Annual Apple Picking

2010 Family trip to Skytop Orchard

We headed to Skytop Orchards for our annual apple picking. This makes the third year that we have gone. This year was different from the other two; the first year was just like you want for apple picking- a cool, nice, fall day; last year was a little rainy and warm; this year was just plain old HOT.... I think it was almost 90. Not my idea of a pleasant fall day. Since it has been such a hot and dry late summer/early fall; several of the types of apples we normally pick the trees were bear. There was even a sign posted saying that because of the hot and dry weather the pickings are slimmer than other years. But, we still had FUN! Kristin and Garrett went with us so it was fun to watch them with their first experience of apple picking. The boys and Sara just love going too. This year for 3 days before we went Sara was telling everyone she was going apple picking. When we are there if you need to locate Jared and Xander; the best place to look is up, up in a tree because that is probably where you will find them. Garrett, also liked the idea of climbing trees. Sara perferred to stay on the ground.

Sara enjoying one the many apples she picked and sampled

Proud of her picking

Is that a monkey in the tree; no it Xander and Jared

Jared and Xander apple picking

Garrett at "How tall are you this fall?"

As I look back over the last three years there was another huge difference- the first year I carried Sara in the Baby Bjorn, last year she was in the stroller, this year- no carrier, no stroller, she walked almost the whole day- minus a few stops on David's shoulders! I can't believe how much she has changed.

Sara and David

A glimpse at the past ....

September 21, 2008

September 27, 2009

and the present.....

September 25, 2010

Cousins

Xander and Sara finally were able to meet their newest cousin, Peyton Dawn Letteer. Once Sara held Peyton she became quite possessive; if I was holding Peyton; she would tell me "no mommy I hold her she's my baby." We all headed to David's parents house for lunch. It was a great time for Xander and Sara to meet Peyton as well as visit with their other cousins Amber, and Elizabeth; as well as Grandpa and Grandma Letteer, Uncle Andrew and Aunt Amber. Unfortunately, Jared wasn't able to be there as he was off hiking the Appalachin Trail with his Boy Scout Troop.

Dan Nichols Park/Labor Day

Since David and I were both off from work and all three kids had no school we took the opportunity to have a great day together as a family. Numerous people have told us about a great park about an hour away called Dan Nichols Park in Salisbury that we have wanted to check out. We had been told that there was a number of activities for all ages and it was fairly inexpensive; and right these people were. We are always looking for places that can accomdate a 2 yr old as well as a 10 yr old and 13 yr old. The boys were grumbling on the way, thinking they wouldn't have a good time thinking it would just be for Sara; until they saw all that was there.

We got there just as it opened which happened to be perfect, since it was Labor Day it got busy fast but we beat the crowds on most of the activities. At this park there is a carousel, petting barn, a small zoo, a little train ride, minature golf, gem mining, a splash pad, a paddle boats. David and I convinced Jared and Xander that they had to ride the carousel and train with us so all 5 of us could be together; then afterwards they could go to play minature golf while David and I took Sara to the zoo. The reluctantly agreed but in the end admitted to having a good time on both the train and carousel, shh don't tell them I let their secrets out :). It worked out just perfect that by the time Sara was done in the zoo and the play area the boys had finished their round of minature golf. Having allergies to animals I headed to the Gem Mining with the boys while David and Sara went to the petting barn; zoos are tolerable, petting areas- not so much. Sara and David ended up meeting us at the Gem Mining and Sara too had fun mining. The boys found some great treasures. We didn't make the splash pad or paddle boating; we'll definitely being going back; especially since we did all that for a total of $25.00; for a family of five and so many activities.





After we left the park and had lunch at Wendy's we headed to the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC; which was only about 15 minutes away. All three kids were all excited to see the train and ride on.

It was a great day spent as a family making wonderful memories. Looking forward to the next day trip adventure!

Peyton Dawn Letteer

Congratulations Andrew and Amber Letteer on the birth of Peyton Dawn Letteer. She was born at 12:52 pm weighing 8 lbs 4oz and 21 inches. Welcome to the family Peyton; your uncle David, aunt Kim, Jared, Xander and Sara love you!

