Vaca Disclaimer

Ok so its a bit backwards, but here it is - our vacation pics and posts. Start at the bottom and work your way up to make the most sense. Or, you know what? Just read and enjoy! We did!

Jankowski Family Vacation - Pt 2

Buffalo, NY is the setting for the second round of pictures and our second week of vacation. The entire Jankowski family - both immediate and extended - live in the area so we were able to visit with most of the family in just this one action packed week.

We arrived in Buffalo, or the 'city with the trains' as Jacob calls it, to one of many backyard bbqs. If the Jankowskis are famous for anything, its the food! Tim, aka Bubba, can make even the simplest of dishes delicious. Needless to say, we didn't do any 'diet while on vacation' exercising! What nonsense:) Instead, we enjoyed every minute laughing, visiting, or just relaxing.

Paul celebrated his 31st birthday while we were there. We were able to surprise him with a stylish hat - thanks Erin! - and his very own 'Jenny' boat. The man loves Forrest Gump and uses every opportunity available to sneak 'one liners' into any conversation. Especially with Tim and Erin - she laughs more than enough for all of us! The boat has been an ongoing family joke for way too long.

Amy, my sis-in-law, and I decided to make a permanent memory of this trip by getting matching tattoos. I have been going rounds about wanting to get one for literally years now. But have never been certain about the what and the where. For whatever the reason, I felt that the time was right in NY. And although it hurt ALOT (not at all according to Amy!), I love it! Erin, you better have yours by now!

We spent a day at the Werner family campsite. The kids went swimming and sand castle building. We fished and laughed as Paul tried to catch the little swimmers with just a net and a string. Man-style fishing is what he called it. We all just called it silly. To his credit, two fish were captured with his clever skills. Hopping all around the campground were tiny little frogs. Most of you know that I love the things, so we had fun catching and cuddling the frogs. There was a petting zoo as well. All of the kids enjoyed the llamas, goats and the kitties that roamed the area.

The 4th of July was celebrated with lots of pictures, friends and family, food, and homemade fireworks. The normal crew was all in attendance. Paul's cousins came with their kids as well so the party was in full swing. We played some games with the kids, we drank some wine with the adults, and by dusk we were ready to see some sparks. Sparklers, snakes, bottle rockets, you name it we had it! Jacob, Chloe and Jonah were a bit hesitant at first, but seeing their cousins enjoy the show made things better. It was a spectacular evening!

Jacob was able to visit the famous Niagra Hobby Shop, home to trains galore! I think it was the highlight of his vacation. Chloe and Jonah were more than impressed as well. Paul took us on a tour of his childhood stomping grounds. Although the area isn't what it used to be, you could still sense that this city held alot of history and has stories to tell. The kids enjoyed being able to see where Daddy went to school and grew up. We took a drive by look at the waterfront, complete with battleships and boats. I think Jonah enjoyed that the most. Chloe was pampered by Kaylee and Alyssa, her cousins. We did our nails, they styled her hair, and played horses with her. What more could a little girl ask for?

Our vacation was a trip to be remembered. We had lots of fun, loved seeing everyone, and miss you all tons already!

Vacation PT 2

Jankowski Family Vacation - PT 1

Here it is...as promised - vacation details and pictures! There were so many pictures to share that we decided to break the vacation into two separate parts. First (because it happened first) is visiting with my side of the family.

KOA, Mercer PA - thats where our vacation began. We spent a week with Papa and Nanny Phillips camping in the woods. Ok, so it wasn't exactly wilderness - there was the amazingly well equipped camper, a pool, a camp store, nice bathrooms, and only minutes to shopping. Roughing it for us was the two minute walk on gravel to those facilities. It was a bit cooler than we're used to, so nights were spent cuddled in blankets next to the campfire. When it was warm enough, we played on the playground or splashed in the pool. The kids loved being with Papa and Nanny. There were songs to be sung, mountain pies to be made, and tummies to be tickled. My cousin, Melanie, Jeremy (her husband) and family came to visit for two days. They had a campsite next to my dad's. Jacob, Chloe and Jonah loved playing with their kids. Ben and Sydney are adorable, Mel! We had a great time visiting, sharing stories - and wine! - around the campfire. My nephew and niece spent a couple days with us as well. Owen and Olivia were such great 'big' cousins! We also took a day to drive into Franklin, where I grew up and Paul and I lived before coming to NC. It was nice to be able to see 'home'. We drove past our old house - Jacob's first house. We showed the kids all of the places that Paul and I loved to visit. I was lucky enough to visit with some old friends. Erica just had a baby girl, Lucy, only days before. But she was so sweet to come to see us! It was the first time I met Berlin (her 2yr old daughter) and she last saw my kids when Chloe was only 1. Needless to say, it was great to be able to catch up and give kisses to each others babies. We stopped to say 'Hello' to our friends Nancy and Julie as well. Its amazing to see how friendships, even though they aren't always kept current as well as could be, can still be such a blessing no matter the time between visits. Our last stop in Franklin was a visit to my Aunt Sue and Uncle Mike's house. I can't tell you how much fun the kids had visiting their basement! It was full of treasures - old and new. Toys everywhere - horses for Chloe, trains for Jacob, and well whatever Jonah could get his hands on he was happy with! It's amazing the collection that you guys have!!!

We spent a week in NY next, but that's for the next set of pics and post. Then we were off again. This time it was 'over the river and through the woods' to my grandma's house in PA. It was only for a few hours, but we had a great time visiting with Grandma and my Aunt Renee. Nostalgia set in as the kids found toys in the closets that I played with as a little girl. What a great selling point for Fisher Price! Those toys are over 30yrs old and are still going strong! We had a wonderful visit. Love you Grandma!

Our last stop found us in Maryland with my brother and his family. Matt, Mione, Austin and Gavin made sure we had too much fun in the few days we were able to stay with them! We were treated to a cruise down the Patuxent River in their boat. Watching Austin, Gavin and Jacob 'tube' behind the boat was a blast! They did such a great job - I don't think I could have stayed on that thing. Mione and Matt both tried wakeboarding. What brave souls you both were! After watching the crashes and hearing about the sore muscles, I think I will stick to being a spectator thanks:) Chloe and Jonah did brave the water by holding on much too tightly to Paul, who's saving grace was that lifevest strapped around his chest. That poor man sure got a workout! Each day, there was alot of running, yelling, jumping, and screaming - all in fun of course! And the best part? After the kids went to bed the adults showed their maturity by....playing Rockband!! Can I just say that we were the raddest band ever!! Matt and Paul rocked the guitars, Mione sang her heart out, and I was the jammin-est drummer to ever handle the sticks..LOL! We had an insane amount of fun. Who knew?

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone for the fun, the laughs, and the love we shared on our vacation!

Vacation PT 1

Vacation Fun

We're home! After three weeks of travelling, visiting, and too much fun we are finally back in NC. I don't have the time or energy to post all of the details or pics right now, but I promise they will be coming soon!
We spent a week with my family in PA, a week in NY hanging out with Paul's family - that included celebrating his 31st birthday and fireworks, a too short afternoon with my grandmother, and three fun packed days in MD with my brother. It was there that I became an expert Rockband drummer! Details later, I promise!