summer vacation

**NOTE: I know I've probably missed some things...but here are my summer vacation notes!**


Our summer vacation started when Dave got home from work on Friday, Aug 14th. My good friend Krista watched Edwin for us so that we could join our friend Regina for her 30th Birthday Party. It was fun to get dressed up and enjoy our first night of vacation out on the town!

Saturday we organized the house - and now that we are back home I'm thankful that we did. It is always so nice to come back to a clean/organized house after a long vacation.

Sunday we left for Canfield. As usual, Grandpa Randy kept Sedona for us...THANK YOU!!! So, we made our first stop 35 minutes after we got started. Edwin got a snack, quick diaper change and then it was back in the car. Our next stop was for lunch - our favorite stop - GOASIS. Dave got offered a wad of money from a man (in his early 20s) complimenting our beautiful baby - WIERD!!! Matt & Melinda hosted a Mueller picnic. It was wonderful to see the family and Edwin was excited to showoff his walking abilities. He had so much fun playing, especially with Jimmy (1st cousin once removed, in case you wondered?)

Monday night was another cookout. We are so thankful that Matt & Melinda have such a great party house and are open to hosting so much! We always have so much fun. Since Melinda posted pics from the party of the kids - I'll show you how most nights ended...



Edwin loves taking walks and the girls loved pushing him around the driveway. Of course, most of the walks ended with tickle bugs attacking him, but I think he LOVED every minute!

Tuesday we had a playdate with Judi Hanna and a few of her grandkids. Edwin loved following the big kids around! I attended a Weight Watchers meeting with Matt. I'm so proud of him and how much he's accomplished. I was thankful that I lost 2 lbs because I would've been embarrased to gain at his meeting...just kidding...it is all about rooting for each other and supporting every up and down - literally. I know this sounds a little cheesy, but it is the truth. I feel really lucky to have such supportive family and friends as I progress through my weight loss journey. Continued congrats and much more success to Matt!!! Afterward, we all went to dinner...although our dinner plans didn't work for Drake's Landing - we went to Steamers...and it was wonderful! Edwin LOVED his spaghetti and meatballs...thanks to Grandma Ross for a wonderful dinner!

Wednesday Dave and I left for Toronto...for my longest trip away from Edwin - 2 nights/3 days. I knew Edwin was in the best of hands with Grandma Ross, so that made it easier! Thanks to Uncle Matt for watching Edwin and feeding him (despite choking fears HAHAHAHA) on Wednesday until Grandma got home! We stopped at Niagara Falls on the way to Toronto. I felt like we were on a cheesy honeymoon or something. What an amazing sight...



Then...on to Toronto. We arrived, checked into our hotel and made our way to the CN Tower for dinner and sights. Dinner was sooooo good and the view from the 360 rotating restaurant were BEAUTIFUL!!! This picture doesn't do it justice!!!

After dinner we checked out the observation areas and the glass floor...again the picture doesn't do it justice...SCARY!!!

After dinner we went to a Blue Jays baseball game. Although the Jays lost, I had a good time. As usual I kept score (until I got completely bored in the 8th inning). They also had a superfan who kept things interesting with the constant "wave" starting and dancing...check out the video! I also didn't realize that the Cincinnati Reds had traded Edwin Encarnacion to the Jays...so it was nice to see him again...and think about Edwin!!! :>)

On Thursday we did a lot of walking and window shopping. At one point we realized how HOT our hotel room was - 81 degrees...and we had the air conditioner set at 65...so something was obviously wrong. After several calls to the service desk, a man came to "fix" the problem. He brought us a fan and bunched our curtains up into a ball over the AC unit. Dave complained and we got a complimentary buffet breakfast for Friday morning. I would still be mad, but on Friday morning after breakfast we were waiting for the elevator and other people were telling us about their hot rooms...oh well....Thursday night we went to Second City - a sketch comedy show and it was a lot of fun. Afterward we went to Wayne Gretzky's bar. Of course we had a local hockey player as our bartender - CLASSIC!!!

Friday, we got our "FREE" breakfast and headed home...after a long wait in the customs line, the actual questioning by border patrol was painless and we were on our way home...Grandma Ross prepared dinner for us all on Friday night - YUM YUM YUM...I think Edwin had a great time staying with Grandma Ross and hopefully there will be many more grandma getaways in our future!!! :>)

Saturday we had a lunch playdate with the Kemble Family and then Grandma Ross, Melinda and I headed to American Idol. Of course, I was cheering for Adam - what a show that guy puts on...obviously LOVES the spotlight! Conrad ended us taking us to and from the concert - THANK GOD!!! When we came out of the arena, we were so turned around...and to think we didn't even have anything to drink!!! Of course, none of us remembered to bring our cameras...oh well.

Today we all met at the usual - Bob Evans - for breakfast. Edwin slept an entire 1 hour on the way home - which made for an interesting trip! Thankfully, we didn't have to stop and pick up the dog...Grandpa Randy brought her down to Newport and joined us for dinner...

This was a great summer vacation. Nice to be home...but even nicer to think about how loved we are...we have such a great family! and so many great friends...we are blessed!