Copy Cat

Mason is a really good copy cat these days. Mike was laying on the floor studying today. So of course Mason wanted to do it too...

Asbury Woods

Today we found a gem. We've lived in Erie over a year now, and knew about Asbury Woods/park/nature center but we've never been. Thanks to some friends in our ward, I've now seen the light. Since PA doesn't have mountains I guess this is the best "hiking" we'll get this close to home. The trails are super nice, and Mason had a blast running around with all the other kids.

 Giant Maple Tree

 Snack break

 Of course we had to stop to throw a few rocks in the creek

Mason --and all the other kids-- were totally soaked by the time we were done. We should have packed a swimsuit. Supposedly there is also a waterfall farther up the trail, so we'll have to look for that next time.

Year 2

Today is the first day of the second year of medical school for Mike. I can't believe that our summer is already over. June and July FLEW by.

Look how handsome he is. Definitely a little wiser than last year :)

He kind of rolled his eyes at me when I got the camera out when he was leaving, but he's a good sport to humor me. I like photo documentation. Then, when I'm old and senile I can look back through all our albums and remember our life together. And....our moms appreciate it. 

This year, I'm going to try harder to find joy in the journey, and to remember, "It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth."

Waldameer Videos

We went to the water park yesterday. This time I had more battery, and better luck trying to capture videos. Sometimes I wish I could have Mason recording all the time. He started squealing with excitement as soon as we pulled into the parking lot and he saw the water slides. 

Niagara Falls

We ventured to Niagara Falls today. It was pretty awesome. We had heard that the 'Maid of the Mist' boat tour was worth the money...and it did not disappoint. Here are a few pics.

 Mason liked his poncho for about 30 seconds. After that he just wanted to carry it, so he was a little soggy by the time we were done. 

   

 American Falls

 Horseshoe Falls

 SOOO much water!

 This was the best shot I had up close. It's hard to see through all the mist. 

Mason had more fun than he looks like in most of these pics. I think his favorite part was when we were closest to Horseshoe Falls because he was getting so wet.

 Taking a rest. He likes to push his stroller more than ride in it.

 View from observation deck

American Falls from the other side.