Wallamble

We left Scranton nice and early and headed up to Sackets Harbor for brunch.

It was raining on our walk around town and so at one point we took shelter in a pavilion in the park. There Eli & Lachie made friends with a little guy (Nate) that was also sheltering there with his family. Giving up that the rain would stop, we made a dash for the  a nice pub with great views and had a fun lunch with Nate & his parents. The day was off to a wet start…

After which we headed to Alexandria Bay and across to the beuatiful, unique and unfinished Boldt Castle.
(even Eli had never seen so many “hidden” love hearts in one place)

Then we met our new friends from lunch and very kindly spent the aftoon on their boat enjoying the Thousand Islands (Thank you very much Doug, Renae and Nate).

The Thousand Islands were each unique and beautiful…

After which it was an evening cruise to see the 9pm fireworks over Boldt Castle. While waiting for the fireworks there was a little dancing to be done…

From the number of spectators gathering along the shore-line, we knew it was going to be spectacular

…and it was…

According to Eli the fireworks were magicical and Boldt Castle looked just like the Disney Castle. Even the traffic jam so that we arrived at the hotel (at Watertown) shortly before midnight couldn’t ruin the day. A long but awesome day! Happy Fourth 🙂

With another long weekend impending (Independence Day) it was time for another road trip to Upstate New York.
After work, straight from the office, our first night was at Scranton, Pennsylvannia.
(Nathan, Elimena & Lachlan drove. Bianca took a bus.)

We had a quick dinner and a wander around town. Then Scranton was kind enough to put on a fantastic fireworks show.

Which we could see from the older-than-average room in our beautiful hotel.

What a welcome to Scranton and great start to our trip!

Should we play play-dough today?

Or go to Six Flags? Eli’s birthday season passes are really getting a run for their money and summer has barely started!

Today we thought we’d go to the Safari section.

It was amazing.  1200 animals.
We were wondering if we’d ever be able to get mum and her camera out of there?

Eli even founds some special TV animals on the way out 🙂

Happy Father’s day dad!

Then we were off to Hoboken:

For a nice Sunday walk…

Stunning views across the Hudson to Manhattan…

A park on reclaimed land…

Still rebuilding from Sandy 😦

Lunch at Grimaldi’s (the selk-acclaimed (yey much-contested) first pizzeria in America)…

A little more walking to find another playground…

A Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream reward for all that walking…

Another fun day. Happy Father’s day dad!

While mum and dad went to Six Flags to go on the Super-Sized Rollercoasters (Kingda Ka : from 0 to 128 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds and reaching a height of 45 stories!), we hung out with Britney, played in the park and had pizza and slushies! Not sure who had more fun?

Well, the memorable evening was off to a good start when we saw a deer just outside daycare…

Ready to go…

Getting dressed…

Waiting (patiently?)…

The grand entrance…

The show…
(including the question: What do you want to be when you grow up Elimena? A scientist! time will tell)

The diploma…

The exit…

The tired graduate…

The afterparty…

Some of our favourite teachers…

The proud family 🙂