY has.... CMOG

We love going to the Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass.  You can sign up for lots of workshops where Studio gaffers help you create something out of glass.  How cool is that?  Well, not very.  It's about 2100*. 

I've told you before that we have an ornament tradition with the twins.  I still haven't taken pictures of the first year's red/green swirled ornaments to post.  I'd have to dig them out now and don't want to bother in October.  But, let me tell you again.. red and green glass swirls to make a disgusting rust brown color.  They are ugly ornaments.  Oh well.  They are the first in the tradition.  We made much better colors choices in 2 the following years.  One year, my Mom and Dad made them.  one year, Aunt Joanne and Aunt Lila made them.  Then, starting in 2010, they twins were old enough to blow their own!!  In Dec 2010, we took a day trip there from Albany when we were home for Christmas specifically to do it.   They made great ornaments!  And, so this summer when it came time to sign up to make more - they were really excited to go!

Ready to go with safety goggles on!

We also made frames. Here is Carl working on his. He did it all himself!

Gretchen & Mom were a little more involved in their color choices... especially Mom.  This frame making is serious business!

 Here is Aunt Lila helping Carl blow his ornament.  He needed a little coaching, but did a beautiful job!

 Now it's Gretchen's turn to make one.  She needed a little less coaching.  And she also made a beautiful ornament.

The kids also did some sand blasted glasses.  For this process, you stick stickers onto a glass.  Don't worry about the design, only to outline of them.  Carl used a lot of numbers because, well, he loves numbers.  Gretchen did a ton of little shapes.  then, the worker holds the glass in a blasting chamber where the glass remaining gets frosted and the part under your stickers stays clear.  They look really cool!  Christopher and Elizabeth did these as well.  Even though Elizabeth is crying here, you can see the process a little.

In the NY has Friends post, you saw this shot of all four kids:

But, do you know what it is really like trying to get 4 little ones to pose for you?

Once all our appointments were done, we headed over to the gift shop and cafeteria located in the actual Museum.  We managed to grab 2 tables and drag them together even though the place was packed.  It was so much fun visiting and catching up.  We've shared many good meals there... filled with good food and lots of laughter!!

They have this sculpture thing where balls bounce through an obstacle type course.  It is truly mesmerizing.  The kids, big & small, love it.

a quick pose with some glass flowers

 Then, out to the circle! 

We had a great visit with Mary, Bev, Susan, Christopher and Elizabeth!  Can't wait to see you guys again!!


PS - you can make a glass pumpkin at CMOG from now until 11/30.  Wish I was there!

we interrupt this regularly scheduled vacation photo broadcast.....

to bring you the latest breaking news.... 

Gretchen woke me up today holding a tooth in my face.  "Mommy, my tooth fell out last night and I found it under my bed!"  The girl is a wild sleeper, but I had no idea teeth would come flying out!

This makes 9 teeth between 2 kids... and not one visit from the Tooth Fairy yet.  I think Gretchen is just about ready.  She now knows about the money.  At first, she was worried the Tooth Fairy was going to wake her up.  Then, it was that she didn't want to give up her teeth.  Carl was just going along with her.  I think I'll make them little tooth pouches out of felt tomorrow if I can find some white around here.  Some of my friends are making their kids little pillows that hang on the doorknobs so the Tooth Fairy doesn't have to do the pillow thing.  I don't want that here.  I want the pillow thing.  So, I'll make a little pocket to put the tooth in and then we can put that under the pillow - just so the tooth doesn't get lost. 

But, not tonight.  For now, her tooth is in a baggie like the other 8.  Well, other 7.  Carl swallowed the first one he lost.

Here's the new Gretchen!

Oh - she says, "I don't like the way my gums taste."  I think she means "feel".  Not sure though. You can never be sure with this child. 

NY has.... The Farm

After a few hours in the car, it's nice to relax!

a few shots in the morning

 Aunt Lila told her that Caroline likes to stand up on the tire part... and that was all she needed to hear. 

Traditional porch swing shots...

 Then, back to the swing.  This boys loves swings!  There were just too many cute shots to narrow down.  This IS narrowed down. 

NY has.... Camp

This is the camp that my grandfather and father built when Daddy was a teenager.  It is right on the water and the lake is small enough that you are not allowed to have motors.  That makes it perfect for letting the kids swim.  The cousins do a lot of kayaking and fishing there as well.  Maybe next year we can go up there with them.  This visit was so busy we didn't see much of them.  We were in NY for 2 weeks and for 1 of them, they had a family vacation to Florida.  The twins are already looking forward to seeing the Cousins at Christmastime!

 Ahhhhh!!!! 

I entered this shot of Gretchen's splash and Carl's jump in a competition last week and won a ribbon for it!!  It is titled:
Last One in is a Rotten Egg

 A few indoor shots...  Camp is the perfect place to read.

 See this window with the view?

Well, even though that shot looks horribly dark, that window lets in The Most Amazing light!!!  Check it out....

He is showing you his platypus face, of course.

back outside because why stay inside when it is this nice out?  Look how tall that 5 yr old boy is!

Here are a couple old photos combined with new ones.  You know I love the blog 'Dear Photograph'.  I am 6 in this one, I think.  Wow - look at how far floatation device technology has come in 35+ years.  They are almost 6.  Kind of cool, huh?

Here are Kenny & I from summer of 1975, I think.  It's taken out behind camp.  He is not quite 2.  I am 6 again. 

We love camp!!!!  I can't wait to go back next summer.  You don't do anything there.  That's the whole point.  You can't do anything but relax.