A Weekend In Warren, PA

This past weekend we went to Warren, PA where my mom grew up to celebrate my uncle's/my mom's brother's 70th birthday. Originally it was just going to be the kids and I but Pearson showed up Saturday afternoon and surprised us (he drove with my parents who came up a day after us). It was a fantastic weekend in the country! Here is the email I sent to our family that sums up our time. 

Hello Family! 

I just wanted to send a HUGE thank you to everyone for a wonderful weekend in Warren! From four wheel rides, to baseball in the backyard, to swimming in cold north PA water, to celebrating a birthday, to playing corn hole, to feeding the horses, to smores, to fire works to laughs and love - I couldn't have ask for a better weekend for myself and my kids. Thank you for filling my soul with happiness and my heart with love. 

A special thank you to Uncle Bob for turning 70 and giving us an excuse to come up to celebrate. Thank you to Aunt Rosemary for putting together a great plan and thinking of our kids. Thank you to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Dick for showing our kids a wonderful time on Friday night and Saturday morning. I think if we ever get enough land we are going to have to get a four wheeler! Thank you to Mia, Jackson, Christian, Grace, and Andrew for entertaining my kids and playing with them and tolerating their toddler tantrums and coaxing them out of them. Having "older" kids show them the ropes is invaluable to me as a parent. Thank you to Uncle Roger for being young at heart always!! You have truly been a gift to my childhood and now for my kids. Thank you to Alyssa for traveling the farthest for the party. You are a rock star (I know that you are flying tomorrow to go straight to work). 

And an extra, extra, extra special thank you to Rhonda and Ed for opening their home to us. Thank you for creating such a welcoming environment and making our kids feel so comfortable and having fun activities for them the entire time we were there. I truly think Ed is the kid whisper. (I don't have his email but please Rhonda extend my deepest thank you to him for everything). 

(I know there are so many other personal shout outs but bed is calling my name soon). 

I know that Grandma and Grandpa Hansen are smiling down from Heaven with utter pleasure and delight knowing that we were all able to be able to come together as a family to celebrate! 

xoxo, Alison

4 wheeling with Uncle Dick.

I think his expression sums up how much fun he had on this ride. 

The kids and I hanging in our hotel bed. This was the first time we all stayed in a hotel together. We normally rent apartments so this was a fun experience for them.

Wading in the lake at Chapman State Park. This place was great and I would love to go back and take the kids camping there. 

Mia - my cousin Lisa's daughter. Whit and Mae LOVED her. 

The water was COLD! 

Christian, Jackson, Whit, Mia, and Mae

Jackson and Whitaker

My cousin Robbie gave John "pop" for the first time.  I will preface this by saying Robbie doesn't have kids so he probably assumed soda was fine for a 2 year old. 

My dad. 

My uncle Bob showing up for the surprise party. It was a surprise that we all came into town for it. 

Sibling hugs [my mom and Uncle Bob]

They brought up the electric piano for the kids to play. Mae sat at this thing on and off all day. 

Running through the field. 

Grandkids and great grandkids. 

My mom with her four siblings [Uncle Roger, my mom, Uncle Bob, Aunt Becky, Uncle Dick]

Family shot minus Christian and Andrew who were running around and Julie and Matt who couldn't make it since Julie is due in three weeks and my cousin Lisa. 

Aunt Kathy with her grand boys

Bubbles. 

Pearson wanting to strangle Whit.

Andrew coaxing the horses to come over so the kids can feed them. 

Waiting. 

Feeding the horses. I couldn't get a picture of the kids doing it because the horses got a little spoked with the camera clicking. 

Whit never sits and plays with toys for long but he sat and played with this toy that Grace made for at least 30 minutes!