California Cherries

The note attached said, "you can forget the leeks and onions, but not the cherries!"....my amazing sister Ginger had sent us an extra special package (we love packages) and had lifted our spirits once again. Note: Hazel & I ate all the cherries, not sharing with Jade & Joe...you snooze, you lose.

Thank you sister....

Jade's reaction to cows.....

During our recent adventure (see blog below) we drove through Pa countryside, and discovered that Jade really loves cows....

love

MON

Chips & Roses

We recently visited the Herr's Factory, taking a tour...tasting FRESHLY made chips (they were still warm)....and spending quality family time together. We toured the factory seeing how they manufacture the chips, package them, etc. It was quite interesting. Joe & I have been wanting to take the tour for some time. He has suggested I "check it out" hundreds of time, but I was just not that motivated to make the hour drive solo. So, when Joe had a day off we decided to make the drive and take the snack tour challenge. For the West Coast crowd: Herr's is a company base in Pa that makes chips & wonderful snacks :)

We then drove, and drove....saw some cows.

And visited the Brandywine Creek State Park in Wilmington Delaware. Our intention was to attend the Family night at the Brandywine Zoo. We discovered that the Family night had been cancelled due to possible bad weather. We still had tons of fun walking around the park, and Hazel Rei got the chance to smell pretty flowers and frolic...so I think she was very happy! Once she stopped crying because she couldn't see the tigers...

We are turning Japanese

We recently visited a authentic Japanese house at Fairmont Park in Philadelphia. We love this park, it is so beautiful. The thing that really strikes me about Pennsylvania is just how GREEN everything is, and since green happens to be my favorite color, I am happy. Joe and I are very interested in other cultures, particularly that of Japan. We love the food, the art, the people!! When we heard about this house, we made it a priority to check it out. It was beautiful, the garden was amazing, the pond, and the house was set up like an actual Japanese house. You even had to remove your shoes as you walked through it. Hazel loved it, and when we arrived at the tea room she asked what they were drinking. When I explained it was probably green tea, she said she wanted to drink green tea....and since then she has been a green tea fan!!! We had so much fun, and since time is very precious to us....it was nice to spend some time all together!!

We then took a short little hike around some of the park.

Our one and only family pic.

We then drove around a bit and found a stable. The girls were so excited to see the horses so we just had to stop. Hazel and Jade had fun saying hello to the horses. It was all fun and games until Hazel's golden locks were nearly mistaken for hay by one of the horses. Luckily daddy caught it in time, and saved Hazel's signature locks.

Hazel took this picture of her favorite horse...

Much love,

MON

Niagara pt 2

It was hard to decide if Niagara was THE most spectacular & beautiful sight I have seen. Europe holds a very, very special place in my heart. Never had I seen such wonderous sights, and behold such overwhelming beauty. The French Alps jump out as slightly comparable (eventhough they are sooooo different) but I remember feeling small, and overwhelmed by beauty and God's awesome creation...well Niagara Falls falls into the same category....stunning, spectacular, and ahhhh-maaaa-zing.

Our second day started out with a wonderful breakfast buffet at our hotel....yummmy breakfast + buffet....yes that is my idea of heaven!!!!

(Hazel Rei took this pic of me, she is really into "taking pictures". I have a sleepy eye and crumbs on my face....)

We decided to take advantage of the hotel pool & jacuzzi and spent some time hanging out. We then took the behind the falls tour...it was an amazing adventure. You are able to walk through tunnels behind the falls and it was amazing. We packed up our things & kids and I was under the impression that we would be heading home but my adventurous "spur of the moment" kinda guy husband decided to "take a drive"...."ok" I thought. So we drove a bit and ended up at the most beautiful & enchanted area of the world that I have visited to date. Niagara on the Lake is where I decided I wouldn't mind being a Canadian and living there in peace, tranquility and beauty. The road leading to Niagara on the Lake was lined with beautiful homes, and small wineries...it was BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! While walking to the lake I saw a couple sharing a picnic lunch by the beautiful lake, I saw families spending precious time together and I thought, "now this is meant for me".....We cannot wait to go back!

(skippin' rocks with Dad)

It was beautiful...the whole trip. Now we have so few minutes together so while less than 2 days sounds insane to drive 6+ hours for what literally translates to an extended day trip...we took full advantage of every second and can chalk Niagara Falls as a precious adventure....and we subsided the travelling "itch" we Montgomerys possess.

Thank you so much for the birthday wishes for Hazel Rei. I did read all of them to her and she said, "Mom alot of people love me".......so thank you very very much.....

Love,

MON