July was a busy month for us here in the Thayn home. It was full of doctors appointments, Birthdays, a trip to Idaho and of course the biggest event was our trip to Pennsylvania. We flew out to my parents house to spend a week with them and we loved it! I hadn't been home in about a year and a half and it was Tabors first time there so we had so much to do in such a short amount of time. We started our trip with a very long and uncomfortable plane ride to Pittsburgh where my sister Sarah picked us up. Then the three of us made the 4 1/2 hour drive to Potter County. We didn't get there till late in the night so there wasn't much for us to do besides give a quick tour of the house and then crash for the night.
The next day (Wednesday) we were up early and ready for a day full of adventures. We started with a tour of the garden and then got to work picking peas and strawberries and currants. We headed down to the barn to visit the newborn baby bunnies. Bunnies are my favorite, especially when they are tiny babies.
Next we took Tabor up the road to look for Salamanders. I wanted to share little thing about my home with him. I was so excited to have him there with me.
Then we decided it was time to take Tabor to the pond where we have so many fond memories. We used to swim there every day, sometimes twice or three times a day. It was and still is one of our most favorite places to go. And luckily Tabor instantly loved it too! All of our daily activities were mixed in with wonderful meals and tons of game playing.
(My dad has such a beautiful garden with so many plants and flowers, this one was my favorite)
The next day (Thursday) we decided to do a little fishing. My Grandpas cousin has a little pond that is well stocked with Bass so we decided to take our poles and see what we could catch. They have a strict catch and release policy at their pond so we didn't bring any home to eat, but we were okay with that. Tabor loved it so much. He really loves fishing.
Thursday was also Josiah's birthday so we had a party for him that night. He is such an awesome kid. Tabor really love to have a boy there to hang out with and fish with. And of course we always think Josiah is the funniest person we have ever met. He is so fun to play games with and just to be around. Tabor and Josiah went fishing on our last day there and they brought home one of the fish and Tabor was trying to teach Josiah how to kill and clean a fish, but in true Howe fashion he was too squeamish and afraid to do the dirty work. Luckily Tabor is a professional fish cleaner and took over the job.
On Friday we got up early and made the 2 1/2 hour trip to Buffalo, NY to meet up with my best friend Idelis and her husband, Kyle and her mom, Otilia. I am so happy that they planned their trip at the same time as us. We had so much fun with them.
We started out by meeting them at Niagara Falls, which was amazing as usual, and then we continued on to the church history sites and the Hill Cumorah Pageant. It was so fun to share all of those places with Tabor because he had never seen any of them before.
(The top picture is of us at the Hill Cumorah Pageant and the bottom one is at the Joseph Smith log cabin)
After a long day Friday we wanted to relax on Saturday, but there was just so much to do still. We took a trip out to the dairy where we get our milk and Tabor had so much fun talking with the dairy farmers about the way they run things. His family used to run a dairy so he was very familiar with all the ins and outs of the business.
(Isn't he adorable)
That day we also took a trip around town to visit all of our Amish friends and show everyone the wonderful things that they make and sell and what great people they are. We always love to go visit the Amish.
(I may have snuck a picture while no one was looking)
Sunday we went to church and spent the rest of the day playing games and having fun. We had so much delicious food every day. Between Sarah and her desserts and breads and Otilia and her Tamales and
queso fresco we were never hungry.
Finally Monday came and we were so sad knowing that we would have to leave that day. We seemed to mope around the house not wanting to admit that we would have to say goodbye soon. My dad created a little distraction by pulling some honey out of the bee hive for us. It was a little scary, but the honey was so delicious.
Then for lunch Idelis and Otilia threw me a surprise mini baby shower that I had no idea about. It was so much fun. And they gave me the most wonderful gifts. Otilia gave me an awesome Moby baby wrap and a beautiful baby blessing dress that she made herself. It is absolutely perfect and so precious and tiny. Otilia is an amazing seamstress! Then Idelis gave me a baby blanket that she crocheted herself. It is so cute and so soft! I cant wait to wrap my little baby in it. Thank you Idelis and Otilia (and Kyle of course) for the wonderful gifts and the perfect party!
After the party we knew the time had come to say goodbye. We had to drive back to Pittsburgh with Sarah and Miriam so we could catch our flight early the next morning. It was so hard to say goodbye to my parents and siblings. I have no idea when I will be back there, and it was so hard for me to think that it could be a long time before I get to take my baby to see that place that I love so much. I think it was the first time I ever cried when I left home, but I couldn't help it. I wept as we got in the car and drove off. I cant wait for the day when I can take my kids there to visit. I know they will love it as much as I do.
We ended our trip in Pittsburgh spending the night at Sarahs house and then going to the airport early on Tuesday morning. It was so sad to say goodbye to my sisters. I love spending time with them so much. Hopefully we can go back and visit again very, very soon!
