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!