Creepy Halloween Pictures

I went on a walk along the Black River a few weeks ago.  It runs right by our house and is so relaxing to see, especially with the foliage and the geese flying overhead.  I probably walked about 3 miles when I came upon this really old cemetery.  I really am not "into" cemeteries but this one was really beautiful.  The tombstones were really old and some were moss covered.  And then there was a huge cross in the middle, that was actually really comforting and powerful to see.  I took some pics to turn into a Halloween collage - well probably not the cross pic, but the rest of them.  So a little weird I know, but I am experimenting with Halloween decor.  So...enjoy!

Just Got Back From the Castle and Feeling Like a Princess!

We went to Boldt castle today.  It is on a island in the 1000 island region of New York.  (Yes there are literally 1000 islands in this little region on the the St Lawrence river between the US and Canada)  It was beautiful!! And the history of it was such a sweet love story.  So rather than retell it badly, here it is from their website:

At the turn-of-the-century, George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, set out to build a full size Rhineland Castle in Alexandria Bay, on Picturesque Heart Island.  The grandiose structure was to be a display of his love for his wife, Louise.

Beginning in 1900, Boldt's family shared four glorious summers on the island in the Alster Tower while 300 workers, stonemasons, carpenters, and artists fashioned the six story, 120 room castle, complete with tunnels, a powerhouse, Italian gardens, a draw bridge, and a dove cote. Not a single detail or expense was spared.

In 1904, tragedy struck. Boldt telegrammed the island and commanded the workers to immediately "stop all construction." Louise had died suddenly. A broken hearted Boldt could not imagine his dream castle without his beloved. Boldt never returned to the island, leaving behind the structure as a monument of his love.

For 73 years, the castle and various stone structures were left to the mercy of the wind, rain, ice, snow and vandals. When the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977, it was decided that through the use of all net revenues from the Castle operation it would be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

Since 1977, several million dollars have been applied to rehabilitating, restoring and improving the Heart Island structures.

OK, me again.  What this doesn't tell you is that the island was originally called Hart Island and he had it reconstructed into the shape of a heart and renamed "Heart" Island.  Talk about a romantic!!  There are hearts everywhere in the architecture and in the gardens. 

It was really warm today, so it was gorgeous walking around enjoying the flowers, the lily pond, and the girls had so much fun playing in the leaves.  We had such a fun day and really felt like princesses, well, except Rolland.  

After ice cream and a relaxing boat ride home, the girls passed out on the way home.  Royalty is tiring I guess!   Enjoy the rest of the pictures!!

Fall Fun!!

We have been having so much fun and making some really great family memories. Awhile ago we took the girls bowling using the ramps and the bumpers. Rolland and I weren't even letting the girls win and Bekah still beat us!!




We also took the girls to Old McDonald's Farm to look at animals and take a hayride. There was a Wizard of Oz themed corn maze the girls loved, especially the "Spooky - Spooky" witch!!




Fall here is beautiful and we were blessed to have been able to move here during such a great season. Rolland was able to take leave before he had to sign into his new unit and we have been able to do some amazing trips. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to create some family memories before he deploys!

Fall in The North Country

It as been raining here nonstop, so when I saw a glimmer of sunlight yesterday morning I quickly grabbed the family, packed a lunch, and we took off for the Adirondacks.  Since it is already cold here (the highs were in the upper 40s yesterday) the leaves are peaking.  We headed to a little town on the top of the ridge called Old Forge.

 We took a Ski Lift to the top of the mountain to look at the view.  On the way up we even saw deer grazing directly on the run below us. The view was amazing!!  We had no idea how many lakes and rivers were in the area.   The colors were so bright and beautiful.

 It was so peaceful, and to me,  was a very spirtual experience.  Seeing God's pure creation, and letting Him delight me through nature.

We took a 25 min hike around the top of the mountain.  The girls collected leaves and ran and jumped and just LOVED being outside.  After the ride down we enjoyed the little town of Old Forge.  We walked around the lake front, went into a bunch of little shops, and had dinner and a little local restaurant.  It was a fantastic Fall today!!

Chocolate World USA

We are officially moved into our new place in Watertown, NY, right outside the gates of Fort Drum. We had a very easy drive up here and were able to stop and enjoy Hershey's Chocolate World in Pennsylvania on the way up. It was so much fun and smelled wonderful!! We took a simulated tour of the factory, watched a 3D movie about chocolate, sampled A LOT of new products, and the girls got to work on the assembly line to package their own bags of Hershey's Kisses. They were full of chocolate and then got to ride in the car for another 5 hours up to New York. Thank God for DVD players! It was so much fun and we got stocked up on our Kisses for the year. 

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!!!

I lead a play group at our church, and over the course of the last 5 years I have met some amazing Mama's who are now some of my best friends.  Last year I started a, much needed, Mom's Night Out once a month.  Talk about a life saver.  We got to go to nice restaurants, watch chick flicks, and gab into the late nights...and just have that girl time that's so important.  So last Sunday we had MY last Mom's Nigh Out (since I am moving in a few days :( ) And it was called "Ladies Night: Better Than Therapy."  These are some Amazing women, who have been a great support system.  I am going to miss them all terribly.  Enjoy the pictures!!

Would You Stand Up?

One of my friends sent me this and it really moved me.  Please take a look, and realize the importance of this in light of a new school year starting and an election upon us.