Rochester NY for Walter Letteer's Funeral (July 25-28th)

Well David and I have now hit the east coast, mountains and heart of NY (central part), and western border of NY all in one months time. We headed to Rochester, NY for his grandfather's funeral. As we have either been on the road as a family with vacations, or the boys have been at camp. David and I made this trip without the kids; whom we left with my parents. Jared and Xander even requested to stay at home, especially Jared who had just got home from camp less than 24 hours before David and I were leaving.

David's grandfather, Walter Letteer, Jr. was 92 yrs old when he passed away. He had served in the Army during WWII and was also a POW after being captured in Italy. Walter had spent the last 15-20 yrs living in Blacksburg, SC. He was buried next to his wife and parents in White Haven memorial Park and was honored with a military funeral and 21 gun salute. American Legion Color Guard

This was the first time in many years that all 5 of Walter's children were together. David and I visited with his aunts and uncles; some which he hadn't seen in over 15 years (and I hadn't ever met).

Donald, Darryl, Dorinda, David Sr., and Dale Letteer

Despite the sad reason for all being together we made the best of it. David and I took a few short 'detours' and trips on the way to Rochester and while we were there; while other family was still traveling to Rochester. We stopped along Lake Erie, went to Niagara Falls for a few hours (the Canadian side- as I threw in our passports just in case), and spent time touring parts of Rochester that I hadn't seen and David hadn't seen since he was 3. We also visited David's maternal aunt, Susan (who also lives in Rochester and Dave and Paulette stayed with) and his cousin Joe's family. We walked along the beach and Pier at Lake Ontario Beach Park in Rochester, as well as enjoyed the beautiful low 80 degree weather (while it was 102 in Charlotte). After the funeral we spent the afternoon with David's Uncle Dale and his wife Rhonda, Aunt Dorinda, and his cousins, Clarissa and Jeff; walking along the beach and then all of us adults rode a carousel that was over 100 yrs old; that his aunt and uncle used to ride as kids with their dad.

David and I at Lake Erie

David and I in Niagara Falls, Canada


Niagara Falls, Canada


Paulette and Susan (David's mom and aunt)

Jeff, Dorinda, and Clarissa (David's cousins and aunt)
Dale and Rhonda Letteer (David's uncle and aunt)
Dale on the carousel

Discovery Place

Today Jared, Sara and I headed to Discovery Place with my mom, Kelly, and Ella. It was a fun time. The girls had a great time place in the preschool section; at the water table, science area, and music area. They all enjoyed looking at the aquariums.

The museum pass that we purchased at the beginning of the summer has come in very handy this summer. One price for over 200 museums throughout the world.

Cortland NY and Cooperstown (June 30-July 3rd)

Well our 3rd stop on our tour of NY state was to Cortland, NY. This is where my part of my heart lives; my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins.... We try to make an annual trip to visit and spend time in the refreshing cooler weather. To our surprise when we pulled into my grandfather's drive way my sister, brother-in-law, and Ella were hanging out with Fafa. Apparently, this little surprise for my mom and me had been planned with the help of my grandfather, aunt, David and my dad.

We spent three days spending time with family, having picnics, watching the kids run around the yard and chase the rabbits, talking, laughing and just having some great family time. We also celebrated Sara's 2nd birthday.

On Friday; David, Jared, Xander, my dad, Scott and Kelly took a day trip to Cooperstown to visit the baseball hall of fame. Mom, Sara, Ella, and I stayed back to spend time with family and for the girls to get a good nap; which had been had to come by that week with so much travel.

Oh, how I miss being with family and cherish the time we have with them.

Easter Weekend

What a great weekend we had. We enjoyed having Kelly, Scott, Ella, and my aunt, Mary Ellen in town. Since the weather was absolutely beautiful we spent much of the weekend outside.

Sara at the Easter egg hunt



Sara and Ella had a great time finding the eggs; unfortunately for the girls the candy filled eggs got passed on to Jared and Xander. The boys were happy though !



Xander, Sara, and Jared- Easter Day