East Coast Vacation (Part 1) - New York

The first week (7/20 - 7/26) of our East Coast vacation was in the Adirondacks at Gramma & Papa's house in Keeseville, NY. Here are some of the pics. We spent the majority of our time relaxing at their extremely peaceful house.



Dylan exploring around Keeseville with Gramma & Papa:



Our first trip to the beach on Lake Champlain just down the road from the house.


We stayed overnight in Lake Placid. Had fun watching all of the preparations for the Ironman competition that took place on July 26th. The pic of Kate in the back of the car was taken just seconds before she decided to pee!

Dylan had so much fun exploring Lake Placid that he fell asleep at dinner.


On Kate's birthday we had "Breakfast with the Otters" at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake. Kate had a sign on her stroller stating that it was her birthday...so she got lots of attention!



Back at the house. Kate noticed her presents and started to get really excited! Dylan helped Gramma bake and decorate cupcakes for Kate.

Time to open presents!! Dylan was just as excited as Kate. He said "these are the best birthday presents ever!".

Dylan blew out all of Kates candles, so we had to relight one so that Kate could have a go.


YUM!


Another beautiful day on the shore of Lake Champlain.

Dylan and Daddy swam out to the red ball (Camel's Hump in the distance on the Vermont side of the lake).



Dylan and Papa doing some yard work:



Lunch at the marina in Essex.




Campfire and s'mores on our last night in Keeseville.

Kate's West Coast Birthday Party

Dylan was actually quite loving and excited for his little sister 1st birthday:

Kate took no time at all to figure out what to do with her first piece of cake:


Cake eating was followed by a mandatory swimming session to clean off the debris:



Present opening was an all hands on deck affair, the challenge was sharing Kate's fun new toys:

Dylan Painting.

Dylan got in touch with his artistic side today. Below is a video clip.



Dylan & Kate play together frequently. Dylan is getting much better at sharing toys with her. If Kate is playing with something that Dylan wants, he will offer her another toy (instead of just grabbing the toy from her hands).

July 4th & Camping

Mommy and Dylan marched in the San Jose Rose Garden "Rose, White, & Blue" parade on July 4th. We were walking with our Las Madres playgroup. We were one of the first groups in the parade, and Dylan thought it was hilarious that the rest of the parade was following us. Dylan blew his whistle and waved his flag the whole way!

Kate watching the parade from her stroller.


On July 5th, we went camping for 2 nights at Big Basin in the Redwood Forest. The kids loved it. They got dirty. REALLY dirty.

Dylan helping us set up camp, and playing "Chutes and Ladders" with Aunty Tin.





The whole gang taking a walk in the woods:




Big trees!


Daddy set up a bowling lane. Dylan loved it!






The car was a nice, clean place for Kate to play in while we were preparing meals.