Family Vacation 2015 pt. 2: Canada & the Lake House

The next morning we had a delicious breakfast at the buffet and even got to sit right by the window. We had such a pretty view!

Matthew woke up with hives all over his body. It was pretty scary! We still aren't sure what they are from, but they lasted for days.

After we checked out of the hotel we walked around for a bit. We went to a Coca Cola store and a Hershey store. The boys each got a glass bottle of Coke and they were ecstatic. They don't get to drink Coke. Ever. So they loved it. Chris and and I had a Canadian fountain coke. Apparently they make their coke with sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup. We thought it would taste good, but it wasn't really all that great. Some of these pictures are from the boys' disposable cameras. We bought them each a camera and let them take their own pictures. They had fun! You can tell by the quality of the photos which ones were from their camera.

On my camera Matthew took a picture of Chris and I here in front of the barrel and the falls, but my camera was lost and I don't have the picture anymore. At least I have it on my heart!

When went in a few souvenir shops and Chris let the boys play on the big grassy area in front of the hotel while I did some shopping. Then we got in the car and headed to see our friends, The Clay's, at Dave's parents' house in the fingerlakes. It was absolutely beautiful there. I've never seen that part of the country and I'm so glad I was able to. Dave's parents live right on one of the lakes there. I think it was Lake Oswego.  

They have so many fun activities available at the Clay family lake house! We went tubing and I have a very funny story about that. Dave was driving the boat quite slow and he turned... When he turned we got overtaken by a big wake and the water completely covered Matthew and I. We were both terrified. I experienced a drowning sensation and I can only imagine what happened to Matthew. He was crying hysterically after he came out of the water. We were only under for seconds, but it felt like 10 minutes. We got back up and made it back to the boat. He was fine and so was I, but it was definitely an experience that I will always remember!

Chris went tubing as well with Matthew. I think Aaron went, too? I guess this is the downside of not blogging right away. After our trip to Hersheypark, I blogged immediately and then just let it sit in my drafts until it was chronologically time to post it. I didn't do that with this trip and I regret it!

We were able to enjoy the sunset over the lake. We had a fire and roasted marshmallows. It was a gorgeous night. Matthew and Aaron had the time of their lives. Victoria and Lydia (Dave and Kristine's kids) had so many cousins that were there that weekend, and my boys loved playing with all of them. 

They Clay family made us feel right at home. We were so grateful for their hospitality!

Family Vacation 2015 pt. 1: The Trek to Canada & Niagara Falls

Our family vacation this year was a trip to Niagara Falls, Palmyra (New York), and the Finger Lakes. I had been looking forward to this trip for such a long time! We felt like the boys were finally old enough to do it and we were ready. The idea of driving 7+ hours to Canada was a bit overwhelming the few days before we left, but I felt like we were prepared for the road trip as much as we possibly could be. We stopped quite a few times (I think the total amount of time spent traveling was around 9 hours). Our first stop was somewhere past Wilkes Barre, I believe. It was at a Krispy Kreme and it was delicious! We left pretty early in the morning, so this ended up being breakfast.

We had lunch somewhere in NY state at a diner that we thought would be good... But it ended up being just so-so. It was nice to get out of the car for a bit, though!

We finally made it over the border and into Canada! This was the first time that I've ever left the United States by land. Our cruise took us to Mexico and that's the only other time I'd been outside of the country.

We checked in to our hotel and dropped our stuff off in our room. Our view was spectacular!

Then, before we headed out to walk around, we ate dinner at the buffet inside the restaurant. It was expensive, but it was really good and we got to see the falls the entire time we ate.

Then we headed out to see the falls and do some walking! We had a great time! Unfortunately I don't have many pictures with me in them because I lost my small point and shoot camera (which is the one I usually use to take pictures). Thankfully, though, I brought my dSLR and took some pictures with that and my phone.

This is out hotel from where we were looking at the falls. It was pretty expensive, but it was only one night and it was well worth it to be able to be so close to everything.

Once we got back to our room, we let the boys go swimming for a bit. Even the pool had a cool view!

At night, the falls change color. It was really fun to watch and with the window open, it sounded so pretty! Our room had a fireplace and we sat and watched the falls for a few minutes after the boys' went to bed. It was beautiful!