Our Roadtrip: Part 2

 Our next stop on our road trip was Niagra Falls. We arrived early in the morning (there were literally 2 other people at the USA Horseshoe Falls lookout & as we walk up, it takes my breath away & Pumpkin-Poos response to the beauty is, "Mommy, can we go to a hotel now?!"

 At least the 2 big kids appreciated the beauty!

 We went on our 16th wedding anniversary. Sunshine Girl took the photo above.

 The wind was AMAZING. We had so much fun & laughed so hard.

 I love this shot cuz Sunshine Girl looks like a super-hero... maybe Storm from X-Men?! The WIND!!!!

After spending the day on the American side hiking the falls, going on the boat ride (which I could NOT believe how close we were taken to the falls), the historical movie, & the aquarium, we decided to walk Rainbow Bridge to Canada for dinner. I was freaking out a bit, as I have discovered I have a slight phobia of walking across large bridges. (I blame my father who "faked" picking me up to "throw" me over a bridge into the Rock River while I was young.)

Anyways, we made it & while entering a restaurant a crazy storm came out of nowhere. We were stuck in Canada a little longer than expected, walked back in the rain & camped that night in a torrential downpour & wind that felt like we were in a hurricane.

My hubby (& hero) literally held up our tent for part of the night the wind was so strong.

Nothing like making fun memories for the kids!

More to come...

Grace & Peace,
Julie

Our Roadtrip: Part 1

 I would rather spend money on traveling the world than most anything else. One of my philosophies in life is that God created this big, majestic planet, so why not experience it in our lifetime? Drinking in nature & learning about other cultures will never get old for me.

My family just returned from a 10 day roadtrip out east. Final destination: Lancaster County.

First stop on the agenda was to Ann Arbor, Michigan to visit our dear friends whom my children adore. University of Michigan is a beautiful campus. My friend is getting her PhD in sociology & social work & they depart for her research overseas next month, so we wanted to spend some quality time with them.

We went to the Ann Arbor art fair & the U of M Natural History Museum (AWESOME specimens of owls, btw). We also got to go swimming. It was so great. I am SO PROUD of my friend & all she has already accomplished in her life. She is simply amazing.

Next stop: The Branches of Niagra Campground in Grand Island, NY

What a beautiful campground filled with fun family activities!

Here are some of my favorite shots of the day, taken at dusk. The light was so beautiful & warm.

More on our adventures soon!

Grace & Peace,
Julie

First Cake Smash {Downers Grove Photography}

Let him eat cake! 

Oh, this was my first "cake smash" photo shoot & was so much fun! What a sweet little man. I love his clear blue eyes against the balloon bouquet. His mama was brilliant buying a cake with rainbow colored frosting so that his face could be painted with color. He was "all boy" & obsessed with the handle of the wagon {future physicist apparently!}

It brought back memories of my kid's first cake experiences as well as that toddler-new-beginner-walk with hands up for balance.

Enjoy!

Grace & Peace,
Julie