Babi & Deda Summer Visit: Second Week

And the fun continued in week 2 of my parents' visit to WNY! After our Canadian-US day trip on Saturday, the next day in the morning we went to breakfast at the historic Hotel Lenhart, right here in Bemus Point:

We had a sunday fun day, playing at the village playground, playing in the lake, paddle boarding, and boating.... then a babysitter came over and we went on another double dinner date!

My dad went paddle boarding for the first time!  He is in the best shape ever and I was so proud he got on the board.... then we couldn't get him off because he was enjoying it!

Erie, PA shopping, lunch and Presque Isle beach!:

Dinner with babi & deda at the Italian Fisherman, then drinks and ghost-hunting at Hotel Lenhart:

Chautauqua Institution by boat.  It wasn't opened for the season yet but my parents loved all the cottages, the grounds, and what it all stood for:

my pretty mama!

                                                 

Thursday was a rainy day and luckily we had a music class at the library to go to, so babi and deda came with us and caught a glimpse of our usual Thursday routine!

Friday night beer tasting and pulled pork sandwiches at Southern Tier Brewery.   On my dad's last night, he and Brad played "stones" (bacci ball) and stayed out late drinking and bonding.... while my mom and I went home to put the boys to bed and have our own girls night :) :

wow!  What a fantastic and memorable 2 weeks we had with our babi & deda!  The boys were so used to waking up, saying good morning to them, and taking bites of their breakfast every morning, going on walks and the playground, as well as our field trips! Jax quickly learned to say "hi baba" and "hi deda" and lit up with excitement when he would see them.  I definitely think the weekly skyping with babi and deda brought them all closer prior to their arrival.  Then when babi and deda arrived in-person, Taji exclaimed "hey, you are not in the computer!" They recognized them immediately and already had a relationship!  Sometimes I think spending a weeklong or 2 week chunk of time together day and night is way more amazing then seeing each other 1-2 times a month for a few hours.  Its so important at their age to hear their babi and deda's voices, and see them (whether via computer or live!) so they build a connection.  And especially for these little guys, they loved their lazy days and adventures with their babi and deda.  Oh, all the memories, photos, and videos we have!  They are cherished! We cannot wait for them to visit us again soon, and for us to spend another good chunk of time with them out in California, as well as abroad in Czech!

Babi & Deda Summer Visit: First Week

I took a bit of a blog hiatus.... but now I am back, and so excited to share all the amazing things that have been happening!  After a very insane 8 week remodel, no stone was left unturned as we prepared our home for our very special and first summer visitors: MY PARENTS!  Taj and Jax's beloved "babi" and "deda".  This was their first time visiting Western New York, Bemus Point, our house, and seeing our new life! They were pleasantly surprised with Bemus Point, loved our house, and even though we didn't have the best weather during their 2 week stay (the first 2 weeks of June), we maximized the sunshine and warm days (even the rainy days) and managed to show them all of our favorite places and things! We showed them lakes, forests, our state park, waterfalls, ski resort, island-beach, shopping centers, Amish country side, wineries and breweries, and even took them to a foreign country (Canada!)  Babi and deda fell in love with all the huge Maple trees and nature, were surprised by the numerous lakes and the size of the great lakes (yup, they look like the ocean minus the waves!).  Their favorites were Niagara Falls, Chautauqua Institution, and spending quality time with their grand babies in Bemus.  They became so familiar with Bemus that they went on walks by themselves, and even out for drinks on a couple of the evenings! My dad went paddle boarding for the first time, played Bacci ball for the first time, and on his last night, had a boys night at the brewery and boathouse with Brad! What fun was had!  We loved having babi and deda here and can't wait for them to come see us again!

The 2-week visit began with my dad flying in first (from the Czech Republic into Toronto, where I picked him up from the airport.)  Then a couple days later, my mom flew into Cleveland, Ohio from California.  Of course I have added "airport shuttle service" to my ever-growing resume, LOL, and I really enjoyed the driving!  Great talks with my parents and lots of peaceful thinking without the demands of my children spilling from the backseat. The second my parents touched down, our boys were deliciously spoiled by them each and every day.

Taj loved the new scooter he got from Babi and Deda for his birthday!  The boys also enjoyed the many books, toys, clothes, candy, and MORE cars they got (both babi and deda each had an additional suitcase filled with just gifts for the boys!)

In honor of my dad and his birthday (which he celebrated while staying with us), Brad decided to shave his facial hair and copy my dad's "handlebars." Throw in a leather jacket, and you have twins.... NOT! ha ha!

The first couple days my dad spent with us, and right before my mom arrived, we showed him around Bemus Point and Lakewood, played outside, had burgers at the Casino, took him for a ride on our new golf cart to show him the cottage, and we all went on a bike ride!

Then babi arrived, and we had a celebratory dinner (chicken lettuce wraps.)  We also gave her the VIP golf cart tour of our village, drove through Lakewood and Jamestown, went on walks and played at the park. (below is a sneak peak of our new dazzling kitchen..... another special post and photos coming soon!)

On the Tuesday of their first week, happened to also be our 1 year Bemus Anniversary!  We decided to celebrate it along with deda's birthday by going wine-tasting along the Lake Erie Wine Trail, at our favorite vineyard 21 Brix.

Babi and deda got a taste of this region's wine and really liked it! After our wine pre-party we dined at our favorite Jamestown restaurant- Forte!

Wednesday we seized the nice weather and went boating:

Jax showed babi and deda how talented he is eating yogurt.... and how he, apparently, likes to give himself a full body yogurt mask!

On the rainy Thursday, we drove out to Randolph, and Grandpa Grover and Grandma Nancy graciously gave us a tour of the Amish country-side.

Friday continued to be rainy so we decided to beat the rain by heading to Peek n' Peak ski resort, where we relaxed and played at their indoor pool and jacuzzi.

The following day, we embarked on our Canadian adventure, the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-lake, named "prettiest little town in Ontario" and Niagara Falls